#i had so many things i wanted to do and i just. cannot

[tokidokifish]

i’m rewatching the hbomb video and decided to check up on james somerton and Whoof

however! a lot of people are thinking this might be fake, so i really wanted to unpack the evidence on our hands.

first of all, this listing has been taken down, but there are still copies on the wayback machine. this version of the listing, with james somerton’s name in the description and a halifax address, was last seen in may 2024. a month later, in june, the address had been changed to mississauga, and james somerton’s name had been removed:

and as far as i can tell that’s how it stayed until it went down after this reddit thread.

so. is it fake? on the one hand, this page would have been launched QUITE close to when james was found to be posting stolen hole on alt accounts after his false suicide scare. and it’s called fucking MEMORY media, after james claimed his blatant and repeated plagiarism was due to memory issues, so either that’s a joke at his expense or the man truly has no shame.

on the other hand, this page was up for almost a YEAR before anyone called it out, which is a long-ass con for minimal returns. and james’ name wasn’t even on it for most of that time. so it seems to me we’ve got a couple of options:

1. it’s fake and created as a joke. no one noticed at the time, though, so whoever made it just kinda had to sit on it before either someone finally found the page or they released the info themselves? idk. the timeline is weird for a fake. and i think the jump to wedding photographer is a weird one for a gag?

2. it was genuinely an attempt at rebranding. james initially launched the page with his name on it, before realizing what a stupid fucking idea that was bc his name is toxic and even if people didn’t recognize him immediately, one google search would get his ass. during this time, they also relocated to mississauga. this also explains why he would have used stock images and fake reviews; it was just to make a fledgling operation look good. it managed to fly under the radar until march of this year, when someone was doing the exact same thing i was: googling him on a whim, whereupon they got a hit for a cached version of the original page, and posted that version.

now, the page hadn’t been updated since 2024, which seems sus, but i think in the “it’s genuine” case there could be a pretty easy explanation for that: it didn’t work. james has shown an almost pathological avoidance of actually putting effort into what he does, and you cannot ACTUALLY plagiarize your way through a career in wedding photography. he had nice, expensive cameras and he couldn’t go back to youtube, so wedding photography probably seemed like a viable option (as someone with a degree in photography, SO many people suggested i go into that after college), but it’s hard work! and either james just couldn’t hack it or lost interest, and left the page up, gathering dust, bc he couldn’t be assed to take it down until the internet took notice.

but! at the end of the day i don’t know and i don’t REALLY care. i was just briefly distracted by the puzzle of it.

James Somerton is working as a wedding photographer with a plagiarized portfolio, btw

YoutubeDrama thread where this came out.

He truly seems incapable of not passing off others work as his own.

[fangirlingpuggle]

Bingyuan/Bingeeyuan AU without transmigration where Binghe and Shen Yuan are soulmates where Binghe as a child using his dream powers tries to reach out for comfort and finds his soulmate, a Shen Yuan who is also a child (in a coma due to health/sickness)

During this time the two bonding Luo Binghe spending all the time he can is this dream with this person who cares for him so much, Shen Yuan absolutely doting on Binghe and being so horrified of what he has to deal with and how Binghe doesn't deserve any of that.

Binghe is head over heels already he adores Shen Yuan and desperately wants to find him, Meng Mo is trying to figure out TH FUCK! because dreams transcending realities? Worlds? That's a thing? AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO DEMONS AND CULTIVATION IN YOUR WORLD? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!

He didn't know that? He's spending the times Binghe has to be awake with Shen Yuan finding out about Shen Yuan's reality and also kinda wants to adopt this kid whose so sweet and respectful and please you so mcuh moire polite than the other brat.

That goes on until Shen Yuan wakes up in his world and the connection breaks Binghe can't find a way back can't reforge it and almost qi deviates thaty he;s lost his soulmate that he can't find him again.

Shen Yuan later reading the PIDW and remembering the dreams that everyone told him weren't real after his coma but that he'd never been able to forget and the similarities. Then later so angry about the abyss and Binghe's suffering and the fucking harem and stupid wife plots (he buries the jealously and remembering of Binghe calling him his soulmate) Binghe deserves the best story and a happy end... if he's real or not.

The 2 ways it could go

1 Binghe doesn't follow PIDW plot and as soon as gets Xin Mo instead of revenge or anything he just wants to be with Shen Yuan nothing else, so transports himself to that universe and happy domestic couple in modern world. Happy demon house husband.

2 Binghe convinces himself it wasn't real that Shen Yuan was to perfect to be real that he was an illusion Binghe created, a world without cultivation impossible. He doesn't have a soulmate he couldn't so he tries to forget. He focuses on revenge and even builds a harem chasing the memory of the one person he really wanted, but who cannot be real.

Until Bingge Vs Bingmei where he sees Shen Qingqiu but recognizes him immediately as Shen Yuan... realizes his Shen yuan was real and instantly goes to find his Shen Yuan. (Since this Shen Yuan never had coma/dreams)

[kidspawn]

Oh so actually, yeah I will defend early day Adam and Blue and the fact that they dated and that it's crucial to both of them. Not just because it shows us what they both needed in a relationship, and why they didn't work with each other for their conflicting needs (though that is an excellent point and one I attribute to their narrative relevance.) but also because... they're really important to each other?

Adam and Blue meet, and it's when Adam is worried about being judged for who he is and Blue wanting to be wanted (and not just useful which is a concept that breaks me because ahhhhh) and they actually challenge that with each other? Blue is drawn to Adam because while he is attractive, he's also something different - she sees a fray in his jacket, and she likes that he isn't the typical Raven Boy. She likes this aspect of Adam he worries about being judged for. And you can say all you do about how Blue describes him in comparison to something dusty or how she compares him to traits of himself he detests, but while Adam dislikes these things Blue likes this about him. I cannot stress that enough. It was not what Adam needed (this is something Gansey, actually, needed) but it was important.

Blue wants to be wanted, to be around someone who sees her as more than just useful. And, yes, Adam does seem to evaluate her based on how useful she will be to the group, but it's important to note that Adam is drawn to Blue because he wants to be around her. He thinks she's funny. He thinks she's pretty. He legitimately likes her as a person. He seeks her out for physical comfort, not just because she's useful but because he likes being around her, he wants her, he wants her company. There is a lot you can say about how Adam equates usefulness with love and affection and he definitely values Blue based on her usefulness in the group but it's more than that. He envies her ease with which she makes friends, the confidence she has in herself. (Adam + Envy is also a prevalent theme with how he experiences attraction.) Adam genuinely admires Blue as a person. He wants to be around her, appreciates her input and her presence. And that was important to Blue at the moment.

And, yes, the ultimate issue comes into their conflicting needs in a relationship, but I think when it comes to Blue and Adam it's such a beautiful exploration of what a short-term romance brings to teenagers. It's common to explore relationships through these awkward fumbles between what you need in the moment and what you need in the long term. They get those awkward, first relationship jitters and anxieties together, they learn what they both need and value going further into their teen years. And it is messy and complex and all over the place and very hormonal. And that is a really precious thing to explore in a shorter relationship, especially with a friend, and with a person you feel understands you. (Something neither of them had gotten.) Also, if they hadn't dated they wouldn't have brought the group together. Poverty twin rizz, guys. They really carried the first book on their backs.

Anyway, my point is that Blue and Adam together are very valuable to the story, their character arcs, and please know you can give them the respect they deserve without detracting from Bluesey or Pynch or detracting from the significance of their friendships. I actually think if they'd been given more time, that platonic dynamic would've been one of the strongest in the series. Because when you share such a valuable milestone (the horrors of teen dating) you bond on a level many don't understand or relate to. Blue and Adam I love you.

[livingforkastle]

okay, late night thoughts, but it lowkey pisses me off that there are people who actually still ship karen and matt in the big '25 lmaooo. the instagram comments on their scene in ddba (@marvelstudios) really made me raise an eyebrow. i just cannot relate 😄😁

like did you even watch netflix's daredevil season 2, where he basically would leave everything behind just for elektra?? she suddenly appeared in his life again, stayed for a week or whatever, and had him sobbing and throwing up over her. (i bet veteran kastle shippers had this discussion so many times, and i need to join in that thought too)

and mind you, all of that happened when he literally was already romantically involved with karen 😭 it's not just about the other woman but just the not picking up her calls and leaving whenever he wants is such an ick. i do love matt as a whole but he just sucks as a romantic partner.

i do believe that karen is totally what matt needs; someone who already knows about his mask & story and now, someone to grieve with. but matt is the last thing karen needs; someone who shuts down and runs away whenever he likes. long story short, she's it for him but he's not it for her.

ps. i know i'm only focusing on the romance aspects of daredevil's and the punisher's universe and it is what it is!! i'm a hopeless romantic, let me be. as always, i stand by the fact that frank and karen do belong together <333

[plasmaglacious-dndendtotem]

A rant/dump about the narrator because he is so Human. He is my favorite part and my lover.

I see so much about the narrator in only one view where they see him as bad, abusive, manipulating, coniving. a villian.

But I have to say i feel like you people forget he is and was once human. And that he is a vital part to this story. he is the reason you get these endings, he is the reason the princess/shifting mound and the long quiet came to be.

He is what split them up. I do not deny that what he has become and how he can behave is cruel. and seems unjust, unfit. That he does seem like a villian, or someone bad.

But he is human. He was human, who in turn learned and comprehended death. he learned of this god that split into the two other main forces you see.

Do you know what a human is at it's core? an animal. Do you know how an animal would behave at perceived danger, death? Fear, hatred, anger. Do you know how people behave when they comprehend the unknowable. they fall into madness.

The Narrator is human, and humans are one of the top predators in the world. But even they cannot stop death, and to learn of what holds death. that makes many terrified. There are things he could have cared about. that are obviously hinted at through the game. whether intended or not.

There are people he cared about, a world he cared about. Not all gods can be reasoned with; not all forces can be talked to. Yes, part of it is selfishness. of course it is, he's human. but it isn't just about him. it's about his world, his life, the people he knew and the people he did not. Good people, I'm pretty sure.

We don't know what he had specifically. but we do know by that info, what he stands to lose. and due to his nature. he did a choice I'm sure more people would do than their willing to admit.

He tried to stop the very nature of change.

But in doing that has lost himself. he still in that way dies. becoming something if only to try and keep all the work he has done from going to waste. he is not malicious. he is not just someone abusive. are there those traits, yes. but anyone can be that way. because he is human.

and he still is, even if he is just an echo of one. and he changes with you, that is very well seen. but things stay the same too. his fear stays the same. he is afraid.

and the only way he comes to terms I think is through the actions we choose, when we reach the broken mirror.

just like the shifting mound, he goes through the stages of grief. it's just that you don't get shiny achievements for it.

his humanity can be shown, even to the thing he's afraid of. shown with HEA. because at that point he's brought us down to his level. and he can see her just as he sees himself and what he once was. and he can feel for her.

he's not just trapping both forces. he's actively bringing them down to his level in the past. Sure you don't truly die. but death is still death. and both sides can show fear to that now. both sides due to his actions have become more human. even if they aren't. and do you see how they act? they try to escape it. to run from their death a lot of the time. to survive. just like he had.

in a way he has finally made it so that the very thing he fears can be reasoned with. and the world you step out into when you and the princess leave when you reach her heart. is probably his old one. the one he didn't want to lose. because you haven't rid the world of death. but you have not made a choice that changes the world either. you find a path where you go to it as is.

there are no wrong choices as said before in the preface of the game. i just think we should extend that to him more.

[q-gorgeous]

Expose Danny Fenton Danny Phantom

ao3

ffn

word count: 1994

prompt: Wes dies as a result of being too close to a ghost fight (stray missile, building collapse, hostage situation, the actual manner of his death is up to the writer) and becomes a ghost himself. His ghostly obsession is to expose Danny Phantom's true identity (crucially he cannot succeed no matter what). In trying so much and so hard, he ends up counted among Danny's rogues. @raaorqtpbpdy

dfkhvbdjhfbvkdjnfv

It was bound to happen sooner or later. 

Wes tried to follow Danny to as many ghost fights as possible to catch him. To get videos, pictures, anything to prove to their classmates that he was really Phantom. No one believed him! It was so obvious but if he just had the proof-

But he’d gotten too close in this battle. Danny hadn’t been able to save him. And he was fighting the Box Ghost of all ghosts! 

What a lame battle to have died from. 

He’d been ghost hunting for your old school run of the mill ghosts. He’d brought an EMF reader and a spirit box. But of course, since the spirit box was a box in name, the Box Ghost could control it. 

All it took was a little spark. One thing led to another, and Wes was being electrocuted by the spirit box and then the next thing he knew he was a ghost.

And he couldn’t talk! 

Either nothing came out of his mouth or it was just filled with static. But he could hear his voice warbling from somewhere. Where was it?

He followed the sound and on the ground he found his spirit box. 

“Hello? Is that me?” 

Wes’s voice rang out from the device and he frowned at it. Was this the only way he could talk to anyone now? Through spirit boxes?

He picked it up off the ground and studied it. He supposed it wouldn’t be so bad if he always had his spirit box on him. 

He heard someone approaching from behind him. Danny softly spoke up. 

“Wes, I’m-”

He turned sharply and pointed a finger in Danny’s face.

“You!” He growled. His voice crackled through the spirit box with its intensity. “This is all your fault!”

“What?” Any sympathy Danny seemed to have had for Wes disappeared. “I’m not making you follow me around and into battles! You choose to do all of that on your own.” 

“I’ll expose you. I’ll prove to them all who you really are. That you let me die.” 

A pained expression appeared on Danny’s face and he clenched his hands into fists. “I would never have let you die.” 

“You wanted to get rid of me so I didn’t tell everyone your secret. You probably didn’t account for me becoming a ghost did you?”

Logically, Wes could feel his rationale fading away. He’d never thought about what it meant to be a ghost but they must have the one trackiest minds ever. All he could think of was exposing Danny. 

Expose Danny Fenton. Danny Phantom. 

Expose Danny Fenton. Danny Phantom. 

His mind was going in circles as he tried to keep it grounded for a few more seconds. Just a few more seconds before he lost himself to the cacophony in his mind. But then Danny grabbed the spirit box out of his hand and smashed it. 

“I can’t have you telling people my secret.”

That was it. The last thing that broke his willpower over his mind. 

He hissed and that same static sound spilled out of his mouth. He growled at the lack of words and instead threw a punch at Danny. 

Danny dodged and flipped Wes over his shoulder, throwing him across the warehouse. Wes smashed into a stack of boxes and it all fell on him. He went intangible and flew at Danny but he was gone by the time Wes was floating in the open air again. 

The coward. Wes growled. He’d get him. 

Expose Danny Fenton. Danny Phantom.

He had to.

~~~~~~~

He listened to the whispers as he walked down the hall in Casper High.

“Is that Wes?”

“What happened to him?” 

“Is he dead?” 

“Should we be scared?”

Wes huffed. He didn’t want to hurt anyone. That much he had clarity on. No, what he wanted was to expose Danny. 

Expose Danny Fenton. Danny Phantom.

He shook his head. He also wanted to quiet the obsessive sounds in his mind. Exposing Danny would help with that. 

He walked to his first period english class. When he walked into the room Mr. Lancer was already there. He was standing in front of the chalkboard, holding the eraser up to erase something off the board. At the sound of Wes walking into the classroom, Lancer turned to look at him. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. The eraser fell from his hand and hit the ground. 

“Mr. Weston?” 

Wes waved Mr. Lancer off and walked over to his seat. He sat down and slumped in the chair, a grumpy expression on his face. 

“Will.. you still be attending class?” Lancer asked him, obviously unsure about what was going on. 

Wes thought about it. He really didn’t want to be here everyday. He didn’t have to be. Not unless he wanted to convince everyone that Danny was Phantom.

He waved his hand in a so so motion. Lancer nodded. 

“Is there anything I need to know about your… Condition? Before we start class today?”

Wes pointed at his throat and opened his mouth. This time nothing came out, not even static.

Lancer frowned at him. “You can’t talk?”

Wes shook his head. Then thought about it, and made another so so motion.

“Alright.” Lancer bent over to pick the eraser up off the floor. “Let me know what accommodations we can get you to help you get around that.” 

Wes sat up in his seat. Could Lancer just get him another spirit box? He supposed he could go and find another one. 

He pulled out a notebook from his backpack and tore out a piece of paper and started writing on it. He held it up for Lancer to see and shook the paper so he’d turn around. But before Lancer saw it, it was being hit and burnt to a crisp by an ectoblast. 

He whipped his head towards the classroom door to see Danny still pointing a smoking finger at him. Wes hissed. 

He leapt out of his seat at Danny and Danny ran out of the room.

“Lord of the flies!” 

He ignored Lancer’s shout as he followed Danny out of the room. The students in the halls backed away from them. Some of them shouted and ran when they saw Wes charging through the hallway. 

He turned around a corner and skidded across the floor and slammed into the lockers. 

What was he doing? He could fly now.

He jumped into the air and continued chasing after Danny, but he was nowhere to be seen now. Where did he go?

“Hey!” 

Wes turned around and saw Danny floating in front of him. Damn it! He already transformed. 

He launched himself at Danny and made contact, sending them flying down the hallway to the next turn. More screams and shouts could be heard when they collided with the wall. 

Wes struggled to untangle himself from Danny and by the time he did and he looked up Danny was already staring down at him. 

Danny pulled his thermos out and Wes’s eyes widened. He shook his head.

Danny nodded. 

Wes tried to fly away but Danny was too quick in activating the thermos and soon he was being sucked into it by that blue beam. He tried to fly out of it but it was to no avail.

The inside felt weird. It was dark. It felt cramped but also spacious. Then he fell back and forth. That asshole was probably shaking the thermos. 

He’d just have to try again when he went to school tomorrow. 

~~~~~~~

He couldn’t believe he was banned from Casper High! 

So what if he disrupted class! They had ghosts disrupting their classes all the time before! What was the difference now that he was the ghost? 

He grumbled as he walked down the street but no sound came out. He hissed. Someone walking down the street next to him jumped at the sound. He glared at them and continued walking. 

Being a ghost was the worst.

He looked up and saw the electronics store he would occasionally go into. He bought his last spirit box. 

He smiled. Just what he was looking for. 

Wes walked into the electronics store and looked around. They had to have a spirit box in here somewhere. They were in a haunted city. Surely they’d have some. 

He looked around and saw that they still had their spirit box display up. He cleared his throat and it rang out through the speaker in the device.

“Excuse me.” He walked up to the counter. “Can I buy a spirit box?” 

The worker pointed to a sign behind the counter and Wes gaped at it.

One sign was a “we do not serve ghosts sign” and then the other was a picture with his face crossed out! Why was he banned from shopping here? 

His voice crackled over the spirit box display they had on the shelf. “Why?”

The shop worker shrugged and moved to go back to what he was doing before Wes started talking to him. 

“No, I need-“ Wes could feel his anger rising and his voice grew louder in the spirit box and reverberated around the room. “I need the spirit box!”

The locked cases in the store started rattling and one by one the glass doors shattered. Wes bent down and pulled a spirit box out of their case and opened the box. He pressed the power button and groaned when it didn’t turn on. 

“Where are the batteries?” 

The shop worker was ducked behind the counter, shaking. He pointed across the store.

Wes took a step and floated through the air the rest of the way. He was looking for the ones he needed when he was hit with a blast from behind. He turned and hissed.

Danny was floating behind him, hands glowing. 

“Terrorizing people now, Wes?”

“I was going to pay him for it but he doesn’t serve ghosts, and, for some reason, me specifically!”

Danny shrugged. “Most people don’t want to deal with ghosts.”

“I’m not like other ghosts!”

Danny leveled him with a look. “What do you think you’re doing here?”

“I can’t talk without a spirit box! You already know that!”

“But why do you need a spirit box? Why are you so hell bent on it that you had to destroy this guy's shop?” 

Expose Danny Fenton. Danny Phantom. 

“To prove that you’re a ghost! That you’re Phantom! No one believes me!”

Danny just stared at him but Wes didn’t understand. He wasn’t like all the other ghosts. 

“I don’t obsess over boxes or wanting friends or being famous! I don’t have unfinished business! I-“

“Am obsessed with exposing my identity.”

As Danny said that Wes had a moment of clarity before his world shifted again. He squeezed his eyes shut.

“I have to!” 

His voice reverberated through the spirit box again, shaking the room. This time the shaking didn’t stop. 

“It’s the only thought going through my head! I have to! I need to quiet them! I have to!” 

Expose Danny Fenton. Danny Phantom.

Expose Danny Fenton. Danny PhanTOM.

EXPOSE DANNY FENTON. DANNY PHANTOM.

Wes leapt at Danny and grabbed onto the front of his jumpsuit. He pulled him down and slammed him against the floor. 

“I died! You didn’t save me! I’m going to expose you if it’s the last thing I do. Reap the consequences of your actions.”

Danny looked up at him and Wes felt something press into his side. He looked down and saw the thermos.

“I’m sorry, Wes. I really am.”

Then he was being sucked up into the thermos for the second time.

This time felt longer than the last. It was hard to measure time in a black void. But it felt like his thoughts were bouncing off the walls of the thermos back at him.

Expose Danny Fenton. Danny Phantom.

Expose Danny Fenton. Danny Phantom.

Expose Danny Fenton. Danny Phantom. 

[notmorbid]

how high we go in the dark.

dialogue prompts from how high we go in the dark by sequoia nagamatsu.

you never seem to need me.

you're only one person. you only have one life.

i've gotten so used to keeping to myself. surviving.

comics let us see a brighter world. forget our troubles.

who do you need me to be right now?

our mission today is to have fun. can you do that?

where are you? i can't see you.

this is no time for modesty.

do you have anything to say for yourself?

i wanted to believe ____ would get better.

you need to learn how to talk to me.

i miss ____ so much.

are you going to sit around and feel sorry for yourself all day?

how would you prefer that i respond?

i know i might seem selfish. i'm just not sure i understand.

i never really understood ___, you know?

no bringing work home with you.

there's _____ in the fridge, if you're hungry.

i consider you a good friend. i've never had many of those.

can you tell me what will happen to me?

you tend to transform into an adolescent surfer dude when you drink.

i'll come, but i'm not hanging out all night.

'anywhere' is not a valid destination.

someone should have listened to you a long time ago.

i've been hurting for so long now.

what about the things you wanted to do with your life?

i'm sorry we couldn't have met another way.

shitty things happen to good people for no reason.

i should have known something was wrong.

i don't want to talk to anyone.

i never realized how important you were to me.

the shit hit the fan, and it's all over the goddamn ceiling.

i don't expect you to understand what i went through.

what does 'start fresh' even mean?

have you decided to be nice to me again?

saving the world doesn't really allow for much time off.

we need to try to be a family while we still can.

i don't always say 'thank you' enough.

i'll love you for lightyears.

when you wake up, i'll be there.

we look for perfection where there is none.

if we don't ____, what did any of them die for?

you want to run away? after all we've been through?

my home is a museum.

if you let yourself feel everything all the damn time, it'll wear you down.

everybody deserves a little time to feel normal.

you're basically a stranger, and you're all i have.

a few good days doesn't change anything.

i just want you to stay here with me and not talk.

people have forgotten how to care for each other. how can we expect them to care about the world?

it's easy to be lost in fear. it brings people together, often for the wrong reasons.

you need to take care of yourself first. think about your future.

i'm sorry for everything i never told you. everything we never were.

what else have you learned just to impress me?

you must have been a real romeo in school.

maybe it's nothing, but it's the most i've ever had.

i don't want to only remember the good times.

how long are you here for? everybody misses you.

you broke all of our hearts.

there is so much light we cannot see.

we have to play their game to survive.

i love you. i'll love you forever.

i don't share my whole story with everyone.

you can touch me. it's okay.

[strangelittlestories]

I had felt the god stalking me for days before it finally appeared.

It was a twilight kind of god. When the sun began to go down, the sunset was swollen with malice, a vivid scar across the horizon. Then the stars would come out too early and too many, like a hundred times a hundred spiders staring down with explosions for eyes.

In times gone by, I would have prepared for the god's arrival. I would have laid wards across my doors and windows and peppered them around town, so I would always have a place of power nearby. I would have fashioned godkillers out of sycamore wood and carried a sprig of burning mistletoe.

But I had learned, by then, that preparing for war is the surest way to find it. And I no longer liked leaving my power squirreled away in pockets of the world, where it could curdle. I settled, instead, for the power I could carry in my skin and my dreams.

When the god emerged, it seemed... confused.

It emerged from the community hearth fire, in the centre of the town. It was made of embers wrapped in smoke, riding the sweet evening breeze like a wildfire surfing on a water dragon.

I walked out to meet it.

"Worship unto you, deity," I said, tasting woodsmoke on my tongue, "I do not believe you are a god of mine, but you are kin to gods of mine. I will give you praise if you give me a name to honour."

"This one is Slow Death of Embers. This one is a fragment of vengeance and a sliver of justice. We were promised sacrifice and they made this one to collect."

"Hail to you, Slow Death of Embers. May you always find prayer and keep your agreements. What sacrifice were you promised?"

"You," it replied, "But also not you."

"Who was it who offered me to your fires? I will see if I can fulfil their bargain.

"Too many names. Living. Dead. Those you have wronged. Those you crushed with boot and will."

A dream of violence reared up hissing in my mind, ready to burst forth into the world. I thanked it for its service and bid it wander home, instead.

"They have just reason to ask this of you." I put a mental wall between the inside of my skull and any other dreams too eager to come to my defense. "If I am who you seek, I will walk with you into the fire."

"You are. You are not. You bear the name. You bear the sin." A flare of cinder sparks gave the impression of a nose being wrinkled, perplexed. "You do not bear the shape. What are you?"

"I am just a person. A sack of skin holding blood and history." I took the god's smoke-wrought hand in mine and squeezed. My palm tingled with a dozen tiny scorch marks. "I think, deity, there is too much of both those things between the person you seek and the person I am. Time and choice have made it so I am not that person anymore. However, that person still lives in my shadow. I feel them there curled up in there, with their claws hooked like burrs in my memory."

"You are not the sacrifice. But you contain the sacrifice."

"I carry that person with me. I will do so always."

"You will walk with me to the fire. You will burn the sacrifice from your shadow. The now-you will walk away."

I stiffened. A dream of demons battling with icy spears puffed up its spikes in my head, I bid it hold but did not dismiss it.

"I cannot do that, deity. The thing that sleeps in the penumbra of me is in my care. I am responsible for it. It is both burden and charge." I tightened my grip on the god's hand. "But if you wish it, we will both walk into the fire with you. For your sacrifice is not unearned."

The god was silent for a long moment, then, "We will go into the fire. But you will not burn. Not yet. You will stay with me. The sun will go down on us like a mountainfall. We will be dust and we will understand each other. Then this one will decide."

I probably should have taken time to think about this. I did not.

"Let us go then. For I have always been wanton for understanding."

---

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[bronx-bomber87]

Happy Wednesday lovely Fandom/readers :) I cannot believe we are in the final 3 episodes. If it think on it too much makes me sad. So let's not dwell on that. lol This episode did not disappoint in the least. End to end it was so good. Said this time and time again but it's a theme this year. So proud of this show for returning to it's roots. What I mean by that is the entire show being so damn good along with Chenford SL's. The ensemble side of it is running on all cylinders. Not an easy thing to do 7 seasons in.

I'm not saying I didn't enjoy or the last couple years years. I adored them to no end. Don't get me wrong. Was in absolute Chenford heaven and some non ones I loved too. But it's nice to have the show as a whole be fantastic. Week in and week out for the most part again. Each SL having purpose and keeping me engaged. Writers just brought it this year and then some. Continue to see why this is Eric's fav season yet.

It's become mine as well. Seth's return was as impactful and good as I was expecting it to be. Can't explain enough how proud I am of this show. Makes me emotional tbh. Day one girl over here so it just hits me sometimes, how excited I am to see us thrive. The giving season continues to give with the goodies we get in this one. So let us begin.

7x16 The Return

Seth is back....Of course he threw his corrupt oncologist under the bus to get back in. That’s low. I mean I expect nothing less from him. tbh. They could’ve at least sent him to another station… He picked the perfect time to pick on the LAPD I will say. What Wade’s saying is frustrating but unfortunately, he’s right. Letting them know they need someone to train him. I mean piss-pants wouldn’t last two seconds with Tim…But that isn't the plan. Nor would that be fair to Miles.

Poor Lucy’s PTSD is screaming out how much she doesn’t want him. Ugh my heart. Kudos to Melissa in this moment. We watch as she unclenches as Nolan is tapped for this instead. Not excited in the least but willing to take it on. Good man. I have enjoyed Nolan so much more this year than I have in ages. Grey letting him know he's going to have to watch his every move. Document everything this kid does. Ooof been there Nolan. It suckkkssss.

I had someone on my team at my old job like this. Played the system and was a walking law suit just like Seth. They didn’t deserve to be there and that's hard to deal with. I learned the hard way to record literally every detail in order to 'Wash' them out so to speak. It’s not easy to fire a legal liability. Especially when they have the system on their side. All I could think was he’s gonna have to bounce him for the slightest FTO infraction. To have that piled against many other documented offenses. What I had to do. Not an easy feat. Commend Nolan for taking it on.

Lucy so excited to see Tamara. It's precious. Her love for the people in her life is so genuine and pure. Oh my lord. Their hug made me so happy. Didn't get a chance to fit it in but maybe in my in-depth this summer I can haha I had a feeling this would be for Seth though…. Not to see her. Even though that's a bonus for them both. She is there to support this turd of a human being. *sigh* Wanting Lucy to be his friend.

Channeling some 2x06 Tim in telling Tamara she's his training officer not his friend. I mean we all know it was a lie for Tim but very very true for Lucy in this instance. Lucy can see she is losing Tamara to her Tim-like rant and stops. It's here Tamara asks the world of Lucy. By saying she wants to have dinner tonight with her. For her to meet the 'real' Seth. If she only knew how ironic that sentence was...

He has her wrapped out his conniving little finger. I hate it so much. I wanna say how could she be so blind? But I’ve been emotionally manipulated by a man before. It sucks when you come out the other side of it. It happens sadly more often than it should. Ugh the damage this will cause…Lucy being the amazing pseudo mom she is says yes. Wanting to maintain her relationship with her. Not to lose it to Seth and his lies. Other than Tim she is the one person she would do anything for.

Ice cold reception… ooof. You are gonna fail my man. One might ask why come back to this station? Well manipulative narcissists love attention. Even if it’s negative. They thrive off it really. Also they ALWAYS have someone sympathetic to their cause to fuel the sympathy card. In this case it's Tamara. I hate it. Giving me my own ptsd concerning a person like this. I do love Nolan telling him they're skipping roll call get the shop ready. Smart move....

Awesome that his previous errors follow him into his return. No re-do for you. John laying that out right away. Might actually love you in his episode good sir. Seth immediately defending his lie and Nolan is over him already. if you really wanna do this stfu Seth. Only hurting your cause the more you speak.

God Nolan is channeling some Feral Tim here and I’m about it. Get em John! You hurt this station, you hurt Lucy and you dishonored the badge you putz. Nolan is a honorable as they come. Yes that was a compliment lol. And you spat in the face of everything he holds dear about this career. Also you hurt his friend. You are toast my son. Or as Nolan puts it. His nightmare T.O. He crushes Seth with his idc speech.

About how he was raised by someone like him. Grew up with a woman who only used the truth to serve herself. *Mic drop* If that isn’t Seth in a nutshell. Can’t say ever been attracted to Nolan on this show like ever. But hot damn this is a Nolan I can get on board with. lmao I’m enjoying the show. *eats popcorn* Tearing down any preconceived notions this will be easy or he will believe him. Well done John actually really proud of him for this scene. Good job writers.

When Celina tries to see the best about Seth with Lucy all I could do was shake my head. Thinking 'Oh Celina don’t defend him.' That’s the worst thing you could do in this moment. He is not a 'see the best in people kind of guy.' You are talking to the Queen of that and she is over it. He took advantage of her empathy and used it to gain traction in a program he didn’t belong in. As I said earlier he’s doing it for the attention like the lying manipulative narcissist he is. Holy cow this episode is igniting my Sicilian rage with him lol

It brings us to the dinner and how Lucy doesn't have the room to host such an event. So what does she do? Calls her person of course and enlists his help in this. All I could think as she dialed was, OMG Lucy Chen, you’re asking Tim, who’ll go absolutely feral not just for you but for Tamara too, to host this kid in his house for dinner? It's a good thing this man is gone for you. That is quite the ask my girl haha Enticing him with a free home cooked meal at first.

Did make me cackle her eye roll when he said his plans were COD. LOL You love your reclusive little gaming nerd madam. Don't lie. Will say my Feral Tim senses were tingling at the prospect of this. Miles seems so hurt Lucy is cooking for him though. Oh honey, it’s not like that....It's written all over his upset puppy face when it's mentioned. Wanna give him a hug.

The way she says ‘I’ll owe you.’ Dripping with innuendo. Flirt more Lucy my god woman. No shame in her game. Knowing she is being seductive af in her approach. Celina catches on and Lucy has to put up a finger to stop her from saying a word. Knowing exactly what Lucy is throwing down here. Of course he gives in. For a couple reasons. One because Lucy has him wrapped around her finger and she knows it LOL This man would do anything for her. That was the case before he was in love with her. But after? When she has potential sexy times to dangle in front of him? Whew lord. Has him hook, line, and sinker.

Two. He gets nervous with her being so brazen with Miles there. So he answers quickly with an 'Ok.' It's the way his eye dart over to Texas as he delivers his answer that kills me. heh. He can't get too excited with the prospect of her 'owing' him with his rookie in the car lmao I didn't have Lucy seducing Tim with the 'owing' him in on shift on my bingo card. But so glad it happened.

Giving season continues to give. Sweet lord. Celina is all but beaming when Lucy hangs up on him. She is our on-screen shipper this season and I'm here for it. Doesn't waste a second giving her shit about it. She is red af when she tells Celina to shut up haha Lucy is giddy as hell and flying high off that convo and it's adorable to watch. Look at her as red as a tomato once it's said and done. I love it.

There is something so wonderful about how Miles immediately vents his frustration to Tim. This relationship has come so very far. Their scenes just continue to get better as the season goes along. I totally understand his anger. He’s done everything right and yet it’s the bad ones that get the passes. The legs up in life by being dishonest. I could not understand this more if I tried. Twas me in my last job.

His anger is well founded. He’s getting his job back, back pay of 10k, Miles passed up money in 7x13 to do the right thing, and Seth doesn’t and gets all this. 10K in his lap just like that. I get it. Frustrating as hell to watch the bad people of the world have it easier. All I could think was his day will come Texas I promise you.

Karma thou art a cold and relenting bitch. She’s coming for him. He’s racking up bad karma points like he’s collecting carnival tickets. Thing is when he cashes them in all that is waiting is one giant karmic smackdown. Tim tells him exactly that in his statement more or less. For Miles to put him out of his mind. Mark his words *yum* He will wash out again. What ran through my mind after that was your lips to Gods ears Timothy.

Seth comes in wanting more pity. Miles ignores him as first. Holding firm like Tim told him to. Then he gets under his skin about his past. A wound not close to healing and he snaps....As much as he deserves that beating it wasn't the way to go my dear. Tim and Nolan hear the commotion and find them after they've parted.

Tim is less than impressed with their explanation. He looks so disappointed in Miles. That look wasn't enough though. Tim telling Texas straight. His moral compass has me fanning myself. Crushing exactly why he needs to keep his cool. To not let him infect him like he has. Because now look at him. Becoming no better than he is with lying. *sad sigh* He’s not worth it Miles I promise you that. They never are.

Lucy asking where his salad forks are? Lmao. You practically lived with this man. You should know he has no salad forks sweets. lol His fridge full of just beer is such a bachelor thing. I mean that alone should've answered her question really. lol I love him so much. Also could they be more together without being together? His smile when she asked. *happy sigh* I’m on the floor. Just a happy puddle. Leave me here. TIm isn't even pretending he doesn't want to do this with her. He is so happy to have her in his home.

I'm happy to be here as well. Tim's place has become one of my fav spots to be now. They act as married as two people can be that aren't together..... Very s4 of them with the added layer of already knowing they're in love with each other. She legit touches him on her way back into the kitchen. Just watch her while Celina speaks. Her arm touches him with a happy smile before checking on dinner.

I'm dying. Melissa and Eric kill me with their add on's. You know that was intentionally done. They love to make us squee with the smallest things. Just to see if we're looking. I was looking don't you worry. You gotta be looking for this instance but it's there. *screams into a pillow* It's so domestic I'm losing my damn mind. Like her picking lint off his uniform like she did in 5x12. It's second nature this natural touch of hers and it comes through as such. I'm a happy girl.

I love Tim putting his hand up when they hear the doorbell. Shielding her from having to let them in. Wanting to give her that extra time to mentally prep herself for this evening. Such a small but massive gesture. Showing Lucy he's got her back through and through. It makes me so damn happy. He's going to do whatever for her tonight. To do his damndest to help her get through this unscathed.

It's tense as hell from the moment Tim opens the door. They can all feel it. Another reason Tim takes the lead here. His face when he takes their coats....Feral Tim is lurking beneath the surface but keeps him at bay. Loves Lucy so very much to welcome this incredibly unwelcome guest into his home for her. It's as painfully awkward as expected when they come greet Lucy. We see her be genuine in her affections for Tamara and how reserved she is with Seth.

The train wreck of convo continues when he changes course and says 'We-we got you flowers.' Sensing her not caring he got her the flowers. She is trying SO hard to keep it together. Barely squeaks out a thank you before heading back toward the kitchen. ‘What are the chances he took these off a grave?’ Celina Juarez I love you. I was laughing so damn hard at this. Lucy groans and heads back in.

The dinner starts out positive. We find out Tamara is volunteering with a wonderful organization. One that helps homeless people. That they focus on building trust with the mentally ill. Which is utter perfection for her. Honestly that is a *chefs kiss* career trajectory for her. Seems like she is on the right path in every way except for Seth..... Lucy seems so excited and proud of her for it. It does gets slightly tainted with her saying she is going to get Seth involved one day.

Rodge puts his foot in his mouth by speaking in Spanish to Celina about him. Sorry the captions ran over each other. Hulu is a turd lol Saying he's not sure building trust is his thing lol. Gotta give it to him on that one. First time I've liked this dude. Also will give it to them it's cute they communicate in Spanish to each other as a secret language. Still think she could do better but this is cute.

Unfortunately Seth can speak it.....Rodge has to backtrack immediately saying he was just joking. We watch Tim check in on Lucy right away. The way he shifts back in his seat and he keeps his eyes squarely on her. His main concern at this table is her and only her. He did this dinner for her and is ready to be her emotional support should the need arise. Lucy looks ready to burst before this next section happens. It's why Tim is watching her like a hawk.

I will say I loved the looks shared over the table during this whole thing. Oh my lord. The silent communication always a fav of mine. They check in with each other from across the table. Also just the way Tim watches Lucy too. Gauges the whole table but mainly keeps a beat on her. Waiting for a signal to jump in or not. He reads her the entire dinner. I love it. Knowing if she needs him she will signal him. He's just waiting for that sign to tag in or not.

We watch as her ring gets exposed....All I could think was sweet lord no Tamara. You’re so much smarter than this. Seth stumbling saying it's not what it looks like. That it's a promise ring. Rodge coming in with another solid point. Saying that's exactly what a engagement ring is....For a habitual liar he's so very bad at it. It's unreal. Also Celina pulling on her ear like crazy being ignored by all at the table lol We are far past that now though.

I knew the ring was gonna set her off. Hell it set me off. I had to pause and reprimand her myself. This is Lucy's tipping point. Especially after Seth says he had extra money lying around. Poor choice of words to use my dude. I love the way Tim's eyes shift over to Lucy when she says 'You had extra money?' angrily. He knows when his girl is ready to go off on one. But she is off to the races before he can do anything about it.

He wasn't stopping this one. Instead he just sit backs and watches her let it rip. Knowing she needs to get this out of her system. Lucy lets out all she’s had pent up. He is PTSD in walking form for her. Not only that but he's infecting someone very dear to her. So I get it. It’s already a tough pill for her to swallow with just him at work. But with Tamara and her future? Being so nonchalant bout the ring and how he got it. She can't handle it any longer.

Sadly no one hears anger clearly when they’re already on the defensive. Especially if it’s about someone they’re protecting. Which is Tamara in this moment. Even though Lucy is in the right it's not well received. It's why Tim doesn't jump in. I was expecting some Feral Tim but this was the smarter play for him. Even if it wasn't the right move to lose it he didn't need interfere. It would just pour fuel on Lucy’s fire and do nothing to ease the tension. We watch Tamara take off with Seth as a result and it's not easy to stomach.

We see Tim showing up like a god damn snack the following morning. Hell not just a snack but a whole god damn meal. Scruffy in a leather jacket and henley.*fans self* Not only that but he has arrived to support her before his shift. I’m dead. I’m posting from the grave. If you've been looking for his small doses all year. This is a glaringly sweet one. My god look at how excited he looks to just share a ride and prep with her. Doing his Lucy smile in front of other people. OTHER PEOPLE. Transparent Tim you are a wonder.

I’m dying of happiness right now. She is giving heart eyes right back at him. Truly touched by his thoughtfulness to show up before work and make the time for this. Make time for her. Forever floored by the changed man in front of her. After the mess that was last night, this was exactly what she needed and her reaction says it all. Legit flirting in front of Celina and Rodge too. They don’t even care. Tim doesn't care. Which is mind blowing.

He is sunshine from the moment he steps into that apartment. Yes, that's right I said Tim Bradford and sunshine in the same sentence. And I'm not referring to Lucy in this regard. He is so damn happy to just be there for her and its radiating off him in waves. So much so he is flirting with her in front of people. Pre-therapy Tim never would've. He's grown so much in his openness I could cry. He is a puppy dog in love and doesn't care who see's it. It's written all over his demeanor from the moment he walks in the door.

'What was that?' LMAO You think you can get shit past his cop eyes? Foolish fools lol But also babe, you were a shining beacon of 'I’m in love with Lucy' from the moment you walked in the door. Even a laymen like Rodge could see it….You guys aren't known for your subtlety either haha But you were on blast from the moment you came in. Just like he has been all season long. Also doesn't help his case Lucy was just as flirtatious in return. Fueling his flames. I love him trying to sell the whole ‘we’re just friends’ thing.

Like showing up for her, heart practically on his sleeve, is just some casual act of support. You two couldn’t do casual if your lives depended on it.. He's so god damn cute trying to defend himself though. I cannot. While we know he is there to support her. Truly he is. There is zero doubt about that. The man is ecstatic to help her cross the finish line of this. Especially since the detective one was such a disaster. But the other half is damn near giddy about the implications of her passing this test. We all know what those are. I don't even to type that up.

To say he is excited about the prospect is an understatement. I love his defeated ‘OK'. Hahahaha Eric's inflection killing me and has me rolling so much. Knows he is in a losing battle with these two and just gives up lol Also I wouldn't be me if I didn't comment on how sinfully delicious he looks. Holy fuck he is looking all kinds of fine. It's criminal how attractive this man is. Scruffy, in a leather jacket and a tight shirt? God damn the man is a feast for the eyes. He is sex on two legs walking. Sweet lord he is exuding illegal levels of attractiveness. It's almost unfair. Also seeing him so happy and free is insanely sexy in its own right I have to say. *phew* Ok I'm done. I might need some ice water though. lmao

Tim doesn’t waste a second on the drive to her test—he jumps straight into firing off questions. Or he's been firing them off for awhile at this point, with the way they drift off topic. Either way look at the blatant heart eyes and smile as Tim quizzes her. Just look at her. Oh my lord. It's bringing her back Tim doing this for her. Also for how much this last minute prep means to her. They didn't get to do this with the detectives exam.

Always blows my mind how much these two both convey with just their eyes. Be more in love with him Lucy. I dare you. You're just as transparent as your counterpart. My goodness. If he looked over long enough he would see her gushing at him. She is in full on swoon mode over this man right now. Also sorry the gif gets blurry for a second.

My phone did a thing and I was too lazy to re-make it not gonna lie lmao Tim's reply of 'Very good.' has Lucy buzzing. He asks if she feels ready? Lucy feeling as ready as a person can be for such a test. Tim's satisfied smile is the sweetest as he accepts this answer. Happy she is a in a good space before all of this.

We can see Lucy psyching herself up to say something to Tim. Knowing this last minute prep is more than just that. Trying to pull it out of him the real reason WHY he’s doing this. Needing to hear it. She starts off with thanking him for the ride. Tim being chill saying it's no problem. Lucy tries again with thanking him for helping her study. She is beating around the bush here and he is not picking up what she is throwing down right now haha Which is a rarity for them.

I truly think he feels he was returning the favor for her. Genuine in his reply. Another one of his small doses in action. To repay her kindness to him. For helping him out all those years ago when he went for it. To support her the way she did for him in s2. I think he genuinely wanted to make a meaningful difference this time. Carrying the weight of her failed Detectives exam on his shoulders a bit.

Knowing what an absolute disaster that was. Wanting this one to go so much better than the first time he helped her out. Lucy isn't getting the reaction she wants though. Clearly she is wanting to talk about what happens if she passes. In this moment, that future suddenly holds a lot of appeal to her. Especially after all he's done for her with this exam. This ride of their's being the cherry on the top of it all.

This is my favorite part of this scene. The banter alone is glorious holy shit. We are so lucky to have Eric and Melissa helming this couple. Displaying that lightning in a bottle only they have. No one does it better than our ship at verbal sparring. Lucy can't take it any longer and finally just says what's on her mind. She asks if part of the reason he's doing this has anything to do with the promise she made? One of 'physical intimacy' if she makes Sergeant. Such a Lucy way to approach this without saying anything about a relationship. lol The promise of that is part of it of it for sure. Not gonna lie. But we know that is not all of it.

It's a damn good by-product of her passing though lol I love him saying not if but when she makes Sergeant. My man still building her up even when she's giving him shit. Her smile says it all though. Just soaking in his praise. He continues on saying that this is what friends do for each other. It's his sassy comment following this that gets me the most. I was dying with his tone and absolute snark while delivering it. Facial expressions and all. Tim throwing back her words at her had me cackling. Not only that but adding his own spin. 'Without thinking of The joys of physical intimacy.' I'm dying. Now hers is a more refined version of ‘naked time’ moment imo. It's what it reminds me of. LOL I love it sfm.

Tim doesn't let her get away with it either in his reply. The flirting is on another level here. Holy hell. The verbal sparring is foreplay x1000 for these two. Lucy knows he is mocking her and calls him on it. Asking if he really thinks this the best path forward? She is smiling the entire time btw. Tim doesn't hesitate with his dazzling Lucy smile and reply. 'Yeah absolutely.' You know she loves this. Has missed this rapport with him. It's an intimacy she has longed to have back. This kind of banter is at their very core. It’s so cute and light and fun. I’m dizzy with delight we've returned to this place. If you were wondering if they're back. Truly back. This moment is proof of that. Seamless flirty banter at it's finest. Healing this old shipper heart of mine.

Tim follows that up by saying that, once she has passed the test, they won't have that pesky rank issue anymore. First off love his certainty she's going to crush this. Just like detective there is no doubt in his mind she's got this. Second Tim is once again throwing down they could be together after she passes. Tried and true this year in his steadfastness with that. Letting her know on every level how much he wants to be with her.

Hasn't been shy or reserved in the least regarding that. It’s up to Lucy to decide if she wants that when they get there though. He respects her boundaries about this. Something he's been so damn good at this entire season. He ends their convo telling her 'Not that either of them are reading into that though.' Yeah not at all.... Not what this entire convo was centered around... Tim once more as he has all year is leaving it up to her.

Laying it at her feet to do with it what she will. Giving Lucy her agency back a little bit more each time he does this. Building her up, showing his interest and desire to be with her. BUT ultimately leaving it up to her to decide their fate. It has to be Lucy to be one the decide she wants to do this again. It’s very clear Tim does. But he won’t make a move unless she does. Respecting her boundaries as he’s done since their chat during their stakeout in 6x10.

Was happy to See Tamara there when Lucy arrived home from her test. It's a little tense at first when she asks about the test. Lucy giving best answer she can. Letting Tamara lead this conversation. Doesn't take her long to apologize. To show her how much she doesn't want to lose her friendship with her over it all. Lucy having the best reply she can in this moment.

Telling her that's not possible and giving the sweetest hug. The relief on Tamara's face is everything. Her relationship with Lucy means everything to her. Glad she was able to tap back into that and come apologize. That Seth hadn't clouded her that much. Their sweet reconciliation is interrupted by news about Seth.

Oh my, I LOVE the Tim and miles scene here. Miles being the good soul he is feels immense guilt. For fighting with him and being resentful. For lashing out on him like he did. Now that he's hurt he is feeling like a complete ass. I adore how Tim is here for him in this moment. Knowing it's complex what he is feeling right now. That he feels stupid for not listening to Tim. For letting his emotions win out. Tim can see all this churning inside him.

So he steps up to help him through it. His advice is perfection here. First off let me say how proud I am of Tim for telling Miles his feelings are valid. That Seth has earned that anger and resentment out of him. Doesn't shame him for feeling this way at all. That it's ok he feels this. Regardless of what's going on right now in this moment with him. Letting him know yeah he's a bad guy. A bad guy who did a heroic and selfless thing. So yeah it's going to be murky on how to feel. That it's complicated to say the least.

To me personally this doesn't erase all he did. It was heroic and selfless that much is sure. Did I want this fate for him? Of course not. I wanted him to go out on his job performance not this. They all did. I just love Tim seeing the guilt Miles is carrying and tries to assuage him of it a little. Might not be able alleviate it all but Tim validating him is everything. This such a lovely scene between them. They've come so far and this scene is a wonderful reflection of that.

John Nolan had some excellent scenes with Seth in this episode. Seriously if they wrote him more like they have this season, my respect would come back. He handled this entire things like a pro. Didn't let Seth shake or deter him in anyway. This scene right here was so so good. Kudos to Patrick and his performance here. It's phenomenal. This was karma in all it's glory happening right here. The one time he’s actually selfless and heroic, it destroys the career he so fiercely protected with his web of lies.

It's poetic justice at it absolute finest I will say. John's words here are so full of sage and true wisdom. This kid is getting a huge lesson and it's up to him to decide what to do with it. Up him to him to chart a course back to being a good person. First time Seth has been honest since he arrived. Telling John he doesn't know if he can maintain that road of honesty. He's not sure he can take another road in this crossroads. Will he continue at the station or any station in a diminished capacity? I don't think so. That would require serious work on himself and being ok with the fact he can't have career he wants to anymore. To not have excuses.

Nolan already called him out about shortcuts. While this may have earned him some good will. I don't see him putting in that effort to stick around the station in this capacity. John doesn't get to finish this with him though. Let's Tamara have time with him. He tells her everything (finally) and of course she breaks it off. Saying Lucy warned her. She sure did sweets.....This is what being a manipulating habitual liar gets you. Someday you run out of people to support you. Now he has to go through this leg trauma alone. That's rough. Like I said not a fate I would've wished on him. But definitely one he earned...

Look at them meeting up at the end of the day. Discussing Tamara. My heart. Tamara googling how to join a nunnery. lol Oh my word. I do not blame her. Poor thing I can't even. It’s gonna take her some time to get past this. That is for sure. Learning to trust people again is knowing you could be hurt again. That is an unfortunate fact of life sadly. Tim’s reply made me cackle though. I love him. Lucy saying it’ll pass. It will. Like a kidney stone but it will…. I love him immediately moving onto how she’s doing? The soft way he asks her is everything. Be still my heart.

Look at where we are everyone. Just look. Last time they were at this table they were physically together. But emotionally? Miles and miles apart from where they are now. They’ve come so far to be in this moment right now. With Lucy leaning on him emotionally like this. Very couple like thing to do. Get a meal after work and discuss their day together. Adore her venting out her anxieties to him. Wondering how she really did on that test.

Been a slow climb back to the top. But a gloriously beautiful one. We haven't hit the summit yet but we're getting there. It's on the horizon Fandom. Don't these moments feel like they just hit more with having built up to it? They do for me. Like we earned them. That Tim has earned this time with her. Getting to see and share in this side of her again. It's so glorious. I mean we haven't even gotten to reconciliation yet and I'm on a ship high. I can't even imagine how rewarding that'll feel when we arrive there. It'll feel hard-won and all the more satisfying I know that.

Tim being s7 is perfection in his reply. Doing what he's done so well all year. Build her up. Not letting her have an ounce of doubt. Saying there is no way to know but let’s assume she aced it. Positive thinking can’t hurt tbh. Look at Tim being positive for her. Not letting any self doubt creep in. Man believes in her so much it’s unreal. Lucy kicking into flirting mode. Saying what should they do based off that assumption? Wondering where he is going with this. I mean she has to know a little. But is trying to confirm.

Tim leaning forward all sexy and seductive just says ‘Celebrate?’ This man could not want her more if he tried. He’s always a billboard but my goodness he is forward with his question. I’m here for it. Chomping at the bit to be with her again. Shows in his body language and telling reply. I will commend Lucy for her self control here. My good look at him.

If Tim Bradford leaned forward looking like that. All flirty and staring at me like he is at Lucy and said 'Celebrate?' With his cute puppy dog in love face. I would drag him to the nearest dark corner and have my way with him. LOL But I understand Lucy's hesitation below. I truly do. If this doesn't work out like they want and she gives in. All it'll cause is for the water between them to get murkier and they'll just be miserable for it. Because at the end of the day nothing would've changed for them at work. She just can't risk it till it's a sure thing.

I love her resetting his expectations here as well. Holding true to that emotional boundary she set in 7x12. Nothing physical past midnight on April Fool's. Also it’s is VERY important he knows she didn’t take this test for him. To put her foot down about it. All flirting aside this is first time she's felt any stability in her career in a long time. Or joy for the future because she now has a goal in mind. S6 wrecked her in so many ways. Her remaining damage about that is showing in this moment IMO. Because last time she did anything in her career for him it blew up on her. Epically. As we all painfully know. Very important to her that distinction is being made here.

This is for her. For her to have career clarity. Her PTSD shining through in this moment I will say. She is desperate to have a different outcome this time. This moment reminds me of her setting the expectations back in 5x10. Where Tim was ready for some naked time and Lucy had to guide him to where she’s at. Beautiful thing is Tim just like he did then is going to honor what she wants. He may be ready to go right now but Lucy isn’t. It's why he poses 'celebrating' as a question to her. Wants to test the waters but also wants to continuously meet her where she is at. He respects the boundary she just laid out. And for him to understand why she did this.

Tim understands completely. Saying Of course. That it was a smart career move. And it is. He’ll always champion her having a successful career. Always. It reflects in his reply back to her. Sitting back and physically respecting the boundary as well. Lucy continues on saying she hasn’t passed yet. That things haven’t changed between them before that. He’s still currently her boss. Also feel like there may be just one more chat ahead of us. I could be wrong. But that ‘things haven’t changed between us' felt loaded. There was some charged anger in that ‘I didn’t take this test for you.’ There is probably more here I can't discern just yet. Have to wait till the end of the season but feel solid my initial analysis of this.

After Lucy says her piece we are right back to flirty hopefulness. They’re drawn to it like a moth to a flame, especially as we get closer to this reconciliation. Tim rests back in his seat knowing there will be no celebrating here tonight. He shot his shot and was denied. He respects it immediately. But stay’s steady in his hope there will be in the future. Saying next week we will know. With this knowing smile that Lucy mirrors right back at him. Smiling back with her own heart eyes and in love smile. Saying 'Yes we will.’ Oooh lord we close fandom we are so close. Look at how much these two just love each other.

The smiles saying more than words ever could. Especially Lucy's. That is the smile of a woman who is ready for this next chapter with Tim. For this next chapter of her career. If it comes with the love of her life on top of it. That is just a delicious addition to it all. They’re legit having eye sex at the food truck park. My god. I'll be intrigued to see what happens when she passes. She's forgiven him. He knows as such. The test has been this barrier to true reconciliation for awhile. What will happen when that barrier is truly gone? How Lucy reacts when there is nothing left standing in their way anymore?

Will the second confession she almost made in 7x15 get its conclusion? Idk and that's the fun part. I know I am excited to see how this season wraps up. This season has been a wonderful wild card in the best way. Could not be more pleased with their development this year. The slow burn and delayed gratification has been beyond amazing to watch unfold. Thank you to every single reader who likes, comments ( these are so fun), and reblog these impressions. Had a blast this year. You all are the reason for that. See you all in 7x17 :)

~~~

Side notes-non Chenford

Love the boys getting ready. Talking sports. Miles coming in Texas Af LOL It was such a cute way to start the episode.

‘Where’s Darwinism when you need it?’ I love this man so much it’s insane. Never change my love never change. Was excited I got to fit this in.

Nolan got some damn good dialogue in this one. I have to say. Him asking where that man's fandom was that helped them? Solid John. Very Solid.

Those social media kids drove me insane. I must be getting old LOL

I love how Lucy handled that idiotic crowd for Angela. My blood was boiling. Handled it like a damn champ.

Can’t say next weeks excites me. Because I can’t stand Skip tracer Randy tbh. Hopefully it’ll be good regardless of him being there and we get some follow-up for Chenford and the Sergeant exam. But my guess is that’ll be more of a finale thing? I don't do spoilers so I don't actually want an answer haha We shall see either way.

[sunlight-shunlight]

putting it into an ask because I don't want to derail your post sorry

As someone who's culture lost their last L1 Speaker around the time they were born. This!! So much this!!

It is EXTREMELY difficult to learn endangered languages, and from experience the people who do know how to speak some of it are extremely protective of it even to others from that same culture! (something that makes me even more attached to the dalish as a peoples sigh)

I would die for the chance to speak my tribes original language but even if I could jump through the hoops to do it, a decade is decisively not. enough. time. to do so. Yet alone to adopt the native cadence of the language. Again even if I wanted too! Which I desperately desperately do!

Lavellan would have to jump through so many hoops that by the time she might be ready to start speaking it regularly (in the context of ancient elvhen) that Veilguard would probably be on the horizon already. That's also given the idea that there are even universities willing to put aside discriminatory behavior twords the elves to provide classes on such specific subjects. AND putting aside the whole 'wow that's straight up the herald of andraste in my Sociolinguistics class' with the problems that would cause.

I mean, I know its a fantasy universe and I'm really projecting on it here but like hear me out- I have a dictionary and a book of stories translated by scholars I will never meet, and a series of audio-files that I myself had to copy convert to a format I could have on my phone and listen to. I'm untrained and uneducated on how to go about it sure but even with my available tools it feels like an uphill battle with every new word I pick out to practice. I sing songs from that book fully knowing Im butchering it the whole time, and try my best to feel connected to something i know I cannot fully understand. And that's beautiful! That;s fantastic! There's something to truly love there! And veilguard doesn't even let us try to explore that idea!

The fact that we don't get to choose whether or not we drank from the well makes this so extremely frustrating. The game gives both the Inquisitor and Moriggan the benefits of the well without ever allowing our input. Because to me the only way that Lavellan could become even partially fluent in ancient elvhen would be if she drank from the well. But then Moriggan is also allowed all types of unlocked knowledge from her deus-ex-inner-mythal shes suddenly alright with having been provided from her mother despite her horror in DAI.

It takes away a huge part of what I think Solas really liked about a romanced Inky, as she was always so curious and open to learning new things about the past- Even when they would clash on certain subjects. It takes away this really lovely concept that even if they are going into the torment nexus together that he could at least be teaching her the language in there on top of it all. He would love her broken annunciations and he awkward cadence, and respond in kind ;w;

I'm super biased about the torment nexus ending because I love the mythological tragedy of it but there should have been so many more choices ugghh. While I would still choose this ending regardless I think the idea that the inquisitor should have been able to have at least an on screen spat between her and Solas, There is absolutely good reason for it all considering.

She should have had moments where she slips in and out of what she had learned from the ancient dialect, Where she goes from in canter to out because of how passionate she might be in that moment. Going from trade to elvhen and back. It would be glaringly obvious that she practiced what she did want to say to him in the final battle and he would be able to tell. It would mean so much more to him than her just magically understanding it all at once.

we could have one of his stupid chuckles with tears welling in his eyes and everything like damn you bioware *shaking fist at cloud*

At least give me some kind of 'a romanced inquisitor convened with spirits to learn' kind of explanation if you're going to magic it into her knowledge I mean please!

Anyway sorry for the ramble, I wouldn't have the confidence to share this if it wasn't for your posts so thanks for all of your lore-dives and analysis posts I do genuinely enjoy all of them.

♥🤝

yeah!! i very much agree. i'm very mildly bilingual (not good at it ahaha) and like... that language is not endangered in the least, half my family still speaks it, and it's still just hard to re-learn on a basic level! and to me there's always that degree of self consciousness and feeling a bit bad about not knowing, when it's a language i feel like i "should" know, as opposed to a fully second language that i'm just learning from scratch. and personally i get stressed and actively worse at it when people expect me to be fluent and get disappointed when i'm not. the social pressure alone removes some linguistic ability, haha.

so i found it sad that lavellan - regardless of the well - gets pushed into suddenly being 100% fluent. she can still be dalish and not good at it! or just not the type of person who'd think to speak in it in front of random people (everyone else standing there fdhjdgd). i thought of my inquisitor as a city elf who was adopted into the clan as a child, and tried REALLY hard to learn elvhen afterwards bc she wanted to fit in. but it's not "natural" to her to slip into it for longer or more complex ideas. and arguably if a lavellan got "woe, fluency be upon ye" from the well, they might actually be LESS likely to use it in speaking, bc it is also a bit of a mind control symptom at that point...

and imo it's actually really sweet that solas falls in love with someone who - at least in dai - is really different from him! on top of being a cringe fail mortal from the world he initially hated, and from a culture that doesn't like him, lavellan does not have to be very in tune with the language or culture as he knows it. he goes for their ~rare and marvelous spirit~ rather than anything else, and is happy to share with them, but it's never like a mandatory thing.

I mean, I know its a fantasy universe and I'm really projecting on it here but like hear me out- I have a dictionary and a book of stories translated by scholars I will never meet, and a series of audio-files that I myself had to copy convert to a format I could have on my phone and listen to. I'm untrained and uneducated on how to go about it sure but even with my available tools it feels like an uphill battle with every new word I pick out to practice. I sing songs from that book fully knowing Im butchering it the whole time, and try my best to feel connected to something i know I cannot fully understand. And that's beautiful! That;s fantastic! There's something to truly love there! And veilguard doesn't even let us try to explore that idea!

and this is exactly it!! i think that experience of slowly picking up things and figuring out how much you can learn is really important, and they just skipped over that entirely to "lavellan is now suddenly fluent in elvhen. yay!" which kind of elides how much work that is, how or why they would've done that, whether they would've wanted to...

like that's a whole character arc that seemingly just gets skipped offscreen and made mandatory! and it's not bc the writers are saying anything really deep and meaningful about cultural reconnection, but bc i think they were likely not ever in the position of having to think about those types of decisions themselves, and uncharitably, were like "ok. solas is super elfy, right. so to make it more romantic, make lavellan super elfy as well! yay! Problem Solved :)" when that was never a problem. ;-;

[nightghoul381]

Once Again, The Evil Cannot Be Undone

Roger & Ring: Chapter 1

This a fan translation so it is definitely not 100% accurate. I do not own anything related to Ikemen Villains. Support Cybird by buying their amazing stories!

Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Roger's End | Ring's End | Roger's Epilogue | Ring's Epilogue

--The day after I lost my memory.

Kate: “…Thank you for the meal.”

As I sat down for breakfast, my mind was filled with thoughts of my lost memories…

In the end, I only had a little fruit and some morning tea before getting up from my seat.

(I wonder how I can get my memories back…)

As I left the dining hall and continued thinking about this method, I heard someone’s footsteps following me.

Roger: “Hold on, little lady.”

Roger: “You had a date with me today, didn’t you? You’ll still go along with it as planned, right?”

(Did I promise that before I lost my memory?)

I instinctively looked at Roger’s face and he reached out and grabbed my chin—

Roger: “……”

Kate: “…Wh-what are you doing!”

Just as our lips were about to touch, I suddenly pushed his thick chest away.

Roger: “Hmm? You were staring at me like you wanted to kiss me…was that not the case?”

Kate: “Of course not!”

(Maybe Roger and I were dating? Even if we were, that was a very selfish way of thinking…!)

(I can’t imagine such an egoistic person being my lover!)

Roger: “Well, a promise is a promise. You’ll have to go on a date with me.”

Seeing my flustered face, the corners of Roger’s lips lifted as he smiled.

(…Whether Roger is my lover or not, it was good that I was able to go out to town.)

Hoping that the sight of the city might remind me of something, I followed Roger towards—

Roger: “It’s nice to have someone to carry my bags.”

Kate: “This isn’t really a date is it!?”

(We’ve been to so many pharmacies to buy various medicines and bandages…this can’t be a date.)

Roger: “This is a date, right? A shopping date.”

Kate: “I can’t see what element of this is a date… “

Roger: “Come on, let’s not give up yet and head to the next store.”

Kate: “You still have things to buy? I’m at my limit, so can we at least take a little break…”

As soon as I said that my stomach started growling, insisting on taking a rest.

Roger: “Pffft, Hahahahahaha!”

Kate: “Why are you laughing? You’re the one who’s dragged me all over the town…”

Roger: “Then, as an apology, I’ll treat you to something you like.”

Kate: “Huh, but…”

(Is it actually okay for me to go that far?)

Roger: “Why are you being so shy? You and I are close. Let’s go.”

Roger: “Here, this is your favorite place.”

Roger: “What’s on the menu…Let’s start with a beer.”

Kate: “Y-yes.”

Roger: “All that’s left is to find a suitable starter and a filling main dish…”

While I was scanning the menu, Roger placed his order with the waiter with an air of ease.

Soon, food was lining the table…

Kate: “Fish and chips, aged meat, salted potatoes, Banbury cakes…!”

Kate: “Aah… Everything that came out is delicious and just what I like.”

Roger: “……I see.”

I felt a little confused… I had imagined him saying “Isn’t that right?” to what I had said.

As Roger narrowed his eyes, as if recalling memories I didn’t know, my heart tightened for no apparent reason.

(Is it possible that we’ve eaten here together before?)

(Maybe that’s why Roger knows what I like on the menu…?)

Roger: “What’s wrong? Your hands have stopped moving, come on, eat up.”

Kate: “Ah, yes…Thank you!”

When I looked, Roger’s face was already smiling again.

I followed his orders and took a bite of the steak, and my instantly lit up at how delicious it was.

Roger: “There’s that smile. If you think too much, you lose your appetite, it’s your down side.”

Roger: “I understand that you have a lot of worries, but please eat, sleep, play, laugh, and keep your energy up.”

Kate: “Yes!”

(…Maybe that’s what today’s shopping was about.)

I’m sure Roger took me out this morning because he was worried about how I was doing.

Although I didn’t know if we had actually made a promise to accompany each other on the shopping trip.

(But, let’s not ask.)

If Roger hadn’t spoken to me, I think I would have continued to worry alone about my memory loss.

Roger: “These mashed potatoes that soaked up the meat juices are so good.”

Roger: “Shall I give you some more? You can eat more, right?”

Kate: “Yes, of course!”

(I’m glad I accepted Roger’s invitation.)

Kate: “Thank you Roger, I feel much better after eating.”

(I always thought Roger was a pushy, egotistical guy who manipulated people, but he’s actually a really kind and reliable person.)

I suddenly thought back to myself before I lost my memory.

(I wonder…Did I know more about this side of Roger?)

Roger: “What’s with you staring at me like that? Have you fallen in love with me?”

(If only this hadn’t happened…!)

Kate: “…It seems I had a past boyfriend. So, I can’t imagine falling in love right now.”

Roger: “A past boyfriend…?”

Roger: “Why don’t you just stop clinging to your ex and choose again?”

Roger: “Be my girlfriend, Kate.”

Kate: “I-I can’t do something dishonest like that, besides…”

(Even though I lost my memory, I can say this for sure.)

Kate: “If I’ve fallen in love with someone once, I’m sure to fall in love with them again.”

Roger: “….in love again?”

I didn’t know what emotion was in his trembling eyes.

But the next moment—

Roger: “Well, if you want me to sleep with you, just tell me any time.”

(Th-This man…!)

I fought the urge to hit Roger as he gulped down his beer while cheerfully saying such horrible things.

Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Roger's End | Ring's End | Roger's Epilogue | Ring's Epilogue

[adriana-cosmere-journey]

Spoilers!! My thoughts on finishing Words of Radiance

DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T FINISHED WORDS OF RADIANCE. EVERYTHING BELOW ARE SPOILERS.

I have so many things in my brain right now, but GOD this is such an excellent book. I guess I'll just word-vomit as my thoughts come up, so I may post a few more times later before my brain gets peace. I do need to make up for real-life responsibilities now that I'm done, so I guess I'll take two or three days before I return to the Cosmere.

ANYWAY.

So I began this morning with the Alethi force starting its march towards the center of the Shattered Plain. (Note to future self: once you reach the last 200 or so pages of the Stormlight books, you may not be able to put them down before finishing. Plan accordingly.)

Things on Kaladin's side were kinda depressing because Syl was still gone and he was healing like a normal person. But things of the Plains picked up quickly as Shallan revealed some of her powers to Dalinar. I LOVED this, first because I had feared Shallan would get sucked into everything while trying to hide herself, but also because Dalinar fucking needed this. A sign.

(Nothing surprising about Kaladin ultimately saving the day. Just eternal love for him.)

I loved how quickly leadership and planning started to fall on Shallan as the campaign advanced, and how quickly Dalinar trusted her. Seriously, the girl was suddenly responsible to get EVERYONE to safety, and the way it eventually panned out was so awesome. Ugh, I already want to re-read the last few chapters.

Randon thought: The Parshendi who escaped Eshonai, I guess they are still on the Plains and may become relevant later, right? Hopefully for something more than becoming Voidbringers.

Random thought 2: Rlain doesn't become a Voidbringer, RIGHT???

(I've spoiled myself enough to know he becomes friends with Renarin. Or something.)

I didn't see the Renarin plot twist coming, although I noticed something was up with him.

I am a little scared about Adolin, with everyone becoming a Radiant around him, but not him. Is it cliché to hope he also gets powers? But maybe his path is to be one that remains strong but doesn't have powers? I refuse to believe he just becomes a bad guy out of it. Like, I would absolutely hate a plot like that.

And to be honest, SADEAS HAD IT COMING AND YOU CANNOT CHANGE MY MIND. I would only hate it if that cockroach became like a 'start of a dark path' for Adolin or something like that. Pleaaase tell me that doesn't happen. Or at least not to a degree that would seriously compromise Adolin.

(But it wouldn't surprise me if Ialai became a new big foe instead. I can respect that.)

And speaking of gray characters.... ugh, I was expecting some big betrayal from Moash, but I actually feel bad for him now. Like, okay, he kinda punched Kaladin harder than he expected and would have probably kinda crippled or killed him if his powers hadn't returned, but Moash is now stuck in a situation that makes him feel so much guilt and embarrassment. Like, he was so proud of being part of Bridge Four and he really looked up to Kaladin.... I'm a little weary of what this plotline may bring. I hope he redeems himself.

Otherwise, I am glad we are changing the setting from the Shattered Plains to Urithiru. The tower-city sounds like such a cool concept. I really look forward to seeing the random lore details of how everyone makes it their home.

What else.... Oh! SHALLAN. Ugh, baby love Shallan. I am guessing Veil will indeed get more 'screen time' in the future, as we unravel all the secrets around that. I felt it was kinda obvious that she had killed her mother and her father had taken the blame, but I didn't know why. Now this opens a lot of new questions, like what Mraize meant when he said her family had always been involved in this? What are the Ghostbloods and what is their purpose? Are they the bad guys, or secretive creepy good guys?

It will be interesting to see Jasnah come back, that is for sure. I didn't believe for a minute she was actually dead. For now, I get an inkling that she may be surprised/uncomfortable at arriving at a reality where she is no longer the smartest and most mysterious person around. I mean, she's still super smart and mysterious, but now there are others who also hold their own...

Do we get to learn what she's been doing all this time?

And finally (for now), DALINAR. Ugh, you need to have some serious cojones to bound the frikin STORMFATHER as your spren. I loved that. For a second there I felt like Kaladin, like it had been too easy for him, but then I realized Dalinar has been working on this forever and he probably has healed himself many times over the years with stormlight. Like literally, if someone deserves this, it's Dalinar. So now I'm just happily curious about how all this manifests.

Ufff.... I'm sure I'll remember more things later, but for now this is enough. I need to go take care of responsibilities 😅😅 but my deadlines are on Thursday, so I should be able to make it, right?

Wish me luck! And do leave your (spoiler-free) comments! Feel free to be mysteriously ambiguous about things to come while avoiding actual spoilers 😙😉

[antianakin]

What I love about Andor is that it continues to get across Jedi VALUES and philosophies and beliefs without there needing to even be any Jedi IN IT. And that's what makes Andor feel like Star Wars to me. That's what lets me know these creators understand Star Wars and have taken the time to really look into what Star Wars is ACTUALLY about beyond its visuals and its action scenes. It's about hope, it's about people standing up to darkness, it's about people standing up TOGETHER.

And that's always what the Jedi have been ABOUT. There's so many messages in Andor about learning to let go of attachments and stand up for each other and do the kind selfless thing even when it seems hard, especially when it seems hard. And it's at least half of what makes Andor feel so good to me, why I love it so much. Because it's not even just that these are Jedi VALUES, but that the Jedi values are the core of Star Wars and always have been and we've been losing that in a lot of later media that's come out.

Maybe that's what you're feeling, that the show and its narrative really emphasize all of the things that the Jedi stand for. But for me, the whole point is that these things were never intended to be ONLY for the Jedi. Controlling your emotions is important for everyone to learn, compassion is important for everyone to have, so on and so forth. And because it's a message and a philosophy being sent through space wizards with laser swords, I think sometimes that message has gotten a little lost. But there's no magic to hide behind in Andor. They have to learn the same lessons but without the Jedi around to help them do it.

It's not "this is why we need the Jedi" (because the Jedi cannot be everywhere and fix everything no matter how much they want to) so much as "This is what the Jedi had always stood for, this is what the Jedi were trying to help teach the galaxy, this is what the galaxy lost when it turned on the Jedi and what it's only just starting to get back now that the Jedi are gone." It's also, "This is why more people should act like the Jedi because they cannot be everywhere and fix everything, but the more people act like Jedi, the less necessary they will be." The Jedi are only necessary because everyone refuses to act like them and instead hide behind them and then blame the Jedi when things go wrong. And what we see in Andor and Rogue One and the OT and Rebels is that people in the galaxy had to finally learn to STAND UP once the Jedi were no longer there to hide behind or blame. It's "The Jedi were right, and this is why."

I think it's fair to say that Andor, despite having no Jedi in the show, makes the greatest argument as to why the Galaxy needs the Jedi! I mean, look what happened to Bix!

See, that's not really how I take it. Andor is hardly the first piece of media to show the Empire being completely awful and showcasing that they're a force that needs to be stopped. The first piece of media to do that was A New Hope when it literally showed them massacring an entire ship, burning down the Lars home, torturing Leia, and then blowing up an entire planet.

The message that Andor is trying to send is much more about COMMUNITY and solidarity and commitment to a cause greater than yourself as being the things that will truly save you from oppression.

The way I connect it to the Jedi is that THIS IS WHAT KILLED THEM. People DIDN'T have a sense of community and solidarity and commitment to something greater than themselves. They RELIED on the Jedi to solve all of their problems and if anything bad happened to them at all, then it was the Jedi's fault for not stopping it somehow, despite all of the many many reasons why the Jedi logistically could not stop every single ill in the galaxy.

Things like what happened to Bix were likely happening every day even during the Jedi's hey day. Plenty of planets likely had corrupt officials in their local governments, and obviously plenty of normal people are just bad people who have no issue with hurting others for their own gain or pleasure. The Jedi cannot and should not be expected to somehow be able to keep all of it from happening. The Jedi RELIED on regular people being willing to stand up to corruption and oppression and injustice themselves. The Jedi were intended to be an INSPIRATION to others to fight back against their own darkness and the darkness around them, not the end all and be all of the solution to darkness.

And THAT'S what allows the Empire to fall eventually. The Jedi were gone, so people finally had to stand up to darkness on their own. There was no one left to hide behind and shield them from the consequences of their own cowardice. And not only do they stand up, but they ultimately win because we see them standing BESIDE THE JEDI. In Rebels, it's all of the regular people in the Rebellion working with both Kanan and Ezra that takes down Thrawn and saves Lothal. In the Original Trilogy, it's Luke using the Force and working alongside the other Rebel pilots that destroys the first Death Star and saves the Rebellion from total destruction.

What's interesting to me about the situation on Mina-Rau is that we see the community around them get scared and uncertain, same as we did on Ferrix, and we aren't entirely certain how the shop owner is going to react when the stormtroopers finally show up, but instead of falling prey to his own fears and selfishness the way Timm did last season, he actually STANDS UP and helps Brasso and Bix and Wil as much as he can. He gets them a way to escape, he refuses to sell them out, despite whatever he may or may not feel about them as undocumented immigrants. And it's not enough, obviously, it doesn't save Brasso or Bix, but it's still important that he DID make that choice to help them when he didn't have to and it put himself and his own family at risk to do it.

And that's what's important here. It's not a message that this is why the galaxy needs the Jedi, but a message that this is why it's important to continue to stand up for each other, to protect the people in your community, regardless of how you might feel about their choices or their politics personally. Maybe it won't save everyone, but that doesn't make it less worth doing. It's important for everyone, even regular people, to ACT like the Jedi, to have that compassion towards others, because THAT'S what's going to save us in the end, THAT'S what's going to defeat the darkness.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Eric Berger at The Guardian:

When asked about Donald Trump’s Easter morning post wishing a happy holiday to ���the Radical Left Lunatics … fighting and scheming so hard to bring Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners” to the United States, Jackson Lahmeyer, an Oklahoma evangelical Christian pastor, said: “Isn’t it terrible that they are wanting to do that?” Lahmeyer, the founder of the Pastors for Trump organization, was not bothered by Trump’s extreme and divisive message on the Christian religious holiday, because, he said: “You cannot unify with evil.” Lahmeyer’s attitude appears typical of many white evangelical leaders who still strongly support Trump despite what – for many – is violent, extremist-laden language that many would see as unsuitable for any religious occasion, let alone one intimately connected to rebirth, forgiveness and peace.

But those leaders in the US say Trump – unlike some past Republican presidents – has followed through on campaign promises concerning core issues such as abortion, immigration, the location of the US embassy in Israel and, more generally, his pledge to “bring back Christianity”. More good things could be in store for that demographic because in a second Easter post on his platform Truth Social, Trump said he would make America “more religious, than it has ever been before!!!”

“He has moved the needle for the Christian agenda unlike anyone else, especially in modern times,” said Lahmeyer, who attended an Easter dinner at the White House. “As a pastor, obviously, that is music to my ears.”

White evangelical voters also turned out in large numbers for George W Bush when he ran for president in 2000 and 2004, but they were disappointed because they felt he did not do enough to oppose same-sex marriage or to ban abortion. Bush also, when compared to Trump, had a more liberal immigration policy, including supporting providing undocumented immigrants the chance to become citizens, according to John Fea, a history professor at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and the author of Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Donald Trump.

“Bush wasn’t willing to give them everything that they wanted to be elected,” Fea said. “Trump will do what evangelicals tell him to do for the most part, in order to maintain power.” In addition to appointing supreme court justices who ruled that there is no constitutional right to abortion, Trump also moved the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which previous presidents had said they supported but did not implement. “They all said it to get votes. They never did it. The president did it,” said Lahmeyer, who ran for Senate and lost in 2022. During this term, Trump has signed executive orders to establish a faith office and a taskforce to address “anti-Christian bias” in the federal government.

To evangelical leaders, that emphasis on Christian values stands in contrast to how they perceive the Biden administration’s actions, including in 2024 declaring 31 March Transgender Day of Visibility, the date when it had been celebrated since its creation in 2009, but last year fell – entirely coincidentally – on Easter Sunday. But in a world where conspiracy theories and misinformation is rife, that sparked anger among rightwing Christians. “Easter was barely mentioned,” said Brad Sherman, an Iowa pastor and Republican now running for governor. “In fact, I think it was more about some kind of LGBTQ awareness day or something, if I remember correctly, so I just feel like President Trump is standing up for Christian values.” In actual fact, Biden continued the tradition of the annual White House Easter egg roll and in a statement said: “As we gather with loved ones, we remember Jesus’s sacrifice … with wars and conflict taking a toll on innocent lives around the world, we renew our commitment to work for peace, security, and dignity for all people.” This year, Trump held an Easter prayer service and dinner with Lahmeyer; prominent pastors such as Franklin Graham and Robert Jeffress; and his personal pastor, Paula White-Cain, who now leads the White House faith office, among others.

[...] Tony Suárez, the founder of Revivalmakers Ministries, an evangelical group, said he supports Trump because he is trying to strengthen border security and is restoring “respect for conservative, Judeo-Christian values”.

One of Trump’s most stalwart groups this term is the evangelicals (especially White evangelicals). This is because 47 is delivering key promises to that group, such as focusing on “anti-[conservative] Christian bias”, support for Israel, and plans to restrict abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.

[autistic-danieljackson]

Salty Ask List - 13 and 17 :)

13. Unpopular opinion about XXX character?

Daniel - I really don't think he's that OOC in season 9-10. I hear this complaint all the time but I feel like it was a natural progression over the seasons. I also prefer early seasons Daniel but I don't think he gets that out of character in the later seasons. You know when he was OOC? RIGHT AFTER FOREVER IN A DAY! That's not an unpopular opinion but I will never get over that.

Rodney - I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion and I feel like it's going to come off the wrong way but truly he is not as misogynistic as a lot of people like to claim he is. I always see people claim how horrible and disgusting he is and that they couldn't watch Atlantis specifically because of him and I guess I just have to assume they've never watched another show from 2005 before? Because while it definitely isn't great or something to be condoned...there was way way worse during that time. And also he grows so much so I'm guessing they're just watching like half of season 1 and giving up. Again, not sure how unpopular this is but it's something I see way more often than I expected to and it bugs me a lot.

Teal'c - In my opinion, Teal'c was so underutilized. Especially being, as far as we're shown, the only alien employed by the SGC(other than Jonas for a bit of course). But too often it felt like he was there to be the straight man and punch and shoot when it was called for. I would have loved to see more character development and also what sorts of things he got into on Earth. Because that man is getting paid(hopefully) but he's living on base with no rent and his money isn't good on his home world. So what's he doing with all that cash? Personally, I think he buys all the things on those late night infomercials. But I just would've liked to see more personality from him. Also, I just cannot be bothered to care about his family. They feel like such an afterthought(a lot like Sha're). I would've either liked to see more of them or just have that plot cut all together.

I'm realizing I don't know how unpopular any of these actually are but I don't think I have a lot of really controversial opinions haha.

17. Instead of XYZ happening, I would have made ABC happen…

You've opened a can of worms with this lmao! We all know I wouldn't have had Carson die. There are so many other things they could've done instead. I think if they still wanted a shock factor they could've given him a major injury/permanent disability. Losing hearing or sight or a limb and the impact it would've had on him and the team would have been way more interesting than just killing Carson off.

I also saw once where someone was talking about how they should've had Jonas go on the Atlantis expedition and I whole-heartedly agree. His antics would've fit in so well with the Atlantis crew and it almost feels disrespectful that he was main cast for an entire season and then just cast aside other than one episode in season 7(although I'm fairly certain this was due to the actor and not the writers just writing him off but this is ideal Stargate where everyone is pleasant and easy to work with 😂)

Last, I don't know what I would've done differently but I wish they would've kept Ford around. He and Ronon would've been such a good duo and I think we really missed out.

WAIT I FORGOT HOW HEATED I GET ABOUT ELIZABETH! Okay sorry one more because the shit they pulled with Elizabeth actually makes me so mad. First, I don't know if anyone else has noticed but the s4 credits immediately introduce Sam as being main cast with Elizabeth nowhere in sight which spoils the whole thing and also feels extra disrespectful. They didn't change the s2 ones for an episode or two until Ford was gone. But second, there was no reason to do what they did. Just like Carson, I think character death(or I guess in both cases "death") was the least interesting route. I think major injury would've been so interesting in this case as well. Sam steps in as interim leader while Elizabeth gets back on her feet. Watching the pain and frustration as someone who was always in control can't even get their body to obey them. That would've been interesting to watch. And then eventually Elizabeth is able to step back into the leadership position, maybe solely or maybe she and Sam are co-leaders because we needed more women in the Stargate universe. Oh what we could have had...

There are like a million other things I would've done differently but I'll be done for now before this post gets ridiculously long haha

[l0stw00d]

genuinely astonished that anyone gets anything done tbh. i drew for like 2 hours and have been out for the count since. this sucks