#i kind of stopped watching the series 5-10? episodes until the end

[kyaruun]

i'm watching fairy tail again and it feels like going back home after a long time <3 i haven't rewatched the series in more than 10 years but ooo do i remember some moments line by line and still cry at the same things ahaha ; v ;

[itsasweater]

HSMTMTS thoughts before season 4

So I recently finished my re-watch of season 1 through 3 before the final season airs so that things are fresh in my memory. I wanted to make a couple of posts on my thoughts on the seasons in general and possibly some specific topics like the characters themselves. This one will be about each season.

Season 1:

I hadn't seen this season since when it originally aired and let me just say, it was kind of a grind to watch. I feel like the season didn't really start until the Homecoming episode which was ep 5. I also forgot this season had 10 episodes. The whole Nini/Ricky/EJ triangle storyline didn't really hit for me. Ricky's home problems with his parents, everything changing around him (which he clearly hates) and how he dealt with that was probably the best storyline of the season, as sad as it was to see his character go through it. The music in the season was decent, Nini had some really good. I think a lot of nostalgia comes in to play with the way people talk about season 1, it is overhyped. I also think a lot of it has to do with the very weird Jolivia obsession that still to this day for some reason resides in the fandom, I see the PFP's and twitter user names smh. Overall, new shows tend to struggle out of the gate and need a while to find the right path so I'm at least glad that they got more seasons to continue that journey instead of being cancelled like many shows do without getting the chance to do so. It certainly seems like they were not sure whether they would get renewed or not after season 1.

Season 2:

It really is a shame that this season has the most episodes because I feel like it is definitely the weakest season. It was a struggle to get through this season on the re-watch. I appreciate what the cast and crew went through while filming this season though because I know they started filming in Feb 2020 and stopped in March because of the pandemic and had to return towards the end of 2020 until March of the next year with under strict conditions. So, maybe the pandemic played a role in the quality of the season but I feel like this was even the casts least favorite season with the way they talked about it. Nini's YAC storyline felt out of place and just didn't keep me engaged, the lighting for this season was also very dark lol. I do think this season did a nice job of continuing to show Ricky's struggle with his home life from season 1 and the fact that things were still changing in his life which the show continues to mention just how much he hates that. Ashlyn getting the leading role as Belle was nice and her dealing with her insecurities about that was good. The season Finale fell flat though, it seemed rushed and I think it was ranked as the worst episode in the whole series. This season did however have 2 of my favorite songs of the whole show, the trio of Kourtney, Gina and Ashlyn coming together to sing 1-2-3 was great. The 4 main characters (Nini, Gina, EJ and Ricky) singing Second Chance was so good, they meshed well together.

Season 3:

This season is probably my favorite. I know some people in the fandom don't feel the same about the season because it felt different from the first 2 but I think that is a good thing. Sometimes shows need a change of pace and they did that with this season. Making it a summer season out of school at a camp was something different and the show had a different tone because of it. It was definitely more lighthearted compared to season 2 and the cast seemed to have had great time filming together. Also going from filming in Utah to filming in LA was probably a nice change for the actors since most of them are based in LA. I know the whole documentary storyline thing was an adjustment for people but they clearly had a plan for it to be a springboard for the plot in season 4 and connect them together. Besides that, Kourtney's anxiety storyline was a highlight for me as I'm sure lots of people could relate to her, the phone call with her mom was great and I'm interested to see if they touch on this more in season 4. Some of the disappointment in the season comes from favorite characters not being in it like Seb and Big Red which is understandable but it's also realistic that not everyone in the group would go to the same camp in the summer, when people usually have different plans. Also, the show clearly felt like they weren't as important to tell the story in season 3 which was used too set up season 4. It was nice that Big Red, Seb and Miss Jenn did make cameo's though, with how big the cast is and the length of the episodes that are not that long it's hard to fit everyone in with meaningful storylines. The additions of Maddox and Jet this season were probably the best new characters that the show has added during the 3 seasons, the actors playing them are great as well and seem to have really bonded with the cast which is really nice to see. WDYKAL was probably my favorite performance of the season, it was very non Disney like lol The tension and chemistry was kind of crazy lol I feel like they could have shown more of the Frozen performance but Kourtney playing Elsa was also a great moment in the season. I'm really excited for season 4 because they seem to be going with a really META storyline for the season and I'm excited too see how the documentary from season 3 has affected the characters.

Anyways, this turned out longer than I intended it too but these are my thoughts on each of the 3 seasons after my re-watch, I will probably make a couple more posts on singular topics like the characters or the ships later. I'm always up for discussions, so if you have anything you want to say please do. I know this place can get out of hand when discussing this show within the fandom but I have thicker skin than most and I don't mind having a discussion but I also understand I'm not the norm lol

If you have read all of this, thank you. If you at least read the title of the post, thank you. Even though you will not see the thank you lol

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

Currently Watching - March

Just a little PSA - I am on a little hiatus until April the 9th. I have some personal stuff to deal with, but nothing bad 😁 Positive all the way and good for my personal growth!

I won't be able to gif any of the series for the time, but I will watch them and perhaps write down some thoughts 😊 And if you want me to gif some scenes, just let me know and I will get to them when I am finished with my stuff 😊 And of course I will still reblog stuff from all of these wonderful creators on this site!

Please stay healthy and happy!

Because I love a good little list - in alphabetical order! 😊

Regularly updated during the month, latest update 31.03.2023

This may contain spoilers!

1. A Boss and A Babe (5/12 on Youtube)

I am not the biggest fan of ForceBook, mostly because I didn't like Enchanté, but I could help myself and smile troughout this series. Cher is annoying, but it works here, I guess? I don't know what it is. It is fun to watch.

2. Bed Friend (6/10 on iQiyi)

The trauma is strong in this one! As are the tension and longing looks of King. And Uea is beautiful and knows how to play the game.

3. Chains of Heart (6/10 on iQiyi)

Cinematography and scenery - stunning! Really pretty and dark and atmospheric. I guess I get used to the subtitles and the acting improved. So I kind of like this one? I definitely have a weak spot for Mr. Lue.

5. Past Senger (4/12 on Gaga)

What the mess did I just watch? It was boring and funny and cringy and funny and I don't know...Do I like the vibes it gives away? We will see. Episode 2 didn't help! It is really cringy and the acting is...not that good -.-

6. The Eighth Sense (2/10 on Viki)

I like the first two epsiodes. I have a weak spot for surfing ever since the movie Shelter and this is just a dream came true. I am curious about the characters and their developement. But the cliffhanger from episode two was brutal!

7. The Promise (5/10 on WeTV)

I like it. Are there cringy moments? Yes. Are there slapstick moments I can hardly deal with? Yes. Are there plotholes that bug me? Sure...but! I like it. I like Nan and Phu together and I love the slow burn and am I well entertained. I also enjoy little Party being the jealous king he is, who deeply care for Nan and if latter would choose him, i wouldn't be that angry!

8. Tin Tem Jai (5/10 on Gaga)

And we took 45 steps back and the show is kind of annoying like before...Tin can't stop aksing Park to marry him and it gets to a point where it just annoys the crap out of me. But Park can't say a clear word so what do we do here? Just let him date the cute senior.

9. Unintentional Love Story (6/10)

Okay, I am in love with this one. I know it will hurt when the truth comes out, but I am willing to get hurt for them. The chemistry is wild between them and I am looking forward to the second couple!

Finished in March

Series

1. History 5: Love in the Future (10/10 on Viki)

I really don't like it. the plot was stupid and boring. The plotholes big and heavy like black holes. The chemistry...I don't like it either in the end. Vincent was the only reason I was looking forward to this one. And the whole time travel thing was just so stupid and irrelevant! It could have been good, but it wasn't. 3 out of 10 for me.

2. Utsukushii Kare Season 2 (4/4 on Gaga)

I fell in love with Kiyoi, especially in the last two epsiodes. I am curious about the upcoming movie. The season was good and most of all in the end with a kind of good communication. 7 out of 10 for me.

3. Moonlight Chicken (8/8 on Youtube)

I love it! It has everything I can dream of in a series. It has beautiful cinematography and scenery. The acting was top. The story...so good! All the stories were just so good! I love EarthMix and they delivered. And I love GeminiFourth and they delivered too. They had to deal with endings and letting go and new beginnings and angst and grief and hope and joy and happiness and love and everything! Just everything! Definitely a 10 out of 10 for me!

4. Island Part 2 (4/6 - non bl)

It was not as good as the first part, because it felt too rushed and there were some parts that needed more time to explain. Besides that it was a good fantasy/mystical show with some nice effects and a pretty cast. The ending though...I don't know...will there be a part 3??? I give it 8 out of 10.

5. Bokura no Micro na Shuumatsu (7/8 on Gaga aka The End of the World with you)

It started so strong! I really liked the depressing atmosphere and world ending vibe. But it lost me in the middle of the journey. Suddenly there were some supernatural elements that don't make sense and are not at all explained. And don't get me started on the kissing scenes! There are some really explict scenes, but they kissed like they didn't wanna touch or hurt each other. It was not bad, but also not that good in the end. It is a 6,5 out of 10 for me.

6. Shadow and Bone (5/8 on Netflix - no bl, but queer representation)

I am really shoping for a third season, the cliffhanger was harsh! This is not a perfect series, but I like it and besides Alina, I like every character. And yes, my favorite are of course Wesper! They were cute and had some sweet scenes together and I really want to know if Jesper will train his powers. It is a 9 out of 10 for me.

7. All the Liquors (6/8 on Gaga)

It started promising for me. I liked it. I thought perhaps they are going the road that they learn from each other. one is drinking and glorificating alcohol less and the other is going to be more open to dfferent opinions. But nope, drinking is fine and fun and now our chef drinks alcohol to every meal and I don't like it. Yes perhaps personal reasons play a big role and perhaps the glorification of alcohol triggers my mind a little bit too much. And the kiss...well they could have done better. 6 out of 10 for me.

8. A Shoulder To Cry On (on Viki)

Was it a perfect show? No. Was the acting good? Yes. Was the chemistry believable? Yes. Do I need a kiss in every bl? No. Was there a lack of romance and love? Kind of. Did I like it? Yes, I did. The adaptation stick to the original manhwa and there wasn't big love confessions or depictions of affection. I think the series was fine until the last minute. I liked their own way of love. Not everything has to end with a kiss. I am happy with the story. 8 out of 10 for me.

9. Our Dating Sim (on Viki)

Perfection! I love it. The story was so good. The chemistry was so good. Everything felt so natural. The pacing was believable. I klnow I will rewatch this one from time to time just to have a good time. Oh how much I love this one! Strong 10 out of 10 for me.

10. Jack o'Frost (on Gaga)

Well this was a quiet little gem. I loved how they showed the relationship throughout the different times, how it started, how it progressed and how it ended. There was drama all the time, but it felt real and that is one of the small details I really enjoyed about this one. The story felt real. It is a 9 out of 10 for me.

Short Film

Movie

1. The Chronicles of a boy (Homo Phobia) (on Gaga)

Meet Yeong Taek, a young man, who has suffered an absured amount of physical and psychological abuse and has a tendency for strangeling people who did him wrong...There were things I liked about this movie and which were kind of challenging, but overall I didn't like it. And didn't like the protagonist. Would not recommend this one. 4,5 out of 10 for me.

Dropped/On Hold in March

1. Boyband

Because they decided not to air it any longer on youtube, I stopped watching it...It was promising though...

2. Love Syndrome III

I have watched the first half of the first epsiode and I couldn't watch any further. I can't tell how the story will progress, but right now I really can't stand the character of Itt. Why is he always so damn angry and loud?

Looking Forward to in March (with MDL-Links)

The Promise (March 1 on WeTV)

All The Liquors (March 2 on GagaOOLala)

A Boss And A Babe (March 3 on Youtube)

Love Syndrome (March 4 on WeTV)

PastSenger (March 8 on GagaOOLala)

Our Dating Sim (March 9 on Viki)

Future (March 19 on GagaOOLala)

A Shoulder To Cry On (March 14 on Viki)

Unintentional Love Story (March 17)

Make a Wish (March 22)

The Eighth Sense (March 29 on Viki)

Shadow (not sure)

[reviewting]

Word of Honor

“Wen…Wen Kexing” answered The Chief of Ghost Valley while casually fanning himself with a gigantic traditional hand fan. T-t-that is one of my favourite scene from the series. Also this one:

Thank you for coming to my TED talk, you may now walk out of here. JUST KIDDING! Please stay because I want to scream at you for not telling me about this series sooner I always say this and I always end up blaming myself. Anyway, go log into your Netflix account and start watching this amazing series or else...

Score

Storyline : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ (9/10)

Plot : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ (09/10)

Pace : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (8/10)

Acting : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (10/10)

Rewatch value : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (10/10)

Storyline

The story is about Zhou Zishu (ZZ), a leader of an assassin organisation who wants to retire from his evil job. There is one thing stopping him, though. The organisation does not allow any of their members to retire. In reality, I think the rule is good because they are so evil they don't deserve a good life (but then I changed my mind at the end so wth). If they really really want to retire, the only thing they can do is to embed nails inside their body at 7 acupuncture points to repress their martial art abilities. But of course there is going to be a catch, after the embedding of the nails, the person can only live for 3 years. Only then they can leave the castle. So, being a brave human that he is (well, he has nothing to lose really because he has no one in the world left to care for), ZZ asked for those 7 nails to be embedded in his body and then he goes on his merry way. You thought it ends after that? Yiu thought wrooong! There are complications, ZZ is going to die slowly. He will lose his 5 senses very very slowly before he eventually will succumb to death. Basically, he's going to be sick and it will get worse until he drops dead. Because of that, he decided to be a homeless and went to have an adventure to spend his remaining time.

During his adventure, ZZ meets a lot of people. some of them are nice, some of them are not. He still needs to fight people sometimes and that takes a toll to his own body. Well, because he's not supposed to use his martial art skills with the while dying. So basically, ZZ is a walking deadman. One day he meets this one guy, very randomly. This random guy introduced himself as Wen Kexing (WX). To ZZ’s surprise and annoyance, this guy follows ZZ everywhere because WX was in love with ZZ at first sight could sense that ZZ is lying to him about his identity, so WX swears that he will find out about ZZ identity himself. At some point WX finds out about the 7 nails inside ZZ body and he gets very distraught, so he set a goal for himself to try his best to safe the man his loves ZZ. So their adventure starts from there. They also adopted a couple of children find young friends along the way and help trained them to be better at martial art. Oh yeah, I almost forget to mention that the cultivation world (where ZZ and WX live) was in state of chaos, so people outside the castle were fighting each other to get a secret key. This key, many believed, could lead to an armoury that holds the answers to all the secrets and questions in the world. So, during their adventure, both ZZ and WX get themselves trapped in between the civil war. Mostly because WX have this brilliant idea that he can safe ZZ and prevent him from dying if they both can get this secret key (to open the armoury and then look for a sacred book there). Poor ZZ, he just wants to retire and lives his life as a normal human being but the universe said no. Well, WX is kind of his universe and he also said no to dying, so poor ZZ.

Characters

Wen Kexing is my most favourite character. He's super stylist, you have to see his outfits on every episode, so beautiful. He's also dramatic and clingy, so adorable. Can you believe that this man who acts like a worried puppy in front of ZZ is actually The Chief of Ghost Valley? Let me repeat, THE CHIEF! Well, what is a Ghost Valley? It is a far and remote place where evil people and all people who are considered dead to the world live. He is a menace to his employees, but he is a sweetheart to the people he cares about. So f-ing adorable.

Zhou Zishu, I don’t think he ever expected to be able to feel alive again and wanting to life again. However, after meeting WX, I think, he changes his mind. Reluctantly at first, but then he realises that he still has the ability to care about and for someone else. It's so beautiful. He also is fully aware that he was an evil person and how he need to repent himself for all of his wrongdoings. He is a man of a few words and very chill compared to his partner, WX.

Gu Xiang and Wei Ning are two other people who I love and adore so much. I love them so much it hurts me physically. I believe in love again after watching them, they support and love each other regardless of who they were supposed to be.

Cheng ling, I am actually proud of him. There are some moments that I was very disappointed by him but I understand where is is coming from and what he went through. Finding out about your teacher's secret and it has something to do with your own family is going to be hard for ALL people. Regardless, I like him, I like seeing what he turned out to be at the end.

Last but not least is Ye Bai Yi. I love this old man, I love how weird he is and I love how blunt and frontal he could get sometimes. His "I don't fucking care about all these shits because I am tired of y'all" persona is so interesting. I thought he was one of the bad guy at some point. Everything is peak comedy with him. Also, he eats snow, who does that?

Where to watch

Netflix

Viki

Prime video

For the bonus episode: Youtube, Viki

[iguessitsjustme]

Reveal Your Watch & Rewatch List

I was tagged by the lovely @lelephantsnail to do this. Which is actually kind of perfect because thanks to Covid, I am so behind on so many shows and I need to start playing catch up

Watching:

1. Ai Long Nhai - Just a cute little show. Not much happens except them being adorable. I love it.

2. Between Us - Even with my attention span shot to hell right now with Covid brain fog, I managed to keep up with this one. (My mom has also seen the first 3 episodes but I told her she should wait to catch up until this week)

3. Remember Me - I think I have made my thoughts on this show very clear. I’m hoping this week is better.

4. Catch Me Baby - Watching this for Tan and Foie but I am many, many episodes behind. This show is very low down on my catch up list.

5. Choco Milk Shake - I have purposely avoided the most recent episode. I am not ready for the pain so I’m gonna wait.

6. Ghost Host Ghost House - I NEED to finish this but I stopped right before the pain and I am scared cause I am just a giant baby.

7. My Tooth Your Love - I just need to watch this week’s episode and I can’t wait.

8. My Only 12% - I have one episode left and I just cannot bring myself to finish it. It’s taunting me.

9. GAP the series - I wasn’t able to watch last week’s episode because I was dying so this is one of my top priorities to catch up on this weekend.

10. Reborn Rich - Not QL, but my god I can’t stop watching. I’m catching up very quickly and I am about to run out of episodes and it’s not finished airing yet so it’s going to drive me insane. I normally don’t start K-dramas until they’re done because these are the shows I binge but I had to watch it. I had to.

Recent Binges

1. Reborn Rich - I think I just finished episode 7? So only a few more until I need to start waiting for episodes.

2. Not a show but I cannot stop watching food challenge videos on youtube. Currently just watching Beard Meats Food videos but once I run out of those, I know there are so many more people I can watch. It’s disgusting but I can’t look away.

Rewatching

1. Triage - I am showing this to my mother. We’ve been watching a few episodes a week. This show holds up really well on a rewatch.

Plan To Watch:

1. My School President - I tried to start this last week and just could not focus. Hopefully now that I have a bit more of an attention span, I’ll be able to actually watch the two (?) episodes that are out now?

2. Oh! My Assistant - Everything I’ve seen about this show makes me so eager to start watching.

3. Happy Ending Romance - This is a pretty low priority for me but I do want to start watching soon.

4. Why You... Why Me? - From what I understand, there is a love triangle and not a single person knows who will end up together. Either way, I’m rooting for a polyship and I doubt that will change when I start watching.

5. A whole bunch of Christmas movies - It’s that time of year and there are some movies that I just gotta watch. And also a very specific episode of Bones.

I’m not gonna tag anyone, but if you want to do it then consider yourself tagged by me...I’m gonna go now. I have a lot of catching up to do.

[chaoticbooklesbian]

I posted 18,550 times in 2022

100 posts created (1%)

18,450 posts reblogged (99%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@lokidokeyartichoki

@marinecorvid

@dirtypuzzle

@dingdongyouarewrong

@last-level-in-druid

I tagged 1,198 of my posts in 2022

#pedanticblah - 134 posts

#headless - 10 posts

#anyway - 9 posts

#dylan's clothing adventures - 7 posts

#sharon air spoilers - 6 posts

#new video is up! - 6 posts

#please watch headless - 6 posts

#new video! - 5 posts

#autumn dahlias spoilers - 5 posts

#twists & turns spoilers - 5 posts

Longest Tag: 124 characters

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I sent 5 gifts in 2022

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Mina: I hate not being able to talk openly with Jonathan, I don't like us having to keep secrets from each other :( Also Mina: OK, time to keep my dream that was so eerily similar to Lucy's account of Dracula a secret from everyone, including Jonathan! :)

28 notes - Posted October 2, 2022

#4

Just finished watching The Midnight Club, and it feels like there was at least one episode missing off of the end. What was up with the old ghost couple? What was Stanton's actual deal? Who was Stanton talking to on the phone? I don't usually end a Mike Flanagan show with these kinds of questions, and I feel like there was another episode that just wasn't uploaded for some unfathomable reason.

55 notes - Posted October 28, 2022

#3

My brain: Sew Dress Me: I have never sewn A Clothing before, that can only go poorly Brain: Sew Dress For Renaissance Faire Me: You want me to sew my First Ever Garment SPECIFICALLY to wear to a VERY PUBLIC PLACE????? Brain: Sew Pirate Shirt To Go Under Dress Me: I think you're missing the point here, none of this is-- Brain: YOU SHALL NOT SLEEP UNTIL YOU PLAN TO SEW PIRATE SHIRT AND DRESS Me: ...turns out it was me who was missing the point here, I'll get right on that, please stop Brain: Sew Dress

72 notes - Posted July 2, 2022

#2

I made a playlist of the full Headless series (with Unsolved Babesteries, the spinoff featuring Brom's Babes) in order, for ease of bingeing, because everyone should watch it!

151 notes - Posted November 3, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Serious question, can someone teach me how to find clothes? The plus size stuff in department stores fits me in a way that can kindly be described as "awkward", Lane Bryant only sells clothes that the eye slides over and the brain forgets immediately, and Torrid's stuff is all made of tissue paper. I've been dressing the same since high school and I'm so bored of everything I own. I hate all my "business casual" stuff, it's all from Lane Bryant and leaves no impression whatsoever. I want to feel good in clothes and I don't know how to find clothes I'd feel good in. My mom only ever taught me to dress the Lane Bryant way, so people forget or ignore that I'm fat, but that's made my wardrobe so boring and forgettable that I feel boring and forgettable. Can someone please help me?

356 notes - Posted July 3, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[magaprima]

Just seen an article that said 'Sabrina failed its best villain' meaning Lilith.

Well, first of all, Lilith isn't the villain, so jot that down.

But also the points the article make kind of miss the point of Lilith's character and the point of the show.

For one, Lilith's whole narrative journey is about her returning to her own sense of self, exploring new emotions and experiences, to come back to who she really is (which, while sometimes morally ambiguous, and certainly ancient enough to have a level of detachment about particular things etc, is not the villain) and to move away from the very toxic influence Lucifer had on her behaviour. Lilith isn't written in the show as a villain-- she's initially shown to be the villain in Part 1, but that's a deliberate mislead as we are then shown how Lucifer is the villain, but then we discover that that's a mislead too and the actually true villain of the entire show is...Organised Religion.

Seriously; just look at every time something really bad happens or there's majorly toxic behaviour or something to beat, it's always linked to organised religion, whether that's the churches of darkness, or Hell or the Pagans or the Eldritch Terrors (I think this is also why Blackwood is so constantly a villain, because he is so intrinsically tied to organised religion as being a priest and religious leader is a major part of his personality).

So, yeah Lilith's story was never going to be a simple oh she defeats Lucifer and becomes Queen and fulfils her role in the show as just being Queen of Hell; for one, that would have put her in the background the moment part 2 ended if her narrative journey came to a stop there, and for another her story is about her experiences, how she grows. Look how falling in love with Adam 2.0, being a principal of a high school, working with mortals, developing friendships (particularly with Hilda and Mrs Meeks), having a son, being part of a coven, and her work with Sabrina, all slowly change and develop her character, how her priorities and reactions change. Her growth is one of the most amazing things to watch in the show, in my opinion, how different she is in the Part 4 finale to the Part 1 opener. Part 1 Lilith would never have dared attack Lucifer and take his power for herself, and even Part 2 Lilith was reluctant to be seen to be against him, she wanted to work in the shadows (until he went to attack Sabrina and she openly stopped him. Which, again, shows her growth and how she became attached to people, and in Michelle's own words, she developed a maternal bond with Sabrina, which was totally unexpected but significant as hell).

Her growth is freaking amazing, and for a show that got cancelled and was meant to have a part 5, the fact the unintended final episode gives her actual closure and success was amazing.

Which leads me to another point the article made about her story in Part 4 being very squeezed in and short on time. Yes, everyone's was, because Netflix cut the episode number so they had to try and put the entire story arc into 8 episodes rather than 10, and that is really freaking difficult. I always say Part 4 was a great story arc, but it didn't get to be great because it didn't have the episode number it warranted. I think, personally, with 12 episodes it would have blossomed. So the article is attacking the show for something Netflix dictated.

Finally, they said how not enough time in general was given to Lilith and she was pushed to the side in general in the series. No, she wasn't. The series is about Sabrina, Sabrina is the main character, and even if our personal favourite characters are not Sabrina, that doesn't mean the show will put the focus there. Sabrina has to be at the centre of the show's arcs because she is the main character, her name is in the title; it's why Sabrina has to take the crown in Part 3 because we have to have the main character directly involved in the infernal conflict with Caliban.

And one thing I always commend the show and Roberto on is how much time he does give to other character's stories, and significantly, how he gives actual, fully fleshed out narrative arcs for all the older female characters WHICH BARELY ANY SHOWS DO. Most shows would have relegated Hilda, Zelda and Lilith to the back, with nothing more than mentor storylines, and the occasional comedy moment, in relation to Sabrina. But we get full freaking stories, some which, personally, are far more engaging than Sabrina's stories. The show literally gave as much time to the character as physically possible, and there are even some episodes where it's more about them than Sabrina and her friends. It's only in Part 4 that the majority is about Sabrina because, again, this was a longer story arc being squeezed into a much shorter episode number.

Also, the article mentioned there being too many characters, but Michelle, and Miranda too I think, both said that happened because Roberto loved everyone and didn't want to write characters out or kill them off because that meant firing the actor. He was really reluctant to do that, and kept trying to find ways to keep everyone in (he even just had Elspeth hanging out after she died) unless they had other jobs (such as Dorcas was killed off the the actress could film Winx). So, while I can agree it felt like there were too many characters by part 4, I can't entirely complain when it came from a place of 'but I don't want these actors to go'.

[the-cat-chat]

November 4, 2023

Seven (1995)

Disenchanted, near-retirement detective William Somerset and his newly transferred partner David Mills attempt to stop a serial killer before he can complete a series of murders.

JayBell: My dad loves to reference this movie with, “What’s in the box?!” And it doesn’t disappoint when the moment finally comes around. Also this is my second watch of this movie and he repeats this line wayyyyy more than I remembered and with so many different inflections.

What I like about this movie is that it almost feels like watching an extremely long episode of Criminal Minds. I'm guessing the plot of the movie was probably more original when it first came out, but since the whole seven deadly sins thing has been done many times since then, I can't help but feel like the plot is overdone.

Having Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt team up for this movie is the highlight for me. I love how their characters are contrasted throughout the movie. Not just their experience level, but their personalities, their interests, and even their approaches to police work. It’s kind of like a buddy cop movie in the sense that two detectives who are at odds eventually come to an understanding and develop a bond.

This is only the second time I’ve watched this movie, but I do think it’s a little predictable at the end. Although the end is dark, it feels poetic in a way for both of their characters.

Overall, enjoyable crime mystery with nice acting and a solid plot.

Rating: 6/10 cats 🐈

Anzie: Welll. I’ve tried to forget this movie since we watched it. I haven’t. Never will. Good old mind like a steel trap. Oh calamity. First it wasn’t enough that I had shoveled far too much spaghetti into my mouth 10 minutes before we watched this, actively wishing to barf when… oh you guessed it the first sin…. Yeah that’s greed… oh how’s the greed victim die…death by gorging on spaghetti. Thank you universe I will be here all week.

And I enjoyed the movie for the rest of the time, it was a bit slow, but entertaining- you’ve got young Brad Pitt, a scholarly totaaaalllly retiring Morgan Freeman, and the seven deadly sins. That was until the end. Again, if I ever afford the lobotomy I desperately need, I may be made whole again. I forgot Kevin Spacey was our freak of the week. Annnnd he didn’t disappoint. I’m soo mad. Ya know as much as this “what’s in the box,” was hyped upppp! I didn’t expect it to be ThiSSSsss. As it was happening. I knew what was happening. But like I’m sooooo mad. Did I say that already? All the victims were so planned out for soooo long- then this man that totally barfs at any mundane human contact and convo is envious??? Pllsssss. And the whole deal with the wrath gets me peeved. I really can’t get into it for my safety. Like did Brad Pitt’s character have any say in his sin??? Like wrath is an overwhelming sense of anger directed towards an undeserving person???? And like I get of course there’s the choice that he could’ve not killed Kevin Spacey- but then he was basically emotionally goaded into the act??? It just felt too easy of an ending- plusssss Detective Mills had just moved there- was Kevin Spacey just always going to wing his last two sins?? I have so many infuriating QuEsTiOooooNnnnnsSssss. Like for reals was he just so sure anyone he chose would fall into his trap??? Uggg. Anyway loved the delivery of “wHat’S IN thE BoXx??” Best thing I’ve ever seen Brad Pitt do.

Rating: 5/10 boxes 📦

[ok-caesar]

S2:

1. La Couchette

Characters: 4/5

Writing: 4/5

Twist: 3/5

Setting/Premise: 5/5

Overall Score: 8/10

Notes: lots of fun, loved the claustrophobic environment, very solid twist, started to drag slightly about 3/4 through and the train stopping thing felt a bit pointless but overall a very enjoyable episode

Does Reece Shearsmith Look Like A Butch Lesbian?

3/5 on the Lesbometer

2. The 12 Days of Christine

Characters: 4/5

Writing: 5/5

Twist: 5/5

Setting/Premise: 4/5

Overall score: 9.5/10

Notes: wow. like holy fucking shit. I don't even have anything to say about this one just go watch it you won't regret it. WOW.

DRSLLABL?

2/5 on the Lesbometer

3. The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge

Characters: 4/5

Writing: 3/5

Twist: 2/5

Setting/Premise: 4/5

Overall Score: 6/10

Notes: honestly I loved it up until the last moment, really got under my skin in the best way with how horrible the whole thing was, elizabeth is an icon, the second twist felt like it kind of defeated the point of the story though??? it was a twist for the sake of a twist and I didn't like it

DRSLLABL?

1/5 on the Lesbometer

4. Cold Comfort

Characters: 5/5

Writing: 5/5

Twist: 5/5

Setting/premise: 5/5

Overall Score: 10/10

Notes: controversial but I liked this one more than 12 days of Christine, EXACTLY my kind of story and that last twist legitimately made me scream out loud, I'm never gonna hear Shine by Take That the same OH MY GOD I love this episode so much

DRSLLABL?

2/5 on the Lesbometer

5. Nana's Party

Characters: 3/5

Writing: 3/5

Twist: 1/5

Setting/Premise: 2/5

Overall Score: 4/10

Notes: didn't really feel like there was a twist, not a satisfying ending, the characters were fine and there were some good moments but overall a very weak one

DRSLLABL?

2/5 on the Lesbometer (he does look weirdly like Micheal sheen tho)

6. Séance Time

Characters: 3/5

Writing: 2/5

Twist: 2/5

Setting/Premise: 4/5

Overall Score 5/10

Notes: I like the idea of a hidden camera show episode but the execution was weird, also didn't have a very satisfying ending, keeping up with the pattern of supernatural twists being much weaker

DRSLLABL?

2/5 on the Lesbometer

General Thoughts: I think this series as a whole was better than series 1 but also way more inconsistent. 2 were incredible, 2 were pretty good, and 2 were... not. I genuinely don't know how anything is going to top cold comfort for me though holy SHIT

Inside No.9 Masterpost

Currently watching this show for the first time, gonna be reblogging this with my thoughts at the end of each season :)

S1:

1. Sardines

Characters: 5/5

Writing: 4/5

Twist: 4/5

Setting/Premise: 4/5

Overall score: 9/10

Notes: favourite of the series, hilarious but also incredibly well foreshadowed on a rewatch, the cupboard setting is genuinely inspired

Does Reece Shearsmith Look Like A Butch Lesbian?

5/5 on the Lesbometer

2. A Quiet Night In

Characters: 3/5

Writing: 5/5

Twist: 3/5

Setting/Premise: 4/5

Overall Score: 7.5/10

Notes: incredibly well directed, love the idea of a dialogue free ep, wasn't really that invested in the plot or characters

DRSLLABL?

1/5 on the Lesbometer

3. Tom and Gerri

Characters: 4/5

Writing: 3/5

Twist: 4/5

Setting/Premise: 2/5

Overall Score: 6.5/10

Notes: very interesting, the double reveal got me, just not really my type of story, the gerri twist was good but felt cliché

DRSLLABL?

3/5 on the Lesbometer

4. Last Gasp

Characters: 4/5

Writing: 5/5

Twist: 3/5

Setting/Premise: 3/5

Overall Score: 7/10

Notes: really enjoyed the exploration of celebrity culture and the balloon vs the daughter, loved the twist of the guy being alive, didn't like the twist of the balloon being let go

DRSLLABL?

N/A, Reece Shearsmith does not appear in this episode

5. The Understudy

Characters: 4/5

Writing: 3/5

Twist: 2/5

Setting/Premise: 4/5

Overall Score: 6.5/10

Notes: enjoyed the Macbeth parallels but a generally pretty forgettable episode, felt slightly limited by the runtime, could have probably been a really cool full length film

DRSLLABL?

4/5 on the Lesbometer

6. The Harrowing

Characters: 2/5

Writing: 2/5

Twist: 2/5

Setting/premise: 3/5

Overall Score: 4/10

Notes: felt like nothing much happened? Opposite issue to the understudy in that it would have been better with a third of the runtime, feels strange to have the finale lean so hard into the supernatural when the rest of the series has been so grounded in realism

DRSLLABL?

4/5 on the Lesbometer

General Thoughts: loving the series so far, even the ones I didn't like as much I still had a good time watching. No idea how these are going to stack up against the other seasons.

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL

July 2022 Wk 3

Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs. Organized by which ones (in each category) I’m enjoying the most. 

GaGaOOLaLa is doing this thing where they are changing over their payment system, and they moved fast. They kicked everyone off until they re-up membership but I don’t do that on my work computer so I’m bumped until I get home. 

Honestly with two of my biases (Jimmy & Pavel) holding down two decent Thai BLs right now I’m not mad about life, even with this crazy heat wave. 

Ongoing Series - Thai

Triage (grey) Ep 13 fin - I forgot to download it to bring along, so I will watch and then do a full review of this one once I get home. Wait for it.... 

Vice Versa (Sat on YouTube) Ep 2 - I’m liking it a lot, and the tropes have started coming thick and fast. I’m finding the lead a little bit more appealing than last week, and the moment Jimmy is on screen charisma starts leaking all over the place and I’m just happy. Talay got himself a live one, I’m living for Puen the super flirt. But I’m not sure if they mean Puen to be slightly sinister about it, or if that’s just... Jimmy. Like we all know he’s hiding something. But is it a good thing or a bad thing? There’s definitely a faded mates thing going on with the show, and it’s moving fast for a 12 episode run - I hope they can keep up this pacing. How can GMMTV hit it out of the park (this show) and fail so miserably (sky) in the space of 24 hours? For those keeping track: last week’s secret password was from 2gether, this week’s was from SOTUS. FINALLY: Shoes in the bed! Shoes in the bed! After being in a bar! First Unforgotten Night, now this. Make it stop. 

Coffee Melody (Mon Viki) Ep 1 - I like it! This is my kind of BL - very much on the fluffy end of the spectrum, I don’t demand my BL be complicated or gritty. There is an unfortunate overuse of sound effects a la Lovely Writer but I’m getting Cutie Pie vibes off the main character. I do like an out Queen-B who knows what he wants. And, of course, Pavel (cafe owner love interest) is just as wonderful as he should be. Frankly, i could watch Pavel make pretty drinks with tinkling piano music in the background for, well, most of my life, and not be mad about it. I already have those ambient Korean café YouTube videos on while I work, this is the BL version of that. I hope someone enterprising does a cut of all the times he simps while making a beverage against, oh I don’t know, Blue Danube Waltz or something. 

Love Mechanics (Sun WeTV) Ep 5 - posted it last week, ‘cause I knew I would be out of town. 

Unforgotten Night (Weds on GaGa) Ep 5 - No GaGa for me this week, resumes next. TRASH WATCH (up to ep 4) IS HERE!

Sky in Your Heart (Fri YouTube) Ep 8fin - There was a really dumb manufactured miscommunication-based parting for this final ep. They mutually pined well, I guess? But the kiss at the end was extremely poor quality for Thailand. Tut tut - you have one job to do. To put it simply, this show was boring. I don’t know exactly how to write a review of this as “boring” isn’t in my rating system but, it is a BIG SIN for me, so I guess 5/10? Watch only if you have nothing better to do. No full review because I didn’t like it. It looks like there is a special wrap-up episode next week, which considering it’s lots of KleunDao, I’ll probably enjoy more. 

Even Sun (Wed iQIYI) Ep 4 - I’ll roll it into next week’s update. 

Check Out (Sat IQIYI) Ep 7 - I’ll roll it into next week. 

My Secret Love (Sat YouTube Sat) Ep 8 - I’m just never gonna like the main couple (the obligatory sponge bath emerged). But I kind of like some of the side dishes. My favorite is the minor minor minor sides Tim + bestie, and with them I’m currently undergoing 2nd lead (side?) syndrome - yay Pete! Because, of course I am. On another note, is “second side syndrome” like having an extra helping of fries?

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Minato Shouji Coin Laundry (Japan Weds GaGa) Ep 4 - actually I caught this before GaGa went bonkers: It is really hard to articulate how quintessentially old school Japanese yaoi this BL is. The way Shin overreacts to not being able to take care of Minato, it’s so teenager, but it is also so completely younger seme with an older uke yaoi archetypes. This kid is willing and able and prepared to sacrifice himself for the tiniest little bit of Minto’s comfort, and it destroys him when he cannot take care of his man. Next week, adding exes and more into the mix is going to drive Shin insane. But that’s the point. We’re at the halfway mark, by the laws of romance we should be ramping up for the major drama, also it’s about time for an actual kiss. This is Japan, though, the pacing is likely to be unpredictable especially with an age gap romance. (I feel compelled to warn you at this juncture the mostly likely outcome for this is a separation, time jump, reunion. And I could all be done in the final ep. It’s how Japan traditionally handles most of their age gap stuff. I have so much to say about this show I might start up a watch along at this juncture.   

Want to See You (Vietnam YT) Ep 9 - It’s fine, the lap setting is cute. The kissing while sitting in the lap is sexy. But I remain unmoved by the characters.

Senpai, Danjite Koidewa! (Japan Fri Viki) Ep 5 - Honestly, just too much cringe. Japan droped one it’s favorite trope: forced proximity by way of “all the trains stopped running and you have to stay at my place.” It’s a popular one.The sharing the parfait was cute, but I am getting a little exhausted by the constant navel gazing stalker thing. 

In Case You Missed it

Semantic Error won a Blue Dragon award. 

Kpop group OnlyOneOf is releasing a series of solo songs by members with a linked BL storyline. I found it very engaging, even though I am not wild about the song itself. I chatter about it and another Kpop BL crossover here. 

The BL Express published a Guide To Every Singapore LGBT Short Film And Web Series Available On YouTube 

Japanese short BL 8.2 second (under 1 hr) is available in 5 parts on YouTube. AKA 8.2 Byo no Hosoku. About a schoolboy who makes magic candy for a series of handsome classmates, questing for a soulmate. Each ep is a new love interest and while the sweets help others, they keep failing to bring him love. Of course h's overlooking someone. The lead was very good and the theme, cooking, and eventually romance were charming, but it is a series of BL vignettes not really a cohesive story, no kisses or anything. Japan doesn’t give us sweet BL this short very often, so it was nice to see them try out the style.

Gossip

New Thai BL announced I am very excited about: Wish Me Luck, boss/employee dynamic staring my boy Fiat (from SOTUS S, My Gear and Your Gown, and most recently Triage) and Na from UWMA & KP. Plot: Uni student interns as an adman under (corrupt?) CEO creating commercials and hunting down traitors within the company. It’s Thai and there is no trailer so will it happen? 50% chance. 

Next Week Looks Like This:

This week’s best moments?

Like we can take them off you, sweetheart. 

GL gest cameo in Vice Versa. 

Really Thailand? Well that got unexpectedly kinky. Gonna make him like your boots? THAT YOU ARE WEARING IN BED. 

Everyone say: Thank you Thailand. (My Secret Love’s side dish getting VERY dishy indeed.) 

(last week)

[magic-belodie]

When (which episode) do you think mcl boys fell in love with candy?

Hello,

Thank you so much for asking me this question. I really liked it to try to find the moments. So I watch a lot of old episodes back. That is also why it took me a little of time for answering. I hope you can forgive me for that. And I am going to try to include all the LI.

We start with Kentin. He already loves Candy when we see him for the first time in episode 1. So he felt for her back at their old school. So we don't know the exact moment. But l like to think that it was love at first sight.

Then we go to Lysander. He already is in love with Candy when Deborah comes. Because she says that Candy is the only girl Lysander talks to. And in those episodes, Lysander let Candy know that he rather has that she ask him for help than another boy. I think this are the first moments when you really can see he has feelings for Candy. But we want to know the moment he falls in love with her, I think it happens before he shows Candy his tattoo. So I watch back episode 11. When they do the race in the forest. When they are on the bus together, Lysander seems still to doubt if he should have gone with Castiel and if Candy shouldn't be in a team with one of the girls. But the moment, Dake comes to ask Candy to be with him in a team. We see Candy standing up for her self and say no to Dake. After that, Lysander is happy that she says no to Dake and choose him again. So this is the moment I think he starts to like like Candy.

We go to Armin. I find it difficult to find he's exact moment. In episode 15 when you return the keys from the teacher lounge to Mr. Faraize, you can ask Armin what he thinks of you. He says that he likes you a lot, and that he likes to hang out with you more than with other girls. So at this moment he is already in love with Candy. In episode 10 he comes to the series. So it happens somewhere in between. We can rule out episode 11 because Armin does not go to the forest trip. So I watched back episode 12. Nothing special happens. Then in episode 13 at the end when you are all together clearing out the basement, and Candy decides to team up with Armin. You see Armin and Candy making jokes, and Candy says she likes that Armin stayed to help. Armin says Candy is nice. I think this is the moment that Armin starts to like like Candy.

Over to Dake. Sorry to everyone who loves Dake, but if I am being honest. I don't think Dake ever falls in love with Candy. He is just a guy who tries to get lucky.

Next we have Dajan and Jade. They only plays in a few episodes. But in episode 3 they see how helpful Candy is with doing things for the clubs. So they start to like that a lot about her. But they are not often around enough to start something real with. :-(

Then we go to Castiel. To be honest I had no clue where to start except that it happens before episode 26. So I watch a lot of episodes back. In episode 8 Castiel starts to tease Candy. In Holland we have a saying that when a boy teases a girl, he likes her. So I think Castiel already likes Candy there. Actually I think he starts to like her pretty early in the story; in episode 4. When he brings Candy home and blushes while he holds her hand. I think that is the moment he starts to like like Candy. And in episode 17 Castiel saw how right he was about liking Candy and trusting her. From that moment he really starts to show his feelings for her. In university, I think Castiel never stopped loving Candy. When they weren't together, he obviously put his feelings away. But he always had liked her from that first moment on in episode 4 HSL.

So as last LI from the HSL we go to Nathaniel. When Deborah comes to the school and Nathaniel doesn't want to help Candy. I feel like he is not in love with her. Because if you are in love with someone, you don't let them down at that kind of moment. But the moment he sees Candy cry at the end of episode 16 everything starts to change. In episode 17 en 18 they are clearly signs that Nathaniel likes Candy. So I think he starts to like like Candy at the end of episode 16. When Candy and Nath break up between HSL and UL, Nath is devastated. Because of that he meets the wrong people. But as he soon as he sees Candy in UL, he tries to turn everything around to get her back. So Nathaniel also never stopped loving her.

For the first LI of UL we go to Priya. Priya already likes Candy at the start of UL. So I feel like it happened in HSL before she gives Candy the drawing in episode 32. Priya comes to the series in episode 27. So it has to happen somewhere in between. In episode 28 when Candy confess to Priya she is in love with one of the boys. Priya answered that she isn't in love with that boy, and that she now understands why things weren't going well between her and Candy. But she is drawn to Candy and don't know why. So she hopes they now can start on better terms. So I think Priya likes Candy from the beginning, but she doesn't realize it. And the moment she does, Candy has already a relationship. So she does nothing with those feelings until she sees her again in UL.

Next we go to Rayan aka Mr. Zaidi. In episode 8 Rayan asks Candy if she wants to stay with him on a professional level or that you want to get to know each other more. So at that moment he is already in love with Candy. But I also think that he already likes Candy at the end of episode 5 when he helps her close the café. So the moment has to happen somewhere before that. So I watched back episode 4, 3 and 2. In episode 3 and 4 there are signs that Rayan likes Candy. When I watched episode 2 back and Candy has her first class of him. I feel like that is the moment he starts to like like Candy. Because at the end of class, he asks Candy to stay behind and complements her for her answers in class.

As last LI from UL we have Hyun. In my head, he starts to like Candy from the very first time he sees her. I hope this will also be the case when I try to find the moment. So I watch back the first conversation Candy has with Hyun in episode 1. In the part he asks Candy question for the job at the cosy bear café, there are not any signs yet. But when he asks Candy to stay for a drink and Candy says yes. He tries to find out if Candy has a boyfriend and offers her to show her around town. So yes, Hyun starts to like like Candy from the very first moment.

In LL, we only get one new LI; Eric. In episode 13 Eric tells Candy; that he realize that he has feelings for Candy after the dinner in episode 10. But the moment you realize you have feelings is not always the same moment as when you get feelings for a person. So to be sure I watched back episode 10. And I think it happens in the afternoon for the dinner. When Eric sees Candy worrying about Nath. After that moment he decides to come back that evening. So I think he starts to like like Candy at that moment.

Thank you again for asking me this question. I had so much fun trying to find the moments. For everyone who sees this post, if you feel like the falling in love happens at another moment. That is totally fine, these are just the moment I think it happens. By the way I would love to read it when you think it happens at another moment. Please put it in the comments. And if you feel like I forgot someone, just put it in the comments.

Love,

Belodie

[whale-mafia]

Okay I just finished watching series 10 of doctor who after putting it off for the better part of the last 5 years so I could watch Jodie's run as the doctor so here are my thoughts on the end of series 10 and start of series 11

Thing number 1: I forgot how much capaldi's speaches made me cry, every single episode I was crying like a baby, just seeing how kind he was, seeing the doctor's old age shine through for a few moments, especially in the eater of the light, when he just says how everyone just sounds like children to him, I don't know it just made me emotional, maybe because I knew he was leaving, maybe I'm just emotional in general, but the point is, I cried, a lot.

Thing number 2: Bill and Nardole! I love them! They made me laugh so much! Their no nonsense attitude with the doctor! All the "I'm not letting you die old man" moments! I'm never seeing them again! They make me so sad! Nardole spent the rest of his life on a ship doomed to be attacked by cybermen in the future. Bill became one of those cyberman and died as one. Don't get me wrong, I loved the "gay love saves it all" and "two gals running around seeing the universe pt2" ending we got, but I really wished she hadn't died, I loved her so much. The trio's hug in the Christmas special meant everything to me

Thing number 3: the regeneration! Capaldi's last words as the doctor made me cry so much. When he was laying on the ground, opened his eyes and said "I don't wanna go" I started bawling and it only got worse from there, especially with the "I'll always remember when the doctor was me", the whole section with the advice for his future self made me so emotional, and the "Doctor, I let you go" at the end, oof, chef's kiss

Thing number 4: I watched the first three episodes of Jodie's run, the one where she falls from the sky, the one where they're in that race in the desolate planet and the Rosa Parks one and oh boy do I have opinions. I'm going to start with what I didn't like and then what I did like-

Thing number 4.1: I didn't like that she build herself a new screwdriver, I don't know, I just feel like it removes her from the other doctors and the whole "new face, same software" thing. And like I understand she still has a screwdriver, it's just not the same for me. But to be fair, I know that it could be my own attachment to objects and aquired sentimental value of them over time talking, but I'm still allowed my hoarding instincts to a degree so I stand by what I said

Thing number 4.2: I didn't like that they killed grace in that first episode, I knew she would die because I had seen gifsets of the new gang and she wasn't included and she didn't act like the type of person that would just let her husband and her grandson go traveling the universe without her, so I knew something would happen, but death by gravity in the first episode she appeared didn't agree with me

Thing number 4.3: the dialogue felt too much like a script, not that there was no emotions behind the dialogue, it just didn't feel like a real dialogue people could be happening. Don't get me wrong, the acting was fantastic, it was the dialogue that felt too stilted. Another thing was pacing, but that was mostly on the second episode, thing took too long to happen and when they did, it was either everything all at once or one rushed thing followed by nothing happening until the next adrenaline packed scene.

Thing number 4.4: what the hell was that Rosa parks episode, just what?? there was an unexplained racist dude from the future who wanted to stop the american civil rights movement form happening just for the fun of it??? Like, they gave no reasoning for that at all. Also, i don't know how to articulate this better, but something about the gang being one of the people in the bus didn't sit right with me, I get it, they were preserving the timeline, but it just didn't settle.

Thing number 5: things I liked were - there are loads of people in the tardis! I love when is not just the doctor and their companion, now she has a new gang with her! Its her and three other people! The Tardis is full! At first it seemed weird, but I kinda liked the new tardis look, in an edgy sort of way. I liked the futuristic aesthetic that capaldi's and smith's had and I'll miss it forever but the rustic, definitely alien looking and overall darker tardis had me vining. Another thing I've noticed and that I'm liking so far is that the doctor is crazy, feral, unhinged! Good for her, good for her! No guns allowed but I will blow them up! Twice! In three episodes she blew people up! Fantastic!

I think thats it in my rambling so far in what I've watched, I'll add to this post if I make any other post like this

Edit: you can tell it was 2 in the morning when I wrote this by all the unfinished sentences and mixing with portuguese grammar, hopefully the 10 hours this post was left unedited didn't reach too many people

[nothing-more-than-hot-leaf-juice]

Zutara. My otp since I first watched as a 10 year old in 2005. Hopefully you'll be kind to them 😉 I'm convinced they'll be cannon in the live action 😅

Alright... *starts digging grave*, I think Katara and Zuko have a wonderful platonic relationship and for them to have a romantic relationship would (1) undermine Zuko’s redemption arc and (2) undermine the found family aspect of their friendship. I don’t have an issue with anyone who ships Zutara and I do not engage in shipping drama, but I think their platonic relationship is too damn important to favor a romantic relationship I don't really think has chemistry. 

Personally, I have never gotten romantic vibes from them like... at all? I think the progression of their friendship was important in terms of the show’s themes of forgiving those who deserve it and finding support in people you least expect, but I just don’t get chemistry from them. I’ve always been a Kataang fan but how I feel about Zutara has nothing to do with that. Avatar is one of those shows where I would have been totally fine with it ending with no romantic pairings because the found family aspect of it is so much more powerful. 

If anyone has spent 5 seconds on my blog, you know that Zuko is my favorite character and I think he deserves nothing but love and support after all the shit he went through. But a big aspect of why I care about him as a character is that he put the work in to make amends. He didn’t just show up one day saying “I’ve seen the error of my ways, sorry for all the stuff I did, I’m good now” and that was that. He had to work for forgiveness and he did it because he realized the fire nation was wrong, his father was wrong, and he was wrong. His decision to switch sides had nothing to do with any connection with the gaang because he didn’t really know them. His decision to switch sides stemmed from 3 very important things: 

(1) He felt guilty not for betraying Aang and Katara in Ba Sing Se, but Iroh. He realized his uncle was the person who had given him unconditional love while Azula and Ozai’s “love” for him was entirely dependent on his ability to provide them results. From this guilt, he was able to realize that his uncle had made the right decision in siding with the Avatar and more importantly, that Ozai was wrong and that all the abuse he endured under him was undeserved. 

(2) His experiences in the Earth Kingdom as a refugee. This post explains it really well, but Zuko’s realization that everything he’s believed about the Fire Nation has been wrong is rooted in his moment of empathy with Song and her matching burn scar, his empathy with Lee who lost his brother like Zuko lost Lu Ten, his empathy with Jet who lost his way going to extremes for a cause, and, yes, his empathy with Katara who’s mother was taken from her by the Fire Nation like his was. The reason he switches sides is because after all of those experiences, he can no longer be callous or unfeeling towards the Earth Kingdom like his father or sister. The people of the Earth Kingdom either empathized with him for the pain he went through and appreciated him for his desire to help the helpless (Song, Lee, Jet) or feared and hated him for being part of a country that caused their suffering (Lee, Lee’s mom, Jet, Katara). Throughout season 2, Zuko realized the extent of what the war meant for the other side. 

(3) The realization of the extents his father would go to and the truth about Ozai’s amorality. This point is kind of just the culmination of everything in the last two points, but all that set up comes to fruition when Zuko attends the war meeting where Ozai decides to use Sozin’s Comet to commit genocide. By this point he’s racked with guilt over what he did to Iroh, he’s empathized with people who have suffered and is coming to terms with the fact that it’s not only the people of the earth kingdom that have unnecessarily suffered because of Ozai, but him as well. In that meeting, he expresses adoration for the Earth Kingdom being proud and strong and Ozai’s response is to burn it to the ground. It’s the same treatment he gave Zuko at the Agni Kai when he stuck to his morals and refused to fight and was met with abject cruelty. At that meeting, Zuko realizes that his father is wrong and that he was always wrong. He realizes that millions of people will suffer at the hands of this man who is so incredibly wrong and lacking in empathy. 

SO, keeping all that in mind. His redemption arc doesn’t stop when he switches sides, it keeps going as he makes individual amends with Aang, Sokka, and Katara. It keeps going as he learns from the dragons, as he chooses what he believes in over his girlfriend, as he risks his life to protect the gaang from Azula, and as he tries to help Aang, Sokka, and Katara find emotional closure in different aspects. He helps Aang overcome his fear of firebending. He helps Sokka regain his honor. And he helps Katara address her grief regarding her mother’s death. These four episodes are some of the best in the series because it’s not just Zuko working to make amends because he wants them to trust him, but it’s him empathizing with their trauma, their guilt, and their fear of failure because he’s been there. 

Alright, that’s a whole essay regarding why Zuko’s redemption arc works, now what does this have to do with Zutara? Here’s the deal: if any aspect of Zuko’s decisions for his redemption were influenced by romantic attraction to Katara, it would undermine the meaning of his choices for him. He made the choices to be better because he empathized with a nation of people who needlessly suffered. He made the choices to be better because he learned to cut himself off from the need to please his abusive father and accept the unconditional love of his uncle. His choice to help Katara find her mother’s murderer stemmed from empathy and his desire to be better than the people who hurt him and hurt others. The reason Katara’s resentment towards him hurt him so much was because he was trying so hard to be better than the people that were feared and hated. Katara treated him like Lee’s mom and Jet did when they realized he was a firebender (that being said, Katara was justified since Zuko’s decision to side with Azula resulted in the fall of Ba Sing Se and nearly resulted in Aang’s death), and he didn’t want to be that person. He didn’t want to be hated or feared anymore and he was willing to do anything to move past being viewed like that. So Katara’s decision to finally forgive him? It’s the point where she realizes he’s able to empathize with her over his mother’s death where her mother’s killer could not. She realized that he was different and had changed because he put the work in. And that’s huge for his redemption, not for any kind of forming relationship because that’s not the point. 

Now, concerning the whole found-family aspect I love so much? Zutara as a romantic pairing would undermine the beauty of Zuko’s ability to find a loving, supportive group of people that he was missing his entire life. Katara does not work as a romantic partner for Zuko because she works as his replacement sister. The fact is that Zuko’s actual family experience was founded on fear and not love, but the idea of “usefulness”. Zuko and Azula were only valued by Ozai so much as they were useful to him, which is why he favored (not loved) Azula, she was useful to him and Zuko wasn’t until he “slayed the Avatar”. Iroh (and Ursa for a time) was the only person who showed him unconditional love and support, but that wasn’t enough to snap him out of the need to please Ozai. Zuko rooted his entire self worth in what his family thought of him and engaged in very self-destructive behavior throughout season 1 to prove himself because he “didn’t want [his] father to think [he was] worthless”. Even throughout season 3, he still thinks that his uncle’s love for him is conditional (”my uncle hates me I I know it”) until he’s proven otherwise because that’s what he’s been taught. So him joining the gaang, that’s the first time in his life he’s really met with the concept of people liking him for himself, not for his ability to be useful (his family, Jet) or because they think he’s someone he’s not (Song, Lee, Jin). He’s met with friendship: people making fun of him in a playful way instead of tearing down his insecurities and vulnerabilities (”mind if I watch you too jerks do your jerkbending?” “so all we need to do is make Zuko angry, that should be easy enough”, “look, it’s baby Zuko!”, “actually I think [the play portrayal] is pretty spot-on”), people trying to help him fix his problems (”you need to go back to the original source”) instead of making him feel weak for not being able to solve those problems in the first place, and showing him express appreciation and encouragement (”you’re pretty smart”, “to Zuko, who knew after all the times he tried to snuff us out, today he’d be our hero”, “I’m going with Zuko!”). And that’s so. Damn. Important for his ability to heal after how he was treated for his entire life. He’s introduced to the idea that people want him to be around and they want to include him in their circle for being him. Up until the finale, he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to reconcile with Iroh or if Iroh will accept his forgiveness, but these people have given him a home in their group and he’s not afraid or insecure around a group of people for the first time in his life. 

And that’s why Katara has to be the one to defeat Azula: because Azula couldn’t be the sister Zuko had and Katara could be. It’s a tragedy that Zuko and Azula were driven apart by Ozai pitting them against each other, the corruption of firebending throughout the ages so it’s regarded for its power rather than its energy, and Azula’s own insecurities and fears of losing power because, like Zuko once did, she only considers herself to be worth anything so long as she’s better than him. The abuse he endured had an effect on her to because so long as she saw that Ozai’s “love” for Zuko was conditional, that meant that his “love” for her was conditional as well (”you can’t treat me like Zuko!”). Zuko and Azula could never support each other and they could never trust each other in the way that Sokka and Katara could. They wouldn’t sacrifice anything for each other because they were conditioned to survive, to leave behind the lesser sibling in order to get ahead. But at the Agni Kai, Zuko jumps in front of the lighting for Katara because unlike Azula, she has supported him since she forgave him and is there to back him up. She thinks he can be Firelord and she thought his uncle could forgive him in a way that Azula just never could. And that’s why Katara has to be the one to defeat Azula. Not because of any romantic attraction for Zuko, but because he’s protected Aang and Sokka and her and Toph and their little found family. It’s because he’s one of them. So in that moment where Azula is defeated, screaming and sobbing because she’s lost and that means that she’s the weaker sibling, she’s gone and it’s tragic. Zuko looks upon her and he wishes it didn’t have to be like this, but it is and it’s tragic. It didn’t have to be how it was but it did and it was awful and Azula is left broken, hating her brother with murderous fury. But he’s not alone.

He has a new sister who will protect him and fight for him when he’s lost his own. 

(addition: I want to make it clear that this does not mean I think Azula is irredeemable. Her actions and outlook are 100% a product of Ozai’s abuse, as I explained. I do not think that’s she’s beyond redemption, but by the finale she was still a villain and her goal was still to kill her brother so she could be Firelord. That’s not to say that she couldn’t have eventually healed and been able to reconcile with him, but by the final Agni Kai that’s not where their relationship was. The fact that she and Zuko had a toxic relationship was not her fault, but they still had a toxic relationship built on distrust and competition where Zuko and Katara’s friendship was built on support and protection. I am entirely sympathetic towards Azula, but just because she was redeemable doesn’t mean she was redeemed and just because there was potential for her and Zuko to eventually have a better relationship doesn’t mean that they did by the end of the series.) 

[remnantoforario]

Remnant’s Top Ten Anime of 2020

2020 Was certainly a ride wasn’t it? To those that managed to make to make it through in one piece, or any piece, good job. Hopefully 2021 is better to us all. 

Despite the world mostly being on fire, I’d hazard to say that a lot of good shows came out in 2020 (despite a number of them being delayed to either later in the year or this year altogether). I meant to release this list much earlier, but I kept changing it around. 

Anyway, here are the ones I thought were the best. 

Honorable Mentions:

Dorohedoro

Synopsis: The plot centers on a man named Caiman and his search for his real identity after a transformation by a sorcerer left him with a reptile's head and no memory of his former life. 

Along with his friend Nikaido, he violently assaults sorcerers in the Hole, with the aim of taking their heads into his mouth, where a strange face will appear and confirm whether the sorcerer he has bitten onto was the one responsible for his transformation or not.

As the residents of the Hole, the En family and the Cross-Eyes gang, along with many others, collide with one another, the mystery of Caiman's identity begins to unravel, reigniting ancient grudges and threatening to forever change both the Hole and the sorcerers' world.

Thoughts: This is the only Netflix anime I watched this year (I missed out on Great Pretender before the year ended), and I can honestly say I had fun with this one. It’s animation was good, the story was engaging enough, and the characters were all unique (Noi best girl). The one problem I would say with the show is that it can come off as unfocused at times, meandering from one plaot point to another with no real connective tissue. 

Still a fun series though. 

ID: Invaded

Synopsis: The anime follows the investigations of Narihisago, a renowned detective now in prison, who is tasked with diving into the id wells of various serial killers. 

Two years prior to the current events, Narihisago's daughter Muku was brutally murdered by a serial killer, leading Narihisago's wife to commit suicide. These deaths prompted him to hunt down and murder the killer, earning him his prison sentence. He is still depressed and haunted by his wife and daughter's deaths, but also uses this as motivation to take his work seriously and help stop serial killers. 

Thoughts: One of a handful of original series that came out this year. This show gave me heavy Inception/Minority Report vibes from both its premise and presentation. It wobbles under the weight of its own concepts towards the end, but it still a fun ride nonetheless. 

Gleipnir 

Synopsis: The story centers on Shuichi Kagaya, a high school student with an unusual secret. He has the ability to transform into a monster resembling a giant dog mascot costume with a zipper down his back and a large cartoonish smile. After rescuing a strange girl, Claire Aoki, from a warehouse fire, they join each other to search for Claire's older sister, who is assumed to be responsible for the death of their parents.

Thoughts: When the initial rollout for this show began I admit I wasn’t really a fan. I thought it was just going to be a hyper violent, fanservice show. Now in some ways it is that, but if you really look Gleipnir tells a very interesting tale of identity and what it truly means to have a wish granted. The music was pretty good as well, and that’s really something from me as a person who doesn’t pay attention to soundtracks. 

Hope this show gets a season 2, but if not I’ll more than likely start the manga. 

Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina

Synopsis:  Fascinated by the stories of Niké, a witch who traveled around the world, Elaina aspires to take the same course. Her determination of studying books and magic leads to her becoming the youngest apprentice witch to pass the sorcery exam. 

However, when Elaina attempts to receive training in order to become a full-fledged witch, she is rejected due to her extraordinary talents until she finds Fran, the "Stardust Witch," whom accepts her. After earning her title, the "Ashen Witch," Elaina begins her exploration around the world, visiting and facing all kinds of people and places.

Thoughts: As a fan of the Light Novels, I was pretty excited when it was announced it was getting an anime. For the most part it didn’t disappoint. Though it skipped most of the stories in the novels, the show still told a few good stories that made for some amazingly animated tv. 

Talentless Nana

Synposis: In the near future, mysterious monsters known as the "Enemies of Humanity" begin to appear, and with it so do children with supernatural powers called the "Talented". To prepare them for the upcoming battle against these Enemies, all the Talented are sent to a school located on a deserted island, where they have all their daily needs provided for until they graduate and communication with the outside world is forbidden. 

One day, a new student named Nana Hiiragi arrives at the school. Her friendly and cheerful personality lets her quickly make friends with the class. However, with Nana comes a whole litany of mysterious occurrences on the island. 

Thoughts: I can’t say too much about Nana without spoiling it’s first episode twist, but I will say that its a pretty interesting show with a fairly compelling game of cat and mouse being played. 

Now on the the actual list:

10. The Misfit of Demon King Academy 

Synopsis: After 2,000 years of countless wars and strife, the demon king Anos Voldigoad made a deal with the human hero, Kanon, to sacrifice his own life to ensure peace could flourish. Reincarnating 2,000 years later, Anos finds that royal demons now harshly rule over lower class hybrid demons in a society that values Anos's pureblood descendants over the demons who interbred with other species, such as humans and spirits. 

Finding that magic as a whole has begun to decline and his descendants weaker as a result of the peace he created, Anos, now technically a hybrid himself, decides to reclaim his former title of Demon King, but first, he must graduate from the Demon King Academy where he is labeled a total misfit.

Thoughts: Originally I was going to put Nana in this spot, but its lack of a real ending pushed it out of the list. If only slightly. Misft at Demon Academy is just a fun ride from start to finish. There’s always something about shows with ridiculous OP protagonists (Overlord, One Punch Man, etc.) that gets the blood pumping. 

It’s like junk food. Great for the right moment, but not needed all the time. 

9. Ikebukuro West Gate Park

Synopsis:  A charismatic troubleshooter tries to keep the peace between warring factions while protecting his loved ones in Ikebukuro West Gate Park.

Thoughts: I honestly had no idea what to make of this show when I first saw the synopsis, but I gave it a try on a whim. I’m glad I did because this was easily the dark horse of the Fall season. I really liked the mostly self contained story format the series had, and there were a few very good episodes here. Check it out. 

8.  My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!

Synopsis: Catarina Claes, the young daughter of a noble family, one day bumps her head and regains memories of her past life as an otaku. It is then that she realizes she has been reborn into the world of the otome game Fortune Lover, reincarnated as the game's villainess who, regardless of what route the player took in the original game, is doomed to be either killed or exiled. 

In order to avoid these routes that lead to doom, Catarina begins taking countermeasures to try and avoid things going the same way as the game. This, however, ends up having unexpected consequences on her relations with the other characters of the game's world.

Thoughts: Normally I’m not a fan of Reverse/Otome harem series, but somehow Bakarina managed to pull me in, to a good result. This show was easily one of the best comedies I watched this year with a good cast and a likable protagonist. 

7.  Deca-Dence 

Synopsis: In the fortress city of Deca-dence, the lowly Tanker girl, Natsume, dreams of becoming a Gear warrior following her father's death during a Gadoll attack. She is assigned to a maintenance team led by Kaburagi whom she discovers is more than he appears. Kaburagi has a secret role in eliminating "bugs", humans who threaten Solid Quake's operations. 

When Kaburagi discovers that Natsume is listed as dead in the company database, he decides to keep her under observation and offers to train her to fight.

Thoughts: Giant monsters and giant robots. What more do you need? Watch it. 

6. A Certain Scientific Railgun T

Synposis: The Daihasei Festival has begun, and that of course means that Tokiwadai Middle School—a prestigious all-girls' middle school—is competing too. Despite the participation of the "Ace of Tokiwadai," Mikoto Misaka, the other students who are participating are still putting their utmost effort into winning, no matter how impossible the feat may seem against her might. However, not all is fun and games. Due to the the festival, Academy City opens to the outside world, and various factions have begun plotting ways to infiltrate the city. Misaka appears to be on their radar, and as the festival proceeds, people lurking from the shadows begin to emerge...

Thoughts: Not really much to say here. It’s the third season of Railgun, but good thing here is that each season of Railgun is better than the last. Truly the best of the To Aru universe. 

5. BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense.

Synposis: Urged on by her friend, Kaede Honjō begins playing the VRMMORPG NewWorld Online under the name Maple. Not wanting to get hurt, Maple opts to be a shield user with maxed out defense stats, and continues putting every status point she earns in the game into increasing only her defense level. 

As a result, she is left with slow foot speed and no magic, but her high defense allows her to endure most hits without taking any damage. This, along with her basic-level creative thinking, allows for her to make unexpected accomplishments in the game, its quests and events. By doing this, she ends up earning all kinds of equally unexpected skills and becomes one of the strongest players in the game. Thoughts: Bofuri is another OP power fantasy like Demon King Academy, but with the twist of being fused with CGDCT. The cast is extremely likable (especially Maple) and when Silver Link wants to they can make the battles REALLY dynamic. A nice comfortable watch, which was sorely needed in 2020. 

4. Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle

Synposis: The story follows Princess Syalis, a young princess who was kidnapped by the demon king, and her quest to sleep well while imprisoned.

Thoughts: A simple premise for a not so simple story. Sleepy Princess for me was easily the best comedy of the year, with plenty of heart and action thrown in as well. I was wary of the series at first, thinking that the premise wouldnt be entertaining for more than a few episodes, but boy was I wrong. Each episode was funnier than the last and Doga Kobo pulled out all the stops to make it look as gorgeous as possible.  

3. Jujutsu Kaisen

Synopsis: Idly indulging in baseless paranormal activities with the Occult Club, high schooler Yuuji Itadori spends his days at either the clubroom or the hospital, where he visits his bedridden grandfather. However, this leisurely lifestyle soon takes a turn for the strange when he unknowingly encounters a cursed item. Triggering a chain of supernatural occurrences, Yuuji finds himself suddenly thrust into the world of Curses—dreadful beings formed from human malice and negativity—after swallowing the said item, revealed to be a finger belonging to the demon Sukuna Ryoumen, the "King of Curses." Yuuji experiences first-hand the threat these Curses pose to society as he discovers his own newfound powers. Introduced to the Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Technical High School, he begins to walk down a path from which he cannot return—the path of a Jujutsu sorcerer.

Thoughts: Originally I wasn’t going to put this on the list, because the season doesnt conclude this year, but I decided to make an exception since the show started so strong. Many people were hyping this up as the next big shonen, and they were right. Mappa really went balls to the wall with this show and I’m pretty hype for what happens this cour. 

2. Akudama Drive

Synopsis: The bustling metropolis of Kansai, where cybernetic screens litter the neon landscape, may seem like a technological utopia at first glance. But in the dark alleys around the brightly-lit buildings, an unforgiving criminal underbelly still exists in the form of fugitives known as "Akudama." No stranger to these individuals, Kansai police begin the countdown to the public execution of an infamous Akudama "Cutthroat," guilty of killing 999 people. However, a mysterious message is sent to several elite Akudama, enlisting them to free Cutthroat for a substantial amount of money. An invisible hand seeks to gather these dangerous personas in one place, ensuring that the execution is well underway to becoming a full-blown bloodbath.  

Thoughts: Want to know what it would be like if Quentin Tarantino made an anime? Well here you go. An adrenaline filled rollercoaster ride from start to finish with a crazy cast of characters and even crazier visuals. There’s even a bit of social commentary in there if you squint. 

1. Oregairu Climax

Synopsis: Resolved to become a more independent person, Yukino Yukinoshita decides to smoothen things out with her parents, and the first step toward achieving that goal is to prove herself. As graduation draws closer for the third-year students, Iroha Isshiki—the president of the student council—requests a graduation prom in collaboration with the Volunteer Service Club. Yukino accepts this request of her own volition, hoping to use it as a chance to demonstrate her self-reliance, but what lies ahead of her may prove to be a hard hurdle to cross.

At the same time, a chance for the Volunteer Service Club members to better understand each other presents itself. And thus, Hachiman Hikigaya's hectic and bittersweet high school life begins to draw to a close.

Thoughts: The gif says it all really. I could just leave that there and end this list on a somewhat high note, but I’ll explain it. 

Now objectively, there were better shows than this one (off the top of my head JJK comes to mind) but when you combine all three seasons there is no contest in my mind that Oregairu had one of the most perfect endings to a series I have ever seen. 

It was an ending 7 years in the making. The first season in 2013 was good, the second season two years later was even better, but Climax was Oregairu at is absolute best and that goes beyond the story and characters. A lot of praise also has to go to Studio feel., who took over animation duties from Brain’s Base in season 2. While BB’s animation was much more accurate to the LN, feel’s more realistic designs fit the more mature direction the story was starting to go, giving the anime some of its best moments. 

Watching Hachiman, Yukino, and Yui grow and change from naive teenagers to somewhat understood young adults was amazing and sometimes heartbreaking to watch. Hachiman’s search to find something “genuine”, Yukino’s desire to be independent, and Yui struggling with her feelings of love and friendship all clash and compliment in very interesting ways that makes these three characters even more relatable than they were before. 

Lots of long running series don’t stick to landing, but in my eyes Oregairu stuck it perfectly. That’s why its my favorite anime of 2020.

Here’s to 2021. 

[purplepenntapus]

Rating Versions of Harry Osborn: Updated

Wanted to redo this post with a more comprehensive and inclusive list of Harrys

616 Comics: 

Just such a good and complex character. The OG Harry. His relationship with Peter just adds so much depth to every Green Goblin arc because of the inherent conflict of Peter knowing he needs to take down Norman Osborn, but not wanting to hurt or lose his best friend. (If you’ve read Kindred no you haven’t.) He’s still... ugly... I’m sorry 616 Harry... I love you so much but they did you dirty... Some artists do their best with what they have but... I’m not a big fan of western comic style in general so that doesn’t help. Has three failed marriages by the time he’s 30 because he’s gay and deeply closeted.  8/10

Spider-Man the Animated Series (1994):

The Harry plotline in this show reeeeally doesn’t feel earned, because the first time we see Harry having an active role in the show, he asks Peter to move in with him because Norman wants him to have a responsible studious roommate  (a detail from the comics I was EXTREMELY excited to see play out), and Peter comments that they barely know each other. Ultimately they live together for all of one day before Peter decides to move back in with Aunt May. The next time we see Harry, MJ calls him Peter’s best friend, despite the fact that we haven’t seen Peter hanging out with—or even MENTIONING—Harry since the last episode when they were basically strangers. Really it feels like he’s just there to cause romantic drama as the guy MJ graciously settles for when she gives up on Peter. I found the whole goblin plotline kind of boring and lacking in depth.  3/10

Raimi Trilogy:

I was never interested in Raimi Harry until after I started liking and exploring other versions of Harry, because I just thought he was kinda a shit friend. He’s a pretty strong character overall, but his motivations aren’t as obvious. He’s torn between his love of Peter as his best friend, and his bitterness towards Peter for being the man his father wished he was. I don’t think Raimi Harry really wanted MJ, he just wanted to get back at Peter in a way by taking someone that HE loved. However I feel like his characterization kind of sways back and forth between sympathetic and not depending on how he’s written in the scene, and it disappoints me that the thing that gets him to stop tormenting Peter is the butler telling him out of nowhere that Norman died from his own blade, rather than any real character development on his part. 6/10

Spectacular Spider-Man:

I still haven’t watched all of this show because I... can’t STAND this version of Peter... but I’ve watched many clips with this boy and he’s just... so sweet... He only wants to be loved and keeps getting his heart broken. Deserves better. On everything. He deserves a better father, a better best friend, better love interests, everything. I do really enjoy the way they incorporated 616 Harry’s drug abuse into this show with the Globulin Green, it was a very clever way to incorporate that aspect of his character, but tone it down for younger viewers. I’ve watched the scene of him getting “unmasked” as the Green Goblin about a million times it’s very good. 8/10 

Ultimate Spider-Man:

I love him. Most people fear drifting apart from those close to us, so watching Harry struggle with the new and increasing distance between him and Peter as Peter seemingly makes new, “better” friends is downright heartbreaking. Especially when he overhears Sam implying that Peter only hangs out with him for his money which is something he’s clearly experienced a lot. (Seriously Sam what the fuck.) I also love his struggle with Venom throughout the series as a metaphor for his anger and bitterness, it’s never truly gone even when they work hard to remove it. It’s always there to bubble back up under extreme amounts of stress, especially when Norman is involved. (Also this isn’t a Norman review, but USM Norman is the only version of Norman Osborn that has rights and he works hard to be the father Harry deserves.) Had an honest to God meet-cute with Peter like come on???? Its unfortunate how much they cut back Harry’s role in the third and fourth season, I really would have loved to see more of him. Threw a party specifically so he could ignore Peter to his face because he was jealous and I respect that level of pettiness. 9/10

Spider-Man: The New Animated Series

I didn’t think it was possible to create an uglier Harry than 90s Harry but this blonde, fuck-boy lookin creepass came and proved me wrong. Who the FUCK is this?? Doesn’t have any recognizable characteristics of Harry Osborn besides being rich and hating Spider-Man. Also just... look at him. I wouldn’t trust this man anywhere NEAR my drink at a party. #NotMySon -3/10

The Amazing Spider-Man:

He’s okay. I think he has some very emotional scenes and good chemistry with Peter, but it’s dampened by the fact that he wasn’t present in the first film and had to share the second with like two other main plot lines. Ultimately ends up being the least sympathetic version of Harry Osborn because he became the original Green Goblin and killed Gwen, rather than following in his father’s footsteps. That’s not to say he’s a completely unsympathetic character. He has a strong motivator in his fear of death, and I do think the choice they made for his character were interesting and could have developed really well, but they didn’t get the chance since the franchise was dropped. 5/10

PS4 Spider-Man:

ABSOLUTELY ADORE HIM. WISH WE GOT MORE OF HIM. HAVING YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF HARRY OSBORN BROKEN AS YOU SNEAK AROUND NORMAN’S PENTHOUSE AND LEARN THAT HE’S BEEN SECRETLY STRUGGLING WITH A GENETIC DISEASE HE’S BEEN HIDING FROM HIS BEST FRIENDS FOR YEARS WAS -chef’s kiss- GENIUS. PLEASE GIVE US A SECOND GAME WITH VENOM HARRY. 10/10

Marvel’s Spider-Man (2017):

Still easily my favorite version of Harry Osborn. When I first began watching the show I was startled by their decision to make Harry a science genius like Peter because it was so different from their usual dynamic, and many people who aren’t fans of the show point to this as something they dislike. But I actually ended up really loving the decision. It gives a different flavor to Harry in how he reacts to the events of the show and how we interpret his character traits, while still being very inherently Harry Osborn. Harry is jealous of Peter, he loves him dearly, but there’s always this ember of bitter envy ready to burst into anger whenever the plot creates friction between them. This is one of the defining traits of their relationship and in most versions it’s not hard to understand why. Peter has what Harry wants. He’s intelligent, he has potential, and most importantly he’s loved. Peter is the son Harry knows Norman wishes he had, and that creates a wedge between them. Marvel’s Spider-Man changes this dynamic. Harry can easily stand toe-to-toe with Peter in terms of intelligence, and in fact they often work together to create things or solutions Peter couldn’t have come up with on his own. That initial wedge between them isn’t there, creating a very endearing and loving friendship that we know is doomed to sour because it isn’t enough. MSM Harry could be the person Norman wants him to be, and that places the full weight of his father’s impossibly high expectations on his shoulders, always within reach but never quite achievable. So it makes a lot more sense why Peter initially has a low guard towards Norman (as opposed to some other series where Peter seems oddly dismissive of Harry’s justified complaints) and Harry’s own steadfast loyalty to his father. On the surface Norman seems like a perfectly loving parent, he encourages his son, he created an entire school for him when he was wrongfully accused of sabotage, it’s only when you start to dig deeper into their relationship that you see the subtle manipulations and the issues Harry has from constantly chasing his father’s approval. This creates a Harry who is desperate for validation and extremely sensitive to rejection, which colors his relationship with Peter throughout the show. I’m still mad he got nerfed in the second and third seasons because Disney is homophobic. TLDR: I may be biased ... Infinity/10

MCU:

Where is he? Who knows? Man missing in action.  ?????/10

[visionaxry]

TOP 10 TV SHOWS I WATCHED IN 2020

1. Dear White People

This show goes on the top tier of my favorite shows ever. It’s been around since 2017 (after the eponymous movie of 2014) but only this year I finally got the chance to watch it. Truly one of the best written shows I’ve ever seen, with such compelling characters and story. While I love to watch series with hard hitting social topics, it’s usually very emotionally exhausting for me. However, DWP manages to balance the gravity of its plot with a bright outlook. Besides, I always love to see different characters’ perspectives so the format of DWP is extremely engaging.

2. Grand Army

Grand Army is not your typical teen drama. It’s very raw and real. Five protagonists pull you into the story, and whether you hate them or love them, they don’t let you go. All characters feel like actual people you could know in real life. The show talks about racism, terrorism, sexual assault, white feminism, poverty, homophobia, bullying and more. I also love the way the show uses phones and social media, which you rarely get to see in teen shows. It doesn’t feel glossy or over dramatic. It does get graphic and dark, but it makes you care about the fate of its characters. Here, we also get to see five different perspectives. That and the rawness reminded me of SKAM, although GA is way less cheerful. It could also be compared to Euphoria with it’s portrayal of real issues, but I feel like GA hits the spot much better (and has more diversity).

Finding out that the creator is racist, upon finishing the binge, left me shocked and quite conflicted. I hope they will change the showrunner for season 2 (if it gets renewed). 

3. The Great 

I’m not much of a period drama fan but this one’s no typical historical shows. It plays around historical figures, but you shouldn’t take that too seriously, just like the show itself. It’s a great (haha get it) fun to watch. The combination of comedy with the actual life or death peril creates a unique experience. Each episode the tables turn, you feel both, betrayed and enticed. Not to mention, Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult’s chemistry and performances are phenomenal. Overall, it feels like a strawberry blew up in your mouth (take it however you want).

4. Dickinson

Dickinson is similar to The Great in a sense of historical accuracy. And I’m grateful for it, because seeing the 19th century nobility twerking at a party was something that brought me an immense amount of joy. Of course, you get to see Emily Dickinson’s poetic and original inner world, which is handled quite creatively.

5. The Queen’s Gambit

This is just a very well written, portrayed and produced story. Even if you feel like it wouldn’t be your cup of tea (I mean a period piece about chess? Come on), chances are once you put the show, you won’t be able to stop. It’s a limited series with a star struck cast which pretty much reads like a prolonged film. It’s also pretty suitable to watch with your family, if usually you struggle to find a common interest.

6. Julie and the Phantoms

This show certainly exceeded everyone’s expectations. It may seem like a typical kids show, but it’s smart, deep and entertaining. The music is incredible and it’s impossible not to fall in love with characters. Also, here’s the proof that your show doesn’t need to have graphic scenes and oversexualized underaged characters to be good. 

7. Saved By the Bell: the reboot

So I didn’t watch the original show, but the reboot caught my attention mostly because of Josie Totah, and because the vibe of the show just felt like something I would like. And I was absolutely right. Perhaps it’s not everyone’s cup of tea (and what is?) but to me it’s hilarious. A sort of heart-warming witty little show with gen z humor and interesting diverse characters. Definitely my new comfort show. And Lexi’s my queen.  

8. Outer Banks

Released during self-isolation it became a way for the viewers to live vicariously through the risky outdoor adventures. Perhaps, that’s why it’s such a hit and a bit overrated. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked (why do you think it’s on this list). It’s not an outstanding show, might be cheesy and raise some questions (like how can they all be teenagers looking like that?) but it’s entertaining and engaging, and sometimes that’s all you need.

9. I am not okay with this

Let’s take a moment of silence for this amazing show being cancelled. Do you like Teotfw or Stranger Things, or better yet both? This show’s for you! It’s unique, dynamic, feels like you’re reading a comic book. Has a certain mystery to it and its own distinct voice. It also feels retro and nostalgic, even though it’s set in modern day.

10. Love, Victor [SPOILERS]

There’s a lot of things I wish I could change about the show to make it better: For starters, more representation. I mean you’re making a show, not exclusively, but primarily for the lgbtq+ community and you only have two main gay characters? What’s that about? There are so many possibilities to make other characters not straight. E.g. Mia and Lake could be couple goals, Pilar being bi, Andrew – definite bi energy. Secondly, the cheating trope is so exhausting and overdone in gay storylines. It doesn’t add drama, it just makes the couple and the characters hard to root for. Also, making the love interest so obvious was so underwhelming after everything we went through in Love, Simon. I was kind of hoping for a surprise love interest until the end.

Regardless of all that, no matter how far from teenage reality this show is, it was cute. And even though I rooted for the secondary characters way more than the main one, I’m still excited to see what they come up with for S2.