#i made the decision to start this blog on my very first rewatch of the show during the third season

[klingerfashionarchive]

season 3 episode 23

[lamialamia]

Mota ep 3 rewatch thoughts

I watch this one on my transatlantic flight as well! And lemme tell you, a very interesting experience. Sometimes my own plane would shake and I would be like, wow, immersion, 4D, I'll never be a pilot or any person who fly planes ever.

Anyway, the thoughts™️:

One of the best episodes (period) in the entire series

Insanely well-paced. The battles the dialogues the metaphor and theme of "difficult choices with no real answer" is so well done

So interesting that the riddle at the start of the episode is not in the script! Because it's the thesis of the entire episode haha I write my own meta [author note: i can't find my own post because i don't properly tag anything in this blog ever my bad] after the episode aired for the first time and I still stand by it: Curt and Quinn faced the same choice, chose differently, and neither led them to Valhalla or eternal damnation

This episode didn't have any narration! HOORAY!

the less narration an episode of MOTA has, the better it is. I have cracked the code.

I believe that the Quinn and Baby Face sequence is one of the most tragic scenes of all HBOWar. It is up there with many other deaths, injuries, traumatic scenes across all four shows. The kind of impossible decision that must be made, and no matter what, it is impossible to say Quinn was wrong. And vice versa, Curt doing his best to try to save Dickie was also not wrong.

Have I say that the theme of "making impossible decisions" in this episode absolutely rocks??? BEcause it does *foaming at the mouth*

The genius plan to force the guys to fly the mission without backup into the depth of Germany. Genius. Absolutely genius.

And by that I mean horrible and stupid beyond comprehension.

The speed of which these men die in any mission is portrayed so clearly in this episode.

Bucky isn't subtle in how much he cares about his boy bestfriend and his boy bestfriend the most. "Is Buck's fort still with us" Calm down man, people are dying here!!!!1!

The aerial combat is superb. I'm a sucker for great combat sequence I can't lie. I need these shit coursing in my vein.

I think the only critique I have for this episode is the very obvious LED scape at the end? But honestly, I have a very high tolerance for bad CGI and I have made my peace with this scene.

[aberooski]

The School Duel

So today the rewatch hit the school duel, which for me and for my fellow Chazz stans is a very loaded 2 parter. There's so much I have to say about these episodes not even really so much because of the Duel itself because as we all know, despite years and years of watching ygo religiously, I still don't understand fucking anything about this game somehow. But it's the character stuff surrounding and interwoven into it.

I'll try to keep it brief because I've talked extensively about this several times on this blog over the years. But anyways, the important part is that the School Duel is a pivotal moment and a turning point for his character in many ways. The effects of this run through episode 35 as well but we'll get into that when the time comes.

The School Duel is where the other characters are confronted by the fact that the Chazz they knew, wasn't the real one. It's the facade his had to put up in order to satisfy the insane requirements his brothers are pressuring him to fulfill. He doesn't get a say in what he does up until this point, it's already decided. He's going to win this duel and work even harder to prove himself to them and become the head of the dueling world.

He has to.

They've already decided this for him, which is why they literally televise the event. Because they've already decided that he's going to win and since they've decided that, there's no way it won't happen. So why not? Show the world that the Princeton's are the best at everything in every way. And the pressure of all of this is too much for him, because let's not forget that they are grown ass adults doing what they do and they're forcing all of this insane pressure and expectation on a child. And before the duel Jaden catches him having a breakdown and crying in the bathroom. Then he goes and tells Syrus and Chumley before the duel that he's starting to understand Chazz and why he is the way that he is, because Jaden now understands that Chazz isn't coming from "an easy place". Which no, he truly isn't. And up until this point the only ones who knew that, were the Princeton brothers, and the audience.

But now Jaden knows it too. At least to a certain extent based on what he overheard.

But this opens a door because Jaden throughout the duel is trying to coax the real Chazz out, he's trying to get him to forget about his brothers for a second and just enjoy the duel. But he can't. Throughout the duel Chazz keeps looking to them, and getting angry like they're literally breathing down his neck all the way from the stands.

Jaden reads him like a book, he calls him out for dueling for his brothers. Because he largely still is, but at the same time, he's already made the decision to take back his autonomy from them by choosing not to use the cards they gave him, and therefore, whether he knows it or not he is also dueling for himself. It's episode 35 where we see that little act of rebellion allow him to truly duel for himself again. That's a discussion for another time, but that's the thing about the school duel that gets me, it's seeing Chazz for kinda the first time be able to, in the face of his brothers, do something for himself. To make his own choice and stand up to them even by just not using the cards they gave him. Because for once he wasn't playing on their terms.

But the thing is that up until now, Chazz's entire demeanor has changed around them. He closes off, he shrinks down, he shuts up. He sits there and quietly listens and does what he's told and that's not the real Chazz, we all know that. But Chazz doesn't even know the real Chazz anymore at this point, but his little romp and North Academy showed him a glimpse of himself, his true authentic self. And that gives him that little push to find the strength he needs to defy his brothers and not use all the rare cards they tried to give him and stuck with his own cards and North Academy's cards that he was given to represent the school. That is a major step and it's his first step in breaking free and finding his true self again.

And I wanna bring in the idea of Chazz up until now having his choices dictated by others, specifically his brothers. Because this is where that begins to change. Chazz does still want to and plans on winning this duel (which sadly he doesn't) but the thing is, while he is still trying to please them, he's not doing it for his brothers completely anymore. He's not even doing it for North Academy, he's doing it for himself even though he doesn't recognize that yet because he can't yet.

And when he does lose the duel, I just wanna say it sucks that he lost for one, because it's so monumental of an occasion for him. It's everything. But it also gives us honestly another formative experience for Chazz due to that loss, because we see Jaden and the others actually stand up for him. He's never had that before in his life, I guarantee it. And certainly not because anybody actually cared enough about him and valued him enough as a person to do so out of any genuine concern and care for him. He's only ever had people hanging around him to be a status symbol, because of his wealth and high social status. The moment he loses any of it everyone turns on him. When Jagger grabs him practically by the neck and while his brothers are abusing him in front of TWO entire schools it worries me to think what goes on behind closed doors when we see what they'll do in front of that many people without giving a shit, Chazz is genuinely shocked to see Jaden defending him, much less the others backing him up. And that hurts my heart a lot, it kills me even.

This is where another shift in Chazz happens and the door is opened for him to actually become their friend. Because they are opening the door first, they are showing him that they care and again I say, that's something he's never had before. It's a beautiful moment in the midst of what for Chazz honestly must feel like is the world caving in on him. Yet another thing and another victory that he's been denied, another humiliation, another reason for his brothers to hate him and to treat him even worse and make his entire situation that much more unbearable. And yet, in the midst of it all, there it is.

The reason Luke Hemmings' Comedown is in my Chazz playlist.

---

"All my life

I've been beatin' this horse

Breakin' these same old wishin' bones

Hopin' they'd bring me back to course

All my life

I've been passin' this blame

And once you get on, you won't ever get off

And won't be the same

Let it come down on me

Let me see all the things that I was supposed to see

Light up a darkness I was never meant to

Climb out of like a bursting sunrise from the deepest sleep

A change of heart and a silver linin' down on Camellia Street

Let it come down on me"

---

Because at the end of this duel, there's that light, that silver lining, another defining shift in Chazz's character and no doubt a core memory in his life and all it took was Jaden telling Jagger to let him go.

The School Duel is everything to me.

Anyway that's why Chazz should've won the School Duel, thank you, goodnight.

[personality-corner]

How to Avoid Mistyping

I’ve actually wanted to make a post like this for a while, I just hadn’t really gotten to it yet. Here’s how to know if you’re mistyping a character.

Mistyping vs. A Differing Opinion

When it comes to fictional characters, a lot of it comes down to interpretation, which means there will always be a level of differing opinions when typing a character. However, I do think it’s undoubtable that some types don’t fit characters at all.

At the end of the day, it comes down to argument. Does your argument make sense? Is it understandable to those who aren’t inside your mind? Is it obviously biased.

And here’s the thing- everyone has bad arguments. I’ve had bad arguments, even on this page. However, I am making this post, to maybe help people to think more critically about their arguments.

Are you grasping at straws trying to defend your opinion?

Honestly, this is a good sign that you are mistyping a character. Does it feel like you are trying way too hard to defend your typing of a character, like you can’t come up with any good arguments for it?

This could mean one of two things; you need to rewatch or reread the material you’re typing from or you need to consider a different type for them. Now, I would definitely rewatch or reread said thing first, because there have definitely been times I thought I was mistyping a character when in reality, I just didn’t remember enough about a character to type them appropriately.

But you should at least consider the fact that you’re mistyping a character if you’re struggling to construct an argument.

“This type would not do that!”

I do think there are times when this is appropriate, for example, when discussing a character’s actions, saying “this character’s interest in their environment really gives more Se than Ne.” However whenever I hear XXXX would never do that! It grinds my gears.

Usually, when people say this, it’s highly stereotypical, because technically speaking, each type is capable of anything… it’s why they’re doing it, what’s going on in their head that matters. Now is it unlikely for, say, an Si dom to make impulsive decisions? Perhaps, but it’s not that they can’t. In fact, some of the ISTJs I’ve typed have made very impulsive decisions when their Te or Fi kicked in.

Using your personal relatability to a character to determine their type.

Now this one, out of everything on here kind of annoys me the most. Now, there is nothing wrong with relating to a character and considering the type for them. However your relatability to them also cannot be your only argument to why they fit that type, because you don’t have to be the same type as that character to relate to them.

I’m an INTP, and there are plenty of ISTJ, INFP, ISTP, hell even ESFP characters I relate to. I also don’t think I’ve ever, at least not since starting this blog, have typed a character INTP solely because I find them relatable… in fact, it’s the second to last most typed on this blog.

Have you considered other possibilities for this character?

Typically, unless I’m really sure about a character’s type, I’ll consider at least a few types before deciding on one. I’ll keep these types in mind when watching something, and sometimes will decide on something completely different.

Obviously, you don’t have to do this, everyone’s system of typing is different, but the important thing is, don’t be so fixated on a particular type for a character that you refuse to see or listen to any other argument regarding them.

Don’t automatically assume a character is in a loop or a grip when you type them.

Now, saying a character is in a loop or a grip is not inherently wrong per se- but I will say, that I often see people use this to avoid typing characters certain types.

I have a post I’m working about on loops and grips, but I will say that if you can’t legitimize why a character wouldn’t be that type, even at their healthiest, it’s probably not a good type for them.

[airbender-dacyon]

Just some quick personal thoughts on Netflix’s adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender before it premieres tomorrow.

I know I’ve not been as active the last couple years, especially in the Kataang and AtLA fandom, but I started this blog for Kataang and AtLA and it will always be a blog for Kataang and AtLA. And it’s been a while since I’ve talked about my favorite fandom and ultimate OTP.

First and foremost, I think the adaptation is completely unnecessary (same goes for the HTTYD live-action movie that’s currently being filmed). The story has been told in a visual medium already through its original animated series.

That said, I feel this live-action series will be an improvement over the 2010 film, though that is admittedly a very low bar to clear.

Despite that I feel it’s unnecessary, I do intend to watch it after I rewatch the first season of AtLA. I want the first season fresh in my mind because I’m planning to do some level of a review of each episode as I watch it, if anyone’s interested.

My expectations for the show are that it will be… okay. Somewhat good even. Slightly above average.

From the trailers and clips released so far, I have hopes for some aspects of the adaptation and disappointment and irritation with other elements. It seems like they’ve handled some concepts well (set design, costumes, casting, visual effects, some character bonding moments, expanding upon some of the lore and characters, etc.) while it appears they may have failed to grasp the significance of key plot points and character arcs (Aang is a kid, please let him be a kid and have his fun; Sokka needs to grow as a person; Katara needs to relearn how to be a kid and have fun; Ozai scarred Zuko because Zuko refused to fight him during their Agni Kai, so why is there apparently a fully choreographed fight?).

I’m hoping I’m proved wrong on the rumored issues regarding plot points and character arcs.

I understand there are always differences between adaptations, but some of these things do worry me.

All of this said, please do not attack the cast and crew if you dislike the show. Criticism is fair, but do not go after the people who worked on this adaptation, no matter how much you disagree with some (or all) of the decisions.

And I think most importantly, be kind to newcomers to the fandom and if they liked the show, encourage them to watch the original animated series. We have an opportunity to show people that the original series is worthy of its praise and that any adaptation, no matter how well done, won’t be able to recapture the essence and beauty that made the original series so special.

I say this because it was only thanks to the live-action adaptations of One Piece and Percy Jackson that got me interested in the originals. It wasn’t that I never had an interest in them, but I had other shows/books/fandoms/interests that overshadowed them for literal years. Now I’m planning to read the OP manga and the PJO books once I’ve got some free time. And I imagine I’ll enjoy them both more than the live-action adaptations.

Last, but not least, I’m hoping to see some bonding between the main trio and especially hoping the Kataang friendship is strong. I doubt there will be any indications of anything romantic, but if they at least handle Katara and Aang’s friendship well, it will serve as a foundation for any romance in potential future seasons.

So, these are my ramblings.

If anyone is interested in me reviewing the episodes, let me know and I’ll try my best to write them up when I get a chance.

In conclusion, be respectful of the cast and crew, be kind to fandom newcomers (and please do not incite ship wars), be open-minded about the show if you watch it, but also do not be afraid to critique the adaptation.

[unofficial-book-of-quotes-tm]

My thoughts about series 8 below the keep reading.

I think I have to make a concession about series 7, I like it a lot more than series 8 and have always liked it more than series 8. Out of all the series that I’ve rewatched for this blog, series 2 and 8 are my least favourite I think, but it’s not even close between them. Like, in my opinion, this series is one of the few times where the casting was somewhat off. I think Lou Sanders and Iain Stirling would have been a lot better off in a series with more competitive and argumentative (is that the word?) people, whereas Paul Sinha, Joe Thomas and Sian Gibson could have done with a bit less loud people.

This time I’m gonna start with the person I liked least. I don’t want to say all of my gripes I had with series 8 come down to Iain and his behaviour, but I think he’s the main reason why I find it so tedious. I know he went through a sort of redemption arc during filming the studio bits and became less irritating by the end, but by God, the first few episodes were rough. I think it took me two weeks alone to get through the first episode because whenever he went off on another contestant, I just had to take a break. I understand that it can be difficult to find one’s footing within the show and with the other contestants, but surely you have to realise when they don’t like arguing back and rather accept the decision made?! A certain amount of competitiveness is needed and I don’t mind contestants defending their choices and justifying their deeds when Greg asks them, but where the fun stops for me is when one has to always attack the others. The most prolific incident is the one with the puppets, but during the first lets say four or five episodes Iain contests almost every decision Greg makes or has a comment to make about the others. I think it was Tim Key in series 1 who often argued with other contestants and Greg and Alex about the rules, but he didn’t take it too seriously, mostly he was doing it for a laugh because he did a lot worse oftentimes. Iain is serious. Where James’ and Rhod’s squabbling is funny because it happens on one level (as in they’re both equally ferocious when arguing back), it’s quite clear that rarely anyone wants to answer to Iain. And this is where I think Iain might have fared better with a different cast (and I don’t even want to get into what a massive bellend he was during the team tasks, especially the hammock and the being one person one). The team task in series 4 where Noel, Lolly and Joe all have to do different things to the bath and have a bit of a fallout because they don’t communicate is fun because it’s a one off. I just don’t find it funny when one person yells at others in order to establish dominance or whatever the fuck Iain was trying to do, although I do have to say, Iain’s fail-ocano still makes me unbelievably happy and yet I feel a bit sorry for him. He looked so devastated it was hilarious (and good on Greg for recognising how sensitive Iain was about it and not making more fun of him even if there was a lot left unsaid I believe).

I don’t have much to say about the other contestants, because I think Iain overshadowed all of them. Joe was incredibly awkward and I don’t know whether that’s a character he played or if he’s genuinely that way, but throughout he reminded me of Simon Cooper (the character he played in the Inbetweeners). I found his awkwardness combined with Alex’s awkwardness quite entertaining, and his whole down-beat, self-loathing, doubt and whatnot honestly spoke to me on a very deep level. I keep forgetting Sian’s name, she sounds like a guinea pig when laughing / excited and I liked her a lot. Lou was horny, there to wreak havoc, delivered on both and also won, so congratulations to her. But overall, she was a good contestant, I think she and Kerry Godliman are what great contestants should be. Then you have Paul. He said he had shoulder surgery about a week before filming the tasks and he didn’t seem too well, thus I think he would have done better, yet I did like him even then. He had quite the calming influence, though he didn’t do too badly?

I like the Greg and Alex we see in series 8. This time Greg seems to be more of the tyrant (not just with Alex but with the contestants as well), but not throughout and he kind of switches it on and off. I like what he did in later episodes (I honestly can’t remember if he did it in the first five episodes as well) when he tells Alex to recap what happened before the break but either shout it, lick his lips, wink after every word with the letter e, etc. So seeing their dynamic getting back on track after a wobble in series 7 was nice.

Series 8 had, in my opinion, some of the best tasks and my absolute (possibly all time) favourite has to be the one in which Alex is on the bridge and tries to spot the contestants who have to get as close to him as possible. The location tasks / the location in and of itself was great and definitely an upgrade from forest™ in series 7. I didn’t mind the forest, but trains are definitely more interesting and the change in set while in the train yard was great.

So, yeah, this was series 8, not a fan. Well, it’s not that bad, and there’s definitely a lot to like about otherwise I wouldn’t have stuck with it. As I said above, I think a different assembly of cast would have worked better for me at least. Looking forward to what series 9 has in store. Thanks for sticking around!

[feelingpure]

Fellow Travelers Rewatch Party | You're Wonderful

Favourite moment(s) or scene(s) of the episode

It's still the whole chicken noodle soup scenario, from Hawk's entrance up until the radio gets brought up. I like how it sets up their starting dynamic. And to link with that, the whole dynamic filp when “I wanna go to the party” happens. Tim's hones his seductress powers, and we get to see Hawk be the flustered one caught off guard for once.

I also really like the opening scenes 🥹 and the election night meeting and the 1st time at the Cozy Corner and and and–

Favourite quote/dialogue

There's so many too choose from 😭 I'm gonna list a few;

For funsies:

“I'm your boy, right?” - I mean, it's the blog title for a reason - the moment the tables turn. (I made an edit of this moment as a bit of episode appreciation, as suggested in the master series rewatch post 🫶)

“I'll spend the afternoon picturing you kneeling in prayer.”

For feelsies:

“When I committed this sin, I felt pure. More pure than I felt in my entire life. So how can I be sorry for it?”

“I want to hold you tonight. If you'll let me.” - it's just so 🥺

Something new you noticed after the rewatch

Joe Alsop is talking about turtle soup that smells like feet (but taste great) at his party. 👀 And Tim's just stood there, then the camera goes back and settles on Hawk in the background talking to Lucy and someone else. Tim's smile fades at first for a lil bit, but then he has this like sneaky smile when it goes back to him. Given what happened in the previous scene, it's very... 😈

And just some more of this bit, Tim then goes to grab a drink for Mary and as he's walking away we see Hawk tracking him with his eyes (and of course he then follows him). I knew the major beats at this party, but there were certain little things that I definitely did not pick up on before. 😆 (Probably too brrrrrrrr from the previous scene)

The MVP of the episode

I think I'm gonna have to go with 80s Tim, even though we only catch a glimpse of him. It's the decision he makes, to allow Hawk back in, that makes the rest of the 80s timeline possible. 🥲

You general thoughts on the episode

It just perfectly sets everything up for the rest of the series. There's so many bits of dialogue that calls back to things later on, or is just more interesting with them in mind. Also all the anticipation at the end, even when you already know the while story, some bits still had me holding my breath like an idiot hahah.

My main feelings coming out of episode 1 is just always wanting to protect 50s Tim at all costs. Though after seeing the whole show and softening on Hawk, I also wanna protect him; from himself. But yeah - screaming crying etc.

Thoughts on soundtrack of the episode

I'll spare you the essay about when each part the score comes up in the episode and how it makes me feel (😭), but it's just brilliant. Hawk's main theme at the election party, and Pull Them Off at Tim's apartment being notable.

The Waiting for Tim theme especially is just. 😚🤌 He's waiting for his call back at that cafe/diner in the 80s, while he was also waiting outside his apartment in the 50s, and it's just full of anticipation. 🥺

While you're here, go listen to the composer talk about this particular piece.

[itsana004]

Astral for the character thingy? :3

First of all, thank you so much for the ask!!! 💖

I realised I don't have much Astral content/discourse on my blog, so here lays my truest thoughts on Astral

•How do I feel about this character

I really love his character! Whenever I rewatch Zexal, he just wakes up and choses violence that day and I love that.

I think I was intrigued by his character because he was introduced as this serious and intelligent looking naked alien, who roasts Yuma like shish kebab on a daily basis, especially when it comes to dueling, and we know that is going to be their dynamic for a while - but he's much more than that.

I think I really started to like Astral on the Esper Robin episode, he's not just Yuma's foreign alien friend/dueling aid who roasts him and that's it, he has his own interests like watching the Sparrow show (and adding humour to the series with his foreignness about earth), flying around and being curious about the human world, being afraid of cats, when he eats for the first time, teaching Hart how to eat with sticks (so cuteee), has his own Observation series, his banter with Yuma - this are just examples on what makes his character so precious to me.

Also another thing I was surprised by is despite being so cool and collected, he feels fear during duels like when he dueles against Kite? And it made me feel anxious for him when I was watching it?? Astral can feel emotions such as fear and I really appreciate this detail because I think the show writers raised the stakes too high that if Yuma loses then he's going to disappear, so they end up winning every single duel with Astral's magic formula, and therefore most of the time he's unbothered and almost invincible - so when he shows emotions outside of his stoic calmness, I love it. I don't know why I just love to see Astral lose his absolute sh8t

Also Astral's friendship with Yuma's friend group I find it so cute, despite being invisible they still felt his presence because that's how much of an influence Astral had, and when he was gone, they felt it through Yuma's grief (or Kotori told them whatever) and Flip created a crystal/glass gravestone showing how much Astral meant to all of them, the gesture it's just so sweet and emotional. I also loved his friendship with Kite, despite being minimal, he influenced in Kite's decision to not give up on dueling and that friends represent the future which is a lesson he learned from Yuma, which changes his whole trajectory.

Now let's talk about the plot... and boy it's filled with plot holes and... questions.

Astral has a... a very mysterious/confusing background. So he was born as a weapon by Eliphas to protect the Astral world, and one of Astral's character traits is to get split into cards just randomly... Number cards to be exact - whether it's his memories - giving him amnesia, whether it's his powers lost during his battle against Don 1000 - turning into Mythirian cards, parts of him just like to split into cards and I guess I find it funny? Heck he even has an evil twin as a Number card like-

Oh and also fan fact he turns Yuma into Super Saiyan when they jumbled up together.

But 50 of these Number cards possess people an amplify their desires, so Astral was the real villain in this show- no, it was Yuma's dad cause he sent him there by making him have amnesia and leading his son to go through life threatening situations and hell to collect them (I knew it all along)

ALSO, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT DARK ASTRAL- HOLY SH8T THIS MOMENT FVCKED ME UP WHEN I WATCHED IT FOR THE FIRST TIME

Like- I didn't even feel like I was watching Zexal and kind of wish they made these moments of satanic Astral longer. But let's talk about the real satanic Astral, boy I love Dark Mist's and Astral's banter and how Astral just has to fist fight him to not be either absorbed or killed by his evil twin.

I think this is becoming too long now for a read so I am just gonna move on now.

• All the people I ship romantically with this character

I don't particularly ship him with anyone (except Dark Mist maybe) in the show because I'm not simply invested in any of his ships that much? I can see him and Yuma being together, afterall he did say "Aishiteru" (I hope I spelled it correctly) which is the deepest form of "I love you" at the end of the manga, but at the end of the day I'm just "They're cute, next-", and honestly I much prefer Dark Mist x Astral than the latter, it's simply how I feel.

I'd also like to mention a moot has her own ship with Astral and her OC (you know who you are) and I'm definitely more inclined towards that when it comes to shipping Astral with someone because fans are better at writing/drawing romance most of the time, especially because they are not ambiguous or queer baiters.

• My non-romantic OTP for this character

For this section this has to be Yuma and Astral as well. Just as I can see Yuma and Astral being together, I can also see them in platonic light, but there is no mistake that they are soulmates.

I think many years ago I said as to why I felt that way, Yuma and Astral's relationship really reminded me of Nobita and Doraemon and despite both of them going to the ends of the world, time, galaxies to be there for eachother, it wasn't romantic in Nobita and Doraemon's case and they had other romantic partners, because these tropes are so similar, our two zexal characters can also fall into the platonic category. Now if anyone reading this are mad at me for even considering this and seek representation from the zexal series of your fave ship, then good for you, I prefer either way, but I all can say is I really enjoyed Astral's and Yuma's dynamic throughout the show and how their bonds became stronger through dueling, and it's the growth and influence they had in each other that I liked, and I definitely became emotional and pulled my heartstrings whenever they lost themselves and tried to bring eachother back, and the last scene of them parting ways had me weeping.

Ps. Astral's roast to Yuma will be the most memorable.

• My unpopular opinion about this character

Oh boy, I can't really think of any right now? But I think despite being a protagonist I feel like he's overshadowed by other characters, especially Yuma, like we don't really see Astral as invidual character most of the time and it's always him and Yuma, so maybe he deserved some solo attention? (Okay so there is literally a Kotori centric ending song but not for Astral? What-)

Also he deserves clothes-

• One thing I wish would happen/had happened with his character in canon

Zexal III

Zexal III

ZEXAL III AHHHHH

Also can someone tell me how Yuma's dad met Astral and send him on earth but not himself and his wife-

[elrahuffle]

I know this blog is primarily trolls rn but I just wanted to yap about how much I love Sailor Moon cuz I've been thinking about it all day.

I think part of why i love it so much is the fact I started watching it when I was 14 y/o, it just made me relate to Usagi so much. And not only her, a lot of the other senshis as well. I remember eating every single pice of sailor moon media I found on the little spare times I had between school. It captured everything I loved - funny characters, amazing colors, beautiful music. Best of all, an all female character cast!

Now, 6 years later and turning 20, I still love it so much. I think I love it even more than before. I've been rewatching the 90s anime, and with Eternal finally realising in my country in August, I've been re reading the manga. I was fully prepared to dislike it a little -like some media I've revisited years later - but instead I found out I can enjoy it more. Something I completely missed back when I first saw it was the romance - sure, I knew it was very very present, but I just brush it off and focused on any relationship except the romantic ones. I just didn't get how Usagi could love Mamoru that much (surprise, I'm a lesbian), It flew over my head. But now, after knowing myself better, gaining more experiences and knowledge, it hits. It hits HARD.

Now only Usagi's and Mamorus relationship, I started paying a little more attention to all relationships. At how love seems to envelope all the characters and shape their decisions. 'Cause, truly, love is the core of Sailor Moon. The way the characters care and look after each other, not (only) because of a duty, but out of pure love. They love each other so deeply that they would sacrifice everything and anything just to ensure their safety. It amazed me how you could see this love not only in the emotional end of season climax, but in the mundane day-to-day escenes.

That's all ✌

[notasapleasure]

Fic Writer 20 Questions

I've been tidying out my likes and remembered @elwenyere's open invitation tags on this, too, so here we go!

sshysmm's works on ao3 (user name is a ref to my old tumblr)

1) How many works do you have on ao3

128 (and I think I'm missing some of the band AU stuff I never moved over from the blog @theartistknownaslymond…)

2) What's your ao3 word count?

1,038,645 words. haha. what the fuck.

3) What fandoms do you write for?

Actively, right now: Star Wars (particularly Andor; previously Rogue One and a few spin-off novels), the Lymond Chronicles, and I do very much intend to return to my fics for And Then We Danced.

I have also written for Ripper Street, The Terror, The Musketeers (don't look! don't look! it's my 'now can i remember how to write fic after over a decade out of fandom fic) and Utopia (another one it would be cool to add to after I get a chance to rewatch).

4) What are your top five fics by kudos?

good god they're all Jyn/Cassian. it's the only big ship I've written for I suppose

Be alright tomorrow (Rogue One, Jyn/Cassian) Hope in the air (Rogue One, Jyn/Cassian) Singer, save our secular souls (Rogue One, Jyn/Cassian) To steal what she never could own (Rogue One, Jyn/Cassian) Delayed gratification (Rogue One, Jyn/Cassian)

5) Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I try to!! Sometimes when I'm deep in the writing hole I just stay away from ao3 so as not to ?? idk?? make myself feel guilty? get distracted? so it can take me a while to respond.

When people are reading updates as I post them I try to respond quicker! I like to respond to acknowledge how grateful I am to people who took the time to read and cheerlead and say something nice. To show I appreciate it and the time they spent on it. If it possibly leads to discussion about what's going on in the fic then so much the better!

6) What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Probably just Hope in the Air, for sticking with the canon Rogue One ending and leaning into the sense that even if he got to a bacta tank, Cassian's in a pretty bad way. Also Oh sleep! it is a gentle thing (Ripper Street), again for…following canon, dealing with Deborah's decision to stop seeing Reid and Emily's descent into a place where Reid feels he has to have her sent to the asylum.

7) What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Jerott wish-fulfilment!! The ransoun made, the prisoneris redeemit (Lymond Chronicles, Francis/Jerott).

8) Do you get hate on fics?

I don't think I've had any hate on ao3, no. Some blunt comments when I hadn't done my research on aurebesh well enough/resued a plot device, but not hate.

9) Do you write smut? If so what kind?

Yes? All kinds? Idk, I'm trying to get more creative, though traditionally I think I write emotionally knotty, not-always-satisfying sex that does heavily lifting on the characterisation. And is also hot.

10) Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

I haven't posted it on ao3 yet, but there's the Lymond Chronicles 1980s band AU crossover with And Then We Danced, which is just like. The nichest of nichey niches. Can't believe there are like three people who might read it, so it's still not as unpopular as a medieval Icelandic saga au of a niche Andor ship written in the first person. I didn't go out of my way to drive readers away, I swear!!! Please give The Saga of the Coal-biter and the Skraeling a chance, it's my precious baby.

11) Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not to my knowledge, lol. I think more people would need to want to read my fics first.

12) Have you ever had a fic translated?

No, but I'm open to it if anyone wants! I have had two podfics made of my works, which has been lovely!

13) Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

No, though there was a fun Lymond Pawn in Frankincense AU which started as me and @erinaceina spit-balling about Philippa getting captured by GRM and Khaireddin surviving, and @stripedroseandsketchpads wrote some nice whumpy scenes about it!

14) What's your all time favorite ship?

Oh, usually whatever I'm writing at any given time. Faramir/Éowyn was formative influences, though.

15) What's a WIP you'd like to finish, but doubt you ever will?

I really don't like admitting that I don't think I'll finish something. I do have 17 subscribers(!!??) to a Lord Bateman (Child ballad 53) inspired Rogue One AU (What would you give?) so even though finishing that is very low down my priorities I'd hate to say outright that I wouldn't return to it.

16) What are your writing strengths?

Emotion, description, description of emotion… capturing micro-expressions and little tics that define a character. Because of this I think I'm pretty good at making people in-character even in weird settings. Writing people who aren't good or bad, just flawed and affected by their lived experiences. Creating an atmosphere. Also, when I pull it off, making you laugh one moment at something ridiculous and then sucker-punching you in the gut :')

17) What are your writing weaknesses?

That when I'm asked to think of my strengths I go blank. That I constantly, constantly overthink things when I've posted them in case I wrote something that will be horribly misunderstood or just actively bore established readers into giving up. The fear that what I enjoy writing is so inherently dull no one else will enjoy reading it, that I'm not setting out to 'write fic' but to write something pretentious and beautiful and that's not what anyone reads fic for. Also oh my god I need to learn brevity. Simple plots. Don't overthink the plot Jo. I what-if my plots to death and then find myself disgusted by all the ways they're inadequate. Actually what all this comes down to is a controlling urge in my writing: I want to control every detail of this scene, including where the information is lacking, and I worry that if I leave anything to chance I'll be misunderstood. But at the same time I love ambiguity and gaps and leaving things open to interpretation. Inside me there are two wolves and one adores unanswered questions while the other suffers from a neurodivergent urge to info-dump in order to make sure everything is clear.

18) Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I'd love to quote from Umberto Eco's author's note to The Name of the Rose, where he argued with his publisher about keeping Latin dialogue in! Ony my copy of the book is in storage. Also there's the whole…I'm a fan of the Lymond Chronicles. If there isn't untranslated dialogue in at least five different languages why are you bothering? And yeah I very much did learn a language because of a film and then spent a lot of time considering how communicating in this language as opposed to English would affect the dialogue and interactions I was writing. So yes, dialogue in another language when it's properly contextualised is good - not when it's random phrases of unnecessary Space Spanish because someone's exoticising Diego Luna.

19) First fandom you wrote for?

I'm of the generation where it was inevitably H*rry P*tter, if we're talking internet published fanfic. But as a kid I did keep diaries full of drawings and stories about Sandokan the tiger and Bucky O'Hare.

20) Favorite fic you've ever written?

I have like. Post-partum depression about the saga AU right now because seeing it interact with the world makes me doubt myself horribly, but realistically, it's my beloved child. It's just having to carry all my grad school trauma as well as all my past Star Wars fandom trauma and you know what?? It's good enough to do that. It is. It's the first of a trilogy, and I WILL finish the trilogy.

As previously said by elwenyere: Open tags for anyone who would like to play!!! This was very fun: @ me with your answers if you'd like to join. <3<3<3

[adultswim2021]

Aqua Teen Hunger Force #79: "Gene E." | March 29, 2009 - 11:45PM | S07E01

Look, I made this defiant decision to renumber the seasons of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Long ago, when the internet was young, the first 18 episodes of the show (now considered “season one”) used to be split up as two seasons. I considered the later 18-episode regrouping to be some sort of needless revisionism. At the time I was starting this blog, it seemed novel at the very least, to split from the now-accepted norm. In my heart, season one was always just the 2001 episodes. I guess I just like it that way. I could fix it, but then I’d have to delete this paragraph, and my words are precious. So, if you prefer, this is season six.

Season six (*jack-off hand-motion* or seven) debuted on television on March 29, 2009. But a few months earlier (December 16, 2008 to be exact), the first four episodes of the season debuted on Digital Versatile Disc as part of Volume Six. I’ve enjoyed far fewer repeat viewings of this season than I have previous seasons; I probably watched this episode once on DVD, once on television, and I think I rewatched the series leading up to the 100th episode. That’s all to say that I’ve probably sat through this episode three times. And yet, it was entirely unfamiliar to me on this viewing. 

Shake finds a Genie in a schnapps bottle at the dump. Curiously, he’s in a dumpster at the dump, which seems redundant. It also draws a less-than-ideal comparison to Beavis and Butt-head, in which the boys go dumpster diving and find their own “genie” in a bottle, which is just a dead rat. But the Aqua Boys genie is real, I guess. He prefers to be called “Gene E.” and is clearly hungover. They take him in and he eats one of Meatwad’s sausages he was saving for his birthday. When each of them make a wish, Gene E. simply turns them all invisible, which none of them asked for. 

Eventually they find Carl, who is small for reasons of knowing Gene E. At this point Gene E. has died, and Frylock is desperately trying to harvest his organs hoping to find a genie gland or something that they can use to make an invisibility antidote. No luck. Carl and Shake spend some time in a ladies bathroom trying to be peep on women with their combined powers. They immediately blow it. Frylock figures out that Carl has been turned into a genie, hence his smallness (a fact Carl himself doesn’t seem to know). They race to find Carl, but it’s too late, he has been flushed by Shake and drowned in sewage. 

This one is just okay, and it comes off mildly diabolical when you realize how much easier it must’ve been to animate this episode with three invisible protagonists. Objects float around, and some mildly elaborate scenes occur, but still it must’ve been markedly easier to accomplish not having to worry about character animation. Mediocre Aqua Teen is still an okay way to pass the time. The fact that I didn’t remember this episode despite having seen it multiple times sorta says it all. 

EPHEMERA CORNER: 

The Mighty Boosh #15: “Eels” | March 30, 2009 - 1:00AM

Adult Swim’s foray into acquiring British programming didn’t really result in any kind of new tradition. It’s an experiment that resulted in them airing most of these shows (Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, Look Around You, and The Office) through 2011 and then never again. Boosh had more staying power than its contemporaries, remaining on the block through 2013. 

There was a brief moment in 2010 when a Friday Night Brit block was a regular part of the Adult Swim schedule. I remember liking it. I sorta like the idea of an Adult Swim that has varied enough programming to have more uniquely programmed nights like that.

Adult Swim started with series three, for some reason. It was the first time I ever saw the show, which I think had previously aired on BBC America. I am honestly ill-equipped for this write-up, because it’s been a pretty long time since I’ve seen this show. I like it, but I feel like I’ve never truly loved it. It’s one of those ones I really should revisit. 

The Boosh boys actually rolled through comic-con and put on a show in partnership with Adult Swim. I was there! I intend to cover it in some fashion when 2008 comic-con rolls around, but I don’t know if I’ll actually have much to say about it, so please don’t consider this a tease.

[dolphs-world]

July 27

Lately, I've been, I've been thinking, I want to be happier. I don't know why that song popped into my head, I don't even know who sings it. Initially I started this blog to be a diary. Why online then? Because I find the notion of knowing someone so intimately extraordinary. Understanding the way someone thinks and feels and writes allows you to know someone fully. Instead, I've only really used this place to review movies. But again, if you pay attention, you can truly know someone from something like opinions on Pixar movies. There was a point a couple of weeks ago where I watched a bunch of movies and wanted to share but I ran out of time. There's no real in depth analysis but little reviews. The Martian: An awful miserable film proving to me once again that Ridley Scott has only made one good movie, 'Thelma & Louise'. Instead of approaching the subject with seriousness everyone just speaks in quips. The writing is atrocious. It was well acted, very well acted, but the only characters I liked were played by Jeff Daniels and Benedict Wong because they were real, and even then they had some lines that made me wince. This is a hi-sci-fi concept that could easily find an audience but instead they are trying to appeal the lowest-common-denominator. Sidenote: Sean Bean is in the movie and there's a scene where NASA names a secret mission 'Elrond', the meeting in 'The Fellowship'. The nerd in the meeting, despite this being NASA, proceeds to explain the name to everyone else including Sean Bean. Sean Bean was at 'Elrond'! Spider-Man: I rewatched the Sam Raimi trilogy for the first time since I was 10 and I still prefer the 3rd one. Joel Schumacher once said in regards to his adaptations that they're called comic books not drama books and he made the worst movie ever. Sam Raimi actually achieved Scumacher's vision. The first 2 movies are very interesting in their direction and focus. There are so many little people who are in only one scene but make an impact. These movies are really goofy and, much like comic books from the day, feel as if they it would be hard for most people to emotionally connect with. They are mainly pushed by the 2 greatest villain performances by Willem Dafoe and Alfred Molina. James Franco is also great in these movies, as opposed to his co-stars who just get the job done. I also really liked the last scene of 2 where MJ looked on at Spider-man somewhat regretting her decision. Criticisms against the 3rd movie: It feels a lot more generic in it's direction, there are no more distinct personalites that weren't in the previous films; e.g the banker, go spidey go, Jim Norton. Pros: everything else. The film was a slowburn psychological thriller. The movie just kept getting more and more insane. Peter Parker exposes Eddie Brock as a fraud and Brock pleas for forgiveness. Parker responds "You want forgiveness? Get a religion!". Brock then goes to a catholic church, in the comics Brock is a devout Catholic who just so happens to be there at the same time as Parker is getting rid of the symbiote, and asks god to kill Spider-man. This movie is fantastic.

[fandomfairyuniverse]

Eight shows to get to know me better

Hiiii I was tagged by @littleragondin to do this and it was honestly so fun. Thank you for the tag!!

Disclaimer: I watch too much television. And I have very basic taste lol

1. Friends: so fun fact, I have an aunt who I used to stay with a lot when I was younger, and her nightly routine including watching Friends. I grew up on this show and have since watched it all the way through on multiple occasions. It isn’t perfect but I love it very dearly

2. BBC Merlin: look. L O O K. I watched this before I even made my blog. I have since watched it at least 4 times. This show broke my heart and yet. I love it anyway

3. Teen Wolf: I have no justification for this one it’s a dumb teen drama about werewolves and it captured my heart in high school and now we’re here. I quote this show constantly. Stiles is to this day one of my favorite characters of all time. I have not and will probably never watch the movie, but the show is my favorite brand of stupidity and I will always adore it

4. Until We Meet Again: we had to have at least one bl on here lol and this one is just. To say I live it would be an understatement. I once said that it tore my heart into shreds and then carefully put it back together and I stand by that. It’s just a beautiful show

5. Derry Girls: a newer love of mine. Honestly this show is simply a gem. It’s so fun and cute but also emotional and impactful and yeah. It’s so lovely

6. Crash landing on you: I have a lot of fond memories of this one because I first watched it with my best friend back when we were in high school. I started rewatching it recently and it’s still top tier. Also it’s what got me into kdramas lol

7. Julie and the Phantoms: I mean. It’s literally the reason I started posting on here. This blog wouldn’t be what it is without this show. It holds my entire heart and I will forever be bitter that we didn’t get more seasons

8. Stranger Things: ….. I don’t really have a massive explanation for this one. I’ve just loved it for so long, like 5/6 years, and I will continue to love it. Even when the writers make questionable decisions

There we go!! If anyone wants to do this then consider this your tag. Have fun loves

[kepnerandavery]

Hii, i'm rewatching s14 Japril scenes and omg is so confusing (i know that bad writing and bts drama had influence but i'm trying to make sense of that season lol)

So first we have the we don't talk about montana shit and the cursed 14x02 scene, i guess they were trying to portray that J dosen't care about A feelings and that he move on and is in love with his sister, but idk, why is he mute, like was he no allowed to talk lol? He could have say that it was a mistake or something like that, idk is a weird scene, i can't understand his face.

Then when April starts losing her mind, Jackson is the first one who noticed and tries to talk to her multiple times (not her best friend Arizona or idk Owen he always cares about her) and keeps looking at her and reaching to her (when she has the banana bag, when he say he's worried for her, talking to arizona, the supply closet scene, the play games scene, when he tells maggie that he's gonna try talk to her again and watches her walk away, the hug scene (when he is mute again🙄) and she tells him that she's okay to take harriet and he ask if SHE is ok like worrying about her in particular) Why made him been the one noticed about her crisis, asking, looking at her, reaching multiple times.. and episodes before he supposedly didn't care about her(14x02), like i don't get it.

And then episodes later boom, Jackson looses completely his shit about April almost death in a way that still surprised me that Krista and all the bitches allow him to have, his reaction at matthew in the hospital scene, his first face when he saw him proposing to april and when he avoids the stare after they kiss. (And yess he smiles but he smiled in season 9 in the first proposal and we now how that went and maybe is wishfull thinking but he looks even sadder, the smile seem very sad and like it took effort)

And why put april saying you're my.. Like why leave that open there and they look at each other lips and the way that he touches her arm like omg, everything is so damn confusing

Oh and the next season you have him talking about April with Maggie

- I prayed and April woke up

- Who else are you talking too? April sometimes..

- I didn't picture my marriage ending

- I'm greaving, GREAVING (Jackson, baby you already divorce years ago lol)

- Now is too late, SHE'S happy with someone else (he dosen't even want to name Matthew lol)

Honestly, what was Krista thinking? Idk what she tried to achieved in those scenes but damn, it fail hard lol

Anyways, thoughts? Sorry for the rant, i looked at a couple of your posts and wanted to share..

First of all, Hi! Second, You never have to apologize for ranting about japril on my blog cause this whole blog is pretty much filled with a series of japril rants lol.

I have always thought that Krista was trying to accomplish a few things through her awful creative decision making.

1) She wanted to portray japril as strictly platonic friends, and beat us in the head with that fact until we lost our minds.

2) She wanted to take some important details about japril’s relationship, and use that to push Jackson towards Maggie (eg: they wrote the story about Maggie’s mom’s death, and tried to replicate the hurt/comfort trope that japril always showcased, and the fire in 13x24 was similar to the bus explosion in 9x24). And that is also just lazy writing on their part cause they couldn't even come up with an original way to start Jackson's new "relationship".

3) Imo, most of 14x24 and some of the callbacks to japril after season 14 were simply a slap in the face to japril fans. And I bet they also wanted the engagement from japril fans on twitter cause our fandom is a force to be reckoned with on social media, so when Jackson mentioned April, the fans started talking about them, and Grey’s Anatomy also got talked about in the process. They were using us even after letting Sarah go. The sheer audacity of Krista, I tell you!

With that being said, I also believe that some of the writers on the show (the ones with a spine and half a brain cell that is), wrote some of the scenes where they showed Jackson struggling without April cause it was how the story should have been written. Plus Jesse is great, and he fully understands his character so he might have had something to do with the japril mentions too.

Now onto some specific scenes you mentioned,

First, there's the infamous 13x16 ep. I just re-watched Sarah and Jesse's Q&A for that ep to answer your ask, and connected some dots. So according to Sarah, 13x16 was filmed right after they filmed 13x09 (which is when April tried to start dating again and Jackson looked miserable at the prospect of it). And the eps in between were written and filmed afterwards. Sarah also said that she and Jesse collaborated with Elisabeth Finch (the writer of 13x16) and made some changes to the script, so I think their collaboration, Elisabeth's writing, and Kevin Mckidd's direction made that episode amazing. And I also think that the writers had planned to get japril back together around the time 13x16 was being filmed, and Krista interviewed after they shot the ep. When she took over the show, she made it clear that she disliked japril, then she waited a few months before starting to assert her dominance and making stupid decisions. The eps between 13x09 and 13x16 were written after they shot 13x16, and those eps were used to sideline April and pull japril apart, but then they had to still air 13x16 (which was already shot). Then in the next ep, we saw Jackson treating Maggie’s mom, and we all know what that lead to. So it was all a planned ambush. If Krista had her way, we would probably not have gotten japril the sequel at all.

When it comes to their scene in 14x02, something tells me that they had Jackson not say anything because if he actually talked in that scene, Sarah and Jesse’s chemistry would not have made the scene believable. That scene was intended indicate the end of japril’s relationship. Sarah has mentioned how she had to ask the director to change April's demeanor in that scene, and I think they initially wanted April to be angry with Jackson instead of hurt by him so that she would’ve looked resentful. I'm glad Sarah asked for the change to be made. Bless Sasse for still making that scene believable though cause it's painful to watch.

As for the scenes where Jackson noticed April was struggling with her faith in season 14, and tried to help her. I think the writers tried to show their friendship in those scenes cause Jackson was still the person that knew April the best. But from what I've seen of those eps, it didn't feel like japril's friendship was super intact through that time. And the kiss scene in 14x16 felt like a punch in the gut for me. If they wanted to show japril's friendship, they could have showed him helping her as a friend, but no, they had to add that scene and break our hearts. At the end of the day, he didn't really get to be there for her, and it only made April sadder. So it's clear that the scene was unnecessary and a slap in our faces.

Then the scenes in 14x23.. The ep was written by William Harper (aka the person who wrote the iconic 10x12 ep), so we can guess why those scenes were so good. But for me, unless you play close attention to Jesse's expressions, you can't tell that japril were too far from being platonic friends in that episode. Imagine how Jackson would have reacted to April nearly dying in the end of season 8 or through seasons 9,10,11, or 12, and compare that to how he was in 14x23. Yes, he was devastated, and Jesse's performance was amazing. But for me, it seemed like both he and Sarah were trying to not portray japril as a romantic couple in that ep. But their chemistry in those scenes was so undeniable that it still made me die inside. Regardless of that, I don't think the director of that ep intended for those scenes to be viewed that way.

And then you have the scene where Jackson talked about struggling with his grief/regretting their divorce. When they wrote storylines for Jackson’s character after April was no longer in his life to the degree that she was before, they couldn’t simply erase years' worth of history that belonged to his character. So whether Krista liked it or not, Jackson’s inner turmoils and the circumstances he was in had a lot to do with losing Samuel, and going through his divorce. So the writers might have been forced to call back to some of those past moments for the purpose of creating drama in the show.

In other words, screw Krista! 😭

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hi JWB! First of all, I just want to say I love your blog, I spent hours going through all your posts and gifsets!!! Thanks for keeping IPKKND fandom alive and helping us all to continue rabba ve-ing all these years later lol. I had a question, that occured to me during my recent rewatch of the show, I'd love to hear your answer to it! My question is about what, exactly, Arnav thinks about Khushi in their initial interactions and office track, because I find his behavior a bit contradictory. He keeps insinuating she could do anything for money, is character less (giri hui), likes attention (likes to come on tv), and says all that stuff about tum jaisi ladki (girls like you) and all that. Basically he seems to think she's some corporate spy, honey trap, trying to seduce him etc (unconsciously betraying where HIS thoughts are - like when he accuses her of trapping other men, like which men has she already trapped then ASR? lmao). But at the same time, he also understands that because of her background she is actually very modest and in fact tries to exploit that as a weakness by setting her tasks like taking male models' measurements, asking her to wear that short blue dress in the photoshoot, betting on the fact that she won't be comfortable doing those things. But how does he reconcile these two contradictory opinions? Either she's an attention-seeking honey trap/gold digger or she's a conservative small town girl with (in his opinion) outdated morals, but he seems to go back and forth between these two versions as he pleases and it doesn't make sense. Sorry if my question is confusing, to put it briefly, I was just wondering if you could shed light on Arnav's practical evaluation of Khushi in those early days (keeping aside all his inner surprise Rabba Ve-ing which he's trying and failing to suppress lol). Thanks in advance if you choose to answer and have a good day :)

Hello Anon!

Thank you so much for you love <3

Wow that's quite an ask!

I hope I can answer this adequately! The following is a LONG answer and may I add, my interpretation of Arnav as of now.

Analyzing Arnav in his Early Days

- He comes across as a man who has recently tasted success. His decisions are brash, his behavior is aggressive and I think he has proved a lot of people wrong by often being right.

- For example we see people think that Mool Rajani might actually hurt AR by refusing to do shoot and raising a case of harassment for being slapped, but Arnav throws money in his face to accurately bring out Rajani's colors/true intentions. For all his big talk, Rajani greedily lapped up the money.

- So this is precisely what Arnav thought Khushi is. She yells, makes drama of being pious, nice and innocent to draw attention and paint him in a bad light. Thus he challenges her in his domain - his office. She can yell here of being all virtuous and him evil but no she has absolutely no power.

- Like literally in the Dargah she stops him in the middle of public and starts arguing with him. She crashed his car in Delhi - which by the way he was driving in the right road and she was in the wrong lane - and complained how he gave her a loss when she was in the wrong! Then she traced him to his office and was in the parking lot right in front of his car! And ofc then she's in his office for a job he would've never known if she hadn't been accidentally hired as Lavanya's assistant! She would've been working under his nose and he wouldn't have known at all - that's dangerous.

- The fact Khushi created a scene when he was with his international clients made him sure that she's like those people who put their kids in front of a car and yell about rich people running over poor kids until they're paid to shut up. They extort money through drama.

- So he challenges her by making her do things a middle classed traditional girl will be scandalized by. Measuring male models and so on.

- At this point though Arnav isn't too convinced on his theory of her being a corporate spy, rather he puts her in the category of perhaps a stalker who's aware of who she crossed paths with and will utilize that access to create drama and extort money from him.

- So what surprises Arnav is when she doesn't do drama and actually completes the tasks. Lavanya overwhelms Khushi with menial jobs that two different junior assistants can complete - to aid ASR in kicking Khushi out - but both are surprised at her efficiency and her dedication in actually completing the jobs instead of yelling and crying at how they're making her overwork and demand attention.

- Arnav realises that she's very intelligent and decides to use that against her. He's trying to push her buttons for her 'revelation' moment. He'll be truly satisfied when he sees greed on her face and her admission of her lowliness because it's that assessment that he's right. You know that moment when Mool Rajani's anger quickly morphs into a malicious smile when he hears he's getting crores.

- So he overwhelms Khushi with tasks where she doesn't need to use her brains - pushing her to edge of her frustration. He assumes she is going to drop her good girl act at one point and be forthcoming with her intentions.

- But it doesn't happen. Instead Khushi genuinely gets frustrated and in turn starts to be more dedicated at work.

- The short dress was really in a fit of anger. He probably thought she was back ruining important things for her so ordered her to be in front of camera and have the attention once and for all. I do believe he wouldn't have gone ahead with the photoshoot - the red saree just left him speechless. Otherwise his point was to humiliate her the way he was humiliated by having his top model walk out mid shoot (also I bet Liza was fined because she literally broke an agency contract!).

- Arnav is in a fix when he sees her in the rain because when she comes across an important client in the parking lot he absolutely has his money on her making a scene - but a mixture of the fact that he realises he's sexually very attracted to her, she was genuinely taken aback at being in front of the camera, and is being a dedicated parking assistant and is not creating a drama in a situation that would benefit her and put him in a loss confuses him greatly.

- It's the first time he attempts softness with her - for a second, under the influence of Rabba Ve's, he gives her his jacket in the rain. And it's the only time he's not happy assigning a task - he's troubled.

- And just as he's about to change his opinion of her she comes in his home and is apparently already acquainted with his family and blurts things to his family - a very damaging secret of him and Lavanya to Nani - reaffirms all his negative opinions of her.

- In his eyes she played dirty.

- However, when Khushi gets stuck in the guesthouse then Arnav's rooted in guilt because he did not listen to her and his manager who kept on trying to get in touch. Arnav, perhaps for the first time, was inefficient in his work and allowed his biases to overlook his work.

- So of course he rushes to Khushi to save her regardless of what he thought because one thing in Khushi's soft defense had a point - there was no way she could know Nani didn't know about Lavanya. Nobody in office treats Arnav-La as a secret and if it's open in public, it must be open in private. And also Arnav was slowly coming to terms what he was doing with Khushi and the fact that she might not be who he thought she was slowly coming true - which was intimidating for Arnav.

- Not only would he be wrong, he'd be grossly wrong and be at a point of no return considering his actions.

- And when Khushi bursts in rage at the guesthouse - Arnav's face is worth watching. He already knows everything Khushi is going to yell at him for. He's trying to put up his defense before she can accuse him of anything but he remains mum at her thousand questions.

- And which is why he's mum when she yells at him and throws her resignation because he knows he's been absolutely wrong in judging her.

Note the fact Arnav doesn't refer to her status or dubious intentions until she appears at his home to cater for Anjali's anniversary. I believe he believes what Khushi told about herself. That it was coincidence.

So he's in guilt, in lust, in attraction and just a whole lot confused regarding her. He's also very soft. For a few days he hesitates but wants to have a conversation with her - Teej, his office - he wants to talk for once and for all. Maybe clear up the air? Who knows? But Khushi obviously does not want to talk to him.

However, Arnav goes back a hundred steps in what he thinks of her when she miraculously appears to cater for Anjali's anniversary after her grand declaration of leaving for Lucknow. Yet, even then, when he's about to insinuate that she found a way to be paid by him - a single glare of hers shuts him up instantly. And again, he wants to talk.

And unfortunately any good opinion he formed of her absolutely goes down the drain when she's at his home to 'train' Lavanya. The fact Anjali does not tell Arnav she arm twisted Khushi into this job unfairly puts Khushi in a really bad light. Was she playing mind games? What was she doing? How did she end up in his house, in a very intimate part of his life? And now for months!

He ended up hating Khushi again because she was now interfering in his opinions about marriage, his romantic life, and an added pressure from the family to enter into a commitment he doesn't want to in the first place.

And then Arnav finds himself in this loop of witnessing something that paints her as a manipulative/greedy woman right when he's always about to think the best of her :(

I think a lot of us find dissonance because the first few episodes - although written from both perspective - strongly favors Khushi's narrative, we're quickly drawn into Arnav's narrative, his love story and his viewpoint. In the initial episodes when Arnav yells at Khushi - we're seeing what TV favors, an innocent woman being tortured by a grumpy man who thinks the worst of her. We are not seeing Arnav's side of things at all. And because Arnav rarely monologues, we never know what's running through his mind. I would say we start seeing this story from his eyes from the red saree Rabba Ve.

And slowly and gradually the story progresses to Arnav's thoughts. He ruminates over not being able to hug Khushi. He stares at the fairy lights she got entangled with. He regrets having attempted to kiss her. He's torn when she's engaged. He's jealous when she meets NK. He's in love when they dance. And he wants to confess his love when she comes the next day having chosen the saree he recommended, her hair open the way he once flirted, and with the bangles he once gifted and ofc with Anjali's blessings and indication to not delay a confession!

After that the whole story strictly becomes Arnav. We absolutely stop seeing Khuhsi's point of view OUTSIDE affecting.

Which is why description of Arnav in the earlier episodes feels like my imagination and describing Khushi in the later episodes feels like my thoughts and a lengthy rant of bad writing!

Now coming to your next question

[...] trying to seduce him etc (unconsciously betraying where HIS thoughts are - like when he accuses her of trapping other men, like which men has she already trapped then ASR? lmao).

Lol, as you already know - she has trapped him! He is aware of the fact that he's sexually attracted to her way early into the show. Hence why he's convinced she traps men. Her innocence, wide eyed curiosity, beauty - caught his attention hook, line and sinker. Lol.

Phew, this was along answer! Hope you enjoyed it Anon :)

Best,

- JWB

[covered-with-ink]

3 for the ask game :]

Hi! You're my first anon ask here, what a surprise! :-D Anyway...

3. What do you think about [specific character]?

Since you didn't specify who you're thinking of, I decided to just go and share my opinion about the main cast.

Light - He's a total asshole (affectionate). I remember that in the first few episodes, I didn't care about him, I just acknowledged that he's the perfect tool for delivering the complex plot. When we got to Naomi's demise, this turned upside down, though. From then, I became intrigued with his thought process, and watching him get to rock bottom was...really fun. I love Light, and I tend to get emotional about him. L - Fun fact, when I first got into dn, I started off as a huge L kinnie! But unfortunately, over the months my passion for his character somehow disappeared. It's been a long time since I rewatched the first half of the anime. I still appreciate his character a lot, and I've been thinking about him a lot, recently. And I agree with everyone who says he's certainly not a good person, he's just the lesser evil out of the two. (If you want to see how I like to perceive his character, then read this fic - https://archiveofourown.org/works/36100453 - by @SeventhFracture, but mind the tags! This fic is currently my favorite though. :-D) Misa - I don't particularly like her, but I don't think she's annoying either. I deeply relate to her because of her totally unrequited feelings for Light. She surely made some reckless decisions, but I think her presence makes the show better. So good points to Misa. And I like her and Rem.

Mello - I liked Mello and his way of seeing things and his intelligence certainly impressed me. But his arc was rushed, both in the manga and the anime, with a lot of plotholes I couldn't overlook. I wish we got to see him more. Near - It's complicated. First of all, I'm convinced that they're trans, and no one can change my mind about this. It's hard for me to relate to them, mostly because of their stoic behavior, but that also makes them one of the most interesting and dangerous characters in dn. Near is a very complex character, and I'd like to explore them more in the future. Mikami - wow. huh. As you can see, I created a Tumblr blog because of my immense love for him. He's my all-time favorite, and I can't get enough of him. There are so many aspects of his character, so much foreshadowing and dropped clues about his personality. Due to this, I believe he should have been given more screen time and scenes, so we can all explore those aspects more. Still, I'm not angry that particularly angry that this didn't happen. This way I have more chances to fill those tiny holes myself, and I truly enjoy it.

Thanks for reading through my longpost, and thanks for asking dear anon! I hope this is the answer you expected, but if you'd like to know my opinion on other characters too, feel free to drop another ask! 📷