#i remember i quit doing it because i didn't want to make a spicy episode

[iridescentis]

something i just remembered which i WISH i did not remember is i used to have a reasonably successful tiktok marvel/harry potter account during lockdown and i completely forgot the user and password so that stuff is just out there forever and i have no way of finding it or deleting it

i mean i don't mind the aus i came up with, the ocs were fine and the plots were average but damn i hope that can't be traced back to me

[hils79]

Hils Watches Kiseki: Dear to Me - Ep 9

Okay *deep breath* let's continue

Uh...who is this?

OH MY GOD! That's Bai Zongyi's university admission letter. DOES HE HAVE AMNESIA FROM HIS HEAD INJURY???

Look, usually I am all for an amnesia storyline but hasn't Bai Zongyi suffered enough?

Fuuuuuuuck! He hasn't just forgotten Bai Zongyi he's forgotten everything! Like even his own family (which they are totally manipulating him for because now he can't remember that he hates them)

I don't even know who this dude is and I already don't like him

God, this poor kid trying to drink away his pain. Ai Di needs to come and take care of him

Oh there he is

His shirt says best because he is the best

I LOVE THEM SO MUCH 😭

Oh, sweetie, no. Not when Chen Yi is so drunk he barely knows who you are

I'm not sure that's what you want to hear from a dude you're about to have sex with

Ai Di is crying. WHY IS EVERYTHING STILL SO TERRIBLE?

😭

God, is Bai Zongyi going to end up with amnesia too? THIS IS NOT FUN.

Why am I suddenly Very Concerned? If anything happens to him...

NOW we get the 4 year time skip? NOW???

He looks good, but god he looks so sad.

Okay, he obviously knows Ai Di and did he didn't freak out when Chen Yi showed up and carried Ai Di away so he probably doesn't have amnesia. He's even smiling. GO SAVE YOUR MAN BAI ZONGYI! God, does he even know about the amnesia?

Aww did he quit and go back to school?

Conflicted because I am not wild about Chen Yi dragging Ai Di back to the gang when Ai Di has made it clear he wants to leave, but also I really do enjoy Chen Yi picking him up and carrying him like this

Nooooo Chen Yi made him a meal of spicy food because he knows how much Ai Di loves it 🥺

He looks good with natural hair but I do miss the bleached hair and the choker

Nothing about this entire messy situation is straight

Well, at least he knows I suppose. That makes it marginally less painful, but only marginally.

Oh, shit, he DOES have a form of amnesia. Just not as serious as Fan Zerui. God, everything is terrible.

SOBBING! They had better meet in the bakery the same way he met Ai Di that time.

Of course he's got someone watching Ai Di

Wait, has Ai Di bleached his hair again?

Well, things are still terrible but fractionally less than the previous episode?

[unhelpfulfemme]

Once again I participate in the "get to know your mutuals" chain mail meme (I'm 100% this is not the correct term but my brain is really fried atm), this time I was tagged by @stripedroseandsketchpads :D I feel like I do this every two months at least so I'm kind of out of people to tag who haven't done it recently, and I've also been kind of dissociated from Tumblr due to work stress so I don't remember if I added anyone new recently :/ So whoever wants to do it, let's pretend I tagged you :D

Last song I listened to: Them Crooked Vultures - No One Loves Me & Neither Do I - I just discovered this band! Even though it's made up of really famous people from other more famous bands! And I really like it!

Currently watching: The Borgias. So far it's... okay? I'm enjoying the character beats but the actual plotty plot (i.e. the politics and wars) is so slowly paced and overly linear. They seem really scared of the audience not getting it so they only allow one plotty thing to be happening at any given time, and they make sure to spell everything out at least once per episode. Which is... not what I'm used to in my historical political drama (quite the opposite in fact!). Perhaps I could have benefited from this approach if it were a fantasy world or a country I don't have much to do with (I remember having to open up a map of Scotland so many times while reading the first Lymond because they kept going from one city to the other and I didn't know where they were in relation to each other), but it's set in my own country and half of the "as you know" recaps are just basic Italian geography for the anglophone audiences lol. After the fifth time one well-educated character explains to another well-educated character that Florence is in the north-west and Naples is south of Rome, I kind of want to scream. The pronounciations are also all over the place - three guys are sitting at a table looking each other in the eyes and pronouncing "Medici" 3 incorrect ways, at least they could have streamlined it between the actors. Like far be it from me to demand proper pronounciation with the way Italians butcher English words constantly, but at least make it consistent! Luke Pasqualino is the only one pronouncing anything as it should be pronounced, and I really felt bad for him in that scene where Lucrezia keeps asking him to say her name and they're both repeating it over and over, because he's the only one pronouncing it correctly while she's saying it as if she had a mouth full of rocks. Btw my favourite Holliday Grainger fucking up the Italian scene so far is when she needs to ride breathlessly up to the French king and say a long line about her brother Juan the Gonfaloniere and basically she's supposed to repeat "Gonfaloniere" several times and you can literally see her going "my brother is the gonfalonsajkdnajsdsbaj" and making a "fuck it, whatever" expression when she gets to the complicated part. Anyway I am enjoying the show, the pronounciations make me laugh they don't make me mad. And the costumes are gorgeous!

Sweet/spicy/savory: Savory or spicy, depending on the mood. I dislike sweet things.

Current Obsession: Nothing really, I've been really tangled up with RL things and am feeling vaguely anhedonic because I keep thinking about work, so it's hard to get into something haha. This is actually why I'm able to focus on the Borgias, because they have quite low bandwidth requirements (i tried to watch it before and found it slow-ish). This too shall pass I suppose :)

[nsk96]

Spicy Water

A Dragon Raja fan fiction by N.S.K.

Episode 62: A Deal

Ming-Z-Lu: I noticed you two found yourselves trapped in this place. I can get you out...for a fee

Finger: yeah, yeah. Luminous told us all about it. You want a quarter of our lives

Ming-Z-Lu: not this time. I want Nadi's soul

Nadi: my soul is not for sale

Finger: listen here, devil...

Ming-Z-Lu: no, you listen. The longer you stay here, the more memories you will lose until you’re nothing but a shell. You are trapped here and I'm your only ticket out

Nadi: I'll do it

Finger: Nadi, hold up a minute

Ming-Z-Lu: don't worry. Your soul will only be mine when you die, which is quite a long time from now

Nadi: you can have my soul in exchange for our escape from this place

Finger: Nadi...don't do this

Nadi: if I was trapped alone here, I would never make the deal but I can't force you to be trapped here with me. Besides, we have people depending on our return

Ming-Z-Lu: so, do we have a deal?

Nadi: yes

[Nadi is seeing her therapist]

Nadi: and then I remembered everything when we returned

Therapist who is certainly Enxi in disguise: How does that make you feel?

Nadi: terrible, of course! The loli's are dead because I failed to protect them [Crying]

Therapist Enxi: I know it feels that way. I lost a friend who sacrificed themself to save the world. I felt the way you're feeling now, wishing there was more I could do to save them

Nadi: does the pain ever go away?

Therapist Enxi: the pain never fully goes away but you have to remind yourself that you did the best you could. I know that if it were up to my friend, they'd choose to make the sacrifice again. Knowing they were happy with their choice brings me comfort

Nadi: I'm sorry for your loss. Those loli's...they didn't choose to die

Therapist Enxi: they didn't know what was coming and neither did you. Sometimes...evil may win the battle, but it doesn't have to win the war

<- Previous Next ->

[somebody-909]

also! the i love too update istg kousuke i am barely containing my rage as we speak and i’m gonna throw hands! he’s shifting the blame to make yeonggi look bad gosh i hate it. he’s so hypocritical… i see that yeonggi recognizes he’s taking it out on him (because he really doesn’t want any more problems and he’s tired) he steps down quickly and then gets a “sEe HoW eAsY thAT iS? from kousuke and i’m rlly sure that’s how it always is. he gets stepped on and when he does something wrong he gets hurt. he’s so used to it! this is so sad :( he doesn’t even flinch when mrs hirahara is there and even touches him. wtf!

Oh for sure! Kousuke is continuously passive-aggressive. And although Yeong-gi often tries, Kousuke is always so uncharitable to him. You'd hope that just once he wouldn't, but he always is.

Also, I wish I responded to this last week as this is super pertinent for 150 since...

KOUSUKE WAS THE ONE WHO GOT YEONG-GI ARRESTED AS A KID.

When I first began reading ILY, I realized that YG was an illegitimate child, and had been to jail/rehab (had legal trouble of sorts and was sent away to a facility), and those two things were what made me go "ohohoho this isn't just a romance". (and I've been obsessed ever since).

When Yeong-gi later gets arrested at the party (basically for punching Sang-chul), it felt like a painful parallel to the past (doing the very thing his family criticized him for).

I really did believe that Yeong-gi had aggression issues though. I'm not quite sure how I feel, I think I liked the idea of a Yeong-gi who made mistakes before (and repeated them), so to find out that (most likely) he was wrongfully convicted is crazy.

And finding it out it was Kousuke too? Hoo-BOY. KOUSUKE...!!

But there's technically still two possibilities:

1. Kousuke (and possibly Yui) made up a situation and faked an assault so Yeong-gi would be arrested.

But as we see now, Yeong-gi allowing a guilty verdict may be his way of fighting. He seems to have something planned up his sleeve alongside Yu Jing.

Maybe the way he doesn't flinch when Yui touches him is indicative of this (although he still seems very tense and he glares at her as she walks up to him). That he's fighting back.

That he refuses to be scared anymore. After all, Yui didn't see this coming. And when she goes to intimidate him, this kinda comes across. In 151, he also stands up to his classmates... Things seem to be taking a turn...

I thought about how pleading guilty would help him, and I realized that perhaps Yui had planned to get Yeong-gi stuck for longer than he should've (she knew the judge apparently...) But by pleading guilty, he automatically gets a reduced sentence.

Regardless of how it helps him, it would be SUPER spicy if the second time he's wrongfully convicted, it's him using it to get back at them.

2. Yeong-gi did assault Kousuke.

A post made by @ loverofpearz on instagram, made me realize that there is another possibility:

That what Yeong-gi says at the beginning of the episode is false ("I didn't do anything!") She mentions that Kousuke shows a lot of responses to the threat of violence that may indicate genuine trauma in the past. (He continually asks Yeong-gi whether he's going to hit him. Yeong-gi continually has to reassure him he won't).

It would be very spicy if Kousuke makes fun of him for being brutish and impulsive because he's calling back to something that actually happened in the past.

Loverofpearz is also super gracious to Yeong-gi however, and thinks he may not have done it intentionally and was drugged (remember the whole not liking tea thing?), arguing that Yeong-gi may not have intended to hurt Kousuke. I'm not too sure as of yet... but I do admit it's plausible.

It's not too hard to imagine a disillusioned, vindictive, and (as evidently seen, crazy) Yui putting drugs in the tea she gives the child her husband had with another woman, and then hoping to instigate something that would result in the child ending up in trouble. She's also linked to Sang-chul's date-rape habit.

Did she really plan to have Kousuke hurt? I'm not sure. If this was the case though, it would be heartbreaking to know a key point of tension for these brothers was something completely fabricated.

This being part of Yu Jing's investigation also makes sense, it would be a grievous crime after all.

Both of these possibilities are very angsty (and good for drama later), so it'll be interesting to find out more.

[loudestcloud]

Time for Luffy's fashion exam! Now, I'll be honest, I did skip an outfit because I decided I will be ending this whole thing with the Strawhat fashion show in Episode of Luffy. Also, sorry for the posting gap, I remembered I have other unfinished post sets. That being said, this is a very long one so let's do this!

Kid Luffy, Post-Enies Lobby & Fish-Man Island: I think it's super cute when Luffy has white t shirts with red based logos because it reminds me of the first picture. Makes him look baby plus, they can always be found in cute domestic EPs or fun, cute flashbacks. The shorts change over time and that's also kinda cute, a range of cuffs is a nice change up. It's nice to see the red contrast the blue shorts and the white is a nice color on him cos it contrast his hair!

Romance Dawn, Enies Lobby, Thriller Bark, Sabaody Archipelago, Amazon Lily, Marineford & last Dressrosa outfit: This look is the pre Luffy look. It's the pre Timeskip look everyone thinks of is cuffed shorts, Kimono sandels and sleeveless vest (and Strawhat, obviously) but have you ever seen them all in a line? It's mad. Each outfit is the same basic look bit more are more spicy each time! I like the Thriller Bark and Sabaody Archipelago looks a little bit more cos it's nice to see that jacket open and it feels like he was trying something new. I also feel that the buttons on the jacket look like the ones on Shanks' pegged ankle sailor pants when we first see him so that's cool. (it took me hours to find the name for his trousers, oh my fucking god) The last Dressrosa outfit feels like a nice callback to the rest of the line up here without being too much cos it's just a red vest top instead and I do find it funny it's like the Enies Lobby and it's used in Dressrosa because of the jokes people make about Robin and Law being so similar.

Timeskip: This is it lads, it's the one true icon itself, the post look! ☺️ When I sit back and look at it I see all the people this look is influenced by and want to cry at how masterful it really is. (Now, I do wanna say that I didn't come up with this nor am I the first to say it and I am definitely probably looking too much into this but) The yellow belt is taken from Shanks' red belt the first time we see him and the Shanks look Luffy is more familiar with. Now onto the jacket. I know it won't stand out as to why for most but it's Ace inspired! When Ace leave to become a pirate, the start of his adventure, he has his jacket open and Luffy having his jacket open also shows his scar from the ending of Ace's adventure. I also really appreciate how no one hides scars in this anime. Also, someone said that the style of the jacket and it's fancy frills could be in reference to Sabo's little jabot collar and honestly I do see it. it's quite subtle unlike Shanks' but not as hard to catch as Ace's so I enjoy thinking that it's there too. Lastly, he still has his cuffed shorts and kimono sandels because it's still Luffy's outfit at the end of the day and he is still who is is, just with a stronger appreciation of what people have done for him now. It's also his colour pallette for the pure fact he is the main character n needs his pallet. also sometimes he just has normal wooden sandels but the same outfit sometimes, it's a small detil a lot of people overlook but I prefer the sound of his Kimono sandels 😊

Dressrosa: I love this outfit cos it's stilly but also has very nice vibes. Looks ready for the beach but is really throwing hands and that's the best kind of outfit, it's a nice expectation subversion tbh. I also like how he tried to hide the Straw hat but not... All of it? And I love how the crew didn't actually question it either. It would have been super easy for one of them to just tell him to leave it behind or something but I do really love how respectful they always are of the hat. I myself have a hat that's super important to me and when I loose it I go mad.

Whole Cake Island: I love this arc for outfits! I swear if the actual content of it doesn't kill me, the act looks will 😭 it's all so magical and it knows it is! Like I said before, white is a good color on him as he has black hair but for the same reason, so is black! In this arcs outfit range, the Staw hat seems almost invisible and his outfit gets less and less 'Luffy' as the arc gose on showing this is not about him. He's not the focus of this arc and you can see that in a lot of the outfits thb. I also like the lack of blue and yellow, 2/3 of his colors as Sanji is often associated with those too as we've talked about before. Also, I like the little red strips on the white jacket with the gold buttons, idk why and I think it's nice that the last 2 outfits are so simple in general, it's a nice look for him. oh, what's that? A Pink jabot? Your killing me Lu, straight up killing me here lil' bro! Side note, is this the first time in canon Luffy has worn a suit jacket or is it the only time I've noticed? Cos DAMM!! Shits sick as fuck and I actually love that when wearing a suit jacket as such he always keep short on 😆

Spa Island, Z's Ambition & Strong World: WHOS READY FOR A RELAXING SUNNY DAAAYY!? (pun not intended but very much enjoyed) I actually adore the fact Luffy still tries to go swimming cos it was his favourite thing to do as a kid so like fuck Luffy is gonna give up on that. He's got his safety measures ready, what more do you want from him? I mean I personally want him not to swim with his hat on cos it's litrally Staw and that's not good for water but anyway Z's Ambition, am I right!? The top is so fucking cute and I just noticed those shorts are also ✨designer✨ fancy man!! Now, the pic of Zoro is the one I missed out before and it's also from Z's Ambition. I love that Luffy has the shark top but Zoro has the ocean shorts. I really love Zoro in this purple cos and thick white stripes really work with the ocean waves. It's really well put together and hes got dark brown sandels on to off set all the white but keep the purple from being a stand out color, it's cool! Than the last Luffy looks like he's at a fashion show. It looks like the shorts come from a kids set the shark top belongs to. Imagine those together, it'd be so cute. However, it isn't an ocean patten, those are clouds cos Nami has a bikini top with the same pattern in Skypiea and it's actually one of my favourites for her.

Boss Luffy Historical Special! This filler AU is so much fun, I think any it a lot. He has his hair up in that super cute and useless way that doesn't actually do much but I do have my hair like that a lot n it's just... nice? Idk, it's strange buy I like he did that. I really enjoy his Kimono more that the actual Wano one cos it's a lot more simple look. The Sai being tucked in in that way is also cool but kinda makes it look like it's stabbing him a bit 👁️👄👁️. I like the pin strips being like a faded purpleish cos if you just glance at it, it makes it look it fuzzy. The belt also looks very nice with the middle ligter bit. It really feels like the Wano one was inspired by this is a way cos of the color matches. Like, it's probably not but still.

3D2Y, Adventure of Nebulandia 😍 & Heart of Gold: Hat-less Luffy is both a sin and a blessing. Regardless, I LOVE OP BOYS IN HOODIES!! I had to show you this specific the 3D2Y because we don't see the hood and it's soooo cute cos it a paw 😍 but also 😬 cos it's like... Kuma's paw the thing that cause 3D2Y in the first place. But that's also why it's so cool at the same time and AHHHHHH 😄 Now! On to Nebulandia! I really like this movie but also in canon, how does he have that jumper? Who made it for him and can I have one? It's Usopp flag design so I guess it could be him but he doesn't seem the type. Point is I want one. Last of this set is some really cosy outfits!! "How much fur?" "Yes" am I right? Like the first one is sooooo cosy with all the fur! Plus, a funky new bamboo hat, always a good thing to have a new hat. I appreciate that you can see the zips on these too. Then the orange turtle neck one with little fluffy bits is just here cos it's so out of his usual looks, I had to at least mention it.

Strong world & Film Z: The shorts on the first one are really cute cos it's a light rosey pink with red fur and just a plain solid dark blue colour jacket works really well. Not to mention the fact he has a super cute orange and yellow flight helmet hat with goggles on under the Staw hat. The 2 bag straps also make an X which is a nice detail. The 2nd outfits in this movie are super fuckin cool ngl. It's so strange to see them all dress in black and have guns but I like the red shirt for him with the yellow highlighted parts. Makes the Straw hat actually work with the outfit instead of ignoring it. Film Z brings us the same flight helmet hat just brighter and without the goggles but also opens with this T-Shirt and Luffy being silly with it. I think that's the only reason to mention it, it's funny. Then the obligation pirate outfit, always stunning plus the meat belt.

Film: Gold & Stampede (also used in Cidre Guild): these are my top 3 Luffy outfits no matter what else I see. I love the straw cowboy hat sooooo much cos it's very Luffy. I like the balls they has as a team to choose white for all of them, considering they are all quite messy people, living for that dad shirt and I like the Golden chain around his neck but am always confused as to why it was never used against him. Like dude could and should have tried to choke him at least once, right? Anyway, the dress! Now, the dress isn't actually that good but it's my favourite because it shows how Luffy has no fucks about gendered things. On to of that, a big pink flower is wonderful and look at his confidences in it, he's so proud of it the boom, Nami told him he can't wear it! Lastly, the Stampede outfit!!! Just like the Nebulandia jumper, I have no idea who made it but it's irrelevant cos it's beautiful and I want it so badly. I like that it's white and red stripes, gives thenprefect vibes for Stampedes opening. The shirt is actually too big for him, you can see on his arms but it's actually super cute. I love the simple look of these shorts then the fact his yellow belt is replaced with white bandages and the black on the kimono sandels are now red? It's such a simple pallet and it's truly the best!

I also just wanna add, I think it's really cute when Luffy has the Straw hat on his back just cos his hair is really cute. Idk why, it's looks kinda cursed but cute at the same time

This post took 2 weeks or so to make and we made listening to the complete BNHA soundtrack, film gold OST and Sonic generations vol.1

Sanji

Zoro

Nami

[caranfindel]

Episode recap/review: Walker 1.14

I didn't expect to recap 1.14 and yet here I am, still avoiding my unfinished Summergen fic. I'm actually writing this in real time, as I watch the episode. So for once I'm not pretending I don't know what happens. I literally don't know.

We begin with Cordell and Grandpa clearing up the crime scene. How much do I love Cordell saying "Daddy?" A lot. And not in that way, you perverts. It just really brings out the Texan.

Liam is in bed, recuperating. He gets a call (note that he calls himself William professionally, which is news to me, and I like it for whatever reason) from someone asking for a comment, which he starts to angrily refuse before Gramma Walker grabs his phone and hangs up. Gramma Walker going all Mama Bear for Liam is also interesting, and unexpected. But Liam says "I can take care of myself" and she says "No, you can't. None of you boys can." And then looks sadly out the window, where Cordell and Grandpa are taking down the crime scene tape. I just have to think "none" and not "both" means she's thinking of poor dead Hoyt, who she obviously loved like a son, if not more so. (More evidence for the Hoyt is her lovechild file? Maybe.)

Geri shows up, wearing an unnecessary cowboy hat and Hoyt's old jacket. She's bearing Hoyt's last will and testament, written on a bar coaster! Oh, my heart. And in case you can't read it:

If I get shivved in the shower or some old horse kicks me upside the head. For real Liam stamp it and everything - I leave everything to Geri/"Geraldine Broussard"/angle [sic] face sweet lips etc. So that plot I bought over in Tanglewood is for her and whatever I got in my pockets or elsewhere. See ya in the next life.

Angle face!

I'm not sure this would stand up in court, since he didn't even sign his last name, although it is witnessed by William Walker. Anyway, it's a moot point, because the land Hoyt intended to give Geraldine "Angle Face" Broussard is transferring to new owners, effective tomorrow. Which makes no sense. The deal fell apart because he died, and yet it's so soon after his death that the police tape is still up. New owners wouldn't be in the picture that quickly. Reverting to previous owners, because it was owner-financed? Sure. But not new owners. (Whatever, Caranfindel. Move it along.) She asks Cordell to go with her to gather his personal belongings. And to bring the kids. Hmmm, let's see how Stella can mess this up. (Tanglewood is 71 miles from Austin. Of course I looked it up.)

But first, Cordell has to sign paperwork to begin his leave of absence. So he didn't actually intend to quit. I mean, we all knew he'd be back, but I kind of thought he was, at the time, intending to quit for good. Does Connie the HR person have a big old crush on him? There is hand touching and deep, serious gazing.

Touch him, Connie. Touch him for those of us who cannot.

Micki is sitting right outside the conference room where he signs his papers but still acts surprised that he's in the building. Did she not smell the rosemary mint shampoo as he walked by? He thanks her for the flowers and apologizes for not calling her back. And then cancels their lunch plans so he can go off with Geri and the kids.

Someone said this on Tumblr, and I think it bears repeating here. It's interesting comparing Cordell's grief, over his wife and now his best friend, to Sam's grief. Cordell is clearly deeply affected, and is also clearly moving on. Sam is just unhinged.

Elsewhere. The gang stops for lunch and reminisces about Hoyt dressed as Santa, wearing assless chaps. Well. That's memorable. (Also, I know people who did the whole leaving horse manure and pretending it's reindeer poop thing. Some people are just a lot more into Santa than I was.) Trevor (Travis? Whatever) called Stella. She's apparently avoiding him. Probably a good call, sis. Maybe the only one you've made in 14 episodes. (To be fair, I didn't watch the first four.)

Micki shares tacos with her boyfriend, whose name I can never remember, having been stood up by Cordell. She tells him Cordell seemed "off," which is great now, Micki. Why didn't you pay more attention to that feeling last week? The BF thinks Micki herself might be off, because she misses her partner. And she calls him family. Captain What's His Face comes to talk to Trey (that's his name, dammit) and asks if he knows a guy who goes to the same physical therapist's office. Friends, when I've done PT, I don't even know people who go to my therapist, let alone just go to someone in the same office. But maybe folks in Austin are just friendlier than they are round these parts. Oh, wait. The guy is missing, and was last seen in a heated discussion with Trey? What's up with that, Trey?

Tanglewood. Cordell asks the nice lady (realtor? owner?) about Hoyt's "personal affects," and she says "they are probably out grazing." Because Hoyt's personal effects are four horses and a llama. Which Geri owns now. "Where am I going to board four horses and a llama?" she asks. Cordell is oddly befuddled (and adorably, cause y'all know how I feel about befuddled Jared), as if he didn't live on a ranch. With horses. The family business, remember? The kids are entranced. I would be too. It's a damn cute llama. One of the mares actually nursed the llama, so they're family. (Watch out for falling anvils.)

Micki's house. Trey says the "heated discussion" was the missing guy showing him a judo move. Captain asks Trey to ride along and help him investigate, and poor partnerless Micki asks if she can come with.

Tanglewood. Apparently Hoyt's personal affects also included gear for the four horses, because everyone is saddled up. Geri doesn't seem like an experienced rider - she keeps her hand on the pommel of the saddle, which I always heard was a rube move. (At least she's not clutching the saddle horn. No shade. It's hard not to. It's a perfect handle and it's just right there.) Cordell, of course, rides perfectly, as he does everything perfectly.

Everything except his job. And raising his kids. But do I care about those things? Not so much.

Geri thinks the llama looks unwell. What is she, a llama expert? A veterinarian? And what are they doing on this trail ride anyway - taking the herd back to the Walker ranch? It's 71 miles away! It's an hour and a half driving! How will they get the truck? Why didn't Cordell just say "let's go back to the ranch and get Daddy's cattle trailer?" WHY.

(No one cares. No one but you thinks about these things.)

Stella is on her phone, but it turns out she's (allegedly) re-reading Hoyt's last text, not chatting with friends. And then she says she was "responsible for everything." Oh, wait. We're going there? Stella is finally going to face the music? Cordell says it's not her fault, but they're interrupted by the llama, who apparently is in distress. Cordell wants to leave him at a random homestead. Permanently? Like, "excuse me, ma'am, but can you take this llama?" Or just while they get the horses home? I dunno.

August doesn't like this, because the llama and the horses are family. Geri distracts him by claiming Hoyt wanted him to have the jacket she's wearing, although I find this rather dubious, because why did she wait so long to mention it? Why is she wearing it herself? It's a lucky jacket he won from a tarot card reader and card hustler named The Mystifying Mehar, who was "infamous for getting out of trouble because of that jacket." Cordell then asks Geri to go off with the kids while he hangs back and tries to ditch the llama. Oh no, Cordell, don't do that. He's family!

Back at the ranch, Grandpa chases off some more journalists. He also ignores Gramma's concern about his cancer.

Trail ride. We skipped the whole bit where Cordell found someone willing to take in a goddamn llama, caught up with his kids, and told them what he did. They're mad that he wouldn't even try, and then Stella impulsively rides off, almost falling into a revine.

Team Sassyboots 2.0 questions the missing guy's wife. Turns out he left a note. Doesn't sound like he's as missing as they thought. He said he would "fix everything," i.e., their upcoming foreclosure. They check his workshop and find evidence that he was a military contractor, and apparently this means he should have no money problems whatsoever, because they don't understand how money works. His gun safe is empty, so they figure he's on some kind of "black ops" job. And if it's going to be complete by Monday, I assume it's something local, and not a military operation.

Walker Ranch. Someone who is Liam's "political opponent" comes to take care of him? And he's bringing barbeque? Is it poisoned? Gramma says Liam can't have barbecue because he's on bedrest, as if one had anything to do with the other. And... Grandpa wants to go mushroom hunting with her? Is that what the kids call it these days?

Trail ride. Cordell found someone to keep the horses. Temporarily? I'm still confused. Stella and Geri talk about Hoyt, and Stella asks about her forgiving him. Thinking about some forgiveness toward your own bad boy, Stella? She says "the two of you were always kind of like the dream to me," which is odd considering they were off-and-on, while her parents were very much on, and definitely seem more like couple goals. But okay. Stella confesses again that she is responsible, and Geri says "you let love in, maybe; that's your worse crime." I wonder if Stella blames herself for the fake truck crash that started the whole domino effect, or if she even realizes that's what happened. Obviously Geri wouldn't. Hmmm, I wonder what August thinks about all this?

Walker Ranch. Whoever this political opponent is, he must be a family friend, because he gave a toast at Cordell and Emily's rehearsal dinner. "Hey, when did your brother have such long hair," he asks, looking at a picture of the happy couple. Liam is growing facial hair again. I like it. Opponent suggests the spicy barbecue will put hair on Liam's chest and Liam tosses it aside and says "no, dammit, after I spent all that time waxing?" And Liam might drop out of whatever race he's in. I don't really care about that part. Let's talk more about Liam's chest.

I love that they can use actual Padalecki family photos as Cordell and Emily photos. No bad Photoshop needed!

Team Sassyboots 2.0. I don't really care about this missing guy either. Skipping it. You know, I understand this is meant to be an ensemble show, and Jared Padalecki and his stupid pretty face and long legs are not going to be in every scene. But Micki working a case with her boss and her boyfriend just bothers me and I don't want to be a part of it.

Trail ride. They're bedding down in the barn for the night? What the fuck? Where are they? Why didn't they just drive home? I'm so confused! Cordell and Geri talk about Hoyt some more. Cordell makes an awkward comment about "us together" and then amends it to mean all of us together, as in you and me and the kids camping right now, not, like, you and me together together, and then does a little eyebrow thing like whoo, good job, talked your way out of that one. NO, CORDELL, YOU ARE NOT AS SMOOTH AS YOU THINK YOU ARE. Anyway. There's a lot of guilt about poor dead Hoyt. Cordell tells Geri her name is still on the Sidestep lease (lease? I thought they owned it?), as if being part owner of a bar is always going to be a good thing, with no liability at all. And they don't kiss, for which I am grateful. The horses are really acting up. I hope nothing's happening.

Cordell checks on the horses and apologizes to the mare for leaving the llama behind. He realizes he made the wrong choice. "You know what," he says. "Let's go fix this."

I adore him.

Walker Ranch. Grandpa and Gramma have been mushroom hunting and are now getting silly. Um, what kind of mushrooms did you two find? And then Grandpa says "tonight's about Hoyt," which I do not understand. "I saw the joy he gave you," Grandpa says. Yes, Grandpa, and do you not find that even a little bit fishy? And then he decides to build something.

Trail ride. Cordell went and retrieved his llama! He is precious. I love him so much. He has some pratfalls in the same ravine that almost caught Stella, and then his family shows up and rescues him. (Can I point out that his "a-ha-ha" laugh is the same one we heard when he opened his gift from Dean in "A Very Supernatural Christmas" and I'm not sure it appeared in any other episode?) August offers the Lucky Jacket to use as a llama harness to haul the little guy out of the ravine. Oh, and it turns out the llama is about to give birth.

And, while I'm skipping Team Sassyboots 2.0, it's hard to ignore that Micki is now in a UFC fight. That might have been an interesting story after all. Y'all can fill me in.

Walker Ranch. They're building a little stable. Because this big horse ranch doesn't have enough stables. Liam, who was bedridden to the point of not being able to eat barbeque yesterday, is now helping build. He gets a text from his former fiance, who wants to talk. And Grandpa has decided to treat his cancer. Happy endings all around!

Micki's house. She says she was passive-aggressive with Walker because she's afraid of losing him. I get it, sweetie. He's someone you don't want to lose.

Trail ride. August is carrying the newborn llama, wrapped in the Lucky Jacket. Geri wants to cut out before they get to the ranch. She's going to ride the bus home? Seriously? Isn't her car at the Walker Ranch? She and Cordell talk abou their unfinished business. Yeah, like the fact she was probably involved in your wife's murder? That unfinished business, Geraldine? Grandpa meets them before they get to the ranch and informs them he has a strict no-llama policy on the ranch. But luckily, he just built an alpaca stable. They’re alpacas, not llamas. So, Geri called him, but how did he know they were alpacas? Did she send pictures? I am so confused. Anyway. The new family goes into their new home. They name the baby alpaca Hoyt, of course.

Little Hoyt, guys, he's the sweetest thing.

Breakfast. Political Opponent gives Liam a contribution. Oh, I get it. They're running for the same office, and he thinks Liam will draw votes away from his other opponent. Shrewd. Stella calls Trevor and says she might need to leave the past behind. And you are the past, Trevor. Cordell sees a truck pull up and runs out to meet Micki. She apologizes for holding a grudge over him leaving. She tries to shake hands and he hugs her instead. She thinks they can just be friends now instead of partners, and he says they're not friends, they're family. And then she oohs and aahs over the alpacas, which she recognizes immediately as alpacas and not llamas, and also points out that little Hoyt is actually a girl. Oops. Awkward. Cordell is surprised she can just tell. "Most people can." Yeah, you are the worst rancher's son ever. Then Cordell sees the fence is carved with a memorial to Hoyt. Aw.

He is also the sweetest thing.

So. Less drama than last week. More warmth. A ridiculous B story that was as annoying as giving Cas his own plot. Will I still watch next week? Yeah, probably. I have questions. How did Grandpa know they were alpacas? Where is the baby daddy? Can Cordell and his rancher father really not tell the difference between a male and female alpaca? Why is Geri riding the bus home, when her car is at the Walker's? Why is she avoiding the Walker Ranch? Will August ever get his own plot again?

It's just a shame that this episode didn't have any shout-outs to Supernatural, like the last one did...

[sonickedtrowel]

So, long ask warning again. 😬 I'm back (if I can!).

Oh yeah. I agree with your criticism - was just thinking in terms of what the show gave us. There's precedent set (like 10 never telling Rose and THAT being a super huge "omg" moment several times throughout his time). I can see them not saying it a lot, but I do firmly believe like you that the Dr definitely told River they love her a lot more than we saw. And yeah, Let's Kill Hitler definitely was a confession - they can pry that from our cold dead hands because there's absolutely nothing else he could've said.

I mean someone could argue River always had a back up plan when she jumped out of the buildings etc but like. She absolutely didn't lmao. Opening an airlock to space? Jumping out of the high rise in 1969? Like I think Moffat wanted to create "unrest" to make it "spicy" or something - like how most TV shows won't let couples be domestic and happy - bc he definitely did that with Amy and Rory their entire time for... Absolutely no reason and attributed to about 85% of why I didn't like 11's run too much the first time I saw it. Hadn't noticed TATM was the shift for Dr/River's dynamic, but you're right (and come to think of it, wasn't that like... The first time they ever brought up "he doesn't like endings" like ever?? I mean it'd make sense, with meta and analysation, but if I remember correctly 11 didn't really show any emotions before then about endings - hell, he seemed p content in the Big Bang 2). And I would've liked to have seen it, too, if Moffat was gonna pull that shit like he did. At least give us the good angst feels (with the comfort later or else why have it at all lol) and not just say, "lol so River has more angst but we don't have time to get into that right now (or ever)." Bc I remember the first time I saw THoRS and being so confused - bc where did all that come from???? Fics have made good of what's been given but Moffat really went, "lol continuity whomst. Everything must be dark and mysterious!"

I agree with your analysis of it lol - they kinda left no other way to do it. I wish we'd gotten more of a breakdown after the Ponds. Like we know 11 became a broody sod for a year and then Clara magically pulled him out and he never really brooded again. And I suppose River saying she's fresh from Manhattan MIGHT explain why we never see more from her about it. But her being fresh from Manhattan and being perfectly okay and like That with Ramone during THoRS??? Doesn't really make sense. She's got bravado and can put up a show but there's no point to that when no one around would need the extra show (and she didn't even need to go and be around people at all, which I kinda feel like she probably didn't, at least not for a while). Esp since she didn't realize who 12 was and had accepted the Dr must be somewhere else. But yeah, Moffat was hella wrong (about far more than their established dynamic lol).

You’re so right.  Like, let’s start with JUST some quotes from River’s introductory episodes.  AND I KNOW, this is after Darillium, but I think we can all agree at the time it was written there was no intention for Darillium to have been 24 years and that this reflects her attitude to their relationship basically up to and, in fact, including TATM. RIVER: Thanks. DOCTOR: For what? RIVER: The usual. For coming when I call. RIVER: I trust this man with my life, with everything. LUX: You've only just met him. RIVER: No, he's only just met me. DOCTOR: I don't give my screwdriver to anyone. RIVER: I'm not anyone. ANITA: You say he's your friend, but he doesn't even know who you are. RIVER: Listen, all you need to know is this. I'd trust that man to the end of the universe. And actually, we've been. RIVER: You know when you see a photograph of someone you know, but it's from years before you knew them. and it's like they're not quite finished. They're not done yet. Well, yes, the Doctor's here. He came when I called, just like he always does. DOCTOR: I bet I like you. RIVER: Oh, you do. Then we have the Angels... DOCTOR: I'm nobody's taxi service. I'm not going to be there to catch you every time you feel like jumping out of a space ship. RIVER: And you are so wrong.  (I know they play this as a double-entendre but it’s clear she’s not only talking about the angel.  I mean, SHE JUMPED OUT THE SPACE SHIP.) Anyway I don’t really think I need to go on, it’s CLEAR River was under no illusions of how much she meant to the Doctor and had no doubts that he’d always show up when she called so I really really hate how we have to either reverse-engineer a mostly-off screen relationship crisis after TATM or just let her rant in THORS tinge everything we’ve seen of entire their relationship up to that point, which seems very unfair to all involved, audience definitely included. However I do think River is very far from being okay in the beginning of THORS, in a lot of ways she’s reverted to the chaotic behavior she got up to more when she was young, and does not seem at all like the much more settled older River we know, even though this is as old as she’ll be before the Library.  She’s messing around with fuckboys and though she gives the impassioned rant to Hydroflax about how she’s going to right his wrongs then she just goes to fence the diamond lol.  I see 11′s behavior in 7B (tried sulking, didn’t work, now I’m going to pick up a new human and go have adventures and ignore all of my problems and feelings) as very much the same sort of thing.  But like.  GIVE US SOME MORE CONTEXT PLEASE.  OR AT LEAST LET US KNOW THIS WAS GOING ON WHILE IT WAS GOING ON AND NOT WAY AFTER????  And now bc of this we get shit like James Goss’s takes on their relationship in BF and UUUuuuUUUUuuuughhhhhhhhhh Yea I’ll be ranting about this till the end of my days, it’s fine, it’s fine

I’m so tired