#idk arthur’s grief is never really explored in the show

[echolocalia]

He then realises with a certain gravity that Arthur Pendragon has not recognised the man in his reflection is a long, long time.

He can actually pinpoint the moment.

He was wandering the halls, just as he was now. He couldn’t have been more than nine summers old.

He remembers looking into the mirror and grinning, a wobbly, gap-toothed grin, he had been unsure of himself, but now he felt like he could fly. He had just unwrapped the bandage from his first ‘battle wound’. Squire trained had started that day, he had nicked himself on a sword.

That was before father actually began to acknowledge his existence and began getting very hurtful in his words.

An older Arthur looks back at him in the mirror, weathered and battle-worn, with too many scars to count, eyes red and face splotchy, he will hear no more of what his father has to say.

[melrosing]

Ok speaking of changes GOT made… is there any changes you like? I struggle to find big moments, but there are small additions I love. Like Ned praying before he dies, Robb hitting the tree when he finds out, the chemistry that Kit Harrington and Rose Leslie have…. But there are very few structural changes I think improve the story.

hmmm so I can't lie there is a LOT I just don't remember anymore about the show, so wringing my mind a little to come up with something.....

I won't mention things that I think were adapted well (like Ned's execution) as those aren't adaptational changes. and I also won't mention things that I like the idea of (e.g. Jaime's dyslexia) but not the execution (they made out it was part of the longrunning 'stupidest Lannister' joke).

and like.... well I'm stuck already lmao?? I'm not even trying to shit on the show I just feel like it was a consistent exercise in either understating GRRM's work or butchering it entirely. so I can think of only a few things:

I can't find the link to where I talked about this at length but the scene in which Jaime and Ned duel in the streets of KL was a good one imo. I think it was more in character for Jaime to just recklessly fight Ned himself, and a neat parallel to what I suspect will happen between Ned, Arthur and Howland - in that when Ned is attacked from behind by one of Jaime's men in the midst of their fight, Jaime angrily ends the duel bc his man has essentially dishonoured it. I think Ned's fight with Arthur will end as it did in the show (with Howland stabbing Arthur from behind and Ned finishing the job, bc he needs to reach Lyanna), and this is like a parallel to show Jaime and Ned have the same principles, yet each have broken them in times of desperation. My personal theory is that this was a change GRRM recommended - the parallel seems notable to me, and not one that would've even occurred to D&D, esp. given they never gave any particular shit about Jaime's story. And this may sound spurious but I recall that GRRM remembers in an interview, saying the weather was different in the show version of the scene than in the books.... which makes me think he was maybe onset for this one, possibly because of the rewrite??

I'm v much in favour of ageing up the youngest characters. My ideal starting ages for the youngest characters in AGOT would've been Jon/Robb/Dany - 18, Joffrey/Sansa - 14, Arya - 12, Bran - 10. To me they all feel much too young for the roles they play in the story, and it occasionally kills my suspension of disbelief

I way prefer the book’s version of the Red Wedding but I do feel like Catelyn's single cry of despair works better than the book's manic laughter. maybe the laughter was a more vivid image for the books idk

I do actually like how we see Robb's grief onscreen it's very movingly played by Richard Madden. I also love Catelyn's expressions as Robb rides back from the Whispering Wood, like both these scenes are great reminders of their mother/son relationship in a setting where they aren't really allowed to be just that. and like just Michelle Fairley tbh I really like her work as Catelyn even though I don't like how the character was adapted more generally

Breaking the 'concept but not execution' rule just to say I think it was definitely a good idea to explore the High Sparrow as this weirdly charismatic figure so we can see how others might be taken in by him, even whilst we see the extremes of his faith. but that subplot was not executed well at all so fuck it

Yeah I agree that Jon and Ygritte having a slightly more charged romance also works. In the books Ygritte comes and goes quite quickly and I think there is something to be said for lending a bit more gravity to that relationship. I don't think they necessarily had to be the grand romance that the show makes them out to be but I didn't hate it

I might be forgetting other things that worked because some seasons I haven't seen since like 2015, but honestly it just doesn't work for me as an adaptation. things I liked in the show before reading the books feel completely naff in hindsight, knowing how they were supposed to play out, so..... eh

[retvenkos]

have I told you i wrote a Tommy Shelby fic that was 6k words in two days??

anyways, where are u on pb? what's happened? who's ur fave character? I NEED ALL UR THOUGHTS

6k in tWO DAYS????? god, i love that for you. if you have any fics you want me to read without getting spoiled.... 👀👀 i will read any and all of them.

i’m on season four and i’m halfway through episode 3. and..... there is a lot™ happening.......... choices have been made........... y’know, i’m going to come right out and say it, i think that john’s death scene would have had way more impact had we actually gotten to know his character.

okay, so here’s the thing: peaky blinders is good at fleshing out specific characters of its choosing. the other characters play into a slew of tropes and while that isn’t bad, it generally makes for the characters having little impact. john was never on their top list of fleshed out characters until the show knew it was going to kill him off. then, they tried to shoehorn in a couple of minutes and while i loved those minutes, they weren’t enough to truly let me mourn.

plus... the show has a really weird relationship with letting characters mourn in that, generally..... it doesn’t. they’ll let characters be sad and wistful for two lines of dialogue™ but only at moments when it serves the plot. there’s never inconvenient grief or just.... grief (except for polly, which is a weird “women can be sensitive, men can’t” thing). had we seen more mourning, it would have been even more impactful.

and maybe it might come? idk. but even still, the death kind of felt like... a plot device. john never really had an arc going in so it’s not like his death was poignant in that it was the end of his arc or it cut his arc off prematurely. he just.... died and i hope it’s not just so tommy can have his obligatory sad scenes this season. i hope john is more than just a pawn to boost tommy’s character.

but yeah, i have mixed feelings about that death. it was a sad (and beautifully done) moment in show, but it wasn’t powerful (at least, to me) because... did we ever know john? beyond his tropes and archetypes? did we?

lol, i went off about that. on to other things! i have a feeling that people really love michael and while i don’t hate him, he’s just.... not my favorite character? i don’t mind him or his scenes i just don’t think he’s it. 

i actually really love ada tho? like, wow. what a woman. i just think she’s neat. i wish her husband hadn’t died, and i’m still kind of salty he was just... never mentioned again but i guess it’s fine. in general i would love more attention to the supporting cast, lol.

i also think arthur is an interesting character? like, lol, don’t get me wrong i wouldn’t chill with this man irl, i just think there’s a lot that could be explored there. he’s one of the more fleshed out characters and i just think his character arcs are interesting.

i’ve already stated my love for polly..... i thought alfie solomons was so cool (i also think it’s so funny that thomas continues to trust this man.... bro what?)....... esme is a cool character who i would like to see more of (although she said she was leaving? come back please)...... i want to see more of isaiah and finn!

i just want ~more~.

[a-merman-not-a-guppy]

BDRP Questionnaire

Your Name: Lena Characters: Arthur, Ashley, Clarion, Dot, Finn, Louie, Sora/Roxas, Tad, Wilbur

Pick one of your characters and talk about their growth (we recommend choosing an older character, but it’s up to you!): To be honest I’m most proud of Finn and how the progression of his story and being bullied has been, as well as the slow but steady regaining of confidence. I think that’s been especially gratifying for me. It’s great to have that story build and see the way in which it played out. I didn’t know exactly how his confidence would grow, but it’s still beautiful to see how he’s starting to try new things in choir, and he doesn’t cower in fear of people the same way that he did in the beginning. There are still set backs of course but it’s honestly so refershing to have these little moments that show how he’s grown. Even an interaction with someone like Pip might have made him cower a lot more in the past. These days he thinks Pip is kind of funny and intense but he can handle it. I just think that’s neat. 

I’d also like to honorable mention Celia and Anthony. Celia in particular because she was my first muse back. I got her in September of 2018 and she left town in July of 2020, and it’s honestly such a thrill to have been able to properly close a character like I did with her. She was one of the ones that I thought would be more timid like Finn but actually ended up a lot more confident and sure of herself as time went on too. I loved that about her, and how she was quiet but she was very aware of herself and others and so so so smart. Her breaking the curse and being able to leave is my joy. It’s awesome to have a character end happy like that.

And Anthony also I’m proud of for sticking the evil route to the end, finding a chaotic method to destroy and going for it. I’m really glad I got to accomplish a good villain arc.

Pick another character (or the same character if you only have one) and talk a little about where you WANT them to go. What are your plans for them going into the new year? So I’ll go with my new babe Tad since he’s still fresh and exciting. But I want to see him get more in the drug scene and explore that a little more. I wanted to do that with one of my other characters before but it just didn’t work as well story wise. With Tad I’m really looking forward to seeing where he goes with that and what kind of trouble he can stir up. We do love chaotic idiots. Also with Ashley my plan is to have her figure out the motherhood thing but also have her try to start college by september of the following year. I think it’d be cool to see if/when she could figure all that out. I want to explore more of Dot’s trauma. I haven’t really touched on it that much because she’s been burying it so I’m looking forward to bringing that to light a little bit more.

Pick a thread or a plot that you’re proud of and talk about why you loved it: So I know I’ve said this somewhere before, but one of my favorites was Nemo nearly drowning in the lake and finding out that Finn was a merman. It was just such an important moment in both of their stories, and I feel like that was some of my best writing because it was so pivotal. It was a really powerful time for them both, and they shared who they were with each other. I loved it.

Another that I’m really proud of is the whole knights plot. I have generally known what I’ve wanted to do with Arthur since I got him, and it’s taken a great deal of time to get him and other characters where they are today. It’s still ongoing obviously, but I really loved writing the search for Excalibur with Arthur and John and how Arthur came into his own and realized just who he was in truth. It’s a plot that I’m both proud I got to start, and excited to see how it develops in the future.

In terms of your own writing, identify 1-3 strengths and talk about why you think it’s one of your strengths.: boy do I hate these questions. I’m always very self-critical with myself and my writing. I will say that one of my strengths I think is really being able to express a character’s voice and sort of showcase the kind of energy they have with some dialogue or whatever. I think I’m good about making each of my muses very distinct. Another thing that was not my strength in the past but I think that I have made it one is being able to properly progress a story and have a focus for it. I used to have a hard time maintaining characters cause ideas would fizzle and I wouldn’t know where to take my muses. These days I’m happy to say I do know the general direction for all my characters and it’s allowed me to plot a lot better and tell more compelling stories I think.

In terms of your own writing, identify 1-3 areas of improvement.: So I think this might be a similar weakness that I’ve said before but I’m bad about action. I think I need to do better about driving things forward. I think sometimes I still rely too much on the other person to do that and that’s not great. I try to keep in mind at least one action among the thoughts and words and I think I do that, but I still feel like I should improve on that. I don’t want to go too deep on weaknesses either cause it just makes me linger and fret over it.

Pick one of your plots, or even just a character, and come up with a list of 3-5 “mentor texts” where you can look for inspiration or research, then write a short (2-4 sentences) why you picked those texts. (They don’t have to be books, either!)

For Tad:

The Good Place (Character study of Jason): I like looking to shows and movies for inspo where I can, and there is a great deal about Jason that I can draw things from. Honestly the general sort of energy is kind of a helpful guiding point. It’s not necessarily every sort of way he speaks, but it does give suggestions, and helps me sort of develop my muse more.

For Dot:

Never Have I Ever: this was inspo for my muse from the beginning, when she was in development. It was why I got the brain blast on what I wanted to do with Dot’s wings. The whole psychosomatic thing in this show inspired me a great deal when it comes to Dot. So this is great. Also the show does a really good job addressing grief, and I want to go back and study it again so I can kind of see how to tell Dot’s story even better. For Ashley:

Gossip Girl/Mean Girls/Heathers: not gonna lie, Ashley has had a myriad of things that has helped inspire her and helped me get her character. I would say Heathers and Mean Girls are definitely more referenced to than Gossip Girl, but there’s still elements of that and the wealthy elite energy.  And now, a wishlist!: -a heroic rescue. be Sora’s damsel/guy in distress. I feel like I thought of this plot and things got hectic and I haven’t been able to do it. I want him to do some rescuing. -a simple little romance for Arthur. I want him to find something soft and cute and just vibe a bit. He’s always so into the work I wish for him to have a steady date. -exploring grief! i said it with Dot, I want to explore that more with her -more dates for my muses. I really like cute romantic things or even little flings so I want to get them out there and toy with those types of relationships. Doesn’t have to last, can most definitely be a hot mess. I just want more. teen romances are especially flimsy at points and i want to toy with that. -a fey’s gold plot with Tad. Someone get in trouble and stoned with him -more police things with Arthur. feel like i’ve dropped the ball a little, but if any of you want him involved in a thing, lmk. -revive the VFD. bring in more cops. I just want a cool buddy cop comedy -get in another fight. missing the fights some of my muses have gotten into. Let’s have some more -shenanigans. more pranks and stuff. where are all the teen prank wars and why aren’t they happening? i’m just saying. general pranking too is just not as present as it should be -someday again i’d like to tackle a adult parent. maybe a single dad energy is fun. idk switch it up from my last one. I also kind of want the married vibes though cause I do think that’d be a different kind of fun. like Baloo and Bagheera or idk maybe like Flora and Fauna as a promised fairy duo. i truly dunno. these are thoughts -chip and dale. ok but think about it two dumb RAS agents stirring up trouble. admittedly i got a lot of dumbass energy, but i wouldn’t be opposed to more -also that emotions as demons thing is a seriously sick idea and i kind of want to be in on that but also time -i think it’d be kind of fun if the uni and secondary did like a mentor mentee program like for kids who are thinking about college. buddy up. extra credits for the uni student or idk. could be a fun thing to do -own a business again. had it for a brief time but the character wasn’t quite right for me. would love to have a character do that. not sure if/when i could do that but i’d love to find a way. -get a villain again someday. not a soon goal cause i’m content with my last one, but one day =] -utilize the lake more for threads. i want it. i feel like certain locations are go tos and i want to switch things up more. - i feel like i have more things but i’m forgetting them. and often get inspired when i see other people’s wants.

OPTIONAL: Why do you RP? It makes me happy. I love the storytelling and the community we build together. It’s also like...I feel like I’ve been writing for half my life now which is kind of crazy, but it’s just one of those things I love doing. I love the friendships I’ve made with this, and the different things that I definitely wouldn’t have discovered if I was on my own. RP brings in a lot of other people’s perspectives and I think that’s so cool. It’s thanks to RP that my music interests changed and I got to find a very good place to find comfort and I am so so so grateful for that. Truly I am. So yeah, I RP because it’s fun and fulfilling and it brings all these opportunities.