#including David’s ‘downfall’

[moxymaxing]

what exactly happened after Williams first death I would love to know

[celestialastronmy]

Social Network Analysis: Nathan Prescott in Life is Strange

Nathan Prescott is a complex and troubled character. His relationships and interactions with other characters play a crucial role in shaping both his own arc and the overall narrative of the game. This analysis aims to provide a detailed examination of Nathan's connections, analyzing the nature and quality of each relationship, and exploring how these relationships influence his actions and decisions.

Throughout the game, Nathan's behavior is deeply influenced by his mental health issues, family pressures, and the manipulative influence of Mark Jefferson. His interactions range from hostile confrontations to moments of vulnerability, painting a picture of a young man struggling with his identity and place in the world.

Mapping Nathan's Connections

To begin our analysis, let's map out Nathan's key relationships in Life is Strange:

1. Sean Prescott (Father)

2. Mark Jefferson (Teacher/Manipulator)

3. Victoria Chase (Close Friend)

4. Chloe Price (Antagonist/Victim)

5. Max Caulfield (Protagonist/Antagonist)

6. Rachel Amber (Victim)

7. Frank Bowers (Drug Dealer)

8. Kate Marsh (Victim)

9. David Madsen (Authority Figure)

10. Principal Wells (Authority Figure)

Now, let's delve into each of these relationships in detail, analyzing their nature, quality, and impact on Nathan's actions and decisions.

Detailed Analysis of Nathan's Relationships

1. Sean Prescott (Father)

Nature of Relationship: Familial, Authoritarian

Quality: Strained, Pressure-filled

Nathan's relationship with his father, Sean Prescott, is perhaps the most influential and problematic connection in his life. Sean is a powerful and wealthy businessman who exerts immense pressure on Nathan to uphold the Prescott family legacy. This relationship is characterized by:

- High expectations and constant pressure to succeed

- Emotional distance and lack of genuine support

- Financial control used as a means of manipulation

- Possible emotional and psychological abuse

The impact of this relationship on Nathan is profound:

- It contributes significantly to Nathan's mental health issues, including anxiety and possible personality disorders

- Fuels Nathan's desire for power and control, often manifested in bullying behavior

- Creates a deep-seated fear of failure and disappointment

- Drives Nathan to seek approval and validation from other authority figures

Nathan's actions throughout the game, including his involvement with Jefferson and his aggressive behavior towards others, can be seen as attempts to gain control and assert his identity in response to his father's overwhelming influence.

2. Mark Jefferson (Teacher/Manipulator)

Nature of Relationship: Mentor/Manipulator, Accomplice

Quality: Toxic, Exploitative

Mark Jefferson, Nathan's photography teacher, presents himself as a mentor figure but is, in reality, a dangerous predator who manipulates Nathan for his own nefarious purposes. This relationship is characterized by:

- False sense of mentorship and guidance

- Exploitation of Nathan's vulnerability and desire for approval

- Complicity in criminal activities (drugging and photographing young women)

- Manipulation of Nathan's mental instability

The impact of this relationship on Nathan is severe:

- Deepens Nathan's involvement in criminal activities

- Exacerbates his mental health issues

- Provides a false sense of purpose and importance

- Ultimately leads to Nathan's downfall and arrest(or death)

Jefferson's influence on Nathan is a dark mirror of his relationship with his father - both men use Nathan for their own purposes, disregarding his well-being and exploiting his vulnerabilities.

3. Victoria Chase (Close Friend)

Nature of Relationship: Friendship, Peer Alliance

Quality: Supportive but Potentially Toxic

Victoria Chase is perhaps Nathan's closest friend at Blackwell Academy. Their relationship is complex, marked by mutual support but also by shared negative behaviors. Key aspects include:

- Shared social status and participation in the Vortex Club

- Mutual support and protection within the school's social hierarchy

- Enabling of each other's bullying behaviors

The impact of this relationship on Nathan:

- Provides a sense of belonging and acceptance

- Reinforces his elitist and bullying tendencies

- Offers emotional support, albeit in a potentially unhealthy manner

- Serves as a connection to "normal" teenage life

While Victoria is one of the few people who seems to genuinely care for Nathan, their relationship also reinforces some of his more problematic behaviors.

4. Chloe Price (Antagonist/Victim)

Nature of Relationship: Antagonistic, Victim/Perpetrator

Quality: Hostile, Violent

Nathan's relationship with Chloe Price is fraught with tension and violence. Key aspects include:

- History of drug dealing (Nathan as supplier)

- Attempted assault (Nathan drugging Chloe)

- Violent confrontations

- Murder (Nathan killing Chloe in one timeline)

The impact of this relationship on Nathan:

- Escalates his violent tendencies

- Increases his paranoia and instability

- Leads to one of his most extreme actions (murder)

- Serves as a catalyst for the game's main events

Nathan's interactions with Chloe represent some of his most violent and uncontrolled moments, highlighting the extent of his mental instability and the dangerous influence of Jefferson.

5. Max Caulfield (Protagonist/Antagonist)

Nature of Relationship: Antagonistic, Investigative

Quality: Hostile, Potentially Redemptive

Max, as the game's protagonist, has a complex relationship with Nathan. Initially antagonistic, their interactions can potentially lead to a moment of vulnerability for Nathan. Key aspects include:

- Initial hostility and threats from Nathan

- Max's investigation into Nathan's activities

- Potential moment of confession and vulnerability (depending on player choices)

The impact of this relationship on Nathan:

- Increases his paranoia and defensive behaviors

- Potentially provides a moment of catharsis and confession

- Indirectly leads to the unraveling of his criminal activities

Max's role in Nathan's story is crucial, as she has the potential to either further antagonize him or provide a moment of potential redemption.

6. Rachel Amber (Victim)

Nature of Relationship: Victim/Perpetrator

Quality: Tragic, Pivotal

While Rachel Amber is missing for the majority of the game, her connection to Nathan is central to the plot. Key aspects include:

- Nathan's involvement in Rachel's disappearance and death

- His guilt and mental anguish over the incident

- The catalyst for the game's central mystery

The impact of this relationship on Nathan:

- Deepens his mental health crisis

- Increases his dependence on Jefferson

- Fuels his paranoia and erratic behavior

- Serves as a source of deep-seated guilt and trauma

Rachel's death represents the darkest consequence of Nathan's actions and his manipulation by Jefferson.

7. Frank Bowers (Drug Dealer)

Nature of Relationship: Criminal Association

Quality: Transactional, Potentially Threatening

Frank Bowers, the local drug dealer, has a business relationship with Nathan. Key aspects include:

- Drug purchases and distribution

- Potential blackmail or threats (Frank knows about Nathan's activities)

- Shared connection to Rachel Amber

The impact of this relationship on Nathan:

- Facilitates his drug use and distribution

- Adds another layer of criminal activity to his life

- Represents a potential threat if Frank decides to reveal information

While not as central as some other relationships, Nathan's connection to Frank adds to the web of criminal activity surrounding him and represents another potential source of exposure.

8. Kate Marsh (Victim)

Nature of Relationship: Bully/Victim

Quality: Abusive, Guilt-inducing

Kate Marsh is one of the students victimized by Nathan and Jefferson's scheme. Key aspects include:

- Nathan's role in drugging Kate

- His participation in her bullying and public shaming

- Potential guilt over his actions

The impact of this relationship on Nathan:

- Demonstrates the extent of his involvement in Jefferson's crimes

- May contribute to his increasing mental instability and guilt

- Represents another potential exposure of his criminal activities

Nathan's treatment of Kate is one of the clearest examples of how his own victimization (by Jefferson) leads him to victimize others.

9. David Madsen (Authority Figure)

Nature of Relationship: Antagonistic, Investigative

Quality: Hostile, Threatening

David Madsen, Blackwell's head of security, represents a threat to Nathan's activities. Key aspects include:

- David's suspicion and investigation of Nathan

- Nathan's fear and hostility towards David

- Potential confrontations between the two

The impact of this relationship on Nathan:

- Increases his paranoia and defensive behaviors

- Represents a constant threat of exposure

- May contribute to his escalating erratic behavior

David's presence serves as a constant source of stress for Nathan, adding to his already fragile mental state.

10. Principal Wells (Authority Figure)

Nature of Relationship: Authority Figure, Potentially Complicit

Quality: Complex, Influenced by Prescott Power

Principal Wells has a complex relationship with Nathan, influenced heavily by the Prescott family's power over Blackwell Academy. Key aspects include:

- Wells' reluctance to discipline Nathan due to his family's influence

- Nathan's sense of immunity due to this protection

- Potential guilt or conflict on Wells' part

The impact of this relationship on Nathan:

- Reinforces his sense of being above the rules

- Potentially enables his continued negative behavior

- Reflects the broader theme of corruption and power in the game

This relationship demonstrates how Nathan's family influence extends beyond his personal life, affecting his entire environment and contributing to his sense of invulnerability.

Conclusion

Nathan Prescott's social network in Life is Strange is a complex web of toxic influences, manipulative relationships, and missed opportunities for genuine connection. His actions and decisions throughout the game are deeply influenced by these relationships, particularly:

1. The overwhelming pressure from his father, driving his need for control and validation.

2. The manipulative influence of Mark Jefferson, exploiting Nathan's vulnerabilities for criminal purposes.

3. The enabling friendship with Victoria Chase, which provides support but also reinforces negative behaviors.

4. The antagonistic relationships with characters like Chloe and Max, which escalate his paranoia and erratic behavior.

These relationships create a perfect storm of negative influences, exacerbating Nathan's mental health issues and driving him towards increasingly destructive behavior. The tragedy of Nathan's character lies in the fact that he is both a perpetrator of horrible acts and a victim of manipulation and abuse.

Understanding Nathan's social network provides crucial insight into his character, the events of the game, and the broader themes of power, influence, and the consequences of unchecked mental health issues. It also highlights the game's nuanced approach to morality, showing how complex and intertwined the relationships between victims and perpetrators can be.

Ultimately, Nathan's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of toxic relationships, unchecked privilege, and the failure of support systems for troubled youth. His social network is a key element in understanding not just his character, but the entire narrative and thematic structure of Life is Strange.

[typicalopposite]

10 characters, 10 fandoms

@onthewaytosomewhere thanks for single handedly curing my fandom depression by continuing to include me in theseeeeeeee 😭💕

1. Evan Buckley (look at him! That’s a grown man and I wanna pinch his cheeks and pat him on the head and give him a cookie!!)

2. David 🐶(no it’s not him which only proves he needs to be bumped up to a main character in the sequel!)

3. Nie Huisang (I probably spelled that wrong but— he is just a baby. A baby with ulterior motives hidden behind that sweet little confused face)

4. Gus (the sass, the non existent bravery, the high powered nose, the nearly episodely mental breakdown… Gus is me 😂)

5. Spencer Reid (poor sweet bby gets the short end of the stick everytime… which is my favorite character trope apparently)

6. Lucius (sir should really get paid more! He deals with everyone’s problems and what does it get him a free ride to the fishes)

7. Geralt (ok I’ve never watched the Witcher I still need to… but the strong dark and silent — but still deep down a good person… at least that’s how I perceive him from fanfic — type is always nice)

7. Original Cindy (nothing like a true friend — even if Max doesn’t always deserve it…)

8. Eddie Munson (if he’s not back in s5 I will not watch.. ((this is a lie… but I will be upset)) he deserved better I’m still not over it!)

9. Mickey Milkovich (omg he got his happy ending this happens so rarely with my ships I was so fucking happy when they got married and stayed together!!)

10. Dean Winchester (omg I don’t even want to talk about how his story ended… I am still choosing to pretend the last episode didn’t happen they saved Cas from the empty and they are all relaxing on a beach somewhere)

Tagging @scripted-downfall @luainthewild and @meraki-yao and leaving it open for anyone else of course!

[filthforfriends]

Chapter 3: Medicinal Properties

The Sun is the Center of Everything

Read Author's Note (CW: addiction)

Word count: 2.9k

Damiano David x Y/n

He O.D.ed again. This time it wasn’t nearly as serious, but it still lit a fire under SME’s collective billionaire ass. Somebody was always keeping you updated: Ronnie, Ethan, Mia, Dami’s mother. Considering their commitment to conveying information, a person would assume you had outright requested the latest news on Damiano David’s epic, drug-fueled raging dumpster fire of a downfall. This was not the case. 

Regardless, it was through these channels that you found out Maneskin’s management was willing to renegotiate their contract. Damiano had ascended to a new level of self-destruction: drinking, drugs, unprotected sex, fighting, partying, smoking. He’d nearly been arrested. 

The antics had thoroughly trashed his voice, appearance, reputation, and marketability. Vic, Tom, and Ethan had lost their patience, turning first on Dami, then each other. Sony saw the writing on the wall and Maneskin had a great lawyer this time. Less press, guaranteed time off, more control over their music, and the focus of scheduling shifting to the band’s convenience. SME still demanded a minimum of 35 tour dates, which would be in addition to promotional performances in the year following an album release. It was still extreme, but not outright inhumane.

In return, Maneskin would go to a set of award shows every year with no exceptions. Each album for the rest of their contract would include a single with a featured artist, to be agreed upon by both parties. The exact number wasn’t disclosed, but the band agreed to profit several million dollars yearly in paid promotions and sponsorships. Finally, fix their image, which included Damiano going to rehab. Part of you wondered if the entire deal would fall through because he refused.

Luckily that didn’t happen. Dami went to rehab of his own volition, and checked himself out as soon as possible. Some idiot had contractually obligated Damiano to a mere two weeks, half a program. So he got out on day 15, just past nine in the morning and he did exactly what any knowledgeable person would predict. He went on a bender. 

However, he couldn’t be sloppy this time, and that left you in a constant state of anxiety-induced nausea. While everyone else seemed thrilled not to see him drunk at some club, you knew the reality of the situation. He was doing the same stuff, but alone in his hotel room. There was no one to turn him on his side or administer Narcan. If he made a mistake he was gonna die.

On the nights you managed to sleep, the morning was spent in terror. You refreshed Twitter compulsively, bracing for the news that they had found him cold and stiff, probably covered in the content’s of his stomach. That would forever be the way his light was extinguished. Your manager sat you down for a talk. Your therapist had even more very accurate and totally unhelpful advice.

“What if I can never move on? Like, I never get over him?”

“Tell me about that fear.” She sits back in her teal armchair, legs crossed, loafers polished.

“I thought he was my soulmate. It's like the more I try to get over him, the more of my day is consumed by thinking about him.”

“Addiction doesn’t make him not your soul mate. It gives you another person to contend with. Sometimes you’ll go decades only seeing the occasional glimmer of that person. Other times they can take complete control.”

“How does he get back control?” you ask in exasperation.

“He has to be brave enough to face himself.”

“He’s never going to do that!”

“Really?” She furrows her brow, skeptical.

“He’s an international rockstar and sex symbol. He’s celebrated on a global scale. In addition to that, it takes some prompting for Damiano to be self-reflective. He’s not gonna realize he’s doing the wrong thing because nobody’s telling him that.”

“His friends and family are. You are.”

“Well, what I think doesn’t matter.”

“I doubt that’s true.”

“He used our entire relationship as a tool to justify doing heroin. He doesn’t give a shit about what I think or feel.”

“The hardest thing about loving someone with Substance Use Disorder is forgiveness. What addicts do to feed their addiction isn’t representative of them. It's not fair and it can be very difficult to find that forgiveness when you’re wounded.”

“If he would just act like himself and apologize, I think I’d forgive him.”

“That's very gracious. Unfortunately, addiction is a self-perpetuating cycle. The addict betrays a loved one and knows the only absolution is to apologize and to be forgiven. However, they harbor so much self-loathing for using that they think they’re unforgivable. The idea that the people you love won’t love you back if they knew the real you –”

“That's awful. That's a terrible thing to feel.”

“And because they are using substances to regulate their emotions, an addict will use as a way to escape that feeling, then possibly do something worse. Which creates an even greater weight and that makes them less likely to ask for forgiveness.”   

“‘Because I couldn’t bear you knowing that I was a piece of shit.’” Instead of getting a tissue, you watch as teardrops stain your pants darker.

“Hard drug users always have a reason. A normal person isn’t willing to commit a crime and ingest a possibly deadly substance just to get out of their own head. What Damiano does for work, that would lead most people with addictive personalities to substance abuse. We’ve seen evidence of that over and over.” There's a long pause as you process. “Also, it sounds like he’s already realized he doesn’t like himself on drugs.”

***

Three nights later, the emotional turmoil is tearing up your insides. After worrying on repeat, you get a feeling of certainty that tonight is when it's gonna happen. Dami is gonna combine coke with heroin with alcohol and he’s going to die alone in his hotel room, terrified and thinking he’s unforgivable. You slip in and out of vivid nightmares before waking up with stabbing chest pains.

He’s gone. You know he’s gone because you can feel the death of his body in your own. Finally you break and unblock his number with trembling hands. After two rings you’re sure Damiano won’t pick up, but he does.

“Y/n?” He doesn’t sound like he’s slurring his words, but he’s at a club somewhere, probably exclusive enough that Dami doesn’t worry about prying eyes. “Give me a sec.” You hear a couple doors open and shut as electronic music fades. “Hey, are you okay?”

“Can you just talk to me?”

“Um…okay, I wrote a terrible song today and the label liked it so now I have to burn all the harddrives. A couple shows from now I will be wearing the assless chaps and thong combo from MTV. Somewhat nervous about that because I looked pasty as hell last time and I’ve never used a self tanner. The hotel we stayed at in France had some of the best coffee ever, but the croissants were miniature which was extremely disappointing.” This used to be part of your normal routine while he was on tour. Dami’s voice had this cadence and tone to it that could distract you from anxiety. It was especially nice when you could lay your head on his chest and feel the vibrations of his words as he stroked your hair. Fuck.

“Should I keep going or are you gonna tell me why you called. I thought you had my number blocked.”

“I did,” you try to keep the tears out of your voice. 

“Up until when?”

“10 seconds before I called.”

“What’s going on?” His concern sounded exactly the same, the same affection. I thought you died. 

“I tho – “ You don’t even get to the third syllable before sobbing. It's slightly cathartic, to do what you’ve wanted to: curl in a ball and ugly cry so hard that you’re gasping for air like a toddler. 

“Baby,” he coos. “What happened, baby?”

“I’m not your baby!”

“I – you’re right. I’m sorry, sweetheart – y/n.”

“You don’t have to deal with me being a mess.” He was alive. Your concern was negated.

“No, don’t hang up!” he rushes. “I’ve been wanting to apologize and – wait, why did that make you upset, sweet – y/n?”

“I thought you were dead!” you sob.

“Is there something online?”

“No! I’ve just been so fucking scared that you were gonna die, like every night. I can’t sleep and I just lay here in our fucking bed wondering if every moment is the moment you O.D. I’m powerless! I just have to wonder if you’re fucking dying and, and – and you’d just be gone!”

“Y/n, I am so sorry,” His voice is heavy with emotion.

“You can’t die thinking you’re a piece of shit, or that I couldn’t forgive you, or that I wouldn’t love you, or that I don’t still love you.”

“Baby –”

“You can’t die alone in your hotel room, because you’ll be scar – ared and there'll be no one to hold you. And that thought just makes me wanna” you scream into the bedding. “You have a fucking disease, Damia! You can’t O.D. because you can still heal. You have a whole life,” you whimper. “You’re supposed to have a whole life so you can’t fu – uck –cking die.”

“I won’t, y/n. I’m being careful now, and I’m not using as often. It’s just medicinal now, more than anything.”

“Because cocaine is just so well known for its medicinal properties.”

“I won’t end up in the hospital again. I’m not gonna overdose. You can sleep. I kept my promise.” You feel like an idiot, because of course he’s still an addict, even if he’s high functioning. Damiano is still deluding himself into thinking he can control it. Your emotions get away from you so easily.

“I’m still completely in love with you.”

“Fucking asshole,” is all you can manage. He chuckles and lights a cigarette.

“You said it first. I was gonna keep it to myself.”

“Is that why you wanted to break up? The drugs and how they made you act?”

“Umm,” he takes a puff and exhales the smoke. “That was part of it. The biggest part. You know, plus the booze and I think fame…took its toll on us.” 

“All of your stuff is still here. I boxed a bunch of it up, so it’s sitting in the corner.”

“By the radiator?”

“Yep.”

“Don’t do that, you’re gonna set the apartment on fire.” You roll your eyes.

“We have central heating. The radiator doesn’t even work, it’s just there because the building is old.”

“I miss having this argument with you. Especially at Christmas, when you try to put lights on the damn thing.”

“It’s festive!”

“It’s a fire hazard.” You groan, and flip onto your back. “How’s Princess?” 

“She’s good. Took her to the vet to get her claws trimmed and the rest of her shots. It was traumatizing for both of us.” Again he chuckles, and you know exactly the face he’s making. A shy smile that reveals his gums and the tops of his teeth, eyes crinkled. You know the way he’s got his head slightly bowed forward, gaze downcast. You know exactly how he’s holding his cigarette. 

“I actually have two cats now. Princess got out and led me to a mom and her kittens behind the dumpster. Everyone wanted the kittens, but I wanted Cheeto.”

“Cheeto? Is she orange?”

“No, she’s black with white mittens.”

“Then why, for the love of god, did you name her Cheeto?” he laughs.

“She’d just rolled in an empty bag of Cheetos when I found her. I'm pretty positive it wasn’t the first time because her feet are still stained a little orange.” 

“You’re joking.”

“I’m not, I swear! I’ll send you a picture right now.” You find the first picture ever taken of Cheeto and hit send, only to realize that you can see all of your past text conversations now that Dami’s number is unblocked.

“Hah! I can’t believe that. She’s got that little spot of white right between her ears, too. I love it, she’s adorable. They get along?”

“Yeah, but Cheeto is kind of a garbage gremlin and it's a bad influence on Princess.”

“You expected her not to be a garbage gremlin?”

“Okay! Well, when you put it that way.” You’re smiling, without even trying.

“I miss Princess. I miss you.” 

“Rude.” You’re still smiling. Damn it.

“I know I’m sorry.” You realize why Damiano is being so himself and it's like having cold water thrown over your head.

“How drunk are you right now?”

“Like a 4/10. I am not nearly fucked up enough for any of this to be disingenuous.”

“High?”

“No.” He wasn’t even saying anything and he was convincing you. Or perhaps you were convincing yourself, which is much worse.

“I wish I was sober right now, though,” cue heartbeat skip. “So you wouldn’t be suspicious of what I’m saying.”

“It’s been a while since you sounded like yourself.”

“And I’m really sorry about that. I’ve gotten past the live fast die, young stage.”

“Thank fuck.”

“I’m so sorry. The way I treated you last time was abominable.”

“Correct.”

“And imagining that day without you there still puts me on the edge of a panic attack. When I first woke up and heard your voice, I thought I’d died. I thought I’d gone to heaven because you were there, acting like I hadn’t fucked it all up.” Stand your motherfucking ground, bitch. 

“Spending six hours on the train was angelic, I agree.” There's a pause in the conversation and that moment is all it takes to land you back in reality. Playing house over the phone made you feel better now, but later you’d be angry at yourself for giving Damiano even an inch of acceptance for how he was living his life.

“Are you going to block my number again?” Right now you are leaning towards no, which is probably a sign that your judgment is impaired.

“I’ll decide tomorrow.”

“You can call me. If you’re having a panic attack or you’re upset, you can call me and I won’t make it about…our relationship or my habits. I can be a friend and I don’t expect it to go the other way.” You let out a long sigh and follow the texture of the ceiling with your eyes.

“I don’t know.”

“I hate the idea of you being anxious at night and wanting to call me for reassurance, but stopping yourself.”

“Well I hate it too, but you’re not sober or trying to be sober. You won’t even admit that you need sobriety.”

“I understand that some people need it.”

“But not you? No, I can’t do this. I’ll just get hurt again and this time it’ll be my own fault, because I know better.” You sit up with a groan and look out the window. It was starting to get light outside, the very beginning of dawn.

“Y/n, I’m not self-destructing for the fuck of it anymore. I’m past using drugs that way. I even have a therapist.”

“I need you to be past using drugs full stop.”

“Y/n –”

“Let me finish. The self destructive thing is half of it and even though I may sound pissy right now, I can’t describe the happiness and relief I get knowing that part is over. Truly, Damia. I don’t want to just skip over that because it's huge.”

“I – thank you.” He sounds bashful.

“I’m serious and the fact that you’re back in therapy, chef’s kiss. I know how exhausting it is to dig through that shit and you’re doing it while under more pressure than the rest of the human race. The relief at you answering this phone call and being you? Incredible, but you’re still an addict.”

“So if I got sober, you’d give me another chance?”

“I can’t be the reason you get sober, Dami. It won’t stick and it’ll destroy our relationship.”

“Fine, but hypothetically, if I was sober, could we try again? Because I didn’t agree to end it for the right reasons.”

“If you had been sober for six months, with regular drug tests, and were in therapy, then yes. If you did the work to get sober and stay sober there is a high likelihood that I would try again.”

“Okay,” you can hear his smile. “Has trying to move on from us been absolute hell for you too?”

 “Oh, 100%.”

“Good. Give Princess and Cheeto a kiss for me.” The first thing you do when you get off the phone is unblock him on Whatsapp. All the messages that he sent while blocked roll in through your notifications. Immediately you know this was a terrible idea, but can’t stop reading. At least half of it is inebriated, misspelled confessions of his feelings for you. Those hurt deep in your chest. An apology always comes the next day. There's a couple probably sober messages where he admits to missing you, more delicately. Dami even sent the occasional anecdote that he knew you’d enjoy if on speaking terms.

At 5:02 AM you reblock him and fall asleep, but wake up feeling surprisingly hopeful. He was thinking about sobriety, maybe a lot. Damiano wasn’t mindlessly destroying his body and reputation for all the world to see. He was on a saner schedule. These were all really good things that indicated he was moving in the right direction, so a phone call three weeks later was a surprise.

Notes: Okay, confession time. I haven't actually finished this novel, but I have finished the first 17 chapters, so ya'll will be getting bi-weekly updates for a couple months at least. The response I've received has been excellent motivation. I am both moved and sorry for how many of you relate deeply to this story.

P.S. My taglist is evolving via this post.

-XOXO Eden

Read the rest on my Masterlist!

@surelyfreedombound @shinshans @lonnybunnys @davianos-blog @hauntedpostpersona @lizzylynch1 @kammerstx @harryssshouseee @slavicgoddess13 @persona1read1ng @katyldamusic @whore4damia @the-chaotic-cow @icarodamiano @gr8rainbowpunk @elvirabelle @bright-shiningstar @maneslut @stardustingold @little-moonbeam-666 @que--sera--sera

[consanguinitatum]

It's official - David Tennant is filming Broken News!

Looks like this is about 98% official (I say this because, ya know, AI and all) Anyway, a new photo has appeared, presumably showing David during filming:

The working title is Broken News, so keep in mind that might change (just like Takin' Over The Asylum's original title was Makin' Waves)! -- Project Summary:

The U.K.’s notorious phone hacking scandal led to the downfall of Rupert Murdoch’s News of the World, the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper. It started with the revelation that the paper’s private investigator had hacked the voicemail of a murdered 13-year-old schoolgirl. Over 100 arrests were made, including the director of communications for Downing Street. The scandal prompted a public inquiry into the ethical practices of the British press and ultimately resulted in the closure of News of the World.

Here's my previous post on this project:

[bardic-tales]

updated: 2.9.24

Warnings: Main Character Death. AU: Canon divergent. Supernatural Themes. Violence. Trauma. Loss of Loved Ones. Internal Conflict. Identity Crisis. Redemption Journey. Dark Themes. Cult Activities. Supernatural Battles. Emotional Turmoil. Abusive Relationships. Toxic Dynamics. Demonic Heritage. Angelic Heritage. Perpetual Displacement. Psychological Distress. Mental Health Issues. Trauma. Supernatural Violence. Familial Conflict.

🌙 Name: Bianca Amara Moore 🔮 Age: 20 👤 Gender: Female 🌌 Fandom: Omniverse 🌟 Ship: Bianca x Sesshomaru 📅 Date of Birth: October 1st, 1976 👼 Mother: Seraphine 👩 Surrogate Mother: Sarah Moore 👹 Father: Azrakiel (Asmodeus / Ragnar) 👨 Surrogate Father: David Moore 🎭 Faceclaim: Monica Bellucci (blonde)

About Bianca: Bianca's life is a tapestry woven with threads of celestial grace and demonic power. Born from the forbidden union of an archangel and a demon to end the Omniverse, her journey is marked by tragedy, love, and the pursuit of redemption but her pursuit will lead to her ultimate downfall.

Character Overview

🌟 Bianca's Persona: Bianca radiates warmth, compassion, and unwavering strength. Despite the turmoil of her past, she carries herself with grace and resilience, navigating the complexities of her dual heritage with courage and determination.

🎭 Eloquent Personality: Bianca's past shapes her actions and decisions, driving her towards redemption and healing. She grapples with guilt, grief, and the burden of her lineage, but her inner strength and unwavering compassion guide her through the darkest of trials.

🌸 Unwavering Compassion: Bianca forms deep connections with those she encounters on her journey. Her relationships are forged in trust, loyalty, and empathy, offering solace and support to those in need.

💑 Transcendent Bond: Bianca's bond with Sesshomaru transcends time and space, rooted in mutual respect, love, and sacrifice. Their union is a testament to the power of love in the face of adversity, driving them to protect each other at all costs.

⚔️ Courage in Conflict: Bianca's bravery shines in moments of conflict and adversity. She faces darkness with unwavering resolve, wielding her inner strength and celestial powers to protect the ones she loves.

✨ Likes & Dislikes

Likes: Art, Nature, Music, Tea, Travel, Cultural Exchanges Dislikes: Injustice, Oppression, Betrayal, Selfishness

🌿 A Soul of Many Hobbies: Bianca finds solace in celestial stargazing, drawing, meditation, and nature walks. Her diverse interests reflect her curiosity and appreciation for the world around her.

Power and Abilities:

💫 Powers and Abilities: Bianca possesses a diverse array of supernatural powers and magical abilities, reflecting her celestial and infernal heritage. Through Celestial Harmony, she taps into her mother's lineage, exhibiting powers such as Celestial Empathy, Cryomancy Sorcery, and Temporal Manipulation. From her father's infernal lineage, Bianca wields Dark Sorcery, Illusory Mastery, and Charismatic Manipulation. Her Succubi's Seduction abilities grant her enchanting allure, emotional manipulation, and dreamwalking prowess. Additionally, Bianca's Toymaker's Touch allows her to craft cursed artifacts and manipulate reality. In combat, her Sword Abilities, including Temporal Sundering and Sword Judgment, showcase her mastery of time and combat prowess.

💔 Weaknesses: Despite her formidable powers, Bianca faces several vulnerabilities and limitations. Her dependence on emotional feed for sustenance leaves her vulnerable to energy drain and emotional instability. Bianca's susceptibility to celestial and infernal influences, along with her reliance on environmental factors, makes her vulnerable to cosmic interference and environmental hazards. Furthermore, her emotional vulnerabilities, lack of experience in swordsmanship, and limited defensive options render her susceptible to manipulation and physical harm in combat. Bianca's true dragon form, while powerful, comes with limitations such as energy consumption, size, and maneuverability constraints, as well as vulnerability to anti-dragon measures.

Key Moments in Bianca's Journey:

🌠 Birth from the union of Seraphine and Azrakiel. 🌠 Tragic loss of her surrogate mother, Sarah Moore, to Azrakiel's cult. 🌠 Meeting and forming a deep bond with Sesshomaru. 🌠 Transported to the ‘Feudal Age’, facing unknown challenges. 🌠 Transformation and training to confront Azrakiel and Naraku. 🌠 Transported to 'the Planet' from Final Fantasy 7, facing unknown challenges.

Themes: Redemption, Identity and Heritage, Love and Sacrifice, Good vs. Evil, Inner Conflict and Growth, Resilience and Hope, Destiny and Fate, Forgiveness, Trust and Betrayal, Society and Acceptance, Legacy and Heritage, Transformation and Growth.

#Inuyasha #Final Fantasy 7 #FantasyWorldCollide #FWC #oc: Bianca Moore - Inuyasha

[oxbowridgehq]

NOVEMBER 30TH, 2024

Snow had been falling for two days when it finally stop, the residents of Oxbow Ridge waking up to a record amount of snow, at least in their lifetime. That would be enough to explain any slips on the roads, if anyone was foolish enough to drive. But David Walker was an experienced driver and these roads never scared him. Nothing scared him and that was maybe the problem. That sense of grandeur was bound to be his downfall. Maybe it was the slippery roads or maybe it was the faulty breaks, something surprising considering he had his truck serviced about a week ago. Not in town, he never went to Cormac, but by his trusted mechanic out of town. And now an investigation launched by Cooper Walker, a private one, made light of that fault with the breaks.

DECEMBER 3RD, 2024

The day Cooper Walker learned of the faulty break was the day he called everyone home, including the disgraced cousins. He wasn't as much asking as ordering, and the same was communicated to Bethany Walker. To Cooper, it was clear what happened, a declaration of war from none other than the Byrne. He had warm his father of such a thing, of the Byrne growing influence and the small empire they were building. And now he was proven right and ready to strike back. The Oxbow Cowboys were already fired up, aching for a fight that they had been long promised. None of it was the New Year celebration they had planned but they were determined to make the best of it.

DECEMBER 12TH, 2024

It was a Friday night like all others and Lady Luck was full. It wasn't such a smart move, and it wasn't entirely planned either, more like a few cowboy who had drank a little too much. It wasn't ordered by Cooper, but then again, they had been told not to waste an occasion. It didn't matter if the occasion was mostly created by them or not, they walked in the casino like they owned the place and were thrown out, not without a few good punches given to the Clovers. And while Declan Byrne never said he was responsible for David's accident, and he intended on keeping it that way, now was the moment he'd wait for all his life.

And with that we all pick up in the week after, tensions high, people slowly taking a side and questions without answers being whispered. People in town are wondering if David was really foolish to go out in that weather or if something else happened. For now, David Walker is in a coma, not many being allowed to see him.

[yr-obedt-cicero]

After Mr. Harrison had spoken, the question which I have before spoken of was brought forward to prevent the decision of which Mr. Hamilton, the American Cicero, arose.

Source — David Schuyler Bogart to Samuel Blachley Webb, [June 14, 1788]

It was during the state convention in Poughkeepsie that Hamilton took part in the campaign to ratify the United States Constitution in New York. He opposed conditional ratification, believing that New York would not enter the Union, while the Clinton faction, which wanted to amend the Constitution while retaining the states' secession rights, should their attempts fail.

But what I love most about this quote is the comparison to Marcus Tullius Cicero and Alexander Hamilton. Before I started studying Hamilton, I had a large interest in Roman history, especially Cicero. And it's undeniable that there are striking parallels between the two statesmen. Both Cicero and Hamilton were self-reliant figures in history, Novus homo. They were born in obscurity, under difficult means, but rose efficiently and quickly to respect through the ranks of military and civil service, resilient work, and their inception into law. Nonetheless, they were both forever burdened and never could completely suit themselves among the aristocrats of the upper-class. They even shared many characteristics; both of them were influential supporters of national constitutional power and were skilled - but also renowned to be digressive and garrulous - orators, and political philosophers. Additionally, both were incredibly stubborn, a common fault being that their refusal to yield their politics. Which would eventually lead to both their notable rise, as well as their ultimate downfall.

Hamilton often made classical references, that were even closely related to the Roman Senator. In 1794, Hamilton even wrote several essays for the American Daily Advertiser under the pseudonym, Tully. Which was an anglicized form of Marcus Tullius Cicero. [x] Additionally, he also referred to Burr as, Catiline. Which was not meant as a flattering compliment. Catiline was known for being involved in a plot to overthrow the Roman Republic. So, referring to Burr as “Catiline”, was implying that Burr was power-hungry and a threat to the new Republican US government. Hamilton wrote to Wolcott saying;

These things are to be inferred with moral certainty from the character of the man. Every step in his career proves that he has formed himself upon the model of Catiline, and he is too coldblo[o]ded and too determined a conspirator ever to change his plan.

Source — Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott Jr., [December 1800]

The two men clashed, as Catiline and Cicero were infamous rivals. Matters worsened after Cicero uncovered a conspiracy hatched by Catiline that would conduct the assassination of several elected officials and the burning of the city itself. The purpose of this attack on the city, at least as it turned out later, was to wipe out the debts of both the poor and the rich—including Catiline. Some believe the resulting disruption will force Catiline to assume the leadership role he so desperately wanted. Which parallels with Burr's failed election due to Hamilton endorsing Jefferson over him.

[beardedmrbean]

An antisemitic sign was hung outside the office of an outspoken pro-Israel congressman from Michigan.

Michigan Republican Rep. Tim Walberg, a former Christian pastor, issued a news release on Monday saying an antisemitic sign had been posted on a tree outside his office window.

The sign depicted Uncle Sam removing his American stovepipe hat to reveal a kippah – or yarmulke – with a Star of David underneath reading "Jew u$ury buy$ USA pols" (sic).

GOP LAWMAKER SAYS PRO-ISRAEL SIGN AT DC OFFICE DEFACED WITH BLOODY HANDPRINTS

"Our once great nation's downfall," the sign continues over a U.S. flag with the stars replaced by the Israeli flag. "Solution: name the Jew."

The antisemitic sign also included a link to a conspiracy website.

Walberg's spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the antisemitic sign was hung on a tree on the sidewalk in front of the office.

The congressman's staff was able to take pictures of the tree through their office window.

In a news release, Walberg said that antisemitism "continues to sweep across the world, and sadly, it is alive in Michigan."

"This crisis reflects a lack of morality and genuine education," Walberg said. "Nowhere was this more clear than last week, when some of the most prominent names in academia’s leadership displayed utter moral cowardice but also a broader systemic failure in higher education."

"One in five young Americans now think the Holocaust was a myth, and significantly more think it’s been exaggerated," he continued. "Unfortunately, in part due to a failure of truthful and honest education, this type of incident has become common."

"We need to make it rare again," the Michigan Republican added. "We need to not only call out this bigotry when it occurs but examine the root causes and eliminate it."

‘SNL’ MOCKING STEFANIK INSTEAD OF COLLEGE PRESIDENTS WAS ‘A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN OF COMEDY’

This is not the first time Walberg's office has been hit with anti-Israel vandalism.

Walberg's office revealed in October that his "I stand with Israel" sign was defaced, with the congressman declaring, "Antisemitism has run rampant across the country."

"This is yet another despicable act which should not be tolerated," the former pastor said in a press release.

"At a time like this, we must think of our Jewish community members, including those on my staff, who are enduring this targeted behavior and harassment following the largest attack on Jews since the Holocaust," he continued.

Walberg's office told Fox News Digital the sign had been put up earlier this week, and that the congressman had tweeted about standing with Israel after the country was attacked by the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, sparking a war.

The Michigan Republican's office said the congressman employs Jewish staff members and believes the vandalism is unacceptable.

[gnar-slabdash]

Leverage Mark Showdown -- First Heat Contestants

Where the nominator left comments (or fun extra descriptors), I’m including their comments, cause those are way better than what I’d come up with. Where they didn’t leave comments, you’ll have to settle for mine :P

Mark Doyle The Bottle Job I genuinely liked him as a character, he was sleazy but so fun. The accent was fun, he was an easy mark, and he screamed like a girl. One of my fave episodes cause of him.

David Lampard aka “Truffle Jackass” The French Connection Job who the hell meets “gnar slabdash the n is mostly silent” and just TAKES THAT at face value

“His Honor Mayor Brad Culpepper III” The Three Strikes Job and to a lesser extent The Maltese Falcon Job TONAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

Ian Blackpoole The First and Second David Jobs The man has balls, okay? I’ve said it before -- a disgruntled, disheveled ex-employee pulls a gun on him, and his response is to calmly ask if he’s going to kill him, then invite him to his party, offer him shrimp, and call his ex wife over to see him. Ice cold.

Mark Vector The Morning After Job he's a bitch and a sleaze and it was so satisfying seeing him go down

Greg Sherman aka “The Blowfish” The Boiler Room Job my ultimate love-to-hate. I always spend the episode going WHY DO I HATE THIS GUY SO MUCH before remembering oh yeah it’s cause he’s the bad guy, I’m supposed to hate him. BUT I HATE HIM SO MUCH!

Victor Dubenich The Nigerian Job, The Radio Job, The Last Dam Job man you guys had a lot to say about this one! here goes: - he's awful but he's also how they came together - i like the actor that plays him - THE OG. mr inciting incident. my most underrated man saul rubinek. the absolute balls on this guy. might even still be out there you never know - Not only the first and the one who accidentally helped bind together a world-class team and eventually sent them after himself - twice;  but also the first echo/cast-caĺlback to the Nero Wolfe series. - He consistently thinks he's better than the crew, but Nate keeps outsmarting him anyway. Plus, the fact that he and Latimer forced Nate into calling back some old favorites, there's a number of reasons to love The Last Dam Job. I will never get over the hacking with a clam thing - Because he came back with a revenge plan and because he started this whole thing when he screwed the team over - this guy kinda kickstarted the whole thing by being greedy and selfish enough to try and double-cross not just a group of thieves, but a man who was ROYALLY screwed by the system literal months prior by using his dead kid against him. He's arrogant, but just smart enough to be a threat as of The Last Dam Job, and even then his insistence that he "knows" the team better than Nate after all these years is one of the things that leads to his downfall. Seriously, fuck that guy.

Judge Roy The Bank Shot Job He commits to the bit, okay? I WILL turn this entire episode into a western and I WILL be the black-had domineering bad guy and I WILL refuse to have any semblence of self-awareness about it at any time!

Gabe Erickson The Real Fake Car Job Matthew Lillard is great, and I absolutely loved "Nobody's plotting to kill you, you idiot!"

Starke’s Crew ( Marcus Starke, Chaos, Mikel Dayan, Apollo)  The Two Live Crew Job They were so fun and I absolutely adored their interactions with our leverage crew.  Scott Roemer The (Very) Big Bird Job The Carey Elwes? The Howard Hughes cosplay? The fact that he thinks he stole and destroyed the entire Spruce Goose?

Jack Hurley The 12-Step Job - It was nice to see a mark that’s not a POS and have the team ‘help’ once they realised that - He was a genuinely great guy who's just a fuck up. I get it.  - He is just too excitable and honest and keeps getting into shit way over his head but is too sweet to really hate - I really enjoyed having a Mark who "redeemed" themselves to. Plus, hes a goofy character, and seeing him a second time when I didn't expect it made me double take and laugh on my first watch.

Monica Hunter The Three Days of the Hunter Job - she's horrible and interesting and you get the most satisfaction from seeing her go down. also the bit where she's being interrogated by the army and she's like "it's okay I know that there *totally aren't* any secret bases ;-)" and the guy is so tired and like "yes that's bc there aren't any secret bases" and she's like "I know you have to say that ;-)" and he's right - rip girl you would have loved qanon - I love conspiracy theorists who don't even really believe in the awful stuff they make up (+ it's a terrible human being with the face of aunt zelda)

William Quinn & Tobey Earnshaw The Juror #6 Job He was a fakeass hippie played by Brent Spiner. She was trying so damn hard to be a chessmaster it was embrrasing. Can I make it any more obvious?

Eddie Maranjian The Order 23 Job Man there’s a few marks I can’t help but feel viscerally bad for cause of how the crew preys on their fears and neuroses that they can’t help. So a little sympathy, and also like, affinity crimes are nasty fucking things but in terms of story it’s a nice change of pace from the usual white guys playing chess from their lofty towers

Caroline Cowan The Low Low Price Job Oh another one that I kinda almost feel bad for for how much they freaked her out. This is a good matchup!

[agameforgoodchristians]

“God Planning Your Pain to Make a Point” (John 9:1-3) [A Guest Card Talk]

“God Planning Your Pain to Make a Point” (John 9:1-3)

A Guest Card Talk by Matthew E. Henry*

It’s What You See

As [Jesus] walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. … When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam”…Then he went and washed and came back able to see. (From The Gospel According to John 9:1-7, NRSV)

As a poet and educator, a quote from Henry David Thoreau is often on my mind: it’s not what you look at that matters, but what you see. There’s a lot in John chapter 9 to be seen, and it would be easy to focus on all of the blindness, the lack of sight in this story: 

The man at the center of the story is literally blind. (vs 1)

The disciples’ lack of understanding and metaphoric blindness before the healing takes place. (vs 2-7)

How, after sight is granted to the formerly blind man, the Pharisees and the crowd display a lack of belief (spiritual blindness) by questioning if the man was even really blind to begin with, and then driving his whole family out of their religious community for their dealings with Jesus. (vs 8-41)

All of these elements are fair game, clearly build upon each other, and are a part of the central point of the passage. It’s also what I was taught as a kid in Sunday School. But this was never the first thing I saw. I was always deeply bothered by this flannel graph favorite, but it took me years to understand what was staring me right in the face: the blindness of Jesus.

maybe Jesus needed more time to think the disciples asked Him whose sin blinded this man from birth: his, his parents? appalled, Martha cannot believe in this Jesus whose deaf answer trembles her Bible closed. so that you could see the power of God? she remembers the eyes which accused her of lapses in prenatal care. questioned her fidelity. found lawful cause for his tiny body’s chronic rebellion against its own good. as the pastor reads His response, she finds their false blame better— more acceptable—than sons suffering for parlor tricks, divine object lessons.  

~ MEH 

What Do We Deserve?

From the outset, this story is a theological and emotional rollercoaster. Jesus sees a man who is blind, and since this is Jesus, we assume a healing is forthcoming. But before He can open His mouth, His disciples ask a provocative question:

“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  (vs2)

The disciples see someone in pain and ask a question accusing the man and his family of being so sinful that he deserves his aliment. The implication is plain: natural pain, illness, or sickness is the result of sin. We get what we deserve, which may include bearing the burden of our parents’ sin.

Look, I’m a high school teacher. I have no problem with basic “cause and effect” logic when it comes to consequences. You didn’t do your homework or study, so you failed the test. You tipped back in your chair, so you fell over. You said something racist/sexist/homophobic to the wrong person on the right day, so now you walk with a limp. Speeding can cause an accident. Unprotected sex can result in an STD. Uncritical voting practices can, ironically, lead to the downfall of democracy. These are outcomes easy to understand. But most of us will balk at the idea that we “deserve” an effect that is not a direct result of something we ourselves caused.

To some degree we can begrudgingly accept the reality that the decisions that others make, especially our parents, can have a negative impact on us. Ask the family, significant other, coworker, or employee of abusers, alcoholics, emotional manipulators, gamblers, or any other shitty people. We can all be hurt by the actions of others, but to say we “deserve” that hurt is unhealthy. [Pause: if you don’t think this is true, you are probably in an abusive situation, as your friends have been telling you for years. Listen to them. Get out.]

The beginnings of Jesus’ responses bears out the truth of this:

 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned… (vs 3a)

YES, Jesus! Smack down their highly problematic theological assertion—their backward hamartiology imputing sin on the innocent. This is where the story should: Jesus drops this knowledge, heals the man who is blind, and they all go out to throw loan sharks out of the Temple. But the problem is that Jesus keeps (f**king) talking…

 “…he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.” (vs 3b)

Seriously Jesus: WTF?

Let’s really stop and unpack this.

In answering thier question, Jesus says that this man’s decades of blindness was preordained by God—presumably before the foundations of the earth were lain—as a “parlor trick” or “divine object lesson” for the benefit of the disciples (and presumably everyone else who would come in contact with the healed man, whether in person, or reading his story in the Christian New Testament). Yes. The number of people impacted by this miraculous event is an amazing witness. And no doubt the formerly blind man was very grateful for his healing (you know, save for the whole having his life of pain questioned and his family run out of town thing, which undoubtedly sucked). But, again, let’s really look at what this means.

Let’s propose a new scenario: a mother has a child with a serious physical or cognitive limitation which significantly harms the child’s quality of life. She hears this story being preached by her pastor/priest from the pulpit one Sunday morning. What would she take away from this tale?

It’s one thing to believe an almighty God is doing the Divine’s Best to redeem all our free will actions—that “all things working together for good” (Romans 8:28) means that God is exerting effort in the face of the causes and effects that lead to our pain. Call it “natural evil,” or “a result of The Fall,” or “nature red in tooth an claw,” or “shit happens,” this mother, like many of us, can begrudgingly accept this idea when it comes to “why bad things happen.”

But it is another thing entirely to ask this woman if she is comfortable serving a God who believes that the ends justify the means. Asking her to accept a utilitarian model of theodicy—achieving “the most good for the most people” means that some people have to suffer by divine design. What could she take away other than false hope or anger at the prospect that maybe, hopefully, there is “some good reason” that God has for directly causing her child pain?

That might be a shit-filled pill too large to swallow.

It Gets Worse

I am not the only person who thinks this. Other characters in the Bible do as well. If we continue reading The Gospel According to John, a couple of chapters later we come to a story about Lazarus—a close friend of Jesus—whose situation is placed in relation to this story about the man who was formerly blind.

In John chapter 11, when Lazarus get very very ill, his sisters—Mary and Martha—send word to Jesus that His beloved friend is close to death. Upon hearing this news, Jesus responds, “This illness does not lead to death; rather, it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (vs 4b) [sound familiar?]. He then hangs out for another two days until he receives word that Lazarus has died. Eventually, Jesus makes the trip to see Lazarus’ body, which has now been in the tomb for four whole days. But, just like with the blind man, Jesus is unfazed because He had a plan, knew what He was doing all along. Yes, healings are great, but by now you should see the pattern and the problem.

If Jesus could heal him, why should Lazarus have to suffer like this—his body wracked with pain, alternating between fever and chills, gasping for each labored breath? And what about the people who love Lazarus and must watch him suffer? They attempted to cool his body, relieve his pain, force him to eat something, tell him everything is going to be alright when they didn’t believe it themselves. Being so concerned for the welfare of their brother, for the first and only time recorded, Mary and Martha try to cash in on their long-standing friendship with Jesus, desperately believing that He had the power to save him (See 21-27; 32).

But it’s not only Lazarus’ family who feels this way, but the friends gathered around who knew the power of Jesus. So much so they reference his previous encounter with the formerly blind man:

Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” (vs 35-37)

Again, yes, to exist on this planet means we will suffer in various ways, including our bodies rebelling against us and those we love. Ugly and painful deaths are also built into the system. Thus, the fact that Jesus heals anyone in the Bible is wonderful. But don’t miss the rationale given for the illness, for the death. Don’t be blind to the Bible’s own words. Jesus said Lazarus was sick “…for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (vs 4b). God becomes the cause of this effect and it forces one, or at least me to, respectfully, call theological bullshit.

 An Uncomfortable Way of Seeing

As I’ve grown older, my Sunday school discomfort has been tempered by my life as a writer and educator. It’s led me to wonder if these self-referential stories have fallen prey to a common literary issue: the narrative plot hole.

Sometimes an author is so wrapped up in the point that they are trying to make that they don’t think through the implications of all the details; They are so focused on the big picture, the major theme and motifs running through a work, the finer point get lost. It’s the same reason why medical shows are eviscerated by doctors, sci-fi movies by physicists, and police procedurals by civil rights lawyers. Some would call this a blasphemous thought. I recommend those people to not read any of the other posts on this website. But I think this way of seeing is better than the alternative.

I won’t dive into the depth of what this way of seeing requires in terms of “the inerrancy of Scripture,” “divine inspiration of Scripture,” and the variety of other hermeneutical concerns some would raise. I am aware of them, but if you’re bothered by this, you’ll probably hate my answers for those. But I will provide one for the Bible nerds: this view of Jesus/God in the Gospels is singular to John. What do I mean? This idea that physical ailments are a result of sin or God’s divine plans in this particular way, only shows up in The Gospel According to John. It is not present in in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, or Luke).

Neither the Lazarus story in chapter 11 or our principle story in chapter 9 are found in the other gospels. In Mark 8:22-26 there is a blind man being healed story that is similar to the John narrative, but among the many differences there is no mention of sinfulness or the idea that God plans such pain for people. Going for the trifecta, John provides a third story that suggests that disability is tied to sin.

In John 5:1-18, Jesus comes across a man who is paraplegic. Jesus heals the man before going on His merry way, but it’s the aftermath that we see this uniquely Johannine theology of suffering:

Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you have been made well! Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you.”  (vs 13-14)

Again, this story is not contained in the other three gospels. Make of that what you will, but it seems pretty clear the writer(s) of John had a way of looking at things that was not shared by the other gospel writers. Maybe three out of four gospels agree that the idea that physical suffering being a part of the divine plan is simply a wrongheaded idea. I guess you get to decide who you agree with.

But, to paraphrase this game’s creators, what do I know? I’m just a poet and you probably think I’m going to Hell.

* Dr. Matthew E. Henry (MEH) is the Boston-born educator, editor, and author of six books of poetry, including The Third Renunciation (New York Quarterly Books, 2023). The Third Renunciation is a collection of theological sonnets, wherein the poem featured above is published.

He was also the editor of A Game for Good Christian’s This Present Former Glory: An Anthology of Honest Spiritual Literature

Dr. Henry received his MFA in poetry from Seattle Pacific University, yet continued to spend money he didn’t have completing a MA in theology (Andover Newton Theological School) and a PhD in education (Lesley University). But he should not be confused with the long dead, white, theologian. His work can be found at www.MEHPoeting.com and on Twitter (he will never call it X) at @MEHPoeting.  

[heckcareoxytwit]

A preview of Captain Marvel #49

CAPTAIN MARVEL 49

REVENGE OF THE BROOD, FINALE

GRIEF WILL BE HER DOWNFALL! Captain Marvel, Spider-Woman, Hazmat and the X-Men’s mission to find Rogue and rescue Binary has technically been successful, and yet our heroes now find themselves in a worse position than ever, trapped at the mercy of a legion of Brood and a rogue Brood Empress. The Brood has now pushed Carol Danvers to her limit not once, but twice. What it unlocked the first time helped make Carol the Captain Marvel she is today. What has it unlocked this time? And will anyone—including Carol—survive it?

LEGACY #183

Written by: Kelly Thompson Art by: Sergio Fernandez Davila, Sean Parsons, Ceci de la Cruz Cover by: David Curiel, Juan Frigeri Page Count: 28 Pages Release Date: May 10, 2023

[claudia1829things]

"DAVID COPPERFIELD" (2000) Review

"DAVID COPPERFIELD" (2000) Review

For the past eight to nine months, I have been increasingly obsessed with Charles Dickens . . . namely television and movie adaptations of his novels and stories. Many may not find this odd, but I do, considering my previous disregard of his writing. Yes, I have seen various Dickens adaptations over the years. But for nearly a year, I have viewed many Dickens adaptations with a vengeance, including the 2000 made-for-television adaptation of his 1850 novel, "DAVID COPPERFIELD".

This adaptation of "David Copperfield" was a joint American-Irish production that had two Britons - John Davis and Greg Smith; along with an American named Robert A. Halmi serving as the film's producers. However, the director, Peter Medak, shot the movie in Ireland. Starring Hugh Dancy in the title role, "DAVID COPPERFIELD" told the story of an English author living in Switzerland, as he recounts his life up to that point from his childhood to early adulthood.

While living in Switzerland, David Copperfield has a chance encounter with his stepfather, the brutal Edward Murdstone, who seemed to be courting a wealthy young Englishwoman. David uses this encounter to write his autobiography, beginning with his birth some six months after his father's death. David recalls his widowed mother and the family's kind housekeeper Clara Peggotty raising him in an ideal setting. Following his and Peggotty's visit to the latter's family in Yarmouth, they return to discover Mrs. Copperfield's marriage to the harsh Mr. Murdstone. They also meet the latter's equally loathsome sister, Jane Murdstone. After a physical encounter with Mr. Murdstone, the latter enrolls David into a boarding school under a ruthless headmaster named Mr. Creakle. This decision sets David's journey in motion in which he makes new friends, forms new enemies and finds love as he matures into adulthood.

Dickens had regarded his 1850 novel as one of his favorite, regarding it as a strong similarity to his own life. Knowing a bit about the author's life, I found this assessment of his a bit hard to swallow. Perhaps this was wishful thinking on Dickens' part? Who knows. But I must admit that his story seemed first-class and the beginning of a more mature approach to his writing. This 2000 television movie seemed to reflect both qualities of Dickens' novel. Although I believe "DAVID COPPERFIELD" seems like a very faithful adaptation of the novel, I believe it is not as close to the latter as some might have believed it should.

I had a few issues with the movie. One, I believe it had made the mistake of closely following the 1935 movie adaptation, produced by David O. Selznick. I thought it had merely paid lip service to the story arc involving David's schoolfriend James Steerforth and Emily Peggotty and her family. In fact, most of the story involving this arc happened off-screen, much to my disappointment. Also, screenwriter John Goldsmith had reduced law clerk Uriah Heep's complex embezzlement scheme to a simple one involving stolen diamonds. Perhaps that is why this particular plotline seemed as if it had come out of the blue to simply serve as the character's downfall. In fact, the movie's last twenty-to-thirty minutes seemed very rushed to me. I also had one or two issues regarding the casting, but I will later touch upon it.

Despite my issues with parts of the movie's screenplay, I cannot deny that I had enjoyed "DAVID COPPERFIELD". I realized this is not the first or last adaptation of Dickens' novel, but it proved to be the first adaptation I have viewed. Like I said . . . I enjoyed it. Between Goldsmith's screenplay and Peter Medak's direction, I believe the movie took care to set up David's story as a flashback, using his encounter with his old foe as a means to kick start the narrative. "DAVID COPPERFIELD" proved to be a solid, yet entertaining story about the protagonist's coming-of-age, through his experiences - good, bad and tragic, and the people he met. I honestly thought I would be bored with this movie at least thirty minutes into the story. But I found myself both intrigued and entertained.

Also, it seemed a miracle that the David Copperfield character had not been overshadowed by the more colorful ones that appeared in this story. One has to credit Hugh Darcy for his skillful, yet emotional portrayal of the movie's protagonist. The actor had received a few negative reviews from critics who thought he had given a weak performance. I . . . have no idea on how to respond to that. I was more than satisfied with his performance.

"DAVID COPPERFIELD" also featured some very competent performances from the rest of the cast. Max Dolbey proved to be effective as the young David. Both Anthony Andrews and Eileen Atkins provided plenty of subtle menace as the cruel Murdstone siblings. Both Emily Hamilton and Julie Cox gave charming performances as David's two potential love interests - Agnes Wickfield and Dora Spinlow. Judy Cornwell and Nigel Davenport gave skillful performances as the Copperfields' housekeeper Clara Peggotty and her solid and dependable brother, Dan Peggotty. Dudley Sutton proved to be both charming and eccentric as Aunt Betsy Trotwood's close friend and tenant. The movie also featured solid performances from the likes of Lesley Manville, Oliver Ford Davies, Edward Hardwicke, Freddie Jones and Simon Delaney.

The two Americans in the cast for "DAVID COPPERFIELD" - Sally Field and Michael Richards - had received a good deal of criticism for their performances. Frankly, I can honestly say that such criticism were unwarranted. At least in my eyes. Granted, it seemed odd hearing that comical voice emitting from Field's mouth, when she first appeared as Aunt Betsey Trotwood. But in the end, I rather enjoyed her performance. I also enjoyed Michael Richards' performance as the genial, yet unreliable law clerk Wilkins Micawber. But I must admit there were a few times when the actor had allowed his Cosmo Kramer character from the television series, "SEINFELD" creep into his performance every now and then. Paul Bettany made a first-rate James Steerforth. It seemed a pity that the movie had given him very little screen time. I also feel the same about Sarah Farooqui and Anna Maguire, who had portrayed both the adult and young Emily Piggotty. We finally come to Frank McCusker's performance as the villain in the story's second half - Uriah Heep. I thought McCusker gave a skillful portrayal of the character. But at the same time, I found his performance rather exaggerated at times . . . bordering on cartoonish.

"DAVID COPPERFIELD" featured some lovely cinematography, thanks to Elemér Ragályi's colorful photography of the Irish locations. Michael Pickwoad's photography and Josie MacAvin's set decorations did a great job in re-creating early Victorian Britain. And I must admit that I really enjoyed Joan Bergin's costume designs. Most of the narrative for "DAVID COPPERFIELD" is supposed to be set in the 1840s, but the images below seemed to hint at a late 1850s or early 1860s setting for this particular film:

Overall, "DAVID COPPERFIELD" proved to be an entertaining adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1850 novel. Granted, I had some issues with the movie's decision to push most of the James Steerforth and Emily Peggotty arc off-screen and the simplification of Uriah Heep's scheme. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the movie, thanks to Peter Medak's direction, John Goldsmith's screenplay and a very skillful cast led by Hugh Dancy in the title role.

[ukrfeminism]

3 minute read

An "evil" police officer who was unmasked as one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders has been jailed for at least 30 years.

David Carrick, 48, was branded a "monster" who carried out a "catalogue of violent and brutal sexual offences" against 12 women over nearly two decades.

Victims described in court how they were raped, controlled and degraded by Carrick, who they feared was too "powerful" to be reported for his crimes.

The former Metropolitan Police officer pleaded guilty to 49 charges - including 24 counts of rape - covering a total of 85 offences.

He was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court.

During his sentencing, the judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grub said: "These convictions represent a spectacular downfall for a man charged with upholding the law and empowered to do so even to the extent of being authorised to bear a firearm in the execution of his duty.

"Behind a public appearance of propriety and trustworthiness, you took monstrous advantage of women drawn into intimate relationships with you.

"You brazenly raped and sexually assaulted many women, some you barely knew. You behaved as if you were untouchable. You were bold and at times relentless, trusting that no victim would overcome her shame and fear to report you."

The judge went on to speak about a serving Metropolitan Police officer who was raped by Carrick but felt she couldn't report it to her colleagues.

She said: "The police officer you raped in 2004 had herself been trained to deal sensitively with complainants, but she didn't report to you until 2021. The reason was shame and she didn't want to put herself through reporting an anal rape. She described this as a hypocritical view, but she didn't feel brave enough to do it, so she told herself to toughen up and move on."

The case is the latest in a spate of scandals at the Met Police, including the murder of Sarah Everard by then-serving officer Wayne Couzens.

The force was forced to apologise and admit Carrick should have been rooted out earlier after it emerged he came to police attention over nine incidents before he was prosecuted. They included allegations of rape, domestic violence and harassment between 2000 and 2021.

All of Carrick's admitted crimes occurred while he was working for the Met Police.

Known by colleagues as "B*****d Dave", he joined the force in 2001 before becoming an armed officer with the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command in 2009, guarding the Houses of Parliament and embassy sites.

Carrick, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was sacked by the Met Police after his guilty pleas.

Officer whipped and urinated on victims

Over a two-day sentencing hearing, the court heard that Carrick held a gun to a woman's head before repeatedly raping her and threatened to use his police baton on another victim.

Some women were urinated on, locked naked in a cupboard under the stairs in Carrick's home, whipped and watched remotely through cameras while he was at work.

He also sent a victim a photograph of himself with a work-issue gun, saying: "Remember I am the boss."

Prosecutor Tom Little KC said: "The reality was that it did not matter who the victim was ... he would rape them, sexually abuse or assault them and humiliate them."

The court heard one victim - Darciane Nunes Da Silva - who was raped and sexually assaulted by Carrick had waived her right to anonymity.

In a series of victim impact statements read by the prosecutor, women spoke of the trauma they had suffered from Carrick's crimes - including some who were left suicidal - and how the case had damaged their trust in police.

Carrick told victim: 'I am the law'

One woman said: "I don't trust the police any more. If anything went wrong I don't know whether I would want to call the police as I'd worry that they would send a male officer like him.

"The thought of being alone with a male officer makes me very anxious."

Another victim said she had been "too frightened" to report Carrick's crimes after he told her "he was the police, he was the law, and he owned me".

Meanwhile, the woman who was raped in Carrick's home after he pointed a gun at her head said she felt she had "encountered evil".

"I honestly thought he was going to kill me that night," she added.

The court heard Carrick relied on his "charm" to "beguile and mislead" his victims, then used his "power and control" to stop them leaving or reporting him.

'He cannot ask for mercy'

One victim described the police constable as "acting like a monster" and said he would call her "his slave", asking her to take her clothes off while cleaning his house.

Carrick, 48, told another victim he would pay her £1,000 a month to be his "slut", the court heard.

One woman, who was repeatedly raped by Carrick, told a friend that "nobody would believe her" if she reported the attacks because he "was a police officer and very powerful".

Alisdair Williamson KC, defending, said Carrick "accepts full responsibility for what he has done".

He pointed out that one victim had noted that "something had profoundly damaged this man", saying Carrick was "testament" to how "the abused" can become "the abuser".

"He cannot ask for mercy and does not," the barrister said.

[nothingunrealistic]

There could be only one Machiavellian daddy standing in the "Billions" finale revenge showdown between Bobby "Axe" Axelrod (Damian Lewis) and his hedge fund usurper (and dangerous presidential candidate) Michael Prince (Corey Stoll). After seven seasons of cutthroat high-finance drama and power struggles, "Billions" went endgame with the titan matchup in Showtime's series finale (now streaming on Paramount+; airing on Showtime Sunday 8 EDT/PDT). But the entire cast of characters featuring ever-evolving allegiances got its due, including longtime Axe persecutor U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti), now working with his former nemesis to bring down Prince. The multi-pronged farewell episode even featured former U.S. Attorney Bryan Connerty (Toby Leonard Moore), who hadn't been a "Billions" regular since Chuck engineered his legal problems and prison stint in Season 4 for illegal wiretapping. Connerty made a surprise appearance to receive his reinstated law license, also engineered by Chuck as a peace offering. "This show was for the show superfans; we found the ultimate landing spot for all these characters," says Brian Koppelman, who created the series with David Levien and Andrew Ross Sorkin. The final positions from the "Billions" finale:

Axe made Prince a pauper, and resumed his office chair throne Prince helped orchestrate Axe's downfall in Season 5, which allowed him to get his greedy hands on Axe Capital. As Axe, the heavy-metal-T-shirt-wearing Road Runner of finance, realized he had finally been defeated by Prince, he uttered the line "So this is what it is like to lose." In real life, Lewis was leaving "Billions" to return to life in England for personal reasons. So Axe was written off (exiled to Switzerland) to avoid arrest by Chuck, thanks to a tipoff from Prince. Prince took over Axe's throne and renamed the kingdom Michael Prince Capital (MPC). With Lewis and Axe back for the final season, the downfall script was reversed. Axe returned to New York, with Chuck's help and urging, to join the team trying to stop Prince. The Never Princers, who included MPC's general counsel Kate Sacker (Dola Rashad), conspired to annihilate Prince's stock portfolio while the unsuspecting presidential candidate met the U.S. president at Camp David, as his mobile phone was locked up by Marine security. With the trap sprung, Prince flew into MPC in a rage. Showing the volatile side no one wanted to see responsible for nuclear weapons, Prince threw a printer through the office window of Chuck co-conspirator and ex-wife Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff). Prince bottled his rage seeing Axe and an office full of former employees present to witness his financial demise and presidential ambitions crushed in one bad news day. "So yeah Mike, this is what it's like to lose," Axe said to Prince, parroting his own line, with a very different subject. "I bet that felt good," Prince sneered back. "What does it say about someone who wants to throw somebody's words back in their face? Not great things," says Levien of the line. "That's why we found it so satisfying." Big winner Axe reclaimed his office chair with no trumpets, but only his faithful lieutenant Mike "Wags" Wagner (David Costabile) standing just behind him. While Prince hid dark ambitions behind noble ideas, Axe sent his traders out with the capitalist battle cry "Let's make some ... money!" with The Steve Miller Band's ode to bandit living, "Take the Money and Run," playing as the exit soundtrack. "That song felt just absolutely perfect for the show," Koppelman says.

Prince went down defiantly, vowing revenge With Humpty Dumpty falling off the financial wall and Prince's world in tatters, even his loyalists disbanded. Right-hand man Scooter Dunbar (Daniel Breaker) saw the light and realized how far the power duo had drifted in its quest for power. Finding he has been spared financial ruin, Scooter announced he's embarking on his dream of conducting an orchestra. In classic villain mode, Prince admitted defeat but vowed to return and financially crush Axe and anyone else who knocked him. "This country is built on second acts, and when you see mine, you better duck and cover," Prince said. "People like Prince are not laid low by things that would lay all of us low," Koppelman says. "In three years, the guy will somehow have bought The Sphere off James Dolan."

Chuck and Wendy end up laughing over dinner Chuck, the main Axe battler in many season finales, relished the slightly less sexy victory over Prince. Chuck also finally came up triumphant in his personal life. Wendy and Chuck's marriage, and vigorous BDSM sex life, had ended acrimoniously after Wendy worked for years as Axe Capital's high-end performance coach. But "Billions" ended with the two exes smiling as Wendy walked out of Axe Capital moments after turning down Axe's return to work offer. Wendy and Chuck agreed to go on a family dinner with their two children. The final shot featured Wendy and Chuck laughing at dinner with their kids, as noted chef Connerty performed impressive culinary tricks on the teppanyaki (Moore's real-life cooking skills were often highlighted). Wendy and Chuck don't resume life as a couple, "but they settled their issues, coming to a great place of mutual understanding, fondness and co-parenting," Levien says.

[denimbex1986]

'Robert Downey Jr. took on the role of Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s biographical thriller film, Oppenheimer. Lewis Strauss, the chairman of the US Atomic Energy Commission in the 1950s, played a pivotal role in the development of Nuclear Weapons. Oppenheimer is adapted from the book American Prometheus, exploring J. Robert Oppenheimer’s involvement in the Manhattan Project and his subsequent downfall following a 1954 security hearing.

The casting process was kept very discreet and actors including Downey Jr. initially didn’t know which character they would play. The Tropic Thunder actor was first handed the script printed in black on red paper during his visit to Nolan’s house. The Iron Man actor had a few interesting things to share about the Interstellar director.

Robert Downey Jr. Loved Working With Christopher Nolan

Earlier, Robert Downey Jr. picked Oppenheimer as the best film he has ever worked on, placing it above his MCU projects. The Sherlock Holmes actor admitted that he initially felt intimidated by Christopher Nolan. He compared the Inception director to legendary directors David Lean and Hitchcock, stating that there was a certain ‘mystique’ with Nolan.

Downey Jr. further explained that Cillian Murphy, after working on five projects with Nolan, didn’t experience the same intimidation. However, Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt did feel it. But later, as they started working together, The Soloist actor came to see Nolan as one of the least judgmental directors he has ever worked with.

The Avengers actor realized that for Nolan, it wasn’t about being in control, but rather achieving precision in every shot of the film. This revelation shifted the Dolittle actor’s perspective about the director.

Robert Downey Jr. Described Christopher Nolan As A ‘Really Good Parent’

Oppenheimer presented a completely new experience for Robert Downey Jr. The Judge actor attempted a lot of improv as any actor would while filming, but Nolan was all for precision and instructed the Due Date actor to stick to the script. The Kiss Kiss Bang Bang actor shared that he couldn’t even get upset with the Dark Knight director because Nolan aimed to draw out the best from his actors. The Chaplin actor told IMDB:

“He [Nolan] did say, ‘Robert, you seem to be doing a lot of improv out there. I– if you get scared out there, just float gently back to the text.’ And it was like– it wasn’t a Jedi mind trick. He wasn’t guffing me. Again, he’s kind of like a dad that you can’t have a beef with ’cause he’s actually just a really good parent. That was the most disconcerting of all the energies ’cause I’d had no previous experience with that.”

Oppenheimer hit theatres on July 21, 2023, and has grossed $668M so far against a budget of $100M. It is a critical and commercial success, becoming the seventh highest-grossing film of 2023, with critics praising the cast performances, including Downey Jr.’s, as well as Nolan’s screenplay.'