#it always makes me happy when i can predict the results of the polls

[buddiebitch]

opinions on Tommy

sorry i just like posting polls

[shatteredatthealtarofwinchester]

hey there :) so what are your thoughts on the ranking polls? I felt like I predicted accurately that Jensen and Misha were quite close together (a 1.8 difference).

To me it was absolutely clear that Jensen has to be on the first place, I would've been shocked if he was on 2nd or 3rd place. Out of all 3 he definitely has the best acting skills and the greatest emotional range, there is nothing he can't do. I've always been a huge fan of Jensen's microexpressions. I just love and respect actors and actresses with high emotional range who are able to deliver feelings perfectly and are able to make me feel those emotions. Joaquin Phoenix, Alan Rickman, Tom Hiddleston, Eddie Redmayne, RDJ, Keira Knightley, Emilia Clarke, Jennifer Lawrence to name a few.

Of course Jensen is not on a level with a high end actor yet, but his skills are constantly growing and the point is, he definitely has what it takes to become a high end actor.

And this is what Jared has not. I really don't know why, but a lot of people noticed that Jared's acting skills are decreasing and regressive and I agree with that. I am speaking for myself here, but Jared's acting simply doesn't reach me, quite the contrary.

As for Misha, a well deserved 2nd place with a score I can perfectly agree with. Misha is a master when it comes to emotional expressions, he delivers feelings perfectly. I always knew Cas was in love with Dean before the confession aired. Misha also impressed me with his improvisations and imitations.

Very happy with the result and all I can say is, I totally agree with you guys.

[talktoaspeck]

A lazy summer afternoon in Allahabad, Aman is heading back home from his ISC coaching classes. Although it's just a 10 min walk , It often takes him over an hour to reach home. On his way back he pensively stares at the old buildings, and the new ones, and compares the two. He likes the old ones. They have so much history and character. He takes in the hustle and bustle of the busy market that he comes across next. He knows what grocery he has to buy— His mother gives him a list every morning before he leaves for school. He knows which shops he has to make stops at, where he may find the churmura wallah from whom he buys churmura everyday. Everything is as it is supposed to be be and he loves it. He is in no hurry to reach home. The repitition of these monotonous task is like the repitition of a beat in a melodious song: much welcomed. So much he drags his mundane chores at the market that one may think he doesn't even want to reach home.

He does not.

His reluctance to reach home as early as possible after a long day at school and coaching class does not stem from a lack of love and affection from his family. It is because of the opposite. His father, Shankar Tripathi, an agricultural scientist, who despite being busy working on a new strain of cauliflower which other than being an unappetising black in colour, he claims, is also maggot resistant, finds enough time to mollycoddle his only son. Aman's mother, Sunaina, whose full time job is to pamper her son,is predictably much, much worse.

A loud honk from behind startles Aman. He turns to a sight that immediately makes his heart jump out of his mouth. His brow is suddenly lined with beads of sweat and his pulse starts racing.

"Tripathi Jee, glad I found you. Look, new bike!," Chuckles a boy of his own age, sitting on a brand new motorcycle, revving it up to show off its brand new engine. "

It is Sarthak Khurrana, the coolest boy in his school according to both Aman and the school magazine's year end poll.

Sarthak Khurrana twists his body while being seated on his new bike and taps on the backseat, gesturing Aman to come sit. "Chaliye, Sangam ghuma laaye aapko, Tripathee Jee," he says.

Aman, ready to kill more time, jumps onto the backseat and off they go to Sangam. The holy Sangam, which is the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, literally translates to union.

On the backseat Aman observes how weirdly Sarthak's ears jutt out of his head, almost at right angles, but they do not look bad on his face. "Nothing can look bad on THAT face," concludes Aman as he gets flustered at the thought. He isn't sure how he feels about Sarthak. They seldom interact at school. Whenever they do, it is usually Sarthak who initiates and he always calls him "Tripathee Jee". As a result whole school has started calling Aman that. Popular kids like Sarthak have that kind of power. Being referred to as "Tripathee Jee" makes him feel old and uncool. " Nobody, not even I, will ever call Sarthak "Khurran jee," thinks a smiling Aman.

They leave the city traffic behind. Aman stares at the way wind sweeps Sarthak's hair. The sky is a shade darker and the air is a touch cleaner and cooler. They take a turn to start on a worn out road that runs alongside Akbar's fort, and then turn onto a sandy kaccha Road that finally leads them to the sandy bank of Sangam.

They find a secluded spot where sonorous sound of bells being tolled at the nearby Hanuman temple, calls from mallahs beckoning tourists to go on boat rides, Screeches of hawkers selling Chaat, Pakoda, Samose, Churmura, Aloo dum etc. drown in the gusts of cool breeze that's rushing to them from the water body. There is barely any distinction between these sounds. They blend with the swishing of wind and form an ominous symphony that just hangs eerily in the background.

"It is peaceful here," says Aman awkwardly.

"So how did you like my new bike. Makkhan na?"

"Acchi hain. This red colour matches your skin tone. You look good on it."

"Hain?'

" I m..mean...this bike suits your personality," stutters Aman.

" Oh..Thanks, "smiles Sarthak and looks up in the air, "I can just hope Bhumi thinks it, too. I have been meaning to ask her out on a date for so long now. But ..tum jaantein ho ..her family is so conservative."

The Sky is blood red in the presence of the sun that is now slowly sinking below the horizon line. The river looks like someone has put its entire extent on fire. It is kind of dark now. These two men are laughing together over an anecdote when one suddenly leans over and rubs his finger behind the other man's ear and gently kisses him on lips.

The kiss lingers for a few second.

The other man suddenly breaks contact, pushes back, and then hits him in the face. He falls down.The other man kicks him to his heart's content and then leaves on his bike.

The one left behind is in pain. He is bleeding through his broken nose. He is scared. He feels so lonely. He takes his phone out and calls someone.

Devika's phone rings thrice before she answers.

"Hello, Kartik ..where are you ? Are you ok? ..hmm..You pinch your nose hard and don't move alright.. I'll be there in no time! "

She hangs up.

The sun is an orange ball hanging on the edge of the earth. Aman sees Rajni coming towards him on her bike, orange sun's reflectinons blazing on the goggles she is wearing. She looks like an angel to him. He has been crying.

" Tuh coaching Se Yaha kaise Pahuch Gaya..aur phir main hi milti hoon tujhe lift maangne ke liye? Jab man Kiya phone ganghana Diya. Number delete Kar mera," rambled Rajni.

"Sarthak got a new bike,"says Aman.

" Ayee ..Hot stuff Hain kya Yaha," She calls Sarthak Hot stuff while he calls her Goggle.

"Hot stuff date pe hain abhi with Bhumi.He wanted me to tag along so it doesn't feel like a date and madam Bhumi doesn't feel uncomfortable. He wanted me to be a third wheel. I said no."

"Ha ha ha," laughs Rajni, " don't worry he has broken many hearts before yours.Mine included. You will get over it"

" What do you mean "broken heart"..why would .."

"Whatever, Aman, " she speaks over him," chal peeche baith. let's go home," and kick-starts her bike to life again.

Meanwhile Kartik is staring at the burning waters of Yamuna river in Delhi. His broken nose has stopped bleeding but his shirt is soaked with blood through and through. An Activa Scooty stops behind him. He turns to find a concerned Devika with frozen packs and a first aid box.

" Baith isspe," she points toward Activa and Kartik follows her order. She starts attending to his wounds, " Kya zaroorat hain tujhe itna adventurous hone ki? pata toh Kar liya Kar acche se. Aur thoda apna horniness control main rakha Kar. India hain yeh.America Nahi," she rants mindlessly.

Kartik looks despondent. Devika holds his face in her hands, turns it to herself, and says," Cheer up, Kartik. I hate to see you like this."

"I am so alone Devika. Don't I deserve at least one happy ending?" He says and bursts into tears.

They both get on her Activa. Kartik's riding. They ride along the bank of the Yamuna River.

"The river Yamuna doesn't even look like a river anymore ," says Kartik.

" You should see it in Allahabad, Kartik. It is glorious there. It unites with the river Ganges there and forms the most revered place in the whole world," Says Devika as she grabs him from behind and rests her face on his back, " I'll take you there."

[caps-lockdown]

Poll Winner...Hotel Horrors!

Hotel Horrors

Hey everyone so so sorry that this took forever and a day to get out. The short version is I quit my new job because it was leading me down a dark path of anxiety and depression so I’ve been struggling with all of that nonsense and quite frankly lost the motivation to write anything at all. I want everyone to know that your mental health matters and no job (no matter the money or benefits) is worth putting that at risk.

Anyway, here’s the winner of my 200 follower poll! I do plan on writing the other choices eventually, but again I’ve been struggling HARD with writer’s block.

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Fem!Reader

Words: 5,586

Warnings: Mentions of booze, a few swear words. A crude joke. Pretty much all fluff with some panicked!Steve and switching of names.

Summary: Steve Rogers lost something extremely important at your hotel during an undercover mission. What will you do when you find out your celebrity crush was staying under your roof?!

It’s in Y/N Y/L/N format, and I own no characters save for the reader and her coworkers/family. No beta, so mistakes are mine, ALL MINE I tell you!

ENJOY!

“Y/N my happy little orange blossom!”

You looked up from your mug, hot tea sloshing in your mouth until you could force it down. It was eight-thirty am on a brisk Monday in New York City, the hustle and bustle of morning traffic mixed with the grogginess of another too short weekend over. The hotel lobby had been quiet a whole half hour before your uncle had made his presence known. The Wilson hotel, named after your grandfather’s first dog had been in your family for just shy of sixty years, your father and uncle taking over when your grandfather decided to retire five years ago. It was a quaint but lovely little building, boasting just fifty six rooms and four luxury suites. Your grandfather had bought the building on a splurge, wanting to create his own income and become his own boss, much to the encouragement of your grandmother. It was an instant success, the small homely atmosphere mixed with the most affordable prices in the city kept you busy as a receptionist.

Things had slowed down just a touch now that the new year was here and the holidays were gone, people not traveling as much to make up for the money they had spent on presents for whatever they were celebrating. You were usually never caught dead at work on Mondays, never one to really enjoy the swarms of grumpy travelers in the early hours. Sundays and Mondays, until this week unfortunately, were your prized days off. That all changed the minute Mandy the other receptionist who usually worked days where you worked nights decided to bring her third hell spawn into the world a week early. A New Year’s baby. How lovely. Now because of the aptly named “Kia”, you were forced to pull double duty until her replacement started next week. So much for your Christmas wish of working less. You took it in stride though, after all Mandy was your soon to be cousin, your cousin Brent popping the question Christmas morning surrounded by all of your family. The very same family who was quick to point out that you were now the last of six children to be engaged. Or the last of six to have children. Or the last of six to be in a remotely serious relationship. And no, your crush on Captain America most certainly did not count. The only one who hadn’t spoken a word against you was Uncle Todd. He had always been your favorite, and you his. He never married, nor had kids of his own, so he was always quick to jump down your family’s throats. After all, he owned sixty percent of the Wilson and he turned out just fine thank you very much.

His only downfall was that he was simply too happy in the mornings.

His deep chuckle brought you back to the present, an annoyed expression passing over you as he lovingly patted you on the top of your head. He’d been doing it since you were a child. You had hated it since you were a child too. “Oh come now Y/N, surely you aren’t that hung over from the New Year’s celebration? It was a week ago after all. Put some spring in your step!”

“First of all, it’s too early for you. Now I know why I don’t work mornings.” You muttered the last bit into your oversized mug before draining the rest of your English breakfast tea. “Secondly,” you cleared your throat, picking up your electric kettle that sat at your desk and started on brewing your second cup, “You know damn well I don’t get hangovers Uncle. Fortunately I have your alcohol tolerance instead of my hopeless father’s.” The tea bag fell into your now full mug with an uninterested plop. “And thirdly, I’m only here because Mandy is out and Rachel doesn’t start for another week. Last I checked you don’t pay me enough to care about “peppiness” this early on a Monday.”

The shaking of his head normally would have you fearing for a spiel about being more carefree and positive, but the grin he was sporting brought a small one to your features. “We’ll make a morning person out of you yet Y/N. Carson here yet?”

“Nope, I’d wager dad’s stuck in traffic,” you pulled a face before adding “Again”.

“I swear that man will be late to his own funeral. I expect we’ll get a phone call any moment now, be sure to rip him a new one for me eh? Oh my new year’s resolution is to leave the house earlier so I can be on time my left foot.” You giggled, stirring honey into your beverage as he continued to rant and rave all the way to his office, the loud creak of his large chair announcing his defeat on the subject of your father’s constantly late arrivals.

As if on cue the main lobby’s terribly outdated phone rang loudly, a surprised yelp leaving your lips as you set the cup down and picked up the receiver.

“Good morning and thank you for calling the Wilson,” Your customer service voice was a common shock to your family and friends, the usual snark and sarcasm replaced with a sweet and patient tone. You quickly added, “Dad if this is you calling to say you’re running late, it’s been like this for five years. You don’t need to give us a heads up. We know you’ll show up, but you should know uncle Todd prefers it be before the next turn of the century.”

“Well Mandy your uncle seems like a reasonable man although I can assure you I’m extremely punctual.” The voice was certainly not your father’s, and for second you were extremely embarrassed and looking for quick way to end it. It wasn’t normal to get phone calls this early. But before you could do anything rash the person on the other line let out a short laugh. “I needed that laugh today, thank you. It’s been a stressful morning.”

“I’m sorry about that! I’m afraid Mandy is out, my name is Y/N.”Your face burned with the intensity of the sun as you quickly moved on, “How can I help you today mister….”

“Rogers. I’m sorry I assumed you were Mandy.”

“It’s alright mister Rogers.”

“Great.” He continued, taking a breath “Mandy alright?”

“Yep the baby just came early and she went into labor during our charity event last week.”

“How beautiful. I recall her saying something about contractions now that you mention it. Listen Y/N I was wondering if you could help me out on something urgent?”

“Sure mister Rogers, anything for my favorite neighbor.” You blurted out and then inwardly cringed at your own terrible joke, but again it was met by the stranger’s rough laughter. It almost sounded familiar. Like maybe you had heard it in person. Or on the television.

“Cute. I’m sure he…I mean I’ve never heard that one before.” The man recovered and you raised an eyebrow although he couldn’t see it. “So the long story short is that a friend and I checked in last week for your New Year’s charity Gala. It was stunning, had a wonderful time.”

“We had Pepper Potts as a consultant for the event, she’s incredible with event planning. Tony Stark donated some of the art work we auctioned off that night if you recall. Many were saddened to hear he wasn’t able to attend, but miss Potts looked lovely and did a great job.”

“That she did, and I’m sure he was there…in spirit I suppose.” The man got out hastily before recomposing himself. “Anyway I’m afraid my colleague and I were so partied out when we checked out the next day I realized I forgot a very important flash drive somewhere in my suite.”

“Not a problem mister Rogers, our suites are extremely private and we haven’t had any guests in them since last week so I have no problem calling housekeeping and seeing if they found anything. Just a thumb drive you said?”

“Yes a small black thumb drive. I’m super boring and predictable. And please, call me Tony.”

“Alright mister-“You stopped yourself, “Tony. What suite were you in? And we can check your friend’s suite too if you want to give me his name.”

“Oh of course suite number two. He was staying under the name Steve Stark.”

You held in a laugh. It was normal for high-caliber people and celebrities to check in under false names, sometimes even using the names of other celebrities. Kim Kardashian-West checked in as Princess Jasmine once somewhere.

“And you’re Tony Rogers. Funny, I’m sure Mandy didn’t catch that one. She isn’t the brightest crayon in the box I’m afraid.”

“I can agree with you there. “ The man laughed again, and you realized you were finding yourself in a good mood talking to this man. Why was that?

“Well I’ll do some digging and see what I can find. Is this a good number to reach you at Tony?”

“Yes this number is the right one to snag me at.”

“Perfect, I’ll get housekeeping on it right away as no one has been in there since your stay. I’ll call you in a couple days with our results. Hopefully we find it for you. Have a great day!”

“You too Y/N, talk to you soon.”

You hung up the phone and promptly dropped your head on the desk. Where did you know that  voice from?

~~Earlier at the Tower~~

“For the last time Steve I haven’t seen your thumb drive!” Sam waved Steve away from blocking the game on the television in the common area. “Now you make a better mountain sized door instead of a window.” Steve huffed angrily out of the room.

“Haven’t seen it Cap, might I suggest checking your shoes?” Tony got out in between bites of his cereal, Bucky laughing with him at the Captain’s deadpanned expression. “What? Worth a shot.”

He stomped out of that room too.

Even Nat had jumped on the skeptical side, narrowing her eyes as he dug through his luggage again for the seventh time in the past two days, “Are you sure you didn’t pack it?”

This was it. This was how Steve Rogers was going to lose his mind. The sleep deprived and stress-ridden super solider pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to take deep breaths. It proved fruitless and he smashed his phone into the wall a day later at the suggestion from Tony to just call the Wilson. The same hotel Tony and him had stayed at the previous week for an undercover mission.

The team had accepted the circumstances, Strange and Nat running communications while Tony and Steve underwent massive amounts of makeup to change their appearance. Tony of course went the craziest. Bald cap, clean shaved face and a suit that made him look even more buff than he already was. Nat kept calling him “Daddy Warbucks”. Steve however had kept it simple. Changed his hair color, grew his beard out a little longer, contacts, and wore a slightly ill fitting suit.

Truth be told he didn’t understand why they needed to be there at first. “Catching art thieves” wasn’t something that usually required action from The Avengers. NYPD were more than capable most of the time, so it came as a shock when one of the owners of the Wilson reached out to them via email. The message didn’t say too much, other than a time, date, and small description of the group of men needing apprehended. Todd and his partner didn’t want these men getting to the very expensive masterpieces they were auctioning off for charity, and just wanted some extra security. Apparently the thieves had been snatching works of art for nearly a decade and hadn’t been caught. Tony loved a challenge and accepted. Todd suggested setting a trap and sending a couple of them undercover so as to not draw unwanted attention. As an added bonus Tony donated some of the art to be auctioned off at the Gala held in his hotel on New Year’s Eve. He even offered to put them up in two of their nicer suites for no charge.  

Tony was in the minute he mentioned undercover. He even took to making some secret compartments in their attire, you know just in case.

“You too Y/N, talk to you soon.”

Speaking of the billionaire, he was now putting his phone back in his pocket, a smug expression on his face.

“Y/N the receptionist said she’d look into it and call back in a couple days. Now will you calm down?”

“I can’t calm down Tony, that thumb drive had all the evidence to put the art thieves away.”

“Wet Bandits” Tony corrected, Steve rolling his eyes. “The trial isn’t for another week and worrying is only going to force you into an earlier grave. So cool it.”

The blonde man ran a hand through his hair. He truly hated it when his friend was right. Though he’d never tell him of course, his ego was big enough as is. He let out a sigh, “Fine.”

“Great. Now make a list of places you were in the hotel during the Gala, we can go retrace your steps if they don’t find anything. I think your ancient brain is finally catching up to you Cap.”

Steve slammed the door to his room with that remark, seething with embarrassment and anger. It’s not like he had meant to lose it. He’d never lost intel like this before. Actually now that he thought about it he couldn’t think of a time he had ever lost something this important. Falling into his desk chair with an ungraceful thud, he began writing the places he had been during New Year’s Eve.

~~Flashback, Night of the Gala~~

“We’ll get right back to the Auction after the ball drops!” A jolly looking man, who the team learned to be Todd interrupted the evening, encouraging everyone to mingle and enjoy themselves. Tony didn’t need to be told a second time, making his way to the open bar while Strange noted his obvious distaste in their ear pieces.

People nearly trampled Steve as he got up from his seat, emptying out of the large conference room and into the beautifully decorated grand ballroom just outside. He couldn’t say he blamed anyone, being squished like sardines for the last two hours was starting to even get on his nerves. And he lived in a compound of superheroes with no real sense of boundaries. He was enjoying his solitude, no one recognizing him for the first time in years. It felt liberating, only having a select few know his true identity. He almost didn’t miss it.

He felt a slight shove into his shoulder, turning his body to glance down at the elegant figure draped in simple green velvet, your wide eyes burning into his in embarrassment.

“I’m…I’m such a klutz my apologies!” You stuttered out, giving him the smallest hint of a shy smile.

“No harm no foul. Tony.” He stuck out a hand, giving himself points for not messing up his alias.

You placed your small hand in his and immediately Steve was struck by how soft your hand felt.  But before you could give your name your heads swiveled at the shouting coming from the far side of the room. He noted how your eyes shown slight disappointment as you broke from the greeting.

“Forgive me. My relatives and booze never makes for a good outcome.” With a defeated sigh you turned on your heel, clicking away towards Todd, muttering to yourself. “Way to go Y/L/N, always running into gorgeous people and then running away.”

Ok, he missed it a little. You were the sort of someone he would have liked to ask to dance. If under different circumstances of course. Maybe. But silver lining, at least he had been able to catch your last name. He watched you run off with a dreamy look on his face.  

“Heads up lover boy, we got company.” Nat jolted Steve from his thoughts, four men entering the large room and nonchalantly casing the place. How these men had gotten away with stealing art for close to a decade was beyond him. Hiding within plain sight he moved to a vantage point high up on a stairwell.

“Tony you got them?”

“You mean Steve. I’m Steve, you’re Tony. Geesh that dime wasn’t in your orbit for more than two minutes and you’re this scrambled?” Tony teased, Steve groaning into his ear piece and earning a smirk in response. “Yea I got them, shall I go ahead and set the plan in motion?” He caught Steve’s nod and reaffirmed it with his own, making his way towards the group. “Then the game is afoot!”

Steve made a mental note to ask Thor for some meade after all of this was over.

The rest of the night went easy enough. The “Wet Bandits” fell for the trap, they were caught red handed and arrested on the spot. Steve managed to swipe a USB drive from the ring leader of the group before the police carted off the criminals, the crowd clapping and cheering for them. They looked like normal, non-super people, just doing the right thing at the right time. It gave the team a sense of pride, knowing even without their suits or names they still got the job done.

“Where should I put this?” He fiddled with the small storage device. Nat had mentioned it would most likely have very incriminating evidence on it. She also put extra emphasis on keeping it safe.

“I don’t know, somewhere close to your soul?”

“That makes no sense Tony.”Steve muttered from the punch bowl, watching his partner walk towards him, empty glass in tow. Typical.

Tony joined him while everyone began to count down the minutes til the new year, gloating about how he couldn’t wait to kiss Pepper.

“That’s rich considering you look like mister clean right now. Think of the headlines.” Strange muttered into the comms and Tony laughed, forgetting temporarily what he looked like in his present state. “Hey there’s that girl you were making eyes at Rogers.”

The contacts he wore were starting to itch from dryness, and Steve found himself exceptionally happy that the night would soon be ending. He couldn’t help but gravitate toward you, your smile and light laughter ringing over the small group of people around you.

“Hello again.” Steve tried to think of what Tony would do in this situation, and then decided the cocky approach probably wouldn’t go over well. Your eyes twinkled in the glow of the gentle lighting, the room dimming as it got closer to a new year.

“Hi again.” Sixty seconds to go.

“I didn’t get to tell you earlier but you look stunning.” You were happy your blush was hidden in the near darkness of the room. The people were getting louder in their chanting of the time, Steve swallowing hard as your smile grew wider with the passing second. As so did his confidence.

“Thank you, that suit is an…interesting color.” Steve remembered his current attire and internally grimaced. What a claude you must think him, showing up in an ill fitting suit, beard barely groomed, his slightly red eyes. Of course he gets the gumption to make small talk and introduce himself and what happens? He looks like a homeless vacuum salesman.

“Ten…Nine…Eight…” He watched as you looked around the room, loudly calling out the numbers, unaware of how smitten he must have been looking at you. You seemed so genuine in your happiness, your smile beaming and lighting up the whole room.

“Five….Four..” He had no idea what was making him inch closer to you, but he couldn’t stop himself. It was like he needed to be near that sort of energy. He hadn’t met anyone that put him so much at ease so quickly before. Why was that?

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!” The crowd erupted in cheers and shouts, guests pulling on party popper strings and Todd and Carson popping bottles of champagne open with sabers. He laughed at you while you shook your head at your obvious relatives. Of course it had to be sabers. Perhaps it was the atmosphere. Maybe it was the loud music. He blamed a large portion of it on the alcohol, although it did nothing for him. Whatever it was spread throughout his entire nervous system and pushed him to place a small kiss on your blush tapped cheek.

“Happy New Year.” He managed to get out, taken aback by his own actions. You didn’t seem to mind, only beamed a smile that seemingly blinded him. Which wasn’t difficult to accomplish thanks to the stupid contacts.

“Yappy Hew Near.” Your alarmed expression at your jumbled words caused Steve to let out a deep laugh, you joining in shortly after. The night concluded with the art being bought back by Tony, not truly wanting to see them go in the first place. He could already hear the argument he and Pepper would be having later. If the look she gave him was any indication, he fully expected Stark to be in sofa city for the better part of the new year. He headed back to his suite with a bounce in his step, happy with the overall outcome.

Steve’s happiness was gone the minute they got back to the Tower and he noticed the flash drive was nowhere in sight.

~~Present~~

Which lead him to this moment of staring at Sam while he went over his paper. There weren’t that many places on it which made for a short list. The lobby, ballroom, conference room, and of course his suite were the only places he went after swiping the drive. Sam took note of all of the sighs leaving the tall man’s lips as he perused the list, growing slightly annoyed.

“Steve, man you gotta get laid. Or go fishing. Somethin’. Anything that will make you less mopey.” His friend grinned, it sinking into a frown when Steve gave him murderous side eye.

“Sam I appreciate you inserting yourself into my personal life again but I still haven’t found that drive. It means everything to the trial and without it –“

”The Wet Bandits won’t be convicted and you will have failed this city…yadda yadda…” Bucky finished, putting his hands on his hips as he stood alongside Sam. “Seriously pal, we know. But worrying about it ain’t gonna make it appear out of thin air. Stop making it worse.”

“Easy for you to say Buck,” Steve scoffed. “You weren’t the one that lost it.”

“Well Cap, I guarantee it will be in the last place you left it!” Tony said, smiling cheerfully at him while he snatched the list from Sam, nodding once he had finished going over it. “We’ll find it, stop getting your old man undies in a bunch and go do something productive.”

Steve went running for three hours, the entire time thinking of ways to get away with murder.

~~~Meanwhile at the Wilson~~~

“I’m telling you Uncle I have torn these rooms apart and I haven’t found anything!!!”

You were laying on the floor of the suite Tony Rogers, or whatever his real name was had stayed in the week prior, your uncle staring down at you from the doorway that lead out into the hall.

“I can see that.” You uncle stated matter of fact, astonished at the sight. “Orange blossom it’s been two days and you haven’t found anything, I think you should give the nice man a call.”

“Ughmnpf” Was your response, your voice muffled from your face in the carpet. Housecleaning hadn’t found anything when they had cleaned both rooms, and you had spent the better part of forty eight hours digging through everything. Todd had rounded up a crew to search the rooms the Gala had been at just in case, and had turned up nothing. Well they did find your uncle’s most prized bottle opener that was shaped like a large great white shark he had gotten from the Caribbean three years ago, but that wasn’t doing anyone any favors. “He’s gonna be so upset Todd. I don’t know if I can to talk to him again.” You complained weakly, rolling onto your back to stare at the ceiling.

“Nonsense, if I remember him well enough I know he’d be very impressed with how you managed to tear these rooms apart looking for something he lost in the first place. Give yourself more credit.”

You dragged yourself off the plush floor and made your way to the phone located in the room, taking out a small slip of paper out from the pocket of your dark gray slacks and punching it into the phone. It rang four times before you were sent to voicemail.

“Hey you’ve reached the personal voicemail of Tony Stark, obviously I’m too wrapped up right now to take your call, so leave a message and I’ll call back when I feel like it.”

You stared into the phone in shock, the loud tone making you jump and sputter into the receiver.

“Ssss…sorry to call this number, I was told I could reach Tony Rogers here. This is Y/N from the Wilson, if you’re free to stop by at three this afternoon I’d greatly appreciate it. Thh..thank you.” You hung up the phone. Now you were certain you had been played. What was this mystery man playing at? First he gives you an obviously fake name and then gives you the phone number of THE Tony Stark?

“What’s wrong Y/N? You look like you just discovered spit in your cheerios. Which might I add hasn’t happened in years.”

“Um, who stayed in this suite Uncle? Tell me the truth.” You narrowed your eyes, attempting to look menacing in your bright mustard sweater and messy bun.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but it sounds like you’ll meet him soon enough. Which lucky for me, I’ll be here to record it.” Your face paled as your heart started to race.

Who the hell was coming to the hotel?!

~~~Three p.m~~~

“I don’t know about this Tony,” Steve muttered into his new phone, trudging up the slightly slick steps of the hotel. It was snowing, wet globs falling from the sky and sticking to the warm pavement creating a walking hazard for most people. He wasn’t most people though. “You called her. You should be here.”

“And you lost the drive, so you have retrieve it. Now get that stick out of your ass and maybe after ask her out afterwards. ” Steve rolled his eyes, the sass evident in the brunette’s tone. Everyone had gotten fed up with him over the last few days, although he was certain that was a massive understatement. “Let me know how it goes, I’ve got a meeting so I’ll talk to you afterwards.” Steve ended the call with a firm click, taking extra care at putting his phone into his pocket upon entering the lobby. Would hate to have to purchase a second phone within a week.

He was delighted to see you behind the counter, recognizing you from the gala. Granted your eyes were as big as dinner plates and you were choking on whatever was in your mug but you still managed to look lovely. He had it bad and he didn’t have the faintest idea why or how. But he did know that your smile had plagued his nights and swept through his days the entire time he had been looking for this drive. He would definitely be asking you out today.

“Hello I’m looking for Y/N?” Steve said politely, knowing good and well he was staring at her. He noticed Todd off to the side, clearly recording the whole ordeal on his phone. He had mentioned at the Gala that Y/N had harbored an intense school girl crush on the captain most of her life, and had been slightly looking forward to meeting him. Granted this was technically the third time they had met, but she didn’t know that yet.

“She’s right here!” Todd said brightly, your brain attempting to pick itself off the floor and reinsert itself back into your skull. You shook your head out of your shock and smiled, trying hard to calm your nerves. You could probably beat a hummingbird with how fast your heart was racing.

“He’s right I’m Y/N. You must be mister Rogers.” You mentally smacked yourself. Of course he was. His small grin at your expense made the humiliation twenty times worse.

“That I am. Any luck finding my drive?” He was trying to be direct. Right. He had no business here otherwise. You lowered your head, both out of disappointment and guilt.

“I’m afraid not. I personally searched both suites myself for hours and couldn’t find a single black flash drive. I’m so sorry but I was hoping maybe if you revisited the room that it would jog your memory?”

“Good luck with that,” Todd chimed in, your gaze ripping from Steve’s blue eyes to look at your uncle sharply, “It looks like a bomb went off up there.”

“I think it’s a decent idea, sure.” Steve admonished, finding himself at wits end over the matter.

You nodded and lead the way to the elevators, your uncle electing to stay behind much to your behest. Perhaps you would have a heart attack on the way up and that would be the end of it. No, that was being too optimistic. You took the space closest to the far wall, keeping your distance and blush ridden skin as far away from the super solider as possible.

“Ya know this isn’t the first time we’ve met.” Steve said simply, giving you a heartbreaking smile. “You quite literally bumped into me during the gala. And I was with you during the countdown later on that night.”

“I surely would have remembered running into you mister Rogers.” You retorted back just as simply, attempting to study the buttons on the elevator in great detail.

“Not if I was undercover. I had a long beard, terribly fitting suit. Black hair. I’m afraid the contacts made my eyes a little red from the dryness. You were looking absolutely breathtaking, wearing a beautiful green velvet dress. I’ll admit I was pulled to you from the very first moment I laid eyes on you. What were your exact words at midnight?” Your breath caught in your throat when you met his eyes, the recognition hitting you like a freight truck.

“Yappy Hew Near.” You both said it in union, your face going from tinted pink to full on tomato red when you realized Captain America had kissed you on the cheek that night.

“I am SUCH an idiot I am so sorry!” You stammered out, hoping for the first time in your life that the elevator would NOT break down with you stuck in it with Steve Rogers.

“Hey doll it’s alright, really. I wouldn’t have done what I did if I didn’t want to. Your smile is something else.” That caused you to blush harder, if that was possible. “Now let’s go see about that suite huh?”

You really hated how cool he was about the whole thing.

Deciding it would be in your best interest to get this over with as soon as possible you practically tore  down the suite door, the inside looking like a tornado went through it. After a band of criminals ransacked it. You tensed up when you heard Steve let out a slow and low whistle.

“You’ve uh…you’ve been busy.” He tried, not easing your nerves and surveying the area. “I believe you when you say you didn’t find anything.”

A nervous chuckle escaped you, “Can you walk me through what happened when you got back here? It might help talking through it.” Steve nodded at you although he wasn’t looking in your direction, his tall stature breezing around the large room with ease.

“I went to the bathroom after taking off my jacket,” He looked in the closet. Nothing. “I took out the awful contacts and shaved.” You giggled as he mimed running a razor over his face in the bathroom. He placed the invisible facial tool down on the counter and walked back out, looking slightly behind you at the nightstand. “I placed my watch there and went to take off my sh…”

The sentence died in his throat, you becoming slightly concerned as he proceeded to stand ramrod still. “Steve? Did you remember something?”

He took off his right shoe, staring into it with a slack jaw.

“You’ve got to be shitting me.”

“Steve? You’re making me nervous, talking into your shoe and all.” You had begun to back away when a slightly hysterical laugh escaped the man’s throat, the timber wavering as he ripped the insole out of the piece of footwear. You were starting to rethink being alone in a hotel room with him.

It was only when he took out the small thumb drive from a hidden compartment in his sole that you began laughing too. But yours was partially due to extreme anger.

“It…was in…your…shoe….the WHOLE time…?” You managed to get out, heaving breaths and attempting to catch them while the good Captain continued to lean onto the nightstand for support, his own breath ragged.

“Tony….made a joke…about putting it…close to…my soul.” He stood up straight, slowly regaining composure which you were not finding helpful. “I must have been so tired that I thought putting it in there was a good idea.”

“Well clearly it was a good place, you couldn’t even find it. But who uses a shoe? Honestly.”

Steve had the good sense to look embarrassed, running a hand through his hair and offering an apologetic smile. “I am so embarrassed. You tore this hotel apart looking for this and I had it the whole time. The team will never let me live it down once they find out.”

“Who says they have to know?” Came your reply, already heading to the suite door and pulling it open with a bit of effort. “I won’t tell anyone. It’ll be our secret.”

“What’s the catch doll?” He held the door for you and you gave a mumbled thanks.

“Drinks. Right now.” You said confidently, looking into his eyes, his real blue eyes with ease.

“Can’t I’m afraid.” Steve grinned at your sad expression. “We have dinner plans first.”

“Pizza?”

“You read my mind Y/N.”

You couldn’t stop yourself, beaming another mega-watt smile.

“Maybe we’re SOLE-mates mister Rogers. Shall we?”

You both laughed the entire way to the restaurant down the street.

The end.

Tags: @kaytizzle @pies-wands-and-more @cuffski @giggleberts 

[jswdmb1]

I Wanna Be Sedated

“Hurry, hurry, hurry 

before I go insane

Can't control my fingers, 

can't control my brain”

- The Ramones

All of our resources have been focused on two things: keeping people alive and keeping the economy afloat.  It is hard to argue the prioritization of those two areas and it is understandable that there are not resources beyond what we have already marshalled to focus on anything further down the list.  But I worry that we are just burying another landmine in the ground that we’ll be stepping on sooner than later if we forget about it.  I am talking about the complete and brutal destruction of our mental health both collectively and individually.

 Before I go further, I must repeat that I completely support the efforts of social shutdown and shelter in place that are currently in effect.  It is literally the only tool we have to fight this pandemic as our leaders (most specifically the president) mocked its potential wrath when more could have been done to prepare and now we are boxed into a corner.  Experts warned long before this man even got nominated by his party that he was unfit for this office and an existential threat to our way of life.  It was just a matter of time before his vulgarity, stupidity and incompetence manifested into real pain and destruction, and that time is now.  I bring this up before delving into my primary subject because I still see polls and news reports that show there is a large percentage of people who still think there is overreaction to the crisis and that the president is doing a good job handling it.  If you believe either of those things, please stop reading now because you do not have the intellectual capacity to grasp what I am going to say.

 Now that we have established how we got here and who is responsible, the real question that everyone has on their minds is what is next.  We have been told to shelter-in-place for the foreseeable future and been given no further instructions.  The economic bill passed yesterday is the equivalent of treating a gunshot wound with a band-aid, and will be of little use as a real solution to the financial devastation that most people will experience long after those checks run out.  This combination has made it increasingly hard to keep strong mentally as the massive uncertainty weighs on our minds literally every hour of the day.  For a few days, we found some solace in things like getting outside, but now that is being quashed as acceptable.  We are pretty much under a house arrest with no defined sentence and we are being punished for no crime we ever committed.  Even a prisoner gets access to basic services such as counseling and religious freedoms, but not those of us at home.  In war, there is something known as collateral damage, and our civil liberties are fitting that description for the current crisis.  On top of all of that, the weather in my part of the country has been miserable.  It all adds up to one very grim picture.

 Some of you may not like that I am painting such a picture, but that to me contributes to our mental health crisis in the same way that putting our heads in the sand about the virus got us to where we stand today.  I am not alone in feelings of anxiety or depression, but it’s well known I have had both long before the virus hit our shores.  I feel it gives me a little bit of a perspective on this issue and why I see it a potentially more damaging long-term than anything we are experiencing today.  What I can tell you from experience is that it is not possible to work through profound feelings of depression by “just being positive”.  The two worst things you can tell a depressed person is that they have to remain positive and they need to work themselves out of their mood. That is akin to telling someone who is drowning that they need to come up for air and should go look for a lifejacket when they do.  Yet, all I see on social media and the news is that this is the “new normal” and “we’ll get through this”.  What are you talking about?  There is nothing normal about this at all.  Why on earth would anyone accept it as such?  And, how do you know that we’ll get through this?  What are you basing that on?  Have you been through a deadly pandemic before?  Have you sat under quarantine for weeks that will soon turn into months?  It literally grates on my nerves to hear such things as good tools to use to “get us out of our funk”.

 So, that begs the question about what do we do?  I will not pretend to have any real answers and certainly there is no quick fix.  But first, we all have to acknowledge that this problem exists, and it is at least on par with the other aspects of this crisis. And don’t say that it isn’t life-or-death because it is.  I predict in a matter of weeks, not months, that you will see a morbidly sharp increase in the suicide rate.  This is also incredibly damaging to the efforts of those trying to recover from addiction diseases, and many will not only succumb to their addictions without a support system to help them, but they will die as a result of this.  And the casualties are not limited to those who don’t make it.  The deep psychological scars left on the rest of us that manage to get through this will not heal without significant intervention.  I am particularly worried about our teens and young adults who were already not in a good place and I think are suffering more than most when it comes to the social isolation steps being implemented.  We all need to acknowledge that we are experiencing acute mental trauma and we cannot simply accept that as “normal”.

 If you cannot accept this as fact, then there is not much more I can do to help you.  You are going to suffer a similar fate as those who don’t believe we are in the middle of a deadly pandemic in the first place.  But if you are willing to accept that your mental health is (or will be) destroyed as a result of this, there are a couple of things that I have learned over the years that can help you cope:

 Depression, pain and anxiety are normal feelings and you should not feel guilty for feeling them.  By all means do not suppress those feelings as they fester without an outlet.  Also be aware that those around you will have these feelings as well and don’t shame them for not being “positive” or “constructive” for expressing them.  It is going to take a lot of patience along with some give and take to work with each other on this, but if we deny ourselves or others the freedom to express these emotions, we can’t even get started with healing.

Recognize that while many tools have been taken way from us that usually can be a big help, many others are still available.  We have to just be more creative and look for other doors that may be open when others have been shut.  One of my main outlets has been a group running program where I coach, and that is now gone in its old form.  But we are working hard to still get out and run (solo and never congregating) and support each other virtually.  It is not perfect, but it would be wrong to dismiss the sense of community we have built over the years because it is still alive and well no matter how far apart we are kept.  It may even be stronger when we eventually can see each other again.  That is just one example.  I recommend you take whatever you had before and look for ways to retool and still use that as something you can have that is a positive force in your life.  It could be that you have that taken away at some point, but then go back and retool it again.  If GM can retool its operations from cars to ventilators, we can certainly do the same on our micro levels.

Avoid using alcohol and drugs as a crutch.  I can tell you from direct experience that this is just about the worst way to deal with depression.  I am not saying you cannot enjoy a drink now and then, but I have already seen anecdotal evidence in some of my interactions on social media and elsewhere that this is not the case.  I know that I sound preachy here, but I’m just trying to help as I’m sure many of you may have not experienced profound depression like this before.  There is no doubt that the drink or drug of your choice feels good for a little bit and may even help you forget, but it is an incredibly slippery slope.  

For those who have committed to sobriety before this all went down, please hold onto that. It may be the only thing you have left that they can’t take away, and it is too valuable to give up so easily.  I know it is hard, the thought of heading down to the liquor store (which incredibly is still open and considered “essential”) has passed through my head more than once, but you have to let that feeling pass.  You know better than I that what I say in the preceding paragraph is true and heading off the path to sobriety will be a disaster.  I have heard that support groups are still meeting (as they have also been deemed essential) so consider a way to attend those (even virtually) if you are struggling with temptation.  If you have no such support mechanism, contact me directly through FaceBook Messenger. I am always willing to talk to someone who needs to work though a moment of crisis.  It’s a ridiculously impossible situation, but there is no other choice to hold on.

 I know that I sound like I am on a soapbox here, but that is not my intent.  This is more of a plea to everyone out there not to forget that mental health is a critical component of living and bodies free of disease are useless if our brains can’t function within them.  Please just remember that as you deal with the people in your house and those you interact with virtually.  While you may think you have the right answer in telling people to stay happy and chipper during a dark time, that is not how everyone feels and it could be damaging to their mental health if you ignore the danger signs they are presenting.  My guess is that anyone who has gone this far into reading this already knows that, but it is going to take some reminding for even the most empathetic and caring person among us.  Starting now can hopefully get ahead of issues that are already taking root so that we can move forward much more quickly with “normal” life if such a thing ever exists again.

 In the meantime, I sincerely hope that this finds you healthy and safe and that you are coping with the mental aspects of the situation better than me.  One outlet I have is this blog, and I have thought about suspending it during the crisis because I don’t have anything to say that people want to hear.  After writing this post, I realize now that would be the easy way out, and at the risk of being unpopular, I can not give up the fight to protect the most important organ in our bodies – our brain.  So, I’ll keep on keepin’ on, but just remember that I really am trying to help. I don’t want anyone to end up in a place that they can’t leave.  We’ve come too far to let that happen.

 Please take care everybody,

Jim

[mangocheesecakeicecream]

Everyone is familiar with the sorts of jobs whose purpose is difficult to discern: HR consultants, PR researchers, communications coordinators, financial strategists, logistics managers. The list is endless. In 2015, YouGov, a polling agency, asked Britons whether they believed their job made a “meaningful contribution to the world.” More than a third—37 percent—believed it did not. (Only 50 percent said that it did; 13 percent were uncertain.) A more recent poll conducted in the Netherlands found that 40 percent of Dutch workers felt their job had no good reason to exist. Our society values work. We expect a job to serve a purpose and to have a larger meaning. For workers who have internalized this value system, there is little that is more demoralizing than waking up five days a week to perform a task that one believes is a waste of time. It’s not obvious, however, why having a pointless job makes people quite so miserable. After all, a large portion of the workforce is being paid—often very good money—to do nothing. They might consider themselves 
fortunate. Instead, many feel worth-less and depressed. In 1901, the German psychologist Karl Groos discovered that infants express extraordinary happiness when they first discover their ability to cause predictable effects in the world. For example, they might scribble with a pencil by randomly moving their arms and hands. When they realize that they can achieve the same result by retracing the same pattern, they respond with expressions of utter joy. Groos called this “the pleasure at being the cause,” and suggested that it was the basis for play. Before Groos, most Western political philosophers, economists, and social scientists assumed that humans seek power out of either a desire for conquest and domination or a practical need to guarantee physical gratification and reproductive success. Groos’s insight had powerful implications for our understanding of the formation of the self, and of human motivation more generally. Children come to see that they exist as distinct individuals who are separate from the world around them by observing that they can cause something to happen, and happen again. Crucially, the realization brings a delight, the pleasure at being the cause, that is the very foundation of our being. Experiments have shown that if a child is allowed to experience this delight but then is suddenly denied it, he will become enraged, refuse to engage, or even withdraw from the world entirely. The psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Francis Broucek suspected that such traumatic experiences can cause many mental health issues later in life. Groos’s research led him to devise a theory of play as make-believe: Adults invent games and diversions for the same reason that an infant delights in his ability to move a pencil. We wish to exercise our powers as an end in themselves. This, Groos suggested, is what freedom is—the ability to make things up for the sake of being able to do so. The make-believe aspect of the work is precisely what performers of bullshit jobs find the most infuriating. Just about anyone in a supervised wage-labor job finds it maddening to pretend to be busy. Working is meant to serve a purpose—if make-believe play is an expression of human freedom, then make-believe work imposed by others represents a total lack of freedom. It’s unsurprising, then, that the first historical occurrence of the notion that some people ought to be working at all times, or that work should be made up to fill their time even in the absence of things that need 
doing, concerns workers who are
 not free: prisoners and slaves. Historically, human work patterns have taken the form of intense bursts of energy followed by rest. Farming, for instance, is generally an all-hands-on-deck mobilization around planting and harvest, with the off-seasons occupied by minor projects. Large projects such as building a house or preparing for a feast tend to take the same form. This is typical of how human beings have always worked. There is no reason to believe that acting otherwise would result in greater efficiency or productivity. Often it has precisely the opposite effect. One reason that work was historically irregular is because it was largely unsupervised. This is true of medieval feudalism and of most labor arrangements until relatively recent times, even if the relationship between worker and boss was strikingly unequal. If those at the bottom produced what was required of them, those at the top couldn’t be bothered to know how the time was spent.  Most societies throughout history would never have imagined that a person’s time could belong to his employer. But today it is considered perfectly natural for free citizens of democratic countries to rent out a third or more of their day. “I’m not paying you to lounge around,” reprimands the modern boss, with the outrage of a man who feels he’s being robbed. How did we get here? By the fourteenth century, the common understanding of what time was had changed; it became a grid against which work was measured, rather than the work itself being the measure. Clock towers funded by local merchant guilds were erected throughout Europe. These same merchants placed human skulls on their desks as memento mori, to remind themselves that they should make quick use of their time. The proliferation of domestic clocks and pocket watches that coincided with the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the late eighteenth century allowed for a similar attitude toward time to spread among the middle class. Time came to be widely seen as a finite property to be budgeted and spent, much like money. And these new time-telling devices allowed a worker’s time to be chopped up into uniform units that could be bought and sold. Factories started to require workers to punch the time clock upon entering and leaving. The change was moral as well as technological. One began to speak of spending time rather than just passing it, and also of wasting time, killing time, saving time, losing time, racing against time, and so forth. Over the course of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, an episodic style of working was increasingly treated as a social problem. Methodist preachers exhorted “the husbandry of time”; time management became the essence of morality. The poor were blamed for spending their time recklessly, for being as irresponsible with their time as they were with their money. Workers protesting oppressive conditions, meanwhile, adopted the same notions of time. Many of the first factories didn’t allow workers to bring in their own timepieces, because the owner played fast and loose with the factory clock. Labor activists negotiated higher hourly rates, demanded fixed-hour contracts, overtime, time and a half, twelve- and then eight-hour work shifts. The act of demanding “free time,” though understandable, reinforced the notion that a worker’s
time really did belong to the 
person who had bought it. The idea that workers have a moral obligation to allow their working time to be dictated has become so normalized that members of the public feel indignant if they see, say, transit workers lounging on the job. Thus busywork was invented: to ameliorate the supposed problem of workers not having enough to do to fill an eight-hour day. Take the experience of a woman named Wendy, who sent me a long history of pointless jobs she had worked: “As a receptionist for a small trade magazine, I was often given tasks to perform while waiting for the phone to ring. Once, one of the ad- sales people dumped thousands of paper clips on my desk and asked me to sort them by color. She then used them interchangeably. “Another example: my grandmother lived independently in an apartment in New York City into her early nineties, but she did need some help. We hired a very nice woman to live with her, help her do shopping and laundry, and keep an eye out in case she fell or needed help. So, if all went well, there was nothing for this woman to do. This drove my grandmother crazy. ‘She’s just sitting there!’ she would complain. Ultimately, the woman quit.” This sense of obligation is common across the world. Ramadan, for example, is a young Egyptian engineer working for a public enterprise in Cairo. The company needed a team of engineers to come in every morning and check whether the air conditioners were working, then hang around in case something broke. Of course, management couldn’t admit that; instead, the firm invented forms, drills, and box-­ticking rituals calculated to keep the team busy for eight hours a day. “I discovered immediately that I hadn’t been hired as an engineer at all but really as some kind of technical bureaucrat,” Ramadan explained. “All we do here is paperwork, filling out checklists and forms.” Fortunately, Ramadan gradually figured out which ones nobody would notice if he ignored and used the time to indulge a growing interest in film and literature. Still, the process left him feeling hollow. “Going every workday to a job that I considered pointless was psychologically exhausting and left me depressed.” The end result, however exasperating, doesn’t seem all that bad, especially since Ramadan had figured out how to game the system. Why couldn’t he see it, then, as stealing back time that he’d sold to the corporation? Why did the pretense and lack of purpose grind him down? A bullshit job—where one is treated as if one were usefully employed and forced to play along with the pretense��is inherently demoralizing because it is a game of make-­believe not of one’s own making. Of course the soul cries out. It is an assault on the very foundations of self. A human being unable to have a meaningful impact on the world ceases to exist.

David Graeber 

[tdp-fandom]

Battle Ships Round 2 Results

Click here for pie charts.

81 votes this time, which is fewer than before but I'm still happy you all participated <3 A lot of twitter polls are happening at the same time this weekend, so maybe that had some influence :D

"What is up with that messy table at the top?" you might ask. Well, I made it less messy manually!

That plus a discussion of results will be under cut

Favorite Ships Results

Here are ship results as a column table

and a pie chart

Click here for larger files

As expected, most participants (28 people or 34.1%) were Ryllum shippers with Viravos in the second place (12 people or 14.6%) and Ruthari in the third (9 people or 11%). What really surprised me was that only three people who chose Janaya as their favorite ship were present, since Janaya is a quite popular ship.

The joke ship mentioned is "Claudia/professional help". "Blank" are all the people who didn't write anything and "no preference" is everyone who were unable or didn't care to choose.

Discussion

Part 1: Favorite ships and the margin of error

I didn't ask for the favorite ship just for the fun of it (although, this kind of statistics is always fun!). I also wanted to check whether there's a relationship between someone's favorite ship and their vote.

Unfortunately, 81 votes is not nearly enough for statistically significant results (the margin of error is almost 11%), I still managed to make this nice little table on google spreadsheets.

Here's a fragment because the full thing is too wide to fit here so please click the link above. I will discuss each section in greater detail in the second part of the Discussion section.

Note that I did not include favorite ships chosen by only one person in order to preserve the anonymity of those people. The results of two or more people are a lot harder to point back to specific individuals.

On the left there are the ships chosen as favorites and the colored columns show their voting patterns. As I mentioned before, the margin of error is 11% (which means that the accurate representation of each result would fluctuate between -11% and +11% from the result we got in this poll).

However, that was the margin of error for the entire sample of 81 people. If we take each favorite ship individually, the margin become significantly greater:

Rayllum - 28 people - 19%

Viravos - 12 people - 28%

Ruthari - 9 people - 33%

Janaya - 3 people - 57%

All the ships with 2 votes - 69%

All the ships with 1 vote - 98%

Honestly, that only makes Rayllum and Viravos results at least somewhat significant (and Ruthari for one question), and even that only applies for certain cases.

See tab number 2 (Adjusted for error) in my google spreadsheet. I marked the meaningful results in bold frame. Tab 3 discusses an example in detail.

With all that said, the point of this whole tournament is for the fandom to have fun so while I didn't get the statistics I was hoping for, I can still use the result in my discussion c:

Part 2: The results of the votes

This round was a lot less predictable than the first. Here are Stars' and my predictions - look how few we got right! (green - correct prediction, red - incorrect prediction. Btw, you can join us here c:)

Let's go through each category, because they're all quite interesting this time.

NOTE: When I say "[SHIP NAME] shippers" or "[SHIP NAME] fans", I refer to the people who took part in this specific round and chose [SHIP NAME] as their favorite ship.

I did not see it coming! I was sure Laidrin was going to win based on the amount of moonfam content I've seen on tumblr and twitter. However, while two thirds of Ruthari shippers and almost a third of Rayllum shippers voted for Laidrin, it seems the majority of participants prefer Harrai out of the two:

Possible reason? We have seen more of Harrow and Sarai (albeit mostly through flashbacks) than Lain and Tiadrin. Rayllum shippers most likely voted based on which character of the ship they prefer, Viravos shippers, just like other Viren shippers, generally like Harrow, and Ruthari shippers are more likely to prefer their faves' best friends.

Note that even with the error of 11%, Harrai still wins.

Clauderry continues to obliterated their opponents even as a ship that only appeared in one episode so far. The only shippers that consistently voted against Clauderry are Claaravos (Clauderry's rival ship) and Virayla (the shippers of which, in my personal anecdotal experience also ship Claaravos). Although what's interesting is that there were a couple of Rayllum and Viravos shippers who voted for both Clauderry and Claaravos!

Another interesting thing is that Rayllum and Viravos shippers seem to prefer Clauderry over Corpeli.

The reason? I guess it's the fact that Claudia is one of the main characters and it's a canon ship. It's possible many fans simply like their dynamic (although it's not totally clear yet) or like Terry as a character. Corpeli, while mostly not hated by people, remains a rather niche ship when it comes to active shipping.

Everyone predicted this outcome but what a beautiful battle it was! With only 2 people voting for neither and 1 person skipping the question entirely (a record low so far), this is a very significant confrontation between two large ships with active fanbases. People either love these two or hate them, with very few being utterly indifferent, and while Viravos is definitely hated by more than Rayllum (as two main antagonists vs two main protagonists), there is still overlap in these two parts of the fandom.

While I worked on my Shipping Poll results, I noticed that quite a few people who chose Rayllum as their favorite ship also shipped Viravos and vice versa. I sadly never finished analyzing the data from this perspective (I lost where I stopped and now would have to redo the whole thing from scratch) but I can still show you the unfinished results:

At least 50 people who chose Rayllum as their favorite ship also ship Viravos. At least 26 people who chose Viravos as their favorite ship also ship Rayllum. The real number are higher, although these are results from 2020.

Ruthari and Janaya shippers voting for Rayllum makes sense as the big 3 often like each other (you can also see that in the image above). Claaravos voted against Viravos as their rival ship (as we'll see Viravos shipper do later). And, as usual for Viren ships, Virayla and Virrow voted for Viravos. Viren ships generally like other Viren ships. Probably the only "rival ship" group that barely has any infighting. Possibly because none of them are currently canon.

Reason? Rayllum is not only the main canon ship, it also has the biggest fanbase. Most TDP viewers connected to Rayllum in different ways. Some like their dynamic as is, others like their potential. There are also many people who don't actively ship it but simply find it cute.

Another very surprising result! An iconic battle as well, especially since there's a huge overlap between the shippers. This round also came out the same day TDPO published the Janaya short story, which is why this result baffles me even more. Maybe Janaya shippers are simply not interested in this tournament?

Here are excerpts from that same unfinished data analysis:

Rayllum, Viravos, Clauderry and Virayla seem pretty balanced between the two. Gremaya voted against their rival ship. And Ruthari shippers only outnumber Janaya by 6 people. What's interesting is that one Janaya shipper refused to vote against their brother ship! I think this is very sweet.

The reason: Honestly? Statistical error. It's possible my tournament didn't attract an even number of Janaya and Ruthari shippers. With an 11% error, Ruthari could've had 43% and Janaya - 45%. There's also a possibility that the slash vs femslash bias plays a role (slash is generally more popular than femslash) or that people prefer Ruthari's dynamic over Janaya's but I don't have anything to back this up.

A predictable result since we've never even seen Avibeia interact onscreen.

Most shippers are either ambivalent about the two or prefer Virrow.

Reason? Virrow has lots of interactions which are even more detailed in the books. Avibeia only have a kid and a end credits picture.

Most shippers show a preference towards Anneha with the exception of Clauderry and Gremaya.

Reason? Not only is Anneha a canon ship, I've never seen anyone ship the Queens with anyone else. Ezranya, on the other hand, strongly competes with Ezris (Ezran x Ellis). There are also people who don't like the idea of shipping characters who aren't even teens yet.

Our first tie! It's hard to say if it's because people like them both or don't care either way. The yellow part might suggest the latter?

Rayllum and Janaya don't seem to care. It's especially evident with Rayllum votes. Viren ships and Clauderry lean towards Grazi while Ruthari, Claaravos and Gremaya - towards Sabos. Gremaya most likely vote against a rival ship.

The reason? I don't really have one.

This result was somewhat surprising, since Claaravos and Gremaya already faced each other in the semifinal of Rarepair Rumble and their results were very close!

Note that the number of people who didn't vote for either (which is 4 people or 6% of the voters). This is a good example how various factors might influence a completely different outcome even for the same situation.

Rayllum clearly prefer Gremaya (even 1 Janaya shipper voted for Gremaya). Viravos seem to have voted mostly against Claaravos (although it's possible some actually ship Gremaya too), Ruthari, Clauderry and Virrow are ambivalent and Virayla prefers Claaravos.

The reason? While both are hated, most Gremaya haters seem to have either calmed down or blocked me and Claaravos is generally disliked by more people.

Thank you for reading this giant post!

This took forever to assemble T-T hope you find this helpful. Please comment or DM me if you have any questions, thoughts or criticisms! Absolutely feel free to tell me if you feel I could be doing something differently. This will help me improve in future events!

[builder051]

Survey says...

Ok, time for a little (jk, intensely long) debrief on the survey results.

I’m glad you guys like the writing-to-art balance I have going right now.  I’m gonna keep it up.

I’m glad you’re cool with the life updates too.  I’ll keep up the surface level/important stuff kind of posts I’m doing now.  If you want more detailed mouthing off/journal-style meditations on my life (mainly my transition), you can follow my sideblog @my-wayward-son.

I had a feeling most of you were here for the fanfic, but there’s a solid number here for the OCs as well.  That’s awesome.

Your favorite OC group is Casa Deangles-Carson.  They come out way on top, and everyone else is pretty equal in terms of popularity.  I’m loosely organizing an arc for them, but I don’t have a ton of ideas.  I plan on rotating groups and churning out about 1 OC fic per week.  I have longer arcs planned for H and P (ofc, they’re still pregnant) and Jax Beach.

I’m pleasantly surprised you guys like the slice of life fics so much, and that helps a lot with moving the characters forward.  Sickfics are my fave too, but there’s a different kind of character development that can happen without whump as a factor.

You guys are split pretty equally about whether you’d enjoy a Troy backstory novel.  A lot of you are undecided, and I’ll poll you again when it gets closer to November.  I’m tentatively thinking I’ll split the difference and go ahead and take the time off to work on the book, but maybe open short drabble requests on weekends to keep up my content presence (I’ll still be around for headcanons and random chatter throughout the month).  I’d probably post the finished book on AO3 once it’s done and edited, so you’ll get to enjoy the completed project for free and within a few months of completion, if that sways your thoughts at all.

You’re also split pretty evenly about introducing Kris and Khalil.  I think what I’m going to do is let them pop out a little bit more in H and P’s arc, and maybe bring them out with a solo fic and character information around December after you’ve had a chance to see them in action as side characters.

As for fanfic, Spider-Man is predictably the favorite.  You also seem to really like Stucky, Iron Man, and Daredevil (that one’s really surprising; those fics get low notes and I get very few DD prompts).

Criminal Minds has a slightly smaller but extremely loyal and vocal following, which I’m well aware of (and I’m sorry I put Spencer on the back burner so much).

Black Panther is also pretty up there, which is super awesome, and the ladies (Nat and Jess) have small yet solid popularity as well.  There’s some interest in Loki, but ngl, I have a hard time writing him, so I’m not sure how often he’ll pop up.  But if you have short drabble prompts for him, send them my way because you never know when something’s going to light a spark.

I don’t think anyone knows what Titan A.E. is, and that’s ok.  I’d flip my shit if I ever got a Cale prompt (but I’d looove it).

I’m going to keep up mostly the status quo in terms of content and themes (it’s what you guys seem to like, and it’s what I like).  So that means a lot of emeto, some fevers and other illness, migraines, motion sickness, and angst/depression take center stage with some injury and other mental health/ED stuff on the side.

RE: writing eating disorders, I figured there were a good number of you who don’t prefer that content.  I totally respect that, and I realize I’m taking a risk when writing it.  It’s a pretty big part of the canon for some of my OCs and fandom characters in the ‘verses I’ve created, so I’m going to keep writing it.  I’m hoping that as it becomes less of a pressing issue for me personally it will kind of fall off the list of things at the forefront of my mind and therefore maybe show up a little less in my fics?  That’s one we’ll have to feel out.

RE: writing depression, I got several responses saying you like it, and a couple saying you don’t like it.  I personally like writing it (but it’s also a big issue for me, so it may be on or off my radar depending on how I’m feeling).  I’ll always be sure to tag it and/or put a warning at the top so you can avoid it if you want to.

As for other content you don’t like so much, if you ever really want me to avoid a topic, don’t be afraid to call it out in a prompt (such as specifying you want to see illness without emeto, or you want the person to be sick at home only).  That said, though, I write whatever comes into my head, and it's primarily either angst, emeto, or both.  As far as hurt/comfort goes, I prefer way more hurt than comfort, and I’m a little picky about which characters I like to use as whumpee and caretaker.  I realize I fall into ruts, but that’s also just how I roll.

If I filled a prompt for you and you weren’t satisfied, I’d love to take the (private, non-confrontational) constructive criticism.  You’re not going to change how I write, but I’d still like to know.  If you’d like to provide input to a requested fic during the writing/editing process, I do take commissions ($1 per 100 words), so if you’re looking for me to write something extremely comfort-heavy or otherwise different from the norm, this would be the route to take.

You guys are very interested in Starbucks Sundays, so that’ll be a go for sure.  I’ll let you know my schedule as it rolls, but I’m looking at something like 1 or 2 in the afternoon to about 5ish (US Mountain Time [-7]) on most Sundays, starting TODAY (in like an hour).  That would make it afternoon in most of North America and late evening in most of Europe, so I think I could hit availability with a lot of time zones.  There will be a few weeks here and there that I’m busy with other things, but this is looking like a solid addition to my schedule.

For the holiday mailing, that’s another pretty even split.  I’ll poll you again when it gets closer, but here are a few clarifications: you would not be required to use a real name, though cards would have to be sent to a real physical address or PO Box.  It would be open internationally, though the post might be slow.  I would not keep your address on file.  It would be deleted as soon as it’s written on the envelope.  Custom cards have to be purchased with a minimum of 15, so if I knew I had at least 15 interested people, I’d do it.

To the few of you who have said you’re too shy to reach out to me, I 100% understand the anxiety (I still feel it sometimes, and when I was a Tumblr noob I was way too scared to talk to a lot of people).  I admit I’m kind of awkward on chat during the getting-to-know-you phase, but I love hearing from you through asks, submissions, chat, whatever (and as long as there’s no hate, I will always respect a desire to remain anonymous).  I know there are times when I’ve been a little frustrated, but please don’t be scared to reach out if you have something to say.

Thank you a million times over for your kind comments and compliments on my writing.  I do a lot of my writing for my own health and happiness, but your feedback really means the world.  I appreciate each and every one of you so much.

[megacircuit9universe]

Relative Charisma & the Incel

WED SEP 30 2020

So the first of three debates between Trump and Biden happened yesterday, and it was... as CNN’s Jake Tapper so aptly put it, “A hot mess, inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck.”

I didn’t see it, because I was at work, but I’ve heard enough sound bytes, and seen enough post debate coverage to know that... history will remember this one and play back those clips for centuries to come... of Trump, behaving like an angry, wounded animal.

For some context, despite my last entry, in which the indy left media (TYT mostly) was crying that Biden was losing the election, based on two stand alone polls that had Trump up a tick in two states... Biden’s lead in those and all other states is actually holding, or slightly growing.

I should disclose that my information is coming from an independent YouTube polls analyst whom I’ve come to trust over the past few years.  There are many such channels on YouTube, but this guy eventually won me over, because he’s thorough, transparent, always has receipts, and pretty good at calling trends, while keeping expectations grounded in reality.

In my experience, news outlets... be they mainstream media, or indy news sources, only present polling data that they can sensationalize.  

Right wing media just deny reality and convince their viewers all news of Trump being behind is fake.  But Mainstream media always wants you to think it’s a dead heat... because that gets ratings.  Meanwhile, the indy left news wants you to think Biden is losing, to fuel more activism and more participation.

And none of this is the subject of the entry at hand, but... it’s important to get this out of the way as we move into October, when the polling data is really going to be indicative of what happens on Election Day. 

I vetted a lot of different YouTube analyst channels and settled on the one I have, because... I trust this guy.

So... when I sit here an say that Biden has a significant lead in all critical states, has several paths to 270, is ahead in national polls, etc... I’m getting that from a trusted source.  It’s not just me being blindly optomistic based on some things I happened to pick up here and there.

Okay...

Back to context for Trump behaving like a wounded animal in yesterday’s debate...

On the one hand, yes, Biden is still way ahead, and looking like he’ll be the clear winner... which I’m sure Trump doesn’t like.  But on the other hand, Trump was also deeply humiliated this past Sunday when The New York Times published a bunch of his tax returns... going up to 2017 and 2018, when he was, of course, President.

And the story reveals that he’s drowning in debt, and has been for quite a long time... with most of it being owed to mysterious unknown parties... which is a security concern.  It also exposed how little taxes he’s paid... which may or may not be tax evasion, technically, but is not a great look for a populist President.

Quick sidebar here... Presidential tax returns are never normally news, because all Presidential candidates since Nixon have willingly published theirs upon declaring their candidacy... until Trump.  

So it’s not like he’s being singled out by the New York Times for exposure of his private business. 

On the other hand, the tax returns weren’t exactly a bomb shell.  More like a fizzling sparkler.  No personal check from Putin, with, destroy democracy, written on the memo line.

Yeah, he pays almost no taxes, but... we already knew that’s par for the course for all billionaires.  It’s kinda the reason the progressive left exists.

But in terms of context for Trump being a wounded animal... it’s the drowning in debt thing he never wanted to go public.  For Trump... it’s an unspeakable humiliation, like getting pantsed in public, only to reveal that you like to wear Wonder Woman Underoos or something.

It’s a massive blow to the image he’s created for himself, and defended so dearly... of being a legitimate billionaire, who used his shrewd instincts, and financial brilliance to amass deep pockets of untouchable wealth... self proliferating, tax free, multi-generational wealth.

Instead, he’s just an idiot, billions of dollars in debt, forcing the US government to pay millions to his Mara Lago resort, for hundreds of golf outings (around 200 to date) and he’s still in the red... at Mara Lago!  Forget his other debts and failing ventures!

A quote from Iron Man 2 is very apt, here...  

Ivan Vanko : [laughs] If you could make God bleed, people would cease to believe in Him. There will be blood in the water, the sharks will come. All I have to do is sit back and watch as the world consumes you.

That was Ivan’s rationale for attacking Tony Stark at the racetrack.  It’s also been interpreted as a foreshadowing of the scene in Infinity War, several years later, where Tony Manages to punch Thanos hard enough to scratch his cheek and get a single drop of blood out of the mad titan.

Here in 2020 reality, the New York Times did get that single drop of blood... on Sunday.

And going into his first debate with Biden... who has been stubbornly leading in the polls all summer long... Trump was so furious, he could not keep his composure.

And this, at long last, brings us to the matter of relative charisma.

I’ve talked about it several times in the past, saying that, if you want one simple rule of thumb for predicting the next president... it’s that, whoever has the most relative charisma will win the election.

Relative, in this model, meaning... relative to the opponent. 

A great example of this would be George HW Bush (Bush1) who had way more charisma, relative to stodgy, stuffy, Michael Dukakis, in 1988.  But four years later, the same George HW Bush, looked himself, quite lacking in charisma compared to his new opponent, Bill Clinton.

It’s happened in every election of modern times.  Carter had more relative Charisma than Ford, but far far less relative charisma than Reagan... and on and on back to FDR.

It was also, obviously true that in the match up between Trump and Hillary Clinton... Trump had all the relative charisma. PT Barnum levels of charisma!.. as the happy, quippy, rude, outsider... to her... boring gramma persona saying, “Pokemon Go to the polls!”

And early this year, during the primaries, when Bernie Sanders was still in the running, I said several times that Trump would, “mop the floor,” with Biden in a debate.

But... that was before Covid19... and 200,000 dead.  Before record unemployment and record evictions.  Before the Black Lives Matter movement caught fire in the streets, facing off with fascist police with tear gas and batons all summer.  Before Biden sailed through all the insanity, staying ahead of Trump in the polls, to get the nomination.

And it was before Trump, in recent months, sent thugs to kidnap protesters in Portland, threatening all other democratic cities with the same, began knee-capping the post office, was exposed for calling our soldiers suckers and losers, refused to accept the election results if he wasn’t the winner, refused to commit to a peaceful transition of power unless we, get rid of the ballots, and... was exosed as swimming in debt.

So in Tuesday night’s debate... while he did try his level best to mop the floor with Biden... Trump came off as... well, an incel*.

We all, sadly know how incel’s debate, having suffered them like a bed bug infestation in every comment section on the internet for the past ten years, and in last night’s debate... Trump was, incel personified!

Moderator Chris Wallace, of Fox News, even gave Trump the chance to back away from the event horizon of the black hole that is at the heart of incel culture, by asking him to simply denounce white supremacy.

And not only could Trump not denounce white supremacy... after dancing around the quesion, he wound up saying that a group of white supremecist incels known as the Proud Boys, should, “stand back, but stand by!”

In other words... he’s not only banking everything on the incel vote... he’s calling on the incels to join Beta Force, and be ready... to intimidate voters in person on election night... and to create mayhem when he loses.  

Please stand by, incels... but you understand, this is not a paid gig, right?  I’m kinda tight on money right now, so you’ll need to be fighting for me out of the prematurely ejaculating spite in your sexually inadequate hearts!

The point here, is that the question of relative charisma between Joe Biden and Donald Trump has finally been answered.

Incel vibe, is not charisma.  It’s the opposite of charisma.  It’s a combination of wounded spite, bitter frothing at the mouth, and indefensible stupidity... all the things that make normal people want to puke.

So, while Biden may not have much in the charisma department... he does have a few charming attributes above the base line for a decent human being capable of empathy and logic.  

And in a match up with the Trump of October 2020... that means, Biden has all the relative charisma... and he now has it on lock down.

We can talk soon about Trump’s incel chances of stealing the election by incel force, and the true threat that his army of incels present to our democracy, but for tonight... Trump is an incel... and incels have zero charisma.

I’m going to bed.

*Incel is a portmanteau for, Involuntarily Celibate.

It refers to straight, cis boys or men, most often white, from 15 to 35 who, despite deeply craving to engage in sexual activity with counterparts of the opposite sex, fail to attain it.  Such males believe they are entitled to sex with the partner of their choice, and are thus baffled and aggrivated by their inability to obtain it consentually.

Incels are characterized by their extremely toxic interactions, which go beyond the mysogyny one might expect, to encompass all of society.  For, in their mindset, it is not simply women who are to blame for their lack of sex, it is the entire framework of society... and that framework is also to blame for every other wish they perceive as being unfairly denied to them.

Incels resort to harassment, often thinly veiled as debate or argument, in order to torment those (most) who will not recognize their entitlement, and dream of reforming the societal order, such that their bullying rules the day... often waxing nostalgic for imagined times in the past when men such as themselves ruled without question.

They are thus, quite attracted to all forms of fascism, including, but not limited to white supremacy.

In the modern day, incels are widely regarded as a scourge, and considered by nobody outside their circle to have anything resembling charisma.

[snkpolls]

SnK Chapter 137 Poll Results

This month’s poll results brought to you by: staraves, crunchwrap, momtaku, and Giovata

Important!! This month’s poll is looooooong so click the read more knowing you’ll be scrolling for a long while.

Also new this month, data junkies rejoice! if you’d like to see all 131 pages of write-ins from this month you can. View as doc or pdf

  RATE THE CHAPTER 2,188 Responses

Chapter 137, “Titans”, was one of the most polarizing chapters in recent memory, provoking strong reactions both positive and negative.  When we compiled the results, the chapter averaged 4.09 on a 1-5 scale, which places it 37th out of the 47 chapters we’ve ranked. No matter how you view it, it’s still a solid rating.

it was beautiful!!

While the pacing was somewhat spotty, overall, the chapter was absolutely fantastic and very fulfilling and answered a lot of the things I had wanted answered.

i was surprised by the events and was left crying and speechless

I'm never judging a chapter by leaks again. This was awesome!

Regardless of how good the next two chapters are, they won’t fix this one. 126 was bad, but it was just bad. This is bad and disappointing.

I realised that there are 2 chapters left so I read it peacefully while crying

It was a great setup for the final

I mean, this is complete shit and I've completely given up hope in the ending, but at least the story finally progressed at little this chapter.

i thought it was amazing. sad, yes, but amazing. i loved reading zeke and armin’s conversation in the Paths. i just really hope eren doesn’t die. with all the deaths that’s happened, his is the only one i won’t be able to bare. i already lost my favorite character, sasha, i can’t lose him too.

I had no reason to cry but I did anyways 👍

  WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT? 2,169 Responses

Before we get to the MVP results we’d like to make one quick shout out to a past poll. In 135 we asked who would be the one to detonate the explosives. Of the 1,121 responses that month, only 29 people correctly predicted it would be Jean. So while Jean only received 6.8% of the MVP vote for this act, we think those 29 people deserved some acknowledgement.

With Zeke and Armin comprising more than 20 pages of the chapter, it’s no surprise the majority of favorite moments centered around them. “Zeke and Armin’s discussing of the meaning of life” garnered one-fifth of all responses (20.2%), followed by “Zeke seeing the beauty of the world” (14.7%).  “Levi making good on his promise” (14.5%) was the third most selected option. “Armin reminiscing about the happy moments of his past”  was fourth (13.6%). The final option with double digit results was the cliffhanger ending,  “Armin saying goodbye to Eren before exploding” (10.3%).

everything in this chapter was amazing, there's literally nothing that doesn't makes me happy (except Zeke's death, it made me cry-)

Zeke‘s reflection and death are my favorite panels in the manga. It lives rent free in my mind. This is my favorite chapter of the manga so far.

I liked how Isayama had Jean reuse the suicidal blockhead nickname

I loved seeing Levi take a sort of protective, fatherly role when helping Gabi take out the Okapi Titan. And seeing him finally fulfill his promise and vow to Erwin is refreshing and makes me feel happy.

I loved the conversation between Zeke and Armin. Zeke was always nihilistic, he saw life as dry and meaningless. Armin is on the opposite - he found the meaning of life in the little happy moments. He taught Zeke that life isn't only about multiplication , but about higher, happier and more spiritual things, like love, having fun or watching sunsets and sunrises. I'm glad that Zeke found his own meaning of life and understood that there was nothing wrong about him being born on this world and he would do it once again, if he had a chance. We can add their conversation to the list of the best conversations in the manga.

it was a great chapter, and Armin & Zeke's talk was the highlight for me.

i love that scene where levi was protecting gabi from falling off falco's titan

Armin transforming and saying bye to Eren gave me absolute chills.

♡ This chapter has one of the touching scenes on AOT, because of everyone's helos moment, the unexpected character development, the fulfillment of the promise, worthy sacrifices, the reunion of the well known past titan shifters especially helping all the alliances, and the unexpected goodbyes.

  WHO WAS THIS CHAPTER'S MVP? 2,165 Responses

There were two stand-outs in this chapter. Zeke won MVP by an Eldian ass hair at 35.9% of the vote, with Armin a smidge behind at 35.5%. Third place goes to a truly majestic cameo by the Cambrian explosion at 8.4%. Honorable mentions go to the horse in fourth (6.1%), Levi with his head-spinning moves (5.4%), and Reiner (maybe) Helos Braun (4.9%).

I LOVE ZEKEEKEKKEKE

MAJESTIC ARMIN MAJESTIC ARMIN MAJESTIC ARMIN MAJESTIC ARMIN MAJESTIC ARMIN MAJESTIC ARMIN MAJESTIC ARMIN MAJESTIC ARMIN MAJESTIC ARMIN

Not crazy about Armin's "Talk no Jitsu" being the end-all solution but I reluctantly voted him MVP because there is no way in hell the brat who killed Sasha deserves anything like it even without being in only one panel

Zeke and Armin carried the chapter, after Levi and Gabi.

Falco is still best boy

Zoook <3

  WE BID FAREWELL TO THE BEAST TITAN THIS CHAPTER WITH THE DEATH OF ZEKE. LONG-TIME FOLLOWERS OF THE MANGA WILL REMEMBER THE FIRST SKETCH OF THE MYSTERIOUS FIGURE INTRODUCED AS THE ONE HOLDING THE KEY TO THE STORY. WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE WAY HE WENT OUT? 2,177 Responses

Looking back at that old sketch, it really does feel like the end of an era. 44.6% of respondents thought Zeke’s end was a good and poetic way to go out. 29% were sad to see him go but were glad he had some agency - even throwing out a last bit of sass at Levi! 12.4% didn’t like how it happened as it was somewhat sudden and maybe not as epic as it could’ve been. 7.6% question if it’s really the end for Zeke quite yet, and 6.4% have no strong opinions about it.

A fitting end for a great character

I think his ending was very poetic but could have been executed much better.

In terms of writing, he was the third best character in the post-time skip section of the story. He deserved a better ending.

funny monke man... I...

10/10 character, one of my all time favourites. In theory, I like the idea of him sacrificing himself to stop Eren, but with the build up he had (mainly the way Grisha said he would save everyone) it was an extremely disappointing death.

I love him and via development. The thing is that the way he was killed was rushed as fuck and kinda killed my enjoyment of his last moments. If worked better, pretty sure I would have cried.

I really liked the way Zeke's character arc ended, and he remains one of my favorite characters in the series.

I'm happy that he appreciated life at the end. I wish he could survive this

He was an incredible character. I'm going to miss the monkey.

i have always loved zeke as a character, his personality and everything about him was just amazing, kinda sad he's gone now but atleast he got an epic death

I have loved Zeke since the beginning and I am so sad he is gone. But thankfully his death was well-done and he went out happily, realizing the true beauty of the world.

I was underwhelmed...I hoped to get much more out of him than what we did. But I guess this is expected when you introduce like 10 new characters and try to cram their entire arcs in less than 30 chapters at the expense of the original protagonists' (I'm not salty...I swear...).

I'm happy that his arc ended the way it did. As the above question said, it was poetic. But more than anything else, it was meaningful.

i dont rlly care bout him before, but when he died i cried. idk why lol 👴

he deserved so much better

I wanted him to die, but not killed by Levi.

He's not dead

I was actually affected more by his final words rather than his death. I think Isayama concluded his character pretty well. Now he can finally play catch in peace.

  HOW HAS YOUR OPINION OF ZEKE CHANGED WITH THIS CHAPTER? 2,164 Responses

47.1% already liked or loved Zeke before this chapter. 22.5% felt much softer towards him after this chapter but not enough to really say they like him. 21.5% enjoyed his chill philosopher side so much they would’ve liked to see more of him after all. Finally, 8.9% were not convinced and still don’t care for him.

I've always found him interesting. I love how his role in the story evolved as time went on. One of the best characters in Attack on Titan.

I mean, when they released his flashbacks as a child, I already started sympathising with him. Also his paths adventure with Eren. But this chapter really solidified it for me. The guy was just a sad boy who wanted love and thought he was doing the right thing.

He was an "end justify the means " person. I don't like him still.

I mean... it was nice to see him realise that he wouldn't mind being born again, but I was still a bit miffed by the fact that he still believed that his euthanasia plan was the way to go (it sort of diluted the impact of the conversation between him and Armin). Also liked that he acknowledged the innocent people he had murdered, so I'd give his character a 6/10.

my rating on him went up a lot, but i do think that it was a bit quick for him to turn

Isayama finally got me to feel for him in the end, but it took a damn long time.

wow he actually almost grew up in his last moments, congrats to him

Probably my favourite character now.

♡ All this time I've been hating Zeke. Call me childish but I do even hate him more to the extent that I wan't him to die a horrible death, just because he gave problems to my fave character Levi. But now that he's changed and gone I feel bad and sad. But I accepted his fate and that he is dead for good.

I've always enjoyed Zeke's character. Ever since picking up the manga after Season 1 what feels like an eternity ago and he's one of my favorite characters. That being said... This chapter made me dislike him a bit.

His character was ruined in a single chapter.

His growth has been interesting to watch. I was somewhat lukewarm on him before this chapter, but his willingness open his mind and accept the life given to him made me appreciate him much more.

I never liked Zeke but at the end I really liked his character development

he’s still a dick

I am a lot more at peace with his character with the development of the recent chapters. I can't say the same for my first impression of him and what he did to Erwin's gang. Still he's a very well written chatacter and I wish he got more moments to bond with Grisha.

I thought something important or something big were gonna happen but then boom he died

I used to hate him but the more get got to know him the more I understood his character. Overall an intresting and well written charcter.... i still hate him tho hahaha but less than before.

I used to hate him but when they showed his past & how he didn’t get love from anyone I started to really like & understand him

I used to hate him tbh but after chapter 137 he turned into one of my favorite characters to bad hes dead 😔

Honestly his story hit me a lot harder than expected, and it was amazing to see him go from totally nihilistic to a little hopeful at his last moments

Honestly I'm just impressed by that long journey. I've don't recall ever changing my opinion on a single character so many times.

I hated him from the beginning for what he did to Mike, and his actions during RtS didn't improve my opinion either. Even his sad backstory didn't influence how I felt about him. And then in chapter 137 a tiny miracle happened, and moments before he died I actually felt something. Sadness. Empathy. Respect, even.  Goodbye Zeke, you were a great character.

  ZEKE’S HAD QUITE A JOURNEY, FROM SCARY MONKE TO MEME MONKE TO SAD MONKE TO ENLIGHTENED MONKE. NOW THAT HE’S GONE, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS, WHETHER POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE, ON ZEKE’S CHARACTER AS A WHOLE? 1,199 Responses

We had A LOT of responses to this one - we’ve included as many as possible without the list becoming absurdly long! If you’d like to see all of the write-ins, go back to the top of this document for the full link.

I loved Zekes character. Even as he attacked Paradis Island you could see his methodical viewpoint on their roles in all of this. He always was working the end game and their ability to not be used as pawns. We may not have always agreed with his path and believe me, there were moments I hated him. So many, but he also knew his moment in this time and what his role was. His death was a righteous one and I loved that Levi was able to fulfill his promise.

I thought his character was probably one of the best in the story, with a very well defined beliefs/viewpoint and a bunch of interesting characterwork.

I'll miss the Zook memes

I'm glad he got to understand that the world is beautiful before dying, I was angry because of all the things he did but chapter by chapter I came to realise  how sad his life was, he only had little moments to be happy and be a normal kid/person, I'm not justifying his actions but I'm not judging him either.

I'm going to miss him :/

I love Zeke as a character. He is well written on his own and also has a drastic effect on a lot of characters. I think that Zeke realizing that there are other ways to look at life and his way was not the most convenient one makes the viewer realize that no one is wrong and no one is right. I think his death was pleasing enough and he look liked he didn't have major regrets in life, other than the one he discussed with Armin.

At first he seemed to me a very cruel and conflictive character but he has had a great development and a dignified closing for his unfortunate path

Top 5 best written character

IF ONLY GRISHA THREW A FUCKING BALL AT HIM ONCE IN A WHILE :((((((

A complex and well written and likable however I still can't forgive him after Erwin

A good character, definitely one of the most interesting of SnK.

a good guy(?) at least he's listening

A good written character , loved his arc and how it ended

I think Zeke was one of the only characters that had some understandable motivations.

"Go back, I want to be monke!"

He was a really important character to the whole plot. His presence always influences the story heavily. I am kinda neutral to what to feel about him.

He was a typical Yeager - only the way he believed should be what all the others had to believe too. So I was glad that he turned around in this last chapter of his.

He was a walking meme then and now he is one of the most complex characters in the series, maybe with another father he would have been happy

He was a well defined character, with adequate back-story to understand his perspective. I cannot say he was likeable or relatable though, except from the moments he was showing some kindness to his subordinates.

He was always a good guy

He was always alone

he was always being used and now i’m crying

he was badass but still idiot

He was brainwashed with no good childhood..i feel sorry for him

He was brought up as kid without loves from his own parents until mister Tom ksaver shows him love and take good care of him as if Zeke was his son so there’s no negative thought about him as he need to do what he need to in order to save the world

Isayama once called him the ""key of the story"", and indeed he was : his character arc concluding to a philosophical answer to his existencial angst that brings forward the key statement of the story : the world is cruel but beautiful.

i felt bad for they way he grew up and when he saw how Grisha actually took care of Eren. i enjoyed his character development

I found him to be quite intriguing. His double cross of both Marley and his people with he euthanasia plan was a treat to read.

I get his motivations, and can sympathize, but genocide is rarely the answer.

I love how Zeke has been having his own character arc since Paths with him making peace with Grisha and seeing how beautiful life can be.

I loved Zeke. Not in season 3 but after reading the manga & reading his backstory my thoughts on him changed. I loved the sarcastic & funny moments with him & Levi.

i'm happy with the development he got, but i'm angry that he was suppossed to be 11/10 smart and he made the dumbest decisions ever. like trusting eren, for example.

I'm just sad Zeke is dead(seriously don't know if he's actually dead) but every time, I would always be reminded of Mike, and how Zeke let him die cruelly by the hands of not only a titan, but three of them.

I'm mad that he did betrayed eren, but im happy he got to choose when he died n how his final moments he liked them.

I'm really really glad he found the meaning of life. after being manipulated all his entire life and knowing that the world was cruel from a young age he decided to go thru with his goals even if it meant nothing in the long term to him (like his plan for paradis) but after his talk with armin his character completely changed for me. Now I understand him more and understand his character. I feel bad for him. mega bad

*sigh* , i have no idea 🙃

A guy that has shady goals but finally realized about the beauty of life which makes him sacrifice himself for the better future and people that fights for it. A good character.

A hillarious guy.

A necessary evil, and really sympathetic but still apart of me is glad he kicked the bucket

A perfect antagonist

a perfectly human and complex character. really loved his contribution to the story.

A pretty great character. One of my favorites.

A really well written character in my opinion

A solid character

A tragic character. A guy who never experienced love and ended up feeling "death is his only salvation."

A tragic story, great leader, never got too attached to him though

A very lovable monke, keep thotting it up in PATHS king

He was a badass man  who sacrifies his live for the  good of humanity

He was a character that never experienced parental love thus he wasn't able to cherish the little moments and understand the meaning of life. I have positive thoughts about him, because I am thinking what his character would be If he had a normal life as a kid

He was a good and tragic victim who became a victimizer in his pain

He was a good boi. Savage, cold and calculating, yes. But in my heart, he was a good boi who stayed loyal to his goals untill the end. I'll miss you zeke.

he was a good character while it lasted, i’m not happy nor sad that he’s dead now, but he was very well written

He was a good character. Still don't like him though

He was a good mysterious character that kept me on edge whenever he was on screen. Didnt know whether to trust him or not and I liked that.

He was a great character and I wish we could’ve seen more of him.

He was a great character overall he had a great character development in my opinion as he sided with the scouts. I'll miss him ofc but I'm glad that he got to choose when to die.

he was a great character, helped the story go amazing

A wHoLe AsS MoNkE

He was a major factor in the story without zeke we wouldn’t be where we are now I personally loved his character he was someone that was prepared to die for his beliefs which I can respect although can’t forgive him for killing all they scouts

He was a misunderstood character and by the end more people hopefully got it.(like I did) But he is now dead monke

He was a really entertaining character and I'm going to miss him.

He was a really good character who in my opinion, got great development till his last moments. Specially liked how Levi was so desperate to kill him as the monster who murdered almost all of the SC including Erwin, but he ended up killing just a man.

He was a really good character, he was only manipulated by Marh and his father (bc he wanted his affection)

he was really interesting- his motives especially. i really enjoyed his perspective of growing up in marley and turning his parents in as traitors, his compassion towards eren, his change of heart in the end. stan zeke.

He was set up to be 100IQ genus but was a self-loathing sad boy the whole time.

he was such a smart character i really enjoyed him , he was one of my favorites and will be really sad to see him die but i’m glad that he got to choose how he died

He was the best monke.

He was the bridge between Eren and Grisha. He was dealt a series bad hands :(

He was the perfect foil to Eren’s character ever since we met him.

He was truly important in each Eren, a bit Levi and the story developments.

He was very well written I feel like he deserved better

He was wonderful character, most one I connected with him in all his journey

He went from a mysterious interesting character in s2 to a character that I hated in s3 for what he done. But now in s4 onwards hes become one of my favourite characters second to eren

He's a very sad character, having grown up with so much suppression and suffering, and to believe he and his race are better off dead, which then leads him to become so determined to exact a bleak plan so his race wouldn't have to suffer anymore. I'm glad armin helped him see there's more to life in his final moments :)

He's a very smart boi but we never got to see his ass-wiping technique. Was this chapter the ass-wiping technique?

He's an amazing character.

He's an asshole, but he's funny. A funny asshole.

He's an extremely interesting character. Filled with intricacies and complexities, I think he fulfills the role he's been given perfectly. In my opinion, his arc came to a nice end and throughout the entirety of it, he remained consistent which I can appreciate.

He's been a victim of the world

He's been an interesting character all along. He should have had a bigger role at the end though.

He's confusing as a character. I feel bad for everything he went through but I'm still not a fan of him

He's funny when he plays with his sand idk😭

He's grown quite a lot as a character

He's just tried he's best t save the world tho. I'm sad for him but i think it the best end for him because he sacrificed so much. Just let him rest in peace

He's monke

He's my favorite character since the Marley arc. I found him really interesting and intriguing with all his Zekerets.

He's my favourite character

He's not really a bad guy when you see his past.

He's one of the best characters, also appreciate the recurring abs fanservice.

He's one of the best villains, if not the best villain, in the series, partially because he feels like such a genuine person outside of his horrible plan and how he can be such a lovable goofball.

He's one of the most interesting characters of SNK. Even tho I still don't like him –sorry, Erwin's dead still hurts:(– I think he was an essential figure for Eren's (& SNK's plot) evolution. A really complex man who finally found peace at the end of his life.

He's quite unlikeable at the start but as time goes by I can finally see some clue about his intention

He's so hot holy shit

He's the best brother Isayama could have written for Eren

He’s a bad dude but he’s hot

He’s a great parallel to Eren

he’s always been an insanely cool character. i dislike how nonchalant he was about ragako but i understand why he acted that way.

He’s an important key to the story and without him it wouldn’t have been the same. i didn’t agree with his plan but i understood it, same as eren.

He’s been a great charismatic character that although he caused my fav Erwin death I couldn’t hate him.

He’s been manipulated like all of them, but in the end, he’s not as shitty as Eren.

HIS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT WAS WILD!!!!!!!!! Isayama did an amazing job on delivering him a good end. I’m glad that I got to fully understand his character and know what pushed him to do the things he did and wanted to do. 10/10 character

His character is amazing; i rly liked him and i’m glad he found his peace in the end

His character was great and his plan made more sense

his titan makes me uncomfy but he has good character development, overall i don’t mind him :)

Honestly very complicated and I don’t feel like writing an essay here, but I very strongly disagree with his ideology but I understand his view point and my respect for him has grown a lot through the series to the point where I was even sad to see him go, all in all an amazingly written character. But he also killed Levi’s husband so get wrecked lol

Honestly? It looks like he was better when he was younger, he was way more scary than now. Now he just looks pathetic.

How should I write it.. He was a great brother, I love him. He loves Eren so much, that's why he chooses to die.

I always hated him and still do for all the things he did, but regardless of that I think he's an amazing character.

I always knew he was gonna die.

i always thought his way of thinking was different from others and thats why i enjoyed his chatacter a lot

I don't like him. Yes, he is a well-written character, but I can't like him because of how much harm he has done to levi. levi lost a lot of his own subordinates and friends because of that monkey.

i dont get why he didn't kill himself before and armin had to be there to state the obvious

i dont like him when he betrayed the scouts but now i understand him but i dont really like him. He deserve better when hes child and thats the cause hes doing this thing. So i guess im both okay and not okay with him

He's had an arc

he's just a brainwashed boy just like others at marley . since kid, he did not have the feels of love by his parents and he just seeing mr.ksaver as his only 'father figure' and this makes me sad like how could grisha did thus to him ?! ik grisha really obssess with eldian thingy that time but ignored your child is a big no no ❤ but for now his character have been improved a lot and makes me change my pov thru him so yeah ...

He's just like every other character in SnK: War Criminal with a backstory. What he went through as a child and a teenager creates a soft spot for him; but doesn't justify his killings and the euthanasia plan. I would have liked him to go down in a more grandiose kinda way (seeing his brain games, him just giving up on his life kinda felt lame). Overall, a great character from analytical pov.

Man vanished for the entire final arc to get one chat and Armin and kill himself. Isayama mismanaged him horribly.

maybe if he was shown love, he would've been a decent person.

I liked Zeke's detached approach on humanity, as I completely relate with his philosophy during the conversation with Armin. Even though at first I was repulsed by his sociopathic tendencies (rip Mike) his character definitely stood out. Everything about him felt rational and original, and I still believe his plan was the most logical one. Great character.

I like Zeke, he was represented as a villain but like all the characters, he's the hero of his own story. He was strong, smart, and tried to stop massive killings. I loved his relationship with Levi too (even though he almost killed him) and I loved Levi's expression when he finally killed him. I expected him to die fighting, but I like how he went down.

I liked him as a villain, but I would have much preferred his Joker-esque "watch the whole world burn" instead of yet ANOTHER misunderstood weeaboo

I really liked him and he was my second favorite character after Eren. I think he was very realisticaly written.

I really liked him as a character. He had a really good character arc not only in regard to his background, and his last moments in the physical world was absolutely stunning!!

I really liked his character towards the end, I’m glad he stepped up and helped call the past titan shifters.

I've got mixed feelings towards Zeke. I really hated him at first for the way he killed Mike - which was absolutely horrible. Then for the scouts and Erwin. But in the end we learn that it's like for anybody else: he did things because he had to. I don't hate him anymore, but I still don't love him either. He's written well, but I feel like he could've been written even more better, which is a bit sad. But he still had a great development. Lastly, the only thing left I have to say is : ✨hot monkey✨

love or hate him, zeke added an incredible dynamic to the story and the exploration of his character as well as his back and forth with others was consistently engaging. didn't think i'd say it but i'm gonna miss him

My thoughts are neutral. I think he had no choice in his life- he too was enslaved. Although, it would have been better to see more of his relationship with Tom Ksaver. That seems to be who he really is, and who he really believes himself to be.

One of the worst childhoods in AoT. I could never blame him for what he did with his life afterwards. I still wish he'd get a happier ending.

One, if not the best character in AOT. He’s such a complex, pragmatic character - I’ve loved him since his first appearance. I just wish his ending hadn’t been so anticlimactic... he deserved better.

Pretty good character but his way of chopping eldians dicks off so they don't have children to save the world was less ridiculous then what eren is doing. Eren says Zekes plan is messed up and then goes on to commit genocide like bruh 😒. But whatever atleast the rumbling stopped.

Well I don't like the guy, never did nor did I care about his sob backstory but at least in the end he came to terms with the shit he had done and accepted his dead.

Well rounded arc. Really interesting character. The idea to have the two yeager brothers have such conflicting ways to bring peace is really interesting

Zeke >>>>>>>> Eren.

Zeke abs

Zeke character is seriously much more deeper than we think he is. Not trying to write an essay here, I'll just say that Armin, Eren, Levi, etc have suffered with the loss of their loved ones. Zeke never even had the chance to be loved.

Zeke character was tragic. He just wanted to live a normal life. At the end, he gave up on his dreams and died, just like Erwin.

Zeke could’ve been one of the best characters in the manga if he had more time to shine it felt like he was either the mysterious villain or a pawn in someone else’s game zeke should’ve had way more of an impact on the story and been less of a plot device

ZEKE DESERVED BETTER

Zeke does his job. He a antagonist to our characters. He a well written character. I still will dislike him for the horrible stuff he did. But he got a good end.

Zeke GOAT. I'd personally adopt him so we could be best friends.

Zeke had a good story. One of the best character in AOT

Zeke had a much more humane plan than eren, he lived his whole life being exploited and used and didn’t truly find the beauty in the simplicity of it all until the end, very sad.

Zeke had a pretty decent character development

Zeke went from a 5d chess 200 iq keikaku master to a meme monke and I loved every second of it.

Zeke had a rare, but perfect mix of being intimidating, goofy and pathetic that made him a complete character.  I've been angry at him, laughed at him, and enjoyed everyone moment he was onscreen, whether it him killing others, getting curbstomped by Levi, or his bantering.

  WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT SEEING THE FIRST PAGES, DETAILING LIFE ON EARTH? 2,127 Responses

46.6% were excited to see real creatures of evolutionary history as part of titan lore, while 29.1% were glad to finally see the origins of that mysterious many-legged menace responsible for the world’s troubles. 12.1% aren’t totally sold on the exposition, and 6.2% would’ve preferred the origin story remain more vague. Meanwhile, 6% know who are*really* the masterminds behind it all. *taps head*

HALLUCIGENIA! Who would have thought that the main culprit of everything was just an evolved cambrian worm. Very nice.

This, in my opinion, was the best chapter of ALL the manga so far. My favourite part was the beginning resembling evolution of the real world. Simply amazing.

the "Life" part is confusing. Actually, i want that "Life" things took big part in Titan History, like controlling human, made human (Eldian) become one race for environmental reason, or something, and that "Life" thing has mind, like it could communicate with people....

Is it a coincidence that this chapter released while I was studying the Cambrian Explosion for my college biology class?

  DOES YMIR NOW SIDE WITH THE ALLIANCE? 2,161 Responses

46.3% don’t want to make any more assumptions about Ymir, they just want information first! 36% believe Ymir’s not on anyone’s side and is seeing how things unfold. 12.2% maintain that she’s sticking with Eren, and 5.5% think the alliance has won her over.

Ymir basically tried to make her own version of Instrumentality. I do think we need more elaboration on her perspective so her changing her mind is emphasised. I've been theorising she will betray Eren at some point, but with the lack of POV both on her and Eren's part, it does seem questionable.

I feel like she just didn’t want to be alone anymore. and because she’s the founder she wanted a connection between her and her subjects or her people. it’s understandable why she would help eren with trying to achieve his goal but it also makes sense for her to help the alliance stop eren because she is now free.

  WHAT DID YOU THINK OF PATHS BEING THE RESULT OF YMIR’S DESIRE FOR SAFETY AND CONNECTION? 2,106 Responses

Again, a plurality of 43.9% want to wait for more information from Ymir’s perspective before deciding how they feel about her. 33.6% think the explanation in this chapter made sense and made her more believable in her motives. 15.1% somewhat grudgingly accept that for the role Ymir plays, this’ll do. However, 5% just don’t like it or just don’t think it makes sense.

i have no idea if it makes sense plot-wise but since one of the primary human needs is connection it's believable and touching

I'm surprised because I believed that was the empty, lonely world  created by her subconscious mind or desire for serving the king. Now it looks like it is the world where she feels safe and is waiting for someone to give her what she desires.

Despite the lack of exact origin, this make sense, specially if we see other science fiction war-politic drama, as the first Gundam Series, or Foundation.

Explaining the origin of the spine creature was necessary imo, but I think the origins of the Paths should have been left vague. This explanation is a little weak.

It's sad yet kinda sweet at the same time.

I like this. Ymir best girl

I still don't understand how that shit works

I still wouldv liked it to be the transcendental plane of existence, governed by the source of all life.

I think Paths existed before Ymir, right?

Paths became pretty stupid after Ymir was introduced.

I think she fled, got parasite'd, and that....thing has been in control of the Titans ever since, trapping the mind of a little girl in Paths for 2000 years.  Finally, someone with the Founder was able to contact her and say "You can do whatever you want!" so she just...let him have power, so she could roam freely for a bit.

I thought that we were going to get a different explanation, since PATHS is something supernatural but if Isayama wants that then Im ok with it, remember we are in a story with 16 meters giants, dont expect science explanations here lol

I understand the phrase, but I fail to see why her character turned this way given the hardships she suffered. Indeed, why did she keep obeying King Fritz instead of giving him a lesson?

I want to know why and how it spread to all Eldians instead of just shifters.

It makes sense to me, and it's a good explanation, but I have a feeling that there may be more to it.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but she was stuck for so long, that it’s initial purpose has lost meaning.

It would need a lot more explanation. How does the (still-unexplained) tree spine give her the capability to form an alternate supernatural dimension? And why would THIS be the way to form those connections, rather than, say, NOT forming massive monsters to kill people on earth? How does wandering around an endless desert alone forming weapons of mass destruction for thousands of years feel safe and connected? It's flimsy.

it's a cheap excuse as to why paths ex machina exists.

It’s a good explanation, it highlights the tragedy of her story even more

It’s honestly very sad. She is such a lonely character and the fact that she made a place where she could feel connected to others is very heartbreaking. She’s just wanted to feel loved :(

Kinda stupid. Titans are fucking weird creatures anyways and trying to explain them beyond the concept of "magic" and paths ruins it for me.

Makes sense, even Eren has stated that she has been desiring for company and understanding, meaning that she couldn't completly achieve it with the creation of paths

No, Ymir is trapped in paths due to being devoured while controlling the spine creature. Because she was eaten by humans (not turned into titans) she was stuck in the world of paths and to end titans she needs to be freed from that world.

omg i never rlly got that (i was super confused) until after i read this question- cool tho how her desire for that is so great she created a whole ass metaphysical plane wtfff

Paths didn't need to be explained but it's nice that it's connected to Ymir's desires

PATHS is pinnacle Strand-type game.

She choose to be alone in that realm, and she chose to obey the king's will. I can't feel bad for her as much as I did before

Super weird. Seemed like Ymir just kinda appeared in Paths in 122. So it existed before her right?

That definitely explains why Armin was still able to see everything that was going on in the living world. It was especially interesting to learn that all titan shifters never fully die, rather their consciousness is transferred to Paths where they remain in a seemingly dream-like state but can still be awakened to an extent, as we saw Zeke do. I still would like to see Paths destroyed in the end, though, otherwise they'll be stuck there forever and never be able to move on.

The plot with Ymir was just absolutely awful.

There are still way too many questions about her but i'm not interested in it

Though Ymir remains quite an obscure character, I've always been a fan of childhood trauma and how this affects the world they are living in, especially in a fantasy setted world. It adds an interesting level of humanity to the story.

Ymir was surprised when she entered paths in 122. She didn't expect but from what we've seen from 122, we can say that "escaping to a world free of even death" holds the most meaning. I never saw it as her desire for safety, Connection of course is existent though.

she's become a very compelling character and her ideologies are more pronounced, and I really do like how it connects to titan powers and paths. however we still need more explanations on her.

She's the incarnation of a very human feeling, no need to wonder why she became a godess

I just want to hear from her! Everyone else is telling her story and speaking for her, and I really want a moment at the end here for her to lay things out

  ARMIN SHARES A FEW MEMORIES THAT MADE LIFE WORTH LIVING, WHICH WAS YOUR FAVORITE? 2,091 Responses

Armin shared some of his sweetest memories with Zeke this chapter. 74.9% most loved the memory of him running with his two dearest friends as leaves fell. 11.8% chose the memory of walking around a marketplace with friends. 6.8% chose the memory of feeding a squirrel at training camp, and 6.5% chose the memory of reading a book on a rainy day. They were all lovely though, weren’t they?

Not afraid to admit that I teared up seeing the panel of EMA running to the tree!

I love the message in this chapter because to me this is the message of AoT in general; life is worth living because of the small, precious memories we make. It's not about a great sense of purpose; just being alive makes someone a valuable human. If this is the final message of Isayama to his fans, I gladly take it.

  WAS ZEKE'S CHANGE OF HEART BELIEVABLE? 2,104 Responses

Grisha once said that Zeke would save his people, and it seems he has fulfilled this role with Armin’s encouragement. Although not without a good dash of nihilism first. 61.4% thought his decision to help Armin was perfectly in character; he just needed to be reminded of his few good memories as motivation. 19.2% did think it was a drastic change on his part, but his changed views were just a part of his character development. 15.9% did not appreciate what seemed like the dreaded Talk no Jutsu in full force.

I honestly loved Zeke’s change. Despite Ymir and Eren Zeke was still the key to this and I liked how it never changed.

It was already foreshadowed but Isayama should had set this up a few chapters ago because the execution makes it seem like Armin just told him “life gud” and he was like “oh shit u right” and then went to die

It was believable enough. Plus, I like that he still mentioned to Xaver that he still believed the euthanasia-plan was the way to go.

It was good thematically but it needed more time and more build up in the execution

It was kind of strange in my opinion but he was tasked by Grisha to stop Eren so what choices did he really have?

He doesn't have a change of heart, he just has a change of action. same motivation and beliefs, just different action he takes.

He had a lot of time to think in Paths, so yeah.

after all those fandom debates about armin using talk no jutsu on eren, we instead saw armin use it on zeke instead (so my answer is both yay, character development!! and nay, a part of me believes ONE pep talk can't COMPLETELY change a person)

As abrupt as the change was I think I do prefer this, rather than him not getting any 'better' and eventually dying without realizing the amount of trouble and hurt his actions caused.

It would be believable if we saw how the PATHS trip with Grisha and Eren affected him, but bad pacing happened

believable, shouldve had its own chapter though

don't know what to think about it

Not at all. I think if he paused and wondered on his own it would've been better. Instead it was made to wank Armin and make yet another determined adult look incompetent.

Rational me: Well at least Monke got to go out with a smile. 2013-16!me: Eren should've been giving the pep talks...I thought he was gonna be the protagonist....wahhh (cue baby crying)

Seems acceptable, just glad he’s gone

eh. it was somewhat believable. he didnt have any reason to continue existing

Happened way too quickly.

I don't know, but here's my opinion. I'd say Zeke finally open his eyes to the truth, and now he wished to do as much as he can to stop Eren before his time comes. I believe that's the reason he exposed himself to Levi, and why he chose to die after calling every titan shifters to help aid Eren's friends stop Eren. Does it make sense?

I dont get how armin convinced him more easily than eren did when theyre the ones with essentially the same endgoal

i love the idea of zeke becoming a "optimistic nihilist" but didn't at all like how rushed it was executed.

I mean, it sure could've been explored more, but we have to take into account that Zeke had been in paths for a long time (maybe for what it felt like millions of years) and by that point he felt hopeless; his dream was no longer going to become a reality, he couldn't change anything and was trapped there forever, then Armin came and gave him a different perspective, he listened and found something of value in it while at the same time not completly discarding Xaver's ideology. I like it!

I mean... it was kind of a change of heart? But he still believed that his euthanasia plan was the way to go (I dislike Ksaver for that very reason; he projected his own self loathing onto Zeke which led to him believing that life isn't precious and just inherently cruel)

I think Armin and him talked for yrs in paths but it only translated to minutes irl

I think it was either rushed to the point where Zeke-once the brainer monke-did a full 180 to give up on himself. I mean yes, character development or whatever, I think it should have been given more time to happen. He just gave up and died kinda feels off-setting considering his cunning/witty character.

I think that he just stopped caring about everything and did what Armin asked him to do.

I enjoyed armin and zeke’s conversation, and think the outcome made sense.

I was against that plot at first. But after reading different opinions, I guess he became hopeless due to his time in the paths. So the nihilist speech wasn't exactly his way of thinking. Otherwise why would he run around for making his euthanization dream come true if he was that hopeless of life. So I think his change of mind was acceptable

It did feel drastic in the moment, but I think if I were to read through the chapters more consecutively, it might make more sense to me

It doesn't make sense that someone as motivated as Zeke would sit passive the whole Rumbling. If he could have done anything to stop Eren, he would have done it before half the world was Rumbled.

Zeke wanted to eugenicize his race. Except Armin said 'look at this leaf, I like living' and he said 'yes you're right life is worth living. I will die for humanity now'. People will joke about this for years to come when they explain attack on titan to their friends.

"The greatest teacher, failure is." - A wise old ghost frog.

This change is fine in principle. It's change from his idea of euthanasia and "better not be born" toward "eventhough life is suffering too, it's worth living". But it was rushed, it would have been more believable if the idea germinated in his mind. So between the Yes and No answer.

What change of heart, he was reminded from what he found happiness in life which he was enjoying subconscioulsy before aka playing catch. An activity he started enjoying as a kid. It was a game, something kids enjoy not a heavy burden of "saving everyone" as Grisha implanted onto him.

yes because before talking to armin, he must have been so lonly in paths for such a long time, after such isolation even one talk can influence a person a lot

Zeke had this change coming - it was built up throughout the Paths chapters. The primary boogeyman figure of his life turned out to be a good man, and he apologised, turning his entire worldview upside down (not counting the whole "Stand, dad" thing) He had an eternity in Paths to process the events of ch120-122 (and maybe his entire life before that) multiple times over. Armin found him at his most vulnerable, betrayed and alone once more. Their debate back and forth, all done with mutual respect, was amazingly written. Armin showed him the way, gave him that one final nudge he needed in the right direction. It's perfectly believable, and fitting.

  IF YOU WERE IN PATHS, WHAT WOULD ARMIN’S LEAF LOOK LIKE TO YOU? 1,124 Responses

Because we love and appreciate every single one of you, this list IS going to be absurdly long. <3

♡ Levi just him.

🦧

20 inch bad dragon dildo

A baseball ⚾️

A basketball

A bed

A berry

A better chapter 137

A better final arc.

A Bible

A black hole

A blanket (don't judge me)

A blue gel pen, maybe? Or a book?

a blue pouch

a book

A book from my ninth grade year

A book I have that's full of messages from friends

A book maybe since I spend most of my times reading books with my beloved one and friends

A book probably

A book? Handphone? Idk

a bottle of black nail polish

a box of spicy chicken nuggets from mcdonalds

a bracelet

A brush

a butterfly

A cake

A camera

A candle

A card from my girlfriend

Cassette-Tape

A cat

A cd

A CD case of cellist yo yo ma

a cellphone ig xjwkxnekdkd jk a book

A cherry blossom / cherry blossom leaf

A chessboard I guess

A childhood toy

a cigarette shared between friends

A cinema ticket

A clarinet

a coffee mug

a coin

A comic book

A computer probably

a concert ticket

A cross

A cross necklace my grandma gifted me when i was like 16 (she died when i was 18 💔)

A crucifix

A crystal

A cup

A cup of coffee

A cup of coffee in a cute mug

A cupcake

A deck of cards

a dick

A dildo

A dildo (joking) a piece of cake

A dinosaur toy.

A doll

a duck

A feather.

A feather..the pretty one..could be bird's feather..

A fish

A fishing rod.

A football balloon

A fountain pen i received when i was younger.

A framed picture of EMA laughing together

A freakin’ leaf, I’m don’t have horrible mental issues like AOT characters.

A friend/family member.

a fucking leaf

A game controller.

A gameboy advance or some curry lol

A girlfriend, because i'm lonely :(

a glass 'potion' bottle

A glove

a gold necklace i got from my parents when i was little

A Good Ending

A good manga series

A good SnK manga chapter

a guitar for sure

A guitar pick

A hair band (symbolizes self development)

A handwritten message from my mother

A harmonica

a hat

A hat I made for a friend

A heart.

a Hot Wheel car

A Jewel

A joint

A joystick

a key

a kpop lightstick idk

A laptop with anime on it probably💀oh or all if my maladaptive daydreaming story notes

a leaf

A leaf as well.

A Leaf because it's a Fucking Leaf

A Lego brick

A Lego figure

A Levi nendoroid

A life

A lightsaber

a little crystal bear

a little red bean

A little rock that I've polished myself with another rock

A little treasure box

A magic the gathering card.

a manette

A Manga (maybe AoT or TG)

a manga panel

A mechanical pencil

A memory

A mobile phone

A mouse

a mouse and keyboard

a movie from blockbuster

A movie ticket

a mushroom

A music Album

A Music player

A necklace

a necklace from an ex

A necklace that my father gave me but it broke

A new Sombra skin (casual). Give her something already!

A Nintendo DS

a noose

a notebook

A notebook filled with my goals and dreams.

a nugget

A paint brush

A pair of googles from my childhood.

A peach

A pen

A pen or quill.

A pen perhaps

A pencil

A perfectly orange looking leaf. Showing that the seasons still go by even after all that misery.

A phone

a photo album

A photo of me and my friends that I keep

a photo of me and my grandpa

A photo shoot, of me and a few my classmates

A photograph of my loved ones

A picture of Hitch's boobs 😔

A picture of me, smiling

A picture of my family

A picture of my friends

a piece of SnK merch or a slice of pizza lmao

a pill

A pinecone

a ping pong racket

A pizza

A Playstation controller

A plush I still have with me since day one. It has gone through a lot with me.

a pokeball

A Pokémon card lol

A Pokemon emerald rom

A Polaroid of me and my friends!

A possible symbol for the final chapter idk tbh

A postcard I got my from my best friend

a potato

a printed photo

A ps4 controller

A PS5

A quill

A reminder of how my life goes ups and downs but still stands up to fight.

A reminder of life and how it can flourish in the most unexpected of places

A Requiem ending

a ring

A rock

A running shoe

A Santa Hat

A screen honestly

a seashell

A sewing kit

a shot of gold tequila with cinnamon sugar and an orange slice. best night of my life.

A slice of pizza bro.

a small feather

A small stuffed toy, a gift from my grandfather when i was 4 years old, not long before he passed

A snk volume with actually good chapters in it.

A soccer ball

A soccer ball.

A spider man figure

A stone with a hole.

A stuffed animal from my childhood maybe, there’s one that still sits somewhere and is a reminder of those peaceful moments of childhood.

A stuffed animal.

A symbol of innocence and life

A table tennis bat

a teacup

a teddy

A thing who link me to my mom or my brothers

a token. A palm sized blue token with W.S engraved on it in white

A toy

A toy bear dhiq

A toy mouse

A toy plane.

a vape

A volume from this manga lmao

A volume of one piece

a wax pen

A whole bed.

A Wii Remote

A wrestling ring or a brush for paint

A xbox 360 controller..

Actually my answer is really dumb but it will surely look like my picture with my friends at a school camp in forest.

African barbecue chicken

Alcohol 👌🏿

Also a leaf because nature holds my best memories.

an actual decent ending for the series, which this isn't

An AoT manga

an apple

An Attack on titan manga, the 26 volume:(

An attack on titan volume

An autumn leaf maybe

An ice cream

An iced coffee

an old axe

An old Bionicle canister: 8536 - Kopaka. It just feels right, y'know?

An onahole

An orange

An snk volume

Anime-original ending for Season 4 part 2

Annie

annies character development before she became uwu waifu

AnR Ending.

Any of my son's toys. He's 2 yrs old. I'm crying right now...

Any small animal representing life

AOT Chapter 137🤣🤣🤣🤣

Aot manga

AoT volume 30

Apple

Armin thinks of it as falling leaves when he and his friends go to a tree

Armin would BE my “leaf”. Tbh, he gave me the strength and love to keep loving. He’s my happy memories.

armin’s leaf to me would look very green, very healthy and full of life.

Armin's corpse

Attack on Titan chapter 139

Attack on Titan's manga books.

Backyard

bald james charles

ball

balloon

Banana

banana for monke

barbie

Baritone Horn

baseball

Basement key tbh, y'all remember back in 2013 when the biggest mystery was "what was in the basement?" then it was revealed in the manga in 2016? Good ol' times when spoilers weren't everywhere 🙄

BASKETBALL

Bed

Bertholdt's redacted

Big fookin anime tiddies

Bill.

Blunt

Bohrok Kohrok

boobs

Books

bottle cap

Brass Ring

brick

Brooch

Brown and like at the beginning of fall

BTS's album

Bunny

Calisthenics ring

Camera

Can't decide

candle

Candy

Cap

Cards

Cat fur because I love my babies ❤

Cat whishker

chalk

chapter 100

Chapter 140

chapters 138 and 139

cheese slice

Chess

Chicken

chicken nugget

Chipotle

Chocy milk

Cicada

Clay

Cocaine

Cock and ball torture from Wikipedia the free encyclopaedia

coffee

Coffee mug

Coming home after school and enjoying the weekend playing football and meeting friends

Complete collection of snk volumes

Computer

condom ??

cooking with my mother, playing basketball with my brothers and sitting with my friends

Cricket ball

Damn, that's a really good question...honestly I don't know.

damn... idk

dog collar

Dont know

doughnut

Doujinshi

dreams, nostalgia, memories

Drugs

Dumbbell

Eh, probably my cat? Or the picture of people I love.

either a book or a phone

either a controller or my gf

Either a football or video game controller

Eren jaeger 😳

Eren or other

eren's abs

eren's schl-

Eren🤤🤤🤤

Erens dick

Erwin

Erwin's arm

Erwin's dick.

Erwin's right arm or levi's right eye

Erwin's smile

Everyone outside the Walls rumbled

exactly the same

Fair

family

Family Picture

Fern frond

First of all, great question :) probably a mini chalkboard with a little calculus equation on it from when I first got into mathematics

Fleshlight

floch

Flower

Food

Football

Football (soccer) ball

Freedom

From episode 1 2000 years ago!?

From the beginning the trees leaf

Fuck Armin

fuck this shit doing here

GABI'S GRUESOME DEATH

Gameboy

GameCube

GameCube controller

Gay porn

GME stonks

golf ball

Green

Green and alive.

Group picture with loved ones

Guitar

Guitar Pick

gun

GURL? I WILL NOT LOOK AT THE LEAF I WILL ONLY LOOK AT ARMIN! SORRY ANNIE!! >_<

Half Life 3

Halo (game)

hamborgar

hamburguer

hange

Harry potter novel

Historia

Historia not being a breeder

historia's soft breasts

Hmm i don't really know

hmmm, maybe a coin

hold four lokos

holidays i spent with my family n friends

homemade cooking? it would be all sandy tho

Honestly I don't know

Honestly, I don't know. Maybe the stylus I lost?

Honey bun

Hope

Hot wings

Humanity

I actually have no idea.

I did not expect such a deep question! You guys made me think for like 10min straight and question all my life. I'd say it would be a T-rex toy

i do not have any core memories. i remember nothing important of my childhood. it's all just a blank page

I don't know honestly. So many good memories, that aren't really connected with objects per se. If I could see sunlight in that sand, it would be that.

I don't know. I don't I would have any

I don't know. I don't think you would get a choice on what it would look like to you.

I don't really know I had a lot of good and importants moments in life but what I'm sure of is that it includes my family

I don't want to sit with Armin

I don’t think I’ve encountered it yet

i dont fcking know its a leaf

I dont know because i think i dont have a thing like that. I would imagine it as my previous house that means a lot to me

I had a little piglet figurine in my childhood that was lost.

I have a scructured settlement and I need cash now

I HAVE NI IDEA buuut i will think about it later ... It's a good questio actually

i have no answer for this 😞

i have no fucking clue

I have no happy memories

I have no idea lmao probably a leaf

I have no idea too much to think about.

i have so many in mind, idk what to choose.

I have to think about it that's a real good question.

I honestly don't even know. I'm probably just like Zeke who is yet to know the real value of living hehe

I need more context.

I still dont know what motivates me the most

I think it will be my favorite books

I think it would be my medals

I think it would look like a rock that I found on the beach.

I think it would look like an origami butterfly made from a business card

I think maybe leaf or flower

I think will be a pencil

I thought i had seen the leaf.is this a theory? wait? i don't see a tree on the path.where do the leaves appear? am i left behind?

I wanna know too

i was shocked tbh. the leaf became the sign that verified that there really is a connection between what happened in the past and now in the future — that the founding titan really knows everything that's going on.

I would see a specific type of pen that has the same name as my best friend

I'm not sure if I have something I'm deeply connected to.

I’m not sure

Ice cream

iced chocolate

Idk :(

idk but it does remind of the tree from the notebook ova

idk lol

idk my phone or sumin

Idk, I have many things that i love, but no clue what's the most important

Idk, i'd have to be there and be reminded

Idk, maybe hope?

Idk, maybe my cat. She's the best.

idk, something related to cartoons

Idk.....BTS album? They’re the reason my life become much brighter

In my eyes, I would have seen a music box.

Interestingly enough, also a baseball

Ironically enough, probably a baseball like Zeke

Is this really important?

Isayama-san UwU

It could be anything to me.

It could be metaphorical by contrasting the real world vs the afterlife, the past and the present, what is gone and what is still here.

It has to be something connected to an important memory of your life, not just an object that you wish you had, right? I think whatever the true answer is would be impossible for me to realise myself just by thinking. It seems like one of those things that you would only realise when it's right in front of you, then it all makes sense.

it remids him of mikasa and eren, when three of them running under the three

It would be a basketball

it would be a pencil

It would be green

it would look like a book

it would look like a dress

It would look like an autobiography book.

It would look like my bracelet I got from my best friend

It would look like Pine Tree

It would look like this chapter, but animated.

It would probably be a Lego set or smth

It would probably be the discord logo lol

it would probably look like this one follower my grandmother would always have in her garden

It's gonna be a long paragraph

It's hard to think about it right now, I would say a stick?

its remind me when they are still happy in the wall

Jean

Just a leaf

just a leaf u know its nothing particular

Just a leaf. but it also shows that freedom to everybody is different; for zeke it was just playing baseball with mr ksaver, and for armin it was running to a tree with eren and mikasa

Just.. leaf

Juul

kassete

Lacrosse ball

Leaf 👁👄👁

Leaf as well

Leaf is fine~

leaf of the tree they ran toward to

leaf?

Legit my cat

Lego brick

Lego star wars the complete saga for the Nintendo wii

letter

levi

Levi Pillow

Levi's plushie

Levi’s butt

Levi’s dumbstruck of an ass- probably a photograph of my closest friends

Levi’s happiness

Life

Life?? Idk

life..ig

Like a comb

Like a leaf

like a stuffed animal

Like Armin

Like goddamn, you think we could get some trees up in here among all this lifeless sand? jfc it's nice to see some greenery. People may suck but it's hard to say nature does

like looking at the past

Listening to music alone in my bed.

lol yikes i have no idea

Looking at a golf ball

Lots of things.

Lube

Man bun Eren

Manga

maybe a book ? idk i don't find anything memorable for now

Maybe a book or sumn.

Maybe a bottle of wine or a beach towel

Maybe a camera? Photo album?

Maybe a Lego brick

maybe a slice of cake, or a flower

Maybe also a leaf...

Maybe AOT manga? IDK lol!

Maybe book or pen

maybe flower

Maybe sad actually I don't understand 😃

meaningful memories

Meat

mf idk i’m dumb asf

Mi pets :(

Microphone

Mikasa

Mikasa body pillow

Mikasa's abs

Mikasa's smile

Mikasa’s ass

mikasas titties

mine probably will look like a paint brush<3

Money

monke

Most likely a pencil

mouse

music lol

Music Sheet

My Books

my bracelet

My cat

My cat or a cup of hot chocolate

My cats

my childhood

my childhood blanket

My childhood stuffed animal Rudi

my computer mouse

My crappy journal

my crush

My diary

My dog

My dog who died years ago, i loved him.

my dog who passed away

My dog's collar

My dog's leash I guess.

My favorite book

my friend's doodle

my friends.

My glasses or a bar of chocolate

My glasses, maybe.

My Grandma's crepes. ♥

My Grandpa (now I regret being too young to know more about his past)

My hard drive

My hedgehog

My iPod touch.

My kindergarten school

my laptop lol my best memory is blasting songs and pass the night without worrying about anything

My late grandma's glasses

my microphone

My mobile phone

my mom's ring

My mom’s cookies

My motorcycle

My notebooks

My old dog

my own damn tears

My paintbrush

My pc

My phone

My phone :)

My phone kek

My phone lol

my phone probably

My phone, with Reddit open, on r/Titanfolk, reading memes and whatever YakiBacki has made recently.

My phone???

My phone. I have a social media addiction.

My plush horse

My poems

My rabbit(s).

My seal plushie

My smartphone

My stuffed animal

My stuffed bunny from childhood😂

My switch

my teddy or some kind of gift offered by my family/friends

My trumpet. I have so many happy memories from marching band, playing with my friends every summer afternoon. I grew and learn so much through playing the trumpet. I gained so many friends and was so happy during the time I was in marching band. It was like my second home. I would give anything to go back to those happy times.

My tv remote

My unfinished new Survey Corps armor...

My wedding ring

My winnie the pooh doll lol.I loved it soooo much when I was a kid

Nami from One Piece

Nerf Guns lol

ngl it would look like a pawn or some random chess piece for me

nice try, dumbledore

nintendo switch

No comment

no I...

No I'm not ready for psychoanalysis at this moment

No idea, a locket probably

no idea, fuck Paths

Not sure honestly

Not sure. Because i havent found the purpose of my life.

Not sure. Is that bad?

Nothing in particular

Nothing to think about

Noting but vibez

obviously a volume of attack on titan

Oh gosh....this is so deep. I don’t know! Maybe a pencil?

oh man i don’t even know

One Piece volume

Orchids

Pain

Paint brush

Pandemic crisis is over

Pen

pencil

Perhaps a ballpen I used. I don't really have anything that reminds me to live in particular.

Perhaps a history book or map

Personally or as a manga reader? As a manga reader, it would be something related to the veterans, who embodied the true spirit of AoT to me

Phone

Phone full of conversations with my old friends.

phone? lol

Photo of my family

photo of my friends or Levi or Erwin 😂😂. Seriously I  haven't thought about meaning of life as deeply as Armin.

Picture of family and friends

Picture of my family and friends

Picture of sunset

pictures

Picutre of me and my parent's

Pie

pie DAHAHAHAHA

Pieck

Pieck's Ass

Pieck's butt

Pieck's Cart Titan AWOOGA

Pitchforks so I can go manifest in front of greedy Kodansha how shitty the writing is.

Pizza

pizza :)

Playing with childhood friends.

plushie from childhood

Pokeball

poop

Potato

Potatoes

pp

Probably a bike

Probably a bird I think

probably a book

probably a box of Girl Scout cookies honestly

Probably a coral, I'm a scuba diver so the ocean is always something that is close to my heart.

Probably a Gamecube controller due to that being my first gaming console I owned/played on.

Probably a gaming mouse lol

Probably a Kanye West album idk

Probably a leaf. His entire philosophy on life is exactly my philosophy on life.

Probably a manga, if anything. Or a Vinyl since I love music.

Probably a pen or paintbrush because I love art

Probably a pencil

Probably a photo

Probably a picture of my best friend

Probably a picture of my family

Probably a picture of someone I lost and cherish.

Probably a pillow.

Probably a small stuffed animal

Probably a Soccer ball

Probably a volume of AoT ffs

probably a wii controller :’)

Probably a wrestling belt or a game controller

probably an ice cream

Probably an old photo of mine

probably attack on titan manga HAHAHA

Probably earbuds!

probably how happy i was back then OMFG yea im lonely now

probably just a leaf. i don’t have anything that special to me that holds any value.

Probably like a lego brick lol.

Probably like the one you see fall 🍂

Probably Mikasa

Probably my dog plushie

Probably my old Nintendo DSi

Probably my phone

Probably one of my cats

Probably one of my childhood lego guys

Probably Pieck, or a pretty gymnastic leotard or even a pretty necklace idk

Probably smarthpone, idk tbh

Probably something important and precious to me. But right now it's probably my phone, but I doubt it exist in Attack On Titan

Probably the pillow (I named it pillow pillow great name i know) that I brought everywhere with me as a child.

probably the same leaf

ps1 controller

Ps2

PS2 controller

Pussy

Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong

Re zero all arcs

Re:Zero

Reading new chapters of Attack on Titan every month

Regrets lmao

Reiner

Reiner's ass

Reiner's booty

reiner’s titties

Remembers

revival

Rose pin

roses

Running shoes

s4 by wit

Sand of the beach I used to visit when I was young with my mother and sister

scripture

Sea or a shell

Sea-water

Seriously, a gun.

shackle

Shadis

sheet music

shingeki no kyojin LMAO

Shiranai

shitty symbolism

shoes

Small rabbit statue

Sneakers

SnK manga

SNK manga volumes (lol)

Snk’s ending

Snow

Soccer ball

Some bird species

Some object related to track

Some type of memory. Or resemble a memory??

Something belonging to Erwin

Something from home

something my grandparents had given me! or maybe my mother's necklace

Something that tells you that life is worth living if not for the smallest of moments- I suppose it would be my phone lol.

Something that would symbolize my family.

Spaghetti

starfish

Still not sure yet

Stuffed animal

Sunflower

symbol of life

Symbol of life?

Talarico

Talk No Jutsu

Tea cup

tennis ball

that fucking POMEGRANATE

That life is what we see it to be, zeke wasn't looking for anything so he found nothing there except sand but armin was hopeful so he found whats meaningful for him

That's personal wtf 😂

The admin of aot wiki😳 seriously tho uhm probably a picture of my family or something

The Ao3 front page

The Bible

The first coin I earned myself (like in The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck)

The first volume of a niche little series called Shingeki no Kyojin

The Fucking Levi FIGURE THAT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR 2 MONTHS

The hope

the HP wand I made from chopstick

the leaf could be the tree Eren, Mikasa and Armin where running from when they were still a kid or the tree Ymir fell into and got the titans power(?)

The leaf to me would look like a ring. My family gives me one every year.

The necklace my mom gave me

The nothingness

The novel I've writing.

The one he had seemed just fine.

The one under the tree, where it all began

The perfect ending, forever trying to live up to your own version it

The scarf

The seashell

The Sony PS5

The spine of Ymir

The tree

The unrevealed Ackerman and Azumabito plot line

The volume 17 manga cover back when things weren't completely terrible

There's still life and hope

This anime/manga bc I’m so attached to it

This caught me off guard. I don't know

This is a very hard question. I think to me it would show dog toys being my dog is the reason I'm still alive

This is probarly really sad but it would be one of the Aot manga books.

This isn't about me, this is about the manga chapter

This manga

This manga. I wouldn't mind being born again... if it meant being able to experience this story for the first time again... So I'll guess I'll thank you, Hajime Isayama.

This question has the same vibe as "what would you see on the mirror if Erised", therefore, I'm not sure

This series

This so hard but probably the ticket from the Twenty One Pilots concert I went to in 2019 (it was my first concert ever and the last one I went to before the pandemic)

This was actually a really nice question ;0;  To me the leaf would look like, there was a day where i drew Gionro it took 8 hours to others it may sound normal but to me I had so much fun drawing and coloring it. Also the first time i got a dog i was so happy for years i really wanted one and later on we ended GETTING ANOTHER dog and even a cat ;0; that was unexpected!!

Tits

To-do list completed

Too me the leaf would look like a soccer ball

Tray

Tulip

uhh, my phone? I don't have much on my life lmao

Um... I don't know to be honest. I mean does this have to be an object ? Can it be something else ?

ur mom

Very colorful, yet simple. I feel like I would be able to tell it’s importance just by the way Armin looks at it.

VHS copy of the 1977 animated Hobbit

vodka

Volleyball

Volume 30 of AoT

vv cool

waifu figure

water

Waterpistol

Weed

Weed pen

Well, damn, I don't know if I have one lol

What

What leaf? That's clearly a kite.

Who knows

Who knows hehe

Who knows lol.

Xbox controller

yam's balls

yo moma

You.

Your mom

youth and innocence

Zeke being alive and well, raised in a loving household

Zeke living

  THERE WERE A LOT OF STEPS TO SAVING ARMIN, WHICH WAS THE BEST PART? 2,058 Responses

There was some much loved teamwork this chapter. 25.9% of respondents enjoyed Mikasa’s relentless pursuit of the Okapi the most, closely followed by 25.7% who were impressed by Gabi’s continuing kill streak. 21.6% were glad to see Armin help to save himself, and 19.9 % were pleased to see Annie break Armin’s fall. Finally, 6.9% of respondents appreciated Connie saving Armin from another round of Okapi tongue action. Though sadly he didn’t get a mention in the comments!

I genuinely really liked the part where Gabi fired a perfect shot, I personally think she isn't as bad as people make her out to be.

Annie catching Armin was 10/10.

it was so cool to see the team work I'd always dreamed it would look like. Also Levi supporting Gabi was so cuute.

  WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE RETURNED SHIFTER MOMENT? 2,044 Responses

While all the returning titans had a moment of action, it was “Bertoldt saving Annie” that was top pic for favorite shifter moment with 40% of the responses. “Porco and Marcel together” was a distant second with 17.3%. “Freckled Ymir saving Reiner” closely followed with 17.1%.

BERTHOLDT IS BACK!!!!! REIBERT REUNION WHEN

Ymir (freckles) is my personal favourite, she could've said one line at least! Same goes for Kruger and Porco. Bringing people back to life is weird, not letting them comment on that is even weirder.

Grisha hit the gym in paths 😳

I genuinely didn't think we were gonna see freckles Ymir again, so that was a very pleasant surprise! I would have also liked for her to have some dialogue, but then again Historia hasn't had any dialogue in the present time either.

  HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT SHIFTERS OF THE PAST REGAINING CONTROL OF THEIR TITANS? 2,117 Responses

The passed came back from the past to lend the alliance a hand! Now this moment was a little controversial. 42.5% thought it was awesome seeing our old friends take control of their titans to save their loved ones. 29.9% liked what the scene was going for but thought it needed more setup or foreshadowing. 18.9% were not happy at all to see such a shonen scene in this manga. Hated it, even! Despite the many strong feelings, there was still a group of those (8.7%) who didn’t really have an opinion either way.

I feel considerably less crazy about referring to the rumbling as ""basically Ragnarok"" now that we have dead shifters coming back from Valhalla-paths to fight in the rumblnarok.

While I expected the past shifters to help out the Alliance eventually ever since we saw crying Bertotototo, I thought it was a little rushed and could've used more build-up.

i want more porco and marcel lol

Pieck seeing the Galliard brothers must have been so hard. I can't begin to imagine how she felt. :(

I still don't understand how it is Zeke that brought the titan shifters back since he was busy thinking about his childhood. I kinda didn't like the ressurection ( not exactly ) of the dead titan shifters since it takes away the meaning of death of you are actually able to interact with them.

Kruger, Grisha, and freckles Ymir coming back to help the alliance??? What??? I get the others but not these 3. Either fanservice or something more is happening under the shadows.

This chapter continued to showcase some more of the past Titan Shifters throughout the ages. What was most interesting of the past Titan Shifters that appeared in this chapter to fight the past alliance members was that some of the same Titan Shifters that appeared during Ymir's flashback in Chapter 122 can be seen fighting the Alliance in this chapter.

I thought it was interesting to finally have Freckled Ymir's description of being a mindless titan get touched upon again. She said that it was like a never ending nightmare. All the shifters Ymir and Eren summoned were asleep in that nightmare, until Zeke and Armin were able to wake them up, if only for a brief amount of time. There was a reason we saw Bertolt crying after Armin ate him. And we were only reminded again in Chapter 135 when Armin saw Bertolt crying again. I don't think these shifters gaining some of there consciousness back is an ass pull at all. We were given some bread crumbs to believe that at least dead shifters exist in some way in Paths after death.

  NOW THAT WE HAVE SEEN KSAVER’S TITAN FORM IN ACTION HOW DO YOU RECONCILE HIM SAYING HIS TITAN ISN’T GOOD FOR BATTLE? 2,078 Responses

39.7% thought him saying his titan was useless was just a lie since he wouldn’t be allowed to pursue his interest in science otherwise. 33.6% figured he was telling the truth and his titan didn’t look that useful. 17.4% think that something truly weird like a whale would’ve served that point better (plus, imagine a whale trying to attack the alliance would be hilarious). 9.2% think it’s just an inconsistency (maybe Isayama realised a whale would’ve been *too* funny).

I want MORE OF TOMS GOAT SHEEP BEAST

No I'm not calling him Ksaver, I will die on this hill

  WHY DO YOU THINK WE HAVEN’T SEEN MORE SHIFTERS SIDE WITH THE ALLIANCE? 2,046 Responses

The shifter crew that appeared to join the alliance created some confusion among readers. Why, for instance  was Kruger there but not Frieda? Where was Lara Tybur? What was the deciding factor in whether or not a shifter returned for the battle? The most popular in world explanation was that  “Zeke could only awaken those he’d met before” (33.6%). It very  narrowly edged out the more practical reason “It’s so we only see the shifters the audience is familiar with” (32.1%). 16.9% believed the Founding and Warhammer couldn’t be used because those are Eren’s titans. And 14.1% believed the reason specific titans were brought back was ideological - they where the only ones who would side with the alliance.  

I am a bit disappointed that Kruger and Grisha are fighting for the alliance now. It just doesn't really make sense that the people who helped Eren get to this point would help stop him. I'm hoping that this isn't them acting independently and are just being controlled by someone.

Ymir is the one controlling all the titans. Why the fuck is she making them fighting eachother? The titans fighting was silly

With Kruger and Grisha helping the Alliance, at this rate, Carla will come back from the dead and disown Eren.

Eren Krueger would not help the alliance he would work with Eren him and Eren have done the same thing on different scales Krueger to the end was steadfast that he did the right thing

I have been thinking that what if we see Zeke's resurrected (or whatever thing you may call it) titan fighting alongside the Alliance?

  FINGERSTEIN? 2,074 Responses

A majority of 57.9% are ALL ABOARD the Fingerstein cart train. 27% seem a little perplexed at how this crack ship blew up from only a few panels together. Well - there’s your answer! 15.1% do not approve of Fingerstein.

Isayama goated with the Jeanpiku content tbh as he should

pikujean/fingerstein omg i ship but i ship mikajean also lmao dont @ me 😔🤚🏻

i’m so glad i got fingerstein content after my months of work for it

Fingerstein is the logical shipping of the only two characters with brains still alive.

That image of a horse and cart made me choke

Does jean like pieck or still inti mikasa?

Nice ship tease of Fingerstein from Isayama, Jean and Pieck are both good characters and deserve to be happy. ^^

  HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT LEVI FINALLY FULFILLING HIS VOW TO SLAY THE BEAST TITAN? 2,118 Responses

Last month, Levi seemed prepared to give up on his promise to kill the beast titan and we as a fandom were as well. So congratulations to the 32.5% who correctly predicted that Levi might still make the kill on our 136 poll!

A majority at 52.1% were glad to see Levi get to fulfill his vow to slay the Beast Titan. After the many chapters of build up, it’s no wonder. 26.5% were just shocked he actually did it - seriously, how many years have we watched Levi ruminating over monke? 12.1% were disappointed and had wanted Levi to let it go. Don’t worry friends, fanfiction is always there for your Zevi coffee shop AU needs. 9.3% have nothing to say about it.

Where's the 'YAAAAS QUEEN' option for Levi killing Zeke tbh!!

I can’t believe Levi actually did it.

i saw the page where levi finally kills zeke before reading the chapter and I was upset bc major spoiler + it was v visually striking or whatever, so i was v pleasantly surprised that it still managed to take me by surprise. Levi is so savage !

After beheading Zeke, how would you read Levi's expression?

Anyone referring to Levi killing Zeke as "fanservice" is a loser who probably hates Levi for his popularity. Why should everyone else fight for what they want, while he gets nothing?

On Levi killing Zeke, I feel like that's narratively sloppy and only serves as some shitty ass way to make Levi relevant, since there isn't really much to his character anymore. Zeke brought the Titans back to help stop Eren, so technically he's apart of the alliance, right? So why does only he have to pay for his sins, and not anyone else who have committed genocide, partook in war crimes, or perpetuated animosity and hatred towards the Eldians?

Zeke is really dead? :((( I'm sad

I hoped Levi would give up on his revenge, but I liked how Zeke died.

I really liked this chapter but I still feel like something is up with zekie boi. He doesn't feel done yet

Obsessed with how Levi achieved his goal and wasn't even that happy about it. It was so funny to see people treat his vow as this holy grail he would only be happy and at peace if he gained and yet...wow. Doesn't look like the only thing that would make him happy was killing Zeke for Erwin after all huh? Imagine that.

  WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE BEAST TITAN POWER NOW THAT ZEKE IS DEAD? 2,052 Responses

A perfect 50% slice of respondents think the Beast Titan is heading straight for Historia’s baby. After all, we haven’t seen any baby inherit any titan in the story; now’s as good a time as any. 37.6% think titan inheritance is done due to the probable end of the curse soon. 5.5% think with Falco being possibly the only titan alive with Zeke’s spinal fluid in him, the titan will be fully inherited by him. And there are many more thoughts on that subject!

Could someone still eat him? How "fresh" does a dead shifter have to be? ???

All this time I was thinking it will randomly go to a newborn eldian baby

back to the founding titan

Eren inherit  the beast titan

floch will be resurrected

Give it to Reiner

Dam. i wanted it to go to levi:))

honestly i don’t know i’m hoping it could be used in case anyone is like about to die yk? but if not i think falco could take it

i am still not sure zeke is dead tho. bet isayama will throw us a curveball like with the serumbowl, when 90% were already attending armin's funeral and then sic! it's erwin who gets the axe

I believe Eren will end the Titan curse and the Titan power will vanish

I believe that the power of the Beast Titan will vanish forever, together with the other titan powers.

i cant answer this, its either historia or falco.

i couldn't say not with Isayams bizzare ideas lmao

I don't think anyone will inherit it before the end of the series, but not necessarily because the curse ends. It's just who gets it will be irrelevant.

I don't think it's going to be important at this point.

I don’t fucking know at this point anymore lol

I dont think it will be adressed

I think zeke may come back, I still don't think he's done yet

im torn between the historia's baby theory where the baby will inherit it or falco will inherit it completely.

Inherited by Historia's baby if Zeke is dead... but that's a big if!

It was already transferred to Falco before Zeke died

It went to a random Eldian baby,  we probably won't get to know who that is by the end of the manga.

It's in a baby in the fort

Might just disappear.

No clue but this is still pretty stupid.

No clue, I just really hope it doesn't go to Historia's baby like a lot of people are theorizing because I'd prefer an ending where she/he is the first child in 2,000 years to be born in a world free of the titan's rule. It just sounds the most fitting to me.

The Beast power is going to pass through paths where Eren and Ymir are at. It's very difficult to predict even though Historia's baby is a nominee for it.

The beast titan will go back to Ymir in paths

The kid is going to transform in  the middle of being delivered, killing Historia in the process.

Since Zeke was fused with Eren's spine-bug-body, it might me transferred to him.

Why is it so sure that historias baby will inherit it? I mean it could be but is there no other Eldian giving birth ?

Ymir is too occupied with the rumbling and titans to send the power to a new beast. It’s be a bit too coincidental if Historia’s child gets it

Zeke convinced Ymir to return Eldia to monke. Everyone is now best titan

  KILLING ZEKE SEEMS TO HAVE STOPPED THE RUMBLING, AS THE ALLIANCE PREDICTED. DOES THIS MAKE SENSE FOR YOU? 2,112 Responses

In our chapter 133 poll we asked if killing Zeke would have any effect on stopping the rumbling and only 4.2% of people thought it would, so we aren’t sure whether to side eye these results or assume a lot of people had a change of heart in the last 4 months.

35.9% agree that Zeke was always the key linking Eren to the full Founder abilities, so his death would put the rumbling on hold. However, just a tiny fraction fewer (35.6%) think we need more info about this, given chapter 122 where Eren convinced Ymir to go with his plan. 16.5% think the halt in the rumbling is just part of a clever ruse by Eren. 12% think chapter 122 made it clear that the Founder’s powers no longer need royal blood, so this development doesn’t make sense.

Outside of killing Eren; Zeke dying seems like the only way the Rumbling could've been stopped. And with all the shows and movies I've seen with the 'leader/controller dies so army stops' it doesn't come across as cheap.

wtf is Eren doing ? If killing Zeke was the way to do it (which is quite weird since royal blood seemed no longer revelant as of 122, but alright, let's admit it), couldn't he have done something to prevent Zeke from leaving paths ????

It was a very confusing chapter. Ymir switching sides and Zeke's death stopping the rumbling made no sense. We need more information.

I really wanna know why the rumbling stopped

  WHAT BEST MATCHES YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE LOTUS IMAGERY? 2,086 Responses

Was it symbolic or aesthetic? Functional or pure cinge? We had to ask about the usually lotus imagery that while beautifully drawn drew scorn from some parts of the fandom. 38.3% called it primarily symbolic, 37.1% saw it as purely aesthetic. 12.8% considered it “annoying Armin worship”, and 7.9% thinking it perhaps there was a functional reason for the character positioning. There where, of course, plenty of write-ins as well...

It looks sick af

In the final moments, Armin gave thanks to everyone around him for lending their strength. A lesser man might have claimed this to be HIS doing, since Armin indirectly triggered the whole turnaround. The humility is genuine and I respect him deeply for it.

xavier holding Armin was kinda cool but not really.

Quite possibly the worst panel in the manga, both in terms of composition (Bert’s hands are not that big) and theme (Kruger wouldn’t side with the alliance)

Something out of a satanic ritual for the crimson king

STAN ARMIN FOR CLEAR SKIN

Stupid Armin wank and the dialogue makes it cringe.

The panel is fine but the dialogue.... good lord, it makes me physically cringe

The positioning is aesthetic and symbolic, but also protective of Armin.

They're protecting Armin

Up until this moment I was so confused by who Xavier was holding. So it was Armin, makes sense, thanks.

This panel remembers me if a panel where ymir had a contract with the devil. I feel like Armin was like the messiah. Im not sure

A great set up to a huge blow to Eren

Aesthetics and function- if there were any of Eren’s goons still active, they could step in before it could get Armin.

agree with points 3 and 4 😭😭😭 please armin gets handed so much shit on a silver platter FOR WHAT

armin best boy don't hear you

ARMIN HELOS

armin king

Armin worship. Not annoying.

BEAUTIFUL INCREDIBLE JUST WOW POWER IF FRIENDSHIP

Its probably one of the best panels in the series, we just need Krueger and grisha motivations to be there

Kinda cheesy but at the same time beautiful

Didn't even realise it was lotus imagery. I thought it was just a cool shot

Don't have a huge opinion, it looks really cool and I bet there can be deeper meaning found in it.

I don’t really know to be honest but I thought the page looked badass

I have no opinion on this except wow grisha chest hair

I loved it! Armin definitely deserved such beautiful imagery. He is trully pure and kind hearted being who wishes for peace.

I think Isayama loves to imagine his panels in a museum or gallery one day.

CONFUSED

i thought it looked lame

I thought this scene was a bit corny

I'm already conflicted by who is standing here so I really don't know what to think.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE DEVIL THEORY.

It would be epic without Armong

It's aesthetic, but it also functions as a way to allow the alliance to escape the blast zone before Armin transforms. These titans protect Armin long enough to get everyone else out.

It's Armin supremacy😭😩

It's just cringe.

It's the GREATEST PANEL IN ALL OF THE MANGA. VIVA ARMIN!!!!

It's WONDERFUL and NECESSARY Armin worship

It’s a beautiful and touching image, but also a bit too much Armin worship.

It’s a reference to Naruto arriving at konoha to fight pain, that’s exactly what Armin is, a Naruto.

Xaver’s titan can be seen as a devil since it’s a Ram, he’s holding armin in his outstretched hands. I think this is what all the Ymir Apple foreshadowing is, Armin is the apple

probably mostly for aesthetic but also knowing isayama it's probably a bit more than that. i think it shows how armin and his ideologies are key. also, "The Lotus flower is regarded in many different cultures, especially in eastern religions, as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth. Its characteristics are a perfect analogy for the human condition: even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters, the Lotus produces the most beautiful flower." really fits aot ngl

  WHAT KIND OF BATTLE CAN WE EXPECT AGAINST THE SPINE CREATURE? 2,048 Responses

In yet another detour on the route to actually battling Eren, Reiner was seen wrestling the spine creature in the closing pages of the chapter. What kind of battle can we expect from this new challenger? 32% believe it will be a quick one since Armin will destroy it with his blast. 30.8% are not so optimistic, suggesting weird paths shit will happen first. 20.4% believe Reiner will have his Helos moment killing the creature with a spear. 9.3% selected a surprise Ymir with a steel chair.

Reiner will pierce it using one of the broken Eren bones as a spear like Helos personified

something creepy and disturbing will happen idk

Something creepy and mindblowing, no doubt.

The most powerful creature in aot will die by a single dramatic punch

The Spine creature is indestructible.

There won't be a battle against it.

a dumb one.

Reiner is Thor in Ragnarok fighting Jörmungandr, he is going to kill the creature and finish the Titans Powers, just to die soon after.

Both a battle and some weird Paths shit with Ymir

Reiner will die holding it back

Idk. Just hoping Reiner made it out alive.

Dear lord I have no idea, the only thing I know is Reiner Helos

If we get a fistfight a la Heaven's Feel I will cry tears of joy

It'll be inconsequential compared to Eren returning

It’s not the founding spine. The founding spine is with Eren on Paradis and once the alliance realizes that, it will be too late.

Its already dead, next chapter either Reiner is dead or he has a confrontation with Eren

It will be destroyed by Armin’s transformation

I think the explosion is the best chance for it to die, but I don't know if it'll go down that easy.

I think this is probably it for Reiner. After all he's endured, dying a heroic death would be good, despite me loving his character.

Dunno Reiner's all beat up i don't even know if he can withstand what that big ass spine is going to do

Either by using the warhammer spear to kill it , or some weird paths stuff (Maybe talking to Eren)..

Reiner will fucking die, hopefully

Reiner will keep pushing the spine creature back and tackling it to the ground to do all that he can to prevent it from reconnecting with the Founding Titan's head, and then Armin will land the finishing blow to destroy it thanks to the explosion from the  Colossal Titan's transformation.

Probably another asspull or power of friendship bs.

Punch it like Chris Redfield did with BOULDER

BIRD EAT WORM

Both Reiner and the spine creature will die in the Armong nuke

However way he deals with it, I hope he survives!!!

Can we even expect a battle against it? I was assuming it'd just drop dead sometime lol

who even cares at this point. Whether it is spine-kun or NPC shifters, I am tired of seeing the crew fight mindless opponents.

Why does it care so much about that head? That's not a joke question -- if that body's a Titan, it has options; and if it's a Warhammer construct, the whole thing is a means to an end -- so what does it have to lose?

  WILL REINER ACHIEVE HELOS STATUS BY DEFEATING THE SPINE CREATURE AND/OR EREN? 2,062 Responses

The stage is finally set and we will see if Reiner becomes the hero he once yearned to be. 38.7% of respondents think everyone’s a winner everyone was a part of playing the mythical role of Helos. 32.8% say simply that yes, Reiner will become a Helos figure in defeating the spine thing, or Eren, or both. 15.3% say no, for whatever reason Reiner will not become a new Helos. 13.3% think Reiner has already reached Helos status (the world is still in terrible danger but I like that positivity).

can’t wait to see Helos Reiner!!!

Reiner is my favorite character and I'm really torned between wanting him to die because that'd bring him peace, or wanting him to live to see his mom and take care of Gabi and Falco

I got the bad feeling that even Reiner Helos is going to add to that Mong bullshit somehow. I hope I'm wrong.

I'm hyped for next chapter because it will be the time for us Helos believers to rise, but I'm nervous, because I'm sure that it will come with Reiner's death and I'm not emotionally ready for that.

  IS EREN REALLY DONE, OR IS THERE ANOTHER ACE UP HIS SLEEVE? 2,098 Responses

A pretty solid majority of 62.2% think Eren has more fight left in him. Whaaat, really? Seems out of character. 17.8% think that he’s still in control of the situation, whether he’s dead or alive! 13.4% don’t think he can come back after Armin’s boom, and 6.6% think he may be out of ammo but that Ymir will keep up the fight.

Hope Eren isn't defeated

I think that eren is ready for all of this. Rather hes just die or have another plan but i hope at least the scout know that eren love them and doesnt have other choices.

I am on alliance side but I dont think the fight is over. I want a plot twist and more explanation esp about ymir

Shits an obvious bait lmao. Yams is gonna pull another sneaky on us like he has done since the very beginning. I still haven’t lost faith in Master Yama.

I want Eren to be alive, not because I “like the Rumbling” or because if I’m a Yeagerist (I’m actually pro Alliance), but because I like the story to make literary sense. To me, Eren getting beat in a single chapter after proving that he was incredibly OP was not good writing imo.

If this was genuinely the end, it would have absolute garbage, but every sign points to Eren winning. If you look at the chapter knowing the Avengers have already lost, it's great.

I really don’t think eren is dead. There is no way they would kill him without having any final words

  WITH THE ALLIANCE APPEARING TO HAVE THE UPPERHAND, SOME NEW THEORIES ABOUT EREN HAVE EMERGED. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING DO YOU THINK HAVE MERIT? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY. 2,022 Responses

It wouldn’t be Attack on Titan without a host of new theories with each new chapter! We tried to grab the most common ones to see which had the most traction. A whopping 67% believe there is merit to the theories that Eren knew this was going to happen and it’s part of his plan. Nearly 40% are open to the idea that Eren is remote control powering his titan form from Paradis. About 34% are open to the theory that he’ll touch Historia’s baby to restart the rumbling and 24% haven’t discounted a Lelouch ending. Only 14% of the fandom believe it’s game over for Eren.

my theory is he's faking his death to see if peace is truly achievable - If the Marleyans try to kill the Alliance, the Rumbling will inmediately continue.

I'm holding out for Eren being hidden in the skeleton's ass. Don't get mad if your headcannon doesn't come true. Most people will probably enjoy the ending and that's fine.

Eren hiding like a fckin coward while people are trampled and his friends put their lives at risk for their own goals then Eren using a child to trample some more is the most ridiculous theory I've ever seen.

Eren might wake up and continue his path forward somehow

I hope big twist next chapter

i hope Eren doesn’t just pull a lelouch.

I hope Eren Yeager doesn’t die and I also hope he doesn’t love anyone from “Attack on Titan”

Eren's not done but rumbling won't start again.

Grisha will free Eren from the burden of his consequences that he started all those years ago.

Eren could've disabled the titans powers when he wanted but didn't so he's probably realizing somme illumination from his time with Ymir

Eren wants to die at the hands of the alliance

Eren would try to activate the rumbling again  but there could be a "Miscalculation" that could interfere with his goal (i.e... Historia's child probably inheriting the Beast Titan), Hange: "You said "fight" twice, does this mean it's a two round fight?" The rumbling will restart.

He knows everything that’s happening and he said he will keep moving forward so there’s no way he’s finished yet.

he probably WANTS them to stop him, because he can't stop himself, Honestly don't know, I just know he's alive, monke is dead :(

Eren is not in Paradis, if he was the plotline of Mikasa resolution about killing Eren would be wasted completely because it would avoid making Mikasa having to answer the question and develop a bit of character, despite being set up multiple time during this arc.

I think he has something else up his sleeve that probably isnt mentioned here.

There's so many people said that he will touch historia's baby. Idk i'm alliance but the theory make sense.. I hope not yeah..

What if he's done everything because he knew he would be defeated and that it'd bring peace? He's seen everything happen, if I understood correctly, so he knew he'd be defeated at some point. Maybe that'd mean it was all a part of his plan to bring peace, WHT power is plausible but I don't think he is controlling it remotely in Paradis (that would be a joke on him after all his "moving forward" speech and all). I was thinking about Eren doing the hardening like Annie did to save himself and probably have another card up his sleeve.

He still has some last moments to fight on his own at least, if need be

He wanted to be stopped.

He'll try one final thing, only to be stopped by Mikasa&Reiner for good.

He's actually asleep like we've seen in 131 and like we've seen 2 times before. Armin will talk with his child self in order to help him wake up. When he wakes up, he regrets everything.

he's gonna cry and come back. the end.

  EREN AND HISTORIA’S POVS ARE THE BIGGEST MYSTERIES REMAINING. WITH ONLY TWO CHAPTERS LEFT, WHEN DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE THEM?

The fandom has far more confidence in getting Eren POV chapter than Historia’s with most respondents thinking we’ll get Eren’s perspective in the next chapter. Our fingers are crossed too!!

I hope we see Eren and Historia's POV next chapter

I just wanna know when we’ll see erens POV I feel like the alliance win is too good to be true. Feeling like there’s gonna be an upcoming twist

there should be eren's pov even though its just him inside the titan saying ARRRRRGGGGHHHH (LOL)

Im fucking dying to see Historia again my girl needs her POV of this shitshow

What we can still get is a conclusion on Eren's future memories, and possibly closing up the plotholes like why did Grisha give Eren his titans. Unless Isayama forgot. Maybe the reason Eren's POV is hidden from us is a SHOCKING plot twist that he planned for his nakama to destroy Hallucigenia-chan and stop the Rumbling. Because as we all know, Eren's new motto is ""I just keep snoozing forward, until I destroy, like, 50% of my enemies, and then I want to be stopped"".

We neeeeed Eren POV, we have too many questions

I'm really most interested in an eren pov.  I want to know what has been going through his mind this entire time and his opinion on the outcome

  IF THIS IS THE END OF THE FIGHT, WERE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE FINAL BATTLE? 2,106 Responses

If this was the final battle, were you satisfied? For close to 60% of the fandom that answer is yes, with 22.7% saying it surpassed their expectation and 36.6% selecting that while they’d have done some things differently they were satisfied overall.  On the negative end of the spectrum, 21.2% thought there was potential but it was cut short, while 9.5% consider this final battle stupid from start to finish.

I thought the final battle was over very easily, but it’s not a cliche shonen power of friendship win considering thousands of innocent people have already been crushed to death and the political situations with non effected countries will be a mess.

I really hope that wasn't everything

I really hope we get to see Eren have a final moment with the others, specifically with Armin and Mikasa.

We better get one last Reiner Vs Eren fight before this shit ends

It feels too wholesome for a final AOT battle...

It felt a bit too compact. The content could easily be expanded upon to create more impact.

If this is the end of the fight then the ending is pretty dogshit ngl, unless we get Erens titan vs reiner one last time

I really hope Reiner is okay :((

It was strong thematically and the battle was interesting.

Think about all the times a character has delivered their final blow with some snarky, raging or otherwise power-flexing way throughout SNK. When it was Armin’s turn to deliver a finishing blow, he did it with such humble humanity and... dare I say love (no, not ship-wise, just general love and respect for the “other side”). Guys, Armin really SHONE this chapter. Not because he took the spotlight, but because he went forth with love.

  DESCRIBE THE CHAPTER IN ONE WORD 1,436 Responses

Our friend on Twitter, @hooveredbraunie, created a word cloud of responses from each of the 5 ratings from “Rate the Chapter”. We think it’s makes a perfect snapshot of the fandom.

Looking at the list in it’s entirely, yhe top five most chosen words are:

Amazing [71] Good [42] Monke [38] Epic [37] Awesome [28]

  WHAT ARE YOU MOST HOPING TO SEE NEXT CHAPTER? 2,115 Responses

Eren. Alive. 36% are hoping the fight isn’t over. Eren talking to someone in his last moments is next with 18.7%. Of the less popular options are Historia (10.4%), Mikasa making her move (8.7%), Levi wondering what to do now that Zeke is gone (8.2% ), and someone, anyone,  in the alliance dying (6.1%).

Help i need answers😔

I HOPE WE CAN SEE EREN

Hange shard when Hange shard when Hange shard when

I just hope eren’s alive

i just hoped to see an alliance death but no

I just wanna see ymir with historia once again

I just want everyone to have a happy ending but that’s nearly impossible now

i just want historia

I'm just waiting for the next chapter for eren to appear

I just want Levi to die. He deserves to rest, god

I just want to see Reiner Bertholdt reunion

I really want Eren to have a final conversation with someone, preferrably Armin or Mikasa but at this point anyone will do.

I JUST WANT LEVI TO REUNITE WITH ERWIN IN SOME WAY IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK

Next chapter better be an Ererei talk istg

If Eren is going to lose can we at least get and alliance character dying? At least one!??

I just want to see in the next chapter if the fight is really over but with the WHT and

Please stay alive Eren T^T

pls don’t end :( i can’t emotionally take it :(

Historia's baby, it might not be yet.

I just need more answers 😅

I JUST WANT THE REST OF THE ALLIANCE STAY ALIVE!!!! AND ALSO EREN!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭

  WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS DO YOU USE TO DISCUSS THE SERIES? 1,954 Responses

While Twitter (56.1%), Reddit (41.7%), Discord (24.9%), YouTube (20.5%) and Instagram (16.4%) are still the top platforms for discussing Attack on Titan, TikTok (12.5%) , in its debut on the poll, beat out Tumblr (11.2%), Facebook (7.1%) and a whole slew of other platforms.

  ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON THE CHAPTER? 663 Responses

Hey there!

I’m so scared lol😀

I’m surprised my fav characters are still alive

Is eren and reiner alive?

I'm still hoping that they can have a happy ending. The deserves it after all the fights.

I've heard so many different theories on how this series could end and now that we are on the final chapters almost nothing has gone with my expectations. I was blown out of the water with how this final fight went. With expectations for this series so high its impossible for it to satisfy everyone. But I'm really happy with how everything turned out. A lot of plot threads are being closed up in satisfying ways and I'm content with the character development everyone is getting.

There are a few things I've been disappointed about, like the lack of Eren's point of view. But I'll hold off judgment till the series ends. I think i'll enjoy rereading this section of the story once it's finished. I caught up with the manga around 117 and waiting monthly for these chapters was made everything seem longer that it probably actually was. Overall I'm happy with how everything went.

Zeke sort of reminds me of Johan from monster. both had a messed up asf childhood and life in general. both didn't find pleasures in life at all, like simple pleasures like tea or coffee to life and people. Because they knew for themselves life had no meaning. therefore both of them could do basically whatever they wanted sorta bc life had no meaning to them and was destined to go extinct if that makes sense. To them, their actions were justified bc they had no meaning in life. But armin, this hope in the world, also knew the world was cruel. however he chose to find pleasures in it rather than distrusting it all together. He found hope in his friends and reading and more, even if it meant getting hurt by people. I believe armin will talk. This chapter messed me up man. Zeke used to be my least favorite character cause he was weird but now he's one of my favs. His death was def one of the hardest for me. ugh what a beautiful chapter. I wish they all found meaning in life before.

Where is the scarf?

Just a reminder we haven't had Ackerman immunity to mind wipes become relevant yet! It's time, Mikasa.

what the heck is going on

WHERE IS HISTORIA BABY.

reiner helos gallirei canon zeke supremacy gabi gang hoes mad

Gabi has lots of potential, and it was smart to have her as a character study. I mean, not only do we get the perspective of a brainwashed child of war, but through her, it was shown that it's possible to end all conflicts through forgiveness. She is also a replacement for sasha (sharpshooter). Levi is no shooter, but I hope he takes Gabi, and/or the other war kiddies, under his wing. I hope Levi could find another purpose, and I'm imagining being a trainer/teacher best suites him. He cares a lot and gives good guidance with his experience and wisened words…

Gay Ymir please come back and marry your wife

Honestly, I was always kinda neutral towards Zeke. Never really loved him, never really hated him. Hated what he did to the Scouts and subsequently to Erwin, but that hate really didn't last long. He was just kinda...there for me. He was an interesting character, and brought a lot to the series, but I guess it wasn't until the chapter with him and Eren as they went through his and their father's memories (the BIG chapter) that I started to warm up (?) to him. I don't know, it's hard to explain how I really felt about him overall. I will admit though, that his death, although very sudden with Levi coming out of nowhere lol, was impactful and I think a really poetic end for him. Him finally realizing the true meaning of living, seeing the beauty of their cruel world at the very end, and helping to bring an end to the Rumbling, left a very good impression on me. So, in the end...I liked Zeke. He was a good character.

Zeke and Armin's talk is... decent, I guess. Like everything in the final arc, it suffered from bizarre pacing issues, so while the core of the talk is decent, we essentially have Armin changing Zeke's entire worldview with 1 small speech. Then SUDDENLY DEAD PEOPLE COME BACK TO LIFE LEVI BEHEADS REINER HELOS ARMIN NUKE RUMBLING IS STOPPED... why the hell did we get two fanservice battle chapters just that all this gets stuffed into one?

I want Levi alive. So he can open his dream tea shop. I want him happy

I was happy to see Ksaver's titan, Armin and Zeke's talk moved me, and I'll admit I never thought the spine creature was sentient until this chapter. I'm sad the series is ending. What do I have left to look forward to each month?

Reiner Helos oh shit

I am very disappointed that is all. I feel betrayed to just read shounen battle manga story at the climax of the story. I thought Trost is over. And trost had less of the naruto tropes.

i can only hope that all the characters can live and end with a happy ending, this is ridiculous, but I hope it ends with a happy ending

I can see why some people wouldn't like it but I personal loved it

I can't answer 50% of this, I think my thoughts are unique lmao

I can't believe we are nearing the end... AOT has been with me for years. It has been a steady companion that has asked me to reflect on my morals and convictions. It has presented different points of view to me that I had to engage with. It has helped me shape my views on the world we are living in. I don't think I am ready to say goodbye to AOT yet. But I have to.

i miss eren

I miss monke

I miss zeke

I NEED MORE

I NEED MORE ANSWERS

I need more chapters, man.

I really don't get the hate for it

I really don't like Armin

I realy don't now what iysyama doing

Wish Hanji was still alive

Worst chapter of the entire series. If eren was actually defeated, and being defeated wasn't his intention, this chapter ruined the series and his character.

I sympathize for baby Zeke's struggles and the trauma he had to experience but honestly he ain't special in this manga, everyone has a sad fucking backstory. He was a pathetic little sadist, always puffed up about how Clever™ he was for double-crossing people and yet never seeing the obvious betrayal coming from Eren. I know the justification for that is "aw he cared for his baby brother uwu" but that was what made him so pathetic - for all his posturing about being smart and pragmatic for the Greater Good (which was his justification for the euthanasia plan) he was just as emotional and fallible as all the people he looked down on. His lack of self-awareness and depth of selfishness disgusts me. This ending was too good for him. He died as a martyr and he deserved much, much less. Tbf, for baby Zeke's sake, I am glad he got to see some happy memories of Xaver towards the end, but I thought his death was tasteless and a slap in the face of all the people he murdered before. (*ahem* Mike)

Suddenly grew a soft spot for zeke.

Zeke is honestly such a masterclass in character writing and it is so impressive that Isayama has written so many amazing characters. I started out really hating Zeke for what he did to Miche, and that impression carried for a long, long time, even until it was revealed that he had his own agenda, that he might be playing the long game helping Eldians, I didn't believe it because of what he did to Miche. In fact, it was Eren's cooperation with Zeke that made me turn on Eren post-timeskip. When we got that hint of Zeke backstory, I was actually kind of miffed. Like no way, Isayama, you're not going to make me sympathize with Zeke. Not happening. Yet, after I read the chapter, my thoughts were Grisha is a shit dad. Absolute shit dad. Anyway, I was still glad Eren bested Zeke in Paths, though once the Rumbling activated, I realized that I agreed with Zeke's plan better. So he's really become an interesting character for me, and I was even really excited to see him return at the end of last chapter. I still don't like him very much, but he is incredibly compelling and interesting, and I'm definitely a bit more forgiving of his earlier actions. Miche's death still sucked though.

Zeke is one of the most well written character of all time

Zeke is so fucked up, but he's hilarious and extremely meme-able. He's a tragic, well-written character who committed monstrous acts. If he didn't die here, he should have been locked up for the rest of his life.

Zeke is such a underrated but sad character. He truly taught his plan was the best Eldians. He was brain wash from his own parents and send them into pure titans, while his half brother had a normal childhood. In the end, he sacrificed himself to defeat Eren.

Zeke is super smart and very strong man ; he was defending his own past and his own sadness ; but he lost when he tried to follow his wrong feeling of sympathy toward eren ; he was thinking that he is a victim either from their father; this makes him lost everything he lived for until this moment..

Zeke is very great and one of the most important character to the story, his development also very good, i'll miss him

Zeke jeager was of course the first of the two jeager brothers and surprisingly the first son of Grisha I think as Hajime Isayama presented him it was awesome but I still not sure about his death is he really dead or is there any twist left in the last two chapters but still 🤞🤞 let’s see what is left in the series.

Zeke just wanted the eldians to be free but the way he wanted to make them free was wrong. That’s why I didn’t like him that much. But I think right now I’m sad that he had to die.

Zeke made many decisions in order to achieve his goal of ending the painful cycle of Eldian life, and because of that I feel sorry for him. I feel sad that he felt that he needed to make those decisions, and I’m glad that he was able to finally see the beauty in life at the end.

Zeke's a very interesting character to me. I love the irony of Grisha teaching him how cruel the world is in the hopes that it would radicalize him, only for it to make him wish he was never born. The guy never got the chance to just be a regular kid, except for when he was with Tom Ksaver. Tom acted like a parent should to a child, and as such Zeke ended up following through on Tom's vision rather than Grisha's. He was supposed to save the Eldian people, but came to the conclusion that it would be better if they were wiped out. I'm glad his past was brought up again in 137 where Zeke was contrasted with Armin. Zeke was born into a role with high expectations, compared to Armin who earned his expectations through repeated successes. Armin was able to grow up as the regular kid that Zeke wishes he was. His past traumas also lead him to project his own insecurities, which we can say by his assumption that all Eldians are born to suffer, and in thinking that Eren was brainwashed by Grisha, both of which aren't necessarily true. Overall I'd say Zeke is one of my favorite characters in the series, and I'm just scratching the surface of why I like him so much.

Zeke was used by others in some way, over his entire life. The restorationists goals. Kusaver using him to ease his own guilt. Marley’s military. Eren as well. I can’t help but wonder how he could have turned out if anyone had sincerely given a fuck about his own happiness.

Hate that Historia is continuing to be ignored.

I feel happy that most people are ok, but I just know that it can't last long. I hope they get a fast death at least if it all goes to hell;-;-;

I feel like eren is going to get his full freedom

I feel like it was mega rushed

I feel like people need to chill out quite a bit. Big surprise, the ending does not go according to your theories, who might’ve predicted that? Please take a moment to clear your head of the entitlement you might have accumulated in the last months, sit back and enjoy the rest of the ride. No need to get so angry over every little detail. And if you can’t even do that? You’re free to leave, but please stop spreading hate everywhere, thanks!

I feel like the reaction was so overblown. We have more chapters left, people shouldn’t disown the series now

I haven't cared about the direction this story's been going in since timeskip so I'm just along for the ride

i hope everyone will die at the end

I hope I could get inside that universe

I hope the ending won't be another typical ending like naruto with UMI DA. Whatever it is, I trust in Isayama who is a master in twist somewhat definitely can't wait for the next chapter :)

WTF Cringevangers could defeat him easy like that.. when they fight with yeagerist Annie and Reiner got heavy damage but fight against 9 Titans ? This is too easy to win.. they have not more sacrifice

Yams has done an impressive job tying this work as a whole, in terms of plot, character development, and themes

I hope there's chance for annie and armin being together because i've ship them since season 1 huhu

I hope this isn't a set up for talk-no-jutsu. One thing that set SnK apart from other fantasy/supernatural shonens was the least use of talk-no-jutsu (it was there way early in the manga and anime but still it was least). Overall, I guess when more information/clarification could've been given, we got more talk and a dissatisfying death, I expected more.

I hoped Armin would have escaped PATHS using a big brain plan

I hoped Mikasa would cut Eren out and feed him to Gabi

I just hope eren isn’t dead so that we can get one more plot twist of the series

I want everyone to be happy in the end please

I want levi to be able to tell Eren what he wanted to say to him :))))

it is mostly about zeke and armin but the other characters were also amazing, it is sad to see levi killing zeke with that expression, I'm not sure why but he is like anger to sad. anD MY ARUANI HEART OMGG, ISAYAMA DON'T KILL THEM PLS, JUST ONE COUPLE PLS T_T and additional, we are really not sure where's eren, is he really that head? what might happen next like will he continues the rumbling? who's the father of historia's baby? I hope it will be cleared in the next chapters, Im exciteddd!!

It kinda sucked.

It left a permanent stain on the name of the series, even if the ending is godlike or even if eren wins how the fuck are you going to explain this bullshit that makes zero sense and gives me vibes of a fanfic writer making it?

It left unanswered questions

It left us with more questions than answers, and I hope we get them soon. But it was satisfying overall

i love you isayama🥰😍😘 (pls don’t kill armin or mikasa i cant take this anymore🤣😁🤪🤩)

It makes me question "what will the alliance do next? Is Eren still alive? What happens to Historia?" Next chapter should answer all of that.

It ould have been longer to flesh out each scenario and make it more believable, Zeke's change would be better if a few pages more was used to add more detail to his change. The fight scene should be fine as it is. As for the death of Zeke it needs to be longer, it would have made the audience much more sattisfies, his death is a turning point and it could have played out better if Isayama paid more attention to it. But overall I enjoyed it.

it was absolutely amazing and has a great impact especially on armin, eren and mikasa

It was actually great and I think it's setting up the tone for something big in the next chapter

Truly devastating

u/animew3eb was here

It was all just so rushed and convenient- levi killing zeke like it's nbd, zeke being dead completely stopping their problem, all these random dead people coming back to life it's like - what is this? why rush things this much in the last 3 chapters?  i'm hoping isayama has something up his sleeve but the power of friendship defeating eren's still as of yet unexplained character change has left me super disappointed.

It was amazing as always and still leave me confused on certain parts but that's okay i will understand everything after it ends

It was an alright chapter, about what I really expected, as much as I'd like to I never thought Eren would win and the chapter ended the way I thought it would. With so much negativity surrounding this chapter hopefully the next chapter and the finale will ease people's mind, some people just need to remember this is a Shonen not a Seinen of course the alliance were gonna win.

It was awesome I just hope the last 2 chapters can emphasise this chapter and give it a bit more meaning

It was good definitely unexpected. If next chapter we don't see eren's POV than chapter 137 is bad.

It was good even if cheesy, looking towards 138.

It was good. Had some great moments like Reiner vs the spine creature and Levi fulfilling his promise. Zeke’s ending was really good too. But feel like a lot of potentially pivotal stuff happened with not the best delivery of explaining how/why. This may be revealed more in the final two chapters though so I won’t judge

It was good. The way we got emotions and fight scenes all in one chapter is another peak fiction writing skill from Isayama. As a lot of people think tho, some things shown in the chapter were confusing and kinda out of context, but I guess we'll gonna have all the answers in the last 2 chapters. Ngl, there was some obvious plot armor there in the Alliance side but I think Isayama already gave us enough suffering to ask for more deaths (man, just the thought of how EMA might end after this is more than enough). The ending will definitely define if AOT will go down at the best manga/anime of all time.

It was great! There are a lot of questions unanswered tho

it was great. i got goosebumps but knowing that there are only two chapters left i am really still wondeeing how things would end. knowing a lot of theories are circling on the internet i am also still confused of what will happen next so i am really looking forward on the fina chapters. uuuuuuu i dont want aot to end thoooo 😭

it was kinda confusing but it was really cool

It was kinda lame, I don’t want characters winning through power of friendship.

It was predictable, but the manner in which it was done was very good. I have more mixed feelings for eren since there is a possibility that he is dead.

It was really good, Although I side with eren, it was nice seeing the alliance getting a win

We surprisingly DIDN'T find out about the outcome of the standoff at fort Salta; last month I was sure leaving it as a cliffhanger was a waste of time since it was obvious that they were going to cooperate and aid the Alliance, but now that the Rumbling has been stopped, Maybe the twist next chapter is that the warriors arrive to see their loved ones dead/dying at Marleyan hands?

We're just rehashing the same lessons of previous arcs and we're just supposed to have conveniently forgotten them...both the feeling of powerlessness/futility of living and the message of "true freedom is..." were already covered by Eren himself back in Uprising and then in his convo with Shadis about what Carla wanted for him. Yams are you telling me he didn't learn a thing and we gotta see other people come to the same conclusions? Ok..........

Were in the Endgame now. Eren's seeming death is used to subvert expectations and is from the POV of Armin. He said goodbye to Eren expecting for him to die from the explosion, e does not say it as fact.

What a stupid chapter for my birthday.

While answering a couple questions, this chapter also made me realize that I didn't understand shit :) Maybe once the manga has ended and all my questions are answered, I will finally succeed in understanding this masterpiece.

I'm honestly shocked. I mean, every chapter got me shocked, but DAMN I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S GONNA COME TO AN END SOON WAAAAAAAAAAAH

Again, this this wasn’t enough the full list on write-ins, all 131 pages, are available. View as doc or pdf.

Thanks as always for your support of the community poll <3

[fan-of-mulligan]

FOM BLOG: FLEETWOOD TOWN 1-1 GILLINGHAM

Before leaving the house at 6.10AM In The Morning, I made sure that I had the following things on me,,,,,,, Money, Keys, My Fleetwood Town Ticket, My Sony Xperia XA1, Fleece-Jacket, Newspapers, 500ML Bottle Of Coca Cola, Lynx, Polo’s, Pad And Pen, Gloves, Spare Lids, Match-Day Programmes, Gillingham Bag, Charger and Portable Chargers - And after double checking that I had everything on me that I needed, I left the house, locked the door and made the ten to fifteen minute walk to the bus stop out-side The Cricketers Pub, which is the pick up point for The Kings Ferry Coach, And while I was waiting for the coach, I got speaking with Haydn, and we spoke about the previous fixture, which was Gillingham’s 1-0 win against Sunderland and how that was a fantastic win for The Gills, I mentioned that Brandon Hanlan’s Header was actually a goal, And I added that Two Gillingham Supporters Post Match also confirmed that it was a goal, while another gentlemen standing next to both of us mentioned that he sits In The Medway Stand close to The Brian Moore Stand and he also confirmed that the ball had in-fact crossed the goal-line.

The Kings Ferry Coach then arrived and everyone waiting for The Coach outside The Cricketers got on the coach and Peter mentioned that there were spare seats at the back, and as I got on the coach and sat down, I updated My Statuses On Facebook and Twitter with the following response, On my way to Highbury Stadium as Gillingham take on Fleetwood Town In League One This Afternoon, Hopefully, Gillingham can build on Last Saturday’s Fantastic 1-0 win against Sunderland by picking up all three points today - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!!! - Seeing as Nicholas wasn’t on the coach, I sent Nicholas a message mentioning that I assume that you are giving Fleetwood Town a miss because ticket prices for Ipswich Town and West Ham United are not exactly cheap, and I asked Nicholas if he was going to watch Bearsted play instead, Nicholas spoke about the number of matches coming up in quick succession and he was still going to be following Fleetwood Town V Gillingham, But he couldn’t make it to the game, Stephen, Diane, and Ann were also not going to Fleetwood Town V Gillingham as well.

I also sent the predictions for The Noircat Prediction League, Diane, Ann and Lisa have all predicted A Gillingham Win while I have predicted a draw, and a draw would be a decent result for The Gills, but we would love to see Gillingham pick up all three points, and after picking up supporters from Priestfield Stadium, Outside The Strand, and Strood Sports Centre, we were on our way to Fleetwood Town, and even though I still had a spare seat next to me, there was still quite a few Gillingham Supporters making the long trip to Fleetwood Town on the coach, and once everyone was on the coach, Peter went through all the formalities of the rules and regulations, and The Coach Prices for Adults and Children and no alcohol on the coach - not that anyone would carry alcohol on the coach - and the travel costs were £35 for Adults, and thankfully there were two drivers on the coach, which means that The Driving Hours Regulations will not affect us severely, because I think Drivers are allowed to drive for four hours non stop before having a break, and with two drivers, they can simply rotate to ensure that The Driving Regulation Rules are not broken.

Peter also spoke about how the coach will stop at Watford Gap Services and another service station closer to Fleetwood depending on traffic, And Peter also mentioned about the time where someone thought it would be a good idea to crash into our coach while it was stationary on the road, this meant that we had to wait an hour for a replacement coach, and we then had to wait at Norton Caines Services for the trip back to Kent (No Wonder Nicholas Isn’t Going To Fleetwood Town This Season) Also, Peter spoke about the possibility of running several coaches to West Ham United should that match go to a replay - I will be going via train for that game 100% - But I am sure we would like to see Gillingham win against West Ham United at Priestfield Stadium instead though.

Louis mentioned that he had forgotten to charge up his mobile phone, which is not a good start to an away game, thankfully, there are USB Chargers On The Kings Ferry Coach, But I always take Portable Chargers with me now, because that way, you know for sure that you are covered and you don’t have to worry about charging your electronic devices, Because it is not always the case that there are USB Chargers on the coach for long away trips, I remember telling Lewis to bring his portable chargers with him on the coach and I think everyone has there own Portable Chargers and Power-Packs with them now for away games.

Dartford Crossing at this time in the morning was easy to travel through and we had gone through Dartford Crossing at 7.35AM In The Morning and there wasn’t a lot of traffic on the road, and hopefully we don’t hit many traffic problems on our way to Fleetwood Town as well, I was looking on Twitter at a few tweets, And Barry Fuller was voted into AFC Wimbledon’s Team Of The Decade At Right Back, Max Ehmer has spoken very highly about Joey Barton and had always tipped The Premier League Midfielder to go into management, I then re-tweeted a few more tweets before re-tweeting polls from Gills Debate and Gills In The Blood, I had predicted Gillingham to get a score draw against Fleetwood Town and as long as Gillingham avoid defeat then this would be a good result, with the obvious exception being if Gillingham were winning 3-0 and ended up drawing 3-3.

The early start meant getting some sleep on the coach, and when I woke up again, we were close to Watford Gap Services, and we stopped off at Watford Gap Services At 9.18AM In The Morning for a fifteen to twenty minute stop, It was too early for me to buy anything from McDonalds, I know some supporters were probably looking by Breakfast or buy a snack, But I wasn’t going to buy anything when we stopped, and once everyone had got food and drink and were back on the coach again, we left Watford Gap Services at 9.35AM and we were on our way to Fleetwood Town.

And once we were on the road on our way to Fleetwood, I checked My Notifications On Facebook And Twitter and I noticed that Gillingham Town’s Home Match Was Postponed because of A Waterlogged Pitch and D3D4 uploaded there usual tweet where they ask supporters which game they are going to and the score prediction, and I responded back with the following,,,, Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood Town V Gillingham, Fleetwood Town 1-1 Gillingham - Olly Lee to get himself on the score-sheet for Gillingham. I had also uploaded my predicted Gillingham Starting Line Up And Substitutes Bench For Fleetwood Town V Gillingham, and I had predicted the following,,,,, Bonham, Fuller, Ehmer, Tucker, Ogilvie, Jones, O’Keefe, O’Connor, Lee, Mandron, Hanlan SUBS: Walsh (GK) Hodson, Willock, Marshall, Charles-Cook, Ndjoli, Jakubiak - I know that Stuart O’Keefe has just come back from injury, But it may well be the case that we have to make do, play Stuart O’Keefe for an hour before substituting him and maybe Matty Willock can come on and play for the final thirty minutes of the match.

Peter then came round to collect the money, And I paid My £35 fare and I had the correct amount of money on me so that Peter didn’t have to give me any change, Peter asked if I had got My Fleetwood Town Ticket On Me, And I added that I have already brought my ticket, And unless it is pay on the gate only, I always get my ticket in advance, For some away games the price goes up on the day, and also, I just prefer to get my ticket and save the hassle of queuing up for a ticket on the turnstiles, especially if we were to encounter any traffic problems, which we did experience traveling to Fleetwood Town two year’s ago now.

I got a few messages on Twitter, With One Gillingham Supporter wishing me a safe trip and hopefully it will turn out to be a happy trip, while A Fleetwood Town Supporter replied to me adding that I should wrap up warm for the "gentle breeze" in Fleetwood!, Now if the weather turns out to be awful, then at least Fleetwood Town’s Ground is covered and we can stand in the back few rows of the seated stand, or we can stand In the back row of the terrace, I am assuming that Gillingham will have there supporters situated in the seated stand, Because I cannot see Gillingham taking many supporters to Fleetwood Town just two weeks before Christmas.

After getting some more sleep on the coach, I woke up around 11.50AM, And I had been on the coach for almost five hours now, and I know many Gillingham Supporters who regularly traveled to away games game in and game out who simply have stopped going, not because of the performances and results on the pitch, not because of any financial problems, but simply it is the time it takes traveling to and from an away game, Your on the coach at 6.30AM In The Morning and chances are that we will be getting back home at 11PM at night, and you feel the after effects of traveling via coach for fourteen hours to and from an away game the day afterwards as well, So I do understand and realise why supporters cannot travel to away games, because the time it takes traveling to and from away games is time consuming to say the least.

We then stopped off at Charnock Richard Services at 12.05PM for A Forty Minute Stop, And already, I had heard conversations from supporters who believe that Gillingham have hit the jackpot with The West Ham United Home Game and Gillingham can spend big in The January Transfer Window, It used to be the case that for A FA Cup Tie, The Home Team Gets 60%, Away Team Gets 30% and The FA Gets 10%, But the rules have changed very recently, And Gillingham and West Ham United get 45% of The Gate Revenue, And The FA Get 10%, So while we don’t get as much as we used to in-terms of Gate Revenue, Gillingham V West Ham United Is Televised, And Gillingham have made over £100,000 in Prize Money for our results against Sunderland and Doncaster Rovers In The First and Second Rounds Of The FA Cup, Not to mention that we will get our share of the gate revenue from the three matches as well, But if Gillingham were to win against West Ham United, then your talking £135,000 in Prize Money and the possibility of A Money Spinning Fourth Round Draw, and that could change our entire January Transfer Window Entirely as well.

But while the focus of any money gained from Gillingham’s FA Cup Run has been conversations regarding new signings, Me and Charlie Spoke About Gillingham Players who need to be offered extended contracts, Players like Jack Tucker, and Brandon Hanlan are both young players with high potential and both players need to be tied down to long term contracts as soon as possible, and another player I believe who should also be tied down to a long term contract is Regan Charles-Cook, I know that Regan Charles-Cook has not featured in the first team as much as he would have liked, But I can see Regan Charles-Cook being one of those players who might go to another team in League One, Play regular first team football and then move on and play for A Championship Club in the near future, So I do think that Regan Charles-Cook needs to be offered a new contract sooner rather then later.

And all three players we have spoken about are young players with sell on potential, And I think that is the market that Gillingham are in at this moment in time, We need to be looking to sign young players who we can sell on for a profit so that we can generate our own revenue, and that means that Gillingham need to be watching and scouting U23 Football Games and looking at players who we can convince to sign for Gillingham Football Club, and those young players will be keen to play competitive first team football and they will want game-time and they will want to be playing in meaningful matches early on in there playing career, and when you look at our loan signings like Alfie Jones and Tom O’Connor, both players have been magnificent for Gillingham and there is no way that those two are going to go back to Southampton Next Season and play U23 Football, those two will want to go out on loan again next season, and whether Gillingham can sign those two players again on loan for next season, then time will tell.

I headed off to The NewsAgents to Buy Two 500ML Bottles Of Coca Cola and Two Cadbury Bars For £4.50, And I then headed back to the coach and sat down in my seat, before charging up My Mobile Phone with the portable charger. and portable chargers are so valuable whenever your traveling to and from an away game, And after everyone had got back on the coach again, we left the services at 12.45PM and we were on our way to Fleetwood Town and we’re just over a hour away from Fleetwood, And I messaged Knappers On Twitter to say that we are just over a hour away from Fleetwood Town, And I was looking at messages I was getting from Stephen and Diane on Facebook and I mentioned to Stephen that I predicted A Draw For The NoirCat Prediction League, and how I need to start getting a few results right in a row, Because I am starting to drop down towards the relegation zone in my division, While I mentioned to Diane whereabouts we were and how long we had to arrive at Highbury Stadium, And what we had predicted for The NoirCat Prediction League.

We then arrived outside Fleetwood Town’s Ground at 13.40PM, And The Kings Ferry Coach had to do A U Turn and park down one of the side streets within walking distance of the ground so that we do not repeat what happened last season where someone thought it would be a good idea to crash into the coach, And I double checked that I had everything that I wanted on me before getting off the coach, and after getting off the coach (and noticing just how terrible the windy conditions were) I made my towards The Highbury Chip Shop to get something to eat because I had not eaten anything since breakfast at 5.10AM In The Morning and we’re coming up to 2PM, I decided to buy a small portion of chips and two jumbo sausages for £4, And Charlie also brought sausage and chips as well, You defiantly get value for money, which is the complete opposite when I paid £5 for A Bacon Cheese-Burger At AFC Wimbledon when the cheese wasn’t melted and the buns of the burgers were not fully cooked, This applies to food inside football stadiums for the most part, And I only buy food inside the stadium if there is no other alternative.

After finishing our meals from the local chippy, we headed around to the entrance for away supporters, not knowing if Gillingham Supporters had the option to stand and sit, or if we are in the seated section only, and depending on where our supporters were situated will depend on whether we will be standing or sitting, I saw the programme seller selling programmes out-side the ground, and I Brought My Match-Day Programme For £2, and you only have to look at the back of the programme to see the quality that Fleetwood Town have got in there squad, Peter Clarke, Ashley Eastham, Chad Evans, Josh Morris, Alex Cairns, Matt Gilks, Paddy Madden and Dean Marney, You can tell looking on the back of this programme that Fleetwood Town have got the quality in there squad which shows why Fleetwood Town are Ninth In The League One Table going into this fixture.

We then headed towards the entrance for away supporters, And My Gillingham Bag was Searched before being allowed through the away turnstiles, and I then queued up to buy One 500ML Bottle Of Coca Cola For £2.20, and after getting my change back, I stood with a few Gillingham Supporters as we were watching Liverpool play against Watford at Anfield on the main screen whilst talking about our score predictions, And I had predicted A 1-1 Draw, Charlie and a few others had predicted a draw as well, and there was a general consensus that a point away from home against Fleetwood Town would be a decent point, obviously, we would love to see Gillingham pick up all three points, But a draw would still be a respectable result for The Gills.

Eventually, The Team News Came Through On Twitter, And Gillingham Lined Up As Follows,,,,,,, Jack Bonham, Barry Fuller, Max Ehmer, Jack Tucker, Connor Ogilvie, Alfie Jones, Stuart O’Keefe, Tom O’Connor, Olly Lee, Mikael Mandron, Brandon Hanlan SUBS: Joe Walsh (GK), Lee Hodson, Ben Pringle, Regan Charles-Cook, Mark Marshall, Alex Jakubiak and Mikael Ndjoli - So Stuart O’Keefe comes in to replace Mark Byrne and Ben Pringle is back named on the substitutes bench after serving a two match suspension, Matty Willock wasn’t named in the squad and with Matty Willock not in the squad, Mark Byrne out injured for the rest of the season and Stuart O’Keefe coming back from injury and Ben Pringle available for selection after serving a two match suspension, This does highlight the need for Gillingham to bring in reinforcements in midfield, as well as looking to bring in a centre back to provide defensive cover and looking to sign A Striker In The January Transfer Window.

There was a very unfortunate moment however, Because Stewards kept insisting on Gillingham Supporters to move away from blocking the view from The Control Box, Now after what happened last season, most Gillingham Supporters kept away from the control box and because of two rows had to be kept clear, it meant that Gillingham Supporters had to stand in the aisle, and we needed to stand in the back few rows because the weather was horrific, Gillingham Supporters were pleading with The Stewards to move us into The Terrace, If they don’t want us to block the view from The Control Box then if moving The Control Box is not viable, then at the very least, make sure that away supporters are either moved into the terrace, or, Put Away Supporters In The Highbury Stand down the opposite side of the pitch - And if stewards are complaining about Gillingham Supporters standing and blocking The Control Box, and there were not many of us at Fleetwood Town, then how are Fleetwood Town going to cope with Blackpool bringing a large away following to Fleetwood Town ???

I uploaded a photo of Highbury Stadium and I Tweeted The Following,,,,,, Just over ten minutes until kick off. The chippy from the local chip shop was great, Hopefully, Gillingham can pick up all three points today - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!!! - And I have got to say that it was freezing in the away end, and there were so many away regular’s who you normally see game in and game out who were not at the game this afternoon for a number of reasons, The time it takes traveling to and from Fleetwood is probably the main reason, Tickets For Ipswich Town and West Ham United are not exactly cheap, Fleetwood Town V Gillingham was being played two weeks before Christmas so maybe fans chose this as a match being a good game to miss to get Christmas Shopping Done, and away games are not cheap either, But despite the low turnout, it was crowded in the away end because Fleetwood wanted to keep the control box clear with a perfect view of the pitch.

I was speaking with Jim, who was going to AC Milan on Sunday, and he has always wanted to go to The San Siro, especially as The San Siro is going to be redeveloped in a year or two, And Jim was speaking about favourite grounds you have gone to as A Gillingham Supporter, And Jim added that the away games had to be grounds that Gillingham go to on a regular basis and not a one off (EG White Heart Lane When Tottenham Won 5-0 Against Gillingham) I mentioned Griffin Park Which Is Brentford’s Ground, Huish Park, Which Is Yeovil Town’s Ground and the main reason I mention Yeovil Town’s Ground is because we can go to Gillingham Town, And the last time Gillingham played against Yeovil Town, Gillingham Town moved there home game against Bristol Manor Farm to a early kick off and Me, Diane and Rob were going to watch Gillingham Town V Bristol Manor Farm before watching Yeovil Town V Gillingham, But Gillingham Town’s Home Game Was Postponed.

Other Grounds that were mentioned was Leyton Orient, MK Dons, Crewe Alexandra and Doncaster Rovers, I would like to see Gillingham play against Liverpool, Manchester United or Arsenal at Anfield, Old Trafford and The Emirates respectively, But to do that, Gillingham need to beat West Ham In The FA Cup Third Round and get a money spinning FA Cup Fourth Round Draw, And as far as tickets for The FA Cup Go, I am sorted and I think for the most part everyone has brought there tickets, but there might be a few who need to rely and hope that tickets go on general sale if they are looking to buy any additional tickets for Gillingham V West Ham United, And we were all in agreement that Gillingham V West Ham United will be a sell out capacity crowd and everyone is looking forward to that match as well.

Both Teams then walked out on to the pitch and the atmosphere raised in volume around Highbury Stadium with both teams lined up in-front of The Main Stand, Fleetwood Town were kicking towards The Percy Ronson Terrace and Gillingham were kicking towards The Memorial Stand, Meaning that Fleetwood Town will be kicking towards there supporters In The Second Half and Gillingham will be kicking close to where there supporters are situated, Because Gillingham Supporters are situated close to The Percy Ronson Terrace, And we are hoping that Gillingham can pick up all three points against Fleetwood Town and keep this momentum going - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FIRST HALF:

And In The First Minute Of The Match, Max Ehmer wins the aerial challenge up against Ched Evans and headers the ball forwards down the line and Danny Andrew jumps into the back of Stuart O’Keefe and knocks Stuart O’Keefe down to the deck and Gillingham have been awarded a free kick, Again, I have got to mention that it was freezing in Fleetwood and the windy conditions were not for the faint hearted, and also, Fleetwood Town Stewards Kept telling us to move out of the view from The Control Box, which meant that supporters either moved sideways or dropped down a row, and it was getting irritating to say the least, We understood that the control box needs to see the pitch, which is why several Gillingham Supporters added that we should be allowed into the terrace.

And From The Resulting Free Kick, Barry Fuller kicks the ball long down-field and Harry Souttar wins the aerial challenge up against Brandon Hanlan and Olly Lee is on to the second ball and passes the ball out-wide to Stuart O’Keefe, who evades the challenge from Paddy Madden before being penalised for his foul on Ched Evans and Paddy Madden had looked to switch play to the opposite flank, But Referee Graham Salisbury had awarded Fleetwood Town A Defensive Free Kick, And From The Resulting Free Kick, Billy Crellin kicks the ball long down-field and Kyle Dempsey flicks the ball on and Ched Evans chests the ball under control and Tom O’Connor kicks the ball long down-field towards Mikael Mandron on the halfway line, and Mikael Mandron manages to retain possession of the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Connor Ogilvie and Connor Ogilvie kicks the ball long down-field towards Brandon Hanlan, and Connor Ogilvie’s long ball down-field runs all the way through to Billy Crellin, who was able to gather the ball with ease.

And From Here, Billy Crellin kicks the ball long down-field and Jack Tucker wins the aerial challenge up against and Ched Evans and Olly Lee manages to get to the second ball ahead of Jack Sowerby, But Olly Lee has over-run the ball out of play for A Fleetwood Town Throw On In Gillingham’s Half Of The Pitch, And From The Resulting Throw On, Lewis Coyle throws the ball long down-field and Ched Evans flicks the ball on and Max Ehmer manages to clear the ball partially away from danger, and Lewis Coyle manages to get to the loose ball ahead of Mikael Mandron and Lewis Coyle manages to evade the attempted challenge from Mikael Mandron and Lewis Coyle takes a few touches in possession of the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Wes Burns, who see’s his attempted one / two with Kyle Dempsey cut out by Tom O’Connor, who manages to pass the ball forwards to Mikael Mandron, and Mikael Mandron plays a first time pass inside to Olly Lee, who passes the ball forwards to Brandon Hanlan, And Brandon Hanlan is crowded out by three Fleetwood Town Players and Wes Burns manages to pass the ball back to Lewis Coyle, who plays a long pass down the line and there was Connor Ogilvie in the right place at the right time to win the initial aerial challenge, but Kyle Dempsey manages to win the second fifty / fifty challenge, and Barry Fuller wisely headers the ball back to Jack Bonham, who was able to gather the ball with ease.

And From Here, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down-field and Harry Souttar wins the aerial challenge up against Mikael Mandron and Alfie Jones was able to win the second aerial challenge, But Paddy Madden was able to kick the ball up into the air and as the ball came back down by the byline in-front of the dugout, Stuart O’Keefe and Max Ehmer had done enough between the two of them to intercept the ball, However, Ched Evans manages to get himself between the ball and Stuart O’Keefe and Stuart O’Keefe is penalised for a foul and Fleetwood Town have been awarded a defensive free kick, and from the resulting free kick, Danny Andrew kicks the ball long down-field and Connor Ogilvie wins the initial aerial challenge and Alfie Jones back-header back towards Jack Bonham is headed back too firmly and Jack Bonham cannot prevent the ball from going out of play for A Fleetwood Town Corner Kick, And From The Resulting Corner Kick, Josh Morris whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the near post and Mikael Mandron manages to get to the loose ball first and boot the ball clear and away from danger and Danny Andrew gets to the ball ahead of Brandon Hanlan and boots the ball long down-field and Barry Fuller headers the ball forwards to Brandon Hanlan, who is penalised for a foul on Danny Andrew when it looked likely that Brandon Hanlan had turned past Danny Andrew and read the bounce of the ball better, and despite our irritation and frustration with the decision, Fleetwood Town have been awarded a free kick, And From The Resulting Free Kick, Harry Souttar’s long kick down-field towards Ched Evans is over-hit and runs out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick.

And when play resumes, Fleetwood Town were on the front-foot yet again, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down-field and Harry Souttar wins the aerial challenge up against Mikael Mandron and Stuart O’Keefe headers the second ball forwards and Harry Souttar wins the next aerial challenge and Barry Fuller headers the ball forwards and Mikael Mandron wins the aerial challenge up against Josh Morris and Kyle Dempsey wins the aerial challenge up against Tom O’Connor, and Mikael Mandron gets to the loose ball first, however, Mikael Mandron’s first touch is poor and this allows Wes Burns to intercept the ball and Wes Burns manages to pass the ball back to Lewis Coyle, who passes the ball inside to Jack Sowerby, who has possession of the ball in the centre circle and Jack Sowerby passes the ball out-wide to Danny Andrew, And Danny Andrew takes a touch to control the ball before looking to pick out Ched Evans with a threaded through-ball which is slightly over-hit and the ball runs all the way through to Jack Bonham who was able to gather the ball with ease.

Six Minutes Into The Match, And Stuart O’Keefe manages to time his challenge to perfection on Josh Morris and Stuart O’Keefe manages to win a throw on for Gillingham as well, and from the resulting throw on, Barry Fuller throws the ball long down the line and Mikael Mandron wins the initial aerial challenge to flick the ball on towards Brandon Hanlan, and Jack Sowerby manages to header the ball clear and away from danger, however, Danny Andrew has pushed Brandon Hanlan in the back and Gillingham have been awarded a free kick in a very promising situation here, and from the resulting free kick, Olly Lee whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the back-stick and Connor Ogilvie manages to header the ball back across the face of goal and Ched Evans gets the ball under control and takes a few touches in possession of the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Kyle Dempsey, who passes the ball down-field towards Josh Morris, who looks to hit Gillingham on the counter attack, But Connor Ogilvie and Tom O’Connor do enough between the two of them to slow Josh Morris down and as Josh Morris continue’s his run down the right flank, Barry Fuller has come across and ran towards the byline down the left side of the pitch in Gillingham’s Final Third and Barry Fuller kicks the ball long down-field and Wes Burns gets the ball under control and looks to start another attack for Fleetwood Town, However, Tom O’Connor manages to intercept the ball and Tom O’Connor passes the ball forwards to Brandon Hanlan, who’s first touch on the half-turn takes him past Peter Clarke, But Harry Souttar comes across and kicks the ball long down-field and Harry Souttar’s clearance has been caught in the wind and runs all the way through to Jack Bonham, who was able to gather the ball with ease, and Jack Bonham rolls the ball short to Barry Fuller, who takes a touch to control the ball, and Barry Fuller takes a few more touches in possession of the ball before kicking the ball long down the line and Harry Souttar comes across and shields the ball out of play for A Fleetwood Town Throw On and thus preventing Brandon Hanlan getting on to the long ball down-field from Barry Fuller.

And From The Resulting Throw On, Danny Andrew throws the ball long down the line and Stuart O’Keefe wins the initial aerial challenge and Jack Sowerby manages to get to the second ball ahead of Mikael Mandron and kick the ball up into the air and Kyle Dempsey wins the aerial challenge and Wes Burns is on to the loose ball and takes a few touches in possession of the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Ched Evans, And Ched Evans is under pressure from Barry Fuller and forced back towards his own goal and Ched Evans manages to pass the ball out-wide to Danny Andrew, However, Barry Fuller has slid in late on Ched Evans and Fleetwood Town have been awarded a free kick, Also, Barry Fuller was shown A Yellow Card From Referee Graham Salisbury and there can be no complaints about that booking.

And From The Resulting Free Kick, Billy Crellin kicks the ball long down the left side of the pitch and neither Wes Burns or Connor Ogilvie can win the aerial battle and the ball goes out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, And From The Resulting Throw On, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball long down the line and Jack Sowerby wins the aerial challenge up against Mikael Mandron and Wes Burns headers the ball forwards and Alfie Jones wins the aerial battle up against Kyle Dempsey, and Mikael Mandron gets the ball under control before looking to play the ball over the top towards Brandon Hanlan, But Lewis Coyle cuts that pass out with a headed clearance, But Tom O’Connor is on to the loose ball and Tom O’Connor kicks the ball long down-field and Harry Souttar takes no chances and kicks the ball into touch for a throw on, And From The Resulting Throw On, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball towards Brandon Hanlan, who chests the ball under control and Peter Clarke pulls Brandon Hanlan down to the ground and every Gillingham Supporter was appealing either for a penalty or free kick, But Peter Clarke manages to boot the ball long down-field and Max Ehmer and Jack Bonham are both going for the same ball and Jack Bonham has completely sliced the ball down towards the left side of the pitch and fortunately, the ball goes out of play for A Fleetwood Town Throw On In Gillingham’s Final Third, And From The Resulting Throw On, Ched Evans throws the ball back to Josh Morris, who see’s his attempted pass down the line cut out by Stuart O’Keefe at the expense of conceding another throw on.

And From The Resulting Throw On, Danny Andrew throws the ball long down the line towards Ched Evans, who wins the aerial challenge up against Barry Fuller and Alfie Jones wins the second aerial challenge to header the ball out-wide and Stuart O’Keefe forces Danny Andrew to header the ball out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, And From This Throw, Barry Fuller throws the ball long down the line and Harry Souttar wins the aerial challenge up against Mikael Mandron and Jack Sowerby gets the fortunate ricochet off Olly Lee and passes the ball short back to Kyle Dempsey, who passes the ball back to Lewis Coyle, And Lewis Coyle kicks the ball long down the line towards Wes Burns, who puts Connor Ogilvie under pressure and Connor Ogilvie over-head kicks the ball partially clear and away from goal and Tom O’Connor flicks the ball on towards Brandon Hanlan, who is being marked very tightly by Harry Souttar, And Brandon Hanlan does exceptionally well to pass the ball out-wide to Barry Fuller, who takes a few touches in possession of the ball before playing a long pass down the line towards Mikael Mandron, And Mikael Mandron passes the ball back to Stuart O’Keefe, and Stuart O’Keefe passes the ball back to Barry Fuller, And Barry Fuller clips the ball long down the line towards Mikael Mandron, who flicks the ball inside to Stuart O’Keefe, and there was Danny Andrew in the right place to clear the ball away from danger for Fleetwood Town and Jack Tucker headers the ball out-wide to Connor Ogilvie, But Wes Burns gets to the ball first and Connor Ogilvie takes out Wes Burns on the halfway line and Fleetwood Town have been awarded a free kick, and only a free kick as well, Because Connor Ogilvie could and perhaps should have been booked for that challenge on Wes Burns.

And From The Resulting Free Kick, Lewis Coyle passes the ball short to Wes Burns, who passes the ball back to Lewis Coyle, And Lewis Coyle takes a few touches in possession of the ball before trying to pick out Danny Andrew with a cross-field pass which goes out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, In Gillingham’s Defensive Final Third, Thirteen Minutes Into The Match, And Tom O’Connor was very harshly penalised for a foul when Wes Burns wasn’t going anywhere and fell to the ground very easily and Fleetwood Town have been awarded a free kick down the right side of the pitch, and from the resulting free kick, Lewis Coyle kicks a long diagonal cross-field pass and Danny Andrew just about manages to keep the ball in play before working his way into a crossing position and passing the ball back to Josh Morris, And Josh Morris whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Max Ehmer just about manages to block the cross and Barry Fuller kicks the ball into touch at the expense of conceding a throw on, and from the resulting throw on, Danny Andrew throws the ball down the line to Josh Morris, who works his way into a crossing position, and Josh Morris passes the ball back to Danny Andrew, who whips in a high and hanging cross and Tom O’Connor wins the initial aerial challenge and headers the ball partially clear and away from danger, But Jack Sowerby is on to the loose ball and passes the ball out-wide to Lewis Coyle, who tries to pick out Ched Evans with a dangerous in-swinging cross and there was Max Ehmer in the right place at the right time to header the ball clear and away from danger at the expense of conceding a corner kick, and from the resulting corner kick, Josh Morris whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Mikael Mandron headers the ball clear and away from danger and Danny Andrew is on to the loose ball and plays a first time diagonal cross-field cross and Harry Souttar chests the ball down to Peter Clarke who plays a first time flicked pass out-wide to where Josh Morris Is Situated, and Barry Fuller is in the right place at the right time to header the ball clear and out of play for a throw on.

And when play resumes, Danny Andrew throws the ball short to Josh Morris, who passes the ball out-wide to Danny Andrew, And Danny Andrew passes the ball down the line towards Josh Morris, who goes to ground underneath Alfie Jones’ Attempted Challenge, But despite the calls from Fleetwood Town Supporters for A Free Kick, the ball goes out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick and Gillingham can just do with a five to ten minute quiet spell just to ease our way through this match and acclimatise to the windy conditions.

And From The Resulting Goal-Kick, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down-field and Harry Souttar  headers the ball down-field and Max Ehmer kicks the ball high up into the air and as the ball drops down, Mikael Mandron lays the ball off to Stuart O’Keefe, who passes the ball down the line towards Brandon Hanlan, who is being pushed and pulled by Harry Souttar and Referee Graham Salisbury hasn’t awarded Gillingham A Free Kick and Brandon Hanlan manages to lay the ball off to Stuart O’Keefe, And Stuart O’Keefe goes on a driving run forwards in possession of the ball, And Stuart O’Keefe continue’s his run forwards in possession of the ball and passes the ball out-wide to Brandon Hanlan, and Brandon Hanlan manages to work his way towards the byline and Brandon Hanlan skips past Danny Andrew’s Attempted Challenge but Brandon Hanlan over-complicates things a bit and passes the ball back to Barry Fuller, And Barry Fuller’s first time shot goes high and wide and fails to hit the target by some considerable distance.

After the ball had gone out of play, I decided to stand up because my view of the corner kick Josh Morris had whipped in earlier was slightly obscured and it is very irritating when the stewards tell supporters to sit down to not block the view of the control box, and every Gillingham Supporter who was standing offered The Stewards a solution by moving Gillingham Supporters Into The Terrace Behind The Goal, If The Control Box has to look out on the football pitch and there is no-where else inside Highbury Stadium where The Control Box can go, then The Highbury Stand on the opposite side of the pitch should be given to away supporters, and then home fans can sit in the end few blocks of The Parkside Stand.

Seventeen Minutes Into The Match, Brandon Hanlan puts Harry Souttar under pressure and The Fleetwood Town Defender knocks the ball out of play for a throw on, and from the resulting throw, Barry Fuller throws the ball short to Mikael Mandron, who initially manages to retain possession of the ball, But Danny Andrew manages to nip in there to intercept the ball and Mikael Mandron is then penalised for a foul on Josh Morris, And I personally thought that the decision to award Fleetwood Town A Free Kick was a very soft decision, And From The Resulting Free Kick, Billy Crellin kicks the ball long down-field, But Billy Crellin’s long clearance is over-hit and runs out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick, And From Here, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down-field and Alfie Jones flicks the ball on and Olly Lee lays the ball off to Mikael Mandron, who is crowded out by four Fleetwood Town Players and Paddy Madden is on to the loose ball, and Paddy Madden passes the ball out-wide to Ched Evans, who flicks the ball past Barry Fuller and is through down the left side of the pitch, But Max Ehmer has come across to cover and kicked the ball against Ched Evans to win Gillingham A Defensive Throw On, And From Here, Barry Fuller throws the ball long down the line and Danny Andrew headers the ball out of play for another Gillingham Throw On, And From This Throw On, Barry Fuller throws the ball long down the line and Mikael Mandron chests the ball down towards Brandon Hanlan, who manages to retain possession of the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Barry Fuller, who manages to pick out Olly Lee with a clipped pass down the line, and Olly Lee is waiting for some support, But Harry Souttar times his challenge to perfection and knocks the ball out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, And From Gillingham’s Third Throw, Connor Ogilvie hurls in a long dangerous throw and Harry Souttar headers the ball out of play for A Gillingham Corner Kick, And The Atmosphere raises in volume from The Gillingham Supporters In The Away End.

And From The Resulting Corner Kick, Tom O’Connor whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Ched Evans looping header goes out of play for another Gillingham Corner Kick, And From The Resulting Corner Kick, Olly Lee whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the near post and Paddy Madden flicks the ball on at the near post and I have no idea how no-one in A Gillingham or Fleetwood Town Shirt was able to get on to the end of the second ball and the ball runs out of play for another Gillingham Throw On, And From The Resulting Throw On, Gillingham had the chance to open the scoring, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball down the line towards Olly Lee, who manages to keep the ball in play and pass the ball back out-wide to Connor Ogilvie, who also manages to keep the ball in play, and Connor Ogilvie gets the ball under control and checks back on himself before whipping in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Jack Sowerby wins the initial aerial challenge and Josh Morris boots the ball clear and away from danger, and Tom O’Connor manages to pass the ball through to Stuart O’Keefe first time, and Stuart O’Keefe gets the ball under control before passing the ball out-wide to Connor Ogilvie, and Connor Ogilvie manages to whip in another in-swinging cross and Lewis Coyle manages to header the ball partially clear and away from danger - and why Stuart O’Keefe didn’t shoot first time I have no idea and the extra touch allowed Kyle Dempsey to clear the ball away from danger and the chance had gone for The Gills.

Twenty Three Minutes Into The Match, And Brandon Hanlan is penalised for a foul on Lewis Coyle down the right side of the pitch in Gillingham’s Half Of The Pitch and Fleetwood Town have been awarded a free kick, and from the resulting free kick, Kyle Dempsey whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Barry Fuller wins the aerial challenge and headers the ball away from goal, But Jack Bonham has to move quickly across his goal-line and dive on to the loose ball to prevent Barry Fuller’s header from going out of play for A Fleetwood Town Corner Kick.

And From Here, Jack Bonham rolls the ball short to Connor Ogilvie, who kicks the ball long down-field and Lewis Coyle headers the ball partially clear and away from danger and Olly Lee runs down the left side of the pitch in possession of the ball, and Lewis Coyle manages to time his challenge to perfection and Wes Burns gets the ball under control, and Wes Burns see’s his pass blocked by Referee Graham Salisbury and the ball ricochets towards Alfie Jones, who was going to pass the ball out-wide to Connor Ogilvie, But Referee Graham Salisbury stops play and this allows Fleetwood Town to re-group and re-organise themselves, and from the resulting free kick, Jack Sowerby kicks the ball long down-field and Jack Sowerby’s long pass towards Paddy Madden is over-hit and runs all the way through to Jack Bonham, and from here, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down-field and Mikael Mandron wins the initial aerial challenge and Mikael Mandron’s attempted flick on goes out of play for A Fleetwood Town Throw On Down The Left Side Of The Pitch In Fleetwood Town’s Final Third, And From Here, Danny Andrew throws the ball long down the line and Barry Fuller wins the initial aerial challenge and Jack Sowerby partially clears the ball away from danger, But Stuart O’Keefe is on to the second ball, And Stuart O’Keefe tries to pick out Brandon Hanlan with a clipped ball over the top, but Harry Souttar wins the initial aerial challenge and Danny Andrew kicks the ball long down-field, and Barry Fuller headers the ball out of play for A Fleetwood Town Throw On In Fleetwood Town’s Half Of The Pitch, And From The Resulting Throw On, Danny Andrew throws the ball long down the line and Barry Fuller wins the initial aerial challenge and Harry Souttar gets to the loose ball ahead of Mikael Mandron and passes the ball down the line towards Ched Evans, but Barry Fuller was in the right place at the right time to boot the ball long down-field and Brandon Hanlan manages to retain possession of the ball ahead of Peter Clarke and pass the ball back to Mikael Mandron, who manages to pass the ball out-wide to Stuart O’Keefe, who passes the ball down the line towards Brandon Hanlan, And Brandon Hanlan manages to win a throw on for Gillingham in Fleetwood Town’s Final Third.

And From The Resulting Throw On, Barry Fuller throws the ball short to Stuart O’Keefe, who passes the ball back to Barry Fuller, And Barry Fuller passes the ball all the way back to Jack Tucker, who takes a touch to control the ball before kicking the ball long down-field, and Jack Tucker’s long clearance is over-hit and runs all the way through to Goalkeeper Billy Crellin, And Billy Crellin takes a few touches in possession of the ball before kicking the ball long down the left side of the pitch and Ched Evans chests the ball under control and wins the fifty / fifty battle up against Barry Fuller, But Stuart O’Keefe doubles up with Barry Fuller and kicks the ball into touch at the expense of conceding a throw on for Fleetwood Town, And From This Throw On, Danny Andrew throws the ball towards Ched Evans, who takes one touch to control the ball and another touch to try and pick out Paddy Madden with a clipped ball over the top, However, Ched Evans Pass over the top is over-hit and runs out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick.

And while this was a let off for Gillingham, when play resumed, Fleetwood Town had the chance to open the scoring In The Twenty Seventh Minute Of The Match, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down-field and Harry Souttar’s header hits the back of Mikael Mandron and Danny Andrew is quick on to the second ball and passes the ball square to Jack Sowerby, And Jack Sowerby passes the ball square to Peter Clarke, who goes on a driving run forwards in possession of the ball into Gillingham’s Half Of The Pitch, And Peter Clarke passes the ball out-wide to Wes Burns, And Wes Burns takes a touch to control the ball before going on a driving run down the right side of the pitch and Wes Burns whips in a dangerous cross / shot across the face of goal and Wes Burns dangerous cross / shot goes across the face of goal and goes out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick - And Fleetwood Town came close to opening the scoring and that was a huge warning for The Gills - And Gillingham have got to try and deal with the conditions, as well as the fact that we need to be wary of Paddy Madden, Ched Evans, Josh Morris and Wes Burns, because those four as Fleetwood Town’s Front Four are going to cause Gillingham problems throughout the rest of this match.

And From The Resulting Goal-Kick, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down-field and Brandon Hanlan manages to retain possession of the ball despite being closely marked by Peter Clarke, And Brandon Hanlan manages to retain possession of the ball before passing the ball back to Alfie Jones, who passes the ball out-wide to Stuart O’Keefe, And Stuart O’Keefe takes a touch to control the ball before whipping in a high and hanging cross towards Mikael Mandron and Fleetwood Town Goalkeeper Billy Crellin was quick off his goal-line to gather the ball, all be it with some difficulty, and from here, Billy Crellin rolls the ball out-wide to Lewis Coyle, who takes a touch to control the ball before clipping the ball long down the line and Jack Tucker comes across and kicks the ball into touch at the expense of conceding a throw on, and from the resulting throw, Lewis Coyle throws the ball short to Jack Sowerby, who manages to turn past Olly Lee’s attempted challenge and Jack Sowerby takes a few touches in possession of the ball before passing the ball cross-field towards Danny Andrew, And Danny Andrew takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball down the line towards Ched Evans, And Ched Evans passes the ball back to Danny Andrew, who manages to skip past Stuart O’Keefe’s attempted challenge before running down the left flank in possession of the ball, and Danny Andrew continue’s his run down the left flank right down by the byline, and Danny Andrew see’s his attempted cross charged down by Max Ehmer at the expense of conceding a corner kick, and from the resulting corner kick, Josh Morris whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Mikael Mandron was able to header the ball clear and away from goal and out of play for A Fleetwood Town Throw On In Gillingham’s Defensive Final Third.

And From The Resulting Throw On, Danny Andrew throws the ball short to Paddy Madden, who passes the ball back out-wide to Danny Andrew, And Danny Andrew looks to pick out Paddy Madden with an attempted pass down the line, But Barry Fuller is in the right place at the right time to kick the ball out of play for another Fleetwood Town Throw On, And From The Resulting Throw On, Danny Andrew throws the ball down the line towards Josh Morris and Josh Morris passes the ball back towards Danny Andrew, and there were claims from Gillingham Supporters that the ball had in-fact gone out of play for a throw on, and The Linesman Down The Main Stand Side Of The Pitch had in-fact flagged for A Gillingham Throw On, And this throw on just relieves pressure building on to Gillingham’s Goal.

But From The Resulting Throw On, And Fleetwood Town had the chance to open the scoring, Barry Fuller throws the ball long down the line and Harry Souttar wins the aerial challenge up against Mikael Mandron and Paddy Madden gets the ball under control and takes a few more touches before passing the ball square to Lewis Coyle, who goes on a driving run forwards in possession of the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Wes Burns down the right side of the pitch in Gillingham’s Final Third, And Wes Burns takes a touch to control the ball before taking on Tom O’Connor and firing a low cross across the face of goal and neither Paddy Madden nor Ched Evans can make the telling connection to stick the ball into the back of the net and Jack Bonham had dived across at full stretch expecting Ched Evans to be at the back-post, and every Gillingham Supporter was relieved to see the ball flash across the face of goal and go out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick.

Thirty Minutes Into The Match, And Harry Souttar is penalised for climbing all over Brandon Hanlan and Gillingham have been awarded a free kick in a very promising position on the pitch, and from the resulting free kick, Olly Lee whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the near post and Paddy Madden manages to header the ball clear and away from danger for A Gillingham Throw On In Fleetwood Town’s Final Third, and the cross from Olly Lee was very disappointing because Gillingham have not beaten the first man from the cross, and while the difficult conditions have to be taken into consideration, But we do need to see better delivery from dead ball situations from The Gills, And From The Resulting Throw On, Gillingham had half chances to try and open the scoring, Connor Ogilvie hurls in a long dangerous throw which is headed clear and away from goal by Harry Souttar, And Connor Ogilvie manages to get to the second ball first and whip in a dangerous in-swinging cross first time which is headed clear and away from goal by Defender Peter Clarke and Padden Madden manage to boot the ball clear and away from danger and Tom O’Connor was able to get to the loose ball first and kick the ball long down-field, and Tom O’Connor’s long ball down-field actually turns into a decent pass towards Max Ehmer down the right side of Fleetwood Town’s Penalty Area, And Max Ehmer manages to get the ball under control before passing the ball back to Stuart O’Keefe on the edge of Fleetwood Town’s Penalty Area, And Stuart O’Keefe takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball forwards to Olly Lee, who plays a first time pass out-wide to Max Ehmer, And Max Ehmer gets the ball under control before whipping in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Peter Clarke is in the right place at the right time to boot the ball clear and away from danger, and Barry Fuller and Ched Evans are both competing to get on to the loose ball on the halfway line and Jack Tucker has come across and booted the ball long down the line and the ball goes out of play for A Fleetwood Town Throw On right in Fleetwood Town’s Defensive Final Third.

And From The Resulting Throw On, Danny Andrew throws the ball long down the line and Ched Evans flicks the ball on to Paddy Madden, who flicks the ball on towards Kyle Dempsey and Jack Tucker comes across and kicks the ball long down-field and clears the ball out of play for A Fleetwood Town Goal-Kick and anywhere away from goal will do as far as Gillingham are concerned, and from the resulting goal-kick, Fleetwood Town have the chance to open the scoring, Billy Crellin kicks the ball long down-field and Max Ehmer wins the aerial challenge up against Paddy Madden and the second ball drops back into Paddy Madden’s Path, But Alfie Jones manages to nip in there and intercept the ball and Alfie Jones pass down the line is charged down by Paddy Madden and Barry Fuller comes across to slide tackle the ball out of play for a throw on, But Barry Fuller has missed the ball and Paddy Madden is in by the byline and Paddy Madden works his way into a crossing position before whipping in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Wes Burns manages to nip in there in-between Jack Tucker and Connor Ogilvie to header the ball just wide of the far left post - AND THAT WAS THE CHANCE FOR FLEETWOOD TOWN TO OPEN THE SCORING!!!!! - Wes Burns Header going just wide was a golden goal-scoring opportunity for Fleetwood Town and I genuinely thought that Fleetwood Town had scored, and that was a huge let off for The Gills.

And From The Resulting Goal-Kick, Fleetwood Town had another chance to open the scoring, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down the left side of the pitch and Mikael Mandron wins the initial aerial challenge and Tom O’Connor wins the second challenge up against Paddy Madden and passes the ball forwards to Olly Lee, who’s pass back to Alfie Jones was to short and Kyle Dempsey passes the ball back to Jack Sowerby, who takes a few touches in possession of the ball before passing the ball square to Lewis Coyle, And Lewis Coyle takes a few touches in possession of the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Wes Burns, who takes on Connor Ogilvie and whips in a dangerous in-swinging low cross which Jack Bonham was able to gather with ease.

Thirty Four Minutes Into The Match, And Billy Crellin kicks the ball long down-field and Ched Evans manages to initially retain possession of the ball and Stuart O’Keefe manages to header the ball back to Barry Fuller, who takes no chances by smashing the ball into touch at the expense of conceding a throw on, and from the resulting throw on, Danny Andrew throws the ball square to Paddy Madden, who manages to retain possession of the ball despite being closely marked by Jack Tucker, and Paddy Madden is now being double marked by Jack Tucker and Alfie Jones and Paddy Madden lunges in on Olly Lee with a late challenge and Referee Graham Salisbury has booked Paddy Madden for his reckless challenge.

And From The Resulting Free Kick, Gillingham look to open the scoring, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down-field and Mikael Mandron wins the aerial challenge up against Danny Andrew and Olly Lee manages to retain possession of the ball despite being closely marked by Jack Sowerby and Olly Lee manages to pass the ball out-wide to Mikael Mandron, and Mikael Mandron manages to take on Josh Morris before passing the ball inside to Olly Lee, and Olly Lee manages to flick the ball into Brandon Hanlan’s Path down the right side of the pitch in Fleetwood Town’s Final Third, and Brandon Hanlan manages to retain possession of the ball despite being closely marked by Harry Souttar, And Brandon Hanlan passes the ball back to Olly Lee, who takes on Josh Morris and whips in a high and hanging cross which is routinely saved by Billy Crellin, and although Gillingham have not severely tested The Fleetwood Town Goalkeeper Here, the build up and that passage of play was very good from The Gills.

And From Here, Goalkeeper Billy Crellin rolls the ball short to Kyle Dempsey, and Kyle Dempsey’s pass out-wide to Wes Burns is over-hit and runs out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, And From The Resulting Throw On, Connor Ogilvie hurls the ball long down the line and Lewis Coyle and Kyle Dempsey win the first two aerial challenges and Alfie Jones wins the fifty / fifty challenge up against Paddy Madden, But Alfie Jones can only knock the ball out of play for A Fleetwood Town Throw On In Fleetwood Town’s Final Third, And From The Resulting Throw On, Lewis Coyle throws the ball long down the line and Connor Ogilvie wins the initial aerial challenge and headers the ball down towards Olly Lee, who manages to retain possession of the ball before laying the ball off to Tom O’Connor, And Tom O’Connor see’s his attempted pass down the line charged down by Kyle Dempsey, And the ball deflects out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, And From The Resulting Throw On, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball long down the line and Mikael Mandron wins the initial flick on and Josh Morris kicks the ball long down-field and Connor Ogilvie was in the right place at the right time to get to the loose ball first and pass the ball back to Jack Bonham, And Jack Bonham takes a touch to control the ball before kicking the ball long down-field and Harry Souttar wins the fifty / fifty battle up against Brandon Hanlan and Harry Souttar boots the ball long down-field and the ball runs out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick.

And In The Thirty Eighth Minute Of The Match, Gillingham require some desperate defending to prevent Fleetwood Town from opening the scoring, Wes Burns passes the ball forwards to Kyle Dempsey down the right side of the pitch, who retains possession of the ball before flicking the ball back into Wes Burns Path, And Wes Burns runs down the right side of the pitch in possession of the ball, and Wes Burns runs towards the byline and is being closely marked by Tom O’Connor and Wes Burns checks the ball back to Lewis Coyle, who whips in a dangerous first time cross which is blocked by Alfie Jones and Connor Ogilvie boots the ball long down-field, and Mikael Mandron does exceptionally well to retain possession of the ball before passing the ball back to Tom O’Connor, who kicks the ball long down-field and pressure from Brandon Hanlan forces Peter Clarke to kick the ball into touch at the expense of conceding a throw on, and from the resulting throw, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball down the line towards Mikael Mandron, But Wes Burns intercepts the ball and Wes Burns attempted clearance is smashed into Tom O’Connor and the ball ricochets towards Mikael Mandron, who tried to pass the ball inside to Brandon Hanlan, But Peter Clarke wins the initial challenge before going in for a fifty / fifty challenge up against Tom O’Connor and the ball ricochets out of play for A Gillingham Throw On.

And From The Resulting Throw On, Connor Ogilvie hurls in a long dangerous throw and Wes Burns headers the ball out of play for another Gillingham Throw On, And From This Throw On, Connor Ogilvie hurls in a long dangerous throw on and Mikael Mandron flicks the ball on and neither Brandon Hanlan nor Olly Lee can get the ball under control and Josh Morris was able to smash the ball clear and away from danger and Jack Bonham comes outside his penalty area to get to the loose ball, and Jack Bonham was fortunate that his clearance avoided Paddy Madden and went down the left side of the pitch to where Connor Ogilvie was situated, and Connor Ogilvie gets the ball under control and Connor Ogilvie retains possession of the ball before passing the ball back to Tom O’Connor, who hits a diagonal cross-field cross towards Brandon Hanlan and Danny Andrew was able to header the ball clear and Jack Sowerby is on to the second ball, and Jack Sowerby gets the ball under control before taking a few touches in possession of the ball and then passes the ball out-wide to Danny Andrew, who passes the ball back inside to Jack Sowerby in a central area on the pitch, and Jack Sowerby passes the ball square to Wes Burns down the right side of the pitch, and Wes Burns takes a touch to control the ball before seeing his attempted pass down the line ricochet off Connor Ogilvie at the expense of knocking the ball out of play for A Fleetwood Town Throw On, And From The Resulting Throw, Lewis Coyle throws the ball short to Ched Evans, who passes the ball back out-wide to Lewis Coyle, And Lewis Coyle manages to pick out Paddy Madden with a lofted ball over the top, however, The Linesman had flagged Paddy Madden for offside, and that offside decision just relieves some of the pressure building on to Gillingham’s Goal.

Forty One Minutes Into The Match, And Kyle Dempsey is penalised for his challenge on Connor Ogilvie In Fleetwood Town’s Half Of The Pitch, And From The Resulting Free Kick, Tom O’Connor whips in a diagonal cross-field cross towards the back-stick and Max Ehmer tried to header the ball down towards Connor Ogilvie, But Kyle Dempsey was in the right place at the right time to make the important interception, but the ball deflects out of play for A Gillingham Corner Kick, And Gillingham could potentially take the lead just before half time, and from the resulting corner kick, Gillingham almost take the lead, Tom O’Connor whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Billy Crellin Punches the ball partially clear and away from danger and Stuart O’Keefe’s follow up effort is cleared off the line by Kyle Dempsey and Danny Andrew boots the ball clear and away from danger and Fleetwood Town survive a real scare on there goal.

And from the resulting throw on, Barry Fuller throws the ball long down the line and Harry Souttar wins the initial aerial battle and Olly Lee headers the second ball forwards towards Brandon Hanlan and Harry Souttar slices the ball up into the air and as the ball comes back again, Brandon Hanlan is almost in on goal and Lewis Coyle comes across and intercepts the ball and clears the ball long down-field and Ched Evans flicks the ball on and Josh Morris is first to react to the second ball, and there is a chance for Fleetwood Town to cause Gillingham problems defensively, however, Max Ehmer is in the right place at the right time to kick the ball long down-field and the ball goes out of play for A Fleetwood Town Throw On, And From Here, Danny Andrew throws the ball long down the line and Barry Fuller was able to get the ball under control before passing the ball short to Stuart O’Keefe, and Stuart O’Keefe kicks the ball against Ched Evans to win Gillingham a throw on, and from here, Barry Fuller throws the ball long down the line and Mikael Mandron gets the ball under control, but Jack Sowerby manages to intercept the ball, however, Stuart O’Keefe is on to the loose ball and plays a ball over the top down the line towards Mikael Mandron, and Mikael Mandron is forced to overrun the ball out-wide for A Fleetwood Town Throw On.

And From here is the last noteworthy moment of the first half, Danny Andrew throws the ball long down the line and Paddy Madden flicks the ball on and Barry Fuller wins the aerial challenge and Alfie Jones kicks the ball over his shoulder to kick the ball long down the line and Mikael Mandron manages to win a throw on for The Gills by competing up against Danny Andrew for a fifty / fifty ball, and from the resulting throw on, Barry Fuller throws the ball short to Brandon Hanlan, who’s first touch was poor and the ball goes out of play, and finally, Danny Andrew throws the ball long down the line and Ched Evans flicks the ball on and Jack Tucker’s defensive clearance was not the best, thankfully, the ball ricochets back to Tom O’Connor who just smashes the ball out of play as Gillingham look to go in at the break with the score-line still goal-less, and finally, Danny Andrew throws the ball short to Josh Morris, who slips as he controls the ball and Stuart O’Keefe goes on a driving run forwards in possession of the ball before passing the ball forwards to Mikael Mandron, and Mikael Mandron retains possession of the ball and lays the ball off to Stuart O’Keefe, And Referee Graham Salisbury blows his whistle for half time and both teams go in at the break with the score-line still goal-less.

HALF TIME: FLEETWOOD TOWN 0-0 GILLINGHAM

At Half Time, I uploaded the photo of Fleetwood Town and Gillingham Lining Up Before Kick Off, And I had also posted the following on to Twitter,,,,,, HALF TIME: FLEETWOOD TOWN 0-0 GILLINGHAM - Gills have been second best for the majority of the first half and we are relieved to be going in at the break with the score-line goal-less, Burns should have opened the scoring for Fleetwood, Fleetwood have looked strong from crosses.

The dreadful windy conditions do have to be taken into consideration and Fleetwood Town V Gillingham is not a away journey for the faint hearted, and also, when you take the poor weather conditions into account and the fact that this game is being played two weeks before Christmas, then it is understandable why the away attendance is so low, and the attendance in general inside Highbury looked to be very low as well, Stephen, Diane, Ann, Ben and Nicholas have all given this game a miss, And there are so many away regular’s who are not here who would have gone and watch Gillingham Play, Ticket Prices For West Ham United and Ipswich Town are not cheap, so if you want to go to both matches, then I can see why so many are going to give Fleetwood Town V Gillingham a miss.

As for the match itself, Fleetwood Town should be winning and Wes Burns should have scored that header from Paddy Madden’s Cross and there have been a couple of cross / shots which have gone across the face of goal that Fleetwood Town have not capitalised on, and I think we need to see something different from Gillingham In The Second Half, Because Peter Clarke and Harry Souttar are dominating everything in the air in defence for Fleetwood Town, and an aerial bombardment is not going to work against Fleetwood Town, If Gillingham can get the ball down and cause problems in wide area’s, then we might be able to whip in low crosses across the face of goal for Brandon Hanlan and Mikael Mandron to get on the end of.

Me and Charlie were both looking at our options on the bench, and Ben Pringle could come on to try and help Gillingham retain possession of the ball, Regan Charles-Cook and Alex Jakubiak could provide pace in the final third and we could try to switch formation to grab a foot-hold in the game, at this moment in time though, I don’t think Gillingham will make a half-time substitution unless there was an injury, But maybe we will give it fifteen minutes and then look to make a change around the hour mark.

Just as the players came out on to the pitch for The Second Half, I took A Photo with the following comment attached, Big Second Half Coming Up - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!!!, And as both teams came out on to the pitch, neither Gillingham nor Fleetwood Town had made half time substitutions and both Steve Evans and Joey Barton will look to see how the game goes for the first fifteen / twenty minutes of the second half before looking to make any changes, hopefully, Gillingham can show signs of improvement in the second half and pick up all three points - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SECOND HALF:

And The First Noteworthy Moment Of The Second Half See’s Barry Fuller play a clipped ball over the top towards Brandon Hanlan, who manages to retain possession of the ball, and Brandon Hanlan passes the ball out-wide to Stuart O’Keefe, who whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross first time and Danny Andrew was in the right place at the right time to kick the ball into touch at the expense of conceding a throw on, and from the resulting throw, Connor Ogilvie hurls in a long dangerous throw and Danny Andrew headers the ball partially clear and away from danger and Alfie Jones wins the second aerial challenge and Max Ehmer’s attempted flick on is deflected into Lewis Coyle’s Path, And Lewis Coyle manages to pass the ball down the line towards Wes Burns, who looks to get Fleetwood Town on the front-foot as Fleetwood Town look to hit Gillingham on the counter attack and Brandon Hanlan takes Wes Burns down to stop him in his tracks and Brandon Hanlan was booked for his challenge on Wes Burns, and there can be no complaints about that decision either and the booking was the correct decision.

And From The Resulting Free Kick, Lewis Coyle whips in a diagonal high and hanging cross-field cross and Ched Evans wins the aerial challenge up against Max Ehmer and Jack Tucker headers the ball clear and away from danger, and Mikael Mandron tries to retain possession of the ball and Harry Souttar wins the fifty / fifty challenge up against The Gillingham Number Nine and Jack Sowerby is on to the loose ball and Jack Sowerby passes the ball square to Wes Burns, And Wes Burns passes the ball out-wide to Lewis Coyle, who takes a touch to control the ball, and Lewis Coyle goes on a driving run down the right side of the pitch and Lewis Coyle takes on Tom O’Connor and Lewis Coyle see’s his cross hit the back of The Memorial Stand and the ball goes out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick, And From The Resulting Goal-Kick, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down the left side of the pitch and Mikael Mandron headers the ball on and the ball goes out of play for A Fleetwood Town Throw On, And From The Resulting Throw, Lewis Coyle throws the ball long down the line and Connor Ogilvie headers the ball forwards and Olly Lee wins the aerial challenge up against Jack Sowerby and the ball goes out of play for a throw on, and from this throw, Lewis Coyle throws the ball long down the line and I thought that Ched Evans had flicked the ball against Connor Ogilvie to win another throw for Fleetwood Town, but the ball had in-fact gone out of play for A Gillingham Throw On.

And From The Resulting Throw On In The Forty Eighth Minute, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball long down the line and Wes Burns wins the initial aerial challenge and Olly Lee wins the aerial challenge up against Jack Sowerby to flick the ball on towards Brandon Hanlan and Brandon Hanlan cannot get on to the loose ball ahead of Peter Clarke, and Harry Souttar passes the ball square to Danny Andrew, who takes a touch to control the ball before playing a diagonal cross-field cross towards Ched Evans, who wins the aerial challenge up against Connor Ogilvie to header the ball down the line towards Wes Burns, and Wes Burns is intercepted by Jack Tucker and Connor Ogilvie is first to get on to the loose ball, and Connor Ogilvie kicks the ball long down-field and Lewis Coyle headers the ball forwards for Fleetwood Town and Kyle Dempsey flicks the ball around the corner towards Ched Evans, who waits for the ball to come to him and Connor Ogilvie nips in there to clear the ball away from danger and Ched Evans catches Connor Ogilvie late and Gillingham have been awarded a defensive free kick.

And From The Resulting Free Kick, Jack Tucker kicks the ball long down-field towards Max Ehmer, But Jack Tucker’s Long Kick Down-Field is too long and runs all the way through to Goalkeeper Billy Crellin, who was able to gather the ball with ease, and from here, Billy Crellin kicks the ball long down-field and neither Wes Burns or Connor Ogilvie can win the aerial battle to keep the ball in play and the ball goes out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, And before play can resume, Connor Ogilvie is down on the deck requiring treatment and if Gillingham are going to have to make a defensive substitution, either Lee Hodson comes on to replace Connor Ogilvie and Barry Fuller comes across to play at Left Back and Lee Hodson plays at Right Back, Or, Tom O’Connor drops back to Left Back and one of Ben Pringle, Regan Charles-Cook or Mark Marshall come on to play down the left side of the diamond, Thankfully, Connor Ogilvie gets back on his feat and is OK to continue playing - for the time being - But Connor Ogilvie going down injured momentarily is a reminder of the lack of defensive options that Gillingham have available to them and Gillingham will need at least one more defensive signing in The January Transfer Window.

And From The Resulting Throw On, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball long down the line and Wes Burns wins the aerial challenge up against Brandon Hanlan and Paddy Madden cannot retain possession of the ball and the ball ricochets back towards Kyle Dempsey, who passes the ball down the line towards Wes Burns, who clips the ball long down the line towards Ched Evans and Jack Tucker manages to clear the ball partially clear and away from danger and Paddy Madden headers the ball down the line towards Ched Evens, who tries to pick out Paddy Madden with a clipped ball over the top and Max Ehmer kicks the ball clear and away from danger and Lewis Coyle wins the aerial challenge up against Mikael Mandron, and Alfie Jones wins the aerial challenge up against Kyle Dempsey to header the ball forwards to Brandon Hanlan, who is clattered to the ground by Jack Sowerby and Every Gillingham Supporter was appealing for a free kick and Referee Graham Salisbury doesn’t award Gillingham a free kick, much to our irritation.

And from here, Fleetwood Town had the chance to open the scoring, Peter Clarke takes a few touches in possession of the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Danny Andrew, who takes a touch to control the ball, And Danny Andrew manages to pick out Wes Burns with an accurate cross-field pass, And Wes Burns takes a touch to control the ball before taking on Tom O’Connor and Wes Burns continue’s his run forwards before managing to pick out Danny Andrew with a very accurate pass down the left side of the pitch, And Danny Andrew see’s his fiercely driven effort towards goal only just go over the crossbar at the angle of crossbar and post, and that was the chance for Fleetwood Town to open the scoring, and had Fleetwood Town scored, that would have been double irritation, Because Jack Sowerby’s Foul On Brandon Hanlan went unpunished and Fleetwood Town went down the other end of the pitch and almost scored with Danny Andrew’s driven effort on goal just clearing Gillingham’s Crossbar.

Fifty Three Minutes Into The Match, And Gillingham had the chance to potentially open the scoring, Max Ehmer passes the ball back to Jack Bonham, and Jack Bonham passes the ball out-wide to Jack Tucker, who takes a touch to control the ball, And Jack Tucker kicks the ball long down-field and Brandon Hanlan flicks the ball on towards Mikael Mandron, And Peter Clarke was able to shield the ball back to Goalkeeper Billy Crellin, who was able to gather the ball with ease, and from here, Billy Crellin passes the ball short to Harry Souttar, who takes a touch to control the ball and Harry Souttar kicks the ball long down-field and Tom O’Connor wins the aerial challenge up against Paddy Madden and neither Lewis Coyle or Brandon Hanlan can get on to the second ball and the ball runs out of play for A Fleetwood Town Throw On, And From The Resulting Throw On, Lewis Coyle throws the ball long down the line towards Paddy Madden and Jack Tucker is in the right place at the right time to kick the ball clear and away from danger and Mikael Mandron manages to get in-front of Harry Souttar to pass the ball back to Olly Lee, who challenges Jack Sowerby with a fifty / fifty challenge and Tom O’Connor passes the ball down the line towards Brandon Hanlan, and Peter Clarke comes across to intercept the ball, But we had no idea how or why Referee Graham Salisbury had awarded Fleetwood Town A Free Kick.

And From The Resulting Free Kick, Kyle Dempsey passes the ball short to Lewis Coyle who takes a touch to control the ball, And Lewis Coyle passes the ball down the line towards Kyle Dempsey, And Kyle Dempsey manages to retain possession of the ball before passing the ball back to Lewis Coyle, who takes a touch to control the ball and Lewis Coyle passes the ball square to Jack Sowerby, who takes a touch to control the ball and Jack Sowerby passes the ball back to Harry Souttar, And Harry Souttar passes the ball square to Peter Clarke, And Peter Clarke kicks the ball long down the line and Tom O’Connor headers the ball partially clear and away from danger and Olly Lee flicks the ball on towards Mikael Mandron, And Mikael Mandron passes the ball back towards Olly Lee, And Olly Lee passes the ball down the line towards Brandon Hanlan, and Brandon Hanlan is one on one with Harry Souttar, And Brandon Hanlan now cuts inside Fleetwood Town’s Penalty Area and Brandon Hanlan is challenged by Harry Souttar as he was about to shoot and Alfie Jones pass out-wide to Tom O’Connor is intercepted by Lewis Coyle, who kicks the ball long down-field and Max Ehmer wins the aerial challenge up against Paddy Madden, and Ched Evans is on to the second ball and Ched Evans manages to retain possession of the ball before being taken out by Max Ehmer, But Referee Graham Salisbury waves play on because Midfielder Kyle Dempsey passes the ball out-wide to Wes Burns, who looks to take on Jack Tucker, and Wes Burns turns back on himself as Jack Tucker lunges into a challenge and Wes Burns clips in a dangerous cross which Max Ehmer was able to header clear and away from goal and Lewis Coyle is on to the second ball and takes a touch to control the ball before whipping in a high and hanging cross towards the back-stick and Jack Bonham was able to gather the ball with ease.

And From Here, Jack Bonham rolls the ball out-wide to Barry Fuller, who takes a touch to control the ball before looking to pick out Mikael Mandron with a long ball over the top, But Fleetwood Town Goalkeeper Billy Crellin comes rushing off his goal-line and gathers the ball with ease, and unfortunately for Gillingham, Fleetwood Town were able to open the scoring from the next passage of play, Billy Crellin throws the ball out-wide to Lewis Coyle, who takes a touch to control the ball and Lewis Coyle takes a few touches in possession of the ball before kicking the ball long down the line towards Kyle Dempsey, who flicks the ball inside to Paddy Madden and Paddy Madden plays a return pass back down the line towards Kyle Dempsey, And Jack Tucker gets to the loose ball first, and instead of clearing the ball into touch and taking the easy option, Jack Tucker tries to run wide in possession of the ball and the ball is stuck in-between his feat and Kyle Dempsey was able to intercept the ball and pass the ball back to Paddy Madden, who was urged to shoot from The Fleetwood Town Supporters, And Paddy Madden takes a touch to control the ball before working his way into a more central position and passing the ball square to Josh Morris, who takes a touch to control the ball, And Josh Morris whips in a low in-swinging cross across the face of goal, and there was Paddy Madden to stick the ball into the back of the net with a one touch finish and Fleetwood Town have taken the lead.

That goal has all come about because of a dreadful defensive error from Jack Tucker, who truly has been sensational in Gillingham’s Defence This Season, and it is unfortunate that an error from the young centre back has given Fleetwood Town the lead, But that is precisely what has happened, and given how Gillingham have played throughout the entire match and given how poor the conditions are combined with the fact that Fleetwood Town have got a sensational home record this season, It is going to take something special for Gillingham to get back into this match, and we are going to have to see who comes on and who can make an impact from the substitutes bench for The Gills.

Fifty Seven Minutes Into The Match, And Gillingham had a half chance to score an equaliser, Olly Lee had passed the ball back to Max Ehmer from the re-start, And Max Ehmer kicks the ball long down-field and Peter Clarke wins the initial aerial challenge and Alfie Jones just about manages to get to the second ball and pass the ball out-wide to Barry Fuller, who goes on a driving run down the right side of the pitch before waiting for support and laying the ball off to Olly Lee, who takes a touch to control the ball before whipping in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Goalkeeper Billy Crellin makes a comfortable save for Fleetwood Town, And from here, we thought that Fleetwood Town had doubled there lead, Billy Crellin kicks the ball long down-field and Max Ehmer headers the ball back into Fleetwood Town’s Half Of The Pitch, And Peter Clarke headers the ball forwards for Fleetwood Town and Jack Tucker wins the initial aerial challenge and Jack Sowerby wins the fifty / fifty challenge up against Olly Lee, and Alfie Jones passes the ball forwards to Stuart O’Keefe, who is clattered to the floor by Jack Sowerby and play continue’s with Ched Evans in possession of the ball and Ched Evans goes on a driving run forwards right towards the edge of Gillingham’s Penalty Area before passing the ball out-wide to Danny Andrew, who’s first time cross takes a massive deflection off Barry Fuller and the ball deflects out of play for A Fleetwood Town Corner Kick, And From The Resulting Corner Kick, Kyle Dempsey whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the near post and Barry Fuller headers the ball partially clear and away from danger at the near post, and Stuart O’Keefe manages to kick the ball further away from goal and Josh Morris gets the ball under control before passing the ball out-wide to Kyle Dempsey, who gets the ball under control before taking on Tom O’Connor and cutting inside into a more central position, and Kyle Dempsey’s Cross towards the far post is drastically over-hit and runs out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick.

And From The Resulting Goal-Kick, Fleetwood Town are still pilling on the pressure on to Gillingham’s Goal, And Jack Bonham kicks the ball down the left side of the pitch and Lewis Coyle wins the fifty / fifty challenge up against Brandon Hanlan and Lewis Coyle manages to retain possession of the ball and Lewis Coyle kicks the ball long down the line and Max Ehmer wins the initial challenge up against Ched Evans, And Connor Ogilvie gets on to the second ball first and Connor Ogilvie kicks the ball long down-field and Lewis Coyle pushes Mikael Mandron into the back and down to the ground, and again, no free kick was awarded in Gillingham’s Favour, and Wes Burns is on to the second ball and Wes Burns plays a neat one / two with Kyle Dempsey and Wes Burns passes the ball back inside to Kyle Dempsey again, And Kyle Dempsey takes a touch to control the ball and Kyle Dempsey runs forward in possession of the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Ched Evans, And Ched Evans takes a touch to control the ball and Ched Evans goes on a driving run down the left side of the pitch, and Ched Evans see’s his low driven cross by the byline deflect off Connor Ogilvie and go out of play for A Fleetwood Town Corner Kick.

And From The Resulting Free Kick, Josh Morris whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the back-stick and Jack Bonham palms the ball away from goal and away to safety at the expense of conceding another corner kick, and from the resulting corner kick, Kyle Dempsey whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Jack Bonham was able to gather the ball with ease, and from here, Jack Bonham quickly throws the ball out-wide to Mikael Mandron down the left side of the pitch, And Mikael Mandron goes on a driving run forwards in possession of the ball before passing the ball down the line towards Brandon Hanlan who manages to keep the ball in play and retain possession of the ball, and Brandon Hanlan forces Lewis Coyle to knock the ball out of play for a throw on, and from the resulting throw, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball short to Olly Lee, who takes a touch to control the ball, and Olly Lee see’s his attempted pass out-wide to Connor Ogilvie cut out by Jack Sowerby and the ball goes out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, And From This Throw On Right On The Halfway Line in-front of the dugouts, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball long down the line towards Mikael Mandron and Lewis Coyle wins the aerial challenge and knocks the ball down towards Kyle Dempsey, and Tom O’Connor manages to nip in there and intercept the ball and Mikael Mandron manages to retain possession of the ball before passing the ball inside to Olly Lee, and Olly Lee passes the ball back to Alfie Jones, who is intercepted by Paddy Madden, and Jack Sowerby looks to start a counter attack for Fleetwood Town, and Alfie Jones takes Jack Sowerby out on the halfway line and is correctly shown a yellow card by Referee Graham Salisbury and Fleetwood Town have been awarded a free kick.

And From The Resulting Free Kick In The Sixty Second Minute, Peter Clarke’s Long Kick Down-Field is over-hit and runs out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick and Gillingham can just do with a five minute spell where Fleetwood Town are not relentlessly attacking our goal, and we do think that Gillingham need to make a change, Maybe Ben Pringle can come on and help Gillingham retain possession of the ball in midfield, or, Alex Jakubiak, Regan Charles-Cook, and Mikael Ndjoli could all come on to play alongside Brandon Hanlan and Mikael Mandron in a three man strike-force, and maybe Gillingham need to make a tactical change just to give Fleetwood Town more to think about defensively, because a route one approach with Peter Clarke and Harry Souttar In Fleetwood Town’s Defence isn’t going to be very effective.

Sixty Three Minutes Into The Match, And Gillingham had a half chance to try and get back on to level terms, Brandon Hanlan has possession of the ball down the right side of the pitch, And Brandon Hanlan cuts inside into a more central position on the pitch before continuing his run forwards in possession of the ball, and Brandon Hanlan passes the ball forwards to Mikael Mandron, who retains possession of the ball before passing the ball square to Stuart O’Keefe, and Stuart O’Keefe takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Barry Fuller, and Barry Fuller cuts the ball back to Stuart O’Keefe, who whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross first time and Peter Clarke wins the aerial battle up against Mikael Mandron to header the ball clear and Kyle Dempsey boots the ball long down-field, and Jack Tucker gets to the ball first, however, Paddy Madden times his challenge to perfection on Jack Tucker and Fleetwood Town have been awarded a throw on, and from the resulting throw, Lewis Coyle throws the ball long down the line and Ched Evans climbs all over the back of Connor Ogilvie to win the aerial challenge and flick the ball on and Jack Tucker shields the ball out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick - And again - our frustration is with Referee Graham Salisbury for not awarding Gillingham A Defensive Free Kick and Gillingham have not got one or two decisions going in our favour at the moment, also, Gillingham have got to do something tactically to try and get back on to level terms.

And In The Sixty Fifth Minute Of The Match, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down-field and Peter Clarke wins the aerial challenge up against Mikael Mandron and Connor Ogilvie’s first time pass forwards is cut out by Kyle Dempsey and Tom O’Connor manages to get to the second ball and kick the ball long down the line, and Brandon Hanlan wins the foot-race up against Lewis Coyle and Brandon Hanlan is very unfortunate that he cannot keep the ball in play and the ball runs out of play for A Fleetwood Town Goal-Kick, And from here, Billy Crellin kicks the ball long down-field and Ched Evans wins the aerial challenge up against Jack Tucker to knock the ball down towards Paddy Madden, who gets the ball under control before Max Ehmer was able to partially clear the ball away from danger with an important clearance, however, Josh Morris gets the ball under control and passes the ball square to Danny Andrew, who takes a touch to control the ball and Danny Andrew whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the back-stick which goes out of play for A Gillingham Throw On In Gillingham’s Defensive Final Third, And From Here, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball long down the line and Mikael Mandron flicks the ball on towards Brandon Hanlan, and Brandon Hanlan losses possession of the ball to Wes Burns, who passes the ball back to Lewis Coyle, and Lewis Coyle takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball square to Danny Andrew, who gets the ball under control before hitting a high and hanging cross-field pass towards Ched Evans which is slightly over-hit and runs out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, And From The Resulting Throw, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball long down the line and Wes Burns flicks the ball backwards towards Harry Souttar, who kicks the ball long down-field and Harry Souttar has kicked the ball out of play for another Gillingham Defensive Throw On, Which See’s Connor Ogilvie throw the ball long down the line and Mikael Mandron flicks the ball on and Olly Lee wins the second aerial challenge and Jack Sowerby wins the third aerial challenge, and Olly Lee manages to hook the ball over his shoulder and kick the ball down the line and Lewis Coyle was able to header the ball forwards to Wes Burns, who kicks the ball long down-field and Jack Tucker was able to header the ball back to Jack Bonham.

And From Here, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down-field and Wes Burns wins the aerial challenge up against Brandon Hanlan and Josh Morris was able to shield the ball back to Harry Souttar despite pressure from Stuart O’Keefe, and Harry Souttar passes the ball square to Danny Andrew, who takes a touch to control the ball before going on a driving run forwards in possession of the ball before passing the ball down the line towards Paddy Madden, and Paddy Madden manages to retain possession of the ball before running into a more central area of the pitch, and Paddy Madden’s pass down the line is cut out by Barry Fuller, who takes a touch to control the ball before running forwards in possession of the ball and clipping the ball long down the line and Fleetwood Town Goalkeeper Billy Crellin has possession of the ball for the hosts, and Billy Crellin takes a few touches in possession of the ball before kicking the ball long down-field and Jack Tucker headers the ball clear and away from goal and Wes Burns gets the ball under control and goes on a driving run down the right side of the pitch, and Wes Burns continue’s his run into Gillingham’s Final Third, and Wes Burns dangerous in-swinging cross deflects off Connor Ogilvie and goes out of play for A Fleetwood Town Corner Kick.

And From The Resulting Corner Kick, Josh Morris whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross and the ball ricochets off Paddy Madden and Harry Souttar, and Connor Ogilvie stops Paddy Madden from getting on to the loose ball and Jack Bonham dives on to the loose ball before Alfie Jones can kick the ball clear and away from danger, and it was very scrappy and the ball could have ricocheted anywhere, But Gillingham have survived - But only just - And when the ball goes out of play, Gillingham make a double substitution as Mark Marshall and Alex Jakubiak both come on to replace Barry Fuller and Stuart O’Keefe, Now Stuart O’Keefe being substituted makes sense because he has only just come back from injury and we might want to be cautious and ensure that Stuart O’Keefe is available for Gillingham’s up and coming league matches over the festive period, But Mark Marshall coming on to replace Barry Fuller was strange, especially as away supporters around me thought that Regan Charles-Cook should have come on instead.

Seventy One Minutes Into The Match, And Billy Crellin has played a horrendous pass out-wide down the left side of the pitch - Gillingham’s Right - And Mark Marshall has managed to keep the ball in play and take another touch to retain possession of the ball and Mark Marshall runs down the right side of the pitch before whipping in a horrendous over-hit cross towards the back-stick which goes out of play for A Fleetwood Town Goal-Kick, and that cross was inexcusable because of the time that Mark Marshall had on the ball, and he wasn’t pressurised to over-hit that cross, he had plenty of time to deliver a decent ball and fans around me were asking two questions, One: Why didn’t Regan Charles-Cook come on instead, And Two: Why Didn’t Gillingham keep hold of Elliott List, Because we all know that Elliott List can cause defenders problems with his pace, I think Mark Marshall has been very hit and miss for Gillingham This Season, and this isn’t The Mark Marshall who had pace to burn and was a threat for Barnet in the final third a few season’s ago now.

And From The Resulting Goal-Kick, Billy Crellin kicks the ball long down-field and Max Ehmer headers the ball down the line and Kyle Dempsey headers the ball up into the air and into Gillingham’s Half Of The Pitch, and Jack Tucker wins the aerial challenge up against Paddy Madden and Wes Burns wins the aerial challenge up against Olly Lee, and Paddy Madden gets the ball under control and works his way towards the byline before seeing his pass down the line cut out by Connor Ogilvie, who gets the ball under control before kicking the ball long down-field and Alex Jakubiak was competing with Lewis Coyle for a fifty / fifty ball and it was never a foul by Alex Jakubiak, But Fleetwood Town have been awarded a free kick, and from the resulting free kick, Peter Clarke passes the ball short to Lewis Coyle, who takes a touch to control the ball, and Lewis Coyle clips the ball long down-field and Max Ehmer was able to get the ball under control before kicking the ball long down-field and Peter Clarke wins the aerial challenge up against Mikael Mandron, and despite demands for A Free Kick From Gillingham Supporters for a foul on Mikael Mandron, play continued as Josh Morris lays the ball off to Jack Sowerby, who passes the ball forwards to Paddy Madden on the halfway line, and Paddy Madden takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball short to Ched Evans, And Ched Evans takes a touch to control the ball before threading a through-ball through to Josh Morris, who reads the run better of the ball better then Mark Marshall and Josh Morris is now through on goal inside Gillingham’s Penalty Area, and Jack Bonham was able to make himself big and stretch his leg out at full stretch to intercept the ball before gathering the ball at the second attempt and that was a fantastic save by Jack Bonham to keep Gillingham in this match.

And halving almost conceded the second goal at one end of the pitch, Gillingham almost equalised down the opposite end, Jack Bonham rolls the ball short to Olly Lee, who takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball forwards to Mark Marshall, and Mark Marshall runs forwards in possession of the ball into Fleetwood Town’s Half Of The Pitch, And Mark Marshall plays a one / two with Brandon Hanlan before passing the ball back to Olly Lee, who passes the ball forwards to Brandon Hanlan, and Brandon Hanlan runs forwards in possession of the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Mark Marshall, who waits for service and support before threading the ball down by the byline towards Olly Lee, who see’s his cross deflect across the six yard box and Peter Clarke does just about enough to clear the ball off the line before Mikael Mandron can score and Brandon Hanlan see’s his follow up effort blocked by Jack Sowerby, but the ball ricochets towards Alex Jakubiak, who manages to pass the ball out-wide to Mark Marshall, and Mark Marshall manages to whip in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards Brandon Hanlan and there were penalty appeals from Gillingham Supporters waved away because Harry Souttar’s Foot looked very high, and play continued because Paddy Madden has possession of the ball, and Paddy Madden kicks the ball very long down-field and down the line towards Ched Evans, And Max Ehmer has come across and looked like he got to the ball first before the momentum of Max Ehmer’s challenge took him into Ched Evans, But The Linesman Down The Main Stand Side Of The Pitch had his flag raised for a foul, And Referee Graham Salisbury had booked Max Ehmer for that challenge as well - That means that Barry Fuller, Max Ehmer, Brandon Hanlan and Alfie Jones have all been booked for Gillingham in this match now.

And From The Resulting Free Kick, Josh Morris passes the ball short to Kyle Dempsey, who takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball back out-wide to Josh Morris, who goes on a driving run forwards in possession of the ball and Josh Morris’s pass down the line is intercepted by Alfie Jones, and Alfie Jones cannot get on to the loose ball because Josh Morris gets on to the second ball first, and Josh Morris passes the ball out-wide to Wes Burns, who passes the ball back inside to Kyle Dempsey, And Kyle Dempsey takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball back to Jack Sowerby, And Jack Sowerby passes the ball square to Lewis Coyle, who takes a few touches in possession of the ball before passing the ball back inside to Jack Sowerby, who passes the ball back out-wide to Lewis Coyle, and Lewis Coyle passes the ball forwards to Kyle Dempsey, who is under pressure and passes the ball back to Lewis Coyle, and Lewis Coyle passes the ball down the line towards Ched Evans, who manages to retain possession of the ball despite being under pressure from Tom O’Connor, and Ched Evans passes the ball back towards Jack Sowerby, who looks to pick out Paddy Madden with a clipped ball down the line and Connor Ogilvie has come across to shield the ball out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick.

Seventy Five Minutes Into The Match, And Jack Sowerby boots the ball out of play for A Gillingham Throw On In Gillingham’s Half Of The Pitch, And From The Resulting Throw On, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball long down the line and the ball bounces through to Lewis Coyle, who takes a touch to control the ball before heading the ball out-wide and Mikael Mandron manages to get himself on to the second ball and Mikael Mandron gets the ball under control before passing the ball forwards to Alex Jakubiak, and Alex Jakubiak forces Lewis Coyle to knock the ball out of play for A Gillingham Throw On In Fleetwood Town’s Final Third - and there was a loud roar from The Gillingham Supporters In The Away End, who were pushing the team on to try and find the equaliser - and from the resulting throw on, Connor Ogilvie hurls in a long dangerous throw and Peter Clarke was able to header the ball clear and away from goal and Connor Ogilvie was able to get the loose ball first and pass the ball back to Jack Tucker, who passes the ball back to Jack Bonham, and Jack Bonham’s kick down-field was very poor and Josh Morris gets the ball under control and turns back on himself and passes the ball back to Danny Andrew, who plays a first time ball long down the line and Ched Evans and Jack Tucker are both competing for the same ball and both players fall to the ground, but play continue’s because Josh Morris is on to the second ball, and Josh Morris is forced to run wide to retain possession of the ball before passing the ball back to Danny Andrew, and Danny Andrew passes the ball inside to Jack Sowerby, who takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball square to Kyle Dempsey, who passes the ball out-wide to Lewis Coyle, and Lewis Coyle takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball down the line towards Wes Burns, and Wes Burns goes on a decent run forwards in possession of the ball, and Tom O’Connor times his challenge to perfection while Alfie Jones passes the ball forwards to Olly Lee, and Olly Lee passes the ball forwards to Alex Jakubiak, who goes on a decent run forwards in possession of the ball before laying the ball off to Alfie Jones, who passes the ball out-wide to Tom O’Connor, and Tom O’Connor takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball back inside to Alfie Jones on the edge of Fleetwood Town’s Penalty Area, And Alfie Jones through-ball through to Alex Jakubiak is cleared by Peter Clarke, and Connor Ogilvie is on to the loose ball on the half-way line, and Connor Ogilvie clips the ball forwards and Harry Souttar headers the ball clear and away from goal and Paddy Madden was able to flick the ball around the corner to Ched Evans, who was able to turn and retain possession of the ball before laying the ball off to Paddy Madden, and Paddy Madden see’s his clipped pass out-wide to Wes Burns go out of play for A Gillingham Defensive Throw On.

And From Here, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball long down the line and Alfie Jones flicks the ball on and Lewis Coyle is on to the loose ball, and Lewis Coyle was able to hook the ball over his shoulder and kick the ball long down-field and the ball bounces in-front of Connor Ogilvie who headers the ball out of play for A Fleetwood Town Throw On and that was a disappointing header from Connor Ogilvie there, And from here, the match starts to stretch out from end to end, Lewis Coyle throws the ball long down the line and Connor Ogilvie wins the initial aerial challenge and Tom O’Connor see’s his attempted clearance deflect up into the air and Olly Lee can only header the ball partially clear because Jack Sowerby manages to pass the ball square to Wes Burns, who passes the ball back inside to Jack Sowerby, and Jack Sowerby passes the ball out-wide to Lewis Coyle, who gets the ball under control and kicks the ball long down the line and Connor Ogilvie was able to get to the loose ball first and hook the ball partially clear and away from danger and Tom O’Connor flicks the ball on towards Alex Jakubiak, But Lewis Coyle gets to the loose ball first and Lewis Coyle somehow manages to win a free kick for Fleetwood Town - And the decision to award Fleetwood Town a free kick was a very poor decision.

And From The Resulting Free Kick, Kyle Dempsey takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball back to Lewis Coyle, who plays a diagonal cross-field pass and Mark Marshall wins the first aerial challenge and Jack Tucker wins the second aerial challenge and Danny Andrew headers the ball forwards to Paddy Madden, and Alfie Jones gets to the ball ahead of Paddy Madden and boots the ball up into the air and Peter Clarke wins the aerial challenge up against Mikael Mandron and Kyle Dempsey gets the ball under control before passing the ball back to Jack Sowerby, and Jack Sowerby takes a few touches in possession of the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Wes Burns, and Wes Burns goes on a driving run down the right side of the pitch before checking the ball back to Ched Evans, and Ched Evans passes the ball inside to Kyle Dempsey, who was able to square the ball to Jack Sowerby, and Jack Sowerby takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball forwards to Wes Burns on the edge of Gillingham’s Penalty Area, and Wes Burns was quick to get his ball out his feat before whipping a curling effort towards goal and Jack Bonham had to be alert to palm the ball over the top at the expense of conceding a corner kick - and that save from Jack Bonham has kept Gillingham in this match at 1-0 down - and from the resulting corner kick, Josh Morris whips in a high and hanging cross towards the back-stick which goes out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick.

And From Here, Gillingham managed to get back on to level terms, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down-field and Josh Morris headers the ball forwards and Jack Bonham comes rushing out of his penalty area to get on to the loose ball, and takes a few touches in possession of the ball before kicking the ball long down-field and Harry Souttar wins the aerial challenge up against Mikael Mandron and Jack Tucker wins the fifty / fifty challenge up against Ched Evans and passes the ball back to Jack Bonham, who kicks the ball long down-field, and again, Harry Souttar wins the aerial challenge up against Mikael Mandron and Josh Morris headers the ball forwards to Paddy Madden, who flicks the ball on towards Ched Evans, and Ched Evans is challenged by Max Ehmer, who manages to pass the ball forwards to Olly Lee, who goes on a driving run forwards in possession of the ball into Fleetwood Town’s Half Of The Pitch, And Olly Lee passes the ball square to Mikael Mandron, who manages to pass the ball square to Alex Jakubiak on the edge of Fleetwood Town’s Penalty Area, and Alex Jakubiak works his way inside Fleetwood Town’s Penalty Area before taking the shot on early and bending the ball into the far right corner of the net and Goalkeeper Billy Crellin had no chance keeping that effort out, 1-1, great goal, that goal was the one bit of quality that Gillingham have been able to produce all game, and the celebrations in the away end were something to savour as well.

And when play resumed, Billy Crellin kicks the ball long down-field and Wes Burns wins the aerial challenge up against Connor Ogilvie to header the ball out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick, Fleetwood Town Supporters wanted a free kick, but a free kick was not given in the hosts favour this time around, but we have got to speak about that goal again from Alex Jakubiak, what a sensational goal and that is what you want to see from your substitutes as well, come on and make an impact from the bench and see if you can try and force your way into the starting line up, and speaking of substitutes, Ben Pringle comes on to replace Tom O’Connor In The Eighty Third Minute Of The Game, And hopefully, Ben Pringle can come on just to give Gillingham some creativity and quality in midfield, many of us believed that Mikael Ndjoli could have come on for Mikael Mandron, who was having an off day, and you can say that for quite a few players playing for Gillingham against Fleetwood Town, But Mikael Mandron’s Performance was terrible though.

And From The Resulting Goal-Kick, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down the left side of the pitch and Lewis Coyle wins the aerial challenge up against Ben Pringle to header the ball out of play for a throw on, and from the resulting throw on, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball long down the line and Mikael Mandron almost flicks the ball on into Alex Jakubiak’s Path, But Goalkeeper Billy Crellin was off his goal-line to gather the ball with ease, but from here, Fleetwood Town should have retaken the lead, Billy Crellin has kicked the ball long down the right side of the pitch and Ched Evans has read the distance of the kick better than Connor Ogilvie and Ched Evans is through on goal by the byline, and Ched Evans takes a few touches to control the ball before firing a low cross across towards the near post and Paddy Madden lays the ball off to Josh Morris, who prods a first time effort wide of Jack Bonham’s far Left Post when Josh Morris should have scored - COME ON GILLS!!!!!!! - Was our response in the away end, and that was a massive let off for Gillingham because Fleetwood Town should have scored, OK, we will take the draw and we will take the draw right now.

And from here, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down-field and Peter Clarke wins the aerial battle up against Mikael Mandron and Josh Morris kicks the ball long down-field, and Connor Ogilvie gets to the loose ball first and skilfully evades the challenge from Paddy Madden, and Connor Ogilvie passes the ball square to Jack Tucker, who takes a touch to control the ball, and Jack Tucker passes the ball down the line towards Mark Marshall, who runs forwards in possession of the ball, and Mark Marshall continue’s his run forwards before whipping in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Harry Souttar headers the ball clear away from goal and Alfie Jones gets to the loose ball first and passes the ball out-wide to Ben Pringle, and Ben Pringle see’s his cross charged down by Kyle Dempsey and the ball deflects out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, And The Gillingham Supporters were cheering there team on to find the winner.

And from the resulting throw on, Connor Ogilvie hurls in a long dangerous throw and Peter Clarke headers the ball clear towards the edge of Fleetwood Town’s Penalty Area and Kyle Dempsey helps the ball further away from goal, and Ben Pringle does well to kick the ball back into Fleetwood Town’s Penalty Area and Lewis Coyle headers the ball clear and Wes Burns kicks the ball long down the line and Jack Tucker kicks the ball up into the air, and as the ball comes back down again, Ben Pringle and Ched Evans were competing for the fifty / fifty ball and Ben Pringle wins that challenge and passes the ball back to Alfie Jones, who clips the ball long down the line and Mikael Mandron is on to the loose ball, and Mikael Mandron retains possession of the ball before going on a driving run across Fleetwood Town’s Penalty Area and Mikael Mandron really should have shot there and then, But Mikael Mandron passes the ball back to Mark Marshall, who takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Olly Lee, and Olly Lee plays a neat give and go with Mark Marshall with Olly Lee receiving the ball on the edge of Fleetwood Town’s Penalty Area and Olly Lee has fired a first time effort which has gone high and wide of Fleetwood Town’s Gaol by some considerable distance - but that was a shot that Olly Lee had to take on first time though.

And From Here, Gillingham had another chance to potentially take the lead, Billy Crellin has passed the ball short to Peter Clarke, who takes a touch to control the ball before kicking the ball long down-field and the ball runs through to Mark Marshall, who takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball down the line towards Alex Jakubiak, who retain possession of the ball and passes the ball back to Mark Marshall, and Mark Marshall passes the ball back to Jack Tucker, who kicks the ball long down-field and Harry Souttar brings the ball under control before kicking the ball down-field and Max Ehmer’s Header was not the best but Mark Marshall does enough to header the ball towards Alfie Jones, who kicks the ball long down-field and anywhere will do as far as Gillingham are concerned, Billy Crellin kicks the ball forwards for Fleetwood Town and Ched Evans flicks the ball on and Kyle Dempsey tried to header the ball towards Paddy Madden, But Max Ehmer is in the right place at the right time to kick the ball long down-field and Mikael Mandron chests the ball down towards Alex Jakubiak, who passes the ball short to Ben Pringle, and Ben Pringle passes the ball forwards to Mikael Mandron, And Mikael Mandron runs forwards in possession of the ball before passing the ball down the line towards Brandon Hanlan, and Brandon Hanlan is twisting and turning before working his way into a shooting position, and Brandon Hanlan’s Low Shot towards goal was on target and Harry Souttar makes an important block to deflect the ball out of play for A Gillingham Corner Kick - And Yet Referee Graham Salisbury awards a goal-kick instead - much to the irritation of The Gillingham Supporters In The Away End.

And when the ball goes out of play, Fleetwood Town make there first substitution of the match as Harvey Saunders comes on to replace Ched Evans, And when play resumes, Harvey Saunders is penalised for a foul on Max Ehmer, and that free kick just relieves some of the pressure building on to Gillingham’s Goal, And From The Resulting Free Kick, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down-field and Mikael Mandron manages to retain possession of the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Olly Lee, and Olly Lee cuts back inside and Wes Burns manages to get the ball partially clear and away from goal, but Alfie Jones was able to pass the ball out-wide to Ben Pringle, who manages to win a throw on for Gillingham, and from the resulting throw on, Ben Pringle throws the ball short to Olly Lee, who passes the ball out-wide to Ben Pringle, and Ben Pringle is twisting and turning and passes the ball back to Connor Ogilvie, who cuts inside and goes on a driving run towards the byline, and Connor Ogilvie’s low cross is blocked by Peter Clarke, And Wes Burns manages to keep the ball in play before going on a driving run down the right side of the pitch and Connor Ogilvie is penalised for a foul when it was clear that Conor Ogilvie put himself in a position between the ball and player and somehow a free kick was awarded, then Ben Pringle was penalised for a foul and there can be no complaints about the foul on Wes Burns and Ben Pringle was also booked for that challenge as well, and from the resulting free kick, Danny Andrew’s cross towards the back-stick is over-hit and runs out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick.

And From Here, Gillingham had the chance to find the winner, Jack Bonham kicks the ball long down the right flank, and Mark Marshall does brilliantly to retain possession of the ball and Mark Marshall passes the ball back to Olly Lee, who loses possession of the ball to Harvey Saunders and the chance is there for Fleetwood Town to score, but Jack Tucker times his challenge to perfection and passes the ball short to Olly Lee, and Olly Lee kicks the ball long down-field and Harry Souttar wins the aerial challenge up against Mikael Mandron and Brandon Hanlan gets the ball under control and is tripped by Jack Sowerby, but not free kick is awarded and Jack Sowerby kicks the ball long down-field and Paddy Madden headers the ball on towards Harvey Saunders and Max Ehmer does enough to slide tackle the ball to Olly Lee, who passes the ball back to Jack Tucker, and Jack Tucker passes the ball down the line towards Mark Marshall, and Mark Marshall goes on a driving run down the right side of the pitch, and Mark Marshall continue’s his run right into Fleetwood Town’s Defensive Final Third and Mark Marshall manages to pull back a cross across the face of goal and there was Lewis Coyle just to smash the ball out of play for A Gillingham Corner Kick - And the atmosphere raised in volume as Gillingham could potentially score a winner from the resulting corner - And From The Resulting Corner Kick, Ben Pringle whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Peter Clarke was able to header the ball clear and away from goal and Olly Lee was just about able to pass the ball back to Mark Marshall, who passes the ball square to Alfie Jones, and Alfie Jones clips the ball long down the right side of the pitch and Ben Pringle gets the ball under control, cuts inside into a more central area of the pitch on the edge of Fleetwood Town’s Penalty Area, And Ben Pringle see’s his fiercely driven effort towards goal blocked by Paddy Madden and the ball deflects out of play for A Gillingham Throw On.

And From The Resulting Throw, Connor Ogilvie throws the ball down the line towards Mikael Mandron, who works his way towards the byline and passes the ball back out-wide to Connor Ogilvie, and Connor Ogilvie whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the near post, and Harry Souttar manages to boot the ball clear and away from danger and Jack Tucker manages to header the ball forwards and Alex Jakubiak manages to flick the ball on, and somehow, Alex Jakubiak is penalised for a fifty / fifty aerial challenge, and the final noteworthy moment of the match see’s Billy Crellin kick a long diagonal cross-field cross towards Wes Burns, And Fleetwood Town Supporters believed that Connor Ogilvie had fouled Wes Burns there, but A Gillingham Defensive Throw On was given instead, and there was no time remaining to take the resulting throw on as Referee Graham Salisbury blows his whistle for full time, and Gillingham were able to battle back from 1-0 down to draw the game level at 1-1, and you have got to say that is a magnificent result for The Gills.

FULL TIME: FLEETWOOD TOWN 1-1 GILLINGHAM

And after the full time whistle, the players came over to applaud the supporters, who likewise applauded The Gillingham Players On The Pitch, This was a really good result for Gillingham against A Very Strong Fleetwood Town Side in very difficult conditions and Gillingham were not at there best either, and when your losing 1-0 away from home with ten minutes to go, if you manage to score an equaliser and earn a valuable point away from home then that has to be seen as a good result and a very good point for The Gills, I made sure that I had all my belongings on me before heading for the exit, I also got speaking with a few away regular’s post match, who all believed that this was a good point and a point gained for The Gills, and maybe Gillingham could have nicked a winner late on, but we will gladly take the point.

I wished Jim a decent Christmas, Because this was the last away game before Christmas, And Charlie and Myself headed back towards where The Kings Ferry Coach was parked, and A 1-1 Draw away from home is a good result, and if your not at your best, then leaving a away game with something is better then leaving a away game with nothing, also, Thanks To The Fleetwood Town Supporter for wishing The Gillingham Supporters a safe trip back to Kent, it is appreciated and both football clubs do there fair bit of traveling throughout the season.

And As I got back on the coach and sat down in my seat, I checked My Phone For Notifications On Facebook and Twitter and Rob mentioned that the best chippy he ever had was the one opposite the away end at Fleetwood Town, And I replied back with the following,,,,, The chip shop close to Torquay's ground was decent as well, This was when Gillingham were winning 6-1 against Hereford United and 5-2 against Torquay United. And we went to the two cafes in Barnsley with the little wall down the Middle as well. Matt had also uploaded the video clip of Alex Jakubiak’s Equaliser, and that was a really good goal, and the way Alex Jakubiak bent the ball into the far right corner of the net was superb as well, and that was the one bit of quality from Gillingham throughout the match as well.

Once everyone was back on the coach, we were on our way back and traveling back to Kent, and it was good to be back on the coach and back in the warm again, because the weather conditions were horrendous and this wasn’t an away trip for the faint hearted and we are delighted to be going back to Gillingham with a hard fought point, and I uploaded the following status updates on to Facebook and Twitter, and I had posted the following,,,,, FULL TIME: FLEETWOOD TOWN 1-1 GILLINGHAM - Fleetwood Town were the better side and I can see why Fleetwood Town have got a impressive home form based on that performance, The conditions were horrific & Gillingham were not at there best, But Jakubaik has earned Gillingham a point., And Looking at The League One Table, Gillingham have picked up Twenty Five Points From Twenty Games, And Gillingham are eight points clear of The League One Relegation Zone, and six points behind Rotherham United, who are sixth and currently occupy the final League One Playoff Position, So Gillingham are in a solid mid-table position in League One at this present moment in time, and with Gillingham’s Next Home Game being against MK Dons, If Gillingham can win against MK Dons at Priestfield Stadium, then four points out of six from these two matches would be a very decent points tally.

I then re-tweeted a few tweets that were uploaded before kick off on The Gillingham Official Twitter Account before posting the following status update, Feel free to ask me any questions you have about Gillingham's 1-1 draw against Fleetwood Town Today. #Gillingham #Gills And someone asked me for My Choice For Man Of The Match, And I responded back with the following,,,, Bonham has kept the score-line to 1-0 with a few saves and Alex Jakubaik has come off the bench to score Gillingham's Equaliser and Hanlan and Mandron improved when Jakubaik came on to play alongside them in attack. Conditions were dreadful, A tough game against Fleetwood Today. I then re-tweeted a few photo’s that had been uploaded on to Gillingham’s Official Twitter Account, before uploading a few photo’s that I had taken throughout the game, One of the photo’s Gillingham uploaded was the players celebrating in-front of the away supporters when Alex Jakubiak scored Gillingham’s Equaliser and those celebrations were something to savour as well.

As from results from elsewhere, Chatham Town’s Home Game Against Corinthian FC was called off, Bearsted won 2-1 against Beckenham Town, Sheppey United won 5-0 against Erith & Belvedere, and Burgess Tree Hill won 3-1 against Faversham Town, I then re-tweeted A Stat From The Gills Fancast, who pointed out that Gillingham have only lost one in eight matches, and even the game Gillingham lost against AFC Wimbledon, Gillingham should have had three penalties, AFC Wimbledon should have had a penalty and the game was poorly officiated and Gillingham’s Finishing that day was poor as well.

But we have got to say that Alex Jakubiak has bailed Gillingham out there with a fantastic equaliser and when it comes to next week’s home game against MK Dons, Alex Jakubiak is knocking on the door to start for Gillingham, especially when you compare his performance to Mikael Mandron, Because Mikael Mandron put in a shocking performance against Fleetwood Town and Harry Souttar and Peter Clarke constantly won the aerial battles up against Mikael Mandron, and Alex Jakubiak could start up-front alongside Brandon Hanlan against MK Dons, To be fair to Mikael Mandron, he has improved in recent week’s and most of the team had an off day against Fleetwood Town, But his performance was very disappointing, and when Alex Jakubiak comes on and scores, then he is giving Steve Evans a real selection problem.

I then sent the following tweet to Knappers, Fleetwood Town were the better side and I can see why Fleetwood Town have got a very impressive home form based on that performance, The conditions were horrific and Gillingham were not at there best, But Jakubaik has earned Gillingham a point., And Knappers responded back with the following, I thought it was a equal game. Thought you came and made it really tough and played quite well it was effective.

Quest then uploaded Alex Jakubiak’s Goal on to there Twitter Account and I noticed that Ben Nugent and Elliott List had both started for Stevenage against Newport County and Dean Parrett was named among the substitutes bench as well, I was using My Portable Chargers to charge up My Mobile Phone, and portable chargers really are vital for long distance away journey’s, Especially when your using your Mobile Phone - A Tablet, Laptop, Or A DVD Player to watch films, you need ways to pass the time traveling to and from away games on the coach, mostly, It is getting sleep because of the very early start and the long trip traveling to Fleetwood in the early hours in the morning, But your talking about spending fourteen, fifteen or sixteen hours on the coach traveling to and from a long away day.

We then stopped off at Corley Services at 8PM, And this gave us an opportunity to stretch our legs, and while there was A KFC, Burger-King and Starbucks, I wasn’t going to buy anything to eat and I had enough drink on me on the coach, Looking on Google Maps, we were still two hours and forty five minutes away from Gillingham and that doesn’t include any traffic problems on the way back home either, I got back on the coach at 8.15PM And Charlie Mentioned that Bristol Rovers were going to change there manager, and we are thinking what has happened at Bristol Rovers, Because they were fourth in League One and doing exceptionally well, and you just wonder if Manager Graham Coughlan has been told that Striker Jonson Clarke-Harris will move on in January if a decent offer comes in for him and that the money the football club make will not be available for transfers, This reminded me of what Darrell Clarke said when he was Bristol Rovers Manager that the football club is thirty years behind in-terms of training facilities and infrastructure at the ground, and that Bristol Rovers would need to move into A New Stadium if they are to progress to the next level, Because The Memorial Stadium just doesn’t look or feel like A Football Stadium, with small stands bolted on to the ground and the old grandstand opposite the away end, And Bristol Rovers really do deserve a new football stadium as well.

Once everyone was back on the coach again, we were on our way again at 8.20PM, Gillingham had then uploaded a few photo’s of Gillingham Supporters In The Away End At Fleetwood Town and the away allocation had not been mentioned at this point, Ady Kerry had uploaded more Gillingham Photo’s On To Twitter which I had re-tweeted and looking at another result from Kent Non League Football, Tonbridge Angels drew 2-2 against Hampton & Richmond Borough.

I then asked Rocket-Man the following question,,,, What are your thoughts on Port Vale drawing 0-0 against Crawley Town Today???, And Rocket-Man replied back with the following response, A point is a point however we should be beating these teams if we want progress, And it was interesting to see Callum Reilly named as AFC Wimbledon’s Man Of The Match In AFC Wimbledon’s 2-1 Home Win Against Doncaster Rovers, I mentioned to Charlie that Gillingham should have kept hold of Callum Reilly because Callum Reilly can play anywhere down the left side of the pitch, Left Back, Left Wing Back, Left Side Of The Diamond or on The Left Wing, and I think AFC Wimbledon have got themselves a very good footballer in Callum Reilly, who could have done a job for Gillingham in midfield, especially as Gillingham are currently lining up with a diamond midfield formation.

I then re-tweeted Matt’s Video Clip Of Jack Bonham’s Save while the score-line was still 1-0 to Fleetwood Town, And I shared the video clip with the following comment,,,, The save from Jack Bonham which kept Gillingham in the game at 1-0 down, And that save from Jack Bonham meant that Alex Jakubiak could score a late equaliser to earn Gillingham a valuable point away from home against Fleetwood Town Today., And As For The NoirCat Prediction League, Diane, Ann, and Lisa had all predicted a win and Stephen and Myself had predicted a draw, A Draw does feel like a win because of how Gillingham managed to earn this point against Fleetwood Town Though.

BT Sport then sent out a tweet asking football supporters the following question,,, You can sign ONE player you think your club let go too early…. Who is it?, I replied with Luke Freeman, And One Gillingham Supporter asked if I should have named Bruce / Cascarino or Mehmet, And I replied back with the following, All three players played for Gillingham before I started watching Gillingham live, So I couldn't select Cascarino, Bruce or Mehmet.

And as we were still on the coach traveling back to Kent, one possible transfer rumour emerged, and it is looking increasingly likely that Ousseynou Cissé is going to be leaving Gillingham Football Club and there was a long thread on Social Media which I managed to reply to and I replied with the following comment, I have just seen this (I do not have a insta account, so I have not seen any of the video clips) But this sounds like Cisse is going to be leaving Gillingham Football Club In The January Transfer Window., And With Mark Byrne going to miss the rest of The 2019 / 2020 Season and we’re not sure on whether Matty Willock will return to full fitness anytime soon, then, if Ousseynou Cissé is going to leave Gillingham Football Club, then we will need to sign one, maybe two central midfielders to provide depth and cover, and adding to the point that Me and Charlie made earlier, then Gillingham are most likely going to see who is playing U23 Football and who we can entice to the football club in The January Transfer Window, We also have Tom O’Connor and Olly Lee’s Loan Spells Expiring In January, So trying to extend there loan spells until the end of the season is going to be vital for The Gills, I can see Tom O’Connor staying at Gillingham, But Hearts could recall Olly Lee back to there first team squad as Hearts look to retain there SPL Status.

Looking at Premier League Results, And Chelsea losing 1-0 at home to AFC Bournemouth is a surprise, Sheffield United won 2-0 against Aston Villa and Liverpool winning 2-0 against Watford and it is looking increasingly likely that Liverpool will win the league, Liverpool are ten points clear of Leicester City and you just cannot see Liverpool dropping that ten point lead at this moment in time, Leicester City have also done a remarkable job to be in second spot and they have exceeded expectations this season, And Leicester City could still be involved in this Premier League Title Fight This Season.

Our coach then went over Dartford Crossing at 22.32PM, And because it is gone 10PM, The Coach doesn’t have to pay for The Dartford Toll Crossing, And Peter came around to collect the rubbish on the coach first and foremost, before taking bookings on the coach, and I booked myself on the coach for the trip to Ipswich Town On Boxing Day Because Diane has relatives in Ipswich and this is an easy game for her to travel to, I think everyone is looking forward to Ipswich Town Away, and I just wished that Ipswich Town V Gillingham wasn’t played on Boxing Day, Because this would have been a game I would have traveled to via train.

Peter then came round to collect change for the drivers before asking everyone where they would like to be dropped off, And we started to drop supporters off outside of Strood Sports Centre, Two Bus Stops In Gillingham and we then headed towards Priestfield Stadium, where the majority of our supporters got off the coach, and I said c ya to Charlie, Louis and the lads on the back of the coach, who all got off the coach, and once everyone was off the coach, we were on our way towards Rainham, And I was making sure that I had everything on me, including any rubbish I was looking to throw into the bin and not just leave on the coach, and once The Kings Ferry Coach parked in the bus stop opposite The Cricketers Pub, I said c ya to everyone else on the coach, said c ya to Peter and thanked both drivers, who had covered a lot of miles on the coach traveling to and from Fleetwood Town and I was back in Rainham Again.

And after putting the rubbish in the bin, I then made the ten to fifteen walk from The Cricketers Pub to back home again and I was back home at 23.30PM, and when your leaving the house at 6.10AM and getting back home at 23.30PM, It really is a long long day, and thankfully, Gillingham come back from Fleetwood Town with a hard fought point and a valuable point against Fleetwood Town in very difficult conditions, Gillingham were not at there best and the conditions were poor to say the least, But you can also see why Fleetwood Town have got such an impressive home record as well.

Now If Gillingham can build on this with four points from the next three matches against MK Dons, Ipswich Town and Rochdale, Then that would be great, I later found out that Gillingham took just 117 away supporters to Fleetwood Town, which apparently is the lowest away attendance on A Saturday under Paul Scally’s Entire Tenure As Gillingham Chairman, and that you probably have go back to the early 90’s or late 80’s to find even lower away attendances then 117, I guess it is not surprising when you consider that this match is being played just two weeks before Christmas and supporters are saving there money up for Ipswich Town Away and West Ham United At Home In The FA Cup Third Round, Anyway, this was a great point for The Gills, and now Gillingham have to build on this point in our next home match against MK Dons - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[theliberaltony]

via Politics – FiveThirtyEight

Welcome to FiveThirtyEight’s weekly politics chat. The transcript below has been lightly edited.

micah (Micah Cohen, politics editor): Our topic for today: PANIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Namely, is it time for Republicans to panic (in the wake of Tuesday’s Democratic sweep)? And, as a subsidiary question, what should Republicans do now?

But let’s start with that first question … panic or no panic? You decide!

harry (Harry Enten, senior political writer): What’s the definition of panic?

micah:

harry: LOL.

perry (Perry Bacon Jr., senior writer): Panic. Losing control of the House would be huge. And it’s very much on the table.

clare.malone (Clare Malone, senior political writer): Well, some House Republicans from Virginia are retiring after the state election, so they might well be panicking.

It's my honor to represent #VA06. I cannot begin to express how blessed I am to have had the opportunity to serve. Now is the right time to step aside – I will not seek re-election. My statement: https://t.co/tByoe5vFmO

— Bob Goodlatte (@RepGoodlatte) November 9, 2017

natesilver (Nate Silver, editor in chief): They should be moderately panicked. And they should have been before Tuesday. They might still be able to save the House, though.

harry: Yeah, Tuesday was simply a manifestation of what has been apparent in the national polls for a while. Heck, it’s also been apparent in the special-election results. I just don’t think people believed it before seeing it on a big stage like on Tuesday night. Make no mistake, this was in line with the fundamentals, and those are not good for Republicans. Bad enough to lose the House? We’ll see. The Democrats are certainly in position.

natesilver: “We’ll see.”

Give me a prediction!

micah: “We’ll see” doesn’t sound that panic-inducing.

clare.malone: I’m still not sure the Republicans are going to lose the House. That’s still a pretty big lift for Democrats. Tuesday’s results were a good sign for them, for sure. But it’s still a long haul.

micah: Yeah, so a Democrat won in New Jersey. A Democrat won in Virginia. Democrats won a bunch of districts in the Virginia House of Delegates that mostly leaned Democratic. What’s the big deal?

clare.malone: ha ha ha

micah: I mean, I’m only half trolling.

natesilver: It’s not a particularly big deal. It’s just confirmation of lots of evidence we already had that the political climate is good for Democrats.

It’s about what you’d expect when they’re up 8 to 10 points on the generic ballot. But the special elections earlier in the year were also about what you’d expect given those numbers.

(And given that the specials were held in very red districts.)

micah: But then why didn’t Democrats win more red districts in Virginia?

natesilver: They won the governorship by 9 points and flipped the House of Delegates from 2-1 GOP to roughly 50-50. They had a really good night.

micah: I’m not debating that.

natesilver: The focus on red districts is kinda dumb, IMO, because if you look at the totality of elections so far this year, Democrats have done well in some really red areas — Kansas and Montana and South Carolina — that aren’t upscale or suburban at all.

micah: Are you calling me dumb?

harry: Yes.

LOL.

natesilver: I’m saying that analysts in general are chewing too much on not-especially-informative pieces of evidence.

The totality of evidence is good for Democrats. The individual data points aren’t that meaningful.

micah: So we don’t buy the thesis that “state/districts/etc. are snapping back to their default partisanship” — it explains Tuesday’s results but not all those special-election results.

natesilver: Yeah, it explains Virginia well, but there have been a lot of elections this year.

perry: Well, whether Democrats have a 70, 50 or 30 percent chance of winning the House, even 30 (which I think is a low estimate) is a really big panic number for Republicans. Barack Obama’s presidency, in terms of legislation, basically ended the day Republicans won the House in 2010. And Obama didn’t have a special prosecutor after him, with the potential of an impeachment in the House.

natesilver: I disagree that 30 is a big number, Perry. I mean, the majority always has some risk of being lost in the House, since every seat is up every two years. If the chances of losing the House were only 30 percent, I’d be pretty happy if I were Paul Ryan.

The problem for the GOP is that it’s not 30 percent. You could debate between 50 and 70.

perry: I don’t think in, say, 2014 that the Republicans had any real chance of losing the House. It would have been like 10 percent.

natesilver: I guess I should say — the majority party is always at risk if they also control the presidency.

Typically, parties do not control both the House and the presidency for very long.

So if I knew nothing about the political landscape other than that the same party controlled both the presidency and the House, my default might be that the party had like a 30 percent chance of losing the House at the next midterm.

harry: What we’re fighting against here is that people almost always view things through the prism of the last election. Yes, Nathaniel, the political science says what you say, but people get caught in this mindset that this will be the time the science is wrong. (Sometimes it is wrong.) But usually what happens is you end up looking foolish by trying to guess the direction of the polling error.

micah: So, do the contours of Ralph Northam’s win in Virginia matter in judging how panicked the GOP should be?

Like, where did he do well and with whom?

clare.malone: They’ve lost some of the suburban white voters who voted for Trump, right? Which should worry them a bit.

natesilver: Yeah, I think all that shit is overrated.

micah: Wait, Nate, you wrote the other day that there are enough well-educated, relatively well-off suburban districts for Democrats to retake the House.

natesilver: There are enough suburban districts, yeah. So it happens to be true that doing well in the suburbs is more helpful for winning back the House than for winning back the presidency. That isn’t immaterial.

harry: It hurts me when people use bad language.

clare.malone: How much evidence is there, though, that Democrats made inroads with ye olde working class whites?

micah: Right.

clare.malone: Let’s hear it for George W. Bush’s Security/Soccer Moms.

perry: Did we agree with this piece by Nate Cohn of The New York Times that argued that the Democrats still have some problems with white working-class voters that could limit their pickup opportunities next year?

natesilver: I disagree with trying to extract too many signals from Virginia as opposed to the totality of all elections in the past several months.

But Democrats had a pretty “meh” performance earlier this year in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District, which is very suburban and wealthy. Whereas what they did in Montana and Kansas and South Carolina is pretty impressive. Here’s a chart from earlier this week (before we had the Tuesday results):

clare.malone: Yeah, but wait, Nate — wasn’t the whole thing that they vastly outperformed there, even while losing?

natesilver: They outperformed more in Montana, Kansas and South Carolina than in Georgia.

I mean, it depends on what benchmark you look at. But the Georgia 6 result was probably the least impressive of any of them.

harry: To quote myself, “To understand the national political environment, it’s always better to look at an average of elections.”

clare.malone: Very Churchillian.

perry: Lol.

natesilver: At least Georgia was a federal race, though! State and local races can give you a sense of the overall political environment. But you should be very careful about getting too cute beyond that. The issues that are pertinent in voting for someone for the Virginia House of Delegates are not the same ones that are pertinent when you’re voting for the U.S. Congress.

micah: I guess, here’s why I would push back on your “overrated” take, Nate. It seems clear that winning back the House will be harder for Democrats than winning the Virginia House of Delegates. (Actually, is that true?) If that is true — or even if it it’s the same — it seems valuable to know the political/demographic/socio-economic makeup of potential pickups for Democrats in the House. What does that sample of seats look like? Isn’t that important given how polarized we are along rural-urban lines? Along racial lines? Etc.?

harry: Oh, I’m not sure that’s true at all.

natesilver: I’m telling you that extrapolating from the Virginia House of Delegates to the U.S. House is dumb.

Also, I don’t agree that winning the U.S. House is necessarily harder. The Virginia House of Delegates is way more gerrymandered than the U.S. House, even though the U.S. House is pretty gerrymandered.

perry: So I would say Panic 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. It sounds like others would rate the Republican panic levels lower?

micah: I’d say 6.8.

harry: I panic over the Buffalo Bills and Columbia Lions. I don’t panic over politics.

natesilver: I’m a 7.8 or something. Not far from Perry.

micah: We’re not interested in how panicked you are, Harry. We’re asking how panicked Republicans should be.

natesilver: But if I’m a 7.8 today, I was a 7.5 on Monday.

clare.malone: I hate how we have to apply numbers to everything.

It’s a 6.

harry: I’ll say 8 is fine.

micah: OK, so now let’s talk: What should Republicans do?!?!?!?

clare.malone: I’m wondering what candidates need to do out in the field. For example, did Ed Gillespie do something weird in not “reading the room” in Virginia — should he have been playing more to those suburban voters?

micah: Gillespie, former head of the Republican National Committee, tried to adopt some Trumpian trappings.

In general, should Republicans just hug Trump close knowing they’re tied to him anyway?

Or should they distance themselves from him?

harry: Why the heck would you embrace a president whose approval rating is in the 30s?

clare.malone: Is it a state-by-state thing — i.e., some states are “Trumpy” and some are not?

natesilver: But what if Republicans not embracing Trump makes his approval rating even lower?

micah: And also you get dinged for having an R next to your name anyway?

Does distancing ever work?

natesilver: Maybe that’s why so many members are retiring. They’re sort of screwed either way.

harry: I guess it depends on whether you’ve cultivated an image of your own brand. In waves, oftentimes it doesn’t work.

I was somewhat surprised Gillespie didn’t try that given he had run before statewide. But he probably had polling that his campaign thought showed they should run hardline on immigration.

perry: Distancing can work. Rob Portman and John McCain ran ahead of Trump in 2016.

micah: But Gillespie’s hardline immigration rhetoric didn’t lead to a rural surge like it did for Trump, right?

natesilver: I think you could say it was more high turnout in blue areas than low turnout in red areas.

clare.malone: Maybe voters found that stuff inauthentic coming from Gillespie? If you were a hardcore Trump voter, you sensed that Gillespie was not your guy. That he stank of the establishment, the past.

harry: I thought it was inauthentic.

micah: Yeah. That’s a good point. It’s possible a lot of Republicans will take away from Virginia that the Trumpian immigration stuff hurts more than it helps, but maybe that was just the messenger.

perry: I do think that sanctuary cities is an issue where Democrats are a bit confused. And maybe Republicans should hit that issue, even if other things Gillespie did will not work.

clare.malone: Yeah, interesting point

natesilver: We did have that interesting test of Trumpian personality versus Trump’s endorsement in Alabama, too.

perry: This is a hard question. If I were running against Sen. Bob Casey in Pennsylvania, I would run on the Trump immigration/populism issues. If I’m Barbara Comstock, in a Virginia district just outside of D.C., I would distance.

natesilver: By the way, the fact that Democrats are running somewhat competitively in Alabama, depending on what poll you believe — even before allegations surfaced that GOP nominee Roy Moore initiated sexual encounters with underage girls — is another reason not to take the “this is only happening in blue areas” talking point all that seriously.

micah: That’s why my panic number wasn’t that high — if Democrats win Alabama, then we’ll see real panic!

clare.malone: Yeah, that race — could be a December to remember, people!

harry: I mean, even the worst public polls have Doug Jones down only 11 percentage points. It’ll be interesting to see what occurs there.

micah: Panic-ember

perry: Roy Moore is uniquely something that I think most Republican candidates are not.

micah: Very uniquely something.

clare.malone: Even before The Washington Post report on Thursday, Moore had a lot of baggage in Alabama — enough that I think a lot more moderate Republicans there would not be enthused to cast a ballot for him.

micah: OK, before we turn to policy, it seems like one of our takeaways from Virginia is that voters aren’t stupid — you can’t distance yourself from Trump if you’re really Trumpy, and you can’t run an anti-establishment campaign if you used to run the RNC.

perry: That wasn’t my takeaway. I don’t think Corey Stewart would have won either. He might have lost by more. I don’t think a Trumpy person will win statewide in Virginia.

natesilver: Trump ran, quite successfully, as a populist, even though he’s a rich real estate developer from New York City. So authenticity is always somewhat in the eye of the beholder.

But yeah — Politics 101 if you’re Gillespie is that you want to localize that race, and Northam’s the one who should have tried to nationalize it.

clare.malone: Hey, Harry, what’s that new poll that has Democrat Kyrsten Sinema up by a healthy margin in Arizona’s Senate race against Trumpy Republican Kelli Ward?

harry: Here it is, Clare.

clare.malone: I think the Trumpy thing doesn’t always work outside the primaries for … non-Trumps?

perry: I think Gillespie was trying to do something that I think is smart: Try to hit the Trumpy Republicans with one message, the more white-collar ones with another. Gillespie’s speeches and campaign appearances were not Trumpy. His ads were. He was campaigning with Susana Martinez and Marco Rubio a few days before the election. I actually think increased Trumpiness without full-Trump is probably where most GOP candidates land in 2018.

micah: Interesting …

clare.malone: Not to be very American, but … doesn’t TV often matter more, at least in state races? Not everyone’s going to be seeing you in person.

perry: Of course.

But I’m just saying that Ed was not going around saying “build the wall” in his speeches.

clare.malone: Yeah, fair.

I just think even in the D.C. ‘burbs, those ads hurt him.

perry: I agree.

micah: OK …

Last thing: Policy.

Should Republicans stay full-steam ahead on taxes?

What should they do? Go more bipartisan?

natesilver: I don’t think they should go full-steam on their tax bill, no. Because it’s a fairly toxic bill, politically.

A Bush-style tax cut would have been much smarter politically.

perry: They should write a tax plan that Sen. Joe Manchin, Sen. Joe Donnelly and maybe eight to 10 other Democrats can vote for. A bill with 60 Senate votes would be huge.

harry: I like Perry’s thinking.

perry: So I’m saying what Nate said. The Bush tax cuts got some Democratic votes because they were not written in this way that was bound to draw heavy Democratic opposition.

I have been shocked by how many people’s taxes would increase in a REPUBLICAN tax plan.

harry: How many times have they rewritten that tax plan in the past couple of weeks?

clare.malone: But … how likely are Republicans to make that play for Democratic support?

perry: 0 percent.

harry: As Nate said, this stuff is really unpopular. It’s not good for Republicans.

natesilver: Some people’s taxes would increase — most people’s wouldn’t — but moreover, the benefits of the bill aren’t obvious to taxpayers. Maybe you come out ahead, and maybe you don’t, but you have to do the math to find out how — and a lot of popular deductions are removed, all in the name of lowering corporate taxes.

perry: The realistic path for Republicans is to pass this tax bill somewhat quickly. Don’t spend till March debating it. Get this done. It will not be very popular. But cast this as a sign that you are getting things done. Then, get more things done. Find bills that can pass. You tried on Obamacare. You did taxes. Now, find issues where you can pass a bill and it benefits you electorally. Infrastructure. Dreamers?

I think a bug in my plan is I’m struggling to think of issues that have popular support and on which Republicans agree internally.

micah: I guess I don’t really get why it seems like both 1. Republicans are very likely on track to lose a bunch of seats and maybe the House majority, and 2. Republicans are very unlikely to change anything they’re doing policy-wise.

clare.malone: I mean, Republicans are doing this tax bill thing so they can get money from donors — so that they can even run their races in the first place.

natesilver: Well, they failed to do anything on health care — for a lot of reasons — but you can argue that reflects a responsiveness toward public opinion.

micah:

Lindsey Graham says “the financial contributions will stop” if tax reform fails.

— Alan Rappeport (@arappeport) November 9, 2017

perry: Saying this out loud is not smart.

harry: What a performance.

natesilver: On taxes, the donor base likes the bill, but I don’t know that the voter base has any particular reason to.

micah: Final thoughts?

perry: Final thought: The Republicans should have been worried about 2018 before Tuesday, and Tuesday should make them even more worried.

But I actually don’t know how realistic it is to expect them to change course. Trump is going to Trump. They have a voter base that likes Trumpism. They have members in Congress and a donor base that likes unpopular policies. And they are internally divided on politics and policy, making it hard to shift course.

harry: Republicans have got to figure out something because what they’re doing right now isn’t working. Even if they don’t lose the House, their majority will probably be greatly diminished. That, of course, will only make it more difficult to pass legislation.

natesilver: I think the most important decisions that Republicans made already happened: The approach they took to health care, the approach they’re taking toward taxes, their failure to do anything on infrastructure, etc.

I’m not saying the cake is necessarily baked — there’s a lot of uncertainty, and there are going to be new things to react to all the time, since the president is Donald Trump. But I don’t think there’s any magic plan to avoid a Democratic wave. It may be out of their control. They just have to hope Trump matures a bit in his second year in office, the economy stays pretty good, Democrats give them an opening or two, etc.

But they’re running into the wind, as parties almost are when they’re trying to defend Congress and their president is unpopular.

[momtaku]

SnK Chapter 91 Poll Results

The chapter 91 poll closed with 473 entries.

“Utter Garbage” or “I trust Isayama”?

We’ll start with the scale questions. The range was 1-5, from “utter garbage” to “I trust Isayama”. I realize that isn’t an accurate scale, but “I trust Isayama” is the comment I hear most when discussing Isayama’s more questionable decisions.

RATE THE CHAPTER (451 responses)

The reaction to the chapter as a whole was pretty positive. Only 23% of people ranked it towards the “utter garbage” side of the scale. A majority were  optimistic and almost 23% of respondents were downright confident Isayama is going to pull it off.

This chapter has really grown on the more times I read it.

[It] seems so naturally easy for a group of teens to gain success, while  the character we learned to appreciate experienced nothing but death. it feels unfair [...] but if Isayama is doing this, there must be a reason.

While there were definitely aspects that deserve creation (for instance we all know the amnesia thing was lazy writing) but overall I don't think the chapter was bad. I think the kids' unrealistic attitudes in battle was purposeful juxtaposition to the way our main cast has experienced war--it shows the extent of the brainwashing ...

Although there are a lot of cool elements, it's all just handled so badly and doesn't flow well at all. I hate just about all of the new characters. Everything about it feels lazy, rushed, and badly developed. Though the war stuff and new tech is cool and refreshing to see.

I always enjoy seeing what outsiders think of Paradis and the main characters. I appreciate how Isayama handles themes such as government propaganda and the way each side in a war can see their cause as righteous and just.

I thought this chapter was actually pretty cool. I've fallen hopelessly in love with Gabi! Fingers crossed that Annie gets the f*** outta that crystal soon though!

Seeing the extent of Marleyan brainwashing was exceedingly well done.

The random amnesia thing was really lazy and half-assed.

  HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TIME SKIP?  (452 responses)

 I’ve never seen a scale so evenly divided. Opinions about the time skip are all over the place. A slim majority picked the safety of the middle option.

The time skip is perfect and Gabi is the best.

The time skip was needed for story progression but a lot of important questions and interactions were skipped in terms of character development. I just hope we get some of them in flashbacks and not have them completely disregarded

Timeskips should be illegal

After reading the full chapter and talking to someone else about it, I feel better about the timeskip. This chapter made me feel for RBA more, because they must've started out like Gabi and the rest.

Timeskips are cheap ?? Theres so much plot you could throw in there but noooooo

I believe there is no time skip but the chapter takes place during chapter 1-90 of the manga. So its showing a different perspective on the manga

Time skip means we will see older version of the main characters and that's both exciting and terrifying af

    HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE DIRECTION THE STORY HAS TAKEN?(452 responses)

Feeling about the direction of the story are almost a mirror image of the "Rate this Chapter” question. Despite disagreement over the time skip, confidence is still relatively high.

Love the story right now so much. The mix of ww1, fucked up war morals, fantasy is a personal favorite.

I will like this chapter, but only if Isayama concludes this story with a good twist, that is. If not, chapter 91 will in my opinion be the beginning of the end (end in a bad way).

Isayama fell asleep at the wheel

It's definitely not how I thought it would go, and it seems like it may only pay off if we exceed the previous 110 prediction for chapters. I've seen a couple of theories about the new characters and parallels between the Trost days for our characters. I will be extremely disappointed if we get no answer on what happened during the lost year of chapter 90. Or the lost 3 years between that and 91.

i think the story has potential still, and im interested to see how it will work out. im also just hoping this flash to the marley side isnt gonna be too long. 

I think this is going to be really interesting and we get to see the other side of the fight and their perspective.

  WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE CHAPTER (451 responses)

The reveal of the Jaw Titan was completely overshadowed by the brief glimpse of Reiner and insight into Marley. 57% of the vote focused on those two things.

Imagine how the poor kid that inherited "Cartman" felt like upon learning that that thing was their award for winning the marleyan hunger games.

I thought this was a pretty good world building chapter (despite the jarring time skip), especially since we've been waiting many chapters to see this place.  I don't ADORE these new characters, I'm more intrigued, which is better then hating them.  This is also a good set up chapter.  I'm interested to see if Reiner will interact with these new characters.  Since they look so similar to the 104th (design and personality), will he constantly be reminded of his past relationships with them?  Plus, will he see some of himself in them (specifically Gabi) and through them reminding of himself we'll see his backstory?  And is he going to just except his fate and get eaten, or be like "Screw this, nope, not dealing with it."

  WHICH NEW CHARACTER DO YOU LIKE BEST? (447 responses)

Support for Gabi is simply overwhelming. Gabi (38%) and Jerwin (25%) were our favorite new cast members. 

Gabi is such a badass, omg, do you see it Eren? This is how you getting out of horrible situations!

Dammit you Gabi! Fresh Face, Fresh Outlook in Life and Cute! I want to cosplay as her!

i feel like i'm the only one who doesn't  like the new characters

I'm so confused but Gabi is fantabulous

Gabi is such a ray of sunshine

my orphanage is full i already have too many kids to adopt in this series

  WHO DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO INHERIT REINER'S TITAN FORM? (434 responses)

Another close poll, Reiner keeping his titan form narrowly edges out Gabi as the armor recipient.

  WHO DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO INHERIT ZEKE'S TITAN FORM? (440 responses)

If respondents have their way, Zeke’s short term future is very secure. 

I also believe that Zeke will keep the Beast Titan (at least for a while), but ultimately Colt will be the one to inherit it. Zeke story is far from being over.

If Levi is taking down the beast titan and he finds out that not only is Zeke already dead, but his replacement is a weak-brows version of Erwin, I really hope it gives him pause.  That could be such a heartbreaking, earth shattering moment for him and I hope Yams handles it right.

  Attack on Clones

New character, same face. Most of these are self explanatory, but clearly I asked the wrong question with Falco since the majority picked “Other”. Grisha’s friend and fellow revolutionary Grice should have been an option.

Strong resemblance confirmed! I was especially please that the majority agree that Colt most closely resembles Erwin. Since I passionately hate the name “Colt”, I see this as permission to call him Erwin, Jr, or “Jerwin”. 

Zophia is clearly the traumatized medic who inventoried dead!Marco)

I don't really see a strong resemblance between the new cast and the old.

When I saw the new characters I thought: would the children of our main cast look like them?

Part of me wants to say that some key characteristics about Gabi not only resemble Eren or a younger version of him, but may also express some of the characteristics Isayama originally wanted to use for Eren when he considered making him female

Colt=Commander Handsome 2.0

Colt looks like Kenny tbh

WHICH OF LEAPINGTITAN'S REACTIONS BEST DESCRIBE YOUR REACTIONS TO THE CHAPTER? (404 responses)

Ya’ll know these questions are unscientific and purely for my amusement with questions like this. I thought Nick’s live chapter reaction (soundboard) summed things up perfectly. At least one respondent disagreed.

theleapingtitan's reaction wasn't that funny, and for a SNK Chapter poll, seeing stupid stuff like this just takes away the authenticity of the poll

who tf is nick (jk lol praise the walls)

"WHAT" was legitimately the keyword for this chapter but I trust Isayama with the story and with our heroes+ I hope we'll get to see the Jaegers reunion before anything bad happens to Zeke tho

  ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE DIRECTION THE STORY IS TAKING? (448 responses)

This question is nearly identical to the scale question at the top of the poll, but it’s nice to see the information presented in a different way. It’s obvious to me that while the majority still have faith in Isayama, people are hesitant to fully embrace his storytelling.

I was waiting for the story to explain what's going on the other side of the ocean. But not from these "copy and pasted" brats. Reiner is seen in just one panel and Zeke is barely mentioned. That's a shame.

I'm interested to see where this goes but a good 75% of my thoughts are concentrated on what the main characters possibly look like after the time skip.

I honestly dislike how Isayama uses these new characters to show us what Marley and being a warrior is like, instead of showing us RBA and Zeke's past :(

Really enjoyed the way the characters were presented. It gives the reader the chance to see Marley's side of things without being forced to have a story-generated opinion on them (aka screaming at us to hate them) because quite frankly, I was rooting for those Warrior kids to succeed with their plan!

Very unexpected change of character view from our beloved heroes to their"enemy"'s point of view. But I also think it's come at a good time in the overall SnK storyline.

It's disappointing. There's so much potential in the series but I feel like Isayama just wants to get the series over with.

DO YOU THINK YMIR IS DEAD? (445 responses)

Clearly, we’re keeping the faith until we see a corpse.

In reference to Ymir, I don't believe she'd dead because unlike the Zeke and Reiner, no warriors are competing to claim her power, so unless they already dealt with the one to claim her I think they've kept her alive for now.

WHICH CHARACTERS DO YOU GENERALLY ENJOY THE MOST? (450 responses)

I’ve asked this question with each poll and in the past “The Vets” have had the edge. That changes now. I suspect many of Erwin’s fans are no longer interested in the series and certainly not interested enough to take a poll. This number may continue to decline since “The Vets” now consists of only Levi and Hange. Fans of the “The Warriors” remain consistent in their dedication.

Final thoughts

There were more chapter thoughts in this post. Fandom hope for ponytail Levi is strong!  “Where’s Levi”, “Where’s Ymir” and “Bring back Annie” continue to be high on everyone’s mind.

Compiling this takes forever but I love getting a glimpse into what what others are thinking. If I didn’t publish your comment, please know that I read it. Thank you again for the support.

[eitherandor-blog]

Weary

Tongue tied.

It’s hard to articulate the words- and the actions and decisions made- to recap the past few months.  Particularly, the recent political happenings in the US.  I will always remember where I was on November 8th, 2016.  Now, I don’t need to relive the specifics of that night, or the morning after.  However, I can say that in the immediate aftermath, I was in a daze.  That stupor lingered, for quite a while. 

When I came back to earth, or resurfaced, or came to face reality, Donald F. Trump was the new President (Note: The “F” is intentional).  In some respects, this is completely baffling to me.  Like one of those moments in a movie or TV show, where everything seems to be horribly awry (or positively, unrealistically perfect) but then the protagonist wakes up.  It was all a farce...If only.

Now it’s not hard to fathom that in a country of 330+ million, we would not all think the same.  And that’s good (mostly).  I relearned that last November.  Frankly, it’s an essential reminder that the self-selective bubble that I- and I know many others- have created is just that: a bubble.  A limited, insulated fragment of a larger, fuller reality.  Sometimes my social world- and definitely the one I’ve created over social media (perhaps some readers are unfriending me as they read..)- is not exhaustive nor inclusive of all viewpoints.  The world is much bigger than any one person’s bubble.  I learned that in a YUGE way.. 

I also know that while I certainly was disappointed, there were millions of people who were applauding this (somewhat) unexpected victory.  That does not necessarily make them evil, awful, Satan worshipers.  It does not mean that they support everything that Donald F. Trump says or stands for.  Maybe they don’t support the extra curriculars, as Aziz Ansari laid out on Saturday Night Live.

However, it also meant that among several multiple choice options on election day (vote for a third party candidate, vote for Clinton, don’t vote, or E, hope for Armageddon), they thought that A: vote for Trump, was their best selection.  “Best” may be up for debate, but they undeniably chose him as a presidential candidate.  

These are maybe not the people you see, the people you know, or interact with on a daily basis.  In the school district where I work, students were polled and given the option to cast a ballot, as a way to learn the voting process and participate in the monumental November day.  We know that for some students, they may vote, and think politically, similar to the views they are surrounded by (family, teachers and community).  In this mock election, 82.7% of the 2,146 students surveyed voted for Hillary Clinton, 4.2% for Donald Trump.  

What does that mean?  Well, obviously for many of these students, there was a clear favored choice.  There were also students who even in what is presumed to be a progressive, equitable community, voted for Trump (as well as alternate candidates).  We also know that even if these votes were to be counted, with little more than two thousand, they make little impact in the larger whole.  The story they tell is infinitesimal in comparison the larger, national picture.  However, in this bubble, everyone seemingly thinks the same.  How comfortable that can be- as well as misleading.

What I also saw- and what I know has been true for many young people- is how damaging this election result felt, how personal and how confusing.  For some students, the principles of kindness and respect (and frankly, humanity) are instilled and at times, reinforced, in formative years.  These are ideals we implore our young people to uphold, even if we lose our way abiding them ourselves.  We try, though we often cannot control, to keep our young people safe.  With the result of this election, and the campaign that preceded it, the lessons learned communicated some different takeaways for students.  I can only speak for my school.

In the immediate aftermath, my school of students were perplexed.  I never could have imagined that this group (at a K-8 school, to be clear) were so aware and consumed with the election results.  Furthermore, there were many who were scared or sad, uncertain what this meant for the future.  In the weeks that have followed, there have been an abundance- and according to staff, more than usual- of student conflict and bullying.  This summary overlooks the ongoing division between staff and students; we are still navigating this as we go.  To sum up, it’s been an unsettling time for our young people.  As an adult, I hate that there is little direction to give. 

...

I was not bewildered to see many people, in the days, weeks, even years leading up to the election, proclaim that they would not, could not vote for Hillary Clinton.  Some of them were staunch Republicans, others were Berning reallll hard.  Some wanted to deviate from the career politician in Clinton, while others still could not overlook some of her past actions, inactions, and decisions of consequence.  Then there are the ‘handful’ who- despite her credentials and pantsuits- who because she is a woman, would not, could not bring themselves to vote for a woman as leader of the “free world” (what a tease we are, ‘land of the free’).  

Many could have predicted this is where we/the US were headed.  Tensions flared in Obama’s final term, even down to Congress’ proclamation that it would not consider any nominees to the Supreme Court’s vacant seat.   

LIKE SERIOUSLY?!   

So here we are now, stuck with Donald F. Trump.  We’ve got a racist, xenophobic, sexist, perpetrator, ableist (that can’t be all, right?) with the gall to spend his Black History Month remarks discussing polling and his diverse voter turnout, rating Fox better than CNN news, and big league Ben Carson.  Seriously, THIS GUY??

Now we are left with a byproduct of our storied, troubled past as a country. Today, many white people can reside to the comforts and cushiness of their privilege.  In the midst of a changing country, a politician tapped into that fear- which Trump so creatively reverberated- led him all the way to the White House.

Somehow, in 2017, we have the most discriminatory politician most anyone can recall.  We have an entire regime that seems to make up and rewrite the news ad nauseam.  Be it alternative facts about the ills committed by immigrants in this country, molding statistics and numbers to fit an agenda (such as a report on Chicago violence), or simply mocking, threatening, and offending virtually every minority group one can think of- it’s okay white men, you’re safe (for now)- this, this is your president. 

I could go on, truly, on the appalling man we have elected and enabled to become president.  But it doesn’t stop there!  There are a laundry list of folks who (to generalize) are significantly under qualified for their positions and responsibilities. From the well-documented, questionable (or racist) history of Jeff Sessions in Coretta Scott King’s letter- and nearly read by Senator Elizabeth Warren- to the inconceivably unqualified Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary, we are truly being led by band of misfits. 

While we are left to stomach the disheartening cabinet appointments, we have to (somehow) digest executive orders that run rampant to undo our democracy. Attacks waged (commonly over Twitter) that permeate every sector: to department stores, the environment, the media, and many, many immigrants.  In particular, the ‘Muslim Ban’ stands out as one of (because there are multiple, even after 3 weeks in office) divisive, misguided, and ass-backwards acts under the 45th.  

And while I wholeheartedly disavow this has any legal or moral founding, no one can say they are surprised.  We should have seen this coming with Trump.  When people have voiced displeasure and protested, one of the resounding arguments has been that we, the United States of America, are a nation of immigrants.  Though I know the intent of this argument, and know that I find myself on this side of the debate, I could not disagree with these people more on their point.

The USA was founded under the guise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, some Disney fable of the American Dream.  In actuality, the leader of the free world was made on the backs of the transatlantic slave trade, on the land of American Indians, and furthered by systematic and intentional dehumanization, internment camps, and genocide foreign and domestic.  Do not pretend that things were utopian from the start for this country nor in its more recent history.  Our hands are blood-stained and our pages littered with lies to help people in power sleep at night.

While I am so shattered by the position we find ourselves in, Trump is a President elected by (some) of the people for all of the people (theoretically).  The US deserves such a candidate, born and raised, until we acknowledge the pedestal we declare our birthright.  By the looks of it, Trump appears happy on a throne.  What did you expect?

(My latest installment, entitled “Weary” is after one of the hits of Solange’s album from the fall, A Seat at the Table.  I encourage you to listen to the full album; you can get a taste with the title track of this post here.)

[nyc-uws]

End of the Office: The Quiet, Grinding Loneliness of Working From Home

Before Covid-19, many of us thought remote working sounded blissful. Now, employees across the world long for chats by the coffee machine and the whirr of printers. The Guardian  Simon Usborne..

Dahlia Francis is sitting on a small couch at the foot of her bed, in her shared flat, on a housing estate in south London. She wears her new uniform of pyjama bottoms and a Zoom-ready plain T-shirt. Her room used to be a living room. Now the only communal space is the kitchen, where Francis’s three flatmates occupy a small dining table. They, like almost half of Britain’s workforce, are also working from home. 

Francis, who is 29, is a credit controller for a charity in central London. She commuted there, by bus and tube, for a little more than a year. There were baking competitions and quizzes and a kitchenette, where gossip and tea flowed freely. Now the kettle is silent and the cubicles are empty. They are likely to remain so for the rest of the year.

For the first few weeks after her office closed in late March, Francis was too busy to consider her new circumstances. Then they hit her – and got her down. Days spent in her bedroom hunched over a laptop, centimetres from where she slept, blurred into endless weeks. She has become lonely. 

Francis has worked for a tool hire firm and a betting chain, as well as for charities. The offices she remembers have taken on a different shape in her mind. “I used to think of a desk as like a kind of prison cell, where I was chained for eight hours a day,” she tells me over the phone. “It was always like serving time. But, at this point, my desk would be my saviour.” 

 Lockdown has not so much redrawn the workplace of millions as it has chewed it up like a broken printer. Working from home, a mode traditionally viewed with suspicion by bosses and with envy by commuting bureausceptics, has become the norm for those whose livings are tied to computer screens.

As weeks become months and offices remain closed, many are predicting their permanent decline. Buildings that for decades have defined urban geography, diurnal rhythms and the meaning of work may never hum in the same way to the sounds of keyboards and fluorescent lighting.

  “I’ve spoken to about eight startups that have already got rid of their office,” says Matt Bradburn, the co-founder of London-based People Collective, which advises companies on human resources. “And we’re talking companies of 50 to 100 people.” Elsewhere, firms including Twitter and Facebook have said they will allow employees to work from home for ever. 

The potential demise of commutes and the soul-sapping trappings of office life is a cause of celebration for many among the 49% of workers now toiling at home. But for people such as Francis, whose flat is unsuited to work, offices provide space to share ideas, socialise and maintain a work-life divide that has become hopelessly blurred.

According to a survey by the global financial services company Jefferies, 61% of more than 1,500 UK respondents said they would return to work immediately if they could. Facebook says half of its employees will work from home by 2030, but Mark Zuckerberg said only one in five were enthusiastic about doing so. More than half “really want to get back to the office as soon as possible”, he told the Wall Street Journal.

 When Bradburn polled his network of more than 5,000 HR bosses, he asked for the biggest reasons their teams had shared for wanting to go back to the office. Seventy per cent cited social and mental health issues, including feelings of loneliness. “I think young people in particular really need that connection,” Bradburn says.

 The effects of working from home have been little studied, partly because remote working was pretty rare until this spring. The proportion of the UK workforce who worked “mainly” at home went from 4% to 5% in the UK between 2015 and 2019, according to the Office for National Statistics. Permanent home working was vanishingly rare.

“It’s always been a pretty backwater topic,” says Nick Bloom, a British economics professor at Stanford University in California and an expert in home working. The last time Bloom’s phone rang so much was 2013, he says, when Marissa Mayer, then the chief executive of Yahoo, banned remote working. “Speed and quality are often sacrificed when we work from home,” read a leaked memo to staff.

 The assumption has been that remote workers slack without direct supervision. But do they? In 2010, a Chinese travel agency with 16,000 employees came to Bloom in search of evidence. Ctrip, which assumed workers would prefer being at home, was spending big money on offices in Shanghai. It wanted to know what remote work might do for the bottom line. “Their proposition was that they’d save on rent, but lose on productivity,” Bloom says.   

 Bloom devised a trial – the first of its kind – involving 250 members of a Ctrip call centre. Half of the group were selected at random to work from home for nine months. The other half would continue to work in the office and the productivity of both teams would be measured.  

 None of Ctrip’s assumptions were right. Productivity in the home group went up by 13%. Without the distractions of the office, agents were making more calls and taking fewer breaks and sick days. “They were truly stunned by the results,” Bloom says of Ctrip. Its executives calculated not only that they could save millions in rent, but also that they could make $2,000 (then about £1,300) more in profit annually per employee. 

But the experiment also measured happiness. When Ctrip polled staff, half of the home-based group wanted to go back to the office. “Loneliness was the single biggest reason,” Bloom says. Plus, they were not in lockdown conditions: only people with a spare room took part; none had children at home or flatmates; and they still worked one day a week in the office.

 Bloom is now constantly fielding calls from anxious executives. “They have said productivity has been great and they’re thinking of abandoning the office,” he says. “I’m counselling that it’s shortsighted and high-risk.” Bloom had always been supportive of remote working, if not full-time, even after the Ctrip experiment. “Now I feel like I’ve gone from being an evangelist for working from home to an evangelist for the office,” he says.

 Erin Mackenzie, 23, knows what it can be like to work remotely full-time without the stresses of lockdown. In the summer of 2019, she got a junior marketing job with an online education company based in the Middle East. Mackenzie, who lives in a small house in a small town 50 miles north of New York City, thought working from home would be great. 

After four months of long days alone at the tiny desk in her bedroom, Mackenzie had a panic attack. She had lost weight and become depressed. “At first, I thought it was because the job was demanding, but I realised it was more the isolation and not being able to interact with people,” she says. “I hadn’t realised I’d relied on that so heavily for my mental health.” 

Mackenzie also felt suffocated by the digital monitoring, which was already becoming standard in big firms. Hers was relatively light. An agenda app would track tasks and alert faceless bosses when they were done. Response times to chats were noted. “It definitely added to me feeling like I didn’t have set hours and the anxiety of it all,” she says.

If offices were to evolve to extract as much as possible from human resources, there are concerns that firms would use technology to tighten the screws further in our homes. Interest in the software offered by Teramind, a Florida-based employee monitoring and analytics firm with more than 2,000 clients, has tripled in lockdown. When downloaded to employees’ computers, Teramind’s “agent” can measure time spent on different windows. It can play back or live-stream a view of an employee’s screen and record his or her every keystroke. It can also raise a flag if certain predetermined words are typed.

Before lockdown, 70% of Teramind’s clients were concerned about security – leaks of sensitive information, for example – while 30% saw productivity as the priority. “Now, it’s flipped,” says Eli Sutton, the firm’s head of operations. But he rejects the suggestion of Orwellian overtones. “I can say first-hand that employers have better things to do than to spy on you all day,” he says. “Teramind is an extra set of eyes to make sure distractions aren’t causing issues.”

Will Gosling, who leads Deloitte’s consulting on “human capital” in the UK, says: “We’re at the beginning of a very big ethical debate about this. We were already seeing businesses wanting to get more data on employees and the pandemic has brought it into sharp focus … but they need to support and build health and wellbeing.” 

Trade unions worry that working from home will challenge privacy and rights, making it harder for employees to organise or be aware of how colleagues are being treated, particularly in the most onerous fields of white-collar work. There are questions about liability. Mental health is part of the picture. “Employers have a responsibility to ensure worker wellbeing and that doesn’t end just because people are not in the office,” says Tim Sharp, the senior policy officer for employment rights at the Trades Union Congress.

Mackenzie quit after the panic attack and got a job with an insurer. She immediately felt better, even while enduring a two-hour commute to Manhattan for her training. She now works in a smaller office a short drive from home – or, rather, she did until the pandemic. It helps that she now works for a better, kinder company. Her fiance is working at home, too. “Without him here, I probably would have crumbled,” she says. 

At their best, offices are crucibles for ideas and lifelong friendships, particularly among younger workers with small homes but big social circles. The Office was not just a comic study of business park malaise – it was a love story. Working from home may boost productivity for a while, “but it’s so costly in terms of creativity and inspiration”, Bloom says. “We’re all suffering from Zoom overload and feeling worn down.”

Flick Adkins, who is 28, counts some of her colleagues as her best friends. For three months, she has been cut off from them while working from the flat she shares with five other people in north London. She works for LRWTonic, a market research company, and takes a lot of private calls. She has to sit cross-legged on her bed, stacking her laptop on part of her vinyl collection. She has settled on 20 records as the optimal height.

Adkins’s now empty office has a ping pong table and a coffee machine, where she would chat with friends before starting her day. On Fridays, she and her 20 mostly young colleagues would go out for lunch and have drinks after work.

 Like Francis, Adkins feels lonely, down and unmotivated. “Having an office was symbolic of normality,” she says. “I loved just being at my desk and hearing the buzz and all the conversations … I can count on two hands the number of times I’ve said: ‘I don’t know much longer I can do this.’”

 Last month, Adkins’s boss, Anna Dunn, floated with her team the idea of ditching the office for good and saving £200,000 a year in rent. “I said that the money would be distributed to them in a bonus, to some degree,” Dunn, 40, says from her kitchen. She, too, misses the office. “I thought there might be this desire to stay remote, but not one person does. They all want to go back.” 

The sounds of the office have a new resonance. More than half a million people have tuned into The Sound of Colleagues, a web page and Spotify playlist of workplace sounds, including keyboards, printers, chatter and coffee machines. Red Pipe, a Swedish music and sound studio, created it in April as a joke, but its data suggests that people keep it on in the background.

 Progressive employers are racing to find ways to recreate the joys and perks of office life. Google is laying on cookery classes and mindfulness sessions, as well as offering $1,000 (£780) to each employee for equipment. Lauren Whitt, Google’s wellness manager and resilience lead, says demand has grown for her team’s services, which include video counselling and therapy by text for people who lack privacy. “We’re also seeing more families having more access [to these services],” she adds.

 If reports of the death of the office have been exaggerated, everyone agrees it won’t look the same. Bloom envisages a new landscape of smaller offices, with employees alternately working at home for half the week to bring down costs and make physical distancing more viable. Budgets for nice interiors will fall. “I think the office will be more suburban, more spacious and nastier-looking,” he says.

Francis would not care. When I speak to her, she has taken a week of holiday. She had anxiety before the pandemic, which partly expressed itself in a need to be busy all the time. But, after three months of sometimes 12-hour days and a deepening sense of unease, burnout has become a worrying prospect. Not that she can really escape her place of work. “I’m just sort of winging it this week and not planning too much,” she says from her bedroom couch. “I just need a bit of time to gather myself.”                    

Simon Usborne is a freelance feature writer and reporter based in London. He was previously a feature writer and an editor at The Independent.

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My dad, victim of complex conspiracy – Kola Abiola

Twenty-six years after the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, his first son and present head of the extended  Abiola family, Kola Abiola, has opened up on his father’s struggle to win the election and reclaim his mandate after the results were cancelled.

In this exclusive interview with The Sun team in his Lagos residence, he revealed what transpired behind the scenes before, during and after the annulled election and the role played by different persons and interest groups. 

He said, contrary to widely held beliefs, Abiola never nominated anybody  into the regime of the late General Sani Abacha, and explained that some of his father’s former allies who chose to serve the late dictator had already decided to be part of his regime and his father could not stop them.

Kola Abiola also denied accusations by some family members who alleged that they were living in penury because he cut off funds meant for them, saying he would soon address those allegations with facts.

He spoke with Eric Osagie, Onuoha Ukeh, Femi Babafemi and Chinelo Obogo.

June 12 has been recognised as Democracy Day in honour of the election your father won. How does it make you feel when you look back?

For me, it is the end of a long journey. We started this journey in 1991 at the Hilton Hotel after I sat down with my father’s personal assistant back then, Olu Akerele, who was trying to convince me to participate in the election. At the very beginning, I was not involved; I knew what my father was planning, but I just carried on like I didn’t know what was going on because he didn’t tell me directly. As a family, we had an understanding that he would let the Ibrahim Babangida transition programme go before we participate in any election. It was not the case of whether we should go into the contest or not; we wanted the transition to go through before we participated. I guess after a lot of pressure, he then went to Abeokuta to get the form to contest for the election.

Did he tell you what was going on?

He didn’t tell me, but I knew what was going on. I knew he had gone to Abeokuta to pick the Option A4 form, but I just played dumb since he didn’t talk to me about it. He went into the race quite alright but I stayed out of it and just watched. All along, I knew it was inevitable that it would come back to me. He then started sending people indirectly to talk to me because he wanted me to get involved. While we were in Abuja, he called me and said he wanted to see me. He asked if I would just stand aside and watch him without getting involved and I responded by telling him that he still hadn’t told me about the race. So, we sat down and I told him that I had a plan, which I would write out and discuss with him. I was in the lobby with Olu Akerele and I wrote out what I felt would be the best programme, what the options were, the problems we were going to face, whom his running mate should be, etc. After writing out the plans, I approached my father and presented them to him. Before then, he planned to use the state representatives of Concord as polling agents and I told him that would be a waste of time.

After I presented the blueprint to him, he was very happy and said everything was beginning to make sense and everything happened exactly the way I said it would be. The only issues that I didn’t anticipate were the post-election problems. I was focused more on delivering the ticket and all the pre-election issues.

What was the blueprint about?

I felt that we needed to work with the late Shehu Yar’Adua group, which I was very much involved in. I also felt that I needed to stay out of the campaign and do the legwork, while I coordinated with the Yar’Adua group. I predicted that we didn’t have a choice than to pick a Muslim-Muslim ticket at that time. So, I had to broker an arrangement with Yar’Adua about Atiku Abubakar and my father; the deal was that Atiku would be the running mate.

How then did Babagana Kingibe enter the race?

We ended up with Kingibe because there was a lot of pressure on my dad to have a balanced ticket, where he would pick a northern Christian running mate. But events at the time didn’t make it possible for us to have that option and I will explain. We came in at the second leg of the election; the first leg was when the election of the 23 candidates was annulled, and then we stepped in. At that point, Kingibe was chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and he was helped by the Peoples Front (PF), which was the Yar’Adua group. All along, he had zoned every key office to all the other zones except the presidency. So, the Hausa-Fulani North didn’t have a stake in the entire political process. We coming in from the South-West was basically a coup on the process because they had assumed that they would have a northern presidential candidate.

NRC (National Republican Convention) had a northern candidate (Bashir Tofa), so SDP assumed that their candidate would also come from the North. If we made the mistake of picking a Christian northerner, the NRC would have had block votes from the Muslim North; so, politically, we had no choice than to choose a northern Muslim. If we had not done that, we would have given away a large percentage of the votes that would have come from the Muslim North. My father was being pressured by the Falae-Ajasin-Adesanya group to pick a running mate from the minority Christian North. Initially, they considered Dan Suleiman from Adamawa as running mate, but I kicked against it because I knew how politically strong they all were.

In Jos, I also wanted to avoid a three-way race where you had two northerners against one southerner, so I had to broker a deal for Atiku to step down for my father and it became a two-way race, which gave us a better option. Part of the deal was to have Atiku as the Vice President.

What then happened?

After we scaled that hurdle, pressure started coming from other parts of the party and even Aso Rock, that we must have a balanced ticket. I kept on saying no because I knew that if we had a balanced ticket, we were going to lose the election. There was also pressure from the governors’ forum led by the late Olusola Saraki (Baba Oloye) and also Arthur Nzeribe was part of that powerful block. They had lost out at the time and they were pushing for a possible petition on the election process itself. So, I had to run to Alhaji M.S. Buhari, who was the number two of the PF. He later left the PF to move with Kingibe because they were both Kanuri. I rushed to him to appeal to Kingibe to cease the planned petition, so they met and they told me not to worry that they would cede. But the governors’ group kept on putting pressure, so you can understand where it was coming from.

As party chairman, Kingibe had influence in putting all those governors in place, so they were loyal to him. But I always knew all along that if we had a free and fair election, there was no way that any of those governors would return. We had to pick a Muslim running mate and I had brokered a deal with Atiku, but then there was Kingibe on one side who was being supported by the governors. At the end of the day, rather than lose entirely, I now had to cede my commitment to Atiku, which was very unfortunate. Once we agreed on a running mate, I left Jos and met with Yar’Adua over the issue.

Didn’t that turn out to be a grave miscalculation because, after the annulment, there were reports that Yar’Adua was lukewarm towards your father’s cause?

I don’t think it’s fair to say that. When we sealed the deal to pick Kingibe as running mate, I was meant to go to Kaduna first thing in the morning and explain the situation to him. It was my duty to also speak with Atiku, but, unfortunately, immediately the plane took off from Abuja to Lagos, it was already in the media that Kingibe had been picked; so it was a fait accompli. I then had the responsibility to try to keep it together and explain to the PF group as a whole why we took the decision.

Were they disappointed?

Obviously, but I think we amended all that prior to the election to the point that the PF, led by the General himself, led the campaign committee. We had meetings at the presidential suite of the Federal Palace Hotel on how to strategise and implement the whole plan, so they were totally involved. The General would always say that the best thing was always to have a strong party because that was the only legal entity that could challenge the government. Remember I was very young then, so I had to learn pretty fast. As far as delivering the ticket, my blueprint worked, but what we didn’t anticipate was that the government would not want to go.

Was there a time that your father had an agreement with IBB that he would actually leave, and did IBB ask your father to run for the election?

You can’t tell anybody not to run. IBB and my father were very close and we thought the man was set to go. On several occasions, I sat with IBB one-on-one and asked him some questions and he said he was going to go, and I believed him. Whether he went by choice is a different thing entirely, but the events made it difficult to do otherwise.

When you reflect on that election, what do you think gave Abiola victory?

He was the most detribalised person I know and we were all brought up that way. He was a pioneer in every business he set up because he always believed in indigenous talent. The bank we had used to be run by Pakistanis but it was my father who insisted that we would start having Nigerian MDs to run the bank. He believed that Nigerians could do anything Pakistanis could do and that was how we stopped having Pakistani MDs. By virtue of my father’s detribalised nature, he had been to every part of this country. If any of his workers had an event in their village, he made sure he attended, even if it was for two minutes, so that people would know that you are an important person by virtue of him being there. He did it for many years and he was welcomed wherever he went.  He employed purely based on merit and not because you were from Abeokuta; so we had members of staff from every part of Nigeria.

Part of that strategy I spoke about earlier was how to convert his popularity to votes because his name was out there but it would only count if it is converted to votes and we achieved that. Even in the military and the police, he trained many officers.

But they said the military didn’t want him…

Go to any barracks, they voted for him 100 per cent.

There have been reports that your mother, Simbiat, told Abiola not to venture into politics because of how difficult it could be. Is this a fact?

I spoke about it earlier on and she didn’t say so.  She  only told him to wait till the transition period was over. She was on her dying bed anyway and she must know why she said so. It was not a no from her; it was only a matter of when.

There have been several reasons adduced for the annulment of the election. In your mind, what can you pick out to be the real reason MKO’s election was annulled?

I am doing a documentary called ‘Hope Derailed’ in which I interviewed every post-election player and it would have been ready but for some delays. I interviewed everyone from IBB to Tinubu, Walter Carrington, Nzeribe, Susan Rice and every one of them who played a part post-election.

What were you able to deduce from your interviews?

At the end of the day, I didn’t feel that the government of the day wanted to go. One part of the government didn’t want to go; one part acted like they wanted to go and was playing pranks on the other part but, eventually, it was like they had a coup and outfoxed themselves. If you remember, there was a time my father called on General Abacha to correct the wrongs and I told him that that was a mistake because no military man will correct the wrong.

What were the mistakes Abiola made in the June 12 struggle? Was he too trusting because of his simplicity or was it that he was not destined to be president?

I am a big believer in destiny, but I know that we ran the perfect election. The participation was totally across board; Nigerians of all tribes and religions voted for us and we broke all the rules. But after it didn’t happen, it means it is destiny.  It is because he trusted people that made him very successful in life. If he didn’t trust people, many of those who worked under him would never have had the opportunity they had; he would never have given them the chance, so it is neither here nor there. You are who you are, period.

Did he make mistakes?

We all made mistakes. One mistake was calling on Abacha to come. You could call it a mistake even though my father’s reasons were genuine. Another mistake he made then was to fly out to America the time he did. We had the initiative totally in our hands and he didn’t need to leave because leaving meant he was handing the initiative back to the military. I tried to stop him but by the time I got to the airport, he had left. That same night, I took a flight to London to convince him that he needed to come back. He said if he came back, we would be arrested and I said I hoped we were arrested so that it would make amends for having left in the first place. He said he was going to the US and that I should come along, but I said no, that we both should not be away from the country. I came back and I walked through the airport and nothing happened.

It is not every day you find a stupendously wealthy man, championing a cause that alters Nigeria’s history and later became a civil rights activist. He used to say that you do not stand in front of a moving train because you want to show bravery. But all of a sudden, here was a man standing in front of a moving train. Would you describe your father as a reluctant hero?

For all that he did for individuals and for the country as a whole, Nigerians said thank you to him through that election. He didn’t get one single honour while he was alive and Nigeria used that opportunity to say thank you. The second point is that, through that election, he united the country, and he proved that, irrespective of where you come from, you can see yourself as one.

After my father died, I continued the struggle for June 12 to be officially recognised; I started with Baba (Obasanjo) but I knew that I would not get anything done. When former President Goodluck Jonathan came, I started again with him. Even after he had lost the election, I felt that it was one last thing he could do to engrave his name in the history books of Nigeria but, for his own reasons, we fell short at the very last minute.

When I met with Buhari in Kaduna as President-elect, I told him what I would like and, as God would have it, he had the strength of character to do it. It is a discretionary and not a political thing. Such an action is taken at the discretion of the President. I wanted three things: for my father to be honoured with the GCFR, so that Nigeria would accept that he won the election because that title goes to Presidents only. The second issue was that I wanted June 12 to be declared Democracy Day and I got that. May 29 Democracy Day was a fake date; that was just Obasanjo trying to re-write history. One thing I didn’t ask for but got and I’m very grateful to the President and Vice President was the apology made to my family; that was the icing on the cake. Some say it was political but anything about Abiola is political and that is why it took so long for him to be recognised by giving him his due place in the history of Nigeria. We didn’t expect the apology and I am very grateful to the President.

For me, that journey ended that day even though it crystalised this year. It is for that reason that I have not been politically involved. I have received offers for ministerial appointments but I totally refused to take them because it is incomplete, but now I feel fulfilled.

Where were you on the night Abiola was arrested? Did you anticipate his arrest?

Yes I did. There was a particular day that we got supposedly credible information that they were going to raid the house and arrest him and the idea was for him to go to the American embassy to take refuge. When I was told about the plan to arrest him, I said, well, he is in his house; let us see what will happen, but my family members felt I wasn’t taking the issue very seriously. They said they wanted him to go to the American embassy and I asked why. I couldn’t convince anybody that it was a set up. So, we got ready for him to go to the embassy and when I saw lots of people around him, I then asked that if we are going to the embassy, why the convoy? I told them to leave him to me that I would personally drive him there.

On our way, I told him that the whole set-up didn’t seem right because if I shot him there, people wouldn’t blame me, they would blame IBB. So, in order not to trivialise the issue, he should come and stay in my house. He agreed and we headed back to Anthony, where I lived, and he spent the night in my house. The following morning, all the papers carried reports that he was at the American embassy and my father told me that I was right that the entire American embassy thing was a set-up.

When the issue of declaring himself president came up, I told him it was not a good idea but that if he insisted, he should make sure that every single person who suggested it to him would all be physically present when the declaration was made. I told him to announce his cabinet and let all of those cabinet members be there with him while he made his declaration. I told him that if they were not willing to do this, it tells us that something is wrong. He said okay, so I went home. The next thing I heard was that he was on his way there; then I knew that there was a problem.

So, you were not in support of his declaration at Epetedo?

There were so many other things we planned to do, like attending the constitutional conference. We had a meeting in Kaduna and we agreed that there was no way we could challenge this guy. Since he said the conference would determine his tenure in office, let us go to the conference and give it to him. I came back and told my father and advised that, as the leader of the democratic process, he should attend the conference, let us see how they will shave his head in his absence.

But in the South-West, they decided to boycott the conference; I told my father that we were in a military regime, so whether we boycotted or we didn’t boycott, the military would do what it wanted to do. That was how people like Bucknor Akerele became members of the Assembly; she just walked into the place and they counted her among the members.

When  Abacha took over, my father met with him and asked when he would leave, but Abacha said he didn’t know. He then told him that if he wasn’t going to tell them when he was leaving, they would not participate in his administration and that was why there was no one from the PF group in that administration. We participated in the transition to make sure the man left because there could never be a vacuum in government and that was why they participated in that.

But there were reports that MKO nominated the likes of Babatope and Onagoruwa into Abacha’s government?

No, that is totally wrong. The guys that joined Abacha had committed themselves to being part of the government already. I told my father that these people were not committed to him and that they were going to join Abacha. I knew from the PF that these people had made up their minds already to go and because they just wanted my father to endorse the choice they had made, they called a meeting to make it look as if they wanted him to bless them so they could go. My father decided that maybe it was time for him to cut his losses and if the guys wanted to go and join Abacha, they were free to go. So he just left them to do what they wanted because they had already gone anyway.

Was he hurt when Kingibe joined Abacha’s government? Did he feel betrayed?

It didn’t surprise him because I had already told him. Knowing what I had known, I met my father in his room and told him to handle the situation right because if he didn’t, we would be the biggest losers.  He then asked me what I meant. I pointed out people around him who were already gone; so he wasn’t surprised when it happened.

When my father was arrested after the declaration, I went to see Abacha and I must say that he received me well. He asked me why my father declared himself President; I told him it was not a matter of why, but that the deed had been done already. I asked him what the way forward was and he said if I was able to correct it, that he was willing to let everything go. By correcting things, he meant that I should come out publicly and tell the country that my father made a mistake by declaring himself President, but there was no way I would do that. I had to stand by my dad and that was the beginning of his four-year incarceration.

Your father once said Abacha kept him in an open grave and what was left was to bury him. During that period, what condition was he in?

We never saw him where he was incarcerated in those four years. When we went to visit him, we usually waited at the police headquarters sometimes for two weeks. They usually brought him to the station at old CBN and allowed him to stay with us for an hour or more.

How was his spirit? Was he moody?

We carried on with courage as if nothing happened just to give him the strength to hang in there.

Was he hopeful that he would still become President?

At some point, he believed without a doubt that he would  reclaim his mandate and that it was only a matter of time.

Did you ever have any premonition that things were going to go wrong?

Why would I want to? Life always comes to an end; it does not matter when or how, it always comes to an end.

How many times did you see him in four years?

Before he died, I didn’t see him for like a year and half because I was trying to change his counsel and we needed him to sign. We were going to change GOK and FR Williams and we needed to see him to sign it, but because of that they didn’t make it possible for us to see him.

How did you hear the news of his death?

They called us from Abuja collectively but, conveniently, I could not be found. So, other family members went. I indirectly heard that he had died and then I got a call from the Villa confirming it.

Did you see his body?

Yes, I saw it.

It must have been really terrible…

For me as the first son and the head of the family, I needed to be strong. They didn’t beat us and to do otherwise would make it look like we had been defeated. I went in there and saw the body and I asked if we could take him for burial. They told me that we had to go and meet with General Abdulsalami who pleaded that they should be allowed to carry out an autopsy. I initially said no because, as a Muslim, he should be buried immediately. But he pleaded and I later agreed and that was arranged. I had come to terms with it and, emotionally, I was strong because, before then, I had seen the death of my mum who died at 54.

Do you believe he was murdered or do you think he died a natural death?

I think that is very irrelevant, to be honest. If you know my father well enough, he walked with a first aid kit. He knew his body so well and when anything  was out of order, he hopped into a plane and demanded to be taken to his doctor. If he walked past a clinic, he would stop and tell you to take his blood pressure. Now, if you lock up such a man for four years without getting him medical attention, you have already killed him. You don’t need to put a gun to his head or poison his tea, which was what he meant when he said Abacha had locked him in a coffin. We all knew he had high blood pressure, so it’s a given that such a person should have had frequent medical attention.

I think, at a point, we were successful in getting him to go for treatment but then his lawyer came and decided to challenge the conditional release that was brokered. I did not see the sense in that. Would you also blame his lawyer for being part of the conspiracy or not? Abacha even said on live TV that he didn’t know what my father’s lawyer was doing but that he certainly wasn’t working for the government. You can go and check the clip.

Abacha died and Abdulsalam took over. There was an interlude of one month before your father died. Why was your father not released during that one-month interval?

From what I understand, it was a process and they wanted to bring the big fish last because they had released the likes of Diya and Obasanjo, so they wanted to release him last. Also, I think they knew that he had a health problem and they didn’t want him to be released spontaneously. They wanted to slowly re-integrate him back to the society. They moved him to Aguda House, where he got access to the likes of Kofi Annan and Emeka Anyaoku. They planned to finally release him thereafter, but the timing was wrong.

Were you allowed to see him during Abdulsami’s regime?

That was when they called the family to come and meet him, but they went without me for reasons best known to them.

At a point in time, we heard that you were married to IBB’s daughter. Was it true?

I think they put the cart before the horse; we never got married. I had known her way before politics and, if I wanted to, I would have married her long before the election, but it would not have made any sense because it would have looked like an arranged thing. One day, I was at a function and Baba Ayo Adebanjo accused me of not participating in what they were doing because I was collecting contracts from the government to print election materials. I told him that I was not involved in any contracts but that, even if I was, were the contracts not Nigerian contracts and am I not a Nigerian? His allegations were false. I grew up with his kids in Surulere, so for him to tell me that in front of people was embarrassing.

Are there moments that you have been faced with challenges and you wished that your dad was still alive?

My parents prepared us for when they would not be around. While our friends were playing around, we were working. They forced a level of maturity in us that was way more than our age at the time. We talked to our father as colleagues and friends. We all had our master’s degree by the time my mother died. We were not born with riches and even when the riches came, my mum made sure that we didn’t know we had it. We didn’t have a nanny in the house and my mum always sent me on errands to buy diapers for my younger ones when we were in Surulere.

Who was the MKO that the world didn’t know about?

My dad has always been an open book; what you see is what you get. He was extremely brilliant. He had a photographic memory and he never forgot anything, no matter how many years had passed. That was what endeared people to him and he had lots of friends.

He and Olusegun Obasanjo came from Abeokuta and even attended the same school.

What do you think was the problem between the former President and your father?

I do not want to get into what the problems were. At my age, I have my own difficulties with my contemporaries. What I know is that my father was his senior in school and they both came from Abeokuta. He has been head of state three times and the he would not have been head of state the last two times without my father. It was my father who paid the price. So, whatever the differences, he owes it to himself and everyone to come clean on what the issues are. I am not going to speculate.

Abiola was a very rounded character. He was generous, very friendly and a man of many women too. You must have many siblings, some of whom you may not even know. How was he able to manage such a large family?

I think I know all of us by now. That was why I said that if I had seen him in the morning and at night they called me to say he was dead, I would have been in serious crisis. My father’s four-year incarceration allowed me to know everybody for whom they are and what they are. It made me know whom you could count on and whom you could not count on, be it wife, child or friend. It was a tutelage period for me, for something that you think would never come.

How many children do you think he had?

You can’t count the number of children one has. There was a lot of uniqueness in MKO; to him, nothing is a mistake. It may look like an excessive thing but, over the years, it turned out well. I have a sister married to a Deltan. I am married to a Deltan. I have a sister married to the Ijebu. I have a brother married to an American. I have a brother married to the Kanuri. I have a brother married to someone from Zimbabwe and, before you know it, we would be presidents all over the world. We don’t joke around.

Has the acrimony in your family been resolved? One of your siblings accused you in the media recently that you are not letting them have the opportunity to run the businesses and that the businesses are in ruins.

I’m glad you brought it up. All these businesses did not start in one day but the government shut everything down in one day. A lot of these businesses were created by the eldest of Abiola’s children; Deji, me and others. My sentiment is totally different from any other kid who was just there spending money. If I was like them, I would have sold everything and nobody would query me but I need to leave a legacy beyond the fact that our father was a philanthropist and a creator of value added wealth. I kept quiet because it is a family issue and my responsibility is not to put the family out there. But it has gotten to a point that something has to be said, not so much because of them but because I now have kids and they are grown up and would also have their own kids and people would ask them questions about what they have been told about their father. I don’t play sentiments at all; so I am going to come forward with facts to show all that they are doing.

I am not a lazy man that would hold on to what does not belong to me. I am going to address that issue and I will do it with facts for the sake of my children. Our father was a fantastic man and if you are serious enough to take advantage of his goodwill and the good education he gave everyone, you don’t need to start waiting for what he had or didn’t have. He gave me a good education and it is left to me to take advantage of that education, but if you don’t take advantage of yours, who is to blame for that? If you don’t know what to do with your life, then you have issues. No amount of what you take over can solve your problem. This is a topic I will soon sit down and address in its entirety and I have facts to go with it.

Has the debt owed your father been paid?

No it hasn’t.

How much is it now?

If you consider the interest accrued, it should be approximately $400 million and that is from one business alone. We are still in the process of recovering the money. I have cleared the June 12 issue, but I will now face the debt recovery issue squarely in the next four years.

It’s been said that while he was alive, MKO was one of the richest black men in the world, but then you read statements from his family members complaining that they cannot even afford to feed. Is it not a contradiction? Are his assets outside the country still intact?

Let them all go and get busy. Like I said, I would have to address this issue. There were so many things I had to do outside the businesses just to make sure things go on smoothly.

Did he have a will?

Yes, he had a will, which ought to have been executed by the bank, but the bank rejected executing it; so I had to take it on. We are still in the process but in the mean time, we had so many people suing over which will is fake and which is real. They said it was my idea but the truth of the matter is that when the man was alive, those kids were made to take DNA tests. Was I also the one that asked for it? The kids that took the blood test know and their mothers know that their kids took blood tests. Even in his will, he named a particular child from a particular woman, saying the child was not his. How would he have known if he didn’t do a blood test when he was alive? Is that also my making? All the payments to the wives and brothers have been made but when they were collecting the money, they didn’t tell me that it was a fake will. What is left to my mum, I couldn’t  even collect because she died before my dad.

We cannot talk about MKO without talking about Alhaja Simbiat Abiola. We have read interviews where your father said your mother was the one that made him whom he was.

She made all of us but she left too soon.  She was extremely religious and very enterprising in her own right. Whatever the five of us inherited today at all were gotten from my mother, not from our father. She was very industrious and she grew her business based on the level which my father was at any point in time. She started with importing trailer loads of shoes from Spain, and then she veered off into textile design business.  When Obasanjo banned that one, she went into another business.  For every business she sets up, MKO was always the chairman. Immediately she left, all of us knew that there was a difference. She loved my dad very much. If we are having any difficulty and we couldn’t get through to him, as long as you convince her, she will take up the matter with him and it would be resolved. If she is having any arguments with him and you interfere, she will leave him and ask what your business is.

After God, the only hero we had was our father and we could not look at his face. If you take food to my father, whatever is left of the food, you would have to dish it into another plate because if my mother caught you eating from my father’s plate or using his cutlery, you would be in trouble.  As far as she was concerned, we were not allowed to see his faults; she dealt with that herself. So in our eyes, our father was faultless. My mother had enough resources to leave and be on her own, but she insisted that she will remain with my father and that no one would take our place. She always said that as long as there is an MKO Abiola name, it is the names of the first five of his children that would always be mentioned.

Let me ask you an unfair question.  Who was your favourite between your parents?

My mum moulded me, but my dad was my favourite. I could tell him anything. He began taking me for board meetings at a very tender age. He will tell me to sit at a corner while the meeting was going on. Whenever he looked at me, he knew exactly what I was thinking and vice versa. It didn’t start with my dad; it started with my grandfather. I was the first grandson on both sides. He was the Balogun of Ojo and a very tough man. He also allowed me to sit at meetings and that was how I learned many things.

During the four years of his incarceration, did you see members of his family and friends that betrayed him?

I would not put it that way. I said earlier that I had a four-year tutelage and I got to know everyone. I saw everybody for what they were. There were players who played pre-election and there were players who played post-election. There were some who played the pre and the post and there were others who joined post-election. Some people stayed with us till the end, while some came after the election.

What role did Bola Tinubu play in all of these?

At the very beginning, he was part of the Yar’Adua PF group from Jos. He was a senator then, and as far as the group went, we related. The crisis started post-election. When Abacha came, one of the things he wanted to do was to be the administrator for Lagos.

That is Tinubu?

Yes.  I am sure you have seen pictures of him and my dad. He was hoping that there would be civilian administrators like we had under IBB but Abacha said no, that he was going to have military administrators. So he (Tinubu) said okay, in that case, can I be a deputy administrator? But Abacha said that there wouldn’t be deputies. Then he wanted  the post of a commissioner.

He wanted to be a commissioner?

Yes. Then it was a choice between him and someone very close to Jakande who has passed on now. I can’t remember his name, but because Babagana was already in the government, that guy was picked as commissioner. But really, Senator Tinubu had lost out already.

Was Tinubu very close to MKO?

Yes, he was close enough. He and Adeniyi Adele, a very good guy, were close to my father. In fact, Adeniyi was closer to my father and more dedicated to the process than anyone of them. When my documentary comes out, you will see Tinubu’s take on issues. So once he lost out, automatically, he became a NADECO member and Adeniyi was incarcerated.

Was NADECO actually working for Abiola or for a different reason to just get the military out? We heard that, at a point, they just wanted to get the military out and were actually not fighting for MKO. We remember that there were reports that some of them didn’t actually want him out of prison, because what they would tell Abacha would be different from what they would tell the public. Did you have that kind of experience?

That is why I said that it was a collective conspiracy.

Do you think NADECO was actually working for Abiola?

Some were working for him. It is sort of like a pyramid. The bottom is used to feed the top; like a ponzi scheme. The bottom generates all the funds and comes all the way up and then they enjoy the loot. It is exactly the same process. In the process of taking the public sentiments of ‘oh, we want June 12’, they all appeared as if they were supporting MKO.

We heard some of the people the media celebrates today fed fat on the June 12 struggle. Don’t you feel sorry for the media when you read about such people because we really didn’t know what happened behind the scenes?

If you take the Yar’Adua group as an instance, which was the first lesson I learned, you never see their guys in the news. But you see all the PSP people all over the news, yet they could not win in their local governments. The Yar’Adua guys never spoke in the news but they were all very formidable in their own enclaves; they delivered on everything. If they tell you that they have 10 numbers, they will deliver on eight of that 10 for sure. See what happened in Lagos with Sarumi; those were the guys that were holding the horns of the bull. All the other guys were making noise in the media.

What kind of president would MKO have been if he were sworn in? Some said he would not have been a good president because he was too generous.

When it was clear that we had won the election, Kingibe came to me because I had a quiet place on Hilton where I used as my control room. When he came in, he said ‘congratulations Kola. Your room is very quiet.’ And I told him, ‘Sir, I am at work.’ The joke was that there were no ‘sleepovers,’ and we both laughed. He then asked me what exactly I would want from my father’s administration and I told him I didn’t want anything. My responsibility was to deliver on the election and I had done that. I told him he would not see me at the villa. I told him that what I wanted was good governance and I advised that they should use technocrats and not make the mistake of appointing politicians for ministerial positions; because my father’s biggest critics would come from the South-West first.

Would your father have withstood the pressure of not appointing politicians?

I’m sure he would have. When you come in with a momentum, whatever you do at that point, you would be given the benefit of the doubt. It is when you start messing up that you will be criticised. Because then, for the mere fact that MKO won the election, prices of goods were dropping; the dollar was crashing and things were looking up. It was not because he did anything, it was just the psyche of Nigerians who believed that they had participated in electing a government that they truly wanted and that was it.

Between June 12 and July 7 when he died, which date is more important?

June 12.

Why?

Because it is a national date. That date signifies a lot of things that does not exist today. First, he had a Muslim-Muslim ticket, which meant that religious bigotry is out of the window. We had a South West person

country and people voted for him across ethnic groups. That date will always be relevant in this country as long as Nigeria remains one because it is the day the country came together as one tribe, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. My plea is that under the leadership of President Buhari, that irrespective of where we are coming from, we must come together and stop all the killings and the ethnic division. On June 12, people voted for a man that represented a true detribalised Nigerian. That is the significance of why he got the GCFR, anyway. When I started this process and  the Jonathan government felt they could name University of Lagos (UNILAG) after him, I told the government that MKO was not a South Western man. Jonathan missed it because we already had Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in Ogun State and we have a stadium there named after him.

Did you deal with Arthur Nzeribe at all?

I did. I mentioned him earlier as part of the governors’ group.

But he wasn’t a governor.

He wasn’t, but he and the late Olusola Saraki were part of the core of the governors’ group. When they went to court and got that adjournment to stop the election, I found a way to get the information across through the system that we were going to lose the election and that was how I truncated their move to stop the election.

Was that why people believed that it was Bashir Tofa that was winning?

That was because of the information I sent through the system. I basically set them up using that information and that was why they allowed the election to go on. After the annulment, there was talk about us meeting with them and I asked, for what? At that moment, we were already at the rock bottom and they couldn’t make a difference. If during the court adjournment, we met with them and work out some sort of arrangement, I was willing and open to that. But since it was already annulled, what were we going to be discussing? I didn’t go to the meeting and I refused that my father also attended. It didn’t make any sense for him to attend.

From what you have said, we understand that Babangida didn’t want to go

That is my take, or rather, he didn’t know how he would go.

The second point we deduced from what you said is that Abacha played the double game. He promised to help MKO and he believed him.

Absolutely. He also put pressure on Babangida to go.

What role did Diya play as the most senior person from the South West in Abacha’s government? Did you have any interface with him?

I also interviewed him for the documentary to give him the chance to state his own side. When Abacha passed on and he was released from prison, I went and welcomed him and I told him that it was good he went through that process, because if he had stayed with Abacha till he died, he may not have been alive today. Or he may not be able to come back to the South West without being lynched. And he looked at me and said he thought he could come in quietly to Lagos but that he was shocked at the reception he received. It was the imprisonment process that cleansed Diya but God has a way of showing his power. I said what I said from what I know.

Do you think we can have another MKO?

I don’t think we can. Such a man comes once in a generation

You have a lot of political experience, especially in running your father’s campaign. Will you ever consider running for president?

My mother contested for Senate and my father started with NCNC; so politics is in the system. My sister was in the House of Representatives at some point but she didn’t make it this time. There are enough of us out there and I have no doubt in my mind that one day, one of us will be the president of this country and other countries.

Would you consider serving under Buhari?

Honestly, I don’t know. I have a few years to round off the family issues. I am 57 years old now and I don’t want to get to 60 without resolving these issues. I have made a commitment to resolve the issues, including the legitimate outstanding debts owed the family and I only have three years to achieve that.

What would you like to be written on MKO’s epitaph?

There is nothing else to write. There is no more May 29. June 12 will be remembered as the day my father won his election. What else can I write? My father became more powerful in death. Just watch it; things will begin to change for the better in Nigeria because the right thing has been done.

What are your final thoughts?

I want Nigerians to always remember my father and the significance of June 12 in the history of Nigeria. It is unfortunate that we do not teach History anymore in our schools and I am hoping that the documentary will teach us a lot of lessons. June 12 shows us what we are capable of doing with good leadership in this country. If we get our economics right, thing would be better.