#it must have been the pompeii episode??

[elibeeline]

NO ONE HAUNTS THE NARRATIVE LIKE ROSE TYLER

[denimbex1986]

'In its 60-year history, Doctor Who has seen a number of wonderful companions go on incredible adventures with the Doctor. While many have left the TARDIS with their own fairytale endings in hand, others have not been quite so lucky. It’s hardly the worst way to end an adventure with the Doctor — as some paid the price with their lives — but there’s something especially tragic in the original ending of Donna Noble’s (Catherine Tate) time in the TARDIS. Once the most important woman in the universe, Donna Noble was left without a single memory of her time among the stars.

When Donna collided with the regeneration energy of the Doctor (David Tennant) her mind took on all the information in his brain, creating a human-time lord meta-crisis. To save her life, the Doctor wiped her mind of all her memories with him and everything that would send the meta-crisis into a cascading failure. Now, to quote the Doctor in "The End of Time," "If she ever remembers [him] her mind will burn, and she will die."

Doctor Who is on the cusp of a new era, with Ncuti Gatwa set to take over as the Fifteenth Doctor, but before he arrives, the face of Ten must deal with some unfinished business with his best friend. The series often bridges the time between new doctors and companions with a special episode, and this year’s specials fall upon the 60th anniversary of the franchise. Writer Russell T. Davies has returned as showrunner to celebrate the event with three special episodes that see David Tennant return as the Fourteenth Doctor as he’s set on a collision course with Donna Noble.

Donna Noble Made Ten a Better Person in 'Doctor Who'

The curse of the Doctor’s immortality means that he’s hardly a stranger to loss. After losing Rose (Billie Piper) to an alternate universe in “Doomsday” and later, when Martha (Freema Aygeman) chooses to walk away, he becomes understandably jaded. When Donna Noble suddenly appears in the TARDIS thanks to some wibbly wobbly space magic, the Doctor is forcibly reminded that with all that power, he needs someone to keep him grounded. And Donna, with her good heart and good intentions, is exactly the kind of person he wants to be.

From her very first (intentional) trip in the TARDIS, Donna immediately prioritizes saving people. When the Doctor and Donna end up at Pompeii, days before the volcanic eruption, Donna’s immediate goal is to evacuate the city and save everyone from the horrible fate she knows they’ll face when the volcano blows, timeline be damned. Over the course of the episode, Donna and the Doctor come to realize that they have to sacrifice the people of Pompeii in order to save the rest of the world. Even in the face of that devastating decision, Donna begs the Doctor, “Just save someone.” Later, when the Doctor regenerates into Twelve (Peter Capaldi), he chooses the face of the man they saved in “The Fires of Pompeii,” as a reminder of what Donna taught him. “I’m the Doctor, and I save people,” he says. She brings out the best in him even thousands of years later.

For the entirety of Series 4, Donna is constantly going out of her way to help people. She’s essential in liberating the Ood — an innocent race of alien creatures turned into slaves by future humans — rescuing the citizens of the library, and putting no less than 27 planets back in their rightful places in the galaxy. As the Doctor tells Donna's family after he’s wiped her memory:

“There are worlds out there, safe in the sky because of her. There are people living in the light and singing songs of Donna Noble, a thousand million lightyears away. They will never forget her, while she can never remember. And for one shining moment, she was the most important woman in the whole wide universe.”

'Doctor Who's Original Ending for Donna Noble Is Devastating

While it’s a blessing that Donna makes it out of Series 4 alive and with a standard happily ever after — she gets married, wins the lottery, and eventually has a beautiful daughter named Rose — the great tragedy of Donna being the only one to not know what she’s lost is heartbreaking. She’s saved the universe, not just her own planet, and she’s the “most important woman in the whole of creation,” but she can’t even remember having saved them all.

All Donna ever wanted to do was save people and see the galaxy, traveling in the TARDIS and making the universe a better place. When she realizes what the Doctor will have to do to save her life, she begs him not to damn her back to a life of being ordinary, a life where she’s always missing out on the things everyone else gets to enjoy. The real clincher for that scene in "Journey's End" is the way that Tennant and Tate play Donna’s final moments in the TARDIS. Tennant is devastating as it breaks the Doctor’s heart to have to take her memories away, but he’d do anything to keep her safe, even if it meant never seeing her again. And Tate imbues Donna with this innocence that makes the audience ache for what she’s losing.

Donna Noble Deserves to Know She's the Most Important Woman in the Universe

Over the course of her time with the Doctor, Donna found a confidence in herself that she didn’t have before. Sure, she was always loud and a little bit unapologetic, but before she saw the galaxy she was always the first person to disparage her own value. “I’m no one,” she’d say, not knowing the fate of the universe rests in her hands. While the Chekov's Gun of Donna's memories serves as a heartwrenching narrative device, that angst will only pay off in a satisfying way if the Doctor finds a way to save her from that fate once and for all. And well, he's the doctor, and he saves people. The impact Donna Noble had on the universe was unparalleled — and if the series wants to bring her back, the most important woman in the whole of creation deserves to know just how special she truly is.'

[atalana]

i think there's an additional tragedy in that s4 more than most is a season which draws attention to the fact that the doctor does not like being someone with as much knowledge as he has, and having to act responsibly on that?

i'm thinking of "because that's how i see the universe, donna." in fires of pompeii, explaining to her that he always just knows when he finds a fixed point in time, and he wants desperately to be able to change it but he knows that he can't and he has to shoulder that responsibility

or in forest of the dead, explaining that charlotte doesn't remember she's the main command node of the library, because "she's got over four thousand minds chatting away inside her head, it must be like being... well, me." - that in itself kind of foreshadowing what will happen to the doctor because he's literally saying a human can't hold all of that in their head without forgetting it or being destroyed by it, and again it's made very clear in that scene he does not want to be the only person who can shoulder that burden without dying, because it makes for an extremely lonely existence

(even the fact that he's the only one in planet of the ood who can hear the ood-song, that that entire episode he's psychically hearing an entire race's grief and he doesn't have the ability to stop hearing it, adds to this)

but then there's donna (who's always noticed when he's lonely and always helped with it by being his friend), who gets briefly given what is such a massive burden for him - and she's excited by it. she wants to have this knowledge and she wants to see the world like he does and you just know that had they been able to keep travelling after this she would have helped with that too, because she sees the good he's been around too long to be able to see

but she's human. she's human, which means she can't survive it. there's a reason he's always been alone in this, and him needing a friend isn't going to change that, no matter what either of them do. and he asks if she knows what's happening to her and she says "yeah" and it's the first and only time that burden of knowledge gets to be shared, right before he has to take it away, because that is who he is and what he does. no matter how much you want to change things, you know that you can't

# THE WHOLE TRAGEDY OF THIS MOMENT # DONNA NOBLE FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIX THE CHAMELEON CIRCUIT # DONNA WHO WAS SO EXCITED FOR NEW ADVENTURES AND FILLED WITH IDEAS THE DOCTOR HAS NEVER EVEN THOUGHT OF # DONNA WHO WAS ABOUT TO BURN RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM # AND THE DOCTOR HAS TO WATCH HIS BEST FRIEND BEING HAPPY ONE LAST TIME # THIS IS THE WORST KIND OF HEARTBREAK, THE SILENT ONE # THE DOCTOR ISN’T ANGRY, HE ISN’T CRYING AND ISN’T TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY OUT OF THIS, HE JUST LOOKS…DEAD INSIDE # HE ALREADY KNOWS THAT THIS IS IT, THE JOURNEY’S END, AND THIS IS ALL HE GETS – THE LAST FEW MOMENTS WITH HIS BEST FRIEND # HE KNOWS THERE IS ONLY ONE THING HE CAN DO TO SAVE HER, BUT AFTER THIS HE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO SEE HER AGAIN, AND SHE WILL NEVER REMEMBER HIM # THE DOCTOR KNOWS WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO AND HOW IT ENDS # IT HASN’T HAPPENED YET BUT HE ALREADY KNOWS, AND IT ALREADY DESTROYED HIM #IT KILLED HIM. IT KILLED HIM. IT KILLED HIM

[sarah-dipitous]

Hellsite Nostalgia Tour 2023 Day 109

Hammer of the Gods/Journey’s End

I have about an hour before I need to leave so I’m hoping I can get through spn in that time

“Hammer of the Gods”

Plot Description: Sam and Dean are held hostage by a group of gods who want to use them as bargaining chips to stop the apocalypse

Would I Survive the First Five Minutes??: If a god wanted to kill me, I’d just be dead, let’s be real

My first thought was “THIS is where Jerry Parks and Rec has a timeshare and frequents for vacation? Okaaay”

Don’t you think that you’d REALIZE EARLIER that this place is too good to be true? Especially if you’re the WINCHESTERS

Hmmmm, now Sam’s bleeding JUST A LITTLE from the neck like Dean was earlier

I don’t have enough knowledge of ALL the pantheons of the world to say NONE of the gods have ever eaten humans, but I don’t think it’s out of line to say that it feels offensive to make it seem like ALL of them do (at least all of the ones gathered here)

(IMDb break to find out the actress playing Kali. Wouldn’t mind being invested in her career)

Thisssss is why I kept wondering how I was thinking Gabriel was also Loki. But I don’t remember who this gets reconciled

“Next time I say let’s keep driving, let’s keep driving” “oh. Yeah. *NEXT* time” boys, you’re being so funny about the impending doom of planet earth

Did they just make an AVATAR (like James Cameron avatar) reference???

Gabriel you dumbass.

Wait. Excuse me???? Why are we…why are we all of a sudden in a Ghostfacers episode? Was that just supposed to be part of a commercial break? Amazing

Well shit. RIP Gabriel, I guess

“Primitive screwheads”?! Well fuck you very much, Dean

Oh shit. Welcome back Gabriel, I guess

Oh, Luci, buddy, you’re not lookin so good.

Hear me out…I know how it looks. I know the optics. But there is something that gets my heart going watching someone take out their enemies one by one with ease. In a vacuum, this is hot

Why…why is THIS the Todoroki family drama? “Dad liked you best, more than Michael, more than me, but then he brought the new baby home and you couldn’t handle it” honestly, Natsuo as Gabriel makes sense…

RIP Gabriel…for real this time. We got the wings…

Convenient that they already have two of the four keys they need for Lucifer’s cage

Ew ew ew I’d be kicking him out with a QUICKNESS. The physical embodiment of pestilence would not be able to get that close to me

“Been On My Mind…”: Dean tried to hit on Kali, but got shot down QUICK. 5?

“Journey’s End”

Plot Description: The entire universe is in danger as Davros and the Daleks activate their master plan

I’m glad I had good things happen earlier today and will be spending the rest of my evening watching a concert livestream because otherwise I’d lose the will to live watching this episode

MICKEYYYYY!!! AND JACKIEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Well that’s terrifying, why did those bullets stop? They’re in a time bubble?? Ok sure

I don’t like that this is the kind of interaction Donna and Jack get

The Daleks know German too?

Donna’s fluctuating self esteem is so real. She so often sees herself as “just a temp from Chiswick” but then will stand up to the Doctor about saving Pompeii and demanding salutes from high ranking members of UNIT and yelling at the rich over their treatment of the Ood. I love her

Truly, I don’t think I’d want to travel with the Doctor after this…getting trapped in the TARDIS and nearly incinerated inside it

One, that was a supremely stupid show of anger, Jack. But also like…he’s not DEAD dead, right??

This must have been a fun scene for them to film, the “oi watch it spaceman” “oi watch it earth girl”

I’m really confused about what Martha’s doing…

I did not expect to hear the Doctor tell Davros “we’re not doing the nostalgia tour.” Bud, I hate to break it to ya, but that’s exactly what I’m doing here

Wait……I love the way they either don’t explain shit or explain it so quickly that you’d have to listen to it more than once.

The Empire (Star Wars) WISHES they had what Davros has. The Death Star? Cute. Davros has a Reality Bomb

Martha, you don’t give Rose enough credit. SHE found the Doctor

Ok but so many of those people DIDN’T die…

Cool…glad we made a wholeass weapon and then it gets destroyed seconds before it gets used

ABSOLUTELY NOT LYING, I am laying on my bed crying and just saying “noooooo” over and over as Donna’s speech patterns get more and more like the Doctor’s. I’m so distraught

Hey. Hey. Hey. Isn’t “No More” also the name of the painting from the 50th anniversary special? I’m interested in the parallels between the Doctor and Dalek Khan

There’s no way this little trip back to the Milky Way wouldn’t have serious repercussions that would destroy all life on Earth, but also I know this isn’t that kind of show so I’ll let it slide

The whole Ten Too situation is so weird. New game. No more “would you fuck your own clone?” Now it’s “would you stand by and watch the person you’re in love with kiss your clone?”

No no no no no no nooooooooooooo I hate this part.

Oh. And Wilf’s heartbreak for her and everything she’s lost

You gotta love how both Donna and Wilf took the time to ask the Doctor who he’s got to travel with him now. Donna in her first appearance and Wilf just now

[randominagines]

Part 2 of THIS

This is still episode 2 of Loki + you are in it but with a twist! I will probably make this a serie idk I'm basically going with the flow lol , what do you think?

Pairing: Loki X Fem!reader

Setting: episode 2 of Loki

Warning: angst

P.s. if you find any mistake please correct me, English is not my mother tongue and I want to improve. Reblog, if you can, it helps a lot, thank you💕

P.p.s. gifs belong to the creators.

Trust PT.2

"So, are you going to tell me what happened between the two of you or what?" Mobius asked while looking through the files. He was pretty enthusiastic about Loki's discovery, but searching for the right apocalypse was not exactly a pleasure job. Y/n sighed, her eyes quickly glanced at Loki: he was napping on the table, his arms under his head and his eyes closed, he looked cute. "Nothing happened, we had a very brief trip in Pompeii and that's all." She lied while closing the file, nothing useful was found. Mobius raised an eyebrow and passed her another file. "You look mad and he looks like someone just stole his unbearable tendency to be chatty, so something happened for sure..." He tried to say, but an agent interrupted him. "Mobius, can you come for a second, please?" The girl cordially asked and he nodded while standing up. "I'll be right back, wake him up." He said and left. Y/n sighed and looked at him: he seamed so peaceful, with his long hair framing his relaxed features and his breath regular.

She wanted to cry, she didn't even know why but she felt a violent sadness. She tenderly tapped his arm. "Loki?" She called him and he slowly opened his eyes. He looked at her and raised his head, he looked confused. Y/n immediately stared back on her file, pretending to be uninterested. "Y/n, I'm sorry, I fell asleep." He apologized and she turned a page without even looking at him. "It's okay, being a genial God must be exhausting." She mocked him and he sighed. "Okay, I probably deserve this kind of treatment." He said and stood up, his fingers going through the files scattered across the table while he walked to her and sat next to her, where Mobius was sitting a minute before. She ignored him. "Y/n, look..." He tried to say but she gave him a file. "Instead of wasting your breath, why don't you help me?" She asked and looked at him, he bit his lower lip and nodded. In that precise moment, Mobius came back. "Both of you, let's go for a walk." He said and turned. Y/n closed the file and stood up, Loki did the same but he grabbed her arm to draw her attention. "Y/n, I'm sorry if I hurt you, but.." she raised a hand. "Loki, I hate to break it to you because I know how much you love attentions, but you do not have whatsoever effect on my mood." She lied, her tone venomous. He gasped and opened his mouth, mostly because he didn't expect her to be that firm, not because he actually believed her. He let her arm go but couldn't say anything else, because Mobius called them again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh, come on, why is this taking so long?" Loki nervously asked while walking up and down the room. Y/n crossed her legs, she was sitting on the couch outside Ravonna's office. "For being thousands years old, you're quite impatient." She mocked him while putting her arms on the backrest of the sofa. He sighed. "Ravonna will not let Mobius organise this mission because she doesn't believe in me." He said and sat next to her, she tensed up but didn't move. "How can she? You're so reliable!" She joked and he chuckled, his eyes staring at her. "Okay, you're being bitchy now." He said and she crossed her arms over her chest while feeling like she was being a bit too rude. He stared at his hands. "I've never been good at being loyal," He softly admitted, his voice barely audible. She raised an eyebrow, surprised by that rush of honesty and looked at him, he was smiling. "But you probably already know, you must have seen my file." He said and she shook her head. "Actually, Mobius was the only one allowed to; he told me something, but I've never fully gone through your file." She said and he raised his head, his eyes now stuck into hers.

He looked... relieved? She couldn't tell. "So you have no idea of what happened in my life?" He asked, he sounded urgent. She shrugged. "Not much, why is this so important to you?" She asked and he sadly chuckled, his fingers crossed. "Nothing, it's just... I'm glad you haven't seen how messed up I've been for the most of my life, you must not have preconceptions..." She interrupted him. "I wouldn't have had anyways, I do not judge people for their past." She said and he slightly opened his mouth, mostly surprised to hear something like that, then he nodded and softly laughed. She frowned. "Why are you laughing?" She curiosly asked. He shook his head while grabbing her hand and standing up. "Come with me, there's something I need to show you." He said and she followed him, trying to ignore the fact that she was feeling goosebumps because of his touch. They quickly went to Mobius' office and Loki closed the door at his back. She looked around. "Why are we here?" She asked and Loki sat at the desk, inviting her to sit in front of him. She did it. "Look." He said and pressed a button on the monitor. The images of his file started to be projected in front of them.

She saw a beautiful baby boy, with bright blue eyes and curly blonde hair. He was walking in a majestic garden, flowers blossoming all around, when he suddenly saw an animal approaching: a long, green snake was crawling to him. The kid looked at it, admiration and curiosity burning in his eyes. He slowly got closer, his hands reaching to touch it. As soon as he picked it up, the snake disappeared in a green mist and another child, with deep blue eyes, as dark as the sea at night, and pitch black hair appeared. "That's me!" He screamed and a knife materialised in his hand. He stabbed the other boy in his arm with a playful smile on his face, the blonde boy screamed.

Loki paused the image and looked at y/n. "As you can see, I've always been, how can I say? Problematic." He chuckled and y/n looked at him. "Why are showing this to?" She asked, not sure where that was going. He sighed. "Because that's what everyone saw, that's what my brother saw, but I was so much more." He whispered, his long fingers moving on the monitor.

The scene in front of them changed: now the blonde boy was not a kid anymore, he was a teenager. He had grown the glimpse of a beard and he looked taller, even more robust. He was training with a sword and his opponent was Loki: he looked so young, with short black hair and an agile but definitely immature body shape. He tried to dodge Thor' sword, but he was not as skilled as he was. His sword fell to the ground with a thud. Thor laughed and Loki rolled his eyes while raising his arms. "Okay, were done for today. I think I'm not ready for our first mission." He said and the blonde boy nodded while picking his brother's sword from the floor and passing it to him. "You're getting better, soon you'll be able to beat me, but if you prefer not to come it's okay." Thor said and Loki chuckled. "You just say it to make me feel less stupid." He said while putting his sword in his case. Thor shook his head and put a hand on his shoulder. "Just because you can't use a sword it doesn't mean that you are stupid. You can do magic, I can't." He said and Loki sighed, his eyes looking at his palace. Thor talked about that mission for another couple of minutes, he was excited like never before because that was the first mission Odin allowed them to partecipate to, then he walked away from him, his figure looking royal. Loki ran his hands through his hair, but quickly turned because he heard footsteps approaching: a woman with long hair and an elegant dress walked toward him. "Mother." He whispered, his voice filled with respect. Even from a monitor, y/n could perceive how much Loki loved her. Frigga smiled and tenderly caressed his cheek. "Are you ready for tomorrow?" She asked and he chewed the internal part of his cheek. "No, I'm not going, I'm not ready. But Thor is." He said and Frigga shook her head. "Thor is not going." She said and Loki frowned. "What? Why?" He asked, his mother shrugged. "He forgot to feed the horses and clean the weapons. These were his simple tasks and he ignored them, how can I expect him to follow orders in a proper mission? He's not ready." She said and Loki widened his eyes: his brother was going to be devastated by that decision. He had been talking about that damn mission for weeks, he had been doing nothing but training for it. Loki took a deep breath. "Mother, I actually told Thor that I would've done those things. It's my fault, not his." He lied and looked away. Frigga raised an eyebrow, her eyes scanning his son. She put a finger under his chin. "My child, this is so unlike you. You're always so precise." She said, curious to see if he was going to tell her the truth. He shrugged. "I got distracted." He said and she looked at him for a couple of seconds, interested in realising how far he was willing to go for his brother. She sighed. "Fine, but you will have to fulfill your duties right now." She said and he nodded, his legs moving to walk away. "Loki?" She suddenly called him and he turned. "Yes, mother." He asked, she smiled: a maternal, tender smile. "You're more than ready for that mission." She whispered. His lips automatically curved into a tiny smile.

Loki stopped the file and stared at her, y/n was pensive. She slowly turned to face him. "That's the part I hated to show to other people." He whispered while shutting down the monitor. She stared at him. "Why?" She asked, he simply shrugged. "I suppose that making people believe that you are emotionless and uninterested just makes you appear tough and undefeatable." He admitted while looking at his feet. She frowned. "No weaknesses. Is that it?" She asked and he nodded, his eyes analysing his own hands. "No weaknesses." He confirmed, he sounded sad. She tilted her head. "Why did you show this to me?" She asked. For a couple of seconds, he didn't speak. He just stayed there, his hands nervously shaking and his eyes avoiding her, then he took a deep breath and looked at her. "Because I trust you." He whispered.

She widened her eyes, his words drilling a hole in her soul. She didn't know what to expect, but she certainly didn't see that coming. She slowly stood up, her body moving toward him almost instinctively. She kneeled down in front of his chair to look at him, her face now at the same height of his. She gently caressed his cheek, her anger making room for something different: the awareness of how hard it was for him to show true feelings, how scary it must have looked. Her fingers gently travelled on his cheek while her eyes searched for his. "Loki, look at me." He didn't move, he didn't seem to be bothered by her touch but he couldn't look at her. She didn't push him, she just stood there and waited for him to be ready. When he finally looked at her, he had watery eyes. "I'm sorry if I made you believe that I didn't care. I do, I care." He admitted, his voice sounding torn as if it was just hard for him to pronounce those words. She smiled. "It's okay, I don't want to push you or make you feel like you own something to me." She said and he put his hand on hers, his cold fingers covering hers. "You don't, I feel... understood, and it never happened before." He said and she moved a lock of his hair from his eyes. "You're a bit of a challenge, but this is probably why I like you so much." She said, her cheeks getting pink.

He chuckled, his charming smirk appearing on his face. "Oh, so you like me, I thought I didn't have whatsoever effect on your mood." He mocked her and she gasped while opening her mouth, but she couldn't resist but smile. "Loki Laufeyson," she said while standing up, he did the same and laughed. "You are impossible." She concluded and pretended to be mad. He grabbed her waist and closed the distance between them, his body attaching to hers and his eyes travelling from her lips to her eyes. "Oh my... I love how my name sounds when you pronounce it. Say it again." He commanded, his nose rubbing against her neck. She shook her head and chuckled, the she bit her lower lip: that God was a pain in the ass. "Loki Laufeyson." She whispered against his ear. He grinned, his fingers drawing figures on her back. He kissed her neck, his lips cold against her skin. She tilted her head and moved her y/h/c hair on the opposite shoulder to let him kiss her. He smiled on her skin, intrigued by her move, and bit her. She gasped, her hands pulling his hair, but let him do what he wanted. He sucked that zone, his tongue sending shivers down her spine. She moaned. "Loki Laufeyson, stop..." She said his name again, her voice begging him. He mischievously chuckled and slowly stopped torturing her neck. He looked at it: the hickey he had left was turning red, he smiled in satisfaction. "I like this on you." He said while staring at her.

She put a hand on that zone and opened her mouth. "Loki, everyone will see it!" She reproachfully said and he laughed. "For as much as I'd like this to happen, I know that you work here, so stay still," He commanded, his hand moving on her neck. He put his palm on the mark he had left and she felt a sudden tickle, then he removed his hand. "All done." He said and she frowned. "What have you done?" She curiously asked and he shrugged. "Now you and I will be the only people able to see that beautiful hickey." He said and she chuckled, her hand massaging her neck again. "You're full of resources." She said and crossed her hands on his shoulder, he winked at her and caressed her waist. "I know." He said and kissed her. This time, she felt like the kiss was totally different: filled with awareness, nothing like the Pompeii kiss, which felt like impatient and almost suffered, that second kiss was intense, deep, passionate. She caressed the back of his head, her tongue meeting his while he slowly touched her skin under her shirt, his long fingers caressing her hips. She smiled on his lips, her heart beating fast in her chest. "Okay, we really have to go." She said, she was out of breath.

He looked at her and felt his heart skip a beat: she looked gorgeous, with those red cheeks and swollen lips because of the kiss. The mark on her neck was clearly visible and her eyes were staring at him like he had never been looked at before by a lover: with tenderness, interest, thoughtfulness. He held his breath. "Okay, then let's go." He said and exhaled while taking her hand. In that precise moment, Mobius opened the door. They both took a step away from each other. "Oh my..." He said and Loki tried to talk but he raised a hand. "Shut up!" He said, y/n opened her mouth to talk but he interrupted her too. "The both of you! We'll discuss about this later, now I need you to come with me. Ravonna said yes." .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Okay, a girl, this makes sense." Y/n said while staring at Sylvie: somehow, she looked exactly like y/n could imagine a female version of Loki. The girl stared at them both. "How lovely, you have a girlfriend." She provoked Loki and he shook his head while covering y/n with his body. "Don't mind her." He said, trying to move the focus from her. Sylvie laughed. "Oh I get that, you want to protect her, but I'm sure she can take care of herself." She said and moved her hand. Loki felt her powers on him: he flew away, his body hitting the floor. In that moment y/n ran to her: she tried to kick her but Sylvie dodged her strike. The female version of Loki tried to punch y/n in her stomach but she was pretty agile, she moved aside and managed to slap her. Sylvie laughed and widened her eyes, she was surprised. "You've got potential." she said while dodging a kick. Y/n rotated to avoid being hit in her face and looked at her. "Touch him again and I'll show you all of it." She threateningly said and Sylvie laughed. Loki stood up and ran to them, well aware of what was about to come. "Despite how skilled you are, you simply can't compete." She said and touched her arm. Y/n rolled her eyes and fell on the floor. Loki ran to her. "Y/n!" He called her and took her in his arms, she looked like she was sleeping. "Don't worry, lover boy, she'll wake up, she has a pretty strong mind." Sylvie said and Loki looked at her with hate. She was positioning the TemPads all around. "What are you doing?" He asked, but she simply looked at him with a smirk. Suddenly, the lights went off.

Loki instinctively hugged y/n, his hands squeezing her to make sure she was there. She moved, her eyes slowly opening but nothing to see around her. "Loki?" She called him. He turned his head toward her even if he was not able to see her. "Y/n, are you okay?" He asked while caressing her face, she could perceive his concern. "Yes, what happened?" She asked. They slowly stood up, Loki never letting go of her for a second. "I don't..." He tried to say but the lights turned up again. Sylvie was standing in front of them, her face a mix between satisfaction and amusement. She opened a portal and jumped into it, her eyes almost inviting Loki to follow her. "Loki..." Y/n whispered, aware of what he was thinking. "I must stop her, please wait here, it's not safe," He said and quickly kissed her, not even giving her the time to oppose. He smiled. "Damn, you're so beautiful, I'll be right back." He mischievously winked and turned, then he jumped in the portal. Y/n looked at him, not sure of how many things had happened in the last thirty seconds, then she heard Mobius running to her, his heavy steps filling her ears. She looked at the portal and cursed inside. "Splendid, what the hell do I do now?".

PART 3

[songforten]

me saying "i'll explain in the morning" was entirely wishful thinking. as if. anyway i've had a theory i've been cooking for a while now

there's a few stages of The Doctor Has Gone Off The Deep End

normal. usually has a companion for this and they will tell him to shut the fuck up when he's being stupid

no companion but doing okay (like uhhhmm. bad example bc i hate this episode but the titanic ep)

no companion (temporarily) but doing Bad (midnight)

no companion (permanently) (recently lost them tragically) and doing Very Bad

alone, bitter, and insane

it's like. the pipeline is. messing with time a Little Bit (fires of pompeii/before the flood), messing with time a little bit More ("ripples vs tidal waves" in girl who died) (this stage usually has a little bit of Regret like an "i should not have done that"), something tragic and traumatic happens (journey's end/face the raven), and finally messing with time a Lot (waters of mars/hell bent). because you feel that there's no one who can say no to you or stop you, or you feel like you Deserve something because you've lost So Much.

we see this soooo clearly in series 9; the doctor becoming more and more reckless and breaking more and more of his own rules. and it's somewhat out of the ordinary because he does have a companion throughout this time, but unfortunately for the universe, this companion is clara oswald. who has in her own right also become more and more reckless out of a desire to Be The Doctor, and has lost touch with a lot of the Human Sensibility that someone like donna had when she would talk the doctor down -- not that this is a bad thing at all; i think clara's character arc is really really fucking good and i love it. but clara doesn't see the doctor changing time to save himself in before the flood as a bad thing. she doesn't see him making ashildr immortal as a bad thing. in other words, clara is not going to be the person to get the doctor to stop all of the time, because she and him are simply too similar and they truly bring out the worst in each other. (i say this with deep affection.) and even when she DOES ask him to stop (like her saying "i don't want this" to him in hell bent), he doesn't listen, because he's in far too deep.

remember that in heaven sent, the version of clara in the doctor's mind is the one to egg him on, to encourage him to keep going, whereas the real clara, when she finds out about this, tearfully demands to know "why, why would you do that to yourself?"

waters of mars ends similarly, with adelaide telling the doctor he's wrong and the doctor ignores her. at this extreme stage of "The Doctor Has Gone Off The Deep End" it takes something more than someone to talk him down. to use the classics term, it takes divine retribution. it takes adelaide's sacrifice. it takes clara's heartbeat not coming back. it takes, in both cases, the realization that time isn't healing. not this time.

the doctor gets into their own head, they make a decision that the universe should not get to have a say in their life. and, as with most stories about hubris, the universe strikes back hard. for twelve, that punishment is losing all his memories of clara. for ten, it's actually dying. and that's the other reason the arcs feel different! twelve actually gets a chance to improve and examine how this god complex affected him poorly. ten... doesn't. he never gets that chance, and that really affects how eleven relates to the idea.

tl;dr waters of mars and hell bent are both culminations of arcs about the doctor losing touch with their morals over time, as a result of loss after loss after loss, until they do something so unforgivable that the universe must right itself.

i have a hot take but idk if you guys are ready for it

[undiscovered-horizon]

Unfair - 10th Doctor x reader

Genre: sappy and angry in the end, what did yall expect

Word count: 760

Summary: Watching Pompeii drown in ashes and fire was difficult; for him more than the others. What was most difficult for you, however, was the cosmic unfairness of the entire situation.

Author's note: I watched that episode months ago, so take it with a grain of salt, I might have unknowingly omitted/changed something. In any event, this idea has been haunting me for some time, so here you go.

TARDIS was drowning: in silence, in unshed tears, in grim thoughts and most of all, guilt. The normally comforting sounds of the machine were now uncomfortably loud. You couldn't gather your thoughts with the mechanical shrieking ringing in your ears. None of you dared to break this sickening silence, although each one longed to do so. To crack a joke, to say a comforting word and carry on as if nothing happened. Denial would be so much easier than facing reality.

His face was dark. You have noticed that over previous weeks he had started to become more and more grim with each passing second, the reason for it remained unknown to you. With the interior lights reflecting in his eyes, it was easy to tell that desperate tears threatened to fall down his cheeks any minute. Some foolish thoughts of his kept them at bay, however. His dark eyes didn't dare to move even an inch, his intense stare stuck to the control panel which he was leaning against; palms gripping the metal railing.

Donna was standing farther away from the two of you, her expression showing either anger or sadness, two emotions that dictated the entire ordeal you have suffered through today. Her silence terrified you in some way, as it was quite uncharacteristic for Donna Noble. When emotions took her over, she talked, always talked. What must be happening inside that head of hers, that all words have left her mouth? Could it be the remaining anger at the Doctor who had to be talked into saving a family? Or maybe her thoughts weren't too far off from yours, and Donna was left wondering about just how unfair it all was. Whatever the truth was, you decided to be the one to break that grave, depressing silence. For the better or the worse, but any minute longer and the heavy tension inside the TARDIS would suffocate you.

"It was unfair." You spoke quietly.

Neither of them looked at you. Is it their way of agreeing while grieving?

"No one should be forced to make such a decision."

That sentence caught their attention. Donna was looking at you, awaiting the further course of your monologue. The Doctor, however, only looked at you briefly. You weren't going to question his morality or lack of initiative but rather the cosmic dark humor that led him to such a terrible position. He couldn't really decide what he wanted more: for you to let it go and let him grieve in peace or try to comfort him. The latter would definitely make those bitter tears fall and he wasn't exactly sure if he was ready for it; ready to accept the unfair decision he had to make.

"There were no good choices back there, you know that. A tragic conflict is not a test of morals, it never could be. You thought of the future, tried to change it so that others have a chance, have hope. It was quite heroic, I have to say."

Doctor's gaze lifted and rested on you in silence for a few minutes.

"I let so many people die...There's nothing heroic about it. Someone had to make a choice and, apparently, it had to be me."

"You were thrown between the devil and the deep blue sea. Making that decision was baggage you chose to carry, baggage too heavy for anyone else probably. You didn't have to do that, you chose that. And I can't think of a more tragic way to be selflessly kind."

A lonely, tired tear ran down his cheek. He was tired of always carrying the burden on his shoulders, he was tired of having to be the real-life Atlas. And he felt immeasurably grateful that someone finally understood that the rock the universe leans on sometimes slides.

Seeing how he started to break down right there in the console room, the same room in which he always showed off his confidence and knowledge, made your heart break. Just how much grief and guilt can a one man carry? You approached him slowly and engulfed him in a warm, tight embrace. His hands clung to your sweatshirt, desperately looking for comfort and reassurance. When his hot tears soaked through your clothes, the sadness in your heart disappeared and anger took its place. It was unfair.

Holding him tightly and running one of your hands up and down his back, you whispered a vaguely threatening promise that shook Doctor's entire world:

"I will never forgive the universe for treating you like this."

[sserpente]

OKAY OKAY WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE SECOND EPISODE BECAUSE I HAVE QUESTIONS AND I AM SQUEALING.

First of all, it’s bold of them to assume that we need a “previously on”. It’s not like we don’t know the first episode by heart already, hahahaha!

Alright, so first of all: LOKI USE YOUR POWERS BABY. Was he stalling? Was he trying to get more information? Is “Lady Loki” really that powerful?! It kind of looked like he didn’t really WANT to fight her, does that make sense? It makes sense to me! Also add telekinesis to Loki’s powers, YES BABY!

Speaking of "Lady Loki”--I was SCREAMING because she looks so FREAKING BADASS I LOVE IT but I still don’t buy it! YES, she’s got the Loki costume. YES, she’s got the horns even but hear me out: SHE’S BLONDE. I don’t mind Lady Loki being blonde, it looks REALLY COOL but that MUST have been a conscious decision of them then because as far as I’m concerned, Sophia is not naturally blonde, neither is Lady Loki in the comics but you know who is?! SYLVIE. And when Loki called her “Loki” she was like “ugh, don’t call me that”. EXCUSE ME, WAS THAT A HINT? Also did Loki recognise her? He didn’t have any lines after that, so I can’t tell? I have to watch it again! if he didn’t recognise her, then maybe the story will stray a little further from what we know about Loki and Sylvie in the comics (in which Loki gives Sylvie her powers so they’d have the same magical signature or whatever). Or with all the different timelines and multiverses, our Loki never met Sylvie in this one, who the fuck knows? I feel like there’s gonna be another plot twist. Don’t forget we get a “Young Sylvie” at some point, that’s gotta mean something!!! I still believe this is the Enchantress! And/or, taking up my previous theories on it being both Lady Loki and Sylvie at the same time, she might have changed her identity for whatever reason and now firmly believes she’s Sylvie or something. IDK, GEEZ.

Guys, I have to be honest with you, I have NO CLUE where this is going! I’m completely BLANK! WHAT does she want?! WHY is she doing this? Honestly, I don’t think she���s evil, I don’t think that her goal is the annihilation of everything. There’s gotta be more to it than that but we just don’t have enough information yet to put the puzzle pieces together. AND NOW THAT CLIFFHANGER HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT WEEK?! Where did they go? IDK. Could be that “purple” place from the trailer. They sure are going to have a  proper conversation though in the next episode.

Now I freaking love Loki’s outift, I just RAAAWR. That TIE. That JACKET. I WANT THAT JACKET. He ALMOST got his daggers back, my poor baby, SO CLOSE! This episode made me cackle so much, it’s soooo different to see Loki like this; first of all, again, knowing his usual tricks don’t work and he doesn’t have the upper hand per se makes it really interesting to see how he acts around Mobius and the rest of the TVA. Away from Thanos and the influence of the sceptre, Loki seems so much more... blithe? Does that makes sense? It’s a completely different side of him but then again we get those darker scenes where we see the intimidating Loki we know and it’s like we’re getting to know Loki all over again? JUST IMAGINE WHAT HE’S LIKE IN A RELATIONSHIP THEN, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! It just makes SOOOO MUCH SENSE that Tom said that Loki acts differently around dfiferent people.

ALSO CAN WE TALK ABOUT HOW HE TRIED TO HIT MISS MINUTE!!!

Now, two more things (I’m really just randomly throwing things at you here):

First of all, LOKI SPEAKING LATIN. Again, I’m not quite sure how or if the Allspeak still affects him (since the Mongolian thing in the first episode made us wonder about it already) but I’m just gonna go ahead and say that Loki is fluent in Latin because he FREAKING COULD.

Second of all, I thought it was very suspicious of Mobius to say “I don’t care what makes you tick” because in the first episode he wanted Loki to explain to him just that. Was he lying? I still don’t trust him. NOTHING IS REAL, honestly! That conversation they had in the cafeteria really proved to me that the TVA isn’t to be trusted. When Ravonna and Mobius talked I even thought maybe the Time Keepers don’t even exist at some point.

AND LOKI IS NOT LETTING ANYONE GET TO HIM ANYMORE. Did you see him read of the destruction of Asgard?! He was TEARING UP, you could see the grief on his face and then when he told Mobius (RIP Mobius’ salad) and he went like “I’m sorry” Loki was just like “Yes, very sad,” in a nonchalant way and moved on to tell him what he’d found out rather excitedly. This is the PERFECT example of Loki continuing to do what he does so much, just concealing his feelings and his vulnerability behind mischief and I STILL WANNA HUG HIM.

All the different Loki Variants they should the team, I freaking loved this but it does raise the question at what point in the “sacred timeline” these Lokis hopped off the timeline to cause mischief? Which in turn raises the question if we’re right not to trust the TVA and the sacred timeline is a bunch of bullshit? Also, you know what would have been hilarious too, if they had included a Norse Mythology version of Loki. You know, ginger hair and all. I feel like Loki would have approved of that cameo, hahaha!

Speaking of the Norse Myths, it’s funny how Loki freed those goats in Pompeii because in the myths, he once tied a goat’s beard to his testicles to make Skadi laugh. Thought that was a fun little connection!

It’s now canon, by the way, that there’s no candy on Asgard. Not even chocolate?! We know that Loki looooves chocolate, don’t we? Awww, baby! Now I feel like writing an Imagine where you take Loki to a candy store and he gets to try everything and then gets a sugar rush, hahaha!

And, last but not least, “PROFESSOR LOKI” HIT DIFFERENT. FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF. He’s such a smart cookie I LOVE IT.

I might add some more stuff and reblog this post once I’ve watched the episode again, I’m still processing everything, hahaha!!!

[retvenkos]

Hi I am v annoying and we haven't like chatted in a while so I wanted to pop in and ramble honestly idk this is not gonna be structured and say HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII <3 miss you bestie,, sowwy I missed your cym thing (honestly though cym as lines of your writing I would DIE). I have NOT started bridgerton s2 yet… hopefully soon though love like honestly the show is trash but it's MY trash aksjsjsjsj. When you have time you should watch Alice in Borderland cause it's a FANTASTIC J-drama and we're getting s2 this year!!!1!! Do you have a bias of bts yet?? I can't listen to Bastille now without thinking of you if you made me a playlist of songs that remind you of me I would literally kiss you on the mouth hahaha anyways! Miss you lots bestie!! I got a new book the other day and I'm so excited to read it <3 <3 I would love to go to a bookstore with you and buy books and come back and read in each other's laps… eating oranges and almonds like we're in the freaking 19th century akdjsjdj

lindsay my bestie!!!!!! my k-drama enthusiast!!!!! my bookworm extraordinaire!!!!! my wife (no, i will not let you forget - even though i looked it up and i can't gain citizenship in canada based off of marriage status alone, smh)!!!!!!

honestly, this ask ran me over like a lawnmower it's so unhinged, but i love you for it, asdghjhgfdsdfgh.

i hope you get to watch bridgerton s2 soon! i just started episode 3, and i hope to watch more later tonight and this weekend. we'll have to see how it goes, but from what i can tell you spoiler free - i simply missed the shenanigans. so many great characters,,,,, so many perfect dynamics,,,,, so many hilarious lines and occasionally heartfelt moments..... there are definitely times where it is not..... the best show ever, but this season is already sO much fun. i was a little taken aback by the use of a classical version of material girl by madonna,,,,,,,,, it felt like a cover that stuck out more than the others, although, perhaps it's just because of my familiarity, but hey! that's just bridgerton for you <3.

and alice in borderland!!!!!! yes!!!!! i've been meaning to ask you about that - it seems really interesting, and kinda something i want to get into, but i've been told to watch squid games instead by a few friends. i only trust your opinion, though, (esp. since i don't think they've seen alice in borderland?) and which one i should prioritize - alice in borderland or squid games? i'm leaning toward alice in borderland, ngl, but i just know squid games is a Thing™ for a reason,,,,,,,

and as for a bts bias, i'm going to be 100% real with you and tell you i'm still trying to figure out who it's going to be (honestly, i feel like i need to watch interviews with them or something because outside of the context of their music, they're still such an abstract in my mind), but, i have to say i'm leaning toward namjoon. i just think he's neat.

and you associate bastille with me???? that is such a compliment, lindsay, and i have given you lindsaycore bastille songs before (poet? you mean lindsay???) but!!!!!! i must also say you align with pompeii quite nicely. idk what it is exactly, but those vibes just remind me of the vibrancy of you.

and omg,,,,,, watch me make a playlist with songs that remind me of you <3. i have thoughts already,,,,, wait until i put them down in your inbox.

and lindsay!!!!!! what i would give to go to a bookstore with you! we'd have to go to one that's in a shopping center so we can go shop to shop, stopping in the clothing store to try on jackets and dresses we aren't going to buy, browsing through lipglosses at a makeup store and buying overly-priced scented hand lotion, getting specialty ice cream and giggling in bookstores,,,,,,,,, i am yearning.

[omegas-reincarnation]

Wow, I hadn't heard that theory about entropy and time, that's fascinating! Its also interesting that entropy is inevitable and necessary, when you consider the prophecies about the Destroyer (for a long time suspected to be a reference to the Doctor turning against Galifrey to end the time war, eventually revealed to be the Master, could honestly have been Omega if the Doctor hadn't been playing whack-a-mole with his attempts to return to the universe). Prophecy also suggests inevitability, and in the context of doctor who as a show, possibly necessary fixed points in time.

I feel like when doctor who was first aired the writers wanted to tell a story about apathy. The time lords' public policy of complete non interference and the Monk's playful meddling are both forms of indifference towards people: the Monk doesn't care about how his actions might unintentionally hurt people, and the time lords don't care about how many people might die preventably while they do nothing. The Doctor shows up on earth as a bitter, burnt-out exile who doesn't feel too warmly towards his new planet, and has to learn to start caring again, to actively resist that apathy. You see this referenced in the new series too, such as when Donna begs the Doctor to save anyone from pompeii, even if they can't save everyone.

But as the series has gone on, the writers have started to also want to tell a story about entitlement. Genesis of the Daleks hinted at the existence of the secret time lord interventionist division as far back as Tom Baker's era, and in that episode the Fourth Doctor wrestles with Galifrey's belief that they have the right to commit total genocide against the Daleks, eventually deciding that no, they don't. The end of time and flux firmly paint Galifreyan intervention in the colours of imperialism. And as you said, the waters of Mars shows that even the Doctor's policy of intervening to save people can be corrupted once it gets mixed up with a sense of entitlement.

So now you have two stories being told together: one, that apathy towards suffering is bad, and therefore positive intervention is good. Two, that a sense of being entitled to direct the course of history is bad, and therefore any intervention must be done in a way thay respects the agency of people and (because this is sci-fi) the autonomy of events. I think this is why its impossible to look at doctor who and say whether or not the show approves or disaproves of intervention: its been running for sixty years during which Britain's attitude to its own former empire has changed completely. Apathy is still bad but we are now so much more aware of the consequences of the rhetoric that 'we could rule the world better.'

I've only just started watching the Rani episodes and I feel like I don't quite understand her motives yet... but I definitely feel her destructiveness is more purposeful than the Master's raw cathartic release of frustration.

I think one of the most headscratching to me aspects of thoschei fan interpretations - and to be fair, writing, lately - is the chaos-order thing. That's probably because both the writers and the fandom immediately slap moral values on what are fundamentally amoral states. There can be disagreements about which is good and which is bad and which character is which as a result of the moral association, but like. It's always about what the show is trying to tell you is the better way to live because "What would the Doctor do" has become an unironic life coaching advice.

Meanwhile, from philosophical, physical and cognitive perspective it's been spelled out by Eight:

I love humans. Always seeing patterns in things that aren't there.

and Ten:

No, but that's what you do. The human race makes sense out of chaos. Marking it out with weddings and Christmas and calendars. This whole process is beautiful, but only if it's being observed.

and Terry Pratchett:

Things just happen, one after another. They don't care who knows. But history...ah, history is different. History has to be observed. Otherwise it's not history. It's just...well, things happening one after another.

and Hesiod:

First it was Chaos, and next broad-bosomed Earth.

Chaos isn't eviler because scary and ununderstandable nor is it gooder because society wants to me do stuff, man. It's more primordial. It's the objective state of things without a subject to perceive them. Yes, there are patterns in nature, but they are results of working least bad in the evolution's infinite monkeying, not some unique order.

What I'm saying is, when you think of chaos snd order as ontological concepts rather than moral admonishments, it becomes borderline incomprehensible how you could look either at a character who delights in a species obsessed with evoking order out of chaos or a character who's whole shtick is control and scheming and say yup, one of these is totally into chaos.

[runnyeggsnham]

"With Loki taking that value of order from Mobius, it just makes how Mobius took the value of freedom from Loki here that much more beautiful."

Oh my gosh. Thank you for welcoming my asks. I've been dying for obsessive analysis because I live for that shit.

And I'm so glad you pointed this out because from the moment they met, Loki said he'd burn the TVA to the ground, and Mobius blithely offers that Loki starts with his desk (foreshadowing???). Now here he is, happy to torch the place because his moral compass is not so rigid that can't weigh the difference between order and tyranny.

Which! If you think about it, Loki and Mobius are each moving towards that balance between anarchy and tyranny, free will and responsibility for others. The themes are really quite beautiful, and I honestly can't decide if the writers got there on accident because the quality of the writing is inconsistent.

As for Sylvie, I would hate for her character (and actress) to be treated like a throwaway. Aside from plot, it's also an awful pattern with female characters/actresses, but that's a different, more frustrating conversation for another day. That said, I think it would be fitting if she didn't change, if for no other reason than to pound home how difficult it is for Loki, regardless of variant, to break away from their destructive patterns. She very obviously doesn't have a plan for what comes after, and I don't doubt that the completion of her mission was not only empty, but anticlimactic. Her being lost forever at the end of time is pretty dark, and I hope our Loki will return to free her and then part ways, telling her (in Mobius fashion) that it will be okay, as another gesture of self-love.

I'm interested to see how the new Mobius will react to Loki's claims. I really hope, no matter the timeline, that he's inclined to believe and support Loki. I genuinely feel they bring one another a lot of joy. Like you said with the Pompeii quotes, they very much have the same... Inclinations as to what is considered "cool". It's easy to forget that before this series, Loki literally destroyed most of NYC with very little remorse. Now, he still finds destruction fun (I mean, I have morbid curiosity, too, I think a lot of us do), but he doesn't hunger for it in a self-serving way. If Loki is going to play a pivotal role in the movies, I hope his hero's ending is with Mobius. They could be guardians of the multiverse, preventing it from being caged and running completely amok.

Thank you - I love analyzing shows like this, so happy to oblige! That's something so lovely about this little corner of the fandom; it seems like every day I check the lokius tag, someone has a new comment or observation that's just amazing. 😄

There's definitely foreshadowing with that comment, absolutely. And I think the last episode even gave it two dimensions. Mobius just goes along with Loki's threat, and like you said, Mobius later is "happy to torch the place." And just, how great is it that Mobius remembered those words? Every little thing Loki did was always worth Mobius remembering. Ugh, that makes the finale hurt more... Anyway...I was thinking, the second dimension of that foreshadowing also makes it ironic, because Loki shifts course and doesn't want to burn it down once he knows everything that's at stake.

On that note then, how interesting is it that Mobius reaches that same kind of conclusion? Where Loki gets to see the universal implications of such a choice, Mobius sees the personal, for the people in the TVA. At least for now, none of these people have anywhere else to go. And when Ravonna's insistent that the TVA must be for some greater reason, Mobius doesn't immediately discount that, he proposes they "build it into something better." The last glimpse of Loki is running to find Mobius to fix it all, and the last glimpse of Mobius is him and B-15 manning the station selflessly. And as B-15 says, it's not about going back. The TVA won't be what it was...but it can be changed, still has a purpose, and neither of them will shirk the responsibility they have in leading that. And the way they end on "For all time." "Always." Love them.

I adore that entire balance phrase! Perfection, and so true. Yes, so much of the writing is inconsistent, so I will only wager to guess that the dynamic between Loki and Mobius was only intentional on the surface. It was necessary for Loki to be balanced by someone so that he could right himself from his starting state and kind of speedup, in a different way, the development of Sacred Timeline Loki. However, I think the heart of it - mainly from the acting and presentation of Loki and Mobius' bond - was not intentional by the writers and not to the degree that many of us in the audience embraced it, either. Though one has to wonder if it was greenlit because some higher ups did see that...I'm thinking of what iirc were some Feige quotes, here.

I too don't want Sylvie to be treated as a throwaway by the writers and I hope some of those highers ups in Marvel step in and change that. It is super dark for her to be left at the end of time by the writers. I mean, she has the wrist device, so she can and probably will leave the citadel (all contingent on her survival instincts kicking in, despite being devoid of a mission now), but as to us getting to see that...?

Personally, I would love to see her connect with Kid Loki and Croki. To kind of...find herself in that familial setting, find her after and explore what she wants, and transition on to that self-journey. Now with the universes converging, I hope Mobius and/or Sylvie go back to the Void for them and insist they join the world again. I understand why they didn't want to then, but they don't have Old Loki anymore, and the TVA is not going to stop them now from finding a home in the universe.

The reason I've thought about Sylvie having that journey with Kid Loki and Croki, actually, after meeting up somehow with Loki again and then parting ways with forgiveness - "another gesture of self-love", like you said, I totally agree and love that idea - is because I feel that's why we got Mobius in the house with the Lokis in the Void while Sylvie and our Loki were outside. I think Sylvie isolated herself. Kid Loki has a line like, "I hope they know what they're doing" to which I wonder, were they in there assuming that Loki and Sylvie were talking about how to enchant Alioth outside? Because that didn't happen. They weren't even talking, initially. Sylvie was clearly contemplating her car ride with Mobius.

Sylvie in those scenes felt so disconnected from the other Lokis. Which yes, highly likely to be a writing decision to make the romantic thing they were going for look less weird to the audience, but the way Sophia plays it, it feels like Sylvie doesn't feel she can belong or connect with them and doesn't try. And of course, romantic feelings or not, Loki wouldn't leave her to sit outside alone because he'd adopted her mission and taken on her purpose as substitute for any glorious purpose of his own.

So yeah, I don't expect the show to bring her back, but I hope they do so and do so in such a way that we get the hopeful not defeated self-acceptance that we see our Loki and Old Loki develop. And I just am warming to the idea of her and Kid Loki doing that together because Kid Loki's been to a very dark place of his own doing as well when he killed Thor. I cannot accept that he feels no regret about that - he totes around Croki like a baby, and was rolling with Old Loki, that's not an evil boy! And there's just such warm potential for found family dynamics among the Lokis, and that unconditional familial acceptance (and also a chance for sibling-like snark between Kid Loki and Sylvie, a bite they both seem to share) that would be such a shame to go to waste.

However, agreed, either outcome does feel fitting for a Loki... It's just a darkness vs hope choice for the writers to make regarding Sylvie. Another consideration for the dark Sylvie ending to make it more poignant is that she's the one who ran from their nature the most, arguably, and then suffers the most from her mission consuming her soul. Narratively, it does make an interesting juxtaposition imo that she ran and yet fell into ruin while our Loki was forced to confront everything and ends improved (at least, personally, not situation-wise yikes).

I also am super nervous about this new Mobius! Something that gets disregarded a lot in post-season fics is that when Loki was reeling from the Kang statue, Mobius gives up trying to get through to him and looks to be waving the Minutemen forward and turning away, shrugging off the situation? So, definitely, they would end up in a time theater again, right? Or something of the like. Which would at least give Loki time to think again. There's a great mirroring opportunity there, imo, where Loki can be the one entirely honest and calm in their 'first meeting' and Mobius is the one with confused questions and echoes Loki, all, "What exactly do you want with me?" Because Loki will be insistent that he and Mobius fix it. And Loki could even explain their friendship as Mobius seeing something in him no one else did, and that he has hope that all variations of Mobius will be at least half as good and kind and intelligent as the one he knew, and the fact that he hasn't already been pruned, he think he's right.... 🥺

Anyway! Yeah, I hope this Mobius takes a leap of faith on Loki and I think he will if he has even an ounce of those same inclinations, as you said. This Mobius does appear to be close to our Mobius, based on that final scene...he just doesn't have all the Loki reels inside his head. And yeah, the timeline of things is easy to forget. I think Loki has pivoted back to his true self of mischief and morbid curiosity (about destruction without evil intent?) with this series. I think he was ...freed, I guess, of a lot of his grudges and pain, knowing how that path ends in the Sacred Timeline, so it helped him get back in touch with those pre-corruption facets of himself.

He deserves that hero's ending! He has changed, and they've set him up perfectly to prove himself to others like Strange now too. I could totally see Loki and Mobius transitioning to these guardians of the multiverse type figures, with the TVA serving as a balance, like the record keepers and a defense force of the universe, as well as the courtroom and judges for truly exigent circumstances of like time travel issues. I freaking love that idea so much!! My heart actually hurts lol.

[that-homoerotic-blouse]

One of the most interesting ideas that Doctor Who introduced in the RTD era is “does the Doctor avoid tragedy, or do they cause it?” because we’ve seen it happen over and over again, and the clearest example is in Pompeii: the Doctor realizes they’ve landed in a major historical event, he is initially reluctant to interfere because ‘fixed point in time’ until Donna convinces him to do otherwise and then, in their intent on saving everyone—they end up causing it, the volcano erupts and 20 thousand people are killed and that’s how it was meant to happen all along. It makes a lot of sense for time-travelling to be that heart-breaking and complex, and it raises interesting questions about how having information about the future may influence the present, yet a sort of inevitability still prevails in the end. It’s like Oedipus and the oracle, in which Oedipus’ own knowledge of the prophecy and his will to escape it actually leads him to fulfil the prophecy. Okay, where was this going to? Ah, yes, the Time Lord Victorious. Thing is, and honestly it’s been bugging me for a while, that all that people can see in Ten going Time Lord Victorious is an ‘arrogant kid on a tantrum’ and essentially they boil it down to “AHAHA I’VE GOT THE POWER I WILL RULE THE UNIVERSE” and while I can’t judge all the extra material that’s been released on the topic (comics and stuff), I can tell you that the original episode of The Waters of Mars was telling way more than that. At the point when the Doctor arrives to Bowie Base 1, he is utterly alone and full of grief, Donna and Martha and Rose are gone, he’s lost everyone he loved, and again he comes across the same situation: “major historical event, if it doesn’t happen humanity will never go out into space, then he must not interfere, he must let it runs its course”. And this is a turning point because he is faced with these terrified innocent people, who are helplessly doomed and he knows it, and he remembers all the terrified innocent people that died before them and says “why do they have to die? why can’t history go on unless these people die? why can’t they live? why can’t I save them all?” and ultimately he snaps and decides that “well fuck, I am going to save them all,” because Adelaide deserves to see her granddaughter grow up, because all of the 20 thousand people in Pompeii deserved to live, because he’s abiding by the rules set by a dead civilization, because what is the point in being a Time Lord if he can’t save everyone? So he makes the decision that yes, they should live, they’re gonna live and history will take a new path and that’s okay. And by the end of the episode, HERE IT IS AGAIN OEDIPUS’ PROPHECY, turns out Adelaide still ends up dead and history still follows its path and the Doctor will never be able to save everyone. 

In any case, my point is, while Ten insisted that the rules of time would bend to his will and whatnot, he didn’t go breaking fixed points in time just because he could, he was doing it because he was sick of seeing innocent people dying over and over again

[alwida10]

There is a new sneak peak of the last three episodes and I thought I might take it as a hint to mention all the things the series has done well, in my opinion. Well, obviously there will be spoilers below from the first three episodes and the sneak peak.

Well, my most important point is: the series can be deep, if they want it to be. There have been several instances of very well done deeper meanings.

1. Loki’s dagger metaphor was something it trielt loved. Here a copy for all those who don’t want to see negativity in the original post.

@crazyaboutloki already pointed out I included experiences the TVA-Loki never made. 😅 I can only assume he made some similar experiences in the centuries before the events of Thor 1. I still stand by my point that the metaphor fits Loki’s experiences we have witnessed quite well.

2. Möbius characterization is good, if they aim for what I think they are aiming, which is a good person serving an evil master. Sometimes I feel like the fandom knows only the extremes (aka “Möbius is Loki’s best friend, praises and supports him and is the best bro/lover Loki could hope for” versus “Möbius is a manipulative shit and tortures Loki for his personal delight”). I don’t agree with any of those. I see him as someone who doesn’t delight in suffering (both in Pompeii and in roxxcart he demands people to act civil to avoid upsetting the victims further). But still he is competent and does what his employer wants and that includes manipulating Loki to do as he wants, if necessary by using threats or show him upsetting footage. It has a lot of potential for Loki getting Möbius on his side and betray the TVA. And I do love the ‘enemies to friends’ trophy. It’s amazing. (I assume that’s why many people jumped to the conclusion he must be a good guy from the first episode on.)

3. The sneak peak uses Loki’s speech from the renaissance fair tent together with the scenes of the TVA after Sylvie bombed the sacred time line. It made me realize that her plan is actually exactly like he narrates. Just not with the tent, but with the TVA. She lures the minute men outside with a bait (the branching time lines) while she goes for the kill. Nice parallelism. Also, Loki isn’t that incompetent, only the timing was against him. Yay! Boy I hope they use the remaining screen time to show him being badass.

4. @iamanartichoke mentioned that Sylvie calling Loki out on his odd behavior on the train feels significant and I agree. It could mean he will take her complaint to heart and get his shit together. IF they go for a development from “overwhelmed and broken and therefore acting strangely” to “Loki gets a new aim and owns the stage with being a badass” they did set it up well. And if they deliver, it will feel epic. Already in the third episode I felt like he was acting a lot more competent in comparison to episode 1+2. If my former theory that he pretends all that to make the TVA people underestimate him is correct it’s already bearing fruit in the next episode: in the trailer Sylvie has at least the double amount of guards. Loki even complains the lack of guards for him would be an insult. So, perhaps he’s going to use the low security to uncover Möbius’s old memories from before the TVA? That would be awesome!

And with that I’ll settle for my humble wish we’ll get him to do this expression again! 😈

[vic394]

A messy and superficial bullet commentary of LOKI:

- First of all, Alone Together by Fall Out Boy summarized the whole series years before it was even written. You’re welcome;

- Nice of you to try and make me believe the contrary, this Loki version is clearly post-Ragnarok Loki and nothing can make me change my mind;

- I’m also super grateful for that because I could never stand pre-Ragnarok Loki;

- Yes, I said it. Sue me;

- Took me 10 years to appreciate Loki as a character and BOI am I never going back;

- I’m so proud Loki finally made a friend;

- I also can’t get over the fact that friend is OWEN WILSON OMFG I FLIPPED;

- Loki out there, never afraid to cry, being a true hero;

- I want to know what the bet was about;

- The series taking narcissism to the next level;

- So chaotic you can’t have a bad time;

- Unless you’re a salad, in which case you’re doomed;

- Pompeii is the funniest thing Marvel has done since “Why is Gamora?”;

- Thank you, Marvel, for confirming what we’ve all known for years: Loki is a flaming bisexual;

- Also, thank you for confirming Loki is genderfluid;

- Also also, thank you for confirming he’s a hopeless bottom;

- I’ve never been attracted to Tom Hiddleston but seeing him with long, scruffy hair and a simple shirt and tie is DESTROYING ME;

- Like that should be illegal;

- Please send help;

- Hiddlenston's performance is top notch, especially in episode 3;

- Such a simple setup and he just had me hooked;

- My new favorite hobby is listening to an orphan demigod talk about his mom;

- Love is a poorly constructed metaphor and I kinda dig that;

- “ANOTHER!” *Slams glass*;

- Has anyone been keeping track of all the plot twists;

- I want each episode of season 2 to be dedicated to a different Loki, we can pick the plot back from season 3;

- Loki being so done with himself is how I feel reading my old posts tbh;

- Must protect Classic Loki, the most precious of all the Lokis;

- Raise your hand if you’re obsessed with the alligator;

- Also raise your hand if you’re now very afraid of clocks;

- Sooooooo are we bringing self-cest back? Just asking;

- “Sylvie no” “Sylvie yes!”;

- The final episode was??? Underwhelming??? Was I supposed to feel on edge?

- Except the very end because OH NO OWEN WILSON (I’m still flippin’ btw);

- The whole series trying to convince you it’s an introduction to the multiverse when it’s really just a guide on opening your heart to love and trust even if you can and probably will get hurt;

- Dr Strange is gonna be sooooo mad;

- What are your thoughts on the series?

[sarah-dipitous]

Hellsite Nostalgia Tour 2023 Day 92

I Believe the Children Are Our Future/The Fires of Pompeii

“I Believe the Children Are Our Future”

Plot Description: investigating series of odd murders that resemble fairy tales and urban legends, Sam and Dean track down a dangerous boy named Jesse

Would I Survive thr First Five Minutes?? 1. Who sits THAT CLOSE to the TV?? 2. Nah, girl. Don’t look outside, don’t you know what show you’re on? I’m good

Sometimes, I don’t think Dean could get by without Sam. I don’t think he would have come up with them having server issues as to why they didn’t get the coroner’s email

Deannnnn, don’t traumatize the kidddddd

So all these very childlike pranks are going haywire and actually killing people?!?!

I want a compilation of clips of Dean being mildly gross while eating

“All these kids care about are their iPhones and those kissing vampire movies” this shop owner is hilarious

Honestly, good on this kid for taking home invasion seriously…actually, I take it back. She just didn’t want the tooth fairy in HER room. Sure

It took ALL HIS TEETH?!?! And got $8 for his trouble

Dean still eating this ham they legitimately cooked with the electricity from the freaking hand buzzer thingy is just PRACTICAL, Sam!! He’s right, y’all don’t have a fridge, and you shouldn’t let a perfectly good ham go to waste

This kid’s sass is off the charts

Oh my god…this poor woman. This is HORRIFIC. A demon possessed her, got pregnant, and birthed the child…is this kid the Antichrist?? Like Adam in Good Omens?

Oh no. Yeah. I knew Cas would say they have to kill the kid

Eeuugghh can Dean NOT be caught between someone and Sam just ONCE?? There’s no winning for him. Either they truly believe this kid can make the right choice to just not be the Antichrist or whatever so he doesn’t nuke all the angels. OR Cas is right and they have to kill him. And Castiel can’t gamble that. This is his life on the line if this random kid who would only NOW be introduced to the whole concept of Armageddon. When even a seasoned hunter like Sam couldn’t resist

Oh…Cas. Cas, no. Please. Jesse turned him into a toy???

I mean, I can understand Jesse’s hesitance in turning Castiel back. He did try to kill the kid

Oh…Sam saying everything he’s ever needed someone to tell him when he was a kid.

Did he just disappear to Australia?? I mean, if you’re gonna have the apocalypse in midwestern USA, best place to be IS Australia I guess?

“Been On My Mind…”: nothin. 6

"The Fires of Pompeii"

Plot Description: Soothsayers and beasts of stone run riot in the streets of Pompeii as the volcano boils. Can established history be changed, or must the Doctor let everyone die?

Couple things...can you IMAGINE if he DID just go "fuck it" and saved everyone at Pompeii?? Like...I wanna see an au where those effects ripple out. Two, I don't know if I'll get through a single episode of this season without thinking (and talking) about how much I LOVE Ten and Donna's friendship. Just seeing the hug she gives him for bringing her to what they currently both believe is Rome? I go FERAL for particularly THIS PLATONIC RELATIONSHIP

"Are we in Epcot?" I'm...obsessed with her.

Hi, Amy...sorry, Not Amy. I do still wish they had worked a call back to this episode into either Eleven or Twelve's time

I love how hung up she is on how they're speaking in Latin

And hello Not Twelve

This poor girl is going to have burnt out gifted kid syndrome later, I swear. Though, after surviving Pompeii, she's mostly lucky to not have burnt UP gifted kid syndrome

I think the thing about Donna and Ten I love most is that she CHALLENGES him. It's much less of reassuring others that the Doctor will find a way to get whatever needs to happen done. It's "You're going to do this thing. I care how you get it done but what I don't care about is hearing how you can't. It's the right thing to do. It's the thing you're SUPPOSED to do, Doctor!" I'm not dunking on Rose or Martha, but Donna will challenge his authority TO HIS FACE. It's not the "he told me to stay put, but I'm too curious to do so. I need to do something!" It's "what and you're in charge?" "TARDIS. Time Lord. Yeah." "Donna. Human. No. I don't need your permission!" Fuuuuuck I love her so much.

The fact that they're BOTH so offended to be thought of as married AND thought to look so much alike they they could be siblings. Love that for them

AND AGAIN!! "I don't know what kind of kids you've been flying around outer space with, but you're not telling me to shut up." Miss Noble, I would LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU

One...this epic psychic battle of history is every bit as funny as it is terrifying. Like, just the concept is hilarious. This old dude battling a teenage girl at who can say the wildest shit about the Doctor and Donna while being right. But also, they ARE also right BUT ALSO we get the first mention that there's something on Donna's back, and listen...I JUST GOT DONNA!!! I'M NOT READY FOR HER TO GO!!! I DON'T WANT HER TO GO!!!

This kid is so easily bribed. Not that I know how much that coin is worth.

Not Donna coming in with the TJMaxximus...

I thought you wanted them to get out of the house, why are you all just STANDING THERE. No one listens to the Doctor when it comes to moving or not moving

You SAY THAT like it's a bad thing, but you RELY on it, Doctor. "This prattling voice will cease forever" "Well, that'll be the day"

And they're so sarcastic together. Will I truly spend his entire season gushing over how much I love their friendship? And what if I do??

Him fighting off the pyrovile with a water gun is always fantastic

(I've been informed by imdb that Peter Capaldi's appearance in this episode DOES get touched on during his time as the Doctor)

Oh, it's an even worse version of the trolley problem. If the Doctor does NOTHING here the whole world gets destroyed, but if he stops the pyroviles' plan he has to make the choice to kill everyone in Pompeii. He's got to personally choose to let twenty THOUSAND people die.

The fact that she can change his mind, can change some small part in A FIXED POINT IN TIME, can make him save SOMEONE. And how she'll still claim she's not important at the end of the season...

Doctor, of COURSE Donna's right. Come on.

[fromthecouch]

“The Variant” and their implications for the MCU — a look at “Loki” Episode 2

Note: This recap and analysis do contain spoilers.

Loki, Episode 2: The Variant

Looking at the second episode of Loki, we learn that “Variants” are exactly that — variants of a person. They are variants who get intercepted and don’t live out their own “storylines.” Implying, the Loki that we see in Thor: The Dark World, Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Infinity War is or was never introduced to the TVA. Looking back at the Loki premiere, Mobius declares that this was never Loki’s story. At the time, this seems to allude to Loki as an antagonist in the MCU, rather than a heroic lead. Now, this observation takes on a double meaning. This was never the variant’s story, but the story of the Loki that we’ve been watching all along. (This is aside from the scene when he intercepts the tesseract)

In Avengers: Endgame, Tony and Dr. Banner explain that, within the context of the MCU, time-travelling becomes your future, rather than undoes your past. This fits into the concept of variants and the TVA interestingly because it seems that the Variants are not a part of this. They cease to exist after being intercepted.

The implications for time, universes, and multiverses in the Loki series are intriguing, and it seems like we’ll learn more and unravel more about the “rules” around all the concepts in the MCU. This may make for a setup for upcoming films, such as Spiderman: No Way Home, which many fans have theorized will explore the multiverse more.

Beyond the implications for the MCU at large, there is a lot to unpack in The Variant. The characterization of Loki and his motives take center stage. Tom Hiddleston, as usual, gives a fantastic comedic performance — showcasing Loki’s eccentric personality and style of humor. (This is highlighted wonderfully in the salad scene and during the destruction of Pompeii.)

Beyond that, we see Loki grapple with the different parts of his nature —the desire to be a part of something bigger than himself while maintaining his inability to step away from his role as an outsider and away from being self-serving. It’s easy to psychoanalyze this character as being this way, because of his status within his family in Asgard, as a Laufeyson rather than an Odinson. However, it was clear that this characterization of him long proceeded his self-awareness of his lineage. The Variant starts to dive further into this duality that Loki possesses. On one hand, Loki seems to connect with Mobius and finds intrigue in the idea of being a TVA agent. He decrees his agent status sarcastically, but we see moments of his genuine curiosity around being a unit. (This has also been shown throughout his role in prior MCU films, in his relationship with Thor.) We also see his clear connection to Asgard, despite his constant attempt to rule over and mock his people. The emotive expressions and grief he experiences as he finds the TVA file on Ragnarok best express this side to him.

Contrasting this, Loki’s fixation on the scale of the Time Keeper’s power and his transparent desire to meet them and infiltrate the TVA is also shown. Yet, his outwardness with these plans sometimes feels disingenuous. It is like Loki is falling into default habits that he cannot help. Going back to the Loki series exploration of free will, as a concept, this could be indicative that he cannot help this. This duality comes to a climax at the end of the episode when he must choose to stay with Mobius and the TVA agents or follow the rogue Loki variant, Lady Loki, as she carries on with her agenda. 

Loki, Episode 2: The Variant

In regard to curiosities for future episodes, it will be interesting to see this internal conflict with Loki manifest further. It is also exciting to learn more about Lady Loki’s intentions. She makes it clear that control and power through the TVA are not her intentions. Rather, it seems she may be set on destroying the TVA and the Sacred Timeline. If Lady Loki truly is a variant of Loki, maybe this shows another side to Loki that we have yet to see the variant of Loki that we’ve been following and the Sacred Timeline’s approved version of Loki. Perhaps she is truly Loki without falling back into a power struggle or drive to self-interest. Maybe, Lady Loki knows something of the Time Keeper’s that Mobius and the protagonist variant of Loki don’t. (On a personal level, I have a theory that there is something more sinister, under the surface, in regard to the Time Keepers. Maybe it’s just distrust of that much power from previous films in the MCU. Maybe it is how strange it is that those employees of the TVA are portrayed as having their entire life centered around their work for the Time Keepers, and mindlessly at that.) Only time will tell, but following Glorious Purpose, The Variant leaves us eager to find out.