#it's also really fun to think about how this setup could've played out

[omo321]

“Are you crying?” Fina exclaims in alarm. Tsurumi is equally startled when he wipes at his face and his hand comes away wet. Not once had he shed tears, not even when he’d lost them. Pulling a chair up to him, Fina dries his cheeks with soft dabs of her handkerchief. With her hand on his shoulder and her beautiful, bright eyes soft with more love than Tsurumi can bear, she waits for an explanation that he cannot give.

gnawing on "theatre" by Saengak again... it's free serotonin to me

[floorpancakes]

Are you excited about xxxHOLIC Rei coming back in less than a week?? (Also, a lot of blogs got flagged lately, you can read more about it on the wip blog!)

my answer is yes. but also no. but also im terrified. but also im so fucking excited. but i will be WATCHING CLAMP LIKE A HAWK... lemme explain.

the main run of xxxholic is almost untouchably impressively perfectly good. i change my opinion depending on the day but rou is simultaneously insanely impressive and real as fuck but also where a couple of the endgame decisions really begin to feel like the wrong ones - I fucking LOVE it especially how it portrays barely restrained want and depressive decay with adult characters, but we all know how I feel about how utterly optional and avoidable the kohane thing was (they could've done the exact same non romantic oomf marriage agreement that watanuki inevitably chooses to misconstrue to beat himself up thing w the same effects w hima and it would've been more interesting but we know how much clamp likes to shove teacher student age gap into shit even when it ISNT romantic and they would not fucking do that...) and I don't like that the moral of the story for 99 percent of chapters is 'watanuki fucking suffers with no end in sight and retracts into himself instead of growing from trauma', but also I love tragedy and angst and mental health and mutual situationship metaphors and watanuki in this era is more relatable to me than ever before unfortunately so I hold my mixed feelings but I also enjoy it super super hard for the most part. Pls note that the moral dilemma I have about rou isn't that watanuki is suffering at all, but that he's suffering seemingly with no ...exit??? In sight? Like. We don't have any relief for him in his future, so I guess that's what sours me on some of it as a whole rather than actually abt the media quality itself. Long story I hope this makes sense. We all know how much I love rouposting so I hope it checks out.

So I was already very much a fan when Rei became a thing. I remember watching new stuff come out so I was one of the people 'fooled' in the beginning by the fake reboot setup. I knew something was happening but I wasn't sure what, and the series slowly showing its hand was super interesting. I famously love the ominous chasing hands and the thing with the phone, and imo the STRONGEST part of rei that we found out later is the interactions between characters influenced by their adult selves jumping out (think watanuki clearly leaning in to yuuko's jabs, watanuki taking the wife jokes with way less resistance, watanuki having a more platonic stronger bond with hima, watanuki accidentally slipping into the slutty boss persona then fucking exploding blushing while talking to doumeki LOL, among other things). I find that aspect really interesting and it's something only clamp could do in this specific situation which is rly rly fun. So umm. I guess we knew this would end eventually but when the end of arc was approaching I think I had my first real time groan with the series: yuuko is saying watanuki can choose, and noone will judge, and either choice is ok, he can stay with the people he loves or he can go home to his old life: but is that really true? Perhaps yuuko thinks so, but the way the story shows it to us, watanuki HAS to reply to those hands. There's so many, they're so in need, they need his presence in the universe too badly, they put pressure on him and weigh the decision so it's like 'go into the dream world and get what you want and just let everyone else get fucked up forever', it just feels like. He doesn't really have an option if he wants to not come off like a dick, and that's quite weird to me, it paints him in a weird light if he wants to choose happiness for himself, even if it's a slightly more hollow one. It feels like the sort of thing holic wouldn't typically do since it's a series that likes to play with the idea that choosing things for yourself and your own happiness is a kind of selfishness that's often VERY necessary, especially if you're someone that's hurting and needs their people around them.

....So imagine the look on my face when it turned out all of this was a massive fetch quest for tsubasa reservoir chronicle.

I've never finished tsuba, I read like half of it a year or so ago and unfortunately it hasn't clicked with me yet, and neither have most of the characters. I plan on finishing it eventually and I know it gets juicy in the back half, but I've always had mixed opinions on holitsuba being marketed as a pair, especially when especially on the western side people like both but tsuba is their ACTUAL favourite, or they like both but tsuba gets more attention, or more discussion, or more merch, or more whatever. I'm aware I'm a bit of a hater about it but it's mostly nothing personal and I do really WANT to like it, but they're fundamentally very different kinds of stories and inevitably people will have their preferences or perhaps be more into one than the other yaknow. I'm aware all of my oomfs are tsuba enjoyers. I promise my haterdom isn't that serious. I'm happy for yall.

HOWEVER please imagine me in 2016 reading the chapter when it dropped and you can imagine the worlds biggest crash out of all time. Mind you I'd still feel weird about this even if I loved tsuba to death, and maybe one day I will, but holy fucking SHIT the impact of them weighing all this on watanukis shoulders only to essentially be like 'oh, watanuki got put through ALL of this to grab a Thingamajig for Some Guy (ik he's not just some guy ik the lore but narratively speaking)' . ..... I am sure even if you like tsubasa a lot this is probably a strange fucking thing to do, and this combined with clamp DROPPING THE SERIES FOR LIKE 8 YEARS immediately afterwards...??? I am still fucking baffled by this. It lowkey ruined my trust in clamp forever. What did they mean by this. Why did they think this was a good idea. What the fuck were they cooking ?:?:?:?:

Fun fact: i know there's a small handful of chapters that come after the arc ender. I have not read them since they came out. I barely remember them. I have been avoiding them out of spite. I will re-catch up soon obviously but jesus fucking c hrist 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 clamp you can't just do that to people!!! It makes it look like you hate your characters and your fans!!! Good lord!?

so basically that brings us to the present. I'm super excited, because I love xxxholic and even during Rei the chapter to chapter content was super impressive (my problems are mostly big decisions) but it also makes me think: where do we have to go from here? Where do THEY want to go from here? We've lost almost all of our main characters aside from yokai who brush in and out of watanuki's life and his shop mascot oomfs, watanuki is still depressed, arguably far more now , he has no way out, none of the doumekis have used the egg and we can't see a use for it (in canon at least) where it will even change anything now. There's many directions this could go, but unless they get really gutsy with some deus ex machina (please please please please here's how doumeki could still win please) it's hard to know what they even want to do to round this off or revive it from where it stands.

Unfortunately most of the options I can think of that I think clamp MIGHT do are things I don't really like . I can't tell how much of this is me being overly cautious or if any of this will actually happen but here's some horror stories I have rattling about in my brain that I hope WON'T happen:

- all doumekis are secretly doumeki (i don't like this!! I think they're more interesting as separate people and it would be weird as shit to act like say sayaka x watanuki is the same as shizuka x watanuki. i like the idea that the sameface doesn't mean they're the same kinda people, a la haruka)

- watanuki is secretly clow (please god no. please god no no thank you i don't like that)

- watanuki is egged and just let loose onto the world with no support system (this would be the worst payback for all of his suffering)

- watanuki remains here forever with no hope of seeing anyone of the main cast he loves again (kill)

- im actually someone who prefers yuuko coming back agnosticism to her reincarnating as a random person. i think it's more interesting that way and she wouldn't want him to have to desperately seek her out while crashing out for hundreds of years. she'd want better than that for him even knowing some things are inevitable. so all the yuuko seeking type chapters we've had so far are not of great interest to me. this is actually how I came up with canary from catverse. canary is the endless numb stasis of a life devoted to hunting for yuuko and nothing else regardless of her wishes for him to live a good life.

- idk man. some clamp bullshit

- tsubasa reservoir chronicle fetch quest...2!!

...I don't know what we're gonna get. I don't know what to expect. I am excited and I am nervous and I am dreading it a little bit too. We shall see I guess but the way they left us off with Rei hiatus and the arc ended drove me insane for YEARS OF MY LIFE. so this is how I'm feeling rn. I hope watanuki is freed from his suffering. I hope doumeki, actual doumeki, gets a presence and gets to go crazy go stupid. I hope yuuko gets a presence or non presence that befits her and she's not used as a thing to wrangle around watanuki's suffering to new heights. I hope watanuki gets happiness and progress after at least a hundred years of regression and stasis. I hope they care more about character happiness and the spirit of the story and not trying to connect it to other plots in manga they may or may not prefer and holic doesn't get more weird middle child treatment. I hope we get a w for watanuki and no annoying plot twists that sacrifice character dynamics for drama. I hope doumeki gets a madoka rebellion movie and also we get a whole volume of douwata sex as compensation . I would like to see himawari again and I don't care how. I have lost hope of them doing anything with kohane given how they sidelined her already to limply not quite fulfil the authors obvious fetish. I hope we all get a W for our long wait. I hope watanuki wears more dresses and serves cunt so hard xxxholic goes VIRAL amen

[dg-outlaw]

Acolyte Season 2 AU (or What Could Have Been)

*Season 1 spoilers* and My Thoughts.

So with Season 1 over, instead of reflecting on what was, I want to talk about what could've been. I imagine there's a plan for season 2 and part of my guess is that we'll get more into the Dark Side and the Sith with Osha's training with the Stranger/Qimir and their secret roommate, Darth Plagueis the Creeper. On the Jedi side we'll probably get into political conflict between the Jedi and the Senate, and have a 'What Do We Do With Mae?' subplot. But here's what I think could've been interesting...

From what I've seen online, a lot of fans enjoyed these two characters (Jecki Lon and Yord Fandar, pictured above), especially them together, which I think is a real loss for the show unless they are leaning more towards a Dark Side/Sith focused storyline for Season 2. If anything, that's one of my critiques of the show, even though I enjoyed it. Was the show about Osha and Mae, the Jedi, Sol and what happened on Brendok, or a mix with an ensemble cast? I think had the show been 12-15 episodes it could've successfully been all of the above, but with only 8 episodes I feel like none of those plotlines got enough attention or time to breathe and really hit. Again, I enjoyed the show and look forward to what comes in Season 2, but...

...what if Jecki and Yord had lived?

Season 1 could've still played out as it did and maybe Jecki and Yord were injured rather than killed or presumed dead in Episode 5 to further add to Sol's anguish. Though, with how badass she was, even just keeping Jecki alive could've been interesting for this AU idea. Here's why:

This first season ends with Vernestra basically throwing Sol under the bus. Yes, he made some major mistakes and he and the other 3 Jedi from Brendok covered up their secret for years because Indara thought it was the best course of action, but how would Jecki (and Yord) have taken that news? Their kind, gentle, and wise master a rogue Jedi who orchestrated some elaborate murder plot to cover up his past crimes? It wouldn't make sense to them (based on the Sol they knew) and I think you could have a whole noir-style investigation subplot with them not knowing who to trust in the Jedi Order, arguing about who to trust and whether they should doubt their masters, and wrestling with the realities and truth of Sol's past. Would they go to Senator Rayencourt or work with him to uncover the truth or would they wrestle with the idea that to uncover the truth it could unravel the whole Jedi Order?

Seriously, the buddy cop dry humor mixed with the drama could be so fun.

Then you add in Mae, who Jecki and Yord would be antagonistic toward at first, but then she'd become part of their little investigative team. Either way, Mae will likely want answers to who she is in Season 2, but the Jedi are likely to keep those answers from her and that would add another layer. Jecki and Yord would be forbidden from interacting with her or just not told about her until they saw her randomly in the streets of Coruscant with her Jedi security detail.

This would also setup a very interesting conflicts as you'd have Team Sith (Qimir, Osha, and Cave Roomie Plag), Team Sol (Jecki, Yord, and Mae), and Team Jedi (Vernestra, her Executive Assistant Mog, and other "red shirt" Jedi). I have no idea where Yoda would fit into all this, but maybe he'd secretly guide Jecki and Yord with vague Jedi wisdom because he's seeing some problems in his house that need to be fixed.

Also, Jecki would get a rematch with Qimir, a battle with Osha (similar to hers with Mae), and Yord... well, Yord would do battle and maybe die. Though, he and Mae could develop something as a mirror to Osha and Qimir, even if just a friendship (esp. if a Jecki/Mae thing happens), and that would give Mae conflict if it was Osha who killed him.

In the end, Jecki and maybe Yord (if he lives) would leave the Order, similar to how Ahsoka did in The Clone Wars. No matter what the outcome ended up being, it would shake their faith in the Order. Yoda would be the only one left who knew the truth, but with everyone believed dead or gone, it would be okay in his mind and Ki-Adi-Mundi could just be left in the dark for the sake of his Episode 1 quote about the Sith.

Obviously, Plagueis would somehow survive (unbeknownst to Yoda) and would later use what he learned about Osha and Mae to create Anakin as one of his experiments to achieve immortality, hoping to have a new body to transfer himself into. Sidious would be unaware of this as Plagueis would be aware of Sidious' intention to kill him and would've kept Anakin a secret b/c Sith be shady backstabbers like that. It wouldn't be until meeting young Anakin that Palpy realizes Anakin was that secret project Plagueis was working on but never told him about. Thus, his fascination with Anakin, Luke, and his later (sequel) attempts to use Rey in the same way.

[moistvonlipwig]

top 5 fav buffyverse characters and top 5 fav buffyverse ships!

ok this one's easy i am nothing if not practiced at yapping about the buffyverse!!

CHARACTERS:

Cordelia Chase my queen my cheerleader princess warrior my everything......truly one of my favorite characters of all time. I love her so much. And honestly, I wouldn't actually change much about her arc! I think the fact that she was denied a voice in S4 is criminal, but I like the idea of the possession storyline, and I truly love her ending and find it beautiful.

ANGEL I have no idea how you got here king I cannot imagine telling myself while I was watching BtVS for the first time that he would be my second favorite Buffyverse character but he is!!!!! He's such an interesting and layered and fun character and I think his arc is actually really good and underrated.

Spoike my horrible little guy <333 king of faking his accent and being committed to the bit!!! I don't think his arc is quite as good as Cordy's or Angel's -- I think "Seeing Red," while perfectly in-character, basically derailed both his and Buffy's arcs, and he REALLY needed to have more of a reckoning with Robin Wood and stop wearing Nikki's fucking coat -- but I think "Damage" does a pretty good job interrogating and problematizing his S7 arc and leaves him in a really good place character-wise. Overall, while I have criticisms of how his character was handled, I still generally like his story and I think he's one of the most purely entertaining characters in either show.

Charles Gunn you deserved SO much better ;_; can we get this guy an arc please!!! I love hearing J. August Richards talk about playing Gunn because there was clearly so much thought and care going into his performance and it's frustrating that after S2 it felt like the writers didn't know what to do with him. I personally think keeping vampire!Alonna around would've done wonders for his arc, but there's other directions they could've taken him as well, and unfortunately they just kind of pushed him to the background instead for a lot of S3 and even more in S4. Then in S5 you have this AMAZING setup where Gunn is now working at what he once called a "Mecca" for "evil white folks," he's now complicit in the system he once fought so hard against, and it could've been an utterly brilliant arc for him, and then instead. We get 5 separate episodes devoted to Angel & Spike having a pissing contest and then Gunn's realization of W&H being bad is spurred on NOT by anything having to do with his arc or history but because he signed a piece of paper that fridged Fred and he and all the other men were sad about it and Wesley fucking stabs him over it. NO THANKS. He still gets an incredible final episode despite all that, though, and I love that he's the only human left alive in the end (even if he might not have that long left once the credits roll).

Lilah Morgan. Does any more need to be said? She is iconic, she is a queen, she is the moment, and she will bury you alive next to her house so she can hear you screaming.

and SHIPS:

I mean, Cordelia said it best: there are no people like Angel and Cordelia!!!!! They are BUDDIES and they are so FUNNY together and fun to watch but also their relationship forms the narrative backbone and thematic core of Angel and they are bound together by the joint mission they chose which is also the very mission that ends up keeping them from ever actually getting together romantically and they make each other better and inspire each other and call each other out on their worst impulses and they both love Connor so so much and are the only people who remember him and would choose him over each other every time just as all parents should and in the end she puts him on the path to stand up to Wolfram & Hart in his very final act in the show. Also they both love cars and fancy clothes and money and judging people and neither of them can sing. I love them your honor. <333

Wesley/Lilah is sooo good. One of the few enemies-to-lovers m/f ships I've seen in fiction where the woman is the evil one, which makes it infinitely more interesting to me than your standard cookie-cutter m/f evil-guy-and-heroic-girl ship. The fact that despite Lilah being pretty much just evil and Wesley being so emotionally calcified they still loved each other is just. Gahh!!! He used his one chance to sneak into W&H's files to free her from her contract!!! And he failed!!! Because flames wouldn't be eternal if they actually consumed anything!!! Lilah should've been in S5 and I will never be over it I will be mad about it forever. At least I can take heart in the fact that Wesley's contract with W&H likely had a perpetuity clause as well so he is down there right now in hell with Lilah doing evil lawyer things forever 😌

I like Angel's relationship with Darla a lot, and it retroactively makes his relationship with Buffy much more interesting to me. As much as they claimed otherwise, they clearly did hold a lot of love for one another, and were hugely formative to each other's lives. It's rather remarkable to me that a character who barely appeared in Buffy and whose status as Angel's sire seemed unimportant in that show came back in Angel and was fleshed out to such a great extent that it really colors how I view Angel's entire character on both shows. Bringing Darla back was one of the smartest things Angel ever did, and their relationship deserves more love from fandom.

Oh, the epic highs and lows of Buffy/Spike...I have very complicated feelings about them as a ship, and ultimately my ideal endgame for them is that they end up as platonic buddies, but I can't deny that I do have a great fondness for a lot of their scenes together and I do think the arc of their relationship does a lot for Buffy's character. (Even if it also causes some problems for her character as well. 😬)

Okay in terms of characters who actually interacted significantly in the show it's probably Giles/Anya because their chemistry was weirdly off the charts but also I would just like to say that I think AtS would've been improved if Gunn had dated Harmony. They had a cute flirty moment in "Disharmony" and I think it could've been really interesting for both characters. Just saying.

[eteisvalssi]

gig report joker out at cvetličarna night 1 and 2

i spent a full week in ljubljana, completely fell in love with the city, and honestly can't wait to be back some day. here are some of my thoughts from the concerts

cvetka night 1:

- i had a general entry ticket and only entered the queue when the first batch of people got let in

- speaking of which, it was a complete fiasco. the security were letting in people from the general entry line at the same time as the early entry line and when they were in they couldn't get them out anymore and so there were lots of non-ee ticket holders in the front rows watching the soundcheck

- i was in no rush and so i checked out the merch table at first and bought the new cd and the tote bag

- i don't really know what to think about their merch for this tour. i mean it's a fun idea that they were involved with the stamping of the merch but that also means that you can't really wash some of the items and that limits the actual use of it

- i wanted to find a spot on the balcony but ended up on the floor and luckily got quite near on the right side and with no tall people directly in front of me. it definitely wasn't a perfect spot though bc there was a group of women right next to me who seemed very drunk, they were very loud and just kept pushing people while dancing. not fun.

- i'm a huge fan of jet black diamonds as well and so i of course was very excited to see them. they performed well even with the limitations of the stage setup and lots of people around me were also singing and vibing along :)

- i feel like urban could've talked a bit more in english because they were right in front of their potential international target audience. the trick to get people to follow them for a merch raffle was effective though (had to unfollow and refollow them lol)

- we've all seen so many clips from the concerts that i won't be going through most of it but there's still a few points i'd like to make

- moving nace over to the left side was a very unexpected choice and unfortunately that left the right side very empty at times. there were some moments when there was literally no one there and all four of them were just packed on the left side

- i loved what they did with stephanie. jure just looked so happy walking around the stage :)

- actually i loved all the new songs so much. i was waiting to see how they would pull them off live with the songs being more synth-heavy, but in the end there was nothing to worry about because live versions were even better than the ones on the album

- the only one that did not really work yet was the beginning of lips bc bojan was off-key at the lower parts :/ in the soundcheck the day after he already sounded better though

- after the gig we gathered together with our little joblr group, i did some jbd merch shoppin, and it took us a while to realize that the band was actually inside the venue stamping stuff

- on the first night it was all very quick. the music was loud, they were dancing and singing along on their spots (especially kris looked like he was having the time of his life dancing and stamping). i got my cd stamped and didn’t know to ask for anything more so i just left and we left the venue pretty much after that (click here for a picture of the cd)

cvetka night 2:

- i hung out in the queue for longer because i had an ee ticket for this night. i brought some ananaslonkero with me and gave three of them to my dear joblr mutuals, two to some other nice people in the queue and that left me with one extra (which will play a huge part later)

- the staff had clearly taken the constructive criticism from the day before into account and they were checking that everyone had an ee ticket this time around and it was all very organized

- there was a barricade this time and i managed to get it and i was on the right side, again

- i feel like most of ee ticket holders were non-slovenian and so they did the soundcheck in english and played lips and proti toku

- i hadn’t slept well and i guess i was kinda overstimulated from just before doors to the beginning of jbd so it feels like i completely missed the soundcheck even though i was there :( also nace was right in front of me after the soundcheck and stopped to take pictures with everyone around me and i froze completely and it felt like it looked like i ignored him on purpose and i feel so bad i’m so sorry nace

- during jbd i happened to be in a bubble where most people around me were vibing and some even singing along but i later heard that there were people on their phones during the whole gig in the front rows and like… the disrespect??

- the setlist was the exact same and i don’t want this to get too long so i don’t really have anything new to add from yesterday. would’ve loved to see some changes but the setlist already had their most popular songs so there was really nothing that could’ve been switched off

- now that people actually knew about the stamping the queue for it started forming right away. i waited in the queue for a while but then decided on getting some water instead and i just sat on the floor for a while (and also štras just walked right by me before getting stopped for some selfies)

- when they started the stamping i went back into the queue and got my notebook only stamped at first. i then returned back to my friends, got my jacket from the car and doing that accidentally smuggled in my one leftover ananaslonkero, that i then went to give to the band and got some signatures in my notebook as well (and a PELIÄ from bojan). i talked about it in more detail in this post

and so that was basically the two nights for me. it was so nice to see so many familiar faces yet again and hang out with my little joblr discord server group 🫶 oh and the concerts were great too lol

you can find the rest of my cvetka content from these links:

cvetka 1

cvetka 2

[imthepunchlord]

Ok, so I'm just gonna apologize in advance, I'm sorry, I know you're probably sick of these types of asks. I was gonna wait till call the polls were done, but since you've been talking about how you've already started brainstorming ideas, it like I should probably just say this idea sooner rather later. So, have you considered using the power system you used for your A Declaration of Love and in your old "Miraculous Fox and Peacock powers" post. I felt it would be fitting since these new powers (like the ones in that fic and post) are based on the animal's symbolism, and this setup could allow for multiple powers. Plus, these new versions of the miraculous feel much like a return to back to how we thought the miraculous would be before season two so it could feel fitting.

Nah don't worry about it. And votes seem to be slowing down for the polls, and I've been itching to get brainstorming so might as well get into it.

With these polls, and plans being made to change, I've actually been gradually rewatching Miraculous, taking notes on eps and on characters to refresh myself and it's just taking me back to that time before s2, and just how creative and fun it was to get into ML fanworks. As it gave us so little info we had to get creative.

Like, on artist who used to do really cool ML art suspected Wayzz was a Grasshopper before we got the confirmation of him being a Turtle.

And man I found I enjoyed those days more, as what a lot of people thought of was far more interesting and fun than what we got. And everything that came post s2 really kinda railroaded us and stifled that creativity.

And a lot of the things brought in were:

Frustrating, like Miraculous are more powerful for adults, which why did Fu pick 2 kids and not do anything to help even the playing field? And we got the confirmation he has 16-17 Miraculous on him, why did he release the very two Gabriel needed? Especially as, arguably, Cat's just not that necessary for facing the Butterfly. Also! There's honestly more powerful perks to misusing a Miraculous, why are they so easy to misuse? And according to Paris Special, why is it that Miraculous are willing to gradually kill off kids misusing them, but won't do anything to adults who misuse them? This is all rigged.

Pointless, like the potions, which aren't really "power ups" but just suit changes. Changes that Miraculous already naturally do as the suit comes down to the user. If someone loves ice skating and it's naturally integrated into their suit, the Ice Potion is pointless.

And just entirely baffling: the entirety of the Rabbit, and Alix, a 15 yo girl, being made to be the Timekeeper, live away from her family and friends to manage the timeline, which, why is that being given to a human? Who are going to be biased and not neutral, made worse to be given to a 15 yo who's not fully matured, and clearly we see her involving herself in the timeline which I'm not sure she should be doing as that's influencing outcomes. And why did they even think a time traveling Miraculous was a good idea? That power is so OP and can get so easily complicated you can get a headache trying to make sense of what they rolled out with it. And honestly, what does time traveling have to do with Alice in Wonderland? If they wanted to really reference AiW with Rabbit, I would've voted dream hopping, cause dreams are wild, imaginative, chaotic, and nonsensical. And that could've worked in ties to the moon as people sleep at night, and that could've been tied to healing too, as dreams can be tied to the subconscious, and you could've done something with dream influence and help people face what they're dealing with. Or if Rabbit had to be another time related Miraculous, do something with influencing the flow of time, either slowing it down so the user appears to be going fast, or speeding up the motion of the user and others and objects.

Tangent aside, I am going to be aim to dismiss and change a lot of what canon has brought in and just kinda go back to working off those old days. I am planning on working off a lot of animal symbolism and myth, and some details that Thomas has rolled out I'll consider (like Pied Piper was a Fox, which suggests Fox should have also have a power tied to hypnosis/subconscious suggestion through music). And just go back to those days where we were more creative and better worked off the possibilities with animals. And ideally do some uniqueness that's not going to have a lot of similar powers, aside from healing and mass restoration, as I feel if there's going to be any repeated powers, those would make the most sense.

I will give ADoL a reread (cause it's been years and typically when I get a fic done, it goes out of my mind as I'm not giving anymore attention to it, so I don't remember everything with it); and it's just a little funny as this is the fic that gets brought up to me the most on relating to Miraculous and kwami changes. Like, Nobody has mentioned to me that Juuno was their favorite take on the Peafowl kwami's personality before canon rolled out ditzy and emotional Duusu. Which maybe got toned down post fixing? I'm not sure. Either way, it gets brought a lot and I don't remember everything so I'll be giving it a reread to refresh myself.

[medi-melancholy]

i have played ✨more games!✨

a date with death: 3 / 5

it's really cute!!! i'm surprised how long and comprehensive this game is for a freebie, so many lil bits you can personalize, lots of variable dialogue... grim is a very charming failboy. the art is pretty and the UI is all slick. i wish there wasn't so much clicking involved with consecutive dialogue selections when there's literally no other options to pick from, it wore my hand out. i also wish the PC was characterized a bit differently, or had more personality variance in their own dialogue. but for what it is, it's nice! fun concepts, not too long or too short, feels about right all around

my hole is a mouth of dirt: 2, maybe 2 and a half / 5

one of those "linear 1 hour long rpgmaker horror games" and for that it's a fun lil ride. sound design, lighting, and original design for sprites/creatures/environment stuff were awesome. i spent a lot of time inspecting every possible thing i thought i could, checking every room, trying to die in specific places, etc, to see if there were any secrets or branches, but what you see is what you get, bit of a shame since the character and setting stuff being set up here is really neat--but it's likely because this game is a predetermined part in a series, i think. this was my first and only yai game, so i can't say for certain

also: 1. yes the walking speed is extremely slow no i didn't mind it yes it actually enhanced the experience, 2. that last chaser bit was getting frustrating enough that i had to look up tips from the dev on the community page on how to beat it so ggghhhhh, and 3. i was really excited about what the ending could be and what it was building to but, for me, it tripped at the finish line at the last possible second :')

stillwater: 3 / 5 at the least

this is one that had me hooked pretty quickly. art, sprite work, narration, characters and dialogue, setup, all excellent stuff. it's short and simple, but it could've been even shorter and simpler than what it is, so the fact that it goes beyond that feels great. the horror is subdued and not really "scary" but the atmosphere is so well-done and suits a mystery perfectly. i had a lot of questions as i played, and by the time i'd done all the endings besides the 'bonus scene' type one, they weren't quite entirely answered--but that last secret scene tied everything up in a very compelling, and more literal way than i would've ever expected. i might be thinking about this story for a while

[fioras-resolve]

ace attorney series review

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: genuinely really good, but not just for story reasons. it's a really solid work of mystery adventure game design that still delivers on the original promise of ace attorney better than a lot of the most lauded games. and manfred still carries the most threatening presence of any prosecutor throughout the series

Justice for All: I think this is better than people say it is, i think it's fine for the game to be mostly episodic and focus on cases about just some guys rather than furthering The Plot, but i also can't deny that it has a lot of bad design habits that the series wouldn't overcome for a long time, specifically bullshit testimony puzzles that undercut the actual appeal to cross-examination. that said, it introduced us to the magatama interrogations, and still has the most compelling of those in the series.

Trials and Tribulations: this is of course a classic and an amazing resolution to the trilogy. 11 year old me had to physically go outside after the ending and process everything that just happened. but it's worth noting that i was consulting a walkthrough for the entire back half, because the bullshit testimony puzzles being so frequent meant i couldn't trust the game to be straightforward with me. it's better as a visual novel than as a game, and that's a real shame

Rise from the Ashes: incredibly solid all around, definitely my favorite of the original trilogy and also just some of the best ace attorney the series has seen? it's not just that 10 year old me saw all of the forensic gimmick and thought "wow, cool toy!" it's that it genuinely expands the scope of what ace attorney can be. it's not just that i can view objects in 3D, but that examining these things reveals new information, or just gives Phoenix and Ema an excuse to banter. it's not just that spraying luminol is fun, but that you can spray it anywhere, and find bloodstains in unexpected places that have nothing to do with the case but are just funny or flesh out the world. it's an ambitious case that makes good on all that ambition.

Apollo Justice: this game takes rise from the ashes and removes everything i liked about it. look, people have talked about this game to death. the basic complaints i have are 1) the bracelet mechanic sucks and relies on either guesswork or a walkthrough, 2) the 3d evidence examination has lost all of its charm in favor of raw function, 3) there's a large sense in both the minigames and the fact everybody else already knows what's going on, that you're just going through the motions of doing what the writer wants you to. like, it sucks, for sure, i don't like it. BUT, it was at least a setup for what could've been a great second trilogy. it takes ace attorney into a new direction that could have promising! shame the rest of the trilogy didn't follow up on it.

Investigations: so like, gonna be honest, i don't remember a fucking thing that happens in that game, and i only played it a couple years ago. the actual plot slid off of me. but the characters left an incredibly solid impression. i'm probably never going to forget tyrell badd, shi-long lang, calisto yew, and especially kay faraday. they're such cool characters, and i love the energy of the game, even though it's basically junk food entertainment. it's a great time the whole way through, and i especially like how it deliberately removes testimony puzzles in the way that every rebuttal has to end with presenting evidence. but i think this also marks the point where the series stopped living rent-free in my mind. i have strong memories of the original trilogy, and apollo justice, but from here on out i think the series just stopped leaving as much of an impact on me.

Investigations 2: i played this game in high school when the translation was finally done, and it was cool as hell. it escalated the stakes of the series to something i'd never seen before, and it takes a genuinely darker turn that i really liked at the time. it's incredibly solid as a game, but my memory just isn't what it used to be. i should play that game again sometime, it was really refreshing to see these familiar characters again.

Professor Layton Crossover: it's been a while since i played this one, i had a pretty good time with it. i like both of the games it crosses over, and i like the dynamics between its main characters, but i also think the court sections rely way too much on pressing leading to there basically being no tension. i was honestly disappointed in shu takumi for writing the game this way. it feels like he's just too enamored with fun mechanic ideas, and doesn't consider how it will feel to play them. but it's still a really nice court drama, and what really makes it for me is the presentation. the use of animation, music, voice acting, etc all creates a compelling drama that feels elevated above much of the series. like, footfalls of turnabout is one of my favorite songs in the series, because no other game in the series has a song that does what it does for the story. i would absolutely recommend this game if you wanna see how to use music to make a drama more compelling.

Dual Destinies: a cowardly game, seemingly made in response to people who didn't like apollo justice, choosing to walk back everything interesting it did. i think it's a pretty entertaining mystery procedural, like each case is a compelling story. it just doesn't make an impact like the original trilogy did, and that's a real shame. i will say that i've forgotten how well this game uses 3D for its character animation. like yeah, the mouth flaps would be better as sprites, but there's a lot of really nice or funny animation that would have been a pain in the ass to do in sprites, like ted tonate dis/reassembling a bomb, scuttlebutt pushing a tabloid out of her little box, or just cosmos spinning in his segway. like, it's really nice.

Spirit of Justice: this game was fine. i think i appreciate it because it kind of makes an aesthetic out of having no identity anymore. like, there's just too many characters, settings, plot threads, and mechanics for any of it to cohesive, so instead it's all sectioned off. this part is in the style of the original trilogy, this part features athena, and the choice to have the entire last case from apollo's perspective is a bold one! wouldn't have been so bold if this was actually just The Apollo Justice Trilogy, but nonetheless! i think for the cowardly direction this series took, this was the best direction they could've gone with it. but it's also a jumped shark, and that's really sad.

Great Ace Attorney 1+2: i can't really appreciate it on its own, because it's just so wrapped up in the context of the rest of the series. the best story beats mostly feel like shu takumi chasing old glory, the summation examination feels like it's trying and succeeding to one-up the main series, like "look, i can do jury trials, why didn't you?" it uses 3D evidence examination in a way that actually fleshes out the story, but it keeps doing the thing where it thinks it's clever by making you check the other side of a piece of evidence. like wouldn't it be funny if you had this mechanic in turnabout sisters? sigh anyway, it's pretty good, but i feel like i just can't like it as much as modern aa fans do because i've just, been here the whole time.

[np5enkidu]

so i finally read lb6

kinoko nasu, you've done it again. i loved it. i had so much fun, i almost wished it didn't have to end just yet. after olympus turned out a bit more disappointingly than i had expected, and after heiankyo had picked up the pace a little bit, i'm really happy that this chapter had such an impact for me.

and now it's over, for better or worse. but i had fun and i wanted to write down some thoughts.

spoilers for the whole chapter, but here's some general thoughts and scattered review;

visual novel properties;

really, really good. the backgrounds, ost and animation effects. the mors curse effect was eerie and i liked all of the animated scenes in the story. one thing that could've been improved on was that there could've been a few more npc fairy variants as some scenes had the same npc art with dialogue. same with the roman and french human soldiers. the ost callbacks (fuyuki ost for grímr appearance, bb channel - dark mix - for murian torturing the boys) were fun.

the ost;

bangers. really great. i loved the second map theme a lot and the battle osts were great (wish i heard more of baobhan siths, rip queen). thematically appropriate, memorable, leaving lasting impression.

battle content;

mob battles were fine, they didn't feel unnecessary or too out of place, except the nightly tamamocat appearances.

forced supports were apparently a pretty disliked part about this chapter, and while i don't think of it as that big of an issue, i can see why people would think that.

there were some odd choices (for example, da vinci+artoria as forced support against baobhan sith when every character was present) and i think most mob battles could've been without those supports. as someone who always tries to max out bond, it was a bit frustrating, but also allowed me to play more 5-stars with the cost being lower. though i think super kyrielight mash should give the 20% bond bonus if she's forced support, no reason not to.

overall, the forced supports didn't hinder me much, and i like artoria presence in the battles as you see her growth through the story.

the difficulty was as expected, nothing too dissimilar from olympus. my least fave boss fight was morgans, it was just frustrating spam and didn't feel challenging the same way the others did. albion was probably one of my fave ones, i liked the mechanic.

story;

the fucking. fairies.

i mean, i loved the story and the setup. the slowly unveiling horror of britain, the fragmented narrative split between two perspectives, the side narrative of love.

the story really hammered in the pain of being a viewer and a bystander, how you can't change it no matter how much you'd want to. i really ended up liking morgan more than i would've assumed, and the nature of death was so cruel. because it felt preventable, unnecessary, like it was one misstep that caused these faeries to lose all faith.

and the fairies. what is there to say.

the most selfish, the most pure, the most obstinate, the most sinful, lacking in understanding, love, reading comprehension.

it'd be easy to hate them, but there's also faeries who tried to do the right thing, tried to atone and tried to change, so i find it challenging to dismiss all of them.

at first i thought morgan was just cold by nature, but she really didn't have a choice when it came to her subjects. they could've never understood her, and she did so much for them.

she was also fairy-like with her ways of trying to imitate the britain and camelot of proper human history, even when it was at odds with the fairy britain by nature.

there's a twisted satisfaction of seeing someone defy their fate and take matters into their own hands after the correct path causes so much grief. it doesn't have to be this way, is true but unfortunately it devolved into it can't be stay this way.

i also, of course, loved artoria caster. getting to know her and understand her. it's been said before, but seeing the cowardly, weak, anxious, hardworking, airheaded, selfless artoria push through. despite everything, the noise, the winter, the autumn, the knowledge of what's at the end. it's heartbreaking, it's delightful, it's everything.

she was ready to give up at any moment, she really didn't believe in herself, she was thinking about running away. compared phh artoria who shouldered all of the worries of her countrymen despite it leading to ruin, artoria caster feels so humanly relatable. unsure of anything, her own motivations, the legibility of the prophecy, she struggles on until she's ready to do what's expected of her. and artoria caster does it, despite how hard and painful it is, she's quick to cheer up after falling down.

and then she's gone. you can never really meet her, the one you travelled with, the one who was hanging onto one ridiculous hope. it's painful, yet joyful, she's free of suffering but we can never meet again.

and it's the kind of closure i think a lot of previous lostbelt acquaintances have been missing, the finality of it all. even if you summon the servant artoria caster, she's not coming back. and that's really wonderful. for her.

[bossyuri]

Ima put my random thoughts about SRV in here! It probably won't make much sense but wtv sdfsg

again I haven't placed the last building or conquered the whole map yet, as context, but i did finish the main story aside from that.

So ima start of with thoughts while disregarding how the bugs affected the experience!

Overall, I had a good time! I really enjoyed it. I love the new crew. I loved the focus on friendship. I'd say the story overall is nothing really special though, which I don't think is necesserily a bad thing. Sometimes a chill story packaged in a fun game is good ya know.

I loved finding out bits and pieces about our friends through dialogue, I think that was great, and I really liked that it felt like a solid friend group. Modern Yuri (as I like to colloqually call him lmao) is so much more mellow from having a good support system early on lol. But he's still got some Classic Yuri in him.

The rival gangs I think that thematically, visually, their music and stuff, they were great. I liked them a lot, they had good contrast, their music when you fight them rules. I do think that they were a little underused in the actual story though so they don't quite leave the impact that say, the Syndicate did. The threat they posed felt more theorical than anything you actually see. Again not the worst thing, but I feel like they could've used a bit more time to be more present. (I did like how the Panteros stuff ended because it tied in with other things later though!). Like I think in particular that the collective could have been used a lot more.

That said I did play with looong months-long break for the first quarter of the game so idk how that affected my impression. And the last few missions I think were really, really cool, I really liked them! But I felt like the middle parts after a certain point weren't quite as memorable.

But I don't think it was bad! And the game isn't quite over yet, so I'm looking forward to what's to come.

Also I did like how narratively the game tries to give you a nice fantasy release from a lot of real life issues. I'm sure many people at Volition had to face these frustrations in their lives and it felt like. relatable yknow.

Now though.....so I work in game QA, going on my 7th year, and the game released in....really an unnacceptable state, which was really a bummer and really harmed it. I don't blame the devs. Devs want to give us good games. But they don't control release dates.

and they did not control covid. I know a lot people see covid as an "excuse" to fuck up games but trust me as someone who was working in the industry through it all, it absolutely messed up a *lot* of stuff that you may never know about. My setup from home is still not ideal. And thats not even getting into employee burnout but anyway-

I've had crashes to desktop, blockers in missions (regularly), broken multiplayer (tho i havent had a chance to test it again after patches) needing full game restarts for a variety of reasons (clothes broken, face broken, world stopped populating, quest blocked...) the clothes system still breaks for me after so many months after release (thought its a lot better. i dont fear the stores as much anymore lol). I don't know if it's a quirk of the PC version, but it would have been so much more of a good experience if they had had the time to polish the game more before release. Lots of gamers don't have much patience for this kinda shit, and it's a shame for a game that has a lot of love put into it.

But they're still patching the game, and the QOL changes that they keep adding are really good. The game is a lot more stable for me too so I will definitely keep playing, and I'm hoping that my mental state will allow me to make some fun content from it. I'm still kinda hoping for a steam release sometime so I might get to replay the story again if that happens. Because taking screenshots on epic is a goddamn pain.

So huh anyway. I don't think anyone cares that much but if you've read that far thank you! And also thanks for sticking around with me for so long despite my dropping off the face of the earth in a depression spiral. But I'm still around and Yuri is still around. And Saints Row V is fun!

[catboygirling]

top 5 ace attorney cases (i feel like most people probably have similar lists but still)

I actually have no idea what the general consensus on best cases are! so maybe I'll have some scalding takes in here, who knows.

so, in no particular order:

Farewell, My Turnabout - I feel like I could easily put the final cases from all three trilogy games on this list, but that's boring. so let's just stick with my personal favorite of the three. poor Phoenix just doesn't catch a break with this one. Maya is KIDNAPPED and Franziska GETS SHOT and Miles ISN'T DEAD?? HUH?? Matt Engarde is an excellent villain, he sort of lands right in the sweet spot of "definitely 100% evil but is having So Much Fun." this man gets accused of murder by his own attorney and dramatically sweeps away his bangs and pulls out a glass of chocolate milk. (I don't know what it actually is. probably not chocolate milk but that's the first thing I saw it as.) and while Miles and Franziska don't actually interact much in the second game, I am Constantly thinking about that scene they have at the airport. excellent glimpse into their dynamic, excellent setup for their face-off in Bridge to the Turnabout.

The Stolen Turnabout - is this one one of my favorites because Ron DeLite is super lame and I enjoy that in male characters? maybe. Desirée learning he's an Actual Criminal and continuing to support him anyway is amazing. malewife/girlboss kind of dynamic. the case initially being about a theft and not a murder is a nice change of pace, and also enforces the fact that jesus christ, Phoenix and Maya can't do anything fun together without a murder being involved, even in the one case where they didn't even know anyone died.

The Grand Turnabout - gonna be honest, I'm putting this one here almost entirely because of the logic chess segment with Sebastian. and Sebastian in general. he's a soaking wet kitten I found in a cardboard box, I really like him. all the logic chess sequences are about balancing emotion and information-gathering, but this one really emphasizes it. (also, sorry Sebastian, I did pick that option to call you worthless right at the start and laughed hysterically about the instant game-over.) but there's good outside of that, too! the image of the prosecutor, defense attorney, AND the judge all trying to stall a case at the same time is a really funny mental image. and the mastermind twist was SO GOOD. did not see it coming at all, and taking down Keyes was super satisfying. oh, and the bit where you logic chess Sebastian spawned the phrase "I'm gonna milk this kitten" among my friends, which we use as shorthand for "this guy is so lame and pathetic and sad, I/someone in the narrative should comfort them," so. that's pretty cool.

Turnabout Reminiscence - the Investigations games have REALLY good character interactions, and this one is one of my favorites for that. Franziska and Miles getting into silly arguments about vending machine swiss rolls is the greatest thing I've ever seen. also, special shoutout to that part where Miles has to deduce that noise from the TV could've been heard through the window and you have to like. first establish that scents can travel through the air. I'm so sorry sweetie but my logic button was leaps ahead of yours on that one.

Turnabout Reclaimed - okay, I'm fairly confident that this one is a Take. how many people have even played the dlc? this one immediately gets points for the insane premise of "Phoenix Wright defends an orca." it's so silly, but in a very Ace Attorney(tm) way. see also: Blackquill just taking the case to see how much of a disaster it'll be, Pearl cameo! and HERMAN CRAB. most underrated character in the series. he's such a good witness. he doesn't even lie about anything, which by ace attorney standards, is extremely rare! says his piece, you cross-examine him one time, and he just goes home. and he doesn't believe in romantic feelings, which. neither do I, dude. experiencing aro solidarity in the aa5 dlc case that no one talks about. only complaint is the rapping pirate. fuck that guy.

oh, and Turnabout Storyteller gets a shoutout. the case itself is fun (although very tension-killing, considering we're taking a break from Phoenix literally fighting for his life to watch Athena fight for a noodle stand), but I mostly want to mention that one part where Blackquill breaks his usual animations and Grabs you. that part made me scream laugh and I have a gif of it saved on my phone forever.

[stachehand]

My My Little Pony Episode Opinions (Part 1)

Ever since the beginning of this year, i've been rewatching My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, though have been extremely slow in getting to the seasons past the third. I mean, the year's almost over and I still have four more to watch. On Twitter, i've made a thread dedicated to opining about each episode I revisit, which is to include not only the main show, but also all of the Equestria Girls films and specials, the 2017 theatrical film, and the Christmas and Rainbow Roadtrip specials. Currently, I have done everything up to the end of Season 5. Also, I should note that i'm leaving out shorts and music videos for the sake of keeping things streamlined.

Anyway, here's my long list of thoughts i've constructed so far in the tweets, with the character limit Twitter allowed:

Season 1, Episode 1: Friendship is Magic, Part 1

The humble beginnings. It doesn't waste time in providing the foundations of our main characters, and is also an informative preview of what can be expected out of the show besides world-threatening conflicts. Ideal start point.

Season 1, Episode 2: Friendship is Magic, Part 2

Everyone contributes organically to the climax setup, and none of it feels rushed despite the time limit. I can also give Nightmare Moon props for her proactivity. Too bad about Spike being mostly sidelined at the end, though.

Season 1, Episode 3: The Ticket Master

Cute seasonal setup episode with fun visuals, though my favourite part is how one character has the end goal of financially supporting her folks in mind for attending, while the others have reasons more hedonistic or thirsty as F in nature.

Season 1, Episode 4: Applebuck Season

This episode speaks to me louder now than it did way back then. I have to question how much it was going to take for Applejack's friends (besides Twilight) to notice how out of it she clearly was by her actions, but it's a barrel of laughs.

Season 1, Episode 5: Griffon the Brush Off

Pinkie Pie in top form. New person got poisonous attitude? Use a party! Although, I wonder if her "she might give it back" comment about Gilda stealing that apple (and then eating it) was made because Gilda's a bird. Imagine THAT scene.

Season 1, Episode 6: Boast Busters

Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity's attempts to upstage Trixie feel like natural end results, though the episode SORELY overlooks Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy in the matter. Also, Spike gets repetitive. Trixie? Delightfully theatrical entrance!

Season 1, Episode 7: Dragonshy

As our first exposure to dragon mannerisms and power outside of little Spike, it's pretty intriguing. Even better, it took the first big steps in the right direction for Fluttershy's character. Sadly, Angel Bunny's would only get worse from here.

Season 1, Episode 8: Look Before You Sleep

Gotta have an episode to remind me what kind of cartoon i'm rewatching. Seriously though, it never gets too sickly sweet, thanks to the entertaining antagonism. But was staying at Twilight's house REALLY the only option for BOTH ponies?

Season 1, Episode 9: Bridle Gossip

The effects of the Poison Joke flower were the REAL stars of this episode. Also pre-Cutie Mark Crusaders Apple Bloom. I think most of us can agree it's odd how Twilight is skeptical for most of it, then changes her tune at surface-level stuff.

Season 1, Episode 10: Swarm of the Century

Parasprites are terrifying and gross creatures that shouldn't exist. Pretty darn convenient that the Andrea Libman-voiced pony who ISN'T the animal caretaker knows about these things and how to remove them. Proves her intellect well.

Season 1, Episode 11: Winter Wrap Up

The song is still lovely, and the resolution plays to one of Twilight's greatest strengths. Nice use of Chekhov's Gun. However, I can't help thinking the disaster could've been avoided if a moment was taken to remember "Oh yeah, telekinesis."

Season 1, Episode 12: Call of the Cutie

Someone needed to call out Twist for her betrayal. Where's the justice? That aside, this episode makes one thing perfectly clear about Apple Bloom: she ain't her sister, and this road of self-discovery begins by stepping out of her shadow.

Season 1, Episode 13: Fall Weather Friends

A case where Applejack and Rainbow Dash butt heads in the heat of competition, and fun stuff is done with it. I love how it has a dash of The Tortoise and the Hare at the end, just because they could do it. All they need is a rematch.

Season 1, Episode 14: Suited For Success

Art of the Dress is still a masterwork. Twilight and the others are lucky that Rarity didn't hold their "looking the gift horse in the mouth" (as the ending lesson put it) against them. Also, I guess Spike's a ghost here. Do NOT miss out!

Season 1, Episode 15: Feeling Pinkie Keen

I enjoy me a round of cartoon slapstick, and this episode doesn't disappoint there, though I feel the Pinkie Sense could've been handled a bit differently in hindsight. Like, imagine it's a condition Pinkie has that's cured by "doozies"?

Season 1, Episode 16: Sonic Rainboom

It demonstrates one of the fantastical feats one of the heroines can pull off outside of cartoon logic. And Libman's acting chops. One thing i'll say is that you can probably get to the competition with about half the scenes leading up to it.

Season 1, Episode 17: Stare Master

I think Twilight's motivations could've been ANYTHING to get her in the petrified state, but the Cutie Mark Crusaders, like the children they are, are likable in their never-ending activity bouncing off Fluttershy. The Stare's quite an anomaly.

Season 1, Episode 18: The Show Stoppers

An unfortunate aftereffect of this episode is the running gag it'd attach to the Cutie Mark Crusaders for a good while to come. Within the episode itself, the talent show kind of comes off as an element as random as the montage escapades.

Season 1, Episode 19: A Dog and Pony Show

Seriously, what MLP fan doesn't love Rarity getting under the Diamond Dogs' skin with her squeaky whining? One part I find a bit nonsense was Twilight going "But only Rarity finds gems.", and one second later: "Wait, Rarity taught me."

Season 1, Episode 20: Green Isn't Your Color

FUN FACT: this was the first FiM episode I properly watched, so I have a bias in calling it one of my absolute favourites. Fluttershy's situation is why I never want to have celebrity status, but I also identify with Rarity's plight.

Season 1, Episode 21: Over a Barrel

Now Applejack and Rainbow Dash deny others their chance to speak for themselves in a potential compromise, and they aren't called out for it as much as they SHOULD be. Worse: one of the earliest examples of Pinkie being outright brain-dead.

Season 1, Episode 22: A Bird in the Hoof

For a molting bird, Philomena was quite a crafty little stinker, wasn't she? Sure produced some good laughs in the climax. I appreciate the ending revelation making sense of Celestia leaving her sickly pet behind, the conflict's catalyst.

Season 1, Episode 23: The Cutie Mark Chronicles

A wholesome anthology-type episode where everything meets up neatly in the middle. The circumstances are very conveniently coincidental, yet they still defy the whole common "it was your destiny" trope in a strange sort of way.

Season 1, Episode 24: Owl's Well That Ends Well

The beginning's on the nose, and you'd swear that Owlowiscious WAS threatening Spike's position with his 24-hour presence. It gets pretty ridiculous thanks to a lack of desperately-needed communication. Also, this image here, man!

Season 1, Episode 25: Party of One

The story mixes brilliantly deceptive foreshadowing in the prologue, a believable insecurity in Pinkie, a hilarious demonstration of vocal range from Libman, and a great moral on knowing your best friends like the back of your hand. Perfection!

Season 1, Episode 26: The Best Night Ever

Strong start, then it swerves into nonsense country. First season finale: main protagonist is barely in the plot. Fluttershy gave us a funny freakout, make no mistake, but at what cost? Finally, the ending is depressing in numerous ways.

Season 2, Episode 1: The Return of Harmony, Part 1

A magnificent introduction to Discord. What made his plan to corrupt the heroes brilliant is that he did it while their friendship was still young, and they organically behave like how they characteristically would on bad days.

Season 2, Episode 2: The Return of Harmony, Part 2

Spike got to be a plot convenience. Now, one thing I think could've been tweaked in this episode is the memory spell deal. Twilight's friends may have easily had their true selves restored by their unity in the last few minutes.

Season 2, Episode 3: Lesson Zero

Still a hilarious episode, and the funniest Twilight's freak-outs ever got. But besides it's humour, the show wouldn't have moved forward as much without it. Also, those ponies are totally jealous of Spike's purple unicorn friendship seniority.

Season 2, Episode 4: Luna Eclipsed

One has to wonder how much of a break Luna was taking since her previous appearance to have this out-of-touch position here. No matter, though. This episode is interesting for how it shows Twilight, a student, becoming the master for a night.

Season 2, Episode 5: Sisterhooves Social

It's not only cute, but important. First, it goes to show that cutting someone out of your life doesn't simply begin with a declaration. Second, it's essentially every good sibling's childhood fabrication of a good guy & bad guy scenario.

Season 2, Episode 6: The Cutie Pox

Here's a good message: there's no reward in taking the easy way out, because the easy way out doesn't really exist (or at least doesn't have to). Although, if the titular disease is that widely known, shouldn't the signs have been seen sooner?

Season 2, Episode 7: May the Best Pet Win!

I do not get why Fluttershy doesn't object more to Rainbow's snubbing of Tank. He's a good boy, that tortoise. With how present he was, it would've been a plot twist to NOT have him get the win. Pretty strange episode here, I must say.

Season 2, Episode 8: The Mysterious Mare Do Well

My god, the staggering lack of self-awareness of one simple fact they demonstrate: EVERYONE'S got an ego, just in differing sizes. I think they wanted too much for Rainbow Dash to be seen in the wrong by the lengths of her idiocy.

Season 2, Episode 9: Sweet and Elite

I need to pay my respects to this episode for playing with the old "liar is a liar who's revealed as a liar in the end" type of story a little. We got a genuinely charming minor character out of it. Pure wholesomeness permeates the runtime.

Season 2, Episode 10: Secret of My Excess

Growing pains ahoy! Spike got a well-told lesson about giving from the heart over taking because of temptation, but since his species is mysterious at this point, bit of a time waster to consult the local PONY healthcare first, Twilight.

Season 2, Episode 11: Hearth's Warming Eve

Always a good watch around Christmas. It's history lesson on the show's main setting is easily digestible, yet a bit complex, and the in-universe casting is perfect. I think all that's missing is an appearance from Twilight's parents.

Season 2, Episode 12: Family Appreciation Day

So, the entire town of Ponyville, not just that one big apple orchard, owes it's existence to magic fruit? That's oddly specific. Also odd how a more direct rescheduling method stares at everyone right in the face, and no one saw it.

Season 2, Episode 13: Baby Cakes

Isn't it weird how Pinkie seems to have realizations of how in over her head she is, yet basically proceeds with her old strategy anyway, and just never uses what she learns as she goes along for the sake of the obvious end episode moral? Crazy.

Season 2, Episode 14: The Last Roundup

Applejack had a pretty realistic reaction to her failure, and what's more, her skill in loophole exploitation is a devious dimension to her honesty streak. Cartoon antics aside, it's mature writing. Also, something something Derpy's voice.

Season 2, Episode 15: The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000

The fact nobody in town got to know what the Flim Flam Brothers' cider tasted like BEFORE the quality control cancellation lessens their threat a bit. Nonetheless, the ending deconstructed the lesson formula hilariously.

Season 2, Episode 16: Read It and Weep

If you ever need an episode of this show that's a confidence booster when you don't know how to come out about something you've grown smitten with, this is the one. Or just watch Rainbow be likeable while trying to maintain her street cred.

Season 2, Episode 17: Hearts and Hooves Day

Besides how the conflict came about from someone neglecting to mention an important detail to the CMC, and maybe too much of the sugary lover names, this is a funny step outside the Cutie Mark obsession comfort zone. A cute song, too.

Season 2, Episode 18: A Friend in Deed

The Smile Song is still the ultimate feel-good song. The story that follows it has a heartwarming Chekhov's Gun payoff, but the lesson Pinkie should've learned was the importance of minding her personality around someone new and unfamiliar.

Season 2, Episode 19: Putting Your Hoof Down

By the end, i'm left puzzled as to why they'd overlook the detail where assertiveness turned into needless aggression. It should have some slightly bigger repercussions than what happens, as hilarious as Fluttershy's loud rampage is.

Season 2, Episode 20: It's About Time

This is an episode of it's time. The audacity to poke fun at all the bogus doomsday predictions that used to run rampant, and put Twilight in the position of an overanxious believer. So much she forgot that she lived in the royal city once.

Season 2, Episode 21: Dragon Quest

If this episode just had a few elements added on to it, like some female dragon characters, and interactions with the seasoned adults, it'd come off less like a "cute and girly good, rad and boyish bad" story mixed in with the intended message.

Season 2, Episode 22: Hurricane Fluttershy

You can tell the show's beard is growing here. They tactfully handled the childhood bullying trauma and fit it seamlessly into a lesson about even the tiniest things having difference-making potential. Fluttershy really defined courage.

Season 2, Episode 23: Ponyville Confidential

What's admirable about this story is that regardless of anything that compels the CMC to go through with their hurtful journalism, they are still accountable for their actions and need to earn forgiveness. And voice-of-reason Rarity.

Season 2, Episode 24: MMMystery on the Friendship Express

This was specifically written and drawn to give us dessert cravings, I swear. Besides the fun film homages, if they wanted the mystery factor, it was hurt by both the nighttime silhouettes having the distinct pony shape.

Season 2, Episode 25: A Canterlot Wedding, Part 1

There were quite a handful of questions that Twilight could've easily brought up if she were to have any chance of helping her case about "Cadance". Shining Armor needed better explaining, too. But dang, does it strike the heart.

Season 2, Episode 26: A Canterlot Wedding, Part 2

The second half of this two-parter went hard. The song, This Day Aria, went hard. The villain, Chrysalis, went hard. The action went hard. Lastly, it opened the gateway for villain returns and other family stories. What a finish.

Season 3, Episode 1: The Crystal Empire, Part 1

It gets off to a slow start, not helped by a song number, but they nicely pulled off the long-lost kingdom angle with traumatized amnesia victims clashing against the eye candy environment. Nobody feels out-of-character, either.

Season 3, Episode 2: The Crystal Empire, Part 2

King Sombra, for his limited screen time, is a believable threat, like a smart cross between a posthumous antagonist and a cataclysmic force. That aside, parts of this episode play out like novel narration, and it's kind of funny.

Season 3, Episode 3: Too Many Pinkie Pies

Goes to show there's only room for one of any iconic character. They earned points for making not an episode with Flanderization, but an episode that fires a shot at Flanderization. Then points are lost for an overly-elaborate solution.

Season 3, Episode 4: One Bad Apple

Someone I know put it best about the CMC's revenge stunt, long ago: "That's not bullying, that's retribution." The song's serviceable, but what's bothersome in this story is the surprising lack of adult presence, and some bits of underreacting.

Season 3, Episode 5: Magic Duel

There was more smoke & mirrors magicianry than in Trixie's debut, oddly. It's an overall good time with a spectacular antagonist comeback, except for that uncharacteristic display of cowardice from Fluttershy when her friend's life depends on her.

Season 3, Episode 6: Sleepless in Ponyville

Hey, it's an animated look into a child's patterns and emotional weakness, topped with an unofficial adoption on the spot. This is why Scootaloo is my favourite CMC. One note: I never saw Sweetie Belle's sour note as a continuity fail.

Season 3, Episode 7: Wonderbolts Academy

The academy scenes are great, Lightning Dust is a fun foil to Rainbow, but the stuff with Pinkie and co. needed to be shortened, as the ending's a little rushed. Twilight or Applejack could've quickly come up with the care package idea.

Season 3, Episode 8: Apple Family Reunion

I doubt it was at all intentional, but the way I see it, there's a bit of dark comedy to the overtones of Applejack's reunion arrangements, and that's got me feeling uneasy. Worse, not enough Babs Seed time to warrant her reappearance.

Season 3, Episode 9: Spike at Your Service

Many fans hate this episode, but I can't. It's so bad, it's great. Although, it'd be funnier if the Dragon Code was just a shopping list, and nobody realized it. Speaking of what-ifs, surprised Rarity didn't have a big fit of jealousy.

Season 3, Episode 10: Keep Calm and Flutter On

I always found the pacing in this episode fine for such a big shake-up to a character. It worked because Discord had a believable layer added to his chaotic nature, but also, in the end, everyone knows his redemption has just begun.

Season 3, Episode 11: Just for Sidekicks

If Spike was reminded that he could always go digging for more gems, and Angel Bunny wasn't portrayed as unaccountable, despite his clear sentience, I wouldn't scratch my head at this. At least Zecora remembers the threat greed poses.

Season 3, Episode 12: Games Ponies Play

It's too convenient that nothing about inspecting the games or the name "Ms. Harshwhinny" manages to leave anyone's mouth around the excitable visitor they mistake for the inspector, until near the end. Said visitor's likeable, good thing.

Season 3, Episode 13: Magical Mystery Cure

Sure, it feels like there's a missing episode to this plot, but the song numbers are beautiful and Twilight is properly rewarded for her initiative and knowledge. If you can call this an amnesia episode, it actually gets amnesia right.

Film 1: My Little Pony: Equestria Girls

If it isn't dragging it's feet because of obligatory world-building or Twilight forgetting obvious concepts, it's got me questioning some of the characters' awareness. Bop of a song, cute interactions, messy story. Less ideal start point.

Season 4, Episode 1: Princess Twilight Sparkle, Part 1

The episode draws you into the mystery it's setting up, and pulls cunning misdirection. But, something I thought about now: why don't they use Spike's letter-sending fire to try getting a lock on where the Royal Sisters are?

Season 4, Episode 2: Princess Twilight Sparkle, Part 2

Cons: undercooked Nightmare Moon background, and Twilight's friends deciding to send her home too easily. Pros: Discord being a fun stinker in mentor tactics, and the lesson of a friendship lasting beyond where it started.

Season 4, Episode 3: Castle Mane-ia

A serviceable episode that provides a logical follow-up to the retired formula of the past seasons, but otherwise it doesn't do anything of interest with this historical setting but the golden age horror homages as obligatory as the title pun.

Season 4, Episode 4: Daring Don't

The twist in this episode makes sense with the compact in-universe lore of the character in question, and what it comes with is a subversive, but still relatable take on the "never meet your heroes" cliché. Just one thing: remember it for later.

Season 4, Episode 5: Flight to the Finish

This undoubtedly went some personal. psychological places for kids, because for all the right reasons, this is pretty sad to watch, comical bits aside. Nothing to complain about, other than the status quo blatantly butting in at the end.

Season 4, Episode 6: Power Ponies

You gotta laugh at Fluttershy having a rage fit, but if you're gonna paint your story like Spike's friends aren't taking his comic knowledge or instructions very seriously, make more use of that leeway you have with an enchanted book's powers.

Season 4, Episode 7: Bats!

The very real dangers of peer pressure and the very real problem of pest infestations and how to control them, all in one episode. Dang, what a juggling act. That impresses me. Though, you'd expect a balance in the characters seeing sides at the start.

Season 4, Episode 8: Rarity Takes Manehattan

A smart piece of commentary on switching environments and giving out trust. It's easy to understand Rarity almost sacrificing her ethics and devolving into one of the dog-eat-dog city folk, after simple goodness came back to bite her.

Season 4, Episode 9: Pinkie Apple Pie

It exemplifies the best of a family dynamic. When they drive each other up the wall, but nobody gets hurt in any fashion and they resolve the tension on their own, they're functional. Additionally, Pinkie was funny and smart this go-around.

Season 4, Episode 10: Rainbow Falls

Fundamentally awkward story for Rainbow Dash's "key". It shouldn't be that exciting for her to fly with the Wonderbolts. She already does! Yet despite the repeated continuity nod, that detail is conveniently ignored. Plus: that's not Spitfire!

Season 4, Episode 11: Three's A Crowd

If they didn't spend so much time saying Discord had a (fake) problem, Twilight and Cadance's bonding could've been more interesting. Why WOULDN'T Cadance want a fully peaceful day with Twilight after the craziness in the past two seasons?!

Season 4, Episode 12: Pinkie Pride

What an episode to air on my 20th birthday! Cheese Sandwich steals the show, and we see a case of a prideful person who doesn't aim to upstage anybody. The live-action shots are gags straight out of SpongeBob, and I love them for that. Perfect!

Season 4, Episode 13: Simple Ways

Goofy, but meaningful. Goes to show that when you think you can change yourself to someone else, you need an accident for your true character to re-emerge. A love triangle was a useful plot device, even. You wouldn't expect that normally. LOL

Season 4, Episode 14: Filli Vanilli

Plot convenient continuity nodding and a realistic take on facing your fears for the win! As for Pinkie's bit, I can say it was fine for one time, but when it's repeated, especially in succession, it's just writing her as a brain-dead babbler.

Season 4, Episode 15: Twilight Time

And there's our special lesson on how association can possibly be a curse, even if, for a short time, it looks like a blessing. It just could've been heavier on the show over the tell. On another note: how about some justice for Randolph, huh?

Season 4, Episode 16: It Ain't Easy Being Breezies

I find it fascinating to see how an act of goodwill can still come from someone betraying their biggest moral trait. That's a strong message. That said, the ending solution feels comically convenient, and the problem puzzling.

Season 4, Episode 17: Somepony to Watch Over Me

Oh, you poor idiot plot. Applejack can't be bothered to remember outside helpers until the worst moment, and I don't get why they bothered characterizing the chimera. That song cancellation gag and action scene were good, though.

Season 4, Episode 18: Maud Pie

I love Maud. Absolutely adorable in her monotone, and a positive example of how emotions and opinions can come from different reactions than the expected. A few nitpicks in character and scenario writing, but otherwise a lovely, must-see episode.

Season 4, Episode 19: For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils

Once again, Rarity and Sweetie Belle carry an important story. It's a familiar feeling, seeing the older sibling as a villain, leading to a touching revelation by the perspective shift. An anti-revenge note also don't hurt.

Season 4, Episode 20: Leap of Faith

A balanced take on the matter of well-meant lies versus difficult truths, because while everyone obviously needed to hear the latter, the former brought vital details of body and spirit to light which might've been forgotten about otherwise.

Season 4, Episode 21: Testing Testing 1, 2, 3

I'm all for them passing down THIS kind of knowledge. The idea of how one can achieve it without consciously trying to exercise their intelligence. Not so much for most things that pay off starting as spells of incompetence. Oh well.

Season 4, Episode 22: Trade Ya!

It goes pretty swimmingly for a bit. I'd say the setting had some amusing escalation. But then one subplot seems to skip a beat, and the ending conflict feels too last-minute and easily avoidable to get invested in. Now, who wants chicken dippers?

Season 4, Episode 23: Inspiration Manifestation

The moral of Spike's journey: if you are friends with someone, even love them, and you're willing to call them out for their mistakes (which they recognize), that's a testament of a true bond. The lesson's progression was on point.

Season 4, Episode 24: Equestria Games

Did we necessarily need an Olympics backdrop and episodes building up to the event to tell THIS story? It's simply a (fine) lesson on expectation and celebrity mortality. Also, that dumb, long gag should've had a comedic (and quick) cutaway.

Season 4, Episode 25: Twilight's Kingdom, Part 1

It gets so much right as a first part. It presents the reality of pep talks being great, but not always certain to heal an insecurity immediately, creatively utilizes Chekhov's Gun, and establishes Tirek as a cool force of nature.

Season 4, Episode 26: Twilight's Kingdom, Part 2

The fight had no reason to go that anime, and I love it! Icing on a cake layered by a show-stealing villain, two congruent arc conclusions, thrilling stakes, and how it ends with an unapologetic, radical restructuring! Fecking! A!

Film 2: Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks

What can I say besides that Sunset had a realistic and rewarding redemption, I laughed, they cohesively built drama off a wound from the original's conflict, the villain songs are the sickest beats in this franchise, and more?! It's… ART!

Season 5, Episode 1: The Cutie Map, Part 1

You wouldn't think MLP would use it's cute image to thinly disguise a light psycho-thriller. Pinkie's uncharacteristic behaviour actually works to a pretty humorous benefit. Though I scratch my head at the town's self-sustainment means.

Season 5, Episode 2: The Cutie Map, Part 2

The heroes pulled some airtight manipulation and deception, and Starlight Glimmer's self-interest reveal is an effective spot to leave her in for what's to come. Her secret is revealed by an odd convenience, but nothing story-breaking.

Season 5, Episode 3: Castle Sweet Castle

Massively poignant episode that respectfully handles the pains of leaving home forever and adapting to a new place of residence, paired with a heartfelt tribute to the show's continuity and previous status quo. Ingenious resolution there.

Season 5, Episode 4: Bloom & Gloom

The first nightmare sequence captures the eerie similarity to reality real dreams have to a T. Babs Seed being mentioned, but absent is strongly felt, though. Like, "should've probably had physical presence" (in dreamland) felt. That's just me.

Season 5, Episode 5: Tanks for the Memories

While I respect this children's cartoon's creative take on the 5 Stages of Grief, they egregiously overplay how much of a change Tank's hibernation really is. "This isn't good-bye. It's just good-bye 'til next time." - remember that?

Season 5, Episode 6: Appleoosa's Most Wanted

Everyone's pointed out how the writer forgot what makes a Cutie Mark manifest, but I found it rather annoying that the CMC weren't quick to stand up for the poor alleged criminal. Also, i'm lost on the comedy of his self-harm. Yipes.

Season 5, Episode 7: Make New Friends but Keep Discord

Following from Discord's redemption arc, it highlights just how little he's been offered a hand in friendship to react how he does. Spoiled, close-minded, and still a fun scene stealer. But, Smooze is gross and superfluous.

Season 5, Episode 8: The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone

Quite a bold twist to take former friends who couldn't possibly ever restore the goodwill between each other, but manage to because of a little hidden nostalgia for happiness they never stopped valuing. Gold among the junk.

Season 5, Episode 9: Slice of Life

It's an insane train ride of fan service, not much motivation behind it but that, but dang does it demonstrate the setting's inherent goofiness and cement it as a lived-in place. Part of me thinks the Mane 6 characters should've been excluded.

Season 5, Episode 10: Princess Spike

Spike really doesn't just come off as a kid enjoying getting cool stuff in this, but uncomfortably tyrannical. Adding on, Twilight being treated as the center of the kingdom, the one with all the answers, is ludicrously sudden and incredible.

Season 5, Episode 11: Party Pooped

I see the aim of the moral, how the journey can mean more than the destination, but I think another message is to be taken away from this episode. That is insanity. Constant, predictable actions leading to predictable, and repetitious, results.

Season 5, Episode 12: Amending Fences

They did a great job resolving the loose end of Twilight's forgotten friends, and stating that the mistake of one shouldn't make others tied to that person accomplices in hurting somebody. If Twilight just wasn't so forward, it'd be perfect.

Season 5, Episode 13: Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?

Besides how creepy it is that Luna's been secretly doing this self-punishment thing ever since she reformed, the reveal behind the Tantabus's origin is handled in such a blasé manner. Points for creative action, though.

Season 5, Episode 14: Canterlot Boutique

The rejected altered dress deserved a happy ending, damn it! I thought that Sassy Saddles was such a self-centered, callous person, her turn at the end was too little, too late. They even confused workplace depression with pride. So dumb.

Season 5, Episode 15: Rarity Investigates!

This is definitely something you watch more for the fun film noir homages than the actual mystery, but it does have value in teaching the importance of heeding details. Very smart use of Rarity's character, and her dynamic with Rainbow.

Season 5, Episode 16: Made in Manehattan

It's hilarious that the problem they needed to mend literally stumbles into them from the sky. Prime plot convenience. But hey, I can respect when they pay respects to the simpler ways to help people. Also Coco Pommel, that cinnamon bun.

Season 5, Episode 17: Brotherhooves Social

The ending makes for a genuine and heartwarming sibling moment. I know that sense of inferiority born from a relation to someone with great achievements. But why put minutes of generic, awkwardness-peppered comedy in front of it, guys?

Season 5, Episode 18: Crusaders of the Lost Mark

They pulled off the most original way they could've closed out the CMC's longest-running plotline. I don't find that Diamond Tiara's abrupt shift in sympathy eliciting hurts that story too much. The songs won me over on it easily.

Season 5, Episode 19: The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows

Boy, was this a heavy allegory for spoilers, and what joys in the world are worth not having spoiled for you. Surprisingly, a scene lasting seconds effectively humanized Shining Armor more than his wife. Hobbies give you life.

Season 5, Episode 20: Hearthbreakers

A good moral on how the important thing about someone's yearly traditions is that they're happy with them, and what does the same for you should harmonize with them. What thwarts it a bit is Applejack's uncharacteristic disregard for consent.

Season 5, Episode 21: Scare Master

Now that's a twist, to say that if you don't want any part in an activity, even if it reveals talent you didn't know you had, you're under no obligation to regularly invest your time in it, even for friends. Also, relevant episode is relevant.

Season 5, Episode 22: What About Discord?

Did this episode WANT things to be left up to viewer interpretation? Whatever the case, it sure paints the ponies (not named Twilight) as oblivious to the comedic Rule of Three, and somehow, Twilight is insane AND sympathetic. Awkward.

Season 5, Episode 23: The Hooffields and McColts

It feels weird to have an environmentalism story sneak up on you when the focus has been so hard on a petty conflict over minor annoyances, but I can roll with it here. What's more odd is a big cake is baked without Pinkie Pie.

Season 5, Episode 24: The Mane Attraction

Rara made me want to joyfully cry, and I would give her all my love and protection! Seamless transition from an extravagant concert parody to a number straight from the heart. Top-tier, without question! BTW, send Svengallop to Tartarus.

Season 5, Episode 25: The Cutie Re-Mark, Part 1

And Starlight's revealed self-interest is brought to the forefront, bringing a finely executed strategy. Aside from that, the exposition gets annoyingly on the nose and long-winded. Could've spared some details. This image, though.

Season 5, Episode 26: The Cutie Re-Mark, Part 2

No point to exploring more than one alternate future when there are no obstacles. It's padding, exacerbated by Twilight being so slow and her telekinesis neglect. And why did young Starlight just stand there all glum? The nonsense!

Film 3: Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

Human Twilight differed from the pony version enough to justify her story. The Shadowbolts are fine rivals, though a few seem to come from a little underuse of the pre-existing character roster, and they get shafted hard at the very end.

[misseffect]

ok the me/f1 concept is. so good. have 2 ask do you have any thoughts on characters not central to the fic? where do the rest of the normandy gang fit im obsessed

anon!!!!!! i love you for this!!!! thank you for asking 💕💕💕 i have Many Thoughts. here is a summary (in tiny text because I can't do read-mores on mobile)

Wrex - could've been World Champ material if he hadn't gotten too big for single-seater cars by the time he was 14. He's in some kind of leadership role at Aralakh (the krogan team). Maybe chief strategist.

Tali - engineer at Normandy; fresh out of uni and quickly makes Adams' second in command. Becomes irate if asked how old she is and regularly threatens to commit acts of violence against Garrus with a wheel gun.

Liara - racing with Sovereign as of Delta canon (because of the Benezia / Saren link) but idk what I'm going to do with her after that.

Kaidan - racing with Alliance, the Normandy B Team (I'm imagining a Red Bull / AlphaTauri setup). He and Shepard dated for a while when they were in Formula 4 together and he maybe subs into Normandy for a bit during Year Five for plot reasons.

Vega - Anderson's PT and later Garrus's when he joins Normandy. I've written him and Ash as An Item before but honestly I like ace!Vega for this fic.

Thane - retired driver. He and Shepard dated for 6mo or so during her first year on the F1 grid, until she got cold feet about being a step-parent to an 18yr old lmao

Zaeed - retired driver. Got his face busted in a crash with Vido in the 80s and now uses his celeb status to blag entry into fancy F1 parties with open bars. He's got uuuuuhhhh a bit of a role to play at the end of Year One 😏😏

Grunt - driver for Aralakh. Behaves exactly how you'd expect Grunt to behave if given a 200mph chunk of carbon fibre. The rest of the grid give him a VERY wide berth off the start line.

Jack - undecided but I'd really like to find a way for her to steal a car from Cerberus. Maybe she's a disillusioned, mistreated drop-out from their young driver program.

Miranda - Cerberus driver. As per canon, she's with them mostly because they're about the only pie her father can't get his fingers into. Also looks phenomenal in a race suit, obviously.

Jacob - Cerberus driver no.2. No real plans for him beyond the fact of his existence.

Kasumi - Normandy's "requisitions" person. Need a hire car? Need an outfit for a black tie gala? Need dubiously-obtained rumours about a rival team's wind tunnel data? Kasumi's your gal.

Mordin - I feel like he'd be fun as a commentator but idk if he'd get much use that way

Cortez - Normandy's other race engineer (Anderson's and then subsequently Garrus's). Shepard keeps Joker throughout because no one else can put up with either of them for long enough

Kelly - Normandy's PR / media person. Shepard spends a lot of time trying to give her the slip.

Traynor - Normandy's chief strategist. A new hire during Year One or Two.

Chakwas - Normandy's team doctor, obviously.

Legion, EDI, Samara and Javik - no plans currently, but something might come up as I go.

I think that's everyone???

EDIT: this fic is real btw and you can read it

next installment coming soon(ish)

[hookedonapirate]

A Date for the Holidays (and everyday too would be nice)

Summary: Tired of the constant backlash from her family about being single, Emma finds herself striking an arrangement with a roguishly handsome stranger at the mall the day after Christmas. Now she won’t have to be alone for the holidays. Emma and Killian agree to be each other’s dates, no strings attached, no commitment, no pressure. Just two friends getting together to appease her annoying family and get his brother off his back. It’s the perfect setup really...until sticking to the holidays isn’t enough. What happens when they both want more?

Holidate AU

A/N: So I watched the Holidate the other night and couldn’t stop thinking about how much fun it would be to turn this into a CS fic. So here we are. This probably won’t be too long, I’ll be getting back to my wips soon, just needed a break, but probably 4 or 5 chapters or so. Hope you enjoy! Thank you to the ladies on Discord for your encouragement and enabling ;-)

Thank you to the lovely @veryverynotgood for beta reading!

Catch up: Ch 1 // Ch 2 // Ch 3 // Ch 4 // Ch 5 // Ch 6 // Ch 7 // Ch 8 // Ch 9 // Ch 10 // Ch 11

Also available on: AO3 // FF.N

Chapter 7

Fourth of July

“See you guys in an hour!” Kristoff waves as he pulls out of the driveway, Anna in the passenger seat and their kids and Elsa's daughter strapped in the backseat.

“Drive safely!” Elsa calls out.

“You got it!”

“Love you, sweetheart!” Elsa waves to her daughter.

“Love you too, Mom!” Daisy waves back.

Her cousins call out, “Bye, Aunt Elsa!”

As the car disappears down the road, the ladies all throw their bags in the trunk of Emma's yellow bug. They could've taken Elsa's vehicle, but Emma insisted her trusty bug is reliable, even though it's old. Besides, Kristoff's parents' lake house is only an hour away.

Playing the part of the doting boyfriend they've made everyone believe, Killian comes up to Emma and wraps his arms around her, kissing her lips. "Bye, baby."

Emma blushes and grins at him as she winds her arms around the back of his neck. Ever since she knocked his socks off in the ladies' room on Mother's Day, their relationship has shifted a bit. And she can't deny that pretending to be Killian's girlfriend is fun. Almost too much fun, in fact.

Killian lowers his hands, giving her ass cheeks a firm squeeze as he dons a big grin. "Have I mentioned how much I love these shorts on you?" he whispers in her ear, obviously not complimenting her for show since no one else can hear him.

"Watch it, buddy. Hands off my sister!" Leo calls jokingly. He doesn't actually have a problem with them being together. In fact, he's happy for both of them. Which is saying something, considering he hated Neal.

"See you soon. Drive safe."

"You too."

Once they part, the ladies hop into the bug as the guys pile into Leo's truck, including Ruby's holidate for the day, Uncle Sam as she calls him.

"Alright, let's go," Elsa says, clapping her hands excitedly.

Emma turns her key in the ignition, and when it doesn't start right away, she tries again. "Don't panic, it always takes the old gal a few times to get moving."

But nothing happens.

"Dammit!" Emma hits the steering wheel in frustration.

Leo pulls up next to the bug, rolling down the passenger window and calling out to her through the open window of his truck. "Everything alright, sis?"

"Her car died," Elsa answers for her. “Can you take us to get mine?"

"Sure, hop in!"

Emma furrows her brows. "But there's no room."

"Relax, it's only a five-minute drive."

Emma’s still hesitant as all four ladies step out of the car and grab their bags, throwing them into the back of Leo's truck, which is already full of the boxes of fireworks he and Killian picked up.

As they make their way to the back seat, Emma's doing the math in her head. They can fit Audrey or Ruby up front between Leo and Sam, but that still leaves four people to sit in the backseat, which only fits three full-grown adults, so that means…

"Emma, you'll have to sit in Killian's lap. That okay with you?" Elsa asks, sliding in next to him.

Ruby climbs into the front seat next to her date because Audrey didn't like the idea of sitting next to a strange man who smells like marijuana. Leo made him store his weed in the glove compartment, but Emma can smell it from outside the truck.

“Hop on, love. I promise I don't bite,” he smirks, patting his lap invitingly.

Emma offers a small smile, gulping as she climbs into the truck and crams herself on his lap, moving around to find a comfortable position. She's not questioning the hospitality of his lap; she's worried about what's in between his lap. The beautiful cock hiding in his shorts—the cock she'd tasted in her mouth and sucked until she was rewarded with his salty, warm cum.

She tries not to think too much about their time in the restroom together, but when Killian stretches the seatbelt around them, strapping her to him and his beautiful cock, and wraps his arms around her stomach, her belly tightens with knots.

This will definitely be a long five minutes.

"Awe, you two are so cute," Elsa beams as she looks over at them. “Aunt Rubes, aren't they cute?"

Ruby cranes her neck to look at them, flashing a smirk. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Leo ignores the comments and takes off down the road.

When they reach Main Street, all of them scan up and down the road, groaning and grumbling. Traffic is basically at a standstill because everyone's either coming or going since it's the Fourth of July weekend, which is very unfortunate since Elsa's house is on the other side of Main Street.

"Hey, sis, you gonna be okay with sitting like that for the hour drive?

Emma glances around the truck, everyone looking at her expectantly. No one else seems to have a problem with it, but then again, none of them have to sit in someone's lap they're painfully drawn to.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Emma laughs it off with a wave and cranes her head to look at Killian. "You okay with that, babe?"

He pulls her into his chest, letting her know exactly how okay he is with her riding in his lap. "I think I'll be alright," he chuckles, finding the question humorous. Then he grabs the hem of her shorts and whispers in her ear, "I don't know, with you in these little shorts, I find it hard to keep my hands off you."

Heat surges through her core, and she has to clench her thighs together.

Fuck.

This is going to be the longest hour of her life.

"Okay, I'm taking the back roads then," Leo announces before doing a U-turn and heading in the other direction.

Emma's comfortable at first, but about twenty minutes later, her body starts feeling stiff, so she leans back a little and turns her head, seeing Killian with his eyes closed. Taking advantage of the situation, she makes her best attempt to stretch out her body, arching her back and sliding slightly down on Killian's lap.

A sharp intake of breath tickles her ear as she feels his hands wrap around her hips. Emma moves around, trying to find the best position when Leo goes over a bump that probably would've knocked Emma out of her seat, if not for the seatbelt.

Emma relaxes again, sinking into Killian's lap, but jerks when she feels something solid underneath her ass. “Did you leave your phone in your pocket?” she asks, lifting herself up a little bit and reaching underneath her, feeling for Killian's phone.

His grip on her hips tightens and he speaks in a hushed tone, his words low and husky. “No—Emma stop, that’s not—”

She chokes on air when she can feel the thick muscle between Killian's thighs that had been slightly prodding her. Heat pools in her belly as she snatches her hand away and tries to pretend everything's normal. If anyone in the truck noticed what happened, no one says a word or gives any indication.

She threads her hands together, placing them in her lap as she tries not to think about Killian's erection pressed to her ass and how much she wants to rock against him, but she wouldn't be able to explain that in front of her family.

Definitely not.

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Thankfully, everyone arrives at the lake house without a hitch and soon, the ladies are chatting on the deck, sipping on Mai Tais. Kristoff is cooking hamburgers on the grill and the other men guzzle down their beers and shoot the firecrackers across the lake. Emma nixes the alcohol and instead drinks a mocktail. She has a feeling she wouldn't be able to keep her hands off Killian by the end of the night with a little liquid courage in her system as she thinks about the drive here and how she had to sit in his lap. Their relationship is shifting, and she's afraid all the excitement from the fourth will cause her to throw caution to the wind. It's bad enough she gave him a blowjob in a public restroom on Mother's Day. She blames it on the mimosa, even though she only drank one.

Killian lights the fuse of an M-80, holding it in his hand. "Ready?"

"Yeah, throw it, man!" Leo encourages, clapping his hands.

Killian casts the firecracker out into the lake, creating an explosion on the water. The men cheer and laugh.

"Now that's how you blow shit up, mate!" Killian hollers like he's a pirate's captain, warding off a threatening ship.

"Yep!" Leo and Sam give him a high-five.

"God bless America!"

"Whooooooah!" Killian cheers, throwing a fist in the air.

Emma rolls her eyes as she watches the scene at the lake and walks across the deck, sinking down into a lounge chair. “What is it about men and explosives?”

“It’s all about the cock,” Aunt Ruby replies, shifting her gaze to her niece.

Audrey furrows her eyebrows as she munches on some chips and dip. “What do fireworks have to do with a man's…anatomy?”

“It’s like jacking off.” Ruby shrugs. “Men live for the orgasm.”

Emma, Anna and Elsa dissolve into laughter at their beloved aunt’s bluntness.

“If they’re not fucking, they’re dreaming about fucking...or blowing stuff up. Next best thing to fucking.”

“Wait…” Audrey scrunches up her nose. “So, they’re all down there right now, thinking about…”

Emma nods, finishing what her brother's fiancé seems to be too proper to say. “Fucking.”

Elsa giggles at Audrey’s wide-eyed expression.

Poor Audrey. Everyone seems to pick on her for being so innocent and stuffy. Her brother is quite the opposite; he's laid back and fun, just like their father. But opposites attract, she supposes.

Another boom disrupts the air, followed by more cheering that's soon drowned out by Killian's screams and a slew of obscenities that pour from his mouth. "Fuuuuuuuuck!"

🧨🧨🧨

Emma shoots up from her chair and darts over to the railing, her heart fluttering with panic as Leo sprints up the small hill and over to the deck, planting his hands on his hips as he catches his breath. “Hey, uh...do we have a first aid kit by any chance?”

Dread creeps into her stomach. “Maybe Band-Aids. Why?”

“Killian, uh…he, uh, just blew off his finger...just a little bit,” he adds casually as if it's no big deal.

“Oh my God!” Emma screeches in fear, running down the stairs as fast as her feet will take her, heart beating erratically.

Kristoff turns away from the grill, remaining cool and collected as if he's been in this situation hundreds of times. But he has three kids, so he's used to dealing with chaos and injuries. He raises his hands, which are donning festive oven mitts. “Alright, everybody, remain calm. Audrey, go get some ice and a baggie. Elsa, find something to make a tourniquet.” He turns toward the lake and calls out, “Do we have the finger?!”

🧨🧨🧨

Killian groans in pain as Emma secures a towel around his hand, and the rest of the adults dig through the sand with toy shovels, searching for his finger.

“Come on, a little hustle, everybody!” Kristoff claps his hands encouraging them to hurry. “We gotta find that finger.”

“Got it!” Leo exclaims, holding it up like a trophy. He runs over to where Audrey is holding out a Ziplock bag of ice and drops it inside.

Killian grimaces as he looks at the bag. “Are you sure that’s mine?”

“He’s in shock,” Kristoff states, because who else’s finger would it belong to? Moving to the other side of Killian, he helps Emma stand him up. “We need to get him to the hospital.”

“I’ll take him,” Leo offers, heading over to his friend.

“No!” Audrey pulls his fiancé back by the shirt. “You're drunk.”

“Kristoff's sober.” Anna points out. “You can drive him.”

Aunt Ruby raises her hand. “We’ll watch the kids!” she announces as her date cheers, dancing drunkenly.

"The kids can tread water, can't they?" Sam asks.

“Nope.” Kristoff shakes his head, letting Elsa take over so Killian doesn't fall over. “No way I’m leaving my kids with those two.”

Anna nods in agreement. “Good call.”

“I'll take him,” Emma announces. "I've only been drinking mocktails."

Leo tosses Emma his keys. "Take my truck."

Emma helps Killian to her brother's vehicle, and once she has him buckled in, she gets in the driver's side.

Leo approaches the passenger door, reaches through the open window and hands Killian the Ziplock bag with the finger in it. He pats him on the shoulder. “You’re gonna be okay, buddy.”

Killian's still slightly drunk, his face pale as he gapes at the bag in shock. “It’s my fuck you finger!” He turns to Leo, starting to panic. “I can’t lose my fuck you finger!”

“Sis,” Leo looks at Emma, “drive safe. His fuck you finger is in your hands.”

“Thanks, no pressure,” Emma remarks sarcastically, trying not to freak out. Killian's bleeding into the towel, his finger's in a bag and it's up to her to find the hospital out here and get him there safely.

Nope. No pressure at all.

She starts the car and carefully but quickly backs the car out of the driveway, holding a conversation with Killian to try and keep her own nerves at bay. “Does it hurt real bad?”

Stupid question.

Of course it does.

Killian shrugs. “Not really, it's kind of like a paper cut.”

Emma tilts her head at him in shock. “Really?”

“No, not really!”

Emma flinches at his volume. “Don’t yell at me!” she screams, on the verge of tears as she tries to keep her cool. “I’m already anxious!” But why is she so anxious? She's not the one who blew off her finger.

“Oh, you’re anxious?!” Killian holds up the bag. “My finger's in a Ziploc bag full of ice!”

“I know and it's really freaking me out. Can you put it in the glove box or something?” she pleads, the sight of his finger making her squeamish.

Killian sinks his head back against the headrest. “Oh, we wouldn’t want you to be freaked out, now would we?” He opens the glove box to put his finger inside, pausing as he spots the small baggie of weed that Sam left in there.

“There’s a lighter in my purse,” Emma tells him when she sees it, thinking it will calm him a bit.

He shakes his head. “I don’t do drugs.”

Emma snort-laughs. “Oh, so you’ll set off explosives while drunk, but you won’t smoke a little marijuana?”

Killian glares at her. “What happened to our no judgments rule?”

Emma raises her hands briefly. "I'm not judging. I'm just trying to lighten the mood here, okay?"

🧨🧨🧨

Emma and Killian dissolve into laughter as they sit on his hospital bed, waiting for the doctor. After inhaling a few puffs from the weed she threw in her purse before helping Killian into the emergency room, Emma's mind is foggy, and she doesn't even care about the smoke billowing up past the curtains around the room.

“Just relax,” Emma says, taking another drag. “I’ve got it all under control.” She places the joint between Killian’s lips, letting him take a turn. He eagerly accepts the joint, taking a slow drag from it. “You don’t have to lift a finger.”

They dissolve into another fit of laughter that's promptly disrupted by a nurse throwing the curtains open.

“Seriously?” she scolds, shaking her head in disappointment.

Emma jumps off the bed, moving to stand to the side as the nurse checks Killian’s vitals.

“I’m too tired to report you.”

Killian sighs in relief. "Thank you, mate."

Emma apologizes, putting the joint out on the plastic chair.

Pointing at the nurse, Killian tilts his head. “I know you from somewhere.”

The nurse shakes her head, not knowing where he would have seen her before.

“Aye, I just can’t…” he looks at Emma and can't help but chuckle at his own joke, “I just can't put my finger on it.”

The nurse rolls her eyes as Emma bursts out laughing again, nearly falling onto the floor. “The doctor will be with you shortly. He’s reattaching a toe.”

“A toe?” Killian reverts his gaze to her. “Wait, a finger must take priority over a toe, right?”

“Sorry.” The nurse says in an unapologetic tone. “If only you’d been a jackass a little earlier in the day.” She flips his chart shut before leaving the room.

Emma's mouth opens in shock. “Wow…” She points at Killian. “You’ve really got her…" she giggles between words, "wrapped...around...your...finger!” She falls onto the bed and places her hand on his shoulder as they laugh once more, this time being interrupted by the doctor.

"Okay," he says, his voice sounding weary as he scans Killian's chart. He's wearing dark blue scrubs and looks awfully familiar. Or is she imagining things?

No, Emma may be a little high, but she's not that stoned.

“Graham?”

The doctor looks up, his eyes clouding over with concern. “Emma? Are you hurt?” He sets the chart on the bed and rushes over to Emma, checking her over.

“I’m fine,” Emma assures as she stands up from the bed, surprised to see him here. “I didn’t know you worked all the way out here.”

“I normally don’t,” Graham explains. “They called me in to reattach a pinky toe.”

Emma giggles, staring at Graham as if he’d hung the moon and the stars. “That’s so amazing.”

Graham shrugs. “It’s a crucial phalange.”

She bursts into laughter again, causing the doctor to chuckle along with her as she playfully shoves his chest. “You’re doing such great work.”

“I’m just doing my part.” Graham smiles, taking her hand in his. “I was a little disappointed I didn’t hear back from you.”

Killian clears his throat. “And I’m disappointed I don’t get to see my favorite bunny suit.”

Graham turns to look at him, releasing Emma's hand as though he's just been caught doing something he's not supposed to, and wags a finger at his patient. “Ah, yes, Killian. From Easter.” He walks over to inspect the bandaged hand. “Sparkler got away from you, did it?”

“It was an M-80, actually.”

Graham lifts the injured hand enough to inspect the severed area, Killian hissing at the pain while Emma avoids looking over at it. “Skin’s a little crispy, but it looks like the bone didn’t shatter,” he confirms after checking the x-ray.

"Thank gods." Killian sighs in relief.

“Hang tight. We’ll get you prepped for surgery.”

“You can fix it?” Emma asks him before looking at Killian. “He can fix it!”

“We’ll see.” Graham chuckles and raises his hand, crossing his index and middle finger. “Fingers crossed.” When Emma and Killian stare at him blankly, Graham lowers his hand. “Tough crowd.”

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Emma helps a drowsy Killian into his apartment and keeps him steady as he kicks off his sandals. “I’ve got your prescriptions right here.” She holds up the white paper sack with the pain medication Graham prescribed him and sets it on the coffee table. She places her hand on the arm wrapped around her shoulders as she looks around his apartment, noticing how absolutely spotless and clean it is. It looks like something out of a home magazine. “Granny's Diner will be delivering your soup."

"Mm mmm," he hums in approval.

"And…” she eases Killian onto the couch, “I called your brother.”

“Really?”

Emma lifts his legs onto the couch and grabs a blanket, covering him with it.

“What did he say?”

“He didn’t answer, so I just left a message. I told him you had a little accident and that he should probably give you a call.”

“Thanks,” Killian says gratefully as Emma tucks the blanket around him. “I’m really sorry I ruined your Fourth of July.”

She shakes her head and sits on the coffee table. “Holidate rule number three—leave no holidate behind…” She places her hand on Killian’s arm, which is in a sling. “Or their appendages.”

They share a soft laugh as he subconsciously places his hand on hers. Emma's breath catches as their eyes meet and all the air leaves her lungs as she realizes they're practically holding hands. And it's not for show or because they're trying to convince anyone they're a couple.

She laughs nervously, averting her eyes and pulling her hand away. “You should probably get some rest.”

Killian nods in agreement. “Aye, I should.”

Emma leans in to kiss his cheek, finding it extremely difficult to pull away, but forces herself somehow. “Unless you need anything else?”

“Uh…” He scratches behind his ear with his good hand and looks around his apartment as if trying to think of something before his eyes connect with hers again. “No, I think I’m good. I think I'm-" Emma bites her bottom lip and can't help but notice Killian staring at the movement and having to pause from what he was going to say. “I think I’m fine, I’m just really tired.”

“Okay.” Emma finally stands up, tilting her head toward the door. “I guess I’ll just go then.”

“Okay. Goodnight, love.” Killian waves a bit at her as she slowly and awkwardly makes her way out of the apartment, not really wanting to leave just yet, but not having a good reason to stay.

"Night, Killian." Just before reaching the door, Emma changes her mind about leaving and spins around to say something, but the words catch in her throat when she sees he has his head resting on the couch, his eyes closed.

Her heart sinks, but she imagines he's exhausted after the day he's had. She turns around again and opens the door to leave, shutting it quietly so as not to disturb him.

As she's leaving his building, she's surprised to see Liam walking toward her.

And he doesn't look too happy.

"What happened to my brother?" Liam demands curtly as he approaches her, not bothering with any pleasantries.

"Hello to you, too," she retorts snarkily.

He crosses his arms, waiting for her to answer.

Emma hangs her head, toying with her fingers, knowing he'll be even more pissed once he hears what happened. "He blew off his fuck you finger."

Liam's eyes widen, anger spiraling through him. "He what?!"

"We went to a family reunion, and he bought some fireworks with my brother and threw firecrackers out over the water."

"What the bloody hell?!" Liam buries his face in his hands and sighs. "How could he be so stupid?" He lifts his head, glaring at her as if this was all her fault. "How could you let him be so reckless?!"

Emma scoffs, her eyes widening. "Um, excuse me?! I'm not his mother—I'm not even his girlfriend, so why is it my responsibility to be his babysitter?"

He nods and points an accusatory finger at her. "Aye, that's right. You're not his girlfriend. If you were, then maybe you'd actually care about him." As Liam passes her, she gasps in complete and utter confusion, spinning around to glare at him.

"I do care about him!"

He chuckles almost mockingly as he turns around to face her once more. "Oh yeah? If you really cared about him, then you'd cut this holidate bullshit and set him free."

"What the fuck are you talking about? Set him free? I didn't make him do anything!"

"Maybe not, but you're confusing him. He's too much of a gentleman to tell you he wants a serious girlfriend, not someone he can only see on the fucking holidays. You're holding him back from that."

Emma scoffs, not believing he's blaming all of this on her. "Yeah, well, you don't have to worry because I'll never invite him to another holiday again!" She turns around and storms away, lifting both of her fuck you fingers over her head at him.

As soon as she makes it to her brother's truck and climbs inside, tears stream down her cheeks, a mixture of emotions overtaking her—sadness, anger, regret, shame, sorrow—and she sobs against the steering wheel.

As much as she hates Killian's jackass brother and wants to believe he's completely wrong, that she hasn't been holding him back from being in a meaningful relationship, maybe he is right.

Maybe this whole holidate idea has been a complete waste of time.

Maybe she should accept the fact that she's going to be alone and stuck sitting at the kids' table every year for the rest of her life.

[birb-tangleblog]

I'm curious on your thoughts about Moon Cassandra. Many people seem to find the character unsympathetic in season 3, and maybe a way this could've been avoided is if the moon stone went into cass's mind, found her insecurities, and amplified them so she would take the moon stone (essentially twisting her into a person of only anger and hurt)? The king hinted that it could play mind tricks. Just have her (or rather the moonstone) be the main villian, no gothel or zhan tiri. What do you think?

Ty for such a thoughtful ask, this was fun to consider! I'm kinda having a hard time organizing my thoughts and making everything flow together tonight, so bear w/ me:

I really like Moon Cassandra as a concept! It's unique, character-driven, was genuinely surprising, and I like the themes it plays into. But I also agree w/ the sentiment that the plot with her wasn't executed well, mostly re. her motivations and redemption. (And there's also this... general confusion/dissonance in the writing between what the showrunners seem to have intended vs. what they actually ended up implying.)  

Imo Cass had a great setup for her villain arc, a solid reason to take the moonstone, and she was already a sympathetic character in S2- but the Gothel twist really hamstringed that.

Her arm being withered by someone so close to her, feeling overshadowed, bitterness and resentment, with some justified unhappiness over how her friends had been treating her is a really solid internal motivation, and it’s easy for me to feel for and even relate to her struggle. How many princess shows focus on the main char's best friend struggling w/ insecurity and self-worth, and make overtures at examining and deconstructing privilege and chosen one destiny narratives?? That's good stuff!

But then S3 revealed her surprise parentage, and we get massively downgraded from a strong internal motivation to a weak external one. It isn’t a natural conclusion to the previous build-up and it’s far less compelling. The wonkiness of this choice has been talked about and criticized extensively, but tl;dr I think it's hard to feel sympathy for Cass when her feelings are hard to understand, and her reasons for lashing out don’t make sense.  

Compare/contrast Varian’s more straightforward char progression and motives in S1; it’s easy to see why he feels and acts the way he does, and it's easy to feel bad for his circumstances.

(As an aside, she also has little agency in her redemption, and how it plays out makes any remorse/guilt seem insincere. That def doesn't help put her in the audience's good graces... but I feel like that's a diff issue.)

(And yeah, the twist works a little better wrt Cass’ villain arc if you view it with a ton of personal interpretation/analysis/subtext- e.g. seeing Gothel choose Raps over her was a tipping point, symbolic of all her other struggles, etc. etc.- but that's still not what's emphasized in the show itself. The cracks that started to show in S2 never come back up, but Gothel being her mother does, repeatedly- and it's a bad look.)

I've seen a lot of reenvisionings of S3 and Cass' villain arc w/o the Gothel twist, but idk if I've seen the idea of a ZT-less S3 w/ more emphasis on the moonstone as a semi-sentient entity. It's an interesting variation and I like it!

I think what you describe is actually kind of what happened- just with ZT actively manipulating and pushing Cass in that direction instead of the moonstone. Which, iirc, jives w/ how the creators thought of ZT in her ghostly form as a manifestation of intrusive thoughts and bad impulses- but that ended up putting ZT in an awk place herself, and made for some other issues with her characterization/motivation seeming underdeveloped. I could totes see the moonstone playing the same role without those complications. It might also allow for ZT to enter the story in a diff way.

I think having Cass be overtly influenced by the moonstone would run the risk of decreasing her agency as a char, so I’d say that it could work well w/ the caveat that the underlying choices would still have to be all Cass. The moonstone making her evil wouldn't work for me- for the same reason that Cass being a doppelganger or being possessed after coming out of the door weren’t my fav theories pre-S3.

Possessing the stone could negatively affect her mental state, make her more destructive b/c that's the stone's nature, or increase her willingness to go to extremes by lowering her inhibitions- but the anger, hurt, and insecurity getting amplified are all old emotional wounds that had been there for a long time before then, y’know? (And that might’ve actually been a cool parallel with Catalina’s werewolf curse, actually.)

(On the flipside, very deliberately giving Cass less agency would prob have made it easier for many fans to forgive her actions. And maybe that'd have better suited how the writers wanted Cass to come off by the end of the season?) 

That line about the moonstone whispering really seemed like it'd be more significant, and I wish they'd done something w/ it too. I'm not sure if it was a red herring or if they just dropped the ball there (like with so many other threads that got forgotten lmao). I guess we're left to conclude that Edmund is hearing voices from being isolated for so long? Though if he was to have a throwaway line about mental instability, you think they wouldn't have namedropped the extremely important magical artifact...

I hope this is coherent and I'm not just rambling, I think the main point of this post is just, any take on S3 and Cass' villain arc that is more character-driven and builds on what S1-2 established is going to appeal to me. The Gothel twist goes in the opposite direction, so I have an extremely hard time with it and it’s frustrating. Giving more personality and lore to the drops is also always gonna be interesting! I enjoy headcanons that give the sundrop/moonstone added quirks. 

Honestly, something I enjoy about Moon Cass as a char is just how many directions I can see her going in as an antagonist that feel believable.

[danwhobrowses]

AEW: All Out 2021 - Initial Reaction and Thoughts

I have kept so far off of social media it's not funny And I hope you know how difficult that is being a QA tester

But AEW is back in Chicagoland, there'll be homecomings, title defenses and one would bet some new faces, so without further ado let's get to it

Spoilers on the PPV, watch it on BR or Fite then come back

As I did with Summerslam, I will be marking who I predicted to win in Italics so we can see how right or wrong I was. I also must confess even radio silence could not save me from learning about 1 debut, but it was one I had anticipated.

The Buy In

As usual we started with promo package overkill, but they did right by starting with CM Punk's one because it is a great package - also the video was good.

Half an hour later - which we could've fit one or two matches in - we get to the first match.

Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus) and Best Friends (Chuck Taylor, Orange Cassidy & Wheeler Yuta) [w/Marko Stunt] def. HFO (Matt Hardy, Private Party & TH2) [w/The Blade] (Submission on Angelico by Jungle Boy via Snare Trap) Well that was a mouthful. Our quickly put-together clusterfuck started with the HFO coming out quickly, then the Pixies coming out with a nice pop as Orange grabbed a sign hoping that Trent gets well soon. Baltimora had the bigger pop because everyone loves Baltimora, and Jungle Boy, also I loved the sign 'Jurassic Times demand Jurassic Measures'.

Matt and Chuck start but Matt demands OC to come out, Chuck tries to lock up but gets kicked away, and tags in Yuta, who gets thrown in the corner too, so Yuta tags Orange in...and Orange tags Luchasaurus in XD Hardy isn't too willing to try and shove the big dino man and tags in Jack Evans, who gets thrown around. JB gets tagged in, showing off his skillset with the rope flip arm drag and an inch perfect dropkick. Yuta and Kassidy are tagged in next, but Yuta's baited into Quen's blind tag, leading into Angelico to be tagged in. Yuta escapes a wristlock and turns it into an Octopus Stretch, but Evans puts him in an Ankle Lock, so Taylor puts him in a chinlock, so Kassidy climbs on a backpack sleeper, JB then latches an Ankle Lock, so Quen locks in the Cravat, Luchasaurus is out next, assessing who to hit and just decides to tackle them all apart. Proper Indy spot that was.

Luchasaurus is now playing like a hot tag, chop one man, drop the other, chop the one man, drop the other, Kassidy hits his high pitch scream as the big man comes back around to Jack Evans, hitting that wonderfully brutal Chokesault GTS he used to murder Fuego that one time (they didn't name the move, so I'm calling it the Extinction Event). Luchasaurus now stalks Hardy, but Hardy is using himself to distract the big man from Private Party's blindside, he stops them with a chokeslam setup but Hardy hits the chop block, leading to a kick combo from PP and driven into the ring post. Cassidy comes up behind all 3 next though, Superkicks of Death for each of them, Hardy's beside himself from this relentless assault and tries to charge OC, but Cassidy turns it into a Waistlock to push Hardy through the ropes. PP take advantage though, flatliner into Kassidy's knees, then a Standing Shooting Star Press Sandwiching Cassidy again. Taylor comes out next, dodging PP and then using Quen's charge as a release Suplex into Kassidy who was sitting in the lower corner. TH2 run into the DDT/Flatliner combo and then PP are taken out by Taylor's Tope Con Hilo while Yuta splashes Angelico - but Evans breaks it up.

TH2 then hit Yuta with some combos; Back/Neckbreaker, then a launch into Evans' boots, but Taylor breaks up the pin. PP throw Taylor out next though, hitting the Gin n Juice on Yuta, Angelico makes the pin but OC kinda half-heartedly shoves Angelico to break the pin, dragging Yuta in the corner as he puts in the pockets. Two lariat dodges lead to a no hands headscissors on Angelico, a 2 for 1 hurricanrana on PP and a dropkick kip up on Evans, Hardy though sneaks up and hits the Twist of Fate. But his focus is on the illegal man, Yuta tags in JB while Taylor dumps Hardy out, both Taylor and Yuta then Tope on PP, but they don't get much and PP roll back in with Angelico. Crowd firmly behind JB he misses the rebound lariat on Kassidy but recovers by sweeping Quen, Brainbuster on Kassidy as Angelico comes to, JB kicks him to his knees, Evans comes out but he kicks Evans into Angelico, Evans punches JB away as Angelico stands up with Evans on his shoulder, but this only acts as a threat to Luchasaurus who lifts JB on his shoulders, both men trading blows with JB clotheslining Evans off of Angelico.

Quen though looks to use this as a Doomsday Device setup, but JB matrix dodges it, so Kassidy now tries a crossbody, which JB reverses into a Spanish Fly/Moonsault Fallaway Slam (I've only ever seen such a counter in Lucha Underground when Cage reversed the Doomsday Device into a twisting powerslam, I popped for that as well). Luchasaurus is left standing but the Blade threatens involvement, so he eats a Pump Kick, Marko then climbs on Luchasaurus' shoulders and dives on the Blade. Tail Whip by Luchasaurus and then the Snare Trap by JB ends the match.

Post match Jurassic Express leave so Best Friends can Give The People What They Want™ but TH2 jump Yuta and PP jump Taylor, Evans delays Orange for a bit as a hulking figure marches into the ring. Big Bad Butch is back in the game, beheading OC with a lariat before his patented knee steps. He throws OC down as the heels look to swarm OC, but Jurassic Express, Varsity Blonds, Dante Martin, 10 and John Silver make the save. Assisted by the Jurassic Express, Best Friends give the Blonds, Dante, 10 and Silver What The People Want™ much to Silver's giddy elation. JB also looks killer in OC's shades as OC 'climbs' the corners to gesture the crowd.

It was a fun ass indy match to get the crowd hot, it could never try to top Deeb/Riho so it didn't, it did surprise me that it didn't lean too much on the Best Friends/HFO narrative but that was proven to be due to Butcher's return post-match. Last thing this kinda pointless feud needs though is more bodies, maybe being outnumbered will cause Hardy to back off? I mean does anyone remember what they were fighting over? I think this started with Kris and Bunny maybe? It's ran it's course is all.

Afterwards we got a sneak peak of the Rhodes' latest vanity project 'Rhodes to the Top'. Doesn't really interest me tbf I don't wanna see Total AEW Divas you know? I feel like it's just gonna make both of the Rhodes' look bad and since Hana Kimura I have little patience for pseudo-reality and forced drama.

Dan Lambert interrupts commentary from the crowd flanked by 3 UFC fighters and the Men of the Year (I still prefer ScorpEgo). They seem to have threatened to do something later in the show. JR gets his introduction and the PPV begins!

Main Card

It never ceases to make me smile that AEW still uses the 'And you know what that means' to start their shows.

TNT Championship Miro (c) def. Eddie Kingston (Pinfall via Matchka Kick) The announcement of the title match was met with a big roar from the crowd as the Chicago natives were firmly behind Kingston, even having a 'Redeem Deez Nuts' sign AND Shirt. Miro got a nice pop too, signs also pick the perfect spot with Miro because before it was 'Miro vs Ishii When?' and this time it's 'We want AJ and Punk vs CJ and Miro'. Eddie shows no intimidation, even happy and goading the Redeemer into the fight.

Miro makes the charge but runs into a knee to the gut, but he trips Kingston to try and latch on Game Over, Kingston wriggles out and tries the Half Nelson Suplex but Miro powers out and rolls out of the ring. Both men pace as Kingston holds the early advantage, shimmying his shoulders with the fans' clapping, Miro catches the kick but Kingston just pokes the eyes instead, chops to the corner, then machine gun chops to the next corner, Miro tries to grapple but Kingston thrusts him with an Exploder. Miro's rattled out the ring, so Eddie follows, but runs into a kick and is thrown into the barricade, body tackle and superkick by Miro as he again throws Kingston into the opposite barricade, but Kingston rebounds and retaliates with a big boot and returns to the ring.

Knowing he can't win by Countout, Kingston looks to dive at Miro from the apron, but his charge is countered into a twisting powerslam onto the exercise mats, Miro focuses on the back, driving it into the ring post twice but it's not even 1. Miro then focuses on the hand, biting and stomping it, knowing that this nullifies grip, chops and the Uraken, he chokes Kingston on the ropes before another kick to the spine. As Miro stares at the crowd Kingston grits his teeth and stands back up, slapping Miro's beard in hopes of a comeback before being smacked with a forearm. Two Sliding Elbow Drops only gets one, Miro then wears Eddie with a choke but Eddie powers back, couple of chops but he can't lift for the Suplex, allowing Miro to hit a high end dropkick, he soaks in the boos for a bit then body charges Kingston in the corner, he eats a retaliation chop by Kingston, but the second one makes him wince. May've been a miscommunication next, Miro looked like he body charged Kingston who was leaving the corner, but he quickly missed the corner splash, if it was a miscommunication it was well-recovered. Enzugiri by Kingston and a sliding uppercut knocks Miro out the ring, but the Suicide Dive is intercepted by an Enzugiri by Miro. Kingston recovers with a Saito Suplex but both men are reeling.

Miro gets up first, hitting Kingston with forearms and pulling him up, once Kingston's on his feet though he starts getting his fire back, trades of forearms and chops ends with two Side slams for 2. He goes for the Uraken but Miro rolls out the ring on sight, only to eat a Suicide dive. Miro misses the pump kick back in the ring and gets hit with a Fisherman's Suplex pinfall for 2. Crowd is hot behind Kingston, but he's lured into the corner charge so Miro can pummel at the back, Kingston tries to hold onto the turnbuckle pad but rips it off as Miro German's him, Matchka kick floors Eddie, as Miro devilishly smiles with half his chest bruised by chops. He calls for the Game Over, but before he cinches back Kingston starts moving to the ropes, he gets the regular Accolade version which allows Eddie to free an arm and grab the rope.

Crowd is getting really loud now as Miro gets more frustrated, he grabs the Turnbuckle pad but throws it away in reconsideration, opening him up for Eddie to strike: Uraken, DDT! But the Ref was disposing of the turnbuckle pad, gifting that extra few seconds for Miro to kick out at 2. Crowds kayfabe chant 'you fucked up' at the ref while Kingston prepares for the piledriver, but his back gives in twice making him opt for knee strikes to the head. He sees the exposed turnbuckle and prepares to drive Miro into it, but the ref stands in the way - knowing it'd lead to a DQ. The position we know well as Miro uses his frame to obscure the Ref's vision from the heel kick low blow, a clean roundhouse to the head staggers Eddie more and then the Matchka allows the 3.

Strong opener, good narrative of both men exposing the weak points of the other's body parts. The low blow is a bit cheap but it creates the paradox of Miro's holier than thou attitude. Kingston still proves himself strong in defeat, and as I anticipated AEW didn't make him tap out, so the continuity of his I Quit feud with Moxley remains intact, with Miro pushed this far and having to cheat it also sells Kingston as more than capable of being Miro's equal. Miro will have W no. 7 now, and it remains a prize waiting for a young prospect to crack open.

Jon Moxley def. Satoshi Kojima (Pinfall via Death Rider) Kojima got a loud welcome from Chicago but they sang for Moxley as he came down the crowd in a GCW hoodie - sadly no GCW belt which he won recently from Matt Cardona. Bell rings and Kojima offers a handshake, but Moxley is a man of his word, the bell rang so he has no respect, and offers a middle finger instead.

Stiff chops and forearms start the physicality, both men get a kick to the gut but it's Kojima who gets the early advantage with a shoulder tackle and a titty dance next to the titty master. Koji Lariat is avoided by Mox who flees the ring, but Kojima flattens him with a Tope, Moxley elbows Kojima away when the NJPW legend attempts to return to the ring and delivers a suicide dive of his own, Russian Leg Sweep onto the barricade and then Moxley attacks the hand. Knees to the head then a chop in the corner keeps Moxley's confidence high, but Kojima barrages him with Machine gun chops, throwing Moxley into the corner then landing the Elbow Drop for an early 2. Forearms are countered with a backwards slam, he calls for the Brainbuster but Kojima holds his ground, reversing it to put Moxley on the top turnbuckle. Moxley bites at Kojima, so Kojima bites back and lands the Superplex. Both men fight on the Apron before Kojima hits Mox with a forward falling DDT on the apron, DDT back in the ring for another 2 as duelling chants for Mox and Kojima divides the crowd.

Bleeding from the elbow, Mox counters a Koji Cutter with a Choke, twisting it into a Money Clip for 2, then transitioning to a Cross Armbreaker. Kojima gets a leg to the rope but Moxley knees him in the face, Kojima prevents the Paradigm Shift and hits a Brainbuster for 2, Koji Lariat again is averted but this time with a German. Mox tries two standing lariats, but Kojima won't fall, he tries a running lariat but Kojima collides it with a lariat of his own, staggering Moxley, Kojima feels that third time's the charm but Moxley gets a high knee, tries the Paradigm Shift again but this time is countered by a short-arm lariat and a Koji Cutter. Both men trade blows, Moxley uses the ropes but runs into a Discus but roars back with a Rebound Lariat for 2, as Kojima rolls though it's straight into the Bulldog Choke that Kojima gets to the ropes to break.

Moxley rethinks his strategy by kicks to the gut, but he's caught and hit with Mongolian Chops, Moxley headbutts him away long enough to twist Kojima's charge into a rolling Paradigm Shift, Moxley gestures to the crowd, picks him up for the Death Rider for 3.

After the match Moxley shows his respect, bows to Kojima and looks to take a breather, but the music has changed.

The King

Minoru Suzuki

Crowd Roars alive as Moxley looks in disbelief, but the sound is real, the Kaze ni Nare is real and oh baby, Minoru Suzuki is Damn Real. Suzuki makes sure the crowd is ready, but they were born ready as Kaze ni Nare erupts from the building, Murder Grandpa vs Moxley II looks imminent as they stare each other down. Suzuki looks ready for a fight though, hitting Mox with a forearm, Moxley retaliates with the bleeding elbow, Moxley's blood only adds to Suzuki's scoffing as he returns fire, Suzuki goes for a big boot but Moxley laughs it off and goes for a Lariat, but Suzuki holds ground too, Moxley tries again but Suzuki locks him into the Rear Naked Choke, fading Moxley enough to hit the Gotch Piledriver and placing his foot over the prone Moxley.

We knew AEW were put in a corner when Tanahashi was unable to fulfill the planned match with Moxley, and major props to Kojima too for stepping up, Moxley definitely worked to show off Kojima's strengths in the match but not too much to feel like Mox was fully in danger, both men still had an ace in the hole. Mox's victory though only elevates Suzuki's arrival more for the crowd, giving the anticipated rematch time to build where Kojima's match could not.

AEW Women's Championship Dr. Britt Baker DMD (c) [w/Rebel 'Reba' Tanea & Jamie Hayter] def. Kris Statlander [w/Orange Cassidy] (Ref Stoppage Submission via Lockjaw) Statlander appeared in what looked a bit like a remodified version of her gear that she wore in her clunky title match with Nyla years ago, backed by the Best Friends in grey tracksuits (could be the lighting I think that was supposed to be 'space tracksuits'). Baker has added white to her gear and still has the crowd fully behind her, while Jamie also has a new baseball-ish shirt.

Wristlocks are traded to start the match, each switching by rolls or cartwheels, Baker rolls backwards to try and apply the Lockjaw but Statlander wriggles out and motions to a headlock, Baker pulls the hair to get Kris to release the hold and tries a sunset flip, but has to backtrack when Statlander tries her new 'Spider Crab' submission move she submitted Reba to on Rampage. Statlander motions to boop but Britt takes the arm to try and set up another Lockjaw, Statlander rolls out but Baker now motions DMD - which prompts Statlander to grab the arm and use it to boop Baker with her own hand. Shoulder tackle proves the Alien's strength, so Baker uses kicks and a headlock to try and cut her down, she whips her to the turnbuckle but Statlander remains composed and elbows her away, then doing a headstand on the turnbuckle to Mule Kick Baker away, Baker takes advantage of a slow climb to hit Statlander with a Draping Spinning Fisherman Neckbreacker and kicks Statlander out the ring. Hayter and Rebel look to stalk Statlander but OC struts up sunglasses half down with the most 'bruh' stare he can muster, Baker behind him looking confused as hell.

The pause does not disrupt Baker's momentum, her kick from the apron is caught, but she stomps on the hair so Kris lands face first on the apron. Baker assumes control with stomps, a suplex, forearms to the back of the head and then an Octopus hold, Kris powers back with strikes, driving Baker into the corner, running elbow and a running knee gets Kris going but Baker hits back with a Sling Blade, kinda scuffed the stomp attempt but it didn't look like it was meant to happen as Statlander hits the Fisherman's Falcon Arrow for 2. Short-arm Lariat hits once but not the second, as Baker weaves and contorts into a backslide for 2, a planted DDT follows as Statlander pulls an RVD-esque sell but that also only gets 2.

Baker looks annoyed at the hardcam, superkick to Statlander who's on her knees as Reba provides her with the glove. Baker toys with Kris with kicks to the head, but Baker catches the big Superkick and cracks Baker with a kick of her own, sets up the Big Bang Theory but Baker rolls up for 2, Statlander tries to recover with a corner charge but Baker hits the turnbuckle flatliner. She climbs up top, but Statlander recovers, this one was a light botch: Kris looked to go for a delayed superplex but Baker was falling back to the turnbuckle, so in an attempt to gain more leverage she leaned back too far and followed with the Superplex, Kris looked to have hurt her head a little but nothing drastic. Undeterred, Statlander tries the Area 451, but Baker dodges and prepares the Lockjaw, Statlander struggles enough though for Baker to transition to a Crossface, so Statlander lifts her up, eventually scrambling to an Electric Chair position for the Facebuster, Scissor Kick only gets 2.

Baker this time rolls out the ring, and avoids Statlander's Pendulum Moonsault - hard landing for Kris there - which allows Baker to hit a Stomp on the outside, using the steel steps to get some extra height. Baker seeks a countout win as Statlander's floored, OC though in a desperate move uncharacteristically removes his shades and shouts 'Stat! Get Up!' to will her back into the ring, Baker tries Lockjaw but Statlander rolls it into a Spider Crab. It...still doesn't look too great honestly, the setup needs more like a Powerbomb and it'd probably work better is the opponent was either lifted a little (like Shida's Fullmetal Muffler) or their head was backwards like a Boston Crab, regardless Baker frees a leg to kick Statlander away. Scraping kicks to Statlander's face in the corner draws the ire of the ref, who Baker shoves away to deal more stomps and gain some heat. Pittsburgh Sunrise (it's the Panama Sunrise but she's from Pittsburgh) gets a huge pop, 1, 2, No! Baker then hits the Stomp, 1, 2, No! Lockjaw then gets applied and the ref stops the match.

Really good match from these two. It wasn't much a doubt over whether Baker would retain but this was definitely a redemption of sorts from Statlander. Her last title match with Nyla didn't hit the mark and it did harm her momentum and confidence, but she came out here strong and very well received against the super-over Baker, Statlander lost nothing in defeat and proved she can deliver on PPV and be a future champion.

Andrade El Idolo interview segment Andrade was asked whether he was behind PAC's 'travel issues' which has delayed their much-anticipated match to Rampage, and Andrade pleas innocence because he was ready for a fight on PPV, he undermines PAC for being a smaller name compared to him as well and offers to pay for PAC's flight for Rampage to ensure the match goes forward. Chavo suggests that PAC is scared of Andrade and mocks the Lucha Bros for refusing their services.

AEW World Tag Championship Steel Cage Match Lucha Bros [w/ Alex Abrahantes] def The Young Bucks [w/Brandon Cutler] (pinfall by Pentat on Nick via Assisted Package Piledriver) - TITLE CHANGE!! Announcement that the tag titles are next drew a big pop as the cage descended. Interesting to note as well that Cage Escape is not a win stipulation. A live performance for the Lucha Bros with masked and robed dancers, the singers were quite accurate to how they sound on track so that was good, Lucha Bros arrived in Aztec headwear and then hilariously varsity jackets which did not clash at all, Alex though with the red suit. Under the jackets, Penta sports Mexico colours while Fénix has flames on his tights. A round of boos follow the Bucks' entrance, wearing some red at the front badges at the back thing which is somehow less in-your-face as past gears, they are flanked by Gallows in an Elite Shirt, Anderson in a Bullet Club shirt, Brandon in the obscured back in a zebra print tracksuit and Don Callis in a pink suit. Also god Nick what is that beard? It's like he's bleached the Hogan tache blonde but kept the rest of the beard, kinda like Scott Steiner but worse. Don joined commentary as well.

The match starts with throwing hands, but strangely the Bucks try to climb out the cage to start, which commentary does note confusion over. Fénix dropkicks them into the steel with the assist from Penta, some liquid tag team dodging still goes Lucha Bros' way with simultaneous corner Enzugiris, Nick looks to get an advantage by knocking away Penta but Fénix dropkicks him back into the steel, kicking Matt in the jaw as he did a turnbuckle headstand after his charge missed too. Fénix gets Matt's hand for a corner arm drag, but Nick has the same idea with Penta, they meet on the same turnbuckle so Fénix instead Rana's Nick, Lucha Bros remain firmly in control with the lower ass dropkick (they called it something but I didn't catch the first word) and then stereo superkicks, two throws head first into the steel and then a tackle should've been enough, but the Bucks moved out of the way for the fourth attack causing the Lucha Bros to land into the steel themselves.

The Bucks assume some control now, hitting the brothers with the corner-to-corner Double Stomp and Backstabber, a dropkick sandwiches Penta's head between Matt's boot and the steel, as he slumps in the small gap between the cage and apron, and then Fénix gets the same with a nasty landing from the powerbomb into the cage wall - Penta hit with a PK to keep him down. The Bucks posture as they find their groove, Matt choking Fénix with a chain while Nick continues to wear down Penta. They try to powerbomb Fénix again into the cage, but Fénix hurricanrana's Matt into the steel instead, Nick eats 2 Sling Blades and then Matt a Backstabber from Penta for 2, broken by Nick. Fénix then defies logic again, doing his usual setup for the flipping arm drag but this time using the cage wall to kick off and arm drag Matt instead of Nick, he rolls away from Nick's senton who runs into Penta's tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, their stereo superkicks though are avoided and kick each other instead.

Cutters are traded next, Nick to Fénix, Penta to Nick, Matt's to Penta was slick, Fénix's handspring though is scouted as they try to throw him overhead, but he lands on his feet and lands the Rolling Double Cutter. Penta lets Fénix hit a Superkick on Matt before hitting the Pentagon Driver (which Excalibur still calls Made in Japan, currentish IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi's move - ish depending on if you're asking Will Ospreay or not) but it's only a 2. Fénix whistles to his brother like a dog to set up the Fear Factor, but Nick pushes Fénix into the cage and Matt flips out, Penta now in the Sharpshooter as Fénix has a nasty landing on the apron from a German Suplex. Commentary reminds that there's no rope breaks, so Fénix has to kick through Nick to get a kick on Matt to break the hold, now the Bucks use the Draping Swanton but it's only 2, Fénix tries fighting back, but the Bucks hit a double Superkick when he springs up, causing him to bounce off the cage wall again.

With Fénix in between, the Bucks do what looked more like a Fear Factor variant of the Indytaker, Nick dropkicking Penta on the tombstone so he can land a senton on Fénix, both cover each brother but only get 2 a piece. Crowd tries to will the Lucha Bros alive as the Bucks set Fénix up for the BTE Trigger, but like on Dynamite Fénix rolls away so the Bucks' knees clash instead, he tries a Springboard Crossbody but the brothers Jackson catch him, looking to set up the Meltzer Driver, but Fénix wriggles away, pushing Matt into Nick who rebounds off the cage, Matt low blows both of the Lucha Bros to disrupt their momentum with Callis noting that it's all legal.

More Bang For Your Buck's pinfall is broken at 2 by a Penta superkick to Matt, annoyed the Bucks now focus on the masks of the Lucha Bros and then Lawn Darts Fénix into the cage wall. Motioning to Cutler, Brandon throws a bag over the cage into the ring (would've been funnier if he failed the first time), Matt takes his shoe off and I blood left my face with flashbacks of Candice LeRae - and lo it was just that: the Thumbtack Shoe - a $5000 variation. Penta's already bleeding as Matt stalks Fénix, but Penta stands between Matt and his brother, taking the blow for him (cameras missed the impact though which was a shame), focusing on Penta now, Nick prepares to throw him headfirst into Matt's Tack Shoe, but Penta just about holds his ground to stop...but not for the second time, his mask 'stuck' on the tacks as Matt digs the shoe further into Penta's head and then Nick drives in with a Helluva Kick.

Penta's pooling with blood now as the Bucks prepare a BTE Trigger, but Fénix is standing up now, so they hit him with a tacked Superkick and a Poison Rana, BTE Trigger on Penta, 1, 2, NO! Fénix just reached out in time to break the count. Both Lucha Brothers are bleeding as Alex is willing the crowd on, Matt takes the shoe off to use it like a belt shot, but Fénix kicks it away, the Bird of War has come to life as he reverses Nick's back body drop into a Hurricanrana onto Matt. Matt's put on the turnbuckle and Nick's kicked away, Fénix spots the Tack Shoe and clubs Nick in the head with it, then Matt, Blackfire Driver! 1, 2, NO! Lucha Bros look for the Fear Factor, so Nick again tries to throw Fénix into the cage wall, this time though Fénix latches onto the cage wall, so Nick decides to climb too. Matt and Penta yank their opponent down, staring each other down and hitting stereo Package Piledrivers. Now Matt and Penta collide, they're up on the turnbuckle where Penta realises something: they've gone through this whole match without a Canadian Destroyer, and it's time to rectify that.

The Super Destroyer is not pinned though, all four men wobbling as they chop each other (at this point Penta's practically unmasked, only blood obscures his face), then they trade superkicks, a second round though leaves Matt the quicker foot and still standing, but Fénix kips up and knocks him with a superkick too, then Nick does that to Fénix, then Penta does that to Nick, and Matt and Penta double clothesline. Fénix and Nick fight next, Nick does a flip escape but Fénix rocks him with his Tiger Feint Rebound Roundhouse into Penta, Fear Factor! 1, 2, Matt breaks it up! Fénix gestures another top rope move but Penta tells him to think higher: the top of the cage. Fénix ascends the Cage's top looking for a massive Fear Factor finish, but just when they prepare, Nick superkicks Penta, and now he climbs the cage to meet Fénix, and runs into a PK back down. Cage Crossbody on all 3, assisted Package Piledriver, Fénix claws Matt away, 1, 2, 3!

The cage lifts as Penta celebrates with his kids before reconvening with his brother and Alex to celebrate at the ramp.

Jesus what a match, brutal and athletic. How can you underrate either team when they keep delivering bangers like this? Even though I bet against them I'm not at all upset with the Lucha Bros winning, if anything I only expected it because it paired in with the Andrade storyline - who had promised under him they would win the titles - and because I was hoping for Santana & Ortiz to win the titles at Grand Slam, which could still happen but I was kinda liking them as babyfaces. But the Bucks' reign ends, which means that it's new destinations for both teams, perhaps this will be an opportune time for AEW to use the pedigree of the Bucks to elevate another tag team like they have with Jurassic Express, or maybe even feud with Santana & Ortiz or the fractured Dark Order.

A recap of the matches reminds us that we've had some great matches so far, as we steel ourselves for the Women's Casino Royale.

Women's Casino Battle Royale Joker: Ruby Soho wins the Battle Royale First is the clubs, which begins with Hikaru Shida for a nice big pop, then Skye Blue - the Chicago native late addition replacing the injured Julia Hart - who gets another big hometown welcome, Emi Sakurai with butler Lulu Pencil and the Bunny are next, but Abadon with new hair and new gear makes the striking impression. I am confused though, didn't Nyla say she would start the Battle Royale? I felt like that was a thing in the build.

No friends in the ring for Shida, former teacher Sakura goes right for her but gets hit with a powerslam, Abadon and Bunny stared down but focused on Skye Blue as Shida got hit with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Shida sprawls too close to Bunny who shifts her focus on the former champion while Skye takes Sakura in a show of Ss. Both Skye and Bunny eat tilt-a-whirl backbreakers though as teacher and student don't see eye to eye, Abadon though sneaks up on them and scares both Joshi, aiming for the only women whose given her the L twice in her AEW career. Skye and Bunny take the centre stage as Skye tries to rally, only to be kneed by Bunny, Skye retaliates with a rope jump knee strike - dangerous territory as she poses unaware of Abadon, she survives the throw but not the boot, a row of boos as Chicago laments that one of their own was the first to be eliminated. Bunny then eliminates Abadon though to cheers, Abadon impressively landed on her feet, and hopefully she will not forget Allie's actions of As.

Allie takes her time before stomping Shida out of Emi's Romero Special, she tries to throw Emi but she resists and goes for Shida again, using a hair yank to throw Shida around. Double Underhook Backbreaker preludes the next suit: Diamonds. Anna Jay charges right for the Bunny for revenge as Kiera Hogan , KiLynn King, Diamante and Nyla come out. King tried to save Shida from Hogan, but real life girlfriend Diamante retaliates leading to them teaming up on the Dark standout. Nyla, Emi and Shida continue to duke it out, unable to take turns on who fights who as Anna and Bunny fight in the corner. Emi gets hit to the apron and seated by Diamante's failed chop block, allowing Shida to Baseball Slide both and eliminate her former mentor. Hogan is also eliminated by Nyla via an Enzugiri while she was sitting on the Turnbuckle, then sadly KiLynn King could not reignite past feuds with Nyla and is eliminated by her with a big clothesline. Shida hits the Willow's Bell on Diamante and locks eyes with Nyla, she tries to Rana but the Native Beast powers through and dumps the former champion in surprise fashion - fans booed it too, having a special handshake with Diamante to signify an alliance there.

Alliance did not last long as they determined to leave Anna and Allie to their assault of As, both Diamante and Allie have the advantage on opposite corners when Hearts are called. Thunder Rosa charges at lightning speed at Nyla, who calls a Time Out and gets a dropkick instead, Penelope Ford puts the disadvantage on Anna while Riho gets a nice pop from the crowd, Jamie Hayter comes in next and then Big Swole just as Riho hits Allie and Ford with a 619. Hayter zones in on the smaller opponent in Riho while Swole eyes her rival Diamante, Commentary incorrectly say Riho was eliminated by Hayter, even though she kicked the Joshi under the ropes - maybe something happened? - Swole eliminates Diamante with a diving headbutt but is thrown out by Hayter, allowing Diamante and Swole to continue brawling. Hayter then joins Nyla in fighting Rosa, but she fights back with charging dropkicks.

Spades are last and like a storm Tay Conti rushes to save her friend, hitting a Tay-KO on Allie as Red Velvet is called, spearing Hayter as Leyla Hirsch comes in, seeking a target to throw and finding Penelope. Jade Cargill's the penultimate name called as Leyla German's Nyla but runs into a strike by Jade, Rebel is the final Spade to assist Jamie on attacking Velvet. Penelope almost eliminates Conti by the turnbuckle, but Conti uses her core strength to sit back up, Rebel's feat of doing the splits in the middle of the ropes does not save her though, as she's prime target for Velvet's dropkick. Bunny follows, she dragged Anna with her to the apron but her kick was blocked, Anna's kick landed, but then Penelope's landed on Anna. Tay cannot boot Penelope over the ropes but the Leyla is eliminated by being Gorilla Pressed by Jade onto Anna and Bunny. Conti is whiplashed mid-rope by Ford, Velvet and Hayter in one corner, Jade and Nyla zoning on Rosa in the other, the countdown for the joker cannot be heard though because Chicago knows which woman they want to come out.

And they get it.

Ruby Soho with 'Destination AEW' on the back of her jacket, she comes for Jade first, staggering her with kicks, Nyla attacks next, staggering her with a headbutt, but Rosa uses Soho as a platform to Rana Nyla, both women eye up Cargill but Jade fights through, a nice pumphandle suplex from her on Soho preludes Conti doing her Three Amigas Judo throws, Ford lands on her feet for the third though as Cargill dumps Hayter out so she can face her first rival alone. Conti's attacks keep being countered by Ford, and she eats a hook kick to keep her floored, at this time Jade dumps Velvet out, but she posed too much and Nyla lobs her out, Rose herself surviving a double assault from Soho and Rosa as Conti uses a headscissors to eliminate Ford - only for herself to be blindsided on the apron by Nyla.

It comes down to Three; Nyla, Rosa and Soho. Soho and Rosa are fended off by Nyla, Tree Slam on Soho, Samoan Drop on Rosa, Nyla shifts attention to Soho and puts her in the Tree of Woe, but Rosa uses this to throw Nyla over, she holds on but cannot avoid the Shotgun Dropkick. Now it's Soho and Rosa, both women super over with the crowd as they trade chops, both are exchanging the same counters, so Rosa tries the Fire Thunder Driver, Soho escapes and tries her old Riott Kick, Rosa tries to reverse it but Soho turns it into a whip to get Rosa onto the apron. Rosa though goes for the slow DDT, but Soho holds onto the ropes in Skin the Cat fashion, leaving her stomach prone for Rosa to stomp. Soho manages to stumble Rosa, dodges a kick and staggers Rosa with a knee, Rosa's legs now dangerously close to ground, Soho tries a lift, then a German but Rosa then tries a DVD, Soho escapes, throws Rosa in the ring post, Gamagiri hits Rosa clean and eliminates her.

Oh JR, had to pull a WWE Dynamite and call her Ruby Riott XD

I...liked it? But it's not all I wanted from this Battle Royale. I hoped this'd be a platform to properly expand the Women's Division and set up multiple long-term feuds, instead we mainly retread on old feuds, but we also unceremoniously dumped out fan favourites like Shida, Riho and Skye Blue for little less than nothing, we also had the chance to better showcase Kiera Hogan, KiLynn King, Abadon and Jamie Hayter but had them eliminated by people with no real storyline connection or implication. I do hope Riho's okay because that elimination was wonky and must've been done due to an injury. I also didn't like how half of the eliminations is just 'I'm gonna pose in this obviously dangerous position I hope nobody blindsides me', we need to find new tricks.

The final two though was some good wrestling, happy for Ruby and she'll hopefully make a good fit for AEW

It's 10:30 and I have 4 matches still...yeep

If Chris Jericho Loses, he Retires Chris Jericho def. MJF (Submission via Walls of Jericho) A Y2J countdown gets the crowd going, but the tron doesn't erupt in Judas, instead it says 'Jericho's Last Match' and MJF's music hits. HEEL

That's all you can say until he comes out in kingly robes, without Wardlow surprisingly, getting in the face of fans and sporting new gear, no more plaits this time.

No Entrance Music for Jericho, instead there's Fozzy's guitarist playing the riff to will Chicago to sing along. Jericho in a biker jacket and his baseball bat Floyd as MJF stares daggers at him. An ad for Jericho's book preludes the match too.

Before locking up MJF adds heat by ripping up signs. A stalemate of sorts begin with traded shoulder tackles and hip tosses, Jericho's experience seems to be winning out when he prepares the walls, but MJF turns it into a cradle for 2. MJF and Jericho leave the ring, the veteran getting the advantage and tossing MJF into barricades, into the crowd they go as Jericho poses with a sign, but then back to ringside where Jericho dumps one of those queue rope holder things (sue me I don't know every word) right on MJF. Back in the ring MJF is dumped out again by a triangle dropkick, but he baits the baseball slide by trapping Jericho in the apron, he regains advantage by wrenching on the shoulder that was injured, taunting the crowd in between his attacks. Suplex gets 2 so he bites the fingers, second Suplex is countered allowing Jericho to chop, Bulldog and Backbreaker for 2, MJF goes back for the arm, stomps and hammerlock throws for 2, now MJF goes for chops, strutting like Flair and then gyrating, Jericho throws him over but MJF just counters with a Heatseeker on the apron.

Count Out is being threatened but Jericho gets in enough at 9, avoiding MJF's stomp, MJF gets a little too cocky and misses the Asai Moonsault - landed on his feet though - and then receives a Twisting Powerbomb on the apron. Back in the ring it's back to fisticuffs, MJF does an eye rake but misses the haymaker and gets hit in the back, Jericho looks for a top rope attack but lands into a one-legged Codebreaker for 2. The back attack from early delays MJF from lifting Jericho, allowing the Demo God the chance to try the Walls, MJF kicks him away but runs into a Shoulder Block, then a Lionsault - just to prove he can - but it's only 2. MJF is writhing as Jericho clubs him in the corner, 10 strikes looks to soften MJF for a Super Rana but he counters it into a Sit-Out Powerbomb, MJF still sells the back and the time allows Jericho to kick out at 2. He bites at Jericho next, sets him up for a Superplex but is pushed away, Flying Codebreaker only gets 2 for Jericho.

Out comes Wardlow, but Hager intercepts and brawls, the distraction is enough though for MJF to use Floyd the Bat to hit Jericho, MJF shouts Goodbye to Jericho and hits his own Judas Effect: 1, 2, 3? The bell rings but Jericho's foot is on the ropes, it takes a secondary ref to inform Aubrey and the Announcer so the match can resume. MJF is angry, he shoves Aubrey but she shoves back, allowing Jericho to roll up MJF for the 2 (nice call to when he technically won the world title from Triple H), MJF then cinches the Salt of the Earth, Jericho fights it into a rollup, just a 2, he scraps and claws at MJF and finally gets in the Walls of Jericho, MJF tries to crawl to the ropes but he's dragged to the middle and taps. The Inner Circle come to congratulate Jericho after.

So, they were never gonna retire Jericho like this, not with 4 losses and not when there's still mileage in fans singing Judas. Frankly, the feud went on too long, the Labors were decent but peaked at Nick Gage (sorry Juice and Wardlow) and it made no sense that MJF was a fifth labor because the labors were meant to be completed SO Jericho could face MJF. I guess it's 'just desserts' for the heel but now where does AEW's best heel go from here? He needs a solid win and so does his faction.

CM Punk def. Darby Allin (Pinfall via GTS) Next would be the one everyone was looking forward to, a Century Gothic Quote starts Darby's entrance as he hangs a body bag with 'Best in the World' from a Helicopter then jumps off of said helicopter. Sting gives Darby a fistbump and hug before letting him skate alone to the ring, a strong pop considering who he is facing.

And who he is facing is chanted at full volume as Cult of Personality is sang along louder than they sang Judas. Punk in the trousers gets to his knees, checks his watch and tells the world what they wanna know: It's Clobberin' Time.

Punk looks in great shape for the match as both opponents stare each other down, Punk even taking a seat to stare at him, both stand at the same time, like two predators ready for war. The bell rings to cheers as they lock up, Darby shifts his weight to roll Punk away, a surprised 'well okay then' smirks from Punk as Darby wins the first exchange. Darby knows to be hesitant with locking up, and his hesitation is well found as Punk uses his strength to shoulder barge Darby away. The third lock is controlled by Darby's hammerlock, every attempt to roll away doesn't deter Darby until he releases it for a roll up, not even 1 though as Punk elbows him down. Scoop Slam doesn't get 1 for Punk so he tries a headlock, Darby surprises Punk by using his speed to tackle him down, but on the second time he almost sets himself up for GTS, which Darby is quick and wise to stay well away from.

Leaving the ring, Darby takes a moment to get his head straight, he tries a hip toss but Punk is too strong, he manages the springboard hip toss though and rams his body into Punk's in the corner. He tries a hammer throw but it's countered and Darby does that nasty nasty spot where he goes through the turnbuckle and ricochets off the ring post. Punk rolls him in for just a 2, then focuses on the back with a stretch, when he reaches the ropes he stomps Darby and hits a backdrop but it's only good for 2, he stretches Darby again and counters his fight back with a Kitchen Sink and an Abdominal Stretch, then again with a Tilt-a-Whirl Backbreaker and a chinlock before returning to the Abdominal Stretch. Darby soon regains momentum though, escaping the stretch long enough to hit his over-the-top stunner, Slaps from Darby keep Punk frazzled as he hits a springboard Coffin Splash and a roll up for 2, Punk tries GTS but Darby Sunset Rolls for 2 again, Darby's strike combo and then a Code Red for 2. Darby seeks the Coffin Drop, but Punk cuts him off and prepares for an Avalanche Back Drop, only for Darby to cleverly shift it into a Crossbody Splash for 2. Darby goes for a Jacknife Pin but Punk uses his core to crab up, twisting for a Backslide, he can't get all the way but he lifts him for GTS, hits it! But Darby's body sprawls out of the ring.

Darby answers the count at 9 to Punk's relief, before using his strength to keep Darby jaded, classic knee strike to the corner followed by a short-arm clothesline. He gestures for GTS, but Darby is limp, he takes time to lift Darby which gives him the time to elbow Punk's jaw, hammering it until Punk is on his knees. Punk rolls out the ring but gets hit with the Darby-patented Suicide Dive, then a Swanton from the top turnbuckle to the outside. He throws Punk in the ring and prepares to Coffin Drop, but not before drawing heat by gesturing GTS himself, he makes the jump but Punk sits up just in time! He soaks up his cleverness a little too much though because his confident shuffle to pin Darby is reversed into a pin by Darby for 2, so Punk holds on mid-kick out to lift him up for GTS, he gets the throw but Darby blocks the knee, Last Supper! 1, 2, No!

Leg Lariat floors Darby, but Darby gets his boots up in the corner, he climbs on Punk looking for a Poison Rana, but Punk shifts him and that's the GTS! 1, 2, 3!

Punk gestures 7 to the cameras to note that he's back after 7 years, Sting then comes out and shakes Punk's hand before both men tend to Darby. Darby staggers away to get up on his own and shakes Punk's hand too as Darby and Sting leave the ring for Punk to soak in. Punk gleefully takes a lap before joyfully leaving, letting the fans tell him which tunnel he's supposed to leave through.

It won't get 5 stars but this was still great fun to see, it was a moment more than it was a match, and it's good to see that Punk barely misses a step. Darby still looks strong too and we open much more new opportunities with Punk on the roster. The finish was a bit quick for me, but it was the right finish: it's Bret in Canada, you don't have Punk lose in Chicago...unless you want a riot that is.

Full Gear was promoted for November before the piss break.

Paul Wight def. QT Marshall [w/ Aaron Solo & Nick Comoroto] (Pinfall via Chokeslam) The Factory came out first, before Wight returned in a more clothed version of his usual singlet. Solo was thrown at Wight and dumped out the ring, Comoroto - not used to facing someone this bigger and this heavier than him - would also be dragged out the ring too.

QT's opening blows are nothing to Wight, who effectively destroys Marshall with chops between punches and standing on him. QT does get some momentum by using dropkicks, dropping Wight to his knees with a dropkick to the hip, his strikes are shoved off by Wight but a Shotgun Dropkick does floor the big man - enough for a 1 count at least which dumps QT out of the ring. QT tries the Diamond Cutter but it's shrugged off, Shoulder Block and a Back Body Drop keeps him down as Wight lifts Solo into the ring to chop him, Comoroto fares a little better after eating one Wight's punches, but is felled to a pounce, giving Marshall time to climb to the turnbuckle and land into a Chokeslam for 3.

At least it was over quickly, maybe could've been quicker. I dunno since the Cody feud demolished them the Factory are nobodies, which is a shame because Comoroto and Ogogo have great potential, they're just in the wrong spot. This wasn't a PPV match either, this was better a segment or a Buy-In 'match' and the Gunn Club turn had no influence on this in the end either, so meh.

Dynamite/Rampage Promo

Dynamite is promoted for next Wednesday and it's Moxley vs Suzuki booked! Mox then cuts a promo on Suzuki before the rest of the card is shown; Ruby Soho will have a segment to address her win and collision course with Baker, and Dustin vs Black as previously announced on Rampage.

Black cuts a promo too, inviting Dustin to get angry because it makes him prone to mistake, taunting Dustin with his past victories in the Codyverse so to keep him angry.

We also promoted PAC/Andrade on Rampage but it was just saying the match is on Friday.

AEW World Championship Kenny Omega (c) [w/Don Callis] def. Christian Cage (Pinfall via Avalanche One Winged Angel)

Christian comes out first with the Impact World Title around his waist, but Kenny goes more showy with Devil's Sky and tights reminiscent of his New Japan days and blue in his hair. When his name was called he danged the world title in front of Christian as commentary note how he's on the verge of surpassing Moxley's world title reign in days.

Omega tries a V-Trigger before the bell, but Christian dodges it and prepares a Killswitch that Omega escapes, wagging his finger and starting a shoving contest. Omega hits a rana but Christian regains control on the outside, throwing Omega in the barricade and then a jumping splash from the top turnbuckle. Omega is next to shift momentum though by reversing an Irish Whip that throws Christian up and over the steel steps, using Callis as distraction he pulls out a table to stomp onto Christian, cracking the furniture as Omega mockingly channels Urkel's 'Did I do that?'.

Callis sets up another table with Kenny, but the suplex is countered by Christian who suplexes Omega away from the table. Back in the ring Omega's dropkick is scouted as he lands back first on the floor, but he rakes Christian's eyes before he can capitalize and lands a modified sling blade for 2. Raking facelocks and chops are among the actions Kenny does to try and cut Christian's breathing, a Back drop draws Cage to the corner where he tries to use his feet to hide openings for Kenny, he gets to his feet and climbs to the turnbuckle, but Kenny just shoves him off back outside the ring.

Humorously, Kenny's initial attempt to Moonsault off the barricade leads him to slip on his ass, but the second one hits the mark and splashes Christian on the outside, it's only good for 2 though. Christian tries to fight through Kenny's assault, but he's thrown into the turnbuckle then hit with an Ushigoroshi for 2. Kenny looks to go up top but Christian cuts him off, Super Rana by Cage is clean but no space for a pin, instead they trade blows, Kenny throwing his weight to get the upper hand, he misses the corner elbow which allows Christian to start his 10 strikes, but at 4 Kenny sets up the OWA, so Christian wriggles out, pushes him back in the Turnbuckle and starts again. Christian's getting some speed on Omega, and almost has him in a Cloverleaf, so Kenny after trying to eye rake and pull hair loosens a leg and kicks him away, he sets up the You Can't Escape but Christian reverses the run up into a reverse DDT for 2.

Cage sizes Kenny up for a spear, but he runs into a Knee, Christian escapes the Tiger Driver and lands a Swinging DDT to set up the Killswitch, Kenny escapes and uses a Spinning Leg Lariat to send Christian in the corner; V-Trigger, Snap Dragon Suplex, Another Snap Dragon, he gestures the gun but Christian gives him the finger, so he gives Christian a third Snap Dragon and a V Trigger. Both men edge closer to Chekov's table, Kenny looking to German Christian onto, Christian holds onto the ropes so he tries a Snap Dragon, but Christian reverses into a Killswitch setup, which Kenny avoids by pushing Cage into the ring post, he looks for the OWA but Christian escapes by returning to the ring and a reverse neckbreacker, onto the apron and Christian spears Kenny into the table with venom.

Spear to the back and front gives Christian the 2 count, so he goes up top, Frog Splash falls into Kenny's knees but Christian's damage to Kenny's back prevents him from performing the Dr Wagner Bomb. 2 V Triggers land, Christian blocks the third to try and fight back, but Kenny hits another one, then a Rain Trigger! Calling back a lot of New Japan now. Kenny goes for the Tiger Driver but Christian escapes, taking Kenny down for a Cloverleaf - sensing danger, Callis motions to the ramp, and the Good Brothers comes down. As Callis distracts the ref, Christian fends off Anderson, but Gallow has him held against the rope for Kenny to attack, V Trigger obviously hits Gallows instead and Christian tries the Killswitch, Kenny escapes, Omega tries the OWA, Christian escapes, Killswitch attempts, Killswitch lands! 1, 2, No! That was a close 2 as well, very good timing.

As Christian sets Kenny on the turnbuckle Callis tries to sneak behind him, being chased away when spotted. Christian looks to set up an Avalanche Killswitch but Kenny rakes the eyes, sets up for OWA, and lands it, nobody kicks out and that's 3.

The Bucks come out wrapped up to celebrate with the Elite and beat down Christian more, Jurassic Express try to help but the numbers are too grand. Chants of Yes! come from the crowd but Kenny grabs a mic, telling them that nobody is on his level. Apt choice of words though; the only people who can beat him are either not here, already retired or already dead

The lights go out, and it's a Ghost! Britt Baker's Boyfriend! Adam Cole BayBay comes to the ring, ready to argue with Kenny about his case of being killed off of BTE, but then he shifts his focus and superkicks Jungle Boy!

Embracing the Bucks and getting a triple kiss, Kenny mocks the crowd for thinking that Cole, their good friend, would be their enemy. Cole then talks about how the Elite is now the biggest faction in the business and that nobody is going to stop them. Kenny happily says it's a happy ending and prepares his goodbye and good night, but before that even happens, another music hits.

Oh Yes. Yes. Yes.

It's Bryan Danielson, backing the faces, as they fend off the Elite, Danielson hits the Buisaku Knee on Nick before celebrating with Christian and Jurassic Express while Cole - thunder stolen - looks angrily on.

Well it's midnight and that's how you end a PPV. Kenny vs Christian was a decent enough match all things considered, it's hard to fill the boots of Kenny vs Hangman like we wanted, but we can be patient, we have brand new toys to play with after all. Some of the shenaniganry was a bit gimmicky especially since it was a little too similar to Jericho vs MJF, but we never really bought Christian beating Kenny here so it doesn't matter as much.

Conclusion Somehow I didn't feel as enthralled as I did for Double or Nothing, but I still felt like this was great. I think it bodes down to the whole 'higher highs but lower lows' argument; Wight/QT shouldn't have been there, the Women's Casino Royale could've been booked better for most of the women and MJF/Jericho needed a bit more oomph. On the other hand, can you really fault a PPV that just gave us debuts for Minoru Suzuki, Ruby Soho (oh right, she was the one I was spoiled on btw), Adam Cole BayBay and Bryan Danielson on the same night CM Punk, Darby Allin, Christian Cage, Kenny Omega, the Lucha Bros, the Young Bucks, MJF, Jericho, Miro, Eddie Kingston and Jon Moxley all competed in?

This may indeed be worth the 3-4 hours sleep I bet I'll get now, but with a backlog as long as my arm I need to sleep

Pro Wrestling is Great.