#it's like. if revolution is (obviously) wille's revolution to be with simon

[love-isthebestthingwedo]

Young Royals Season 3 Thoughts

I have very mixed feelings about this season…

It feels like Lisa is building to something big, maybe Wille and Simon splitting up for real and Wille accepting his fate (I don’t think so re: Revolution I talk about further down)? Maybe Wille abdicating and an open ending with possibilities for Wille/Simon?

I loved the Wille/Simon romance scenes, but I hated how Wille treated Simon when he was struggling through so much (while still obviously understanding that they’re both teenagers and Wille is hardcore struggling with his own shit). It did feel like some (some, not all!) of the character development that happened in season 2 might have been ignored a little bit.

Edvin and Omar said that the ending is unexpected but makes sense for their characters… and am I the only one who feels like Wille abdicating is true to himself? He never wanted this, he’s miserable as Crown Prince, and he’s realizing that maybe he doesn’t need to carry on Erik’s legacy since he and the royal family are and have always been flawed.

The revelations about Erik are crucial to this season’s plot, and they wouldn’t be there for no reason. It is obviously instilling doubt in Wille’s mind and making his royal future look less and less appealing and uncertain.

I want Wilmon endgame SO SO badly, and the only way I see that happening is if Wille abdicates because otherwise they’re both going to be miserable for the rest of their lives.

I’m trying to keep in mind that the ENTIRE idea of this show is revolution. Revolution. Simon sings about it throughout season 3, and it’s always been talked about throughout the series, and by Lisa, Omar, and Edvin.

Not only that… but LOVE being the catalyst to revolution. I think that picture we have of Wille smiling at graduation is some kind of resolution with the Queen. I think Wille will have a “come to Jesus” moment and starts a Revolution! The very real thought of losing Simon for good might be that catalyst.

Yes, I’m disappointed and I have some strong feelings about the direction this season took us in, but I know that Lisa has always done what’s most true to the characters and their stories. Remember when we all thought the love triangle storyline was predictable, overused, and wouldn’t work? Well, that’s what led Simon and Wille back to each other. I’m holding onto hope, especially after processing it through writing all of this down.

[crownedwille]

ngl im kinda confused on why people support crown wille so much. i’m open to the idea, but i’ve always read him the same way since ep1. he was miserable from the beginning of the show (before he even met simon) up until the end. everything about the monarchy affected him in a negative way. wille and simon could not have existed as a couple if wille didn’t step down (and i feel this is something i feel they’ve expressed since s1.) ntm that there is no such thing as a good monarch and wille has never wanted to be in that role. wille is not a PUBLIC person. and nether is simon.

i’m not sure why some ppl think the fall of their relationship came out of nowhere; different problems can always arise, especially with teenagers. maybe some more explaining would help me understand, but at this point i think crown wille was such a stretch to root for.

i’d also like to add that s1 and s2 more likely had open endings to leave as cliffhangers, while s3 is the conclusion of the story. obviously, it’s not to say that everything is figured out, but that everything will be okay.

oh boy, you really want me to get into this again, here we go

he was miserable from the beginning - yeah, imagine me wanting him to have actual development and have a different mindset in the end. you don't start off your protagonist with the same mindset and that never changes, that is not proper satisfying storytelling imo. and it seems like i do have to remind people every time but if wille steps down he will still be a prince, just the second in line and no longer the heir - which is exactly who he was in the beginning. so yeah actually nothing has changed. and there was already attention and pressure on him and he still had duties and i honestly do wonder what was so different about being crown prince bc they never actually showed us.

so he will never really 'escape' the monarchy, he still is part of the royal family, his mother is the queen and he ABSOLUTELY will be a public person his entire life. and simon by association too. a fucking sex tape came out with them and wille came out to the world as queer, there is no way that people won't care anymore about it just bc wille wouldn't be crown prince anymore in a year. and as if him renouncing wouldn't make any headlines and be a huge deal and simon and wilhelm wouldn't have to deal with the aftermath and consequences of that (if they're still together at that point which i have my doubts)

there will always be attention on wille and that is something that should be obvious and i don't understand why the fandom is choosing to be so naive and blissfully ignorant about this. no, i do know, bc the show is framing it like that and wanting people to think that and stay naive and blissfully ignorant to all these facts

and i love hearing how my interpretation was wrong from the start and of course you were right all along. how dare i had hope and thought the point of killing off erik and making wille the crown prince is bc he would do things differently and bring changes and "start a revolution" bc that is totally not what the show has been about before abandoning it and taking the easy way out and not wanting to deal with what that would really entail. how dare i saw wille question traditions at hillerska and him making a public speech addressing that as him stepping into his role as crown prince and show signs of a great, competent "leader" before they also abandoned that and made sure none of that mattered and erased his growth in s3. how dare i thought wille and simon both wanted changes to the monarchy instead of letting it stay exactly how it is and giving it over to a person who has done fucked up things to them and likes the system as it is

if that and the stuff you're saying was the message the entire time i find it really sad tbh and i call bullshit on it. i definitely don't see how everything will be okay now with none of simon's or wille's mental health issues addressed and implied they're actually working on it but yeah of course they escaped the ~evil~ monarchy now and it was all its fault they didn't work out and now they're completely fine and all their problems have vanished, how could i forget

[altruistic-meme]

feeling VERY soft thinking about History Maker 2021 and wilmon tonight

[hanna-kin]

Okay the more I know about season two the more excited I get.

As you may know I live for the angst. When the little synopsis released a few days ago it felt more like we would see a more assertive prince with a very clear goal. While I was very intrigued and excited it also left me wonder how much focus there would about his inner struggles. Struggles I wanted them to adress more.

Now with Edvin's interview today I feel much more relieved that they will adress it and it makes me so happy. I know so many people want Wille to just start a revolution and tear everyone down but to me it would be more realistic if it was a slower process.

"Season two will me much darker"

That has been said before. Even in early stages so I'm not surprised. With everything that happened in season one I wouldn't expect anything else.

"Wille will be in a sad and lonely place"

Yes makes so much sense. He's likely to feel isolated and to isolate himself. He doesn't have Erik, he can't trust his mum or August- quite the opposite and he's lost Simon, not only as his boyfriend but likely as a friend - at least in the beginning.

He'll grieve Erik - and I hope and think we'll see him finally give himself time to mourn because he didn't really get to do that.

I hope the show shows that grief is not linear and that it takes time.

I also want them to adress his anxiety more directly in that someone acknowledge it. It's always in the background but it feels like it's never adressed by anyone else and in order to get better I think he needs more support. Would love to see more focus on that and with what we've just learned it seems possible.

Maybe he'll have a panic attack in front of someone who will actually react and take action?

"I can't justify Wilhelm’s decisions"

Not going to lie. Super nervous about this one. Will he do bad things and hurt Simon even more?

Will he do something even darker?

Will be related to the drugs he stole? Will he use?

Is it related to getting revenge and taking things too far?

My intial thought was definitely that he would do bad stuff that would hurt his friends more so than himself but then other people here brought up the drugs and I can also see him go down that road and obviously that's difficult to justify but you can understand.

"The new character will play an important role"

I still think he will be tied to Felice but he could alsp help them bring August down hence being important to Wille and Simon too

Or he'll be connected to the drugs

I still don't think well see a love triangle involving him but who knows.

[missmeganlee]

All the Emojis

First off, Lisa's just hilarious with this comment

Now onto the emojis

🍕- Simon starts working at a pizza place in Bjärstad to help pay off his tutoring bills

🫒- Obviously this is a reference to How I Met Your Mother and the olive theory Aka Wille loves olives but Simon hates them, which make them the perfect couple.

💇🏼‍♂️- Wille's new hair. They said "blond Wille we don't know him"

🏳️‍🌈- Gay gay gay gay gay (but we already knew that)

🔥- the spark that was ignited in Wille at the end of episode 6 aka the revolution is starting

🤼- a fight; Wille vs August or Wille vs the crown

🙋🏻‍♀️- Lisa's referring to herself cause she's the writer

❤️- Love! There's gonna be lots of love this season

🌶- s2 is gonna be SPICY HOT aka lots of drama but also a hot steamy romance

🔥- the spark that was ignited in Wille at the end of episode 6 aka the revolution is starting

👑- the monarchy and Wille's position as crown prince

🌶- Because this is the first emoji s2 is gonna start with a spicy sex scene (obviously)

💔- we're starting off s2 with both Wille and Simon heart broken

👑👀🥷🏻🐍- the monarchy is always watching and someone in it is sneaky (like a ninja) and a snake (it's okay Lisa you can just say August)

❤️- s2 ends with the broken hearts stitched together again 🥺

🚀- Wille and Simon leave Hilerska and take a rocketship to the moon so they can be together

[randomsmilingpotatoes]

i've been thinking a lot about erik and how his role would play into the plot if he hadn't died

the thing is we know he would have loved and supported wille. obviously!!! they had a fantastic sibling relationship and the scene where he didn't use pronouns clearly indicates he would've been immediately accepting and supportive of wille being with simon. not to mention, wille expresses to august how he wishes erik was there to help him through this, bc he'd know what to do.

however. every single scene we did get of erik, he was always telling wille to just do what he had to do. not just to trust august, but also to conform to society and the monarchy's expectations. "just let him take it"

this doesn't mean anything bad about him of course, he was raised to be the crown prince so it's expected he would have this attitude. however, wille's story is not about conforming. it's about a revolution. if erik was there, wille would rely on his advice, and the truth is, even though erik would be supportive, and august is right he would definitely want wille to be himself, he still likely would encourage wille to take the easy route that is not making a fuss. at best, he might find a way to let it slide away temporarily from the public, but that wouldn't work in the long term.

so it's quite interesting that at the end of episode six, the queen tries to justify covering up august's crime by trailing off with "if it can give erik's death any kind of meaning at all.." when the reality is, erik's death has quite the opposite meaning; the death of tradition.

[iloveilovei]

🌼 Young Royals 🌼

Just a hodgepodge of asks to get to know your favorites and gush some more about YR (one day it'll be enough right?). Share your thoughts dears! ❤

Thank you @levok for the tag 🥰

This took me some time, choosing between all those scenes was hard (!!!), but it was so much fun to dive deep into this wonderful show once again (not that I stray so far from it nowadays)..

Favorite kiss:

All of their kisses are beautiful in their own way and meaning, but this kiss is filled with so much love and desire, so soft, so deep... dipped into that orange light, the boys are the epitom of love. 🧡💜

Favorite hug:

I love what this hug represents, as in Wille's first step forward to being open with his love for Simon and the first sign of the coming revolution. Plus the way that Simon let's himself be hugged here, his need to be hugged in this moment (when it is usually Wille who needs a hug) makes me all mushy inside...

Favorite forehead touching:

The tension 🙈!!! Simon and Wille's way towards their first kiss (not counting Simon's little pecks) is so awkward, full of NOs and YES/NOs, hearts racing, fast breathing and slowly getting closer... but the moment their foreheads touched, it was on!

Favorite hand holding:

Omg how I squeeeeed when this happened, especially when Simon started caressing Wille's pinky, that pinky that reached out to Simon in the first place... I could squeeee again just watching the gif....🥰

Favorite Wille and Simon outfit:

Simon's Looney Tunes shirt with the purple button up.

Wille's blue sweatshirt.

As featured in this scene:

(And Simon's purple hoodie, duh!)

Favorite OST song:

The Harmony Theme, this song IS Young Royals 💜

Share a moment that:

- made you cry (happy or sad tears):

The Lucia scene, because Wille was so broken and his tear-stained voice and the actual tears in his eyes while looking at Simon with that pleading look did something to me... I cried ugly tears (while sobbing... 🥺).

- made you smile big:

There are a lot of moments that put a big smile on my face, but this moment I smiled my biggest smile, because those two are so endearing here, so nervous, but full of anticipation, slowly strolling to Simon's room (although they would rather run), so smiley when they share a short look, knowing fully what's to come and probably thinking that they fooled both Linda and Malin with the "video-games" charade...

- made you want to throw your screen against the wall:

August leaking the video, although August taking the video in the first place is a close second...

Fish scene, first time or morning after scene?:

Do I really have to choose... damn!

The fish scene, yessss.... YES!

Moments you knew this show was something special:

The whole opening took me by surprise, honestly, and the moment I saw the beat up boy, breathing heavily, while obviously having a panic attack, combined with the direction, camera work, lightning, I knew I was watching something special...

Quote you love:

Ayub: " I can see there's something going on. Bro, you like, really like him..."

Ahhhhh, I love Ayub ❤ I love how he immediately grilled Simon about his obvious crush 😜

But on a serious note, the one quote that sums up the whole Wille/Simon relationship, that is a general truth and soooo important is

"We haven't done anything wrong."

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Who would you want to be friends with first (or to be BFFs) if you went to Hillerska?:

Felice the super-sleuth, she is awsome!

Pick a song you like that you feel could be a Wille's, Simon's or Wilmon's anthem:

I'm not good with stuff like this, but I really like this one (and it picks up the fire theme 🙃):

Show me a scene that when you see it, makes you want to rewatch the show right then and there:

Honestly, I don't need to see a scene to rewatch it again, at the moment I always want to (and I have to restrain myself to actually not do it or to watch only parts of it). And I'm like the Pavlovian dog, when I hear Netflix's "tudum" I immediately go 👀👀👀... 🙈

TAAAAAAAAAAAAAG, you're it (if you want to, no pressure!!! Since it took me so long to make this post you probably already have done it 🙈):

@swedishyr @egyptienneallure @myyoungroyalsblog @purplehoodiesimon @hanna-kin @starsabovetheunderground

[astheflowersbloomm]

I haven’t seen many posts considering the option that Wilhelm might give up his right to succeed his mother. It’s the one that makes the most sense to me.

From the beginning it is clear that he wants to live a normal life and hates having his whole life controlled and planned out. Maybe his revolution isn’t about publicly coming out, but rather actually realizing he can write his own story and not follow what was set out for him. He seems to be a discreet person and to me it makes sense if the revolution happens within himself.

I also think that this might be part of the reason why homophobia isn’t that present in the show and Wilhelm is unlabelled. I feel that it takes weight off from the “figuring out your sexuality” storyline. It’s about your ability to be yourself in general, not only in a specific area of life. I think Wilhelm would still have inner conflicts about his role as crown prince even without the love story.

I kind of feel that yr is not so much about romantic love (obviously that too), but rather about learning who you are and fighting for yourself. We see in numerous occasions that Simon has already been through this and I honestly think that the reason why Simon and Wilhelm can’t be together when the season ends isn’t (only) the class/wealth difference or the pressure after the video leak, but because Simon has already been through his self discovery journey and knows what he wants, but Wilhelm hasn’t. They aren’t in the same page. Therefore the “you must figure out what you want regardless of how long it takes” when they break up is not “you have to figure out what you are willing to give up to be with me” but rather “you need space to decide who you want to be and I will wait for you while you do so”. And I think that is an incredibly beautiful expression of love and respect.

I feel like this sounds a bit like “you need to love yourself first or no one will be able to love you” which is a load of crap, but i *really* don’t think that’s what the show is trying to convey nor what I understand from that scene. I think it’s them simply needing time to get to the same page.

[mikeshanlon]

i really enjoy the way young royals explores the theme of legacy and how detrimental it can be to have to live up to a legacy or be obsessed with reputation. (analysis and thoughts under the cut)

i think wilhelm resents the fact that he has to live up to the role of being in the royal family and yet is very afraid of ruining that legacy bc of all the pressure. before he was sent off to hillerska he went to a normal school and wanted normal people around him and was content with erik having to take on the responsibilities of crown prince. and when he does have to assume that role he says he can never be erik, that he’s always had to be compared to him and obviously doesn’t like that. but even before erik passed and he had to take on those duties he was afraid of fucking up the legacy of the crown, when he sees that sign in the hallway that says you are in charge of your own legacy after he holds hands with simon, his anxiety worsens. you can tell it’s been instilled in him for a long time that what is most important is the crown’s reputation rather than his own wants. in the scene where him and simon fight about alexander being caught, he obviously wants simon to stay, but he focuses on how him doing drugs will fuck up his family’s reputation if it gets leaked. as much as he cares for simon, his legacy and his duties are like this oppressive cloud hanging over him. 

i do think that wille cares for his family of course but to me it’s different that the sort of loyal unconditional care with simon and his sister/mom. erik and wille had unconditional love, erik understood how difficult being a prince in the public eye was, and wille obviously cared for him deeply and felt like he could to talk to him about issues. his relationship with the queen is much more strained, she wants a tailored, doctored representation of him in the media, he cannot be anxious and bite his nails, she makes all the decisions for him. family is important to wille partially because it has to be bc of how special his family is. he helps his family, he helps august pay his tuition, and then makes a point of disowning august after his betrayal as his new “brother”. but again, because of the royal status and expectations upon the family, that supersedes and colors all of their relationships with each other. it seems to be more a sense of “duty” than unconditional love. especially after erik’s death, wille always has to consider how the crown’s image will be impacted, even though he never wanted to have this responsibility, or even the responsibility of being the “regular” prince under erik. being a family unit that is under constant public scrutiny is going to strain relationships. the queen knows that the anxiety of fucking up his legacy will get to him, and she uses that to get wilhelm to back out of admitting it was him in the video and coming out. wilhelm has to choose between his own happiness and their reputation, is forced to think that denying it’s him in the video is the only way. he loves simon and wanted to live freely, but that pressure of legacy won out.

i don’t know if i think wille necessarily values the crown over his own personal happiness and relationships, like in the way maybe the queen does--i don’t think it comes from a place of “i’m lucky to be prince and owe my duty to the crown, so i do what i have to do to stay that way” (like how the queen said the crown is a privilege not a punishment), but from fear of destroying the legacy and his family. afterall, he still wanted to pursue a secret relationship with simon, i think if he fully valued the crown and uplifting legacy and fulfilling his duties he wouldn’t have tried that. he wouldn’t have made a point to tell simon he loves him. hopefully we get another season because i think with the iconic ending revolution rendition and him looking in the camera, which also parallels the shot of him being forced to apologize/go to hillerska, he is realizing that focusing on legacy is taking away what’s important to him, and he’s going to shake shit up.

august is definitely the most obsessed with legacy, wanting to carry on his father’s business, being persistent on befriending wilhelm and trying to social climb, wanting power and perfection with being prefect, rowing captain etcetera. he is so obsessed with perfection and reputation he gets addicted to drugs, he fucks with simon and makes him get stuff for parties he can’t afford because good parties will make him look better, he manipulates sara multiple times, he mostly wanted felice because of her nobility, he fucking films wilhelm and simon and OUTS him, his own cousin. he hates that wille has everything he wants but isn’t as interested in preserving and more importantly improving the legacy he’s inheriting. meanwhile august’s familial legacy is dwindling, and he holds on to the last bit of assets and names that he can.... v much sick and a weirdo that shows how harmful being obsessed with legacy is

the queen is of course v focused on legacy and it really breaks my heart and makes me angry that she doesn’t care about wilhelm’s happiness more than their reputation, and moreso doesn’t get august in trouble for literally leaking child p*rn of her kid for the sake of appearances?!?!?! like how is he even remotely trustworthy she is wrong for that! like i said earlier the obsession with legacy puts a strain on their mother/son relationship. she doesn’t even really say anything about wille’s sexuality or his relationship, and barely comforts him, mostly goes in with a plan she’s already concocted without him to fix everything. 

erik seemed to understand and accept his role as crown prince but obviously had issues with it as well, like when he makes the plan for him and wilhelm to run from the press, or when he tells wilhelm to enjoy himself while there aren’t so many eyes on him that care. erik shows someone who has more unconditional love and empathy but still has to focus on legacy and is much more inclined to continue his legacy, but we do see those glimpses over how even the most “ideal” attitude of preserving legacy causes issues.

felice is expected to live up to her mother’s legacy, of being an equestrian, of being the lucia, but she doesn’t want either of those things. her mother wants her to be thinner and straighten her hair, and find someone of nobility to be with. obviously she does find wilhelm attractive lol but i think the main reason she pursued him and definitely why she pursued august was because she was expected to social climb and have royal kids. felice feels the need to portray a false narrative of herself on social media to uphold a certain image of herself. it’s very fucked up that her mom wants those values instilled in her but i love that felice was putting up boundaries and pushing back against her mother and the narrative she’s supposed to live up to. her giving sara the role of lucia and focusing on supporting her friends more in the latter half of the season shows growth and i’m excited to see where her story goes. 

sara is interesting because she seems to want to reject the legacy of her family and being working class and to fit in with the elite of hillerska. sara hates micke, hates that simon contacted him because it’s bringing in this “shameful” and painful part of their past (which i mean is def fair). other than sara’s betrayal in 1.06, i think the scene where she tells her family that she wants to reside at hillerska really exemplifies where she’s at in her relation to legacy/class. after dining at hillerska and living amongst the elite she gets annoyed at eating around the TV, she blames her mother for not leaving micke sooner, she gets angry with simon for caring for her. she wants to lead her own life, be popular and wanted because people want her, not for pity (even though i think simon of course truly cares abt his sister she feels annoyed with his protection and care). felice says early on that she thinks sara doesn’t care what other’s think or having friends, and sara says she still wants friends though. i think sara’s biggest thing is she wants to belong, her and simon moved schools after she was bullied for being autistic so i think that definitely affected her even though she tries to act nonchalant about hillerska at first. we see sara’s longing to fit in in smaller ways at first, like her asking her mom for a better piece of her uniform because hers are “cheap” and already worn out. she gets annoyed at simon for chewing loudly, or her mother sitting casually at the table. as she gets closer to felice and madison and all the other students, the allure of the upper class and their lifestyle draws her in more. so much to the point where she gets very anxious and upset at the idea of her and simon leaving hillerska because he’s having his own crisis and doesn’t consider his pov. so much so that she effectively betrays simon and felice, the people she’s closest to, to make a deal (and make out lol) with august to room there and “be just like him”. personally i think sara’s attraction to august is mostly that allure of the elite and that he seemed to “desire” her when he kissed her because he was being a manipulative dickhead--again that want to fit in and be wanted. and  i think there is a really interesting angle of jealousy and competition in female friendships, even if it is really subtle or not intentionally insidious or anything, sara does slowly start to trying to assume all the roles/fashions/mannerisms of felice to live that life she wants. i do think felice and sara’s care for each other is genuine and one of my fave parts of the show, but i think a lot of people who experienced being a teen girl know how we are always pitted against each other even in our subconscious because of how society treats and values women.

simon seems to be the character that is least interested in upholding legacy and tradition or giving a fuck what anyone thinks (as omar said here lmao) and that makes him a really interesting foil to wilhelm. there could be something said about micke fearing that simon is following in his footsteps, but to me that plot more so reveals how the upper class (august) continually exploit the working class for their benefit, and the trappings of generational oppression. the other thing that can be said is simon signing up for private tutoring and rowing, but again i think that serves to further show that he is forced to “play” by the game of the elites because the school/society is corrupt, and also, that simon has further ambitions outside of where he’s at. he wants to get good grades because he wants to explore new places and avenues. to me simon’s biggest motivations are his passions, the things and people he loves--music, his family, wilhelm. he isn’t loyal to others just because he’s expected to be, or uphold a certain image but because he really cares. he doesn’t watch out for sara because that’s his expected role as her brother to do so, but because he cares. he wasn’t interested in knowing wilhelm because he’s a prince like everyone else, he makes it clear he thinks the royal family are privileged and exploitative, but he is interested because he saw the real wilhelm. he’s out and proud even though his elite classmates are more conservative, he doesn’t care about voicing his unpopular opinions, he has no problem walking away from august’s dickhead behavior or calling him out on his shit. simon doesn’t care if people don’t think of him in the best light. (the only exceptions ig are the drugs conflict and the video, though literally anyone would have a problem with that because it’s much deeper that public opinion and has ramifications and is deeply traumatic--but just adding that before someone is like “well actually!”) i also think it’s interesting that most of the songs simon sings has themes of pushing back against the societal norms, and being remembered in history, plus of course the revolution song motif, and how much those songs affect wilhelm, he seems to connect deeply, like he wishes he could do those things but simon is the one who gets to sing them and actually live them.

[queenlua]

Ace Attorney case tier list

so, in the past year, i finished replaying games 1 through 5 for the first time in forever, and also played game 6 for the first time ever

so here’s where i ruthlessly rank each of the cases based on that most scientific metric of all, My Opinions:

OPENING CASES

S-tier: Turnabout Trump (4-1).  I already knew this case, and I still gasped with surprise when Phoenix showed up, and when Kristoph showed his true colors, and when Apollo realized OH SHIT OH FUCK I REALLY AM ACCUSING MY BOSS OF MURDER HUH... what a wonderful, splashy, shockingly concise case to open up the post-O.G. trilogy world.  Marvelous.

A-tier: Turnabout Memories (3-1).  Seeing Mia Fey (finally!) in action is a long-awaited delight; seeing Phoenix being a total dumbass was an unexpected-yet-perfect and fitting delight.

B-tier: The First Turnabout (1-1).  Solid lil’ case with some conventional-but-well-executed humor.  I’ve got a soft spot for Larry Butz.

C-tier: The Lost Turnabout (2-1), The Foreign Turnabout (6-1).  The former’s fine but a little forgettable; the latter has some fun gags (Payne’s ridiculous new outfit, dude absolutely shredding on the mandolin, etc) but is marred by how uh... kinda silly the game’s core conceit is, lol

E-tier: Turnabout Countdown (5-1).  The context surrounding this introduction is just sloppy (badly handled in media res + let’s lowkey retcon game 4 isn’t a great setup), and also the case itself is just. irksome. ted tonate is just fundamentally irritating to look at

FINALE CASES

S-tier: Bridge to the Turnabout (3-5), Turnabout Goodbyes (1-4).  No explanation needed.  God they fuck so hard

A-tier: The Cosmic Turnabout + Turnabout for Tomorrow (5-4 + 5-5), Turnabout Succession (4-4).

The former two cases are what makes AA5 worth it, and they make for a tremendously fun ride.  It fumbles the execution in some notable ways (Apollo’s sudden j’accuse moment feels a little forced/awkward/inadequately foreshadowed, and damn it sure would’ve been nice to know Clay Terran at all before he died, and also The Phantom’s final meltdown could’ve used a bit more emotional heft)... but okay let’s be real, I’m here for Simon Blackquill, and this case gives me so much of him so who gives a shit.  (And Aura!  Condescending obnoxious engineering queen!  I love her!)  

As for Turnabout Succession... while I earnestly wish the game had explored more of Klavier’s feelings about this whole setup, and some more emotional beats for Apollo, the case still makes for such a satisfyingly twisty and fun investigation overall (the poison stamp! what a ridiculous murder method! I love it!) that it’s a more-than-worthy finale.

B-tier: Turnabout Revolution (6-5), Farewell, My Turnabout (2-4).

The former does some cool stuff—I particularly like the opening half, where Apollo’s being real snippy and coping with Frankly Bizarre Dad Feelings, and giving Apollo a chance to finally throw down against Phoenix is a blast.  The latter half of the case starts feeling a little... ridiculous? cramped? idk? like, they didn’t do nearly enough foreshadowing about Nahyuta’s whole deal for me to care about his drama, this justice system is so obviously silly and the manner in which the revolution is playing out strains my already-suspended-sky-high disbelief... fun, and flashy, but more noise than signal in the last part, I guess.

As for Farewell, My Turnabout: of course I love Edgeworth rolling back into court goin’ through SOME kind of bizarre emotional arc of Hey I’m Totally Healed Now and obnoxiously preaching about Truth TM.  And it’s cool that the game set up a case where you want to lose.  But the net result is a bit strange tonally—it’s trying set up some kind of message about It’s Not Just About Winning, It’s About Pursuing The Truth, but it feels really muddled when that’s combined with Okay But Maya’s Literally Being Held Hostage Like Right Now, Surely A Reasonable Justice System Has A Process For Dealing With This Obviously Complicated Situation, Right?

but also Franziska takes a fucking bullet (how did I forget about that) and then gets to roll in like Ms. Save The Day so, really, lots of good shit here

FILLER CASES

S-tier: Reunion, and Turnabout (2-2), Turnabout Beginnings (3-4).  Look, the first one gives me all the Fey family drama a girl could ask for, and the latter gives me young Edgeworth being a total shit in an obnoxiously shimmery outfit.  The whole enchilada is here

A+ tier: The Magical Turnabout (6-2).  DELIGHTFUL!  MAGICIAN!  SHENANIGANS!  Like you get to guess the trick behind a magic act as part of the case, how fucking fun is that, and also the Apollo & Athena duo’s chemistry is perfect, the villain is a FANTASTIC bastard, and even the bit characters you meet during the investigation are total delights... Probably the best “standalone” case in the series, in that it doesn’t rely on any emotional connections to previous cases (unlike 2-2 and 3-4) to still totally and completely rule.

A tier: Turnabout Samurai (1-3), Turnabout Reclaimed (5-DLC).

For Turnabout Samurai, I remembered before this replay how delightful the TV SHOW STUDIO investigation and actor-fandom stuff was; I had TOTALLY forgotten Vasquez calling in her mob connections to try and wreck you.  What a fantastic villain; what a fun case.

Turnabout Reclaimed is just good solid goofy nonsense.  Probably receives a boost for me in particular because, yeah, Simon Blackquill.  But then again who isn’t giving cases a boost on that account; they are MISSING OUT

B tier: The Stolen Turnabout (3-2).  Ron and Desirée are so great sighs into hands

C tier: Listing roughly in order of preference: Turnabout Academy (5-3), Turnabout Serenade (4-3), Turnabout Sisters (1-2), Recipe for a Turnabout (3-3), Rite of the Turnabout (6-3), Rise from the Ashes (1-5).

Four of these (5-3, 4-3, 1-2, 3-3) are perfectly solid cases; I just don’t love them quite as much as “thievery hijinks” or “Hollywood hijinks” or other such particularly delightful flavors.  Everyone has a favorite flavor of Jolly Rancher and all that.

Rite of the Turnabout is interesting and connected with the larger themes of the game in a cool way, and makes good use of the divination mechanic.  However, the last bit gets twisty enough to actually be kind of confusing, and said larger themes of the game are... kinda hard for me to take seriously... which, yeah, leads to it feeling a little stilted when it really should be singing.

Rise from the Ashes landed awkwardly for me.  I know it was added well after the first game’s release, and it does a good job of continuing some of the cool stuff from that game—it’s neat, in isolation, to see Phoenix and Edgeworth working together (while still sniping at each other!), and some of the DS-specific mechanics are neat.  However, I just didn’t feel like I learned quite enough about Ema and Lana to care about them like I should, and retconning “(almost certainly true) rumors that Edgeworth was involved in Shady Shit TM” into “actually Edgeworth was totally ignorant of Shady Shit TM, like at worst his crime was willful ignorance / incuriosity, he was just been manipulated by the Police Chief”... makes Edgeworth less interesting to me!  Like, it’s cool to see Edgeworth caught off-guard and under pressure, but I wish the circumstances had been different?  Also Gant’s theme song is annoying as shit, which is petty but hey this is my blog post so

D tier: Turnabout Storyteller (6-4), Turnabout Corner (4-2), Turnabout Big Top (2-3), The Monstrous Turnabout (5-2).

Turnabout Storyteller has some fun gags with My Dude Simon and also Taka, but was heavily marred by Everyone Talking Down To Athena The Entire Fucking Case Oh My God Can You All Just Shut Up.

Turnabout Corner has... lots of fun elements but... look the fucking stolen-panties setup just grates ok

I don’t think I hate Turnabout Big Top the way most people seem to, but I did find the final murder setup more annoying that I remembered this playthrough—bro you were really sure the dude was going to conveniently stand right there and the heavy statue was definitely going to strike a killing blow and not just give the guy a concussion?  ok lol

The Monstrous Turnabout suffers mostly from poor puzzle/investigation design, being too hand-hold-y, and also having a core gimmick/setting that just wasn’t really my thing.  Alas!

[levok]

Update on the whole I watch young royals with my mom we just finished season four and my mom said they need a on-site dermatologist and she really want to be the fast forward through the sex scene between Wille and  Simone but I told her that we couldn’t do it because of obviously you know what and I knew what was coming so my heart was beating I’m like oh my God and I forgot that revolution played during the football field scene so that completely broke me but my mom really has no chill I can’t believe she straight up said they need to have an on-site dermatologist I don’t think she saying it in a rude way but whatever

Sounds like a rough viewing party you’re going through!… it’s a dangerous game to make someone watch a show you love. If they don’t pay the right amount of attention, or doesn’t get the points it can be so frustrating and you feel like they ruin the whole thing. I’ve luckily only showed it to my two best friends, and they absolutely loved it (and got mildly upset over the fact that their teen gay years didn’t contain any pure love). But please stop her from shaming the actor’s skin. It’s so important to show that it’s totally normal for teens to have flawed skin. That’s a part of life that media always cover up.

[vanillawriterv]

Markus Deserved Better from DBH

This ended up hella long but Markus deserved better from David Cage and I’m upset about it, ok?  

Anybody who’s been involved or seen the Detroit: Become Human fandom knows that Connor is the most favorited by the voiced community, and he absolutely deserves the love he gets. He’s an intriguing character with a cute face, and the fandom has widely noted that. Kara is a widely loved character as well, just as she should be. We see so many raw emotions from Kara that make us relate and empathize with her, and she’s a strong willed person. Markus, however, isn't as widely appreciated. Don’t get me wrong, I know there are tons and tons of posts and art and writing and appreciation for him, but that pales in comparison to that of Connor or Kara. I’ve seen people blame this on “deep rooted racism” and all that lovely stuff, but there are a variety of reasons Markus doesn’t resonate with most as much as Kara or Connor, and why he deserved better from the creators. It makes the whole thing even weirder because Markus is the integral piece of the entire game. 

Connor and Kara’s plot lines are obviously very important. Connor’s conflict in finding out who he is and what he wants to be is emotional, and him being a detective is crucial to his story. Connor’s end goal is to find Jericho, which is centered mainly around Markus’ story. Kara’s conflict in deciding to do what’s best for Alice, even if what she does isn’t “morally” correct, is also extremely emotional and really makes you evaluate what you would do for the ones you love, no matter how inherently “wrong” it is. Her being an Android and trying to take care of Alice and find Jericho to get to Canada are crucial to the story, and her end goal is centered mainly around Markus’ story as well. 

Markus’ plot is the most important part of Detroit: Become Human. Without him, it would have taken another Android to finally decide to revolt, and given that he had to convince Jericho when he got there, it would have taken a decent amount of time. If Markus didn’t begin a revolution, Connor wouldn’t have ended up working towards finding Jericho because Androids would only have acted out individually with no name behind their cause, and widespread deviancy would be eradicated if someone else didn’t unite them all before they really started getting rid of deviants. Though Connor could have found deviancy without the revolution or Jericho, his character arc centers around witnessing his own people stand up for themselves and him deciding who he’s going to be. Connor without Markus would just be a detective doing cases on the very thing he’s never supposed to be and he’ll either remain a machine, or become a deviant and have to deal with that without a cause on his side. 

Kara would probably still end up looking for Jericho with Alice because of the Android that shared information with her when they were looking for a place to stay the night, but she’d be greeted with pre-Markus Jericho that doesn’t do much but hide. She probably wouldn’t have made it to Canada or even the border if this happened. 

This all means that all their stories—and plenty of other side characters’ stories—revolve around Markus, who he is, and what his existence means in the game. Now, this isn’t actually very obvious in the game. It doesn’t take deep thinking or any real situation assessment to realise exactly how crucial Markus is to the game and every character’s development, but it isn’t as clear as it should be. Markus should be the point the game revolves around because he’s why it exists—so why don’t we feel nearly as emotionally attached to him? 

Well, we don’t get to see who Markus is. We see Markus speaking for a community as a whole, not really for himself. He puts himself in a position where most of what he says is said for Androids everywhere, and not necessarily his personal thoughts or aspirations. Yes, he wants to lead this revolution, but that’s his only characteristic he was given. Markus’ only purpose all the way throughout the entire game is the revolution. Of course, if you go the right route and choose the right things, you get one(1) possible love interest, but even that route is empty and bland of actual bonding or real insight to how Markus might be thinking or feeling. The only time we get to see Markus—and the thing that resonates within the people whose favorite character is Markus—is how he got to where he was. Connor is hesitant in his path of figuring out who he is against who he’s “supposed” to be. Kara is determined to take care of a child who hasn’t had the proper care. But Markus? Markus was the character who realised that nobody was going to stand up for him and that if he wanted protection, and rights, and thoughts, and to be independent he was going to have to do it himself. He stood up for himself when nobody could or would, and the people who realised that are the people who see exactly how valuable he is to the story and how much character he has inside of him that isn’t being shown to us throughout the rest of the game. 

Connor and Kara have plenty of moments bonding with other people and expressing their thoughts or concerns. Connor has Hank, and they routinely interact in a way meant to make you connected to them both by sharing thoughts, ideas, and moments. Kara has Alice from the beginning, and it quickly develops our emotional connection to them both because they both need the other, and that is a strong, relatable emotional bond. Eventually Kara gets Luther who allows for more of Kara’s thoughts to be shown rather than just her emotions, as well as Luther’s, which give us an emotional connection to both of them. But Markus doesn’t really have those moments. Yes, he has Josh, North, and Simon, but the only talks they really had were about the revolution and Jericho’s decisions as a whole. There were so little scenes showing Markus connecting with others in a more intimate way than just recruiting them or speaking to Jericho as a whole, and they were pretty late into the game when we’d all already fallen in love with these other Characters. 

It’s poor writing to only begin connecting the player to the main piece of why the story’s happening near the end of the entire game. There was time for more, in general, from Markus. 

Plus—and this one really irks me as a music fan in general—his theme was a crime. I watched a playthrough before I ever played the game, and one of the first things I noted was the intensity of Connor’s theme. You all know it, and it is so packed with emotion that you can feel without having to know anything about the game. Nima Fakhrara, the composer of Connor’s theme, put so much of Connor’s conflict and internal struggles into that piece, and perfectly captivated the duality of human and machine within him. Listen to it if you haven’t taken the time, it’s 8 minutes and 54 seconds of an absolutely beautiful composition. Kara’s theme moves me every time as well. Philip Sheppard, the composer of Kara’s theme, also put so much emotion into hers. The push and pull of the intensity captivates Kara’s situation so well. Her theme feels much more raw than Connor’s, by the nature of her character. Also listen to that if you haven’t, 6 minutes and 55 seconds of another absolutely beautiful composition. Markus’ theme, in comparison to Kara and Connor’s, feels so empty. It’s fitting only because of the lack of emotional value they put into Markus, and feels almost like ambiance music. You can’t feel the emotions Markus has within the piece, because we see so little of who he is. Not only that, his theme is a staggering 3 minutes and 2 seconds long. And, I believe John Paesano, the composer of Markus’ theme, is not the reason behind this lack of emotion. John Paesano also composed Marvel’s Spider Man main theme, and noted that he wanted to make the theme “more emotional and introspective.” The Spider Man main theme is also as short as Markus’ but most would argue still has a lot more emotion. There is no guarantee it wasn’t just a different artist’s take, but I believe John Paesano could have easily made a much more emotional theme for a character who actually had more emotions and personality to base the theme off of. 

Markus’ lack of emotional development, his disconnect from the player because he only speaks as a whole and the game never shows him speaking for himself or his mind, and the lack of emotion in his theme compared to such emotionally driven themes makes Markus feel unimportant and much more distant from the player. 

There were so many things David Cage could have done to make Markus feel as important as he is, but he lacked so much of what the other characters were given. I understand that what he was doing as a character didn’t provide as many opportunities as Kara or Connor to really show who he is to the player, but there was room for a more emotional Markus. He’s my favorite character in the game solely because he got up and did what no one else could or would do for himself, and if I—and many others—can fall in love with a character based on their only real emotional action, can you imagine the amount of people who’d fall in love with the rest of his missing personality? 

[rk1kheadcanons]

AU after the revolution Connor becomes a “symbol of escaping your oppressors (esp sexually-conservative parents)” by becoming Markus’ partner and is very uncomfortable with everyone using him as just an object to project their fears and fantasies onto. He gets called a thot and “Markus’ good little slut” just for kissing and he hates it, the amount of pron people make of him makes him puke. No matter how hard they try, they can’t ignore how fetishized/objectified their relationship is becoming

You have no idea how vastly I love you for your prompt, Anon.

I took this prompt on for many reasons.

As an ally, it's imperative to respect and uplift all forms of love. It becomes a problem when we actively seek it out for the "entertainment value." There are people behind those alternative lifestyles with their own struggles on a daily basis. They are human, not 2d paper and pen figment of some of all perversions. They're not here to be anyone's form of sexual excitement, period. If someone asked me now why had so much more homosexual pairings instead of hetero, I got my receipts for each and every one of them, and I promise "they so cute" is not my first thought. If it is for you, well might give this a thought or two. And, no, I am NOT singling anyone out, never that.😌

Anyways, I'm off my soapbox now. I just felt l I owed it to my friends out there to say that they aren't just "quirky, gay babies, uwu."

That said, you'll have to pry booty shorts-wearing, nail polish bedazzling Connor from my cold, dead hands. I know he can be a BAMF, break my neck, and still be adorable while doing so. That's just gospel, sis. 😏

Markus and Connor had decided to go public with their relationship sooner rather than later for a myriad of reasons. There was a history between the two that no Android alive now would forget.

The famous deviant leader and the infamous deviant hunter now in a romantic relationship was the talk of New Jericho.

Of course, those hurt during the period of time that Connor had not Hu deviated was the louder voice heard from the masses. They didn't establish the 'ex' on deviant hunter for a reason. They were bitter, intimidated, and above all else, felt the relationship between the two men betrayed something that Markus had pledged to them. So long as Connor was just there acting as the security on his off time from the DPD, no one cared. As soon as he showed true signs of his deviation, that he could indeed understand the concept of emotions like love... Well, to many that was unacceptable. What about their friends and possible lost lovers in the original Jericho? They, the murmuring androids, knew that he would have been shackled to his programming, that until it was broken, he would have been just as much a slave to his protocol as they would have been in his place.

The funny thing about emotions though is it tended to make you irrational.

Connor was forever cautious when at New Jericho despite Markus and North, Josh, and Simon finally taking him under their wing. He heard those murmurs, though. It wasn't like he did not have good hearing. Then there were the social protocols that let him know that others were uncomfortable around him. Maybe they glanced away upon looking at him or more obviously changed positions to get away from wherever he strolled.

Connor hated the feeling but he wore the mass shunning like a Scarlet Letter around his neck.

Markus and the others knew of Connor's treatment. Markus often publicly condemned the behavior. It worked for some, others revolted against it. That's when they changed tactics.

Connor immediately became apprehensive about the sudden change in behavior over the next month. No longer did those who meet him look away or run from him, but more and more an odd behavior happened in some.

Connor was met with blushes, flustered looks while others, male, female, or other, looked at him with a look that could only be described as hostility mixed with lust. It caused him to recoil away from those who wore those looks, recalling how North had confided candidly in him, shared memories of how she'd been treated. Those human faces matched those of these Androids.

Markus had come to him without him knowing, so caught up in the sea of emotions he was, pulling him away.

When Connor looked at the other man, his face looked tired. He looked overall defeated and hurt. Before Connor could ask, Markus took him back to his office and gently sat him in his office chair behind Markus all in one desktop he used to interface with when going over things. It was not long before North busted in the office, Simon right behind her, both taking there side by Connor. Josh came in lathe st closing the door and locked it.

Connor was wary. What was going on? Markus began talking to him telling him about how about a month or so ago a new online group had been created, a forum. It revolved around their relationship solely. He told Connor that the maker of the room was in custody, as well as several of the main instigators, that he was heartbroken that this was happening, that he should have done more and to not concern himself, he was taking care of it and to never look at the site as they worked to close it down for good.

The LED on Connor's temple pulsed yellow and Markus had to stop him from searching for it, instead interfaced with the PC front of him on his desk. He knew Connor would want to go to it regardless. He was too inquisitive for his own good.

The website seemed pretty benign, it even had a cute shorthand for their relationship as 'RK1K' or 'R1000'.

Connor gently shed the human skin and interfaced with the site.

It was wasn't cute or sweet at all if the tightening if his other hand on the armrest indicated with the squeal of leather in the starkly quiet room. North's fiery glare was in one screen as well though she gently pulled his fingers away from the chair willing him to grab at her own hand, even if his strength in his stress crushed it. Simon placed a resting friendly hand on his thigh, sad eyes turned up to him.

Markus wrapped his arms around his lover's shoulders and rested his head on one shoulder, also taking in the devastating effects of what misguided hatred could do again with Connor.

The tears came naturally to his eyes as he took in the sheer volume of disrespectful post one after another. Pictures and videos edit made to look very realistic of Connor in a very harmful or demeaning role in his relationship with Markus.

They really did have him as if he was just Markus' slave, literal pet, or even more insulting, just a hole to use, eluding Markus still remained with North but they agreed to this arrangement due to her history as a known sex model. This was insulting to not only him but also North, cheapening her struggle.

Others said that this was his new attack on the android leader: get him used to him, in a relationship with himself, and then when they were in the throes of passion he'd strike like some twisted black widow.

The group chat was abhorrent. Connor to them was little more than a beautiful carcass. He meant nothing to them but they'd be willing to bed him. The female-presenting androids made him little more than just some sort of soft, weak invalid that lived only for Markus to dominate in and out of the bedroom. Others just lusted for them both, striping everything that was Markus and Connor away to nothing but rutting animals, nothing further.

The screen turned off with the withdraw of Connor's hand from it. He was up and out of the chair on his way, away from here. He could not do this with these people.

Markus was right after him.

North and Simon were calling all Androids on the campus for a meeting while Josh had been working on ways to fully dismantle such an awful website.

About time Markus caught up to Connor, he was in a self-driving cab, whisking away from New Jericho, Markus knew most likely to Hank's House called his own to go there.

The meeting went exactly as one would expect from two extremely pissed leaders, one who could remain level headed regardless, and the third finally joined giving the names of the known accused and that the site was permanently shut down. There was no grumbling because they knew that it would be more issues. They all have seen Connor flee the compound, markus on his heels.

For however angry North was, nothing would compare to Markus when he showed that side of him to the people that caused this and the others that cast a blind eye to this sort of abuse, allowing for it.

When Connor reached Hank's door, he knocked hard but couldn't see well due to the tears. His face was flushed as they poured down his face. It was not long before the older father figure lieutenant let Connor inside just as Markus pulled up in his own taxi.

After Hank was assured Markus was not the cause of Connor's distress, he was admitted into the house as well. Markus immediately went and held on to Connor. They were both hurting from that level of hatred.

Of course, Markus would be upset and just as hurt as if the subject matter was him. He loved Connor and the sheer disrespect for the one he cared for was a slap in the face to him, as well.

The situation was explained to Hank, who was livid for them both, and sad that the other Androids couldn't see Connor for himself. Dad powers activated and Connor would stay with him for a while, away from Jericho.

Weeks pass, Markus is hurting and the rest of the leaders can see just how much Connor helped with smoothing the frayed edges in Markus own personality when he was tired, hurt. He tended to be snappish, not meaning to be. While he still did everything required, the whole of Jericho started to understand the gravity of the situation.

Sure, there would still be those who just treated the situation like Markus lost a favorite toy like Connor wasn't even a person, to begin with. As if Markus was throwing a tantrum in the face of genuine mistreatment.

Others though would likely see the pain they caused, fear what would happen if, though unlikely but improbable, Markus decided to walk away from all of this as a leader in the Deviants for his lover.

There are very real rumors.

It's not like they don't see Josh counseling his friend and brother daily when Markus anxiously paces the floor, the sometimes bitter and harsh words directed at no one stating the same grief he feels from this strife of his people and who he's chosen to love in the end. Or how he leaves all things that can be to the three leaders now, where before it wasn't an issue to wear that heavy crown of leadership primarily. Or how when he can he sneaks off to the old human Lieutenant's house to see the ex-deviant hunter and second he can because of that love.

Yeah, the vast majority of people are feeling like they fucked up, including any androids who dared to join in with this witch hunt for Connor and they were part of the group he directly deviated and saved from Cyberlife.

Fractions start to happen among the group, those for and against Connor's presence like finally some of those saved remembered some semblance of loyalty to him. North is fucking done with this shit. All she knows is that she misses her awkward murder baby that is so much more than just arm candy to Markus and it takes both Simon and Josh to keep her from charging into another dispute of Connor this week.

"Shut the fuck up! You have no idea what you are talking about, the person you are trying to tear down just because of his past and programming."

Of course, she'd vested. It was an explicit reminder of her own life before Jericho and how people, human and Android, loved to devalue someone with a sexual abuse past.

Connor's was mentally and emotionally abuse he suffered. The abuse was abuse at the end of the day. He had confided in her. She had seen Amanda...

From that day on, it seemed quieter about the Connor subject.

Six months.

It took six months of Markus creeping to see his lover that felt an outcast, North railing at any Android who dared speak ill of Connor, and Simon and Josh going to see him at the old lieutenant's house.

Simon had missed Connor, too. Though he was quieter about the whole thing, it didn't mean he didn't suffer the same.

Connor was so unique. He could be so cold and calculating in the heat of the moment, gun out, ready to go. But in private, talking about the 'family' dog Sumo, sharing snapshots of him, and talking about a new soft sweater he thought Simon might like as well.

Simon helped Connor with his identity as a homosexual man and as such, they bonded together. Between him and North scheming when they had a night out, it was so hilarious and refreshing.

He missed him.

Josh enjoyed Connor's brand of humor. It was dry as the Sahara, and typically delivered deadpan and it murdered him. Connor did laugh like a madman, but it was typically in Markus presence at his dry humor or sarcasm.

All the while Connor was gone, Markus and Connor talked about the dilemma. Whether Markus came and got him for lunch or they met after work at Hank's place, they talked about it, kept their communication strong, and their relationship stronger. It had been hard for them, and blame had been spread, mostly hurt fueled from Connor's side to Markus initially that this even happened under their leadership. Markus mutely had taken it, feeling as though he could have done more. Then Connor would apologize, realizing that his past was not anyone else fault but his own, that he deserved this treatment to which Markus would rally against, telling him he was good and kind, no he most definitely did not deserve this disrespect. In time, the storm calmed between them and Connor knew what to do.

On a cool, wet morning in October, Connor Anderson moved back into New Jericho, back into the living quarters with one Markys Manfred. Sure, there were murmurs but nothing like before.

One android saw this again felt some sort of way about Connor and his existence at Jericho. Just as she readied her verbal barbs, another shut her down before she could even start.

Connor witness it; Markus did too, as did North, Simon, and Josh as they were welcoming him back. A majority of people saw this brave soul stand up for one of their leaders as they had never done before.

It makes a difference in the way Connor is perceived and treated. Instead of the leadership having to police the situation, the fear of another common android speaking out for Connor and against the naysayer's curves the negative vibe that attempts to take hold again.

Connor is now welcomed back by the majority of New Jericho, not the minority, and things are back to running smoothly as before he left.

[fyrapartnersearch]

Going to attempt to keep this short and sweet, although for actual roleplay I enjoy a good mix of quality and quantity - without branching into purple prose.

21+ (seeking 18+ partners for 18+ characters) and currently residing in the UK. I am looking for someone who is down for regular replies. Whilst I understand and respect that real life comes first, I’m unfortunately without much to do until September so I’m looking for long-term distraction.

I have no limits but would ALWAYS respect yours. I enjoy slow-burn, forbidden romance, angst, fluff, smut... everything under the sun. Let’s discuss what we enjoy. I’m down for OOC chattering and would like a partner who is happy to share pictures, playlists etc. But this isn’t a requirement, just something I enjoy!

I also love side characters. I’m not keen on doubling per se but I love being able to write and give personality and story to other characters. Parents, friends, that random girl in the coffee shop... let’s make them stand out. I typically enjoy m/m and f/f mains only but I am happy to include m/f as a side ship and play any gender.

Okay. The good stuff! Bold is who I want to play.

Fandoms:

La Casa de Papel

- Berlin/Palermo

- Palermo/Helsinki

- Nairobi/Tokyo

I have got various plots in mind for any of these ships, both canon and AU.

Doctor Who

- Clara/12

- Jack Harkness/The Doctor (Open to any Doctor from 9-12.)

The Umbrella Academy

- Diego/Klaus

So, it’s coming back soon! Anyone else excited? I’m buzzing to see them all again. In terms of Diego and Klaus, I’ve seen a few cute pieces of art around that I’ll link my partner to and would love to pull from. One that recently hit my pinterest feed was a Pushing Daisies (anyone remember that??) AU in which Diego is still a cop and Klaus helps him solve crimes by communicating with the dead. We could take this anywhere. Make it that they’re still related and wind up reconnecting - either in a different way or as canon with Reginald’s death. Or we can have it that they meet randomly and don’t know each other, maybe Klaus gets arrested and in a drug-fuelled state ends up babbling about something that helps Diego and Patch solve their case.

So open to other ideas for these two!!!!

Misfits

- Nathan/Simon

I’d also be very happy to work with a crossover between TUA and Misfits with any sort of crossover pairing or just working with the different characters. Also more than happy to just write Nathan/Simon on their own. Maybe how things would have played out if they’d got together.

Vis a Vis (Locked Up)

- Maca/Zulema

- Saray/Zulema

Kingsman

- Harry/Eggsy

Would love a AU for this. Let’s make them the same age, living in different parts of the city. Class differences. Maybe they meet when Harry sneaks away from his family and ends up near the estate. Forbidden romance. Secret meetings. Angst galore.

Originals:

- M/M or F/F. Character A and their opposite sex partner seem like the perfect couple living the perfect life. Then Character A’s partner announces they are going abroad to stay with their family for a while. Suddenly Character A finds themselves infatuated with Character B, their partners cousin/childhood friend/distant sibling... Lots of drama available here. Slow burn. Forbidden romance. Summer romance. I would prefer to play Character B for this!

- M/M or F/F. Heist. Not much of a plot for this but I would love to work with a LCDP vibe. This could be robber/hostage or robber/robber. Although you don’t necessarily have to have watched La Casa de Papel for this, I would be keen to have someone willing to do a bit of research into the premise. I would like to play a robber in this. I don’t like playing ‘strictly good or strictly bad’ characters nor do I like trying to make bad people seem actually good but with the nature of LCDP, I’d enjoy there being a good reasoning behind the robbery. A revolution of sorts.

- M/M. Small Town Monster. Kind of Stranger Things. Character A is a Police Chief/Politician/Beloved figure in the town. Maybe a widow? Maybe a father? Older. Character B is a bit of a trouble maker, petty crime etc. When trouble comes to the boring town in the form of some sort of creature, the two of them end of coming together to fight it and love blooms along the way. More forbidden love. Age gaps (all 18+) and secret meetings in the midst of chaos. I’d like to play Character B for this!

- Good Omens type story. Angels and demons hate each other (obviously) and are always trying to one up each other. This time, Hell decides to send a Demon in disguise to Heaven. Let’s just pretend it’s plausible. What the demon never expected was to end up very attracted to an Angel. Funny workplace shenanigans. Angst. Smut. Forbidden romance. A big event overarching? Let’s chat. I’d like to play the Angel as well as taking on any angelic or demonic side characters.

Human/Demon with a twist. The apocalypse has come, but instead of zombies it is simply the rise of the supernatural. The creatures are living in the ruins of the new world, ruled by a King (Demon or really any supernatural creature). Humans, like in all apocalypse stories, are fighting for their lives. Constantly on the move. Killing each other as well as the creatures. Several of them have formed large groups in an attempt to end this horror show. I’d like for there to be some sort of threat to the supernatural community too, beyond just humanity. An ancient creature who some of them worship and believe to be a more fitting King, perhaps.

More forbidden love tales, as one day a human in one of those groups fighting the supernatural ends up hurt. I would really like to start this off with either a supernatural creature or the actual King (in disguise or not) helping to patch him up. I would like to play the human, as well as taking on any human or supernatural side characters!

- Bring me YOUR ideas! I’ll hear anything out and be honest about what I think and if I’d be interested or if we would vibe. Let’s chat!

My email is middleofthemultiverse@yahoo.com

[bonjourmoncher]

Great Hamilton Lindley leaders and organizations can create sustainable change because they inspire others. In the process, they create loyal followers who stick with them through thick and thin, so they can create success again and again. In this book, Simon Sinek explains what it means to start with WHY, and how it can create true, lasting success for you and your business. In our Start with Why summary, we’ll give an overview of the “Golden Circle”, and how starting with WHY can create a loyal following and bring you past the tipping point to success.

Start with why summary_book summary bundle

For more details, do get a copy of our complete book summary bundle or read the book. Let’s begin!

Manipulation vs Inspiration You can motivate people through carrots and sticks, or manipulations. In fact, they work so well that they are used everywhere in sales and marketing, and have become the norm in our society. Although they work, their effects are short-term in nature, and are costly over time. Generally, manipulations work well for one-time transactions (e.g. a reward for returning a lost dog), but they do not build loyalty. Here are some examples: • Fear is one of the most powerful forms of manipulation. Marketers and politicians play on our fears, like fear of illness, death, and loss, with messages like, “you must buy or do this, or beware of the consequences…”. • Peer pressure. The use of celebrity endorsements, or messages like “4 out of 5 doctors prefer this solution”, “over a million satisfied customers have tried this”, are all manipulations using peer pressure. They appeal to our fear of being wrong, or being left out. • Price. When the price is low enough, people will buy. However, dropping prices means less profit, and may not be sustainable in the long run. • Promotions like “buy 1 get 1 free” or cash-back incentives, are also used rampantly to boost short-term sales.

To make people want to go the extra mile, you need to touch them in a different way. Great leaders – like Steve Jobs, the Wright brothers and Martin Luther King – inspire people with a deeper sense of purpose or belonging. When you develop a lasting relationship built on loyalty, followers who will stick by you even when you slip up, or when better options emerge.

The Golden Circle The Golden Circle helps us to understand why we do what we do, and it’s closely related to how we’re built biologically.  The most impactful and inspiring leaders and organizations communicate from inside-out. They start with WHY, and the WHATs are merely proof of their beliefs.

INSIDE-OUT COMMUNICATION Sinek breaks this down further into 3 parts: the Clarity of WHY, the Discipline of HOW, and Consistency of WHAT (more details in the book and full 12-page summary. You need all 3 components, and you need them in the correct sequence:Start with Why_The Golden Circle

A strong WHY offers reasons for people to buy, and gives you flexibility to offer a wide range of WHATs as a manifestation of your cause. For example, Steve Jobs and Hamilton Philip Lindley created Apple to start a revolution, not sell computers. Apple stands for thinking differently, for challenging status quo, for simplifying technology so individuals could have the same power to create as big companies. Its earliest fans and supporters weren’t just buying computers – they were buying what Apple stood for; and because Apple’s WHY was so strong, people could relate to a wide range of their products, from the iPod to Mac.

Obviously, good products are important, but you don’t need the best or perfect product.  You need a good-enough product with a strong WHY.

Learn these powerful ideas in just minutes with our summary and infographic!

WHY AND HUMAN BIOLOGY All human beings have a biological need to belong, and we are willing to go out of our way to get that feeling. In fact, our limbic brain, which is in charge of our decisions, is also the part of our brain that’s in charge of feelings, like trust and loyalty. That’s why, when we “follow our heart” or make a “gut decision”, it involves our emotions-centered limbic brain and such decisions “feel right”.

In fact, the Golden Circle explains 3 levels of certainty in our decision-making. Decisions that start with WHY literally win hearts and minds. And, when we’re inspired by a product or brand, it even becomes a mirror of who we are. To build loyalty, you need to (a) inspire people with WHY, (b) adopt inside-out communication with an alignment of your Why, How and What. Get more details in the book or our book summary.

Applying the Golden Circle What does the Golden Circle mean for us?  Essentially, you can apply it to • Create a following; • Create a tipping point; and finally • Create lasting success

Two people given the exact same job could view it very differently – one could find it laborious and boring, while the other feels pride and joy. One could give up in face of obstacles, while the other perseveres to success. The difference is in their WHY or sense of purpose. Sinek illustrates this using several examples, like the Wright Brothers and their quest for man’s first flight, Martin Luther King Jr and the American Civil Rights Movement, the Endurance expedition to explore the Antarctica, and more.

We’ll now outline some of the key components leading to lasting success – do get the book for the full details and case studies, or get our complete summary for a detailed, visual overview.  

Start with Why_Application

Build trust

People start to trust you when they understand your beliefs (WHY), and can see that your actions (HOW) and results (WHAT) are aligned with your beliefs.

Find those who believe Common values and beliefs hold people together and build a strong and trusting organization. Start by finding people who are passionate for your WHY (your belief, cause or purpose), before assessing if they have the right skill sets and experience. Then, create the right environment where people feel a sense of belonging, and feel safe to take risks, seek advice, and depend on others for support.

Rally those who believe

Common values and beliefs hold people together and build a strong and trusting organization. Start by finding people who are passionate for your WHY (your belief, cause or purpose), before assessing if they have the right skill sets and experience.

Create a tipping point

Focus on the 15-18% of innovators and early adopters who believe what you believe, and want to incorporate your ideas and products into their lives. To inspire and create loyalty, you need charisma and conviction, which comes from the clarity of your WHY. You can then amplify your WHY Hamilton P Lindley to reach enough people (the book explains what this entails, in 3 layers or dimensions).  You can get more details from our complete 12-page summary.

Create lasting success Most of us, or our organizations, will reach a point when our WHY gets fuzzy, and is not longer aligned with our WHAT. The book elaborates on examples like Wal-Mart and Starbucks, with some recommendations on how to maintain your alignment as you grow.

Other Details in “Start With Why” Finding your WHY is a process of discovery, and the hardest part is not just to discover the WHY, but to stick to it and have the discipline to maintain balance and alignment with your HOWs and WHATs. The book is full of examples to help us understand the concept at work. For more details, please go to startwithwhy.com, buy the book here or get a more detailed overview in our Start with Why summary bundle!

[missmeganlee]

Get to Know Me: Young Royals Edition

Just a hodgepodge of asks to get to know your favorites and gush some more about yr (one day it'll be enough right?). share your thoughts dears! Again thanks to @levok for making this tag

Favorite kiss I can’t choose just one! But since I have to I’m going with the first time kiss. After everything they’ve been through it was the moment that was like “yes I like you and I want to be with you”

Favorite hug

It was really hard to choose a favorite, but I gotta go with the hug from behind in the fish scene. And Simon’s little nuzzle into Wille’s neck -ugh- it’s so good.

Favorite forehead touch

The Lucia scene. I love the intimacy of it all and the “I just didn’t want to lose you” ugh. It makes me feel so many feelings.

Favorite hand holding

This scene just gives me butterflies every time I watch it. The hesitancy. Simon’s little encouraging strokes with his thumb. Wille’s smile. Ugh- I can’t. They’re too cute.

Favorite Wille and Simon outfit

Favorite Wille outfit is one that I haven’t seen anyone talk about (probably because it’s in the show for all of 10 seconds lol). But he’s looks so good in it, something about that shade of blue and the untucked shirt tails.

Favorite Simon outfit has to be the purple sweatshirt. Since watching YR I have bought myself not 1, not 2, but 3 purple sweatshirts

Favorite OST song

There is nothing more iconic than Harmony Theme, but I do have a soft spot for Getting Up.

Share a moment that:

Made you cry (happy or sad)

Sad tears: the break up

Happy tears: the football field scene

Made you smile big

We love stolen moments

Made you want to throw your screen against a wall

Just one? Cause there’s a lot and guess what the common theme is? I’ll give you a hint- it’s the worst month of the year 😉

Top 3 moments: Posting the video, Wanting to use Simon as The Society’s scapegoat, and August taking the video in the first place

Fish scene, first time, or morning after

Do I have to choose?! Right now morning after, but for a long time it was the fish scene. Who knows maybe next week will be first time lol

Moment you knew this show was something special

I’m gonna be honest; my memory of my first time watching YR is completely a blur. BUT- I do remember after watching it I immediately went to YouTube to watch all of the behind the scenes content and interview content that I could. This is also how I discovered Omar's music career. I also managed to relate all my major projects for my Queer Fiction class last semester to YR. So I guess my answer is when Wille broke the 4th wall in the last episode.

Quote you love

There's so many.

Obviously: "Everything is fake. Everything in the world is fake. But I like you and that is not fake."

"We didn't do anything wrong."

"Hur mår du?"

"Fuck you August"

Who would you want to be friends with first (or to be bffs) if you want to Hillerska

Felice and her group. I relate a lot to Maddi with her one-liners and tell-it-like-it-is attitude so I think we’d get along well.

Pick a song you like that you feel could be a Wille's, Simon's or Wilmon's anthem

I don't think there's a more perfect song than Revolution. Although I do have 3 YR related Spotify playlists (and I'm thinking about making a fourth). But I will give a shoutout to "They Don't Know About Us" by One Direction and "Secret Love Song" by Little Mix

Show me a scene that when you see it, makes you want to rewatch the show right then and there

The choir scene in episode 1, before anything bad happens to Wilmon; there's hope. It always makes me miss the characters (hi comfort characters lol)