#just for anyone who needs the tag

[ooops-i-arted]

I went to Gina Carano's panel at Fanboy Expo today too. I was hoping for a scrap of Cara content and honestly curious what she was like irl. I did my best to go in with an open mind. (If you've been following me you'll know I am a former fan - loved her as soon as I saw Cara Dune, dove into her other stuff and loved her as a performer and found her MMA career awesome, will not stand for her bigotry and spreading misinformation.) I took notes so everything in quotes is directly what she said, brackets to add context or when I missed exact words.

Panel started with a review of her fighting career, nothing that hasn't been covered before. She was asked "Where would you be [career wise] if not for fighting and acting?" and she said "I don't know, I wouldn't be here." She says she actually dreamed of being in romance movies and wearing pretty dresses, and now she's in action movies, which was actually pretty cute. She always liked sports. The panel person asked "How did you know you were good at fighting?" and she just said "I always knew."

She then talked about being cast in Haywire, Steven Soderergh and his wife saw her fight Cyborg and thought about making a movie around her. She said "They didn't give me an acting coach. They just put me in with all these people. [....] Michael Fassbender gave me a whiskey and sat down and went over the lines with me." (Almost all of her lines in that movie were dubbed over. Her fight scenes in it are amazing.)

About Fast and Furious 6 she said "Now I have to watch all of them? .....I didn't." Which was genuinely funny.

For Deadpool, "Let me tell you about the superhero landing. I'm going to ruin it all." She filmed it by just jumping off an apple box apparently lmao. "The first time I jumped and landed I just heard this wailing of laughter. [The director] said "That was the most anticlimatic thing I've ever seen." She also said Ryan Reynolds would riff and sometimes she'd forget she was in the scene/on camera and break character by laughing.

Mentions of her beef with Lucasfilm/Disney were peppered throughout the whole panel. She said "I have no intention of not doing what my heart desires." Which... okay, if you're a toddler. I wanna punt the principal I had last year into the sun but I remained professional and am now getting a new job. A loooooooooot of the way she said things/her general vibe reminded me of kiddos I got when I worked at an expensive summer camp whose population was mainly rich white kids - kids who had never before been denied anything in their life, and being told no, no matter how kindly, was treated as devastating. (And then they figured it out in a few days when tantruming at me didn't work. Gina, apparently, has not figured that out yet.) (Also for context, if you didn't know, she is a trust fund baby and her family is in Vegas casinos. I highly doubt she is hurting for money.)

Also after seeing Giancarlo Esposito's panel, and how well-spoken he is and how thoughtfully he chose his words even while discussing things like voting and the current state of the world, it just really stood out how she doesn't know how to conduct herself professionally. She's said herself she isn't good at public speaking, which fair, she was a bit soft spoken and shy but I don't just mean that. She doesn't have a "customer service" face like us normal people have to put on at work. She doesn't seem to think she has to. You can be genuine while still being polite - I do it all the time at work, I did it at this panel while asking my question to her, and I'm sure you all know part of life is putting on different "attitudes" for different situations.

She is starting her own production company. She wants to write, star, produce, and direct apparently (unclear if all at once or on different projects, I sure envy her blind confidence tho). She wants to do this because "She's seen where it's gone wrong." (See what I mean about beef peppered throughout?) When asked what her ultimate passion project would be, she said "It's not so much if it's a drama, comedy, or action, it has to have heart and it has to have meaning. It has to have a good story." She mentioned she was working on a movie and series and had some ideas and stories, but no specifics.

She wouldn't stop mentioning God or Jesus either (so I'd bet money she's That Kind of Christian*) and someone asked her "How do you practice choosing roles with discernment [regarding your faith]?" Her answer: "Oh I never think about it." She says she's not a prude but wouldn't do certain things, but she decided this in 2020. She did not elaborate, but apparently "God will let her know when she crosses the line." So I guess we aren't getting any more topless Insta pics lol.

(*I'm trying not to be an ass but as a queer woman, I know That Kind Of Christian when I see it, and she clocked like that hard. Ymmv.)

Finally a Mandalorian question, her favorite and the hardest scenes to film on The Mandalorian. She said the season 2 final scene was the hardest, because it was emotional "and there was more going on the scenes than people realize." The other was when Grogu was choking her. She was holding her breath too hard and passed out. (I honestly thought she was choking when she said that when the episode originally aired.) Brendan Wayne was in the scene with her and was worried, and then she did it again.

I was next, and I first (truthfully) told her that I appreciated seeing someone like her onscreen, because I hadn't looked like Rey/Padme/Leia since I was 16. I then asked "Where do you see Cara's character going in the future, and what detail about her backstory didn't make it onscreen?" She said she thinks Cara is still floating around with special forces, and "Disney could do more with that if they got their head out of their ass." Everyone clapped, I didn't, I kept my hands clasped and said thank you. She did not answer my other question. So unfortunately, no character tidbits about Cara.

Next person asked if Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson [and some other "canceled" actor, I can't remember] know about her and if they'll work with her in the future. She said maybe, she's open to it. "I'm not into chasing people to work." I had to bite my tongue because GIRL YOU ARE CHASING DISNEY DOWN TO REHIRE YOU.

She was asked about the lawsuit and if she'd take the role of Cara back if it was offered. She said "I loved playing Cara Dune" and Jon Favreau "really got into her brain" and was happy to see her at Carl Weathers' funeral, but ended with a wishy washy we'll see/God will work in his own way. She did say she still keeps in touch with Bill Burr and "He's my favorite. He's so funny. Gina, we gotta go to a UFC fight some day."

She was asked "Do you have a fight you look back on with fondness?" She said there's only one she doesn't look back on fondly (presumably Cyborg) and rambled a bit about her fights. The person asked the same question again, and she again answered "There's only one I don't look back on fondly."

She did say she's focusing again on getting healthier and training again. She says she was "the only girl they couldn't chase away" back in the day and "I'll be in my 80s shadowboxing in the basement saying I can still fight" which was genuinely cute. She also talked about how she had to figure out eating and weight control on her own, nowadays trainers have nutrition services as sponsors. She said it was tough to drop the weight, it was like losing part of her body. (She didn't always make exact weight in her MMA fights and back then, they didn't have a class heavier than 135 lb iirc.) Muay Thai was her favorite. She recommends jujitsu for women looking to protect themselves, since you end up on the floor, but "I just love to punch. They tell me I punch like a trucker."

She ended with another jab at Disney (she did have people kissing her ass the whole time about Freeze Peach and encouraging this) and "When is someone gonna stop them from treating people the way they've been treating people." Also, God is using Elon Musk, which is one hell of a sentence. And that was the panel. (Terror on the Prairie, her big comeback, was not mentioned once.)

She was very nice and sweet and all, but what really stood out to me was a complete lack of creativity. Her answers were very canned, there was very little I hadn't heard in another interview. She just sounded kinda dim, to be blunt. She didn't elaborate on her answers (she couldn't imagine another career she'd like, for my question she just repeated what Disney had already established, she had no specifics for a passion project/idea, she couldn't recall a specific fond moment from a fight or anything, so on). A lot of Disney bad, God good, I should be able to say what I want, rinse and repeat. She's said for a long while she's passionate about art and telling stories. I am too, so I relate - but I've put in time and practice to be able to make what I do. My impression is she wants the praise and adulation, but without the hard parts that go with it. (Honestly I also think CTE may be a factor. She does NOT sound like she did in interviews years ago. Like after she found out Cyborg (the only fight she lost) was on steroids her response was very graceful and kind.)

This is long and I know you're probably thinking why do you care, but I truly admired her. She was a MMA champ in a time when women weren't seen as being able to do the sport. She was positive about her body and I started getting serious about the gym and being healthier because of her onscreen on Cara Dune. She literally made me realize I'm more than a little gay because she's so gorgeous. Ironically, her behavior nowadays inspires me to be brave and speak up for what I believe in despite being naturally shy. I would still be her biggest fan if she hadn't mocked the queer community and spread misinformation and tantrumed when she was called out on it. I even have some empathy - 18 year old me would have been 100% behind her and supported her. But I listened to other perspectives and learned and grew. She clearly has no desire to change herself, or even try to listen to others. I've made the decision to go no contact with my paternal family since I came out because they're the same way. So it stings to see someone so loudly and proudly be like them and be praised and accepted for it. To look around an entire room and wonder who here is happy with people like me being legislated into silence, or worse. For people to clap when Gina says she won't be forced to be "woke" - aka to respect people who are different, like me. Remember, Disney never asked her to stop believing her MAGA stuff, they just wanted her to act professionally while she was their employee.

In any case, nothing will stop me from loving Cara Dune, and I will proudly wear my new cosplay tomorrow.

[gobbogoo]

Who Is Scout's Ma?

She's a character we know extremely little about, however when you stop to consider the IMPLICATIONS of what little we DO know, things start to get interesting:

1. She lives in the roughest part of Boston ("if you were from where I was from, you'd be dead") but dresses quite elegantly.

2. She had 8 boys, all of whom she raised BY HERSELF, and yet somehow she finds the time to maintain this impeccable appearance.

3. Scout clearly loves and admires her to a point where it's one of the few things he'll drop his "tough guy" act for, and dialogue in the comics like "Ma's gonna kill me if she finds out" implies he also still fears her disapproval, despite being a fully autonomous adult.

4. Spy, despite what he likes to pretend, is clearly head-over-heels for her. He even had her likeness engraved on his fanciest gun! (Note the distinct hairband & hoop earrings) For a man who avoids attachment to the point where he never lets anyone see his face, that's an unusual degree of infatuation.

5. None of Scout's brothers left Boston while he was growing up, despite a few of them presumably being adults by then. Not only this, they were still all getting into fights together, implying they were both continuing to live with or near their mother and brothers, AND had reasons to brawl with others beyond just some adolescent street scuffle.

My Theory:

Scout's Ma is the matriarch of a Boston-based crime family.

It explains her elegant appearance, how she and Spy were able to meet, why their bond clearly goes beyond a one-off fling, why she was able to be in Scout's life so much despite the financial burdens of being a single mother of 8, and why all of said 8 were continuing to get into fights with other locals. They weren't just some street gang, they were enforcers. It also explains why/how Scout got into mercenary work, his many mafia-themed weapons, and why he continues to fear her ire even as an adult.

Plus, take a look at this unused angle of the last photo from Meet The Spy:

You'd THINK a single mother from the rough side of Boston wouldn't appear so in-her-element on a fancy date with The Spy, and yet her appearance and demeanour here just SCREAM "confident and in control."

Scout's Ma is Boston's Godmother, and I desperately wish to see someone draw her as such.

[ducktracy]

there are a lot of evil people in the world and a lot of darkness in the world and so it’s very important for me to stress that now more than ever is the time to spread kindness and compassion. combat the evil by not only not partaking in it, but actively refuting it. destroy the notion that being compassionate or generous or kind to someone is uncool or embarrassing or even scary. be the change you want to see. start a chain reaction. positivity only breeds more positivity. do an act of kindness for someone so that that person who is too afraid to do it themselves can see you, realize that they’re not alone, and perhaps sheepishly follow your example. and then the next person who is too afraid but sees that person can do the same. when bad news comes out about bad people or horrible atrocities in the world it’s such an easy impulse to despair, and obviously it’s important to feel what you need to feel. grieve. be angry. be sorrowful. be empathetic. but dust off your pants and get up and be a part of a chain reaction that, no matter how small the scale, and spread compassion and love and care. all the reasons why you might not—“it’s hard! it’s scary! people will make fun of me! it’s useless because there’s too much evil!” are all grade A arguments as to why you should. you have no idea how many people you could inspire to do the same. even if it doesn’t get you anyway far, you can at least say you have the nobility of trying. please choose love and please choose life. you are worth loving and you are worth inspiring others to love

[hailsatanacab]

A Persuasive Argument - dpxdc

"Great!" Danny says, clapping his hands together to get everyone's attention. The dinner table falls silent as everyone looks towards him. It's a full house today and, honestly, Danny's a little nervous. "I'm sure you're all wondering why I gathered you here today."

"It's dinnertime. In our house." Duke mutters, while doing a very bad job of concealing his yawn. He holds his fork poised over the braised beef, but, just like everyone else, still looks towards Danny before tucking in. It's intriguing enough to wait.

"Yeah, no one misses Alfie's dinner." Dick says, with a brilliant smile that Danny can't help but return.

"Precisely! What better time to talk to you all than when you're all actually here!"

"Wait, I thought you came round to work on our English essays?" Tim asks, blinking owlishly.

"I'm afraid I've lured you here under false pretences, Tim."

"This is where I live."

"I would still really appreciate help on that essay though, I mean, what the hell is Hamlet even about? I just don't get that old time-y language, like 'Hark! A ghost hath killed me!' - absolute rubbish, what does that even mean?"

"The ghost never kills anyone in Hamlet, he's there to tell Hamlet that he was murdered. Have you actually read it?"

"No, but it sounds like you have. Tim, I want this guy to help me with my essay instead. I know for a fact that you haven't read Hamlet, either."

"So? We don't need Jason, I've read the Sparknotes."

"Hi Jason, I'm Danny, pleasure to meet you, summarise Hamlet in three sentences or less."

"Am I auditioning to help you write your essays? I can't believe you’ve gone through your whole school life without reading it, it’s good!"

"Hamlet, along with a number of other classics, was banned in our house because it portrayed ghosts as intelligent and sympathetic beings rather than evil, animalistic beasts. I didn’t even get to see The Muppet's Christmas Carol until last year with Tim! It was surprisingly good, and I hate Christmas because everyone always argued and it sucked. But we're getting off topic. I—"

"No, no, please go back to that, because what the fu—"

"Boys, please." Bruce interrupts, looking to the world as if he wants to hang his head in his hands. "Danny, you were about to say something?"

"Oh, yeah, Mr. Wayne! Thanks!"

"Please, call me Bruce."

"Well, that very succinctly brings me to my point, because I'd actually really like to call you dad."

Nobody says a word. Nobody even blinks, all as shocked as the other, watching open-mouthed as Danny pulls his laptop out from beside his chair. Bruce can definitely feel a headache coming on.

"Before you say anything, I've prepared a 69 slide PowerPoint presentation on why you, Bruce Wayne, should adopt me, Danny Last-Name-Pending. Please save your questions, comments, and verdict until the end, thank you."

[why-the-heck-not]

me, a responsible being, working on the coding project as I should vs. me, a dysfunctional shithead, getting distracted by reading about brains (once aGAIN damnit (it's my favorite "I need to study my field but bc I should do that it's an impossible unthinkable feat now, so I'm reading about something else to fool my brain I'm still being productive"-topic))

[stunfiskz]

brain rotting about how fucked it is to be a darkner again lately. how do you care about being abandoned by your gods if they never seemed to care that much about you in the first place

[electrozeistyking]

Pop Goes the Rabbit!

[alchimistetyche]

What do you MEAN Dean was down on his knees begging Cas to come back to him. Bloodied up not doing anything to defend himself from the angel, who, mind you, was actively beating the life out of him while he was begging.

And then you're telling me it WORKED?? Cas ACTUALLY broke free despite the conditioned response (which I also have thoughts on) he was supposed to have to Dean begging all because Dean pulled a "this isn't you babe"??

And then they NEVER GOT TOGHETHER?!-

I love rewatching this show but I forgot how insane Season 8 made me GEEZ-

edit: i added the link to me roasting naomi's lack of basic psychology understanding because someone kind of asked for it in the tags

[samipekoe]

IM SO NORMAL ABOUT THIS ASCENSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bunnyboy-juice]

NO MORE ASSOCIATING THINGS WITH FEMMES ONLY BECAUSE THEY ARE PINK!HYPERFEM FEMMES ARE GREAT AND I LOVE YOU CAMPY FEMMES WHO EMBODY PINK BUT ALSO JESUS CHRIST CAN YOU GUYS NOT GO MORE THAN ONE DAY W/O TRYING TO SHOEHORN FEMMES INTO BEING ONLY PINK UWU BABIES. I AM FEMME AS IN GRASS AS IN DIRT AS IN TREE BARK AS IN WEEDS SPROUTING THROUGH THE SIDEWALK CEMENT. FEMME AS IN GENDER NONCONFORMITY AS IN FUCK YOU MY FEMININITY IS WHAT *I* SAY IT IS. FEMME AS IN DEPTH AND DARKNESS AND WARMTH AND TERROR. FEMME AS IN CAVES. FEMME AS IN LIGHTNING. FEMME AS IN AN AMALGAMATION OF TRAITS THAT I HAVE DECIDED ARE FEMININE REGARDLESS OF WHAT SOCIETY SAYS. FUCK IS IT THAT HARD TO UNDERSTAND?!???

[adhdandcomics]

perhaps the most important question i’ve ever asked:

does anyone have tips for people trying to stop being chronically late to everything in the world that aren’t weirdly judgmental and aggressive or flat out lies

[24601orwhatever]

my favorite insignificant scene in Les mis is the scene where grantaire and javert spend a very brief 2 minutes together and grantaire IMMEDIATELY clocks the homo energy between Valvert . And proceeds to use that newfound knowledge to tease jav

📷: medium-observation

[brighteuphony]

A moment of mourning for Sakura for words she would have once given anything to hear from Sasuke....

Kind of followup to THIS comic.

But she and Saeko have had their revenge for Enji, and Sakura has had time to heal and find closure. She won't be any good to Sasuke because she's already left that path, and she won't abandon her coven/responsibilities either.

She's learned alot about Konoha over the past few years, and has to a big degree, deprogrammed herself from the Leaf's propaganda thanks to all her teachers and some brutal life experience, so she doesn't actually care if Sasuke were to raze the entire council/kages to the ground- but there ARE people (ino, Kakashi, lee, naruto etc-) who she loves and wants to protect, so she'll stay, for them.

Sasuke, for his part, is happy to have someone just verbalize that they empathize with his pain and that his desire for revenge is justified, though he's doesn't have the bandwidth to really understand where Sakura is right now, emotionally.

In this AU I kind of had an end for Sasuke where he is pardoned, but never returns to the village, though he does pass by once in a blue moon. When he does, Sakura (who doesn't end up living IN the village as much as in the forests of Konoha like their own little witch of the woods) is there to help with healing/supplies and they do end up as good, yet distant friends.

Once again, thank you so much for all the support and really nice questions/kind words for this AU!!! <3 <3

[cubezart]

I Depend On You

[atlix2]

my irls have got me watching a lot of star trek lower decks recently. this is my takeaway

[benevolenterrancy]

Swords pining for each other's cultivator is my new favorite type of pining. Love your NieYao content! <3

I don't suppose we could get Baxia or Hensheng throwing a tantrum while Jin Guangyao / Nie Mingjue are away, leaving their owners to deal with the embarrassing aftermath?

Also, do you have any recs you'd recommend with these two?

this is the exact moment Nie Huaisang realised he was going to have to start meddling in his big brother's love life (con't: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Hensheng, on the other hand, doesn't throw tantrums but WILL sulk...