#just thoughts and things about our shortened seasons

[historioddity]

I've given it far too much thought but at the same time haven't gone looking at theories, but if I was to hazard a guess on how The Owl House was shrunk down for it's premature 'cancellation' I would guess:

Hollow Mind was meant to be a season finale - it would have been a phenomenal cliffhanger and would have implied more set up time between it and Yesterday's Lie. Possibly letting Alador Blight and Amity get closer before Clouds on the Horizon and also more general highjinx and lore building.

This leads me to think that Clouds on the Horizon/King's Tide would have been season 3's mid season finale. Allowing us a half season of stuff within the human world - Hunter's panic over his hair, Camila bonding with the kids, the beach episode - and possibly a few tantalizing teasers of the Boiling Isles. All a lead up to the point they find the Titan's blood in the graveyard and Belos posseses Hunter.

Our last two 45 minute specials would have probably been the final two episodes or so, with maybe one of them getting to be a elongated episode. You know, in a perfect world.

Not that I think this is a revolutionary take, I just haven't gotten to see a similar post and have no one to gush to.

[desmondkane-of-ao3-fame]

Inside Job didn’t just get canceled.

It had its first season split in two, a tactic animators said was used for Cuphead to let them pay staff less. Then, the show was renewed for a real second season.

And then the show was canceled before that second season anyway.

Final Space didn’t just get canceled on the most depressing cliffhanger ever. It was removed from all platforms before becoming a tax write-off, essentially meaning the only ways of really watching the show is through DVD or pirating.

The Owl House wasn’t just given a shortened third season. Disney, a company already known for a, let’s say, complicated relationship with its LGBT+ history, took a show created by a bisexual woman, filled with beloved LGBT+ characters, some of which were teenagers just like the audience, and told said creator to destroy her shows pacing so she could finish her story in just 3 45 minute specials.

I can go on about how Hollywood and television don’t respect animation and the like but this is endemic of a larger problem:

Capitalism destroys art.

The constant need for shows to be either the biggest thing in history or a complete failure, the constant need for a cash cow, leads to any show that doesn’t immediately become Squid Game or Stranger Things levels of popular, especially animated shows, getting scrapped for no reason other then it doesn’t make them enough money.

In our hyper capitalist hellscape, I worry we’re going to see more Inside Jobs, Final Spaces, and Owl Houses: shows made with love, that showcase potential, and dedicated fanbases, having a renewal reversed, or becoming a tax write off, or having its story rushed, so that the executives can save a few cents, while also fucking over employees.

I think that’s the part that always needs to be remembered too; the people behind these shows. Not just the creators or voice actors or well known animators, but everybody. As NewDeal4Animation illustrated, staffs on these shows are often underpaid and overworked. And to then, to not just lose a show you spent months, years of your life on out of nowhere, but to essentially lose a job… it’s terrifying. And every staff member, from the creators to the unpaid interns, deserves better.

So yea. That’s just my thoughts on the matter I guess.

[repressionmd]

a selection of housefics i love!

i will make a part 2 when i reach character limit :D currently there is just 11 fics here but i WILL be updating!

Playtime's Over or The One Where Cuddy Forces House to See a Child Psychologist - mskullgirl

author summary: Following the events of "Skin Deep" (season 2, episode 13) House spirals out of control and stops eating and sleeping. Cuddy eventually offers him a deal; five sessions with Dr. Addams, the hospital's resident child psychologist, in exchange for three months off of clinic duty. What could go wrong? word count: 48k my notes: SO GOOD!! such a fun analysis of house and it has potentially my favourite accidental child acquisition of all time

Everything He Wants - the_northwind

author summary: House discovers that Wilson is a better coping mechanism than Vicodin. There's no way this could go wrong. A rewrite of the season six finale and beyond where instead of Cuddy, Wilson goes to House's apartment after the crane collapse. word count: 11k my notes: has one of my favourite hilson fic argument scenes. they're dysfunctional and messy and SO in character i couldn't recommend enough

Hypothesis - IreneSpring

author summary: At the beginning of the month, James Wilson decides to break out of his depressive spiral by having an affair with the first woman who is not needy. By the end of the month, he is facing an existential crisis decades in the making. word count: 15k my notes: haha wilson you are gay (jokes aside this fic is actually so fun and silly and made me LAUGH at the hoops our wilson jumps through to eventually realise he didn't get anywhere anyway)

Under My Skin - rhythmofsnow

author summary: Thirteen has a meltdown. House is there to ground her through it. (Post 5x05 "Lucky Thirteen") word count: 1.4k my notes: caring house my beloved... autistic solidarity my even more beloved <3

Composed - ferretwhomst

author summary: compose verb /kəmˈpəʊz/ 1. calm or settle (oneself or one's features or thoughts). 2. write or create (a work of art, especially music or poetry). or: a sick, restless Wilson finds himself in need of House’s company late at night. House indulges him. word count: 2.2k my notes: SO BEAUTIFUL.... wilson is so gay and so melodramatic and house matches his freak so well and WRITES HIM A PIANO PIECE....... they're so soft with each other idk its just beautiful. please read this

Soothe me now, soothe me, old friend (eng) - culturenana

author summary: Wilson would love to – Wilson would like to do so many things, make the most of countless wasted opportunities, erase every mistake, since his time has shortened without any warning, cruelly consuming itself under every cough. / House holds him close as if he is about to slip from his arms, and neither of them has the courage to discern what this thing between them is. There is no excuse or rational diagnosis that could cover it up. word count: 7.2k my notes: oh my god this fic made me want to bawl its so beautifully written and i have been shying away from post-finale fics purely to save myself the heartbreak but im SO glad i didn't do that with this one. they mean everything to me ;-;

'Samson's Mistress Cut His Hair, Thus Removing His Strength' - Sparklesinthewater

author summary: Set in season 3. Stacy doesn't come back. Tritter doesn't interfere. But the drugs and the infarction keep getting House into trouble anyway. Wilson is trying his best (but his best may not be what's best for House). / Or, House gets himself a girlfriend. Life goes downhill from there. word count: a beautiful 129k my notes: hello? hello!!!! can anyone hear me!! fic of all time!!!! a novel in its own right, and i did in fact stay up till 3.30am finishing it. impossible to put down and did make me want to cry in places. absolutely stunning. would recommend to everyone

a thousand teeth (and yours among them) - itooaminthisepisode (anarchy_opossum)

author summary: Sometimes, when House gets too overwhelmed by his emotions, he gets a little bitey. This is five times House bites Wilson, and one time Wilson finally bites him back. word count: 10k my notes: GORGEOUS STUFF!! amazing characterisation with lovely internal voices <3 they're so them and it makes me so happy

i let you win, i love to lose - sesamie

author summary: a short thing inspired by the thought, "what if amber and wilson's sex tape was ***for house***?" it seems like exactly the kind of toxic manipulative thing amber would pull and bring wilson along for. so here it is! set after the finale of season 4, and wilson and house haven't spoken about everything yet. things are bad between them and that's where the angst in this comes from! word count: 4.6k my notes: this fic did irreparable things to my psyche i mean ACTUALLY i do find myself thinking about it as im going about my day. genuinely was blown away by the sheer power of the prose i'll be honest 😭

we peeled the freckles from our shoulders - flowersinapril

author summary: Greg is twenty-three and James is nineteen when they first meet as counsellors at a sleepaway camp in the Adirondacks. word count: 2.1k my notes: GOD THIS WAS SO BEAUTIFUL... AAAHHHHHH i dont even have any words. please read this. crops watered joy delivered will to live restored etc. oh my god.

I'd Make a Deal With God (I'd Get Him to Swap Our Places) - TheFandomLesbian

author summary: When Wilson receives his terminal diagnosis, House flees to the hospital chapel. He doesn't know how to pray, but he strikes a deal: his soul for Wilson's life. When Wilson goes into remission, he has no choice but to uphold his end of the bargain. / In which House learns nothing about God, but everything about worship, in the arms of his husband. word count: 11.3k my notes: HOLY FUCK.. obsessed and i mean Obsessed with love as religious Especially when it comes to gregory 'religion is meaningless' house like this was so... good. it was so good. house is so desperate and so in love and its the most delicious thing ever

[sepublic]

I’ve seen Dana say they got news of the shortening before writing Follies at the Coven Day Parade, but I’ve also heard that Knock, Knock, Knockin’ on Hooty’s Door was the first episode they wrote after learning about the shortening. I’m inclined to believe Dana, or perhaps the three prior episodes were already written, but then rewritten in response to the news.

If K3oHD is the threshold, then it’s fitting that so many developments occur for our core trio, like going back to basics. It sets the tone for how the rest of the show is essentially a speedrun of the original plans, with some things still needing to be left out to make room for what’s an abridged version of plans. It’s like the first episode of the new, compact version of TOH the writers had to do; Just as the show’s first episode was about the trio.

This does make me wonder how long it would’ve taken for Lumity to get together, for Harpy Eda to happen, and for King to unlock his roar if it weren’t for the shortening. What was s2e8 supposed to be like, what did the writers initially have in mind? Would it have still followed the same format of the previous season’s eight episode, with three plots for each member of the LEK trio?

As it stands, for how packed and efficient the episode is it still works; People still thought it was normal, same for Eclipse Lake and Yesterday’s Lie. That could point to what Dana said. I guess part of it is that we just see S2A as one batch, so it feels right to assume it was done that way and the shortening only began to take effect with S2B’s first episode, Follies at the Coven Day Parade.

I can see the Raeda breakup flashback still occurring because happening right after the episode we see Raine, and getting further context to Eda and Raine’s dynamic there, feels fitting; A way to add to the tragedy of Raine having to be left behind… Speaking of, knowing the shortening happened right after Eda’s Requiem makes me wonder if the bindings Kikimora placed on Raine were originally meant to have more relevance, but were left as one-note because of the shortening?

Whether it’s ER or K3oHD that it changed, would Raine have been actually brainwashed? Or just outright incapacitated before the writers decided they did not have time to do that AND have Raine return and do things, it’s one or the other. Maybe Darius and Eberwolf were genuine enemies in that episode, and would’ve had an arc during the show’s run of becoming rebels; But since storylines had to be downsized or even removed, this was ‘skipped’ by having it retroactively be the case from the start. And with them, you can at least believe they were always on the same side, whereas an abuser like Alador would have to be addressed because it’s not some one-off misunderstanding.

Man; This being the break, the dividing line, it makes you look differently on either episode on either side of that writing threshold. How they were both changed, one in hindsight and the other in the writing process, to reflect how they’re the transition between different phases of the show. In the end, it’s the same never ending list of questions and What-ifs that will haunt us over TOH, some reasoned inferences and a few confirmations, but ultimately no answers unless we kidnap the writers and make them talk or course.

And even they wouldn’t know fully how the show would’ve turned out in another timeline, because they were still figuring that out and how to fill in and organize the broad strokes when the cancellation arrived and they had to fight for the S3 specials. Because without those the ending would’ve felt very rushed and/or we would’ve missed out on a lot of the buildup and other arcs on the way there, which would also feel extra rushed if not absent. Alas…

Reminds me of how shortly after the cancellations news came, Dana admitted in a 2020 Reddit AMA that writing for S2 was fun, that putting together plot lines was like ‘weaving threads’. Considering how so many things have to come together so efficiently and converge, I can see what she meant. Dana did acknowledge that working within limitations proved to be fun in some ways, and gave the show things it otherwise may not have gotten (such as the Collector); She even planned a separate Choose Your Adventure project based on the audience’s input for her Patreon, before Dana had to cancel it to focus on her career.

[alwritey-aphrodite]

Sweet Like Justice

Chapter One of There’s Nothing Like This

Series Masterlist

Pairing: Jamie Tartt x fem!footballer!reader

Warnings: cursing

Word Count: 2.6k

Author’s Note: there will be more Jamie soon, I promise!

Settling into your new life, your new routine, isn’t as difficult as you’d thought it would be. Training was grueling, and you’d been putting in as much extra time as you could, leaving you barely any time to explore your new neighborhood or do anything at home other than sleep, but being with your new team made even the worst training days seem better.

It was beyond rare in sports to have a team that gets along as well as you do, with competitiveness always putting distance between blooming friendships. With Richmond, though, you all know that right now, it doesn’t matter who the star player is or who can score the most goals, all you want to do is prove the team to the fans, to the press, to the world.

Training is always taken seriously, with everyone leaving everything on the pitch, but the dressing room carries a different energy, one that’s lighter, more comfortable and fun. It always reminds you of a sleepover, where everyone is slightly delirious from exhaustion but beyond giddy just to be spending time with each other.

Only a few days into practice, nicknames are being given out left and right, bonding everyone even closer together. There were the two Maria’s, who were ironically your pair of fullbacks and simply became known as Thing One and Thing Two, despite the arguments that ensued with who could be One. Amelia, who was the youngest on the team and a fierce center midfielder, started out as Amey-Baby before simply being shortened to Baby.

Not only did all the nicknames help everyone to bond in such a short period, it also helped you remember who everybody was. It was also a testament to how inviting the energy was at Richmond; you’d never been a part of a team that was so full of life, so in-sync and on the same page with your goals and ambitions.

It was easier to picture yourselves winning games when you’d do anything for the girls around you.

Today, though, you were finding it increasingly difficult to stay focused during training. Not only had the men’s team started to come out earlier and earlier, as if they were sizing you up, you’d felt like the coaching staff had been watching you all day. Every time you ran a drill, every time you took a break, you could feel their eyes on the back of your head. You tried to ignore it, tried to shake it off by telling yourself that they were watching everyone because it was the start of the season, but deep down you knew that was wrong.

Once you’re back in the dressing room and already feeling the exhaustion settling into your bones, you notice the coaches standing at the front of the room as if something important is about to happen. The rest of the team catches on, the rambunctious conversations dying down as everyone waits to hear what Roy has to say.

“We’ve decided on our captain,” he says, and the room explodes into conversation, talking animatedly about who everyone thinks is going to be captain. You, for one, are practically positive Mackie’s going to be captain, and you know she’s hoping too, even though she’d never say it.

Instead, though, Roy says your name and you’re certain you’ve died, feeling like your heart has stopped completely.

“It should be Mackie,” you say, and to your horror, you hear other players agree with you.

“Not your choice,” Roy responds before turning into his office, and you rush in behind him, slipping into the room as he slams the door.

“I can’t be captain,” you tell him, eyeing the armband laying on his desk with the same fear you’d look at a giant spider with.

“But you are.”

“It should be Mackie. She was leading the league in assists last season, the girl’s all love her, they all know her.” You plead, desperate not to let down your team who so clearly don’t want you as captain.

“Sure, she led in assists, but she also led in fucking red cards. Does that sound like a good fucking captian to you?”

“No,” you reply, sounding like a petulant child.

“Fucking exactly. You’re a good leader, I can already tell. And it’s not your fucking choice.”

You can tell he won’t listen to anything you have to say, so you swallow your disappointment and head back into the dressing room. While you were gone, Keeley had slipped in, looking like she had an announcement to make. You’re not sure how many more announcements you can take.

“Tomorrow, you guys are gonna have a little friendly match against the boys so I can get some content for the Instagram,” she says, shaking her phone for emphasis, “and Trent Crimm will be there to give us some good publicity, yeah?” She smiles at your enthusiastic agreements, and then she’s gone as quickly as she arrived.

The other girls start to file out too, talking about playing the men’s team and their various levels of confidence. You, though, stay behind and take your time packing up, trying and failing not to think about all the players that sounded disappointed when you’d been named captain.

“Babe,” Mackie says, sitting on the bench next to you with her bag slung over her shoulder, “don’t you dare beat yourself up over this. You’re a fucking powerhouse, I’ll kill anyone who disagrees.” She says it with such conviction that you have to laugh, and a smile blooms on her face at the sound. “Now let’s get the hell out of here and get ready to beat some boy ass tomorrow, huh?”

————

Jamie hasn’t been able to stop thinking about the outrageously pretty girl he’d seen in the hallway the other day. All he knew about her was that she was a part of the new women’s team at Richmond, and he’d been stalking the Instagram page in the hopes that they’d post a roster with no luck. He’s thinking about asking Keeley for a roster when she walks into the dressing room, and he’s convinced he summoned her for a moment.

Instead of presenting Jamie with the name of his silly crush, though, Keeley announces that they’ll be playing the women’s team tomorrow, to get some good publicity going for everyone. The boys don’t start voicing their opinions until she leaves.

“They’re little girls, yeah? How hard could it be?” Jan Maas asks, and among the agreements from his teammates Jamie notices an odd expression on Roy’s face, one that reminds him of the Red String Incident, and he immediately knows Jan Maas is incredibly wrong.

————

You’re fifteen minutes into the full ninety minute match, and you can see a clear path to the goal. The only problem is, you can see someone in your way, someone coming towards you, giving you no choice but to barrel forwards.

Mackie says you go rage-blind, where you see nothing but an empty goal and damn anyone who stands in your way, and when you collide full force with one of the men’s players, you think she might be right. Out of the corner of your eye, you notice them go down, hard, but you don’t stop moving until you sink the ball into the corner of the net with a satisfying swoosh.

The rest of your team swarms you, jumping and whooping for the first goal of the match, and you let yourself feel giddy for a few moments before you remember the fact that you’d slammed into someone with all the force of your body and you jog over to where they’re still laying on the ground, surrounded by their teammates.

It’s Jamie Tartt, and he looks so dazed you’re worried you concussed him.

“Are you ok?” You ask, crouching down with his teammates and extending an arm to help him up. He doesn’t respond, but he does grab your hand, allowing you to pull him off the ground. “I’m sorry.”

“Bruv, that was epic,” Isaac tells you with a clap to your shoulder before he’s bounding off. Shaking your head, you get back into game mode and try to forget the way Jamie looked at you and the way it made you feel like you’d just ran a marathon.

You tell yourself it’s from exhaustion, from running to score, but deep down you know that’s not true.

The rest of the game passes in a blur, with your team winning 3-1. It was clear to you that the men’s team wasn’t taking the match seriously at first, but once you’d knocked Jamie to the ground and scored, they seemed to realize what they were truly up against. As you all walk back to your dressing rooms, they shower your team with compliments, praising your fierceness and determination on the field.

If that match didn’t accomplish anything publicity wise, at least it made sure the men were on your side, and you knew you needed all the support you could get.

Once you’re in the dressing room, you promptly flop yourself onto the floor, exhausted and aching all over the place. You knew you were a more aggressive player, that’s just how you were, but something about needing to prove yourself made you use your body as if you could replace it, throwing your weight around as much as you could get away with before being called out by the refs or the other coaches.

As you’re laying on the floor, offering vague noises to the questions thrown your way, you see the door open out of the corner of your eye, followed by the clacking of heels on the tile floor. Turning your gaze upwards, you see Rebecca staring down at you with a look of mild concern, and all you can do is offer her a weak smile.

“Are you alright?” She asks, looking seconds away from yelling for the coaches or a medic or anyone who could help whatever seems to be wrong with you.

“I’m fine, just stretching out my back,” you promise as you heave yourself up to a sitting position but making no move to get off the floor.

“We have a press conference for you,” she tells you and you nod, sitting for a few moments until you notice the expression on her face and realize what she actually meant.

“Right now?” You ask, nerves filling your bloodstream.

“Right now,” she confirms with a smile, and you’d planned to stay on the ground, make them drag you into the press room kicking and screaming but Mackie is already pulling you off the floor and shoving you towards the door where Keeley is waiting.

“No, please, no, I’m not really a public speaker, please, no,” you continue to plead as if you’re being led to your execution as Keeley and Rebecca grab you lightly by your elbows and steer you into the press room. Your pleas don’t stop until you’re blinded by flashing lights and you're seated in the chair behind the desk, facing a sea of reporters.

Once you gather your bearings, you point vaguely into the swarm of reporters, and one of them stands. You know he says his name and the paper, but you’re too focused on not throwing up to remember what he said.

“As the captain of the Lady Greyhounds-“

“We’re just the Greyhounds,” you interrupt, glancing at Rebecca and Keeley to confirm. They’re barely concealing their disgust.

“Right,” he starts again, “as the captain of the Greyhounds, what are your thoughts on the team so far?”

“Well, I think we’re a strong group of women. Everyone’s strong as a player in their own right, but as a team I think we work really well together. I mean, we just beat the men’s team, so we can’t be that bad, right?” Your comment brings laughter from the reporters, dissipating some of the tension that had settled when you’d interrupted.

That reporter sits, and you gesture for another one to stand.

“What’s it like to work with Chelsea legend Roy Kent, given your short stint on the team?” The question brings a furrow to your eyebrows and a sour taste to your mouth at the flippant way he mentions your ‘short stint’ at Chelsea.

“He’s a great coach, really knowledgeable, really passionate,” the reporter seems satisfied with your answer, but you can’t help but add on, “I’d say Elena Sanchez is a Chelsea legend too, and it’s great to play with her again.” Elena has been one of the only other players you’d known when you started at Richmond earlier in month, and talking again was like you’d never spent those years apart.

The rest of the press conference continues with much of the same, and you could cry when you hear Rebecca announce the end. You don’t even stand from your chair, just slouch into it farther as Rebecca and Keeley walk towards you, the reporters filing out.

“Well, that was just horrendous,” Rebecca says, and when she notices the pure distress on your face she adds, “not you, them!”

“They were all right cocks, weren’t they?” Keeley adds, looking almost as distraught as you feel, “I mean, I expected it from a few of them, but not everyone!”

After that, all you wanted to do was get out of your kit and go to sleep as soon as possible, but apparently even that was too much to ask for. Saying your goodbyes to Rebecc and Keeley, you moved out of the press room on autopilot, head down and thoughts all over the place, only to collide with Jamie for the second time that day.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry,” you say as the two of you stagger backwards, trying to maintain your balance and not end up as a heap on the floor.

“‘S alright, I was standing in front of a doorway, don’t know what I expected,” he says with a smile, but he’s still looking at you the way he did on the pitch, and you’re worried he’s got a concussion.

“And I’m sorry for earlier, during the match, I don't know what came over me.”

Jamie just shrugs, “I woulda done the same thing.” He pauses and his eyes go wide, “Not to you! Not on purpose! Just, durin’ a game, if somebody was trying to get the ball from me, I woulda done the same.” You can’t help but to smile at him, the way he stumbles over his words in his desire to properly explain himself.

“Well, it was nice to talk with you,” you tell him, walking backwards to continue with your evening plans of doing absolutely nothing, “I’ll see you around, Jamie.” He nods and waves at your retreating form, but as you push open the door to the dressing room, it sounded like he was saying something else, but you couldn’t hear so you don’t worry about it.

Even in your two very brief interactions, Jamie was nothing like you thought he would be. You knew he wasn’t that complete asshole from a few years ago, but knowing plenty of professional footballers, you’d assumed he’d be the same as them: full of himself, a little unconsciously rude, thinks he’s the best in every room he’s in.

Today, though, he was none of those things. He was polite and respectful to you and the other players, messing around with his teammates and showering yours in compliments. If anything, he seemed soft and sweet and anything but full of himself. Maybe you’d gotten him all wrong, or maybe he really did have a head injury.

Tags: @andr0medafallen @buckychristwrites @benedictscanvas @whimsical-roasting @sokkigarden @scaramou @guccilongboard @onceuponaoneshot @presidential-facts @yepyeahuhhuh @loveslide @allthefandomtherapy @gibby31 @buddyjuststop @ellietartt @cancvr @rae4725 @brianandthemays @sonyume @aiyaiy @captainfrisbee @dalebo3 @theloud-yet-quietone @imsoluckyeverythingworksoutforme @rockchickrebel @legobatmans9thab @curlypeter @lostinwonderland314 @yokolesbianism @jamietarttdodo @kno-way-home @nicklet94 @fan-goddess @innocentbi-stander

[featherlikescartoons]

A brief-ish Analysis on the most important scene in For the Future lore: The Collector's Story

I needed a place to ramble, so here we go

To start off with, the cover of the actual book is much simpler and more childish than the symbol we've seen in the past:

So this book was probably made for this Collector specifically, or any young Collector to learn about their species. I'd also like to comment on the fact that while the book may look impossibly long, the stone pages coupled with the large font greatly shorten it. This doesn't mean it's not long, just not as long as it first appears.

This isn't important, just thought I'd point it out.

Moving on:

The contents of the book

This scene confirms something very important, there were other Collectors

and from the looks of it, they weren't very nice. More on that in a moment

The people depicted here are probably the ancestors of the Titan Trappers, seeming to worship the Collectors. But considering the Collector's tendency to wipe out anyone in their path, this isn't surprising. They seem to gain followers through fear, the type of fear they twist into awe and worship.

I find this especially interesting because Belos gained followers in a similar manner, fear turned to worship. First of all, I'd like to acknowledge they are still very different. Belos's rise to power came about through manipulation and making everyone believe he could lead them to a better future, while the Collectors probably scared everyone into submission with the idea they could take down any who go against them in an instant.

But while their origins are different, they grow into something very similar. By season 1 and 2, Belos was forcefully gripping at control and using his powerful position to either capture any who rebel, and to invoke worship in the rest. Maybe I'm reading too far into it, I don't know.

Additionally, each group were trying to destroy an opposing species. Belos with witches and The Collectors with Titans

Long story short, The Collectors inspired fear and turned it into worship. Belos did something kind of similar. Also, Boscha and Kikimora also established a tyranny in this episode. Just some food for thought

Back to the book, the section that the Collector crossed out hold some heavy implications.

("But should they meddle in our affairs, we'll clean the planet and scorch the air")

Not just the ones who opposed them, the planet itself.

The Boiling Isles would be an empty mass of boiling sea if it weren't for the titan's carcasses. Without them, there would be nothing there. What if this is because the Collectors reset the planet, burning away anything that once rose above the sea and raising the ocean's temperature to boiling levels in the fire.

Or at least that's my interpretation

So, based on the information we have, the Collectors may or may not have had the power to wipe out an entire planet. Yet, they seem to have been completely wiped out alongside the titans, except for just one of their young.

We know a titan was the one that sealed away our Collector, so we can assume that it was an evenly matched battle, the two species wiping each other out. (King and our Collector probably can't reproduce, so their as good as extinct)

Okay, at this point, we've figured out a rough theory on the Collector's history, but how does our Collector play into this?

It's made very clear that our Collector isn't fond of his predecessors. He's a kid with a lot of power and was probably bored by the other's ideas of doom and gloom and the tendency to destroy anything interesting.

So our Collector decided to start doing things his own way. It's clear he didn't decide to step away from the old ways out of sympathy, rather, it was because he's a bored, lonely kid who wants to do interesting stuff like play and make friends.

Does he have any role in the destruction of his species? We don't know. Personally, I think he was placed in the mirror when he was really young, leaving him with nothing but vague memories and a book to get to know his predecessors by.

I believe this because it would parallel him more with King, both of them not being able to remember their species.

I think if the Collector learned to listen to king, they could form a really nice, genuine friendship

[i-just-want-to-be-a-bumblebee]

Can I just say as an ace person I see some things in Izzy’s relationship to Ed that I connect with.

Here is my friend whom I love more than anything, and their company and spot in my life fills my life and I don’t need more. But for them they are missing something. They are missing that romantic love that fills the spot in their life. They want a spouse. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

But then they find a significant other and the time I have with them is different and shortened and threatened. I don’t like their significant other because to my possessive brain what we have is wonderful and safe and why would they want to change that? Now this is wrong if I try to keep they apart, to damage their relationship, or otherwise cause harm. My feelings of being abandoned for another person are valid, but they aren’t quite healthy.

I find fulfillment in relationships differently than my friends do, and that’s okay. I can still be supportive of a healthy relationship they have and enjoy the new pace our friendship now has as well.

I think we start to see that in Izzy in season two. He’s finding other things to take the place of a relationship he didn’t think he could live without. And he’s finding healthier relationships instead of focusing all of his energy into the one with Ed.

It seems now he can tease Ed about his relationship with Stede and it’s not bitter or jealous. He can explain to Stede that he is good for Ed and it just took Izzy a little while and a lot of regrets to understand that.

And that’s just a wonderful thing to see. I don’t know what the future holds and if Izzy is Ace. I don’t know. But that’s just my quick little thought.

[snirtsnirkarts]

Right so, this is my guy uh… Hold on I forgot his name. Ishbak Macroprososup, you can see why I forgot the name(plus the fact that it’s been almost like a full year since I last touched him. I forgot him like heaven did. I will explain that.) Used to go by Iskbak back in the day when the name was more common, but present day goes by Mac. Mac I had decided, was there all throughout history, just not memorable enough for Crowley or Aziraphale to care.

So Mac actually has a complicated history as a messenger, or a vessel. Except he doesn’t know that. To call upon the vessel, you call his name, Choncha. They just never told him for not only security reasons, because he possesses information from both heaven and hell, and was previously the communicator for both lands.

Mac was also a messenger for people as well, or just a vessel of good will or bad. Sent as different animals that would look more biblical angel like, but processes a power if you don’t look at him long enough, you wouldn’t notice this thing is not entirely one animal.

Some of my animal examples of him and a little colored in doodle to show his old coloring. There are little things he did to try and fit in, like dying his hair blond to look less demon like and more angelic, but he’s stopped since.

So that was his life before the war between heaven and hell. Which I made the fuck up but is mentioned in the show(I believe) but never mentioned when it took place. So again, made it the fuck up. I also never specify when it takes place. Uh, because idk I dont wanna decide that. Sure season three or something will clear this up. Again, don’t actually care that much.

Anyways, during the war, Mac’s wings got cut, giving him no access to heaven, but having not fallen, he wasn’t given access to hell either. He doesn’t know anything about elevators or stairwells or whatever have you. He really doesn’t know much of anything, since he is just a vessel without knowing it.

I had decided Crowley was there to sweep the lands when both parties retired or whatever have you. But finding Mac being abandoned, he hoped heaven would come back for him and spares his life. But on the other hand, heaven either forgot about him or thought he’d been a demon(do to the mud covered wings looking black).

So, Mac was left to roam the earth. He was found by a human while there. Who I don’t think I ever actually named, but is important and is based on my best friend.

So this human actually taught Mac basically how to live life. But of course, humans die. But while dying, our human promised to come back just for Mac. And without knowing it, had called upon the vessel to carry their memories until they got back. And now our human is reincarnated at random unassigned times. Although is cursed to always die soon after remembering Mac and their previous life. So when Mac found them, it was just a ticking time bomb. Mac eventually would feel awful for doing it and hides from his counterpart, not wanting them to have a shortened life. Unfortunately, their human is pulled to them and will always find him eventually.

Now eventually, I never decided the timeline on Crowley finding Mac, I think it was Aziraphale and Crowley find him together because they both now recall him over the years and shit, or a significant moment they had. Like Aziraphale and Mac had been drafted to war together, but faked their deaths with their platoon who all also died. Mac and Crowley, well, Crowley was there when Mac was stranded, and they had been in a few events together. So the two are like, “Um, it’s kinda dangerous to have an unattended…” They are not sure if Mac is an angel or a demon, and neither is Mac. He already has multiple sets of mismatched wings, it wouldn’t help solve it, and Mac wouldn’t pull out his wings anyways.

But Mac is definitely there when Aziraphale returns to heaven. Because Aziraphale looks into him and finds out he is Choncha. And since he is a vessel, Aziraphale can actually use him to get back to earth, see Crowley, and eat foods and such. Yknow, sin and shit. But it does have an effect on Mac’s psychic. As he keeps losing time and even his form is beginning to reflect Aziraphale’s liking. Dressing more like him and all. But, Aziraphale not being down there doesn’t know this.

Some doodles and dabbles of the inbetween stuff of that. And finally we bring in another person. My sibling’s self insert who I’m pretty sure I made up for the most part. Other than the design. They designed this character. Their name is Mastema, or it may be a temporary and because I forgot their actual one. Don’t remember and if I asked I don’t think he’d remember either.

I’ll talk about them next post because I have a little comic and limited photos I can add.

[myarmytinyzen]

How you comfort Hongjoong during the NYC concert delay

I decided to inspire this off of the recent issues with the most recent concert delay due to the weather issue during the NYC Towards the Light: Will to Power concert date. Hope you enjoy.

Warnings: None

Genre: Angst, Comfort, Fluff

Pairing: Hongjoong x GN!Reader

When you noticed the first strike of lightening, you immediately thought of the delay that was about to occur due to bad weather. You quickly went from the side of the stage over to the green room to encounter many sullen faces of Ateez.

When you look around, you notice someone missing. It registers that your boyfriend of two years Hongjoong is missing from the room. After communicating to with many of the members, you find him communicating with the venue coordinators to see what they can do and if the concert is even going to continue based on the constant pelting of rain at the moment.

You walk up into the middle of the conversation:

Hongjoong: "Do we have any of the forecast on how long this weather is going to last? We have many fans out there waiting for us to give them a show.

Venue Coordinator: " We are looking to see how long it will be, but it could be up to an hour or more before we are able to safely let you out there to start the concert. Not to mention that we will be cutting into our allotted time for this concert.

Hongjoong; "Well we can't just not continue, that would not be fair to not only the fans, but we have been waiting to see every area of the fans that are in North America".

This conversation continues on for a few more minuets with the same outcome that they started at. They all know at this point that the delay is inevitable but it is still painful because of how everything is now not going to plan and them wanting to give ATINY the best at all times. You walk up and wrap your arms around Hongjoong's waist just to let him know that you are here and give him some type of comfort. He turns in your arms to wrap his around your shoulders and put his head in your neck. You brought him back to the room with the other members so that he can relay the information to them.

They were all very worried and rightfully so, but there is nothing they can do about the weather and the season the concert is happening in. You puled up a stop on one of the couches and had Hongjoong lay his head down on your lap while he waited for confirmation to start the concert. You sit there running your hands through his hair and constantly give him reassuring words while the time ticked passed.

After about an hour and a half they were informed that they can start getting ready because of the slowing of the thunder, and to go ahead and begin the concert. It wasn't the easiest process and they had to cut the concert a little short but they tried to make it worth while throughout the whole thing for ATINY. The one thing you mainly remember is how passionate he looked in the middle of his guitar solo and how that probably translated wonderfully to the crowd for days to come.

Once the concert finished, you made your way to the green room for the last time tonight in citifield and saw all the happy faces of the members except one in particular. Hongjoong was still feeling quite bothered by the night's events but decided not to voice it out loud.

You: Hongjoong, you shouldn't beat yourself up about this. You know there is nothing you could do to change this but you and I know that the fans enjoyed it no matter what. They would watch you stand up there and talk for three hours and still love to see you all.

Hongjoong: I know they loved what they saw, but I still wish I could have given them everything that they deserved. The deserved the whole concert, not just a shortened version of it.

San walks over and pats him on the shoulder : You should listen to them. They were a fan way before they got with you. They understand how ATINY thinks. We did amazing and atiny loved every second of it.

He finally starts to calm down a little and relaxes into your lap. We chill there for a bit longer and then we head to the hotel so that you can relax him completely in the best way you know how. ;)

>>>>>> Please let me know if there is anything I can improve on. I know it is probably not the best but I am just starting out. Thank you for reading my first one. >>>>>>>

>>>>>>> POPCORN

[inevitably-ineffable-husbands]

A Thought on AziraCrow from an A-Spec Perspective

On the Eve of Good Omens S2, I just wanted to put my two cents in about AziraCrow, before we see the outcome of S2, because it’s pretty clear from trailers and promotions that their relationship is a plot point in the season.

I started writing a ridiculously long post a week ago spurned on from this screenshot from Pride Magazine, and my being upset by the current discourse on Twitter about AziraCrow “being canon or not”, but decided to shorten it to just this little thought, because I feel like me writing a meta-style commentary (which I do have saved if you want a more long-form thought about it after the series airs) isn’t necessary right now.

And this is all despite Gaiman AND the cast AND crew basically confirming that it is in multiple interviews, discourse from people in the community that are supposed to understand the queer experience, completely disavowing its legitimacy unless “X” happens (where “x” usually is explicit confirmation of sex happening) so therefore it’s not valid (which is really bizarre).

But I digress.

This is just a bit of a thought that I think allos are COMPLETELY skimming over:

Crowley’s and Aziraphale’s relationship, as it currently stands now prior to S2, is representative of the beginnings of a (currently) queerplatonic asexual relationship, and as an ace who so desperately just wants to see a relationship that I can see myself in on screen, and lo and behold came Good Omens. I’m part of a demographic which I and a few of my real-life friends fall into and were so happy to see on-screen when we saw GO. A demographic that is ridiculously under-represented in media that it often is mistaken as “bromance” or “just besties”.

As it stands now, in act 1, it is the part before the romantic gestures and before the “I love you”’s, and the part before the moving in and committing your life to someone else. Very gentle and romantic, slow burn kind of stuff that I, as an ace, relate to so much.  

This relationship looks like what my best friends went through for YEARS before finally tying the knot in their queerplatonic relationship because they couldn’t imagine their lives without each other anyway and they loved each other fiercely. This relationship looks like the kind of relationship that doesn’t turn me off as an asexual: to share the ridiculous amounts of love I have, and be loved in return, despite my complete disinterest in having sex. The “you go to fast for me Crowley” was SO FELT in my soul as someone who needs a lot of time to feel comfortable in any relationship I’m in (like, Aziraphale is SO me, it’s ridiculous really), and me trying to explain to people that I need a lot of time to feel comfortable in a relationship and that sex may never happen, and me knowing that I’ll probably be turned down because of it. Me not wanting to hurt someone in a world where sex is an expected endgame, so I just... tend to keep to myself. I’m just as happy with my books and my video games and doing things on my own, but I long for a life partner to love and to experience my life with. And while can’t speak for what other aces and aros may relate to about the relationship, I like to hope that they can also see themselves in AziraCrow as well. 

And please don’t get me wrong: I WANT them together-together, in any or all ways that it means: committing to each other 100%, love confessions, declarations of forever, marriage, a cottage in Sussex, and yes, even sex if that’s who they are canonically... I do want that, because I want it for myself. I want to see a relationship blossom where sex isn’t the primary outcome of it, but more of an afterthought as a way to consummate their love and to FEEL loved by each other.

I think the beauty of Crowley and Aziraphale’s relationship is that because they are essentially supernatural beings, we as people can put ourselves in their places, and use them as placeholders for us to project our relationships and experiences onto them and in turn feel seen. 

AziraCrow gives me hope that I will find my Other Person someday, because there is unconditional love in the world for people like me, especially as I get older and more set in my ways. I only hope I find my own Crowley to make me feel loved.

I know my opinion isn’t popular about AziraCrow, but honestly, their relationship, and the way it’s progressing means SO much to me, as an asexual, anyway. I hope it’s important to others too. <3

[i-am-a-fan]

Dude. I need to know about the tails.

I

Am

Invested

In that headcanon. I wanna hear a whole lore dump on your thought process on the latest peice

(If ya want ofc)

so. You wanted to hear my whole lore dump huh?

Please keep in mind that I am well aware that this is SUPPPEERRR off script for the show. This is just kinda like me playing with it like silly putty.

Link to artwork

Spoilers underneath and also long text.

Okay. So it stems from a lot of places.

First I’ll talk specifically about the tails since I think they’re the easiest to explain.

Tails:

The tails from from the season 4 special and the idea that Mk’s Kaiju form has three tails. That’s kinda what inspired it at the beginning.

I’ve outlined what I believe to be the tails in red so it’s easier to see.

Then we have Mk’s name sake in the Chinese dub (I think) Qi Xiaotain which roughly means “little sky” or “little heaven”.

If Wukong is the Sun, and Macaque is the moon, then would it not make sense that Mk, the one caught in between them is the sky?

I always try to draw Wukong’s tail to look like a fire ball, Macaque’s tail to look like a crescent moon, and Mk’s tail to look like a cloud.

Thus, you get the three tails that make up the controlled Kaiju form :D!

I also added the detail that the cloud swirl, what it outlined in orange, comes before wukong’s and Macaque’s tail to show that this feature is special to MK.

Samadhi Fire/ Teal Coloring:

The real thing that started everything was my crazy theory that Mk is the next person to get the samadhi fire.

The original smashing fire was also blue, which is why I made the painting be mixed with teal and yellow.

Link to Mk and the Samadhi Fire

I go into a LOT more detail in that post, but I’m almost certain that one of these 3 things happened to the samadhi fire in the show.

1. It got destroyed with the Lady Bone demon

2. Redson got it back and is unaware of it

3. Plot armor/ unexplained disappearance.

If it’s the first one, then onto the next topic.

Celestial Monkey(?):

I really hope that Mk turns out to be yet another celestial monkey, and if he is, I think it would make the most sense that he’s the “Connected Arm Gibbon” who can “seize the sun and the moon, shorten a thousand mountains, distinguish the auspicious from the inauspicious, And manipulate planets and stars.”

To me it makes the most sense since Mk is already somehow connected the the heavens and the planets.

More so, when Mk uses the Skeleton Key on himself, we get this frame… one that shows us a type of cosmic entity.

Plus, all the times that Mk has a cataclysmic power that shakes the universe.

If you combine this with the eye theory by @ imminent-danger-came , it seems like there’s some other version of MK that is watching and controlling what is happening to the Mk we are following.

- Eye Theory/ Eye Motifs with Mk

- Other Mk theory

There’s also the saying that the fate is written in the stars, and there’s a storyline relating Mk with destiny/ fate and how he can either be doomed to repeat it or change it.

If a version of Mk can truly control the stars, maybe by doing so he can change his fate as the harbinger of chaos.

Adding on, and with @spoofyleaf ‘s contributions, other Mk might be some protective seer of our MK. As seen in “Cooking with Chang’e” episode, Mk seems to simply be able to gain abilities from time to time and lose them.

Tang even comments on this and questions it, and if tang is our Normal Guy ™ who stands in as a Narrator and informant for the audience, then we can assume that this is not normal.

Referencing back to that image, look at the protective stance that the celestial version has over Mk, it’s almost protective of them (how I got inspired for the stance in the image).

Which brings me to the last part:

Reality Manipulation:

If Mk can gain new abilities when it is needed, and has the ability to control fate, does that entail that he has some sort of affect on the reality he’s placed in?

If so, that’s where I took creative liberties. If the Samadhi fire WAS destroyed, and it WAS the ultimate weapon for anything, wouldn’t someone who is obsessed with keeping everyone safe, try to reforge it? Wouldn’t the perfect person be someone who can change reality as they see fit? Wouldn’t that be someone who can distinguish the promising from the unpromising? Wouldn’t it be someone whom the bone demon tried to recruit again, and again? Wouldn’t the ultimate wildfire be wielded by chaos itself? Wou-

[parachutingkitten]

It’s kinda funny on how people were clamoring for news and were begging for Dragons Rising part 2, then a trailer releases, all the episodes leak hours after then removed, then there’s people who are overjoyed cause of it or extremely sad because of it

I don't know, I'm of two minds about it. On the one hand, if a premature release ruins the media for you, that sure doesn't say very good things about the media itself. It really shouldn't have any effect on your enjoyment. Especially considering the episodes leaked in english, in high quality, it's not like you have to compromise the full experience for the early access like has been the case in the past. It really should not be a big deal.

On the other hand, I do sympathize with the idea that the fandom has been robbed of the most intense hype period, and an extra month or so of fun speculating and theorizing. This also means a longer waiting period for our next installment, but as a fandom member who doesn't really need new content to be active, that doesn't really phase me at all. It also allows the fandom the best chance of being on the same page, watching at the same time, and gives the post watch period the most energy. That's obviously a good thing to have. I'm pro the fandom getting to experience stuff together.

On the other, other, hand, as someone who likes to avoid the spoiler heavy period just before most releases and is forced to go offline until things drop, the fact that that period was shortened for me is a pleasant surprise. I can't help but think of the tanner fishies community post that got recommended to me on yt about him being very personally disappointed about the early release, and his watch through being very begrudgingly, and I can't help but think like... yeah. Of course tanner is pissed. His whole content model is based on reporting minor rumors and theories with clickbait everything on a daily basis. He just had a ton of easy content leading up to the release taken out from under him. And in some ways, being the anti-tanner i like to see myself as, isn't it a good thing? The less pointless speculation and clickbait we can manage about this new installment, the better, right? idk.

Again, I do get the frustration, and on a base level i think release dates should be the day things release. But I also think the less we know about a season before we go in, the better. If we could get both of these things at the same time, that would be great.

Also, if we could get weekly releases back, that would be ideal. That's where speculation feels like it's most genuine and meaningful. It would also make the cliffhangers in these new episodes actually... matter, you know? Anyway. Lots of thoughts.

[brionysea]

Michael means “who is like god?” = MICHAEL wheeler manifested everything (is “god”) —- mike was also supposed to have a different name

mike's name feels super deliberate because they easily could've had the nickname version match his sisters. nancy and holly both end with an "-ee" sound, and if michael was shortened to mikey (like the kid from the goonies; it would immediately be spotted as a reference to an 80s childhood adventure story, so it wouldn't even be out of place), he would fit right in, but it's yet another thing that marks him as out of place in his family

everyone always expects mike to have all the answers (eg. dustin asking mike why will can't hear them over mr. clarke's radio thingy & lucas asking mike if the shadow monster can hurt will). it's already a pretty weird set of expectations to put on him, especially when you remember that he's only 12 to 14 years old and supposedly just an ordinary kid like the rest of them, but it's made even weirder because he usually does have all the answers

mike also catches blame for a lot of stuff that logically shouldn't be his fault, unless all of it is? because he's responsible for everything?? because he made everything??? he even called out how he always gets the blame during the rink-o-mania fight! and he didn't like it, he thought it was weird and felt hurt by how it's built up and gone unquestioned for so long! why would they draw attention to that unless it's important? why is mike the bad guy? the show hasn't answered that question yet

the alternate meaning of michael, "gift from god," makes me think of karen saying one of her kids got swapped in the hospital and that she doesn't know where their positive traits came from (in the s3 scene with nancy, because they're fighters, and in the s4 scene with hopper about mikhail/michael's father, because of mike's intelligence). that sounds SO incredibly adopted and mike has never fit in with the wheelers — not to say that adopted families aren't as good or loving, because the byers-hoppers are right there, but it's a subtle indication that something's not right with mike

add to that his weird intuition towards the upside down and how, in season 4, "god" is... vecna? kind of?? "making a deal with god to swap our places," max running from vecna to herself and her friends while the song plays. it makes sense to me, at least. and it hints towards mike somehow being a gift from vecna to karen. i don't think karen would or has cheated because of how she couldn't follow through in season 3 (remember, she said she's not a fighter like nancy and mike, she just conforms), which attaches some supernatural implications to mike's existence

[phantomoftheorpheum]

Okay, I got a chance to watch the School Spirits season finale (1x08) and I have so many thoughts and feelings! As usual, I'll be placing them below a cut to shorten the post & to hide spoilers.

Okay. Okay. I literally just finished watching so this is me processing in real time. idk how I feel. Because there are some things I like a lot, but others that I just... I'm not sure. I haven't been convinced.

Let's start with this- I don't love that the entire money/blackmailing scheme seemingly means nothing?? I thought it would at least factor in a little, since we spent so much time on it. The only way it ties in now is that Janet is using the money Nicole stole to get away. I think it's a bit unsatisfying that we get to uncover all these clues & 90% of them just go completely out of the window.

I also don't love that Maddie's "death" ties entirely back to Mr. Martin & Janet. While, obviously, there are still some questions there as to precisely what is happening, I think I would have liked this plot point a lot more if an actual living person "killed" Maddie for a real world reason, but it didn't actually kill her, but the vulnerability of the moment/being injured is what allowed Janet & Maddie to essentially switch places. Then what happened to Maddie has ties to both life & death. And there's still a person out there who did attack/attempt to kill her (and also adds a dimension of them only having some of the info & not understanding what's going on), but there's also this whole supernatural situation going on.

I'm super conflicted about the Janet situation as a whole. While it definitely opens up some interesting possibilities for season 2 (pls, I need it), I am always nervous about anything that potentially makes death less permanent. I've said before that I don't want Maddie to be alive & even with this revelation, I'm not sold on a potential conclusion that would end with her alive/back in control of her body. Obviously this would be a distinct possibility, since it's unclear exactly how/what happened with Janet/Maddie and presumably it could be reversed. I know everyone will feel differently about this, but I personally tend to feel emotionally cheated when I'm asked to invest in a character's death and then it's walked back. So much of this season has revolved around emotionally plucking at our heartstrings, either by having characters hope that Maddie's alive when the audience has been told she's dead (like with her mom & Nicole), or with a character like Simon who is processing knowing she's "dead" & grieving her loss, that I wouldn't want to feel like those scenes exist to get an emotional response from the audience, not because they have weight long term in the story. Like I said, everyone has a different tolerance level for this, and I know mine is pretty low. That being said, I am staying cautiously optimistic that this could go in a really interesting/satisfying direction, if handled delicately.

Ngl, I wish we'd gotten more ghosts in the most recent episode. I just love the ghost characters & would have liked a little more time with them. I also now feel like I need to rewatch & try to figure out exactly when Rhonda became suspicious/found the info on Mr. Martin. I know we saw her in the fallout shelter earlier, but I'm wondering if her "I wanna cross over" thing was entirely an act, or if she only found out later.

Mr. Martin. Okay, what exactly is he trying to accomplish & what abilities does he have? He somehow managed to lock Charley, Wally, & Rhonda up. He's able to make notes and collect objects, even when he isn't interacting with them. Maddie saw him before anything happened to her. It doesn't seem like he and Janet planned what happened to Maddie (at least not in this way) because he yells at Janet not to move when they are interrupted by Maddie and Janet had been yelling for help. Why are there no notes on Janet? What does the "thinning" note that Wally found mean? Thin the ghosts or thin the veil? How is he trying to use this?So many questions here.

I think, given a little time, Simon has to come back around on the idea that Maddie can't just be a hallucination pretty quickly because she gave him info/led him places, etc. that he would never have been able to puzzle out without her help. One of many examples- if Maddie isn't "real" he wouldn't have known Mr. Anderson's phone code. He got that info from Maddie who got it from Dawn.

I actually found myself warming up to Xavier (as a character, not ever again as a love interest for Maddie, to be clear) more than anticipated in this episode. He has made some shitty mistakes, but he does seem to be trying and I have to give him credit for that. Plus, the scene of him, Nicole, & Claire in the truck arguing was genuinely pretty fun.

Loose threads: I know I've brought it up before, but wtf is going on with the social media thing? Was it really accidentally Mrs. Nears? Was it Janet? But how could it be Janet, she didn't have Maddie's phone (I guess she could know people's log ins like Dawn, but why would she do that?), and Janet doesn't actually gain anything by making people think Maddie is alive if she's staying hidden & trying to run away in Maddie's body. I assume the reason she didn't leave town sooner was because she didn't have the means? It's hard to speculate too much about Janet, since we don't know anything about her personality/wants/involvement with Mr. Martin/moral compass/etc.

I'm not surprised that possession became a plot point (Dawn talking about it just seemed too important for it to not), but I wasn't sure if they were going to dive into that with this season or if that was set up for season 2. Obviously it came into play for season 1. Like I said, still processing that.

I do really hope we get a season 2. While there are some elements (particularly the stuff surrounding how permanent death is) that make me a little nervous about things going off the rails, there are so many interesting things (and characters) they could explore & I want to see where they take things. There's a lot of set up for season 2, but also a lot of the mystery/whodunnit elements are currently wrapped up (since we see the scene of Maddie's.... I'm gonna keep calling it "death" because I don't know what else to call it), it feels like we might need another external mystery for season 2.

Anyway, definitely still processing things. More thoughts to come in a bit! Also I still adore Wally & need him to be happy.

[mando-cyare]

8 Episode Seasons Are Ruining Media Literacy

Ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration but I think there's something to it.

So every few years, I end up rewatching Supernatural. Makes me nostalgic for my early fandom days, even if looking back it's not the best. But you had like 24 episodes a season! It took time for plots and characters to develop!

When you have that longer format, you end up with better storytelling. Yes, I know using Supernatural as an example is a little silly. But the thing is, you had time to pick up on little details. The characters developed slowly, and you could see relationships degrade or improve a little more with each episode.

((more under the cut))

With 20+ episodes a season, writers had the option to leave little plot clues here and there. Stuff you'd notice, but didn't think much of at the time. Those little clues would build up, and that had fans theorizing wildly as season ticked on. You had MONTHS to theorize about what the endgame of the season would be. But you had to pay attention.

Characters had more time to be complex, to have moments when they faltered, or seriously fucked up. And then it would take even more time to repair damaged relationships, or to become a better person. You could actually have a redemption arc!

These days, with just 8 episodes a season in a lot of shows, there's no room for subtlety. You just hit all the big notes; this character is bad and hates this other character for x reason. There's just sudden betrayal, instead of the traitor taking time to build trust to get what they want. If you take time, the betrayal has a much bigger impact when it finally happens.

Characters had room to be complex because they had time to actually develop, for better or worse.

With just 8 episodes, you also miss out on letting the characters just have fun. There's no room for silliness, like Sam and Dean's pranks for example. It's just all serious plot all the time. Yes, some shows are more serious than others, but I personally feel that you need a little lightheartedness from time to time to really flesh out a story.

Anyway, because people don't have to pick up on all the subtle clues over 20+ episodes, they've either never learned, or forgotten how to critically analyze characters and themes. So you get all this black and white thinking about good and evil with not much room in between. I see so little nuance these days.

Yes, some of it could be because of tiktok shortening our attention spans, but I really think shortening seasons to just 8 episodes is doing a real disservices to reading comprehension and media literacy. This is also why I think Anime is getting more mainstream, since they still tend to do at least 20 or more episodes a season.

These are just my personal ramblings, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

[ladylooch]

Letters in Your Last Name - Chapter 18

A/N: So you like smut you say?? Good cause it's in this one twice 😉 When I say I cannot help myself with Kevin, I mean it bbys. Outside of the smut tho, I do love this chapter.. so cute.. lil angsty... doing the hard work of showing up... what isn't to love?

Word Count: 4.6k

Warnings: SMUTTTT 18+ content , COVID Talk, angst, swearing

Wild’s belief never wavered, which makes Game 7 defeat harder to swallow

Another year, another first round exit by the Minnesota Wild.

I watch the last few drops of Nespresso fall into my cup. The machine buzzes as it finishes up. I grab the cup, adding in my frothed cream. I glance down the hall at the bedroom door, finding it still shut and concealing my sleeping boyfriend.

Another season done; another off-season hovering. The off-season we were supposed to spend together. First in Sweden, then in Switzerland. COVID has ruined many things and it’s hold on our lives has not weakened in the slightest. Most of Europe is still closed to Americans even as vaccination rates have increased significantly in the U.S. Kevin and I are done with both rounds and thought that would be enough for me to join him in Europe. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to matter. At this point, both Sweden and Switzerland are still closed to me.

Kevin and I have known this for weeks. We have strategically been pushing the thought from our minds. Armed with the fierce hope of a deep playoff run, we continued to methodically plan our entire summer from our first day arrival in Sweden to our return to the U.S. from Switzerland. Unfortunately, for both us, and the Wild, neither of those things ended up happening.

Now, with the season over, Kevin is ready to head back to Sweden and begin training for this upcoming year. On his flight home from a Game 7 defeat, he made a long list of the improvements to focus on with Andreas this summer. Regardless of the fun we have planned, we both anticipate a tumultuous summer of both pushing for improvement and contract negotiations. With the two shortened seasons of Kevin’s latest contract, there is concern that he may not be able to secure the long term, big money contract we envisioned for him at the start of this season. Additionally, the Wild have at least two other players in Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Erikkson Ek to re-sign. With so many unknowns, it feels difficult to see where we will be going from here. We are both still hopeful that the going turns into staying.

I grab my coffee and pad out of the kitchen into the living room. I sit in one corner of the couch and look out across Minneapolis. It’s a warm, Spring day and the sun is shining brightly in the sky. Today is locker clean out which means hours of interview and goodbyes for Kevin. Later this week, the players will have an end of the year bash hosted by the Spurgeons, so the goodbyes will mostly be to the Wild Staff members and media.

After a few sips of my coffee, Kevin enters the living room with bed head hair tossed about and his MacBook Pro. He greets me with a soft kiss and a smile. He sets the open laptop next to me on the couch and wanders to the kitchen where he makes himself a Nespresso. While the machine kicks in and begins pouring Kevin’s coffee, I casually glance at the screen of his computer. There, I see he is looking at flights to Sweden from Minneapolis leaving on Sunday, five days from now. I purse my lips in both annoyance and confusion.

“You’re looking at flights?” I ask him, taking a sip of my coffee to seem chill.

“Yeah, just seeing what options are out there in the next week or so.” He responds after a yawn. The way he says this, so casually, irks me.

“But… I can’t go yet.” I say quietly, looking into the rich brown of my coffee.

“I know.” He says slowly. I’m silent as the machine finishes his drink. He grabs it and walks over to join me on the couch. “That’s why I haven’t booked anything.” I give him a skeptical look as he sips his coffee. He holds up a cautioning hand. “I’m not trying to leave without you. I want to discuss our options.”

“Well, the options are you stay here or you go without me.” I am trying to not sound angry, but there is a definite bite to my words I can’t filter out.

“I think that is simplifying it a bit.” Kevin responds, leaning back into the couch after setting his coffee down.

“Oh? It’s more complicated than that?”

“Well, yeah.”

“How so?”

“The plan for this off-season was and remains for you to come with me. I know when we started planning everything, we thought things would be open again. In Sweden, things seem to be shifting in a positive direction. There is talk that they are opening up soon to international travelers. I was thinking I could go for now and get everything settled, then when the border opens, you can join me.” Although Kevin is a Swiss native, he has permanent residency established in Sweden, therefore he can return even though international travelers are not currently permitted.

“What if this talk turns out to not be true?” I ask him.

“Then we will figure out that next step then.” I roll my eyes towards the ceiling, letting out a heavy sigh. I’m trying not to get upset, but he’s talking about leaving me here in such a casual way, like it’s not a big deal. Like we haven’t done this two other times and it didn’t almost tear us apart at the seams. How could he have forgotten the emptiness of those lonely nights? The memory still haunts me every night he’s on the road.

“Maybe that mindset works for you, but it doesn’t work for me with us anymore. Every time you leave, I’m left feeling like a piece of me is missing. I go through the motions of life, but I feel stuck in place when you’re gone. Like we are living two different lives. I want to share my life with you, Kev. Not live it while you’re 3,000 miles away and 7 hours ahead of me. Honestly, the thought of you leaving and then this turning into another 2-3 months apart, isn’t something I want to do for another summer.”

“I understand that and agree.” He says cautiously. He pauses and seems to contemplate his choice of words carefully. “Since we are being honest, I think I should go now. This is the most important off-season I’ve ever had. With two shortened seasons, I’m not sure if Billy is going to give me the long term deal that I want. Early talks haven’t looked good. This off-season is going to set my career up for a good future. A future that’s going to provide for us and our plans.” I take in his resigned features. I believe that it won’t matter what I say. He’s going. So I pack up the rest of my arguments in my head, shove them deep, and surrender to more time apart.

“Okay. If that is what is most important, then you have to go.” As easy as it has been the last few times to encourage him to go, the taste of it in my mouth right now has me wanting to spit. I’ve been so considerate and supportive of him in the past. Why can’t he consider staying here with me now?

I stand, grabbing my cup and bringing it to the sink. I know I need to leave. If I stay here, I’ll do something embarrassing like get on my knees and beg him to stay here with me. Luckily, I have the perfect excuse. “I’m going to head out. Felicia wanted to run some errands this morning without the kids.” I pour out the remaining coffee and give the cup a quick rinse. When I turn, Kevin is standing in the living room with his arms crossed, looking at me with an expression I can’t read.

“Do you have to leave right now?” He asks me. I give a shrug and a nod even though I don’t. I’m not fooling him either. “Sam.” Kevin says with slight annoyance in his tone. “If this isn’t okay…” He runs a hand through his hair nervously. “Baby, just talk to me.”

“I have, Kevin. You don’t seem interested in listening.” My voice has taken on a sharp, angry edge. At the sound of it, Kevin’s demeanor instantly turns frustrated. He rolls his eyes, setting them on me with an edge of fierceness. He is quiet, taking in the look on my face. It’s like he’s peeling back layer after layer while we stand there. It’s a vulnerability I don’t enjoy so I cross my arms over my chest to shield myself from him.

“I’ll stay here until you can come with me.” He finally says. Even though that’s what I want, deep down the instant dread begins to suffocate me. Changing his plans just for me feels like a disaster waiting to happen. What if he resents me for this later? What if missing out on this training time ends in a short term deal? Or worse, a trade and starting over? I can’t be responsible for any of that. He needs to own this decision.

“That’s fine, but it better be your decision, not something you say to make me happy but you don’t want to do. If this has any potential to be something you resent me for, you need to go. I’m not interested in being a scapegoat.” I watch as his jaw tightens further in defiance. “I can already see it on your face, Kev. You don’t want to stay here.” My nostrils flare in frustration.

“I feel like if I go, I’m going to lose you.” His eyebrows are drawn low and his eyes are squinting at me with a borderline snarl on his mouth.

“That is ridiculous. You’re not going to lose me.” I tell him, grabbing my keys and my purse from the counter. “Go to Sweden. When I can come, I’ll come.” My tone is cool and I’m purposefully being just as calm as he was earlier. I turn and start walking to the door. The tears are burning in my eyes, but I’m trying to stride confidently, like the heaviness of this isn’t crumbling my heart into pieces.

“Sam.” Kevin calls as he sighs exasperatedly. I whirl around to face him.

“I don’t know what there is left to talk about at this point, Kev. Just go book your flight. You need to be there more than you need to be here. You don’t need me. So go without me.” My voice wavers with emotion. Kevin is silent as he stares back at me, dark eyes watchful. As the seconds pass, I can feel the sadness take over my features. How many days would we be apart this time? A deep sob suddenly rocks my chest. I throw my hand over my lips tightly to keep the sound in. My tears shatter Kevin’s edginess. He is across the living room and reaching for me in seconds.

“Of course I need you. I’m staying. I’m not going to go without you.” He assures me. “I don’t want to be anywhere you’re not.” He rubs his hands up and down my back as I cry into his chest. He squeezes me tightly to him. I feel embarrassed at the amount of tears that are sinking into his shirt. At least I didn’t beg? I pull back from him and wipe my fingers beneath my eyes.

“I hate this.” I tell him, looking across the room at the bank of windows. I can’t bring myself to look at his face, but I know he stands with his arms crossed in silence, watching me. Two more tears leak out and I wipe at them angrily.

“It definitely sucks.” He says quietly. “But I really think things are going to be okay in a few weeks. In the meantime, I can train here. We can be together and then everything else will work it’s self out.”

“Are you sure?” I ask again quietly.

“About not leaving you? Yes.” He says as he reaches for my chin. He gently tilts it up until our eyes meet. His gaze is genuine and soft. “I’m all in on this, baby.”

“I know, me too. And that’s what makes it so hard when you go.” I tell him honestly. He nods slowly. His eyes are serious as they look at me. His other hand comes to my face, cupping my neck and stroking my cheek.

“None of my dreams come true without you.”

I close my eyes and lean into his touch. I feel his lips connect with mine again. This kiss is deeply intimate with fresh tears still soaking my lashes. I wrap my arms around his neck and he pulls me firmer into him. His arms slide down my back and to my thighs, lifting me up. Our kiss turns passionate and ravenous. He walks us back to the couch and falls onto it, letting me take control.

“I love you.” I whisper to him as I pull back from his lips. I look down at his face, taking in his swollen lips and muted red cheeks. His brown eyes are molten black; his hair is messy from my fingers.

"Miluji tě.” My heart swoons at the Czech I love you. When he speaks to me like this, knowing I understand, it feels like a secret that only we are in on. His hands are on my hips and he slowly rocks me into his erection. I bite my lip briefly and let out a breathy moan. “You look good up there.”

“Yeah?” I wonder, my fingers going to the edge of my t-shirt and pulling it over my head.

“Even better.” He tells me, watching me closely as his fingers go up my back, unclasping my bra. It falls between us and his lips part in a heavenly sigh. “Sweden can’t compete with you.” He says, thumbs brushing against my hard nipples. He sits up and meets my lips, flipping me onto my back in the process.

“I thought you liked me up there.” I question him, watching as he kisses down my stomach.

“I like you better under me.” He insists as his quick hands pull the rest of my clothes from my body.

His lips connect with my slick flesh and I moan out my agreement.

Later, when we are throughly satisfied, Kevin kisses the top of my head one last time before shifting from the couch. I watch with a pout as he pulls his clothes back on his gorgeous, naked body.

“Boo!” I whine to him. He laughs and comes towards me, leaning down and tugging my nipple into his mouth. “Hey.. it’s not fair to start that when you’re leaving.” Even as I say this, I hold his head to me, enjoying the intoxicating need beginning to pound in my body again.

“I’m giving you something to look forward to later.” He insists, moving to the other nipple and giving it equal attention. By the time he pulls away again, I’m writhing beneath him and breathless. “Just how I like you.” He murmurs to me, kissing my lips softly. He nuzzles my nose and then drapes a blanket over me. “I will be back after lunch. Eat without me.”

“Okay.”

My eyes follow him across the apartment where he gathers his phone, keys and hat at the door. He turns back to me, eyes watchful as he takes me in- breathless, just fucked hair and all. I slide the blanket down just enough that my nipples peak out at him, hoping they will beckon him back to me. He’s pondering something and he licks his lips in a way that makes me groan. I cover my face with my hands and then peek at him through my fingers. He slowly backs away with a grin that underlies the knowing between us both.

He exits the apartment without another word, with my heart wrapped firmly in his hands.

_ _ _

In late July, my feet dangle into the water of the infinity pool at a remote spa and hotel in the center of Sweden. We are here as a late birthday celebration for Kevin, but also for us to unwind after a few strange, tough seasons. I just finished my massage and am waiting for Kevin to appear. I’m so relaxed that I could melt into a puddle and drift away into the Swedish wilderness surrounding us. I trace circles in the water with my hot pink toes and think about how incredible this off-season has been. Kevin was right about Sweden releasing their restrictions soon. After two weeks of relaxation in Minnesota, Sweden welcomed international travelers back with open arms.

I’ve loved every minute of us living here the past two months. I can certainly see why Kevin has become so attached to the city of Gothenburg. It’s a vibrant, chill and young metro that has accepted me with open arms, including Kevin’s group of friends. These days, they truly feel like our friends. We meet up with the group every few days at the archipelago islands on the ocean, a restaurant, or at the local amusement park, Liseberg. Every day is packed with adventure, but it doesn’t feel rushed either. The overall vibe of Sweden focuses on relaxation and contentment. It’s a perfect fit for our off-season needs.

A hand comes to the top of my head to tug my pony tail in a greeting. I don’t have to look to know it’s Kevin. His touch is always assertive and sure.

“I definitely fell asleep.” He says as he sits down next to me. His legs bump into mine in the water. He has been training hard on power and strength this off season. His thighs have become as thick as tree trunks; I’ve certainly been reaping the benefits of them. Just looking at them now has my breathing becoming shallow.

“Me too.” I nod my head, looking over at him. I smile at the obvious creases in his beautiful cheeks from the pillow. “I see why they named a massage style after Sweden.”

“I wish our trainers were that nice about it.” Kevin speaks of the Wild staff members. “I swear, half the time it’s a bet to see who can inflict the most pain.”

“To be fair, that’s how you guys are able to sustain the whole year though. If they were nice about it, you’d be down with cramps and injuries a lot more.”

“Yeah I know. But once would be nice.”

“You should ask for it this year. Build it in once a week and see what happens.” I shrug, flicking my foot to toss droplets of water in the air. A few of them land on my thighs and Kevin slips into the water to submerge himself.

“Maybe I will.” He says before dipping below the surface. The pool is salt water and is warmed to borderline hot tub level, which is perfect to continue to relax the muscles after a massage like that. “Are you going to stay up there?” He ponders to me, running his hand through his wet hair to push it back from his face.

“Probably.” I shrug. Kevin contemplates that before reaching for my left leg in the water. He grabs the other one and comes to stand between my spread legs. His arms reach for my waist and I know exactly what he’s going to do.

“Don’t you dare.” I hiss at him just as he grabs me and tugs me fully into the pool. “Kevin!” I snap right as I go under. I shove at his stomach underwater and push towards the surface. I suck in an annoyed breath and narrow my eyes at him.

“What is with girls not wanting to get their hair wet in the pool?” He asks me with a puzzled scrunch of his nose.

“Because we look like this!” I exclaim, shoving my hair back from my face. “A drowned rat!”

“Well, if I’m going to make you come in public, I need you in the water.” He says quietly, grabbing the backs of my thighs and floating me to tighten my legs around his waist. One hand goes under my butt to give me leverage while the other goes to the side of my swimsuit bottoms.

“You’re really going to- oh yep.” I suck in a surprised breath as his thumb brushes against my clit. “Kay.” I rest my head against his shoulder as he massages me. “This is… ah.. fuck.” I can’t finish my sentence because what he is doing feels so damn good. I raise my head and glance over to where the door just opened. It’s a staff member who is refilling the towels on the rack.

“Can I get you two anything?” She asks us innocently.

“N-no.” I force out with a tight smile. She nods and disappears back through the door, leaving us alone again.

“Keep it together.” He murmurs. His lips brush against my ear as my breathing increases. My chest is falling and rising rapidly from desire. I try to suck in a calming breath but it comes into my mouth with a little moan. Kevin is watching every expression on my face and his teeth scrape at his bottom lip as he observes my eyes close in pleasure. Goosebumps break out across my skin and tighten my nipples against Kevin’s chest. “More?” He asks me and I nod my head immediately.

He breathes out a laugh and slips a finger into me. I promptly clamp around it and Kevin’s lips find mine. I reach a hand between us and grip his wrist tightly, holding him to me as his fingers move. With how relaxed I am from my massage and his skilled movements, I’m coming quickly despite the publicness of it.

To catch the moaning of my orgasm, I reach forward and suck the skin of his shoulder into my mouth. I can’t hold back the force of it and I bite down to stop more sounds from escaping my mouth. When I open my eyes again, my vision is blurry from the intensity. Slowly, I pull back from Kevin’s shoulder and immediately cringe.

“That’s a hickey.” I wince in slight embarrassment. “Geez, what are we 16?”

“It’s hot. I can relive this for a few days.” He grins. “The guys are going to give me some serious shit though.” He laughs, speaking of his fellow training buddies, most of whom are in the NHL. The hickey is getting redder and more distinct with each second. “It’s fine.” He tells me again after watching my discomfort increase. “As long as I can cover it with a shirt, it’s all good.”

“Okay. Sorry.” I mumble to him.

“Sorry for what? Coming so hard you had to bite me? We don’t apologize for that.” He insists. “What we do is go back to bed, order room service, and spend the rest of the day loving each other.”

“That is what we came here for.” I murmur, sliding my fingers through his hair.

When we get out of the pool to head towards our stuff, Kevin winds up and slaps my ass hard then gives it a tight squeeze. I squeak out at the force and immediately start to laugh.

“That’s for marking me as yours.” He murmurs as we slide our robes back on and grab our phones. “And this too.” He says as he leans down and crashes our lips together. It’s soft, but firm, and hints at the continued sexy time he’s promised me later. “You’re the cutest drowned rat I’ve ever seen.” He grins as he pulls away.

“Thanks, babe.”

We wander up to our room and peruse the room service menu. The only thing that Kevin seems focused on is cake, so we order that to start and see where the rest of the day takes us. When the cake arrives, Kevin brings it into the room and immediately hustles back over to his side of the bed. He doesn’t even bother to hand me a fork. I hold my hand out to him expectantly and he shakes his head after the first bite.

“No way. Mine.”

“Oh my god, are you really not going to let me have any of this cake?” I ask, watching as he shoves another large bite into his mouth. I laugh at his puffed out cheeks. He goes in for another bite and my mouth drops open in shock. “Kevin! Ugh! I knew I should have ordered my own. You’re like the cookie monster, except your vice is cake.”

“I’m not sorry. It’s really good.” He mumbles. “We should order like four more of these.”

“Can I have one bite? Just one!” I reach for the plate and he pulls it away. “Why don’t you love me!” I whine, my eyebrows furrowing in sadness.

“Fine.” He sighs in agreement, handing the plate to me. He watches with deep scrutiny as I take a forkful of the cake. “That is a big bite.” He whines to me.

“You’ve eaten over half this slice. Shut up or I’ll tell Andreas you’re cheating on your diet.” I click my tongue at him before shoving the bite into my mouth. Kevin snatches the plate away from me and I almost choke on my cake from laughing. “We have found the one thing in the world you love more than me.”

“Yep.” He immediately says, stuffing another bite into his mouth.

“I’ll remember this next time you want me to suck your dick. You’ll be like Sam, please.” I adjust my voice to mimic the twinge of his European accent as I speak. “My dick is begging for you. And I’ll be like, you better call up that cake.” He snorts on a laugh.

“Whatever. You fall to your knees half the time on your own.” I cough in surprise and my mouth drops open as I stare at him.

“Wow. Greedy and cocky today.” He points at the hickey on his shoulder with his fork.

“Enough said.”

I drop my head in my hands in a brief moment of embarrassment before crawling over to his lap. He moves the plate away from my reach protectively. I straddle him, leaning forward to kiss along his collar bone to the crook in his neck. My tongue dances along the bone to the dip where his shoulder meets his chest and I nibble on him lightly, just below my previous love mark.

“Ah…” He sucks air between his teeth and brings his free hand to my ass. He squeezes it in his hand and releases a grunt from deep in his chest. He moves to put the plate on the bedside table. “Nope. I definitely love you more than this cake.” He insists. His other hand reaches for my neck as he smashes our lips together. The kiss is sexy, filled with a desire that no cake can replicate.

Sam- 1, Cake- 0