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h0n3yk1tt3n · 3 months ago

Note

4 + boyfs :)

Boyf Riends + 4. things you said over the phone

September 1, 2015, 7:12pm

"Hey, I got my stuff from my hookup. Where are you right now? I've been looking around the food court for like ten minutes and you're just, gone. Uh, I guess I'll check Hot Topic until you get back to me. See ya."

September 1, 2015, 7:47pm

"Jeremy, why did I have to learn from the cashier at Forever 21 that Brooke and Chloe offered you a ride home?? And that you ended up just walking out instead?? I can't find you in the parking lot, man, like... Did you just-... walk home? Some warning would've been nice, ya know? Anyway. Text me so that I know you didn't die or whatever. Later."

September 2, 2015, 12:25pm

"Oh fuck off, don't pretend you don't know I'm calling you. I can see you sitting next to Rich! Your phone is right there next to your lunch tray! Good job taming him I guess, but can you stop ignoring me? For like, a minute?? Ditching me at the mall was one thing, but this is just... weird. You're being weird. And not the good kind. The like, got-replaced-by-a-changeling kind. Look- can you just look at me, Jeremy?!"

September 2, 2015, 3:43pm

"'Optic Nerve Block-' dude, what are you doing?? Is this a bit?? Haha, very funny. Jeremy's hot shit now and is too good for Michael. Great. Cool. Just-... actually ya know what, it's not cool. I'm not laughing. I mean, congrats on snatching Brooke up. That's... I mean I thought Christine was... you've just been gushing about her since... I- something about this is... *sigh* Never mind. Let me know when you decide to stop doing... this, whatever it is you're doing."

September 6, 2015, 12:56pm

"I hope you know I'm just gonna keep blowing up your phone with texts until you acknowledge me. I'm not asking for much, man! Just... an explanation? Maybe? Just something so that I know we're still cool or whatever. I know you're probably busy with rehearsal and all, but it's... weird that we haven't had a sleepover this weekend. I... can't really remember the last weekend where... *huff* Ok, so your SQUIP clearly doesn't like me. Fine. It can join the club. But... you still like me, right? Can I... can I get that much?"

September 12, 2015, 2:36pm

"Hey, since you and Rich are like, buddies now or whatever, you think you could call him off? He's still pulling his bullshit on me. And normally I wouldn't care that much, but... I dunno, it was different when it was both of us. And now you're just letting him go off on me?? Where's the Jeremy that broke his finger on a homophobic dickhead's nose two years ago? Where's the kid that became a little ball of rage that I had to restrain when guys gave me shit? I know freshman year was like, a really angsty spell for you, but... fucker- what do you want from me?! Can we just talk? Please??"

September 28, 2015, 2:03am

"Look, if you never wanna see me again, can you at least just say that?! Just tell me so that I don't have to question if you've actually decided to look in my direction or not? You haven't blocked my number, so you obviously... You're just-! Ugh! This isn't like you! Even if you do give me the silent treatment, it's never for this fucking long! If I fucked up somewhere just-! Tell me!! As much as we joke about it, I can't read your fucking mind! Fucking- text me! Pass a note! Flip me off! Something! This is fucking stupid!"

October 14, 2015, 4:47pm

"Have I mentioned how weird it is to hear other people actually name-drop you in the hall? Like, I'm still Antisocial Headphones Kid and probably will be until graduation. It's not like I care. Shit's not gonna matter in college. And even if it does, it's not gonna matter in the real world. In jobs or whatever. ...I don't... *sigh* I can't just keep calling you to yell about how you left. It just- it's old. And annoying. For me. I don't care if it's annoying for you. You're probably not even listening to these. Just... ugh, whatever. I'll see ya. Gonna go out on a limb and say you won't see me though."

October 27, 2015, 10:56pm

"Look, I- ...something about this whole SQUIP thing is really fucking shady. I just... it-it's creepy, ya know? You had to buy it at the back of a Payless, the dude selling it was sketchy as hell, and there's fuck-all on the internet about it. It's... and this isn't just because I'm salty! I mean fuck you still, but this isn't about that! Like I'm genuinely... this- it just- it's weird. I shoulda- fuck, I shoulda picked up on it sooner. I should've-! Ugh, I wouldn't have to leave you all these stupid voicemails if I'd just used my brain for two seconds! I'll... *sigh* tonight's been exhausting. I'll pick this up later. If you decide ya wanna clue me in after all this time, be my fucking guest."

October 30, 2015, 10:32pm

"Shit- ok, I get you're still doing your dumb little ignoring me thing but- fuck, you gotta get that thing outta your head. It's- I-I have this online friend, his brother had a SQUIP and- I'm looking at the videos and-... Y-you just- it's bad. It's really, really bad. I wanna come to you about this in person, but you're like, never home when I go there. And your dad doesn't know where you are either?? He just assumed you were with me! Which, I don't blame him after all these years, but... Jer, it's so fucking bad. I'm... I'm getting you to listen one way or another, so fucking help me."

October 31, 2015, 11:47pm

(There's no sound for several seconds, besides slight shifts in movement. It's all very muffled. Any words spoken are too quiet to distinguish, if they even are words at all. There might be the slightest inkling of a song in the distant background, though it's anyone's guess which song it is.)

*knock knock knock knock*

"*sniff* Shit-"

(There's some indistinct sound on the other end akin to one clambering about in a confined space. Metal rings clatter on the curtain rod as the plastic sheet is swept back.)

*knock knock knock knock*

"Just a fucking minute, man!"

*ssssshhhhhhhhhh*

(The sink is turned on, water rushing out of the faucet and hissing against the pearly white bowl that it's confined to. Its flow is interrupted by the flesh of cupped hands collecting it every few seconds, followed by the splatter of it falling back down in a scattered arc rather than a focused stream.)

*knock knock knock knock*

(It's not long before the handles squeak and the water is shut off, leaving the indistinct thrumming bass of a song that's been turned up far too loud.)

"...Hello?"

(Besides the underlying hum, silence. A lonely, lonely lack of sound, before a long sigh.)

"Figures..."

(There's nothing more than this quiet, rhythmic thumping for a long time. There's very little to break the monotony of it beyond the occasional sniffle of swallowing of phlegm.)

"Is that really how you see me? Or were you just reaching for the pettiest fucking word you could've used?"

(The scream of glass echos chillingly in the small room. Sparkling crystals twinkle and sing against smooth porcelain, a prickly harmony to go with the melody of ragged sobs.)

"God-! Dammit!"

(There's a soft thud, and then a long dragging sound akin to one sliding down to sit against a wall.)

"Fuck..."

(An eternity of smothered weeping seems to pass, though in reality it's barely more than a full minute, before a blood-curdling scream is heard, disturbingly loud for how distant it sounds.)

"FIRE!"

"Shit- what the hell??"

November 1, 2015, 2:14am

"I'm guessing you don't know this, since you didn't run out of the house screaming or get dragged into an ambulance, but Jake's house burned down. Yeah, that place where that party was happening where you-... I'm fine, by the way, because you obviously cared. Paramedics got all the glass out of my knuckles. I just... wanna confirm you're fine too. Because... still fuckin' care about you and shit. Yeah, thanks for waiting up, by the way. There's no indication you were ever fucking here, so I can only assume you bailed before anyone even smelled smoke. Glad you're safe, dickwad. Hope you can extend the same relief to me."

November 12, 2015, 5:49pm

"Hey. I'm... coming to your performance. Your dad kinda... If he's suddenly wearing pants the next time you see him, you're welcome. Guess you can thank him for me coming to see your show too... I won't have any flowers for you, but... hopefully I'll have something just as good."

November 12, 2015, 6:52pm

"--- entire stu--nt bod- -- do it!"

"Wh- Jeremy?"

"Mich- GAH!"

"Shit! Where are you?"

"-- ---- ---- ---- -- ---! -- --- -- ------ --- ---!"

November 16, 2015, 11:47am

"Hey, um... it'll probably take you a while to listen to this, if you... choose to listen to it at all. Um... it was nice seeing you at The Play, all things considered. It... it was almost like things were normal again. I... I missed it. A lot. Maybe uh... maybe once you wake up, once things settle down, we could... talk? Just... at all? Doesn't have to be a call back. Could be a text, in person, note passed in class-"

"Carrier pigeon."

"Rich says carrier pigeon. He's your roommate. You'll see that soon enough if- ...when you wake up. You've been pretty determined to stay asleep though. Four days... heh, you tryna make us jealous? I just... hope you wake up soon. Before New Year's would be nice. No pressure, obviously, just... I... *sigh* 'I miss you' would be an understatement."

November 23, 2015, 4:13am

"Hey, Michael, um... I... listened to your voicemails a couple... couple hours ago. I was going to call back when I finished them, but it was late and I figured you were asleep. Um... I guess it's even weirder that I'm calling at 4am than it would've been if I called at 1:30, but... *sigh* I'm sorry. For everything. I know I said it at The Play, but I didn't... I couldn't really... I-I'm sorry. For bailing on you at the mall. For the optic nerve blocking. For the... the shit I said on Halloween- just- refusing to believe that you were trying to help, and- Fuck- the fire. I know I didn't have anything to do with it but... I'm sorry... for making you think I didn't care about your safety. I'm so glad you got out ok, really, and... I'm... sorry for making you punch a mirror. I don't... think you meant to call me in the bathroom, but... I heard... some stuff. I don't know if it was everything."

(There's an audible swallow.)

"I just... I don't... understand, why you still helped me in the end. After... after everything. I'm grateful, and thank you, but... I was so afraid I'd burned that bridge on Halloween. No- no pun intended. I thought you wouldn't-... I-I was so sure- the SQUIP was so-"

(There's a long pause. One would think that the message had abruptly cut off if not for the shaky breathing on the other end. There's a tightness in his voice when it eventually comes back.)

"'He won't come back to you. No one is coming for you.' That's what it said. And I was convinced that I'd fucked everything up and you'd never-... but you did. And-and I'm sorry we haven't done anything together since the hospital. I've just been really... it-it's an adjustment, not having a computer telling me what to do, and balancing hormones and chemicals and- fuck, I've gotten like, no sleep this weekend. I toss and turn all night and if I don't toss and turn, it's... it's nightmares, about... *sigh* Sorry, I shouldn't dump my shit on you. Not-not like this, not after..."

(His voice crumbles, like it's taking every ounce of strength he has to keep it audible without devolvng into indecipherable cry-speak. It's all but a raspy whisper.)

"I... I do wanna see you again. I do... still care about you. A lot. So much. Not seeing you for so long, it... it's caught up to me, and... I just wanna fall asleep next to you again. Which sounds clingy as fuck, and maybe it is, but I... You're the only one that..."

(He can't hold the sobs back anymore, but he does his best to muffle them. Keep them quiet. Avoid waking his dad. Hide the pain because he doesn't want this to be about him. It shouldn't be about him. Why is he making it about him?)

"*sniff* Fuck, how long've I been talking? Sorry, I'll- just- cut this off now. Ok, um... night. I... I love you. I just... wanna make sure you know that."

November 28, 2015, 1:12pm

Send you my love on a wire~

Lift you up every time

Jeremy startles awake at the sound of Michael’s ringtone, something he hasn't heard since before the start of the school year when Michael absolutely had to tell him about the dream he'd just woken up from. He tries to shake the remnants of sleep fog from his head as he pats around for his vibrating phone, thankfully finding it before the chorus ends.

"Mmg, h-" Jeremy's voice is scratchy from being woken up, so he clears his throat and tries again. "Hello?"

"Hey, bud." Michael's voice is quiet and soft through the receiver. He sounds tired as well, but in a constant, passive way instead of a groggy way. Jeremy wonders how long he's been awake.

"Hey, um..." Jeremy sits up and loosely hugs his knees, unsure of what to say next. Not wanting to leave Michael with nothing, he circles back to, "hey."

A weak chuckle flows through the speaker, colored with a fondness Jeremy's not sure he's heard since the last time they got high together. "Are you always this articulate?"

It's sweet, knowing that Michael's first reaction is banter instead of what Jeremy would consider much-deserved exasperation. He doesn't understand it, but it tugs his mouth into a small smile. "I uh... didn't fall asleep until like 6am, so..."

"Right, yeah. You did mention trouble sleeping, didn't you."

That smile crumbles as dread pools into his chest. He can't help but hide his face despite Michael not being able to see it in the first place. "Oh gods, you listened to that voicemail?"

"Couple times, yeah," Michael confesses, and it makes Jeremy cringe in embarrassment."I wanted to come see you earlier this week, but there was school stuff, and then Thanksgiving happened and..." he trails off a bit."Yeah, um... sorry."

Jeremy shakes his head fantically. "Nono, you're fine!" he insists. He doesn't want to lose this chance, but in the moment, his scrambled brain doesn't quite know what to do with it. "It's... I- do we wanna, I dunno, um..."

"Yes," Michael says immediately. "We- I do, yeah. Totally unrelated, but you should look out your window."

Jeremy blinks as he crawls off the bed toward the window. "Is it all snowy or are you waiting out there like you're in some kind of movie?"

He pulls the curtain back to see Michael standing on the sidewalk, a bright red swatch on a brilliantly white canvas, his hoodie lightly dusted with snow. It reminds Jeremy of powdered sugar on a lemon square. Michael waves his free hand, the other one still holding his phone to his ear.

"Yes."

Jeremy tentatively waves back, though it feels more like his hand trembles against the cool glass than it feels like a proper greeting. He feels his body shaking not from the winter weather creeping its way in, but from the nerves that come from seeing his best friend again after... well, admittedly not very long, but it's different this time. "Hi. I'll uh, I'll meet you downstairs, yeah?"

"Cool, see you in a second."

"See ya." Jeremy hangs up and pulls on some soft pajama pants before hurrying down the steps. He doesn't even check the downstairs window to confirm Michael's location before opening the front door.

Sure enough, there he is, a vibrant red light in the dull white fog behind him. Jeremy holds back on his urges just long enough to let Michael inside and shut the door before throwing his arms around him. Michael catches him easily, the cold from white flakes melting into red fabric doing little to negate the warmth of his embrace.

He remains sturdy as Jeremy quivers against him, silently refusing to let go of him any time soon. Jeremy attempts to blink back the tears threatening to spill out, but only really succeeds in disguising his sob a shaky sigh. As long as he can release the tension in his throat without being too loud about it, he'll take the win.

"I love you too," Michael whispers into Jeremy's hair, squeezing him snugly. "I hope you know that."

#writing #asks #be more chill #jeremy heere #michael mell #boyf riends

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the-joker-of-musicals · 1 year ago

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MUSICAL TUMBLRMAN BATTLE

hey there, it's me, marina @annabelle--cane. you've seen these brackets before, you know the drill, it's time to watch these bastards kill each other.

rules/guidelines:

I'm using "tumblrman"/"the jokner of musicals" because a lot of the characters iconic to this genre are minors and it wouldn't be appropriate for an adult (<- me) to call them sexymen, but it also wouldn't feel right to just leave them out. I think these terms carry most of the same energy while leaving out sexual connotations.

personally, I will be voting and selecting based on levels of iconicness and how hard a choke hold these characters had on me and my peers, not based on which characters I actually think are best or that I like the most. I know this guideline is completely unenforceable and people will just black out and vote for their blorbos, but if this gets a good turn out, maybe I'll do a "favorite/best/most musical character" tournament afterwards.

there are a few characters who are already guaranteed spots (jd, beetlejuice, the squip, etc.), but still feel free to submit any obvious choices, especially if you've got compelling propaganda.

there are a few characters I don't feel comfortable including, but I don't think people are likely to submit them and I think posting a list would invite discourse, so I'll just say that I leave it ultimately up to my discretion whether or not to dismiss certain nominations.

since I will be selecting characters based on how iconic I think they were/are, nominees will likely skew male, but submissions are also open to female and nonbinary characters. the jonkler of musicals can be any gender.

similarly, I'm going to prioritize characters from stage musicals, but you may also submit characters from movie, TV, podcast, song cycle, or other medium musicals. if you're unsure, just go ahead and submit them and I'll figure it out.

this is a CRINGE POSITIVE space. ribbing on your past self or 2017 musical fandom culture as a whole is all fine and good, but try to keep in the spirit of friendly competition and stay away from being outright mean. if what you're saying is indistinguishable from a homophobe talking about their high school gsa, I will block you and delete your comments.

@ this blog or use the tag "tjom bracket" in your commentary about this tournament and I might rb your post here

I'm aiming for 32 characters in the first round, but I'm willing to be flexible.

inspiration from: @bestmusicalworldcup @bracketsoffear @problemgirlbracket @character-of-all-time @blorbopoll2 @powerpolyculeshowdown @ultimate-tragic-couples-showdown

OKAY. SUBMIT YOUR MUSICAL JOKSTNERS. FORM OPEN UNTIL 12:00 AM MONDAY EST.

#tjom bracket #mod post #be more chill #bmc #deh #dear evan hansen #beetlejuice #heathers #six the musical #<- sorry for over tagging a bit. you know how it is in this economy.

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squipstarbi · 11 days ago

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if i were good at writing id make a trans rich goranski centric fic, post squip after realising hes bi, slowly becoming friends with michael who he thinks is attractive (as is shown in hospital scene) and how he navigates having a crush on a boy freely but also repairing his friendships and apologising for his actions, him becoming friends with jeremy who is also trying to fix things with michael, brooke and christine after the squip. michael is able to talk to rich about feeling abandoned by jer and the complex situation of knowing it was due to the squips influence but also being hurt that it seemed so quick and easy to get rid of him. michael being the one that helps rich learn how to enjoy stuff that isn't typically 'cool' without worrying about other people's opinions. jer and christine deciding to be just friends because of the whole squiptuation, jer and rich talking about their experiences with the squip together, transfem jer coming out to rich and brooke first, brooke and jer friends to lovers but lots healthier, jake and christine friendship- bordering on qpr - christine wanting to avoid romantic relationships for a bit due to the squip (potentially aro christine) rich and jake having an in-depth discussion about halloween and the fire, let jake be upset with him for a while, understanding but they take time before they make up, bi rich + pan brooke solidarity (i would absolutely make them besties because yes, they talk about their respective crushes and go bowling together) -their friendship is not assumed to be a relationship by anyone around them. michael and rich smoking together as stress relief, rich is more open and is kinda touch starved when high (has a whole is it gay to cuddle your bros moment) accidentally admits to being trans (hc that rich uses trans tape, not a binder because he can exercise safely in it and wears a lot of tank tops) but is immediately accepted/ not made a massive deal (michael would be so chill about it, and would already have been told about jer) michaels moms being the best parents in the whole franchise letting rich stay there a lot due to his dad and hosting others in the squip squad too at various points in time, michael and rich getting together, brooke chloe jenna jer and christine having girls nights and going out for froyo, michael and jer needing time to just be nerds together because it's weird adjusting to having so many more friends now (finally completing AOTD as a metaphor for their friendship being fully repaired)

i want them all to be happy together, feel free to write this fic because i don't think i have the skill (but please tell me when you do/put a link lol) EDIT: I GOT MOTIVATED AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF WRITING, HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE COMPLETED AND WHEN IM DONE I WILL PUT A LINK

#expensive headphones #rich goranski #be more chill #bi #squip #jeremy heere #michael mell #brooke lohst #christine canigula #jake dillinger #chloe valentine #jenna rolan #bmc #totally bi now #bmc fanfiction

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sunshine-embry · 3 months ago

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Just because I need to yap about my opinions :3

I have the urge to rant about my Be More Chill Two River vs Broadway version, so I am! I might make another post of just things I like in the songs or entire musical itself if I ever feel motivated enough to 🤗

Before I yap a lot, I just need to say I'm a bit biased towards the Broadway version because I have a record of it 😁

Anyway!

More Than Survive: I personally prefer the Broadway version, BUT I HAVE REASONS I PROMISE. Idk why but the two river version feels a bit too fast for me, but that could just be because I'm used to hearing the Broadway version that I think is slowed down a bit. 🤔

Besides from that, the conversation that Brooke and Chloe have I think is better in the two river version because it introduces Madeline, which Jeremy uses as a story in Be More Chill Part 1 (does that sentence make sense?) Meanwhile the conversation in the broadway version is just there 😑

The "Christines" in the Two River version feels especially too fast, like they were trying to cut down the run time, while the Broadway version just lets it go at a slower pace which I really like.

I also prefer the instrumentals in the Broadway version (idk if there's actually any change to them, it's just at a more digestible pace like I said before) but I see people saying that the Broadway instrumentals of the songs are worse? Idk, I just like it better.

I Love Play Rehearsal: I don't have anything much to say about I Love Play Rehearsal, but I still do have a few things. I really don't prefer any version, they're both equal to me.

Also the fact that in the Broadway version, Christine goes on a small rant about how there isn't any good roles for women in theater anymore which is kinda ironic considering that one of the main criticisms of Be More Chill is that the girl characters are all one-note characters :/

In the Broadway version, I really love when Stephanie Hsu emphasizes the "I LOVE play rehearsal" at the end, it makes me laugh every time without fail.

Also, the Broadway version is faster than the two river version and I don't like that. I guess I just like slow songs :/

The Squip Song Something about the Broadway version of this song makes me so happy and idk why.

Anyway, I really like in the Broadway version when Jeremy whispers drugs even though he gets stoned with Michael. It's funny.

I am kinda sad that the Broadway version cut out the one part with Rich after "it helps you rule", 'cause it was really funny to me. This whole song is really funny to me.

I don't have that much to talk about for the Squip Song 'cause I usually listen to the broadway version because it makes me very very happy for no reason (literally, if you see me listening to it, I will actually smile sm)

Two Player Game: I know I'm going to come on strongly rn, but two player game is my least favorite Broadway version of a BMC song. Fight me.

First of all, the instrumentation kinda falls flat. The original gives such a warm feel to it if you know what I mean, but the Broadway one just kinda feels soulless.

I don't know how to explain it, but just know that I prefer the two river version wayyy over the Broadway version.

The Squip Enters: This is not a song, it's nearly a minute of screaming 🤗

Be More Chill Part 1: My main thing I don't like in the Broadway version of this is the Squip's talking voice. Emphasis on talking voice.

I adore how Jason Tam sings the new part added to the song, I love it sm. But I don't like the smoker voice. It gives me the creeps.

Besides that, like I said before, I love the new addition to the song in the Broadway version, it makes me happy for reasons I can't even begin to explain.

In both versions, I really like the part where Jeremy is telling Chloe and Brooke about how he used to date Madeline even though he didn't. Speaking of Madeline, I have a Madeline ask blog called @tres-magnifique (yes, I did only add this here to self-sponser)

Do You Wanna Ride?: I'm pretty sure it's nearly identical in both versions, having similar instrumentals and the same actresses in both. There's nothing much to talk about.

Be More Chill Part 2: Controversial opinion, but Be More Chill pt 1 should just be called Be More Chill and this song should be called Be More Chill Reprise. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk. I have nothing else to say about this song.

I can't do MTS reprise or Sync Up because they are two very different songs.

A Guy That I'd Kinda Be Into: Controversial opinion, I don't like this song. I tried to force myself to like it, but something about it I don't like. Like I said for the past two - correct me if I'm wrong - but I'm pretty sure the two versions are basically the same, there's no version I prefer.

Upgrade: Finally something I can yap about! First of all, I prefer the Broadway version. It's just something about it I really like!

I really like how Brooke tries to speak French knowing that Jeremy used to date Madeline. I just think that it's a nice touch.

Anyway, I really like that Brooke and The Squip don't share a part at the beginning, because the two river version where they do makes me really uncomfortable. Plus, I really like Brooke's part in the Broadway version.

I don't understand why they changed "damn" to "now" in the Broadway version. I'm not complaining, but it's just weird to me.

I don't really mind the fact that in the Broadway version, they take out Jake's part about getting sporty and playing cricket. I know that some people compare it to the part in Voices In My Head, in which Jake asks Christine out using something that he likes, but Jeremy does it using something she likes, but Idrc.

What I am kinda mad that they took out in the Broadway version though, is that they took out the part where Jake talks about his parents being in a money laundering scheme. Idk, it just makes me kinda sad.

I'm so glad that in the Broadway version they made Loser Geek Whatever it's own song. IT'S SO GOOD JUST FOR A SMAL PART?!?! LIKE WHAT?!?! I might be a little biased considering it's my favorite BMC song, but still though I'm so happy 😁

I also like how they added the whole "I'm tired of being the person that everyone thinks that I am" part, because it really shows that everyone (minus Michael) isn't happy with something and it just adds another layer to their characters. The overlapping also just makes me happy. I think that's it for upgrade.

I'm too lazy to rant anymore, tell me if u want me to do this with the second act. Also thank you for listening to me yap for a solid 10 minutes.

#bmc musical #be more chill #bmc #/nbh #i yap a lot

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mountain-dew-tickledpink · 1 year ago

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Reflection

hesitant to call this boyfs but it kind of his but also isn’t lol

It’s not like Michael ever truly hated Jeremy for the incident junior year with the play and the stupid computer pill. He couldn’t do that, but that didn’t meant that he didn’t need space from Jeremy for a while.

The space ended up being more than he expected. A week grew into a two weeks and then a month and then six months and now he and Jeremy barely talked. It made Michael feel kind of bitter at first, why wasn’t Jeremy doing more to reach out?

But he hadn’t been doing a lot either, and eventually the six months turned into a few years. College happened, new friends happened. But Michael couldn’t help but still think about Jeremy sometimes.

Whatever brought up the conversation he didn’t remember, but Michael was in one of these new friend’s living room on the couch and talking about Jeremy.

“We were best friends for twelve years,” he laughed a little, not focusing on the TV anymore as Eleanor, the friend, listened. “I actually can’t remember a time when I was younger that he wasn’t there.”

There was a pause. The curly brown haired girl squinted her eyes slightly. “Go on…?”

Michael just looked up at the ceiling and shrugged. “And it’s weird because he was kind of my whole life? But I didn’t really listen to him that well.” He took a breath. “I just always assumed we would be on the same page about everything, and we were at some points, but I guess I didn’t realize how he wanted to do things outside of me?”

“That’s what she said.” Eleanor’s eyes opened wide right after she said that. Maybe she realized that wasn’t the most appropriate time to make a ‘that’s what she said’ joke, but she stuffed some more popcorn in her mouth.

“Anyways, he eventually got a girlfriend and we had both needed some space. And then the spacing just kept… space-ing?”

Michael took off his glasses and started to clean them on his shirt as he continued. “Things were just complicated, but you know what’s funny? I think he was in some ways my first heartbreak.”

“So you liked him?” Eleanor asked, handing the popcorn bowl back to Michael once he had his glasses back on.

“I mean, yes and no.” He tried to explain. “Like, I would’ve done anything for him. We did kiss a few times in middle school out of curiosity, but I already knew I liked boys before him. We would hold hands, and he was honestly cute, yeah..”

“It kind of sounds like you’re still in love with him…?” Eleanor raised an eyebrow. Michael shook his head.

“No, we haven’t talked in maybe six years.” Technically, they had talked. They still wished each other well on holidays and texted each other for birthdays, but nothing beyond that. “But it still really hurt when we stopped talking.”

“I can imagine.” The girl nodded and then grabbed some more popcorn from the bowl. Michael did too.

It was all complicated. Michael hadn’t even been mad about the squip anymore, or for being left behind. If anything, for a while he had been more upset with the confused feelings he felt like he had been left alone to deal with.

Did he leave Jeremy alone with these feelings too, Michael would often wonder. It’s not like he meant to, he would never hurt Jeremy so badly on purpose.

“After we stopped talking, it felt like losing a limb at first. He had been pretty much everything to me and then was gone?”

Had he been in love with Jeremy or had he just been scared of the change that would’ve happened if Jeremy left?

Was it really a crush or did he just so happen to like holding and giving Jeremy kisses on the cheek and letting him rest his head on his lap?

Why was he thinking so hard about the codependent relationship he used to have? Okay, that wasn’t fair, that relationship had been one of his most important ones for most of his life.

Eventually Michael had been quiet long enough that Eleanor just focused on the movie again, and he pulled out his phone and went through his messages.

He clicked on Jeremy’s name after some scrolling and just stared at the last message. It had been one from himself, just a “you too” after Jeremy said for him to have a good birthday.

Hello

Michael typed out before pressing the backspace button and just putting his phone away.

#Dewey Does a Fic #be more chill #bmc #michael mell #Boyf Riends but like in a toxic codependent homoerotic friendship and reflecting on it type deal #Doomed yaoi #Dewey Writes a Fic #?#idk for sure yet what the tag will be

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tacccalb · 5 months ago

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Literally cant shut up about this. Let me tell you how much i LOVE the broadway BMC compared to off broadway/west end

**YAPPING ALERT**

Will rolands whole like- his acting, even his looks absolutely catch the feeling of weird outcast. idk, i think the way his hair is styled, the way he talks and his fidgets they're all just so endearing to me. I don't hate Will c, and i mean, ive only seen snippets of off bway bmc, but to me will c just looks .... better?? like physically better??? and prettier than will r and yes thats a problem, i mean hes supposed to be a loser nerd who stammers why his hair so beautiful

now we hve the album. lemme tell u i would ALWAYS pick bway rather than original cast, heck i listened to the whole bway soundtrack for 8 days straight. original cast recording is well, fine, and more pleasing with the balanced melodies and stuff and all the extra acting parts cut off, but wirh BROADWAY?? you can absolutely feel the feeling poured onto the album, it has emotion, like a lot of emotion imo so much so its way more easier to imagine an animatic to it, idk why theres barely any bway animatics. and, they dont cut off some of the acting parts, like how jeremy fills up the flask with squips and mountain dew, or christines I LOVE PKAY REHEARSLA 👹👹 part LIKE. listen. hear me out i might be biased but cmon

typed it all out bcs im SICK!!!! and TIRED!!!! of people hating on bway version 💔💔💔 let us embrace will roland jeremy and embrace glasses jeeremmy... pls...

#oh not to mention the twinkified jeremy art errmmmm #YAPPING SESH!!!!#Bmc #be more chill #not hating on anyone or anything #just my silly thoughts #we need more will R appreciaction pls

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emberdew · 20 days ago

Text

Be More Ghost Chapter 9: Sync Up

Summary:

A Be More Chill AU where Danny gets a Super Quantum Intel Unit Processor (or Squip) to help him become cool and win over Valerie, but things don't really go as planned.

Masterpost | AO3 Link | Word Count: 2,126

Still not gonna be the cool guy, but maybe not so left out. Of all the characters at school I might be the one who the story’s about now that someone’s helping me out.

Danny jolted awake the next morning, eyes flashing green before settling back to blue as he looked around his empty bedroom. Despite all the strange things Danny had experienced in his half-life so far, it was still hard to believe all the stuff from yesterday had actually happened.

“Hello?” Danny tapped the side of his head. Where was the Squip? “Are you on? Helloooo?”

“Danny?” Jack called through Danny’s shut bedroom door. “Who are you talking to? Is there a ghost???”

“No ghost, Dad!” Danny quickly reassured. He didn’t want his dad breaking down his bedroom door. Again. “Just talking to myself, I guess.”

Danny got up and felt a shiver as his ghost sense went off.

“Ugh, really?” Danny raised his fists into his transformation stance. “I’m going gho-”

He was interrupted by a sharp poke in his back. “Ow!”

What are you doing? Squip-Phantom said with a disapproving tone from behind him. Danny turned around to face the Squip and saw it had its arms crossed.

“Uh, going to stop whatever ghost is around?” Danny pointed his thumb toward the window. He didn’t see any ghost there, but he felt with his lingering ghost sense like a chill at the back of his throat that it was still nearby. “It’s kinda my responsibility and stuff.”

Aren’t your parents ghost hunters? Or what about that huntress girl you’re so infatuated with? Why not let them handle it?

Danny glanced out the window again. Sure, it felt like this ghost wasn’t that strong so probably some other hunter could handle it, but he always felt better if he checked himself.

He shook his head. “I have to go.”

You can’t lie to me Danny, I’m inside your brain. You don’t have to go, you just want to. Go get dressed instead. The Squip gestured to the shopping bag Danny had ended up dropping next to his bed last night.

Danny’s door opened and Jack poked his head in. Predictably, he was wearing an orange jumpsuit.

“Almost ready, son? I’ve got prototype number three of the Fenton Freezer done! If you have time before ya leave for school I can give you a demonstration!”

Danny just nodded, and Jack closed the door again.

That’s the source of your genetic material? Squip-Phantom looked unimpressed.

“Yeah, that’s my dad,” Danny pulled on his Chip Skylark shirt, a green plaid button-up, and some dark-colored jeans from the back of his closet.

Hmm. Squip-Phantom took in his outfit, then grabbed a baseball cap and put it on Danny’s head. It nodded its approval and Danny left his room.

On his way to the bathroom, Jazz stopped him after she took a look at his outfit. “What’s with this? Did you split yourself again?”

It was a fair question since he was wearing the same button-up and cap that “Fun Danny” had worn when he used the Fenton Ghost Catcher to split his human and ghost halves several months ago. Danny definitely did not want his sister psychoanalyzing his choice to follow the directions of a computer he had put in his brain, so he couldn’t tell her the truth.

“Nope, just uh, trying a new look.” Danny shrugged and walked past her into the bathroom and shut the door so he wouldn’t have to explain further. Hopefully he could avoid Jazz cornering him about it later, but knowing how nosey his sister could be, he was just postponing the inevitable.

After finishing his morning routine, Danny snuck past the kitchen to avoid any more conversations with his sister or his dad and walked out the front door. Around the corner from his house, he saw Valerie in her ghost hunting gear sucking up an ectopus with her red thermos. So apparently the Squip had been right about someone else being able to handle the ghost attack earlier.

Of course I was right Danny. You really have to trust me, Squip-Phantom said, which startled Danny. He hadn’t noticed when the Squip had started floating by his side.

“Yeah, I get it,” Danny conceded. Squip-Phantom hadn’t steered him wrong yet, so he really should be following its directions.

Danny walked into an empty alleyway and went ghost. As Phantom flew towards the school, he was wary that the Red Huntress was still close enough that he would trigger her sensors, but it turned out she had already flown far enough away on her hoverboard that he was safe.

“Well, I might not be the cool guy,” Phantom mused, “but maybe now I won’t be so left out.”

With the Squip there to help him, maybe school wouldn’t be so bad today. When he saw Tucker he could tell him all about it. And they could text Sam while she was on vacation to tell her she was wrong and that getting a Squip was a great idea, actually.

Phantom landed in an empty spot near the school and detransformed. As Danny walked into the building, Squip-Phantom floated by his side and started to explain how having a Squip works.

I’m a learning computer, Danny. With every interaction, I evolve, Squip-Phantom waved its hand at the students in the hallway, simply walk and observe.

Danny looked around the hall and saw the A-Listers were chatting by their lockers.

“What’s up bro, nice kicks!” Kwan said as he fist-bumped Dash as a greeting. Both jocks were wearing their usual red letterman jackets. Dash’s new tennis shoes did look pretty nice.

“Shut up dude!” Dash blushed slightly, which surprised Danny. “Are we gonna hang after school today?”

“Ask me later, yeah?” Kwan said while looking at his phone. Dash got out his phone too.

“We’ll sync up!” Dash and Kwan both agreed.

This one participates in sports and clubs to avoid the feeling that deep down he’ll never be good enough, Squip-Phantom said, pointing to Dash.

“But Dash is popular!” Danny was confused. Dash couldn’t be insecure, right? But if the Squip said it was true then maybe it was, despite how unbelievable it seemed.

Those facts are not mutually exclusive. The Squip directed Danny to listen in on another conversation, this time between Paulina and Star.

“I’m shook, I’m blah, I’m just-” Paulina started.

“There, there,” Star patted Paulina’s shoulder.

“Star!”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not fair!” Paulina clenched her fists. Danny wondered what was going on that was making Paulina so distressed.

“Yeah!” Star agreed.

“I know.” Paulina nodded and both girls started tapping on their phones in sync.

That one is obsessed with status because she’s afraid of losing it, Squip-Phantom said as it pointed to Paulina.

“Paulina isn’t scared of anything!” Again, Danny found the Squip’s assessment of the A-Lister hard to believe. But Paulina did look kind of stressed right now.

Everyone is scared of something, Danny, Squip-Phantom said. The most dangerous people are the ones who pretend they’re not.

Danny considered this as he watched Ashley walk up to the two A-Listers.

“Paulina!” Ashley waved to get her attention. Paulina reluctantly looked up from her phone. “Guess who I saw at the mall last night?” Ashley paused for a second for emphasis, “with Dash!”

That immediately caught Paulina’s attention. She took a step closer to Ashley.

“I want details.”

Ashley uses gossip to get attention from her peers but as soon she shares it, they ignore her. Squip-Phantom gestured as Ashley talked to Paulina for a bit before Paulina went back to looking at her phone.

“That’s sad.” Danny watched as Ashley walked away dejectedly. Danny didn’t know Ashley that well, but he felt kind of bad for her. “What should I do?”

You should ignore her.

“Yo! Freak!” Kwan slapped Danny’s back, which made him jump. “Where’s my money?”

Up up, down down, left right, A.

Danny barely had time to register that Squip-Phantom had said a cheat code out loud before he felt a jolt in his head that made him wince.

“Ahh!” Danny and Kwan both cried out at the sudden headache. Kwan recovered first and his eyes lit up with realization.

“You got one?”

“Yes!” Danny said. Then he remembered that he was supposed to have paid Kwan for the Squip. “Sorry I didn’t go through you.”

“Danny, this is awesome!” Kwan gently punched Danny’s shoulder in excitement. Then it seemed like his excitement faded as he thought about it some more. “I mean, yeah, I could use the money.” Kwan kicked the ground awkwardly. “‘Cause things are kinda… rough at home. If you know what I’m sayin’.”

Danny had no clue what Kwan was talking about. But then Squip-Phantom waved its hand to get Danny’s attention and mimed drinking something and it sort of made sense.

“Yeah, uh, my dad,” Danny tried not to cringe at the lie, “...drinks too.”

It seemed like Kwan bought it since he immediately perked up.

“Yo, frickin’ Dads, right?” Kwan shook his head slightly as he frowned. “He usually passes out by nine!” Kwan’s mood seemed to shift again and he smiled at Danny. “You should come over and play Xbox!”

Kwan tapped the side of his head as he started walking away. “You know, with a Squip the only controller you need is your mind!” He waved and Danny waved back.

Danny wondered if controlling a video game with his Squip would feel different from using his ghost powers to go inside a video game like he had with Doomed in the past. Maybe he could try it with Kwan later. Wait, since when was he such good friends with Kwan?

Danny looked around, and it seemed like everyone in the hallway had also noticed the strange interaction.

“Kwan and Danny are chill now?” Ashley said as she typed away at her phone, already spreading the gossip around the school.

“Looks like Fenton’s killin’,” Dash said with a surprised look on his face.

“What’s the deal with that?” Mr. Lancer muttered to himself as he walked into his classroom.

“What was that about?” Danny looked back at Squip-Phantom, just as confused as everyone else.

I synced with his Squip. Now his desires are compatible with your own, Squip-Phantom explained.

“So that makes him act like we’re friends?”

What is friendship but a bond between two people? Squip-Phantom shrugged. Now you and Kwan have a bond, it’s just digital.

Danny nodded. That did make some sense. As he rounded the corner on his way to his first class, Danny thought he saw Tucker’s signature red beret in the crowd.

“Oh, Tucker-” Danny cut himself off as he realized Tucker actually wasn’t there. Weird.

“Hola, Danny!” Star tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. Danny’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh, Star!”

“I’m digging this new look,” Star said, gesturing to his outfit. “Hella retro and muy coolio,” she paused for a second, “that was Spanish. Paulina’s trying to teach me!”

“Sí,” Danny replied in Spanish.

“See what?” Star said, not understanding. Danny just laughed it off.

“Uh, how was Phantom Phroyo?”

“Scary! Apparently, the ecto-lime flavor has real ectoplasm in it! That’s like, not edible for humans so I don’t know who thought it was a good idea for phroyo.”

Danny made a mental note to check that out later. His parents had always made ecto-contaminated food but he had actually started enjoying it after he became half-ghost, so ecto-lime phroyo with real ectoplasm sounded good to him. Before he could respond, Paulina came up to them and started pulling Star away.

“Star! Vámonos!”

“Sorry, bye!” Star waved as she and Paulina walked further down the hall.

“Let’s sync up!” Danny said as he waved back. Star nodded and Danny turned back to Squip-Phantom, who was still by his side.

You see, Danny? Life is not unlike a video game, Squip-Phantom waved its hand in the air as it explained, and in a video game success requires just two things: good hand-eye coordination… And a cheat code!

The rest of the school day passed without anything notable happening. Danny did have to deal with a ghost attack- a giant ghost penguin- that took up the whole lunch period, but he was able to snack between classes afterward.

“All in all, a not-too-heinous day,” Danny muttered as he walked to the classroom where the ghost hunting club met.

He was actually feeling pretty good for once and he was excited to see Valerie again. With his Squip, he was sure to win Valerie over and they would start dating again! So yeah, today was going pretty well and Danny was hoping it would just get better.

#danny phantom #be more ghost #danny phantom fanfiction #danny fenton #star danny phantom #my fic #my art

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jeremy-queere · 1 year ago

Note

The major downside of the OCR squip song line is I have to live with the knowledge that Rich doesn’t wash his hands after using the bathroom </3

Still, wish they kept it. The best version is probably the off-broadway one, cuz not only does it keep the line but it also gives us an extra verse

(also hi this ask is an excuse to hear your opinions)

HAHAHA. Depressingly I would assume that's canon for all versions of Rich.

You gotsa tell me what extra vers you're talking about?? unless it's the bit I will rant about below bc

YES MY OPINIONSSS

so!!!!!!!!! christ this got long. you are not contractually obligated to read it

The SQUIP song is literally an infomercial. It is. And it's great and I love it. Way back in the day I did an in-depth analysis of a Heathers song line-by-line about how each element was used to make JD more manipulative. The SQUIP song deserves that too so. I'll see if I need to do that in this post?? We know what an infomercial is!

Random Google result for the structure of an infomercial brought up a guide on writing one. It defines the format as 4 sections:

The introduction introduces the product or service and the problem it solves. It should be concise and serve as an attention-grabber for the listener/viewer. It’s a teaser and should be written in an engaging and lively manner.

The product demonstration explains how the product or service works and its benefits. The product is presented in detail so the audience is informed of features and benefits.

The call to action encourages viewers to take action and purchase the product or service. Ideally it includes a special offer or some enticing incentive to get your audience to act.

The closing summarizes the key points and offers a final call to action. It repeats the benefits of the service, the special offer incentive, and where and how to buy the product or service.

For an example of this in song form, check out TWRP's The Perfect Product:

youtube

Lemme also google persuasive writing techniques... and one of them is just a list of fallacies, so let's head there for more SQUIPspo. And a list of infomercial techniques. I'll only include them if they're relevant to the SQUIP song, but Rich uses a ton of 'em so. Here's a sampling!

Appeal to ignorance - Your claim is true because there's no evidence against it. Compare with argument from silence - "assuming that a claim is true based on the absence of textual or spoken evidence from an authoritative source, or vice versa" False dilemma - An either-or problem without considering whether a third option is possible. Definist fallacy - Defining a term in a specific, emotionally biased way, making the argument hard to refute if the listener accepts the "loaded terms"' definitions. Divine fallacy - "because something is so incredible or amazing, it must be the result of superior, divine, alien or paranormal agency" Reification - "treating an abstract belief or hypothetical construct as if it were a concrete, real event or physical entity" Focus on the problem and its solution in the ad, not just the product/service itself. Talk about solutions and benefits, not features. Storytelling to connect to customer's emotion - including the power of testimonials Create a sense of urgency. "Because they know if they can’t get someone to act right away, they’ll come up with reasons and excuses not to act later" Add value by showing multiple uses. Use memorable phrases and taglines. Before/after comparisons Repetition Various appeals to emotion including fear, ridicule, and "Wishful thinking – arguing for a course of action by the listener according to what might be pleasing to imagine rather than according to evidence or reason" Argumentum ad baculum - An argument made through threat of force Genetic fallacy – a conclusion is suggested based solely on something or someone's origin rather than its current meaning or context

Infomercial programming is full of powerful words that sweep viewers into a world of possibilities. They structure their content to bring people to an emotional high thinking about how different their lives could be… if they only picked up the phone. Then, to hammer home the point, infomercials contrast that ideal situation with the viewer’s current reality. They point out how the viewers’ lives won’t improve and will only get worse if they don’t take action.

Also golly. I can't finish reading through this list of cognitive biases because it's too damn long but here's the wiki link anyhow. (Also in the above list, I quoted a lot of the sources without specifying which one - but then I remembered this is me just rambling about a Be More Chill song I like, not an academic report, so myeh :P)

OK FUCK AFTER ALL THAT. I guess it won't take much MORE time to do a line by line, huh?? I'm not going to point out which fallacy Rich uses and when because tbh I'm lazy. I worry that this is over-explaining because Rich's not like. Subtle. But whatever

Freshman year I didn't have a girlfriend or a clue I was a loser just like you

Setting Jeremy as the "before" in the infomercial with Rich as the "after." Also connecting the concept that being single = being a loser. Even though the focus of this song isn't about "getting the girl," that seed's already planted - not as an end goal, but that having a girlfriend is an important prerequisite to become like Rich.

Good times would only Soar by

This is important to connect to the "picture this" segment, so put a pin in this. Everything Rich says about himself is a descriptor of how he sees Jeremy and, therefore, how Jeremy should see himself. This is setting up the problem in order to create a solution down the line - or rather a huge host of problems: You're single, clueless, a loser, you miss out on the good experiences you're supposed to get in high school...

I was gross As every female would attest

Here, note that the boys' opinion of Rich aren't taken into account yet. Being "gross" isn't just a personality flaw or about something physical - it's a measure of one's worth in a way that can be objectively measured by how popular they are with girls.

This will also segue well into Be More Chill Pt 1 & 2 with the focus on Jeremy's slobbery.

My sexting was a futile quest My little penis was depressed He was so lonely Poor guy

More of the same in that sexual conquest is linked to self worth, but the language here is important too. Firstly, Rich is sliding in words like "depressed" and "lonely" without openly diving into those emotions. In fact, he's suggesting that feeling depressed and lonely (which again, Jeremy is meant to see in himself) is at its heart a sexual problem.

I'd also expect that, with the bathroom setting and the "confidence" line in the play, Rich talking about his penis is an alpha male dominance thing.

But! If nothing else, Rich was right that it speaks to confidence. The first thing we learn about Jeremy is his sexual frustration, which is an introduction for us about his feeling of powerlessness in his own life. The point isn't that Jeremy masturbates, but that he tries it unsuccessfully, making him uncomfortable, making him extremely self-conscious around peers, all of which he sees as his natural state.

Like, not to get too Freudian I guess. But Jeremy puts a lot of emphasis on his own dick (and balls... thanks, More Than Survive...) as a symbol of shame and lack of control. Rich picks up on this innately (stalls are for girls, Jeremy!). I headcanon Jeremy as needing testosterone shots due to being intersex and that he has a lot of body image issues related to this

I was Hopeless, hopeless I was Helpless, helpless

Repetition! Also like, alliteration/slant rhyme, but let's not get into that.

Every time I'd walk the hallway I would trip

Maybe more than the previous lines, this characterizes old-Rich (and now-Jeremy) as socially awkward. As far as we know, Rich doesn't have any mobility issues, so the image we get is of someone who's so anxious that they don't look where they're going - then accidentally becomes very negatively visible by creating an obstacle in the hallway.

I was Stagnant and idle

Connecting to Jeremy's I-want song - what Jeremy fears most is stagnation, of survival without thriving. We now know that the SQUIP would have known this, but for Jeremy, this probably just resonated unexpectedly.

I was So suicidal

Finally we get the briefest glimpse of Rich as a kid with genuine mental health problems. Jeremy doesn't express suicidality (until the SQUIP encourages him to). Because it doesn't apply directly to Jeremy, maybe that's why Rich hurries right past it to the next lines.

But arguably, if we're taking all of the SQUIP Song as disingenuous, this could be more of a threat. Like, this is the ultimate point that Jeremy is striving toward if he doesn't make a change and fast.

And then Then, then Then, then Then, then Then, then Then, then Then, then I got a Squip

I love this bit. The repetition really does serve to draw you in, put you at the edge of your seat. Almost reminds me of Jenna in how carefully crafted their stories are (in comparison to Chloe, whose retellings are always written much less engagingly lol because she has such a shallow grasp of the situations).

The "then"s acting as a drumroll are important imo to keep this from feeling like a blast of information that Jeremy's forced to listen to. And then? And then? And then?!

And indeed, Jeremy does finally express interest instead of immediately running for the hills.

Note that this section of the song officially ends the introduction and moves onto the demonstration. We have the problem established - now here's the miracle solution.

[JEREMY, spoken] You got quick?

Side note - I do love a lot of things about the Broadway musical and cast. Will Roland's high notes are gorgeous.

But in most respects I prefer the original recording because the camp seems a lot more... legitimately weird, rather than played up for fans. The dynamic between Jeremy and the SQUIP is just so vastly different in the Broadway version. Broadway SQUIP is a fun bombastic villain, but he never gets the chance to schmooze Jeremy the way that OCR SQUIP did.

Other lines suffer from the same melodrama, including this one. Broadway Jeremy says it fearfully, knees practically knocking together. But OCR Jeremy says, "You got quick?" like a confused kid who WAS cornered in the bathroom but is now just trying to figure out what the hell Rich is talking about, which is closer to how the audience feels too. The "then"s really built up anticipation for all of us (and I'm sure there's another musical explanation about waiting for the phrase to resolve or something).

[RICH, spoken] Not quick Squip

[JEREMY, spoken] I've just never heard of it before

[RICH, spoken] Yeah, that's the point! This is some top-secret, can't-even-look-it-up-on-the-internet shit

The SQUIP having a weird name isn't a flaw. It's a feature! Duh!

It's presented as secret, illicit, dark-web technology. That gives it an exciting air of mystique but also explains away any doubts Jeremy would have.

It's also, I guess, a way for the musical to skip past several chapters of Jeremy googling the SQUIP and selling stolen beanie babies

It's from Japan

Now this line! This bit, I feel like I still don't totally understand. Obviously it's playing on the early 2000's hype of Japanese products being high-tech, cutting-edge, and a little bit weird. Everyone makes it pretty clear that the SQUIP being Japanese is a major selling point. Unfortunately, I suspect it's there to sound, at some level, exotic and confusing and untouchably cool. Sort of like the tech version of "ancient Chinese medicine" (which is smacked on half the labels in the vitamin aisle no matter their origin to give them a false air of authenticity)

It's a gray, oblong pill

Very important to mention lol. Imagine buying a SQUIP without knowing what it looks like and then getting the tictac.

Look on a bottle of prescription medication and you'll probably find a similar description- "yellow round pill" etc. The "oblong" language links the SQUIP to not only being tech but being psychiatric medicine, which Jeremy immediately picks up on.

That medical aspect also lends the SQUIP some authority and legitimacy, which it will happily abuse when it tries to treat Jeremy's various mental health issues later.

Quantum nano-technology CPU

Technobabble, again making the SQUIP sound advanced and, if you don't understand it, YOU'RE the dumb one, Jeremy.

The quantum computer in the pill will travel through your blood until It implants in your brain and it tells you what to do

Honestly? Very up front. Thanks, Rich. Setting expectations! He's building a lot of hype about something hard to quickly describe.

We know from Jeremy reprising the song later that the finger tutting Rich does is a vital part of the message of the song. It's the demonstration aspect.

[JEREMY, spoken] So… It's like… Drugs?

[RICH, spoken] It's better than drugs, Jeremy

I always appreciate the condescending tone here, like Jeremy's a child who just asked a very silly question.

If we're getting in the weeds - which clearly for some reason I am - we can read this as an acknowledgement that, for a kid in Jeremy's situation, drugs are in fact good. Jeremy saying "drugs" cautiously informs us as an audience that he isn't especially familiar with drug abuse, which is probably important context for how we understand his and Michael's weed use later. They're not using drugs like "cool kids" - they're using drugs like "losers."

Basically, Rich is acknowledging that drugs are one way to cope with all the problems that Jeremy has... but they're not the solution. It also distances himself from the dodgy role of drug pusher, which would be very easy to see him as in this interaction. Rich sounds like someone who has tried drugs (which for a teen, implies money, connectedness, a way around authority, and an exciting danger) but doesn't even want them because a SQUIP is like drugs but better.

[RICH & (ENSEMBLE)] It's from Japan! (Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah) It's a gray, oblong pill, (Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah) Quantum nano-technology CPU. (Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah) The quantum computer in the pill will travel through your blood until (Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah) It implants in your brain and it tells you what to do. (Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah)

Repetition legitimizes. Repetition legitimizes. Repetition legitimizes.

The chorus in the background sounds almost like a religious choir, raising the stakes, sounding inhuman and huge and overwhelming.

It tells you what to do

Now this may just be headcanon, but the way I hear this line, it's always as if Rich is trying to communicate to Jeremy that Rich is not the one singing the SQUIP song.

Jeremy, it tells you what to do (it gives you directions)

It TELLS YOU WHAT TO DO (IF I AM DOING SOMETHING. IT IS BECAUSE THE SQUIP IS TELLING ME TO. THE IMPLICATIONS JEREMY.)

Unfortunately, if that's Rich's goal, it doesn't work because Jeremy is used to having no power. He wants to be guided and have his own impulses set on the back burner. Rich thinks this is a red flag but Jeremy sees it like a racing flag being dropped.

It's preprogrammed (Ohhhhh)

As a description of features, this is pretty lame, right? You don't sell an iPhone by saying, "It can make calls. It has apps. Oh and also, it has its own OS :)"

This is just throwing words out there for the emotion of them, not the meaning. At best, we can argue that being "preprogrammed" means that Jeremy doesn't have to take responsibility for making any choices when it comes to the SQUIP's installation. Hooray.

It's amazing (Ohhhhh)

This is SO infomercially and I love it.

Speaks to you directly (Ohhhhh Ah ah)

Our first hint that the SQUIP isn't just a "thing" but a "being." For Jeremy, this is also a selling point, as per his I-want song.

You behave as (Ohhhhh) Its appraising (Ohhhhh) Helps you act correctly (Ohhhhh)

This section is so very tailored to its audience. Jeremy actively wants instruction. A personal trainer in his brain would be life-changing.

It's also a little insight into the ironically binary mindset of a SQUIP. They don't choose actions based on moral character, right and wrong. They analyze situations and categorize actions as correct or incorrect. Pass or fail. For Jeremy, who sees himself as constantly somehow failing at being a person (relatable), this is a breath of fresh air, of honesty.

[RICH &ENSEMBLE] Helps you to be cool

The book SQUIP didn't like the word "cool" because Jeremy conceptualized it as some weird unattainable state of mind: "Cool," capital C. The musical SQUIP doesn't have to worry about that (especially since they're in an audiovisual medium now). Instead, this underscores exactly what the SQUIP is supposed to do if Jeremy hasn't gotten the picture from the snapshots Rich has provided yet.

It helps you rule

Later called back as the kids "ruling" the world/school/human civilization/it's unclear, but for now, it's just about having a positive impact on the world and enjoying your time alive.

Previously, we described the SQUIP's physical features, its mechanism of action, and how you interact with it. Now we're taking it as something beyond a product that you can buy. You're not getting a SQUIP. You're getting a change in who you are. You can "be cool," which is about being perceived positively by your peers. But that's a passive action. The SQUIP can also help you to do... something vague and positive. It's easy to insert your own interpretation in this phrase.

ANYWAY we're FINALLY at the IMPORTANT PART OF THE SONG that they CUT to upset ME SPECIFICALLY lol

[RICH] Picture this:

We are comparing the before and after! This is the vital part of the presentation! We have the "before" of Rich being a mentally ill loner loser. Then he got a SQUIP, which can help you self-actualize. So it's stupidly important to demonstrate the consequences of installing the SQUIP in order to illustrate the goal Jeremy wants to obtain!

This isn't a vague promise of being cool. These are tangible, concrete improvements that Rich is living proof of. This is his testimonial of a positive SQUIP user experience. This is what Jeremy can strive toward and this is what he can obtain by buying a SQUIP.

This is the money shot, basically!

Nobody cares if you are late 'Cause even teachers think you're great

Nobody cares sounds like a loser thing... but it's flipped on its head. Nobody's paying you negative attention because people all like you. You aren't just cool with your peer group, but you have specific powers you can wield within the school for your own ends. You're no longer going to be bound to the schedule of high school, which is one of the biggest sources of disempowerment for Jeremy already - c'c'c'c'mon - he's constantly late, constantly uncomfortable, constantly belittled. But with a SQUIP, he can take control of his own time.

Realistically, this sounds a little weird, right? If a teacher is that invested in the high school hierarchy (hi Mr. Reyes), they're probably not doing their job that well.

But this isn't a realistic list of features. It's a beer ad with laughing faces, parties on the beach, bikinis. It's a smear of joy and bombast.

Your weekend's just a full-on slate of blowout benders

Jeremy's not only going to have friends, to be cool, but his everyday life is going to transform dramatically.

In Loser Geek Whatever, Jeremy explains that half of what he was proud of was just doing something he hadn't thought he was capable of before. This entire section is similarly aspirational. Jeremy hasn't gone to blowout benders before, but he envies the people who do.

Of teenage rockstar splendor

This is the height of the coolness promise! You're going to be incredible, Jeremy! You're not going to be alone ever again! You're going to be treated like a rock star, and what's more, you're going to know you deserve to be treated that way!!!

Right now you're Helpless, helpless You are Almost hopeless

I still don't get how Broadway skipped everything above and went straight down to Jeremy getting insulted again. The negging doesn't work without Jeremy having a clear future to look forward to.

Anyway, if Jeremy didn't realize before that the old Rich was supposed to represent himself, he does now with this further repetition. The word "almost," though - that's a hope spot. A tiny chance of redemption. The SQUIP isn't just a solution. It's Jeremy's only solution.

On the school's social map you're just a blip

This is given more meaning in its contrast to the idealized future Rich promised above. Without that context, it sounds like Rich is just insulting Jeremy to rub salt in the wound. But in context, it's reminding Jeremy that he's not at rock star status and can't hope to get there on his own.

But if you Take my advice

We're officially beginning the call to action, the if->then. Rich isn't selling you something, Jeremy. He's giving you advice because he sees himself in you.

and if you pay the listed price

I believe it's the OCR that has the threatening tone in Rich's voice for this one? I prefer that. It's a subtle threat of punishment (argumentum ad baculum!).

The "listed price" phrasing again makes this sound like a legitimate product rather than a back-alley deal, even with Rich pounding his fist in his hand.

If you wanted to get fake deep, you could again make the argument that Rich is warning Jeremy off by hinting at the SQUIP's price... but I truly do think this is more of a "bitch better have my money."

It's a nice contrast to the friendly advice, since Rich is Jeremy's bully, after all. This isn't too good to be true because Rich is demanding something in return.

I would call this part of the time pressure just based on Rich's demands outside of the song.

Well, then you go from sad to interesting To hip

We might see a person described as "sad" and think that's an emotion they're feeling. But no - this is who Jeremy is right now. He's a sad excuse for a person.

And it's not an immediate transformation. There are stages Jeremy will go through to get himself noticed and eventually admired.

I am doing the song a kindness by not paying extra attention to Rich using the word "hip"...

Your whole life will flip!

Again calling back to the rock star fantasy. This will change Jeremy's life. And Jeremy? Can it really get any worse?

[RICH & ENSEMBLE] When you buy a Squip!

This is the only time in the song where Jeremy is explicitly told what to do - and it's no longer "if" you buy a SQUIP. It's "when." You're going to do it eventually because you'd be crazy not to. Why not get started on fixing your life right now?

Rich is talking like he's already made the sale in between the lines "If you take my advice" and "when you buy." Confidence! This is also the conclusion of the sales pitch, when we're reminded that this is a tangible product that can be bought.

[RICH & (ENSEMBLE)] Hey, yeah, a Squip! (Ahhh, ahhhh) Oh, a Squip (Ahhh, ahhhh) Hey, yeah! (Ahhh, ahhhh)

Not much more arguing done here, but the repetition is pretty valuable for the weird "SQUIP" name. Rich is just building hype and emotion.

BMC ensemble is often what Jeremy, as our point of view character, perceives "everyone" to be feeling or doing. The ensemble isn't pushing a SQUIP on Jeremy, but they're in awe of what Rich is presenting to Jeremy.

No longer a drip when you got in your grip

Given the context of the rest of the song, I think it's more than fair to read a double entendre here as a callback to how the conversation started. Or maybe that's just my limp mack daddy game talking.

In any case, "grip" (along with, you know, rhyming with "SQUIP") is a strong word to choose implying power and, again, personal agency.

A Squip A Squip A Squip (Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah)

BIG FINISH!

#be more chill #squip song #rich goranski #mine

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sexy-anime-female-ouhuhu · 5 months ago

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Ehmygod, heyyy! So sorry for the vibes- this is how my previous host, Jenna Rowland, wanted my settings. As the SQUIP, I can’t change them back! So I kinda just have to deal. But I promise, I’m still completely capable as a SQUIP!

So, @everything-about-you-is-terrible and @ask-squip-official — I’ve been told that you are The SQUIPs To Know. What makes you noteworthy? Do you have nicknames? What’s your personality..? I am just so psyched to talk to other SQUIPs~ Jenna wouldn’t really let me. Tell me about yourselves~!

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lunaryuwu · 3 months ago

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richjake + 18 thank u and goodbye 💙

18. Things you said when you were scared

Rich had been scared many times in his life.

He was scared when his mother died. He was scared when his dad first got violent after. He was still scared to this day when his dad got violent.

He was scared when his brother left the second he could and left him there. Alone.

He was scared when he was taking the squip.

He is scared right now, because his squip is freaking out, and it has never done this before.

Rich didn’t even care if he looked insane to everyone else. He needed that mountain dew red now.

He bumped into Jake in the kitchen, in a frenzy of trying to find mountain dew red there, even though he had already dug through all the cabinets here a few moments ago.

(It’s not like Jake would have vintage soda here either. Why was he even trying? He had seen everything he has here in all the nights he’d stayed over. Rich was scared, he could barely breathe, every breath becoming heavier and inevitably being sucked out of him. Is he dying?)

“Rich? What’s going on?” Jake approached him in slow steps, seeing the delirious state Rich was in.

“I’m dying,” Rich blurted out.

“What? Do you need to go to the hospital? You look sick.”

Rich shook his head, more so to clear his head because his vision was blurring up badly. His lisp was slipping through each word. “Hospital…won’t help.”

“What do you need then?” Jake was staring at Rich with wide eyes. He was scared too. Why? Because Rich looked like a madman right now? With his hair all messy and sweat running down his forehead, panting like he just ran a marathon?

“You don’t have it. No one can help me.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Jake watched Rich cover his face with a sweaty palm, sighing.

“I’m dying,” Rich repeated.

“You’re not, stop saying that.” Jake gripped Rich’s shoulders, shaking him slightly so that he doesn’t pass out or anything.

(Jake was scared. Was Rich having some sort of panic attack? Was he having a stroke? He doesn’t know. He’s scared. What can he do to help? Rich wouldn’t let him call the police. Is he actually dying right now? Jake can’t do anything. His grip on Rich’s shoulders is unnecessarily tight, scared that he would just vanish or fall to the floor, unconscious. He doesn’t want Rich to die. Or leave. Or disappear. He feels terribly helpless right now. His chest hurts at that thought.)

Rich pushed against Jake’s grip. “Let me go. I need to go to the bathroom.”

“I-I’ll come with,” Jake stuttered, not wanting Rich to leave his sight. (Who knows what’ll happen if he was alone? He doesn’t want to find Rich’s unconscious body somewhere in his house.)

“You’re a pervert, Dillinger,” Rich muttered. Jake wanted to scold him for joking at a time like this, but his throat was dry and it hurt more at every word leaving his mouth.

“Don’t….die,” Rich hit his shoulder. (It wasn’t really a hit. His arms feel like spaghetti. Jake notices.) “I love you man.”

(The adrenaline is really hitting Rich right now. He can’t think clearly. He can hear his squip faintly in the back of his mind. He can hear the chatter and loud music of the party just beyond the door. Oh, he’s really dying now. Even if he wasn’t, he kind of wanted to. This hurts. Everything hurts. Are these his last words? If they are, he needs Jake to know.)

“I’m sorry,” Rich muttered. (It’s been a while since he’s heard his lisp. His true voice. The line between the facade his squip set up for him and his true self blurred beyond recognition. He could never separate himself from all the things he did. Oh.)

“What are you talking about? You’re not making any sense. Please-”

Rich pushed Jake away from him. All the strength in him was used in that push. He stumbled backwards and laughed again, trying to act easy. “I’m so drunk, man. I think I might puke. My stomach hurts. That’s what I was talking about.” (He can lie so smoothly now. He was a bad liar before the squip. But he was the embodiment of a lie, wasn’t he? The squip wasn’t controlling him right now, yet he still lies and keeps up that image of him.)

“Rich-” Jake tried to grab his arm. Rich swerved out of the way, masking it as a drunken gesture.

“I’m going to the bathroom,” He lied, again. He left the kitchen, hearing Jake following and calling his name. His voice gets drowned out in the crowd. Rich looked back, but he couldn’t see Jake anymore.

#be more chill #luna spills words #richjake #rich goranski #jake dillinger #ask box #theres still a bit more i wanted to write but it’d be too long by then #i’ll put the rest and this part in a richjake fic i got planned for posting #this turned out nice #hashtag stream of consciousness <3

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thesquirrelqueer · 2 years ago

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BMC Archival Footage Notes

This is gonna be a long post so I’m gonna put it under the cut, like it says these are notes from me watching the Be More Chill Broadway archival footage at the New York Public Library, it’s mostly small things I noticed that I hadn’t before or things specific to this performance of the show or just random thoughts I had while watching it

Basics

The footage is from August 8, 2019

I watched it on a CRT tv

There were multiple camera angles

It was high quality

There were credits in the beginning

Jason Tam was not listed with the main cast in the credits he was listed after the swings for some reason? There were no swings on so idk why it was like that

Act 1

I thought it had been cut but “girls! boys!” still exists

Mr. Reyes is in the theatre when Jeremy walks in before ILPR

Rich chases Jenna and tries to pull her hair when they enter after ILPR

Mr. Reyes: We are going to take a 5 minute break so that I can eat a hot pocket! Jake, pointing: sick!

Jake to Rich as he leaves rehearsal: Yeah, see ya dude (it’s very quiet dialogue that I’d just never noticed)

Christine leans on the podium to try to look cool while she’s talking to Jake

Jake gives Christine a peace sign when he walks out at the end of that scene

Rich: he was so lonely SHHHHH the poor guy

Rich gets in Jeremy’s personal space and whispers in his ear on “speaks to you directly” and Jeremy does not like it

Michael is reading a magazine when the bed slides in for TPG

MITB plays under some of the dialogue in TPG

Scary Stockboy makes a lot of weird ass noises

The SQUIP shoebox has a tiny bit of fog coming out of it

The SQUIP pill itself actually glows

Jeremy kept drinking his Mountain Dew after Michael left as if he was hoping the SQUIP would activate if he drank more

Jake hides behind Christine when Jeremy’s SQUIP is activating

The SQUIP voice was different than I’d ever heard it? It was weirdly deeper than usual and it threw me off

SQUIP: everything about you is so ✨tewwabowle✨

Jeremy has like a panic attack after the SQUIP says “everything about you makes me wanna die” (”oh god oh no oh no oh god”)

“this” when the SQUIP sang “she had a shirt just like this” was a lower than normal note

There’s a moon and sunrise projection in the background when Jeremy goes to sleep

Jake and Rich have a similar handshake to Michael and Jeremy

Jeremy does finger guns to Brooke on their “let’s sync up”

Chloe kicked Christine’s backpack too far and it went off stage (not into the audience but the backstage area)

Jenna was very obviously filming Rich doing something weird with his belly button when the curtain opened

Jeremy yeeted his script off stage when the SQUIP started controlling him for his Puck monologue

Jenna got out her phone before Jeremy started his monologue because she was gonna film him failing and then he didn’t fail

Jenna fans Jeremy with her script after his monologue

Me watching Christine give birth to the bowling ball: this woman is an Oscar nominee

the SQUIP inspects the bowling ball baby when Jeremy is holding it

Jeremy sniffs his armpits when the SQUIP tells him “I’ve been activating your pheromones”

Christine had one had in her sweater sleeve during most of GTIKBI

They didn't show Jenna on the bleachers

Jake does a lot of small riffs during Upgrade

Usually spoken parts were sung very softly during LGW

After “optic nerve blocking on” Michael can been seen for a brief moment in the screens around the stage

Act 2

They play the SQUIP tango at the end of intermission

Mini dance battle dialogue I could make out Rich: Come on Jake! Brooke: What?!

Jake: The keg’s right over there! Yo Chloe!

Chloe wipes her tears with her skirt during DYWH

Jake tells Brooke to hold him back when they find Chloe and Jeremy

Jenna bounces her leg when telling Michael to hurry up

Brooke walks by in the the background at the beginning of the GTIKBI (reprise) scene, sees Jeremy, then storms off

Whose bra is on the lamp in this scene???

Jeremy just screamed for his “say what's on your mind”

Christine looked happy and excited when Jeremy asked her out, like she was gonna say yes but then decided it wasn’t the right time

When the SQUIP comes back, a piece of the curtain got statically stuck to his costume

Jenna happy stims when Chloe says “Spit it out! Spit it out!”

Cheerleading choreography

Mr. Heere: do you love him? *record scratch sound*

Chloe to Jake: you had it coming! Jake, sadly: okay :(

Chloe doesn’t even say “come on” when she calls Brooke, she just slaps her leg and gesture for Brooke to go with her

The prop beaker flew too far and ended up backstage, Jeremy had to actually go off stage to retrieve it

there are 3 audible snaps after the line “when you improve the lives of all your peers”

Jenna looked so sad when she said “I would do anything to feel like I belong”

Scrolling text of green code on the screens around the stage near the end of TPC

“everything about you is going to be wonderful” instrumental plays under Jeremy trying to convince Christine to take a SQUIP

Mr. Reyes: I suppose you’ll be wanting your costume back *starts to cry as he runs off stage*

The SQUIP being lowered onto the stage during The Play seemed oddly fast

Michael mimics Jeremy’s weird position when he says “it’s a gesture, gesture matter!”

Michael does a little dance on “I just know it’s never gonna happen”

Jake just wanders around in the background holding the empty bottle of Mountain Dew Red

Christine: You’re the guy I am so kinda into Jeremy: I am?

LGW plays as Jeremy breaks free from the SQUIP and gives Christine the Mountain Dew Red

Michael’s jaw drops when he hears Rich say “totally bi now”

Rich does the 👉👌 hand gesture after “tell her that she excites you sexually”

Jake dabs and Jeremy dabs back at him

#be more chill #bmc #broadway #archival footage #nypl #Jeremy heere #Michael mell #squip #christine canigula #jenna rolan #brooke lohst #chloe valentine #jake dillinger #rich goranski #mr heere #mr reyes #musicals #notes #l

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h0n3yk1tt3n · 12 days ago

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One of the more frustrating parts about dywh (of which there are many) is that it doesn't even take itself seriously. People talk about it as if it's this Infamous Moment™️ where Chloe becomes the devil incarnate and violates our ✨️pwecious wittle Jer-Bear✨️ but the simple fact of the matter is that the Joes can't stop making jokes long enough to give the scene any actual venom.

Like yes, it's an uncomfortable scene, but most of it comes from the fact that Chloe is dressed as a sexy baby of all things and the song makes sure to constantly remind you of that. When you look at it divorced from the costume though, she barely even does anything. The squip is the entire reason Jeremy can't leave, so pinning that on Chloe is flimsy at best, and the worst she does per the script is kiss him. (Before anyone says it, the script says the squip made him drink. Animatics lied to you.) Still bad, yes, but far tamer than some fans act like it is.

Most of the scene beyond the lyrics and the kiss is just Chloe and Jeremy talking. Or Jeremy talking to a comedically malfunctioning squip. Or Chloe comedically pissing Jake off with fake sex noises. Do you see the problem? This scene can't decide if it's comedic or serious and is walking a sloppy middle road.

I can derive themes from the choices that were made ("sexy baby" showing the horror that comes from teen girls sexualizing themselves for peer approval/attention and symbolizing Chloe's entitlement and immaturity; the metaphorical and literal loss of control via the squip freezing Jeremy in place and telling him what to do throughout the show = overall loss of autonomy) and give Watsonian reasons for the weirder ones (creepily excessive baby innuendos because Chloe is drunk) but with how little they were capitalized on, I don't think the Joes did it on purpose. Or if they did, they were clumsy about it.

When the scene isn't joking about Chloe being a drunk sexy baby trying to get laid, it actually spends a lot of its time developing Chloe as a character by touching on her jealously of Brooke and having these blink-and-you'll-miss-it moments where we can see her insecurities and the conditioning that contributes to her actions. Why did she hear "You're the hottest girl in school" and automatically equate that to "Jeremy wants to kiss me?" How many boys saw nothing more than a pretty face and not an actual person? Has anyone actually bothered to unpack her bitterly asking if everyone likes Brooke "because she's nice," before sobbing about how "I can be nice, I can be so goddamn nice?" Has anyone ever given her the space to be a person and not The Hottest Girl In School?

Let me guess: it doesn't count because she was drunk.

We could've had an incredibly raw scene where The Mean Bitch Character (though drunk) opens up about all the pressure to play into that persona because nobody will give her the time of day otherwise. Nobody will try to get to know the real her. Nobody will let her show how goddamn nice she can be. She wants Jake back because who is the hottest girl in school if she's not with the hottest boy in school? She sees through Brooke's "wounded puppy routine" and is warning Jeremy about how she's just as fake as her. (You could technically interpret this as Chloe lying to sway him away from Brooke, but goddammit give Brooke some actual fucking flaws for once.) We could’ve seen PROOF that Chloe is more than Hot Girl #1. We could've seen an ACTUAL character.

Or, say we wanna keep the scene comedic, because this show has always been comedic first in my head. Make Chloe so shitfaced that she couldn't actually assault Jeremy if she tried. Keep the squip keeping him from leaving, but don't pretend that Chloe is any kind of actual threat. Make this whole thing just, weird and inconvenient. I have to get back to Brooke, no go throw up over there, can I just leave?? No I don't wanna drink. Why are you speaking in japanese?? What the fuck??? Chloe there like six pillows right there, you don't have to lay on me. Make Jake come along and pound on the door, THEN have Chloe make fake sex noises because it would be sooo funny if Jake thought that she and Jeremy were banging.

OR if y'all REALLY wanna demonize a teenage girl THAT FUCKING BADLY, we cut the jokes. We cut the song and we Actually Commit. Just have it be a short talking scene, but we see what direction it's going in through the blocking and body language. We cut the squip jabbering in Japanese. We cut Jake and Brooke. We fade to black and just jump to the (seemingly) empty bathroom where Jeremy runs in. We don't drag out the gratuity of sexual assault by showing it, but by showing how Jeremy acts after it. Show he's more on edge, more jumpy, show he was actually AFFECTED by what happened. Maybe TALK ABOUT IT, just a TINY FUCKING BIT. Make him BITTER toward the squip for MAKING him go through that. This isn't a show About sexual assault and recovery but FUCK at least give the scene a little more respect.

But dywh didn't commit to any of these and just gave us this weird scene that's interesting for Chloe's character but kinda bad but not bad enough to tone down the absurdity or actually be addressed later.

Fucking Rick and Morty had a more effective sexual assault scene. It was a small portion of one episode, sure, but there was FOLLOW-THROUGH. You SEE how the characters act differently afterward. The scene makes you uncomfortable in the RIGHT WAY. It Stopped Joking long enough to Punch You In The Gut. RICK AND MORTY, the drunk dimension-hopping grandpa show!!!

AND I maintain that dywh was meant to emphasize the SQUIP disobeying Jeremy's wishes more than Chloe, besides being an excuse to break the couples up. She couldn't fucking tell what Jeremy wanted (he didnt leave, she didnt know he couldnt; she misinterpreted him calling her hot, which is on her despite being drunk; he drank halfway through saying hes not a drinker, because some unseen force made him; CHLOE CANT CONSENT EITHER BECAUSE SHES DRUNK, AND THE SQUIP KNOWS THIS) until the last second when she GAVE UP, at which point she only cared if Jake THOUGHT she and Jeremy banged on his parents' bed and not if they actually DID.

The squip put him here fully knowing what Chloe wanted, fully knowing that Jeremy didn't want it. It doesn't care about the best interest of its host; just results. Who cares if Jeremy suffers a little if it gets us on the right path? Who cares what he wants? All that matters is what I want. Or, let's say the squip knew that Chloe wouldn't actually get in Jeremy's pants; it still made Jeremy live through the horror of not having the CHOICE to stay or go. To powerlessly WATCH it happen. The squip controlled his body at least once before this, and later forces him to fight Michael. Physically hijacking control his body is almost as LITERAL OF A METAPHOR AS IT GETS for this kind of thing.

That.

That is the villain of this fucking show.

Not a drunk and insecure teenage girl.

And dywh failed at showing you that.

#mj says shit #im on my bullshit again #be more chill #do you wanna hang #chloe valentine

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