#need towl season 2 now

[mintsformich]

🚨 Missing 🚨

Royal couple of TWDU last seen embracing their two beautiful children in an open field after disembarking a CR aircraft. This dynamic walker slaying duo and protectors of the people from the people may be heading to ASZ or the Commonwealth. However, their current whereabouts have not been confirmed. Note: they are lethal, certifiably crazy, and together can do anything. If you encounter these warriors, please inform them their services are required urgently and they must return to our screens posthaste.

[flutterbyoz]

The fact we got to hear Michonne call Rick 'baby' twice in TOWL is something I don't think I'll ever get over. And Danai being the one who wrote those lines, for some reason makes it even better. Now if/when we get a season 2, we definitely need to hear a pet name from Rick!

[whateverisbeautiful]

♥️Reveling in Richonne - TOWL

#18: The Broken Bliss (1.03)

gif cred: @riickgrimes

“Bye” ended up being a fitting title for episode 3, both to complete the “Years Gone Bye” thing in homage to the TWD pilot "Days Gone Bye" and also because there were several shocking goodbyes in this episode. Including in this teaser where Rick is forced to kiss his hopes of escaping with Michonne goodbye 😢...

I really enjoy the ride of ep 3 and can now find the humor in things from this episode, but y’all, I wasn't as lighthearted when I first watched. I was so sad for both Michonne and Rick as they had to navigate both the elation and the complications that had come with finding each other again.

Like seeing the way crippling fear was fogging Rick’s perspective and the way Michonne was starting to feel like she’s gonna have to figure out how to bring her family back together all by herself. It was a lot. 🥺 But it was all very interesting. Also, even in an episode where Rick and Michonne spend a large chunk of it in a marital fight, I love that their love for each other is still extremely blatant. 

So first, in the episode one recap that played before episode 2 they start with Okafor talking about how As are sent away and killed and I know they included that because the Civic Republic has now just brought in the most A person that could ever A - Dana Bethune aka Michonne Grimes.

Then, the episode opens with a flashback from years ago as we see a line of consignees' shoes and then we know it’s Rick when we see his signature boots that are hanging on by a thread. That man is loyal to the core, even to his boots. 😋

gif cred: @perryabbott

The CRM says, “This is gonna be your home someday soon” but you know Rick knows this place will never be home.

He walks and takes in the place, turning around to observe some windmills and buildings. This shows how he's an A unlike the other consignees because he's assessing this place rather than just going along with things.

As he turns and walks alone past different booths, I remember just thinking how he would so much rather be walking hand in hand with Michonne and Judith right now. Or, if this wasn’t a place you can’t leave, he’d want to be enjoying this little farmers market cuteness with them. 

gif cred: @andy-clutterbuck

As he walks he hears Jadis ask for a napkin and he turns to her and it’s clear of all the familiar faces he could have been stuck with in the CRM Jadis is not one he’d ever choose.

She’s all smirking as she greets him and is just casually talking about the fries and I was so annoyed to see Jadis acting like she didn’t full-on pluck Rick away from his wife and daughter seemingly for good. Also, Jadis wasting those fries is added to the long list of why she's trifling. 😑 

Rick hesitantly walks with Jadis and she starts to explain how her Heapsters group from s7 would give lost souls who needed saving to the CRM and also they’d give people who are threats to the CRM in exchange for supplies. Jadis says she waited for Rick’s orientation so they could talk which I’m sure he prefers she didn’t lol.

She shares that the CRM keeps asking her what they should ask Rick and she hopes Rick will say he’s looking for someone to follow…but uh he already found someone with a sword to follow years ago at the prison. 😌

Jadis tries to be chummy with Rick saying he can talk to her because the CRM can’t surveil them here and Rick gets straight to addressing the audacity of the matter when he reminds Jadis, “You brought me somewhere I can’t leave.”

gif cred: @ricksmarlene

The way Rick says that first line, you know he feels this is the worst punishment keeping him away from his family. He does not view this as being saved but being trapped. 

(Side note: whatever that rebar recovery process was like for Rick leading up to this point treated him very kindly because they had him looking especially fine in this scene, just saying.😊 Also, for the longest time Season 8 Rick held the title of Rick's finest era to me, but Rick's TOWL era holds the title now without question 👌🏽)

Jadis says she could have chosen to let him die on the riverbed or told the CRM he was a threat. She notes how the CRM doesn’t take chances but she did because she owed him. At least she knows that much. 😒

Rick asks why she’s not also working consignment and idk why Jadis is all smirky but she is and Rick knows she doesn’t have to work consignment because she trafficked him. And they wonder why she’ll never be redeemable in my eyes. Like she basically sold Rick to this place as almost a currency to upgrade her life. Trash in all the ways. 😤🗑

gif cred: @clonecaptains

So Rick has one of those quick pissed smiles and walks away from Jadis but she follows after him to tell him that she’s enlisting in this place and she’s gonna sign up and move up the ranks because she believes in the CRM and its 500-year plan “to recreate the world as it was, better than it was.”

And while the way CRM folk buy into the 500-year plan definitely was giving cult vibes I can at the very least empathize with how they all might feel excited about the idea of the world potentially regaining normalcy after years of an apocalypse. However, their means of regaining normalcy through mass killings is atrocious.

Rick looks like he’s barely listening as Jadis tries to sell why this place is so great and why it’s the future. She says joining this place’s mission to change the world seems like a perfectly fine way to spend a life. But like girl, that may be the case if you didn't have a family and were community-less…but Rick has a whole wife and kid(s) at home and there’s no other way he’d rather spend his life than with them.

Jadis says, “The people that we left behind - their children’s children will have a world.” Can we start first with Rick even meeting his child RJ before people start recruiting him to a life of servitude for the children’s children?? And “people we left behind” is annoyingly phrased as if among those people isn’t Rick’s wife and daughter and as if he willingly left them behind. 😑

gif cred: @perryabbott

I love that Rick gets fed up and stops to look right at her with his steely eyes as he tells her point blank “I’m going home.” Now that was some signature Rick Grimes and I love it. 👏🏽

It makes me happy to see how absolutely determined he was to make it back home and also sad knowing that it would be so much harder than he could have ever expected at this moment.

But also I’m glad that he wanted to make this so clear to Jadis who really seemed to think Rick would just be cool with building some all-new life here. She tried it to capacity but I’d expect nothing less from her. 😪

Jadis knows Rick is serious and that she should back off when she just tells him, “Follow your bliss, Rick. But I did save your life. That is what happened” She really stays ticking me off with each thing she says and does and we haven’t even cut to the present yet where she pisses me off on another level. 🙃

Rick looks at her pissed too as he walks away from her because yes she kept him from dying that day of the bridge explosion but her actions ultimately led to Rick having to endure a far more painful death - the death where you’re still alive but a shell of who you once were, filled only with the ache from being torn from your loved ones. 

gif cred: @andy-clutterbuck

As Rick walks away, Jadis has to put the cherry on top of the tried-it sundae and tell Rick, “You’re welcome.” 🙄

There is a moment when Rick hears this and sorta tilts his head like he’s gonna turn around and say something back. And knowing how willingly petty Rick can be toward Jadis I’m sure he had something real slick and insulting to say. But he smartly decides not to cause a scene as he keeps walking forward.

They also have Rick stop for a moment as he seems to see something ahead and I’d like to think it’s the portraiture booth. After that frustrating encounter with Jadis, I know he could use a palette cleanser so I bet he went straight to that artist Benjiro for his first much-needed images of Michonne and Judith. 👌🏽

Then we cut to hours ago in the present as Rick knocks on Pearl’s door. (See how he actually knocks rather than barging in like some others 🙂) Pearl opens the door and she's been understandably crying over the death of their longtime leader Okafor and Rick is completely unconcerned about that at this moment lol.

While Pearl’s broken up and worried about if Rick’s okay after surviving a traumatic helicopter crash and attack, Rick is like...

Truly Rick's energy is like 'that crash stuff is all old news and there's something far more important on the agenda.'

He immediately and urgently gets into the Dana conversation telling Pearl, “Just listen to me. There’s a woman who saved me.” And I of course love the wording of that because it’s true in every way that Michonne saved and saves him. Also, if I were Pearl I’d be like so now when someone saves you you give them credit for it? 🙃

gif cred: @coolpartytimefan

Rick doesn’t look at Pearl as he speaks at first because I know he knows his face could give him away and reveal just how important this all is to him. He says this heroic mystery woman is in designation intake right now and then he does look right at Pearl to tell the truth that, “She’s an A.”

Then with too much passion in his eyes, Rick says, “And I don’t want them to send her away.” I was like now Rick, yes Michonne is supposed to be putting on an act in the CRM but you are too sir and for as long as Pearl has known you I don’t think she’s ever seen this much light and urgency behind your eyes about anything.

Like before this, Rick was the man who seemed like he didn’t give a damn about anything involving the CRM, and now all of a sudden he's fully activated over this new consignee. 🤭 This was one of the many moments where I was just looking at Rick like babe, change the plan cuz this 'undercover lovers' thing ain’t gonna work. 

Pearl says Rick doesn’t know for sure if this new girl is an A but he knows Michonne is an A more than he knows his own name lol. And I love how even despite years apart he still knows Michonne is an A++.

gif cred: @perryabbott

Rick maintains his urgency saying, “I’m making a call. But if I argue for her they’ll think I’m emotional, indebted.” Which again I know Rick is thinking 'And the CRM would be right in assessing that because I owe that woman everything.'

Then he passionately says, “You gotta make sure she stays.” And that was not an ask, that was an order Rick made because this is something he‘s gonna make sure happens at all costs.

Pearl looks at Rick and squints for a moment finally picking up on the fact that this man in front of her is a different and far more impassioned Grimes than she’s ever seen before as she asks, “Why?” validly wondering why it’s so important to Rick that this new lady stays in this city of thousands.

And the way Rick lays it on thick with the lie as he tries to say with conviction, “For Okafor. Because that’s what this has all been about.” He’s really trying to sell it. 🤭 And I feel bad because Rick thinks he can turn to Pearl as a fellow A but again I’m convinced Pearl is more of a B with a decent enough poker face to try and pretend she's an A, and so she’s not exactly cut from the same cloth as Rick and his wife.

gif cred: @perryabbott

Pearl says, “He’s dead” and again Rick tries to get into his persuasive acting bag as he passionately says, “No he’s not. Because we’re here.” I love seeing him willing to say and do anything to ensure Michonne is protected. Also, it hit me that Rick is using Okafor to help his case in getting Pearl to protect Michonne - the very woman who had a hand in Okafor dying. Rick really said bump Okafor and everyone else when it comes to my wife. 💯

Pearl asks, “Are you here, Rick?” And I was like baby, Rick has never been more here because this is the Rick Grimes I know and love, fighting like hell to protect his family. 👌🏽 But then she clarifies what she means by asking, “Are you a part of this?” Rick looks at her and says, “I understand now. I told him just before.” And he’s able to look her in the eye saying that because it is true that Rick told Okafor he was in just before his wife showed up.

And then Rick looks down when he says, “You were right” because that’s the lie part of it. Pearl asks who brings Michonne/Dana along and Rick says she should because the CRM and Okafor trust her more than him. Pearl is still unsure so Rick says, “Look it took me a long time. You helped me. I’m here. She should be too.”

While I absolutely loved seeing the passion here from Rick I unfortunately cannot give him an A letter grade for his performance as Man Who Is Not Madly In Love With The New Consignee lol. 😋

Like Rick had more energy in his behavior and urgency in his eyes than ever so he’s lucky Pearl didn’t pick up on it since she was still reeling from the Okafor loss and everything else going on. Otherwise, I just know she would've been closing her door like...

So while I thought he was being obvious, Rick did do a good enough job to convince Pearl to go along with his plan and stick her neck out for Michonne. So my baby Rick still gets at least a passing grade for his role as Man Who Is Not Madly In Love With The New Consignee. 😌👏🏽

Rick returns to his apartment and we pick up where we left off from the end of episode 2. Jadis knows Rick well enough to know the way he’s looking at her in this apartment means he's got murder on his mind as she says, “You’re thinking about killing me.”

And then she receives a signature Rick Grimes threat as he says with all the certainty in the world, “I will. But not today.” 👌🏽 And Jadis, girl...

I just know Rick feels like Jadis is overdue to be taken out for playing in his face for years. And if now she at all thinks she's going to mess with Michonne - that makes her death sentence signed sealed and delivered in Rick's book. 

Rick tells her, “It’s funny. I see it. I feel it. Throwing away everything you made happen for yourself. Because you needed to get in the middle of something you have nothing to do with.” I love him saying this. Jadis has tried to throw herself in the mix of Richonne for years and I love that Rick is like 'bowl-cut, you do not need to factor into this equation at all.' And if she doesn’t stay in her lane he’s going to end her and everything she’s worked towards 

Jadis self-centered behind begs to differ saying, “I have everything to do with it. Our fates are bound. You, Michonne, Me.” And y’all, I just happened to pause the scene for a sec and it was on Rick’s face and the way he is looking at Jadis…truly if looks could kill Jadis would be a goner in that very moment. 😬 As Okafor learned, an adversary having Michonne’s name in their mouth is going to get Rick heated like no other.

Jadis explains that if Rick and Michonne were the first two people to ever leave then the CRM would never stop looking for them ever and since Jadis would know where they were she’d be the one to have to destroy ASZ. And again as Rick listens to this he’s so viscerally pissed off and I 1000% get it.

Jadis says she’d have to kill everyone to make sure their arrangement was never discovered and again this woman always acts in self-interest. Rick scowls as he tells her the gospel truth, “This was your mess. This is you. This is you.”

This is all Jadis's doing so she really needed to stop acting like there’s anyone else to blame. Jadis is approaching this as if Rick went out of his way to complicate things by coming to the CRM as an A when she’s the one who roped him into her lies.

It’s hard because as Rick says this you can tell he’s thinking about how so much of his pain and problems trace back to trifling Jadis, like since season 7. 😪

Jadis is still so smug as she tells Rick, “In the event of my untimely demise, I just put a little file among my possessions telling them everything they need to know about you and all the people that you love. And I imagine that a CRM reclamation team would have everybody that you love dead within hours of that file's receipt”

Okay, first of all - Jadis, you beast. 😠 But it is fitting that Jadis has factored in a plan based on Rick taking her out because at least she knows how likely it is that he’ll kill her.

Second of all, this woman is just so cruel. Like she knows Rick has people he loves, not just community members or travel companions but like family family and she’s still so callous and cold when threatening him and them.

gif cred: @riickgrimes

Three; similar to the scene in ep 1 between Okafor and Rick when Rick realizes he really can’t risk going home anymore, this moment with Jadis is another one of those gut punches as he again realizes that he can’t break free with Michonne like he initially really hoped.

Like I truly think before this moment he did think he and Michonne would find a way out together but now he’s right back to feeling convinced that the CRM can’t be beaten and that he’s stuck here forever, which is why we see his mission change from getting them both out of here to just getting Michonne out of here. All that psychological warfare came right back to keep Rick in chains in this scene. 😢

As Jadis talks you can see it - you can see the hope Rick had of escaping with Michonne drain out. Before he was looking at Jadis angry and upset but upon hearing that their escape will get Michonne and their family killed he starts that labored breathing we’ll see much of the next episode, which is a clear indicator of his fear and panic.

Jadis says, “Because you and her leaving with the knowledge of that city and this force? You know that can’t be had.” I can’t believe Jadis is making me miss the days when she spoke in short broken sentences. Like plz...

It’s so hard seeing Rick look so distraught while he paces and gets sincerely emotional as the realization hits him that he might’ve just trapped his wife here along with him.

The way he walks toward the door then stops, it feels like he wants to sprint out of there and get to Michonne ASAP to wrap her in bubble wrap and shield her from everyone. Plus he needs the calmness Michonne provides back as he’s starting to unravel.

Then my heart always melts hearing Rick say with so much sincerity and emotion, “She doesn’t belong here.”

Again, this further cements that this has now become strictly a save-Michonne mission to him because he’s not making a case for the both of them, just her.

And the way he says it is just so extremely caring and protective. Like he is truly talking about his baby and feels utterly awful that Michonne is here because of him. 🥺

gif cred: @riickgrimes

It’s also sad that he only says Michonne doesn’t belong here because the CRM has convinced Rick that he is owned by them. And it’s like he’s accepting that harsh reality but still mustering the strength to at least argue that Michonne should not be stuck with the CRM like him. 

And then y’all, the line that’ll be having me want to swing every time is when Jadis responds to Rick’s heartfelt declaration about his wife not belonging here by saying in her best Karen voice, “Then she shouldn’t have come here.”

Like how much more patronizing and heartless can she be toward both Rick and Michonne. That line is gonna get me heated every time. 😑

Jadis says, “But that was her choice.” And you know hearing that hits Rick hard because he knows that it was not Michonne's choice but his that she’d come to the Civic Republic. Like Rick is already a man who feels so responsible for things and so you know he just feels responsible on another level for bringing her here knowing Michonne trusted to follow his lead. 

Jadis then asks Rick, “So what’s your choice?” And the way Rick looks at her I can literally hear the thought in his head - my wife is my choice. And while it will cause some issues, we do see him choose his wife in his actions that follow.

gif cred: @clonecaptains

Also what is with this CRM and all their dang choices that aren’t choices. 🙄 Like they’re obsessed with referring to things as choices when they are choices people basically have to make at gunpoint.

Rick is quietly seething as Jadis asks, “Will you tell me that you will not try to leave again? If you try with her everyone back home dies.” I do like how at least Jadis knows Michonne being here means Rick definitely got some newfound hope of breaking out of this place after giving up on the idea for a year or so. She knows Michonne would give Rick a renewed sense of strength and motivation that could lead to the two actually successfully escaping. 

And then Rick just breaks my heart yet again as he so emotionally and earnestly asks,“Why? why?” And I have the same question. As well as wanting to ask Jadis...

I was watching this scene just thinking after everything Rick's done for this selfish woman, WHY can’t she just leave him alone? If anything, had they let Rick go home, I think at least for a while he really would have left the CRM alone.

But the CRM done messed up keeping Rick here so long that now his baddie A wife had to show up because Michonne is the one who would be of the mindset they have to teach the CRM a lesson and expose this 'last light of the world'.

Jadis answers that she’s doing all this because of the CRM’s value of “Security and secrecy above all.” And Rick reacts like 'oh brother, not this damn CRM motto again.' Or maybe that was a direct quote from my mind lol.

Jadis again as self-centered as ever says she will not jeopardize everything she’s made happen for herself. She says, “I won’t wait for them to find you and they will find you- and it’ll all blow back on me.” Again, Jadis...

Rick tries to reason with Jadis asking if there’s a deal to be made and if she can clean it up. Hearing that I was like - nawt us still having storylines of making deals with Jadis in 2024. 🙃 Like we needed to stop making deals with Jadis in 2017. The woman is a snake point-blank and so any deal with her is truly pointless.

Jadis says there’s no deal and then she notes that Michonne is “very very lucky” because the CRM suspects that she’s an A but still let her in because Pearl stepped up. Lol, I’m not at all surprised they got the sense that Dana was an A. I thought Michonne actually gave a decent B performance during the vetting process but still, she radiates A energy as other consignees will soon note.

Jadis asks if Rick was behind Pearl advocating for Michonne and when he’s silent Jadis is like “Wow. You pulled that off.” And then she again tries it to capacity when she tells Rick, “So have your life together here.” Wth, Jadis?? 😠 I know she knows good and well Rick and Michonne have a daughter at home so just how ridiculous can she be suggesting they should just leave Judith behind and build a life here. I’d say dpmo but...

Then Jadis has more CRM propaganda to spew as she says, “We’re the last light of the world.” But me personally, I give that description to the Grimes family. 👌🏽

Jadis then stands up and gets in Rick's personal space as she again asks, “What’s your choice?” Rick is teary-eyed as he knows his choice is made. If it comes down to having Michonne with him stuck here or getting her out safe and back to Judith - He’s choosing his wife and daughter every time.

As he looks down defeated Jadis says, “You know I don’t need to hear it.” And it’s interesting because this scene really does a good job of depicting the massive shift in Rick from when he entered the apartment to when Jadis leaves.

At the end of ep 2 when Jadis was in Rick’s face he was lethally staring her down but now when she’s in his face he hangs his head down, beaten down by her threats toward his family. 😢

Rick then says, “You didn’t threaten me or the people I love before when I told you I was gonna get away.” And I’ll say this, Pollyanna very much understood the assignment knowing how infuriating Jadis was meant to be because she again uses a tone that makes me irate as she just smugly tells Rick, “That’s cuz I knew you couldn’t.”

gif cred: @likeafantasy

Honestly, I see why Rick cherishes so much that Michonne believes in him because unfortunately, so many others underestimate him.

However, without his family by his side, Rick was in fact sadly made to feel like he couldn’t fend off the CRM’s oppression forever. 

gif cred: @likeafantasy

Rick asks, “What changed?” and Jadis turns around, sounding oddly enough like she’s a fellow Richonne stan, as she says, “You two together? You can do anything.”

gif cred: @likeafantasy

It’s at least fitting that Jadis knows Rick and Michonne were going to try to be the first two to escape this place and that if anyone could pull it off they could. From the moment she met Richonne in season 7 she saw firsthand that they could do anything together.

And while dialogue-wise I think there perhaps could have been a way to say Richonne can do anything without saying it as on-the-nose, I don’t mind hearing it because it’s an utterly true statement. And I do like hearing this belief in Richonne’s abilities together even if it had to come from the most trifling of mouths.

gif cred: @likeafantasy

I so badly wanted Rick to see that Jadis saying this is her basically admitting she’s scared of him and his wife together. But Rick is understandably scared that any of his next moves could get the woman he loves most harmed and so this moment with Jadis instead effectively deflates his hope of escaping with Michonne. Now Rick is determined simply to get Michonne out of here alive. 

Rick watches the door as Jadis exits and you can see in his face that there’s so much running through his mind. As much as he wants to believe that he and Michonne can do anything he’s also not willing to risk losing Michonne in the process of trying to escape together.

So by the end of this teaser - TOWL's lengthiest teaser, I believe - we know that this whole get-home thing just got a lot messier and a lot harder.

Going home is still the mission but thanks to the evil snake that is Jadis, the “together” part of “going home together” has now changed.

gif cred: @likeafantasy

I called this post The Broken Bliss because Rick felt more hopeful than ever that this would be the time he finally broke out since now his wife is here, but then Jadis shattered the bliss he was trying to follow. 😞 And now when Rick thinks about his wife being here it strictly overwhelms him with fear. 

So with this teaser, we saw a very pivotal development for Rick, and next it was time for us to check in on Michonne. And now, y'all know Michonne has always been a true source of peace for Rick...but that Ms. Dana Bethune on the other hand - she's about to have this man stressing. 😅👌🏽

[richonnesbitch]

I know Rick put that ring on her finger (and honestly, they’ve been married all this time anyway) and I love that it was just the 2 of them (though i was not expecting *that* lmao) but I know Rick’s romantic ass gonna need an actual wedding. Gonna be his first order of business now that they’re back 😭 Michonne gonna be confused af like, babe we’re already married? And Rick will be like, don’t worry about it, just come to the church on this date and that time. Thank you, love you 😌😂

This is the most insane thing he's ever done

Like???????? Rick?!?!?!!?!?!?! RICK!?!?!?!!?!?

He is certifiably crazy. Like actually.

Anywayyyyy can't wait for TOWL season 2 where Rick surprises Michonne with an impromptu wedding with Judith as the flower girl and RJ as the ring bearer 🥰🥰

[bookqueenrules]

With the debate on how bad, or not, DD season 2’s ratings are and the anniversary of the most watched episode ever of TWD, No Sanctuary, I want to share some thoughts on what is working and what is not with the spin-offs.

The 6 Episode Format:

One of the most obvious things that is NOT working is the 6-episode format.  Without a doubt, TOWL has been the most successful spin-off. However, many were left dissatisfied by the ending.  If they would have spent a couple more episodes with Rick and Michonne in the CRM learning their secrets and how to take it down, it would have felt more satisfying to the viewers.  With both DC and DD, the six episodes format did not allow viewers to make any deep connections with the new characters.  For example, I don’t hate Laurent or Isabelle, but I don’t care for their survival like I would just about any character on the flagship.  This makes the deaths and relationships(i.e. Darabelle) far less compelling. 

Fix: Move to an 8-episode season.

The Stagnation and Reversal of Character Arcs:

TOWL is the exception here. Rick completed his arc by accomplishing his original goal of reuniting with his family. Michonne completed her arc by creating a family with a man willing to do anything for his children. While this is wonderful and satisfying, it creates a problem moving forward.  Andrew Lincoln gave a recent interview where he said he would like to see TWDU get back to the smaller survival stories of the past.  I think he is right.  Some variation of that will be what it is needed now that Rick and Michonne’s original arcs are complete.

DC and DD have done the opposite.  It appears that all four main characters have regressed, or at least not progressed, in their arcs.

The themes are clear. DD is about Daryl’s happy ending.  Daryl’s arc, really from day 1, has been about overcoming his upbringing and the trauma of his childhood. The only way to complete his arc is for him to create a healthy family of his own.  Daryl must have a wife and kids to complete that arc.  Rushing Daryl into becoming “ Laurent’s Daddy” is in no way satisfying this arc.  We need to see what Daryl’s happy ending is going to look like even if it takes several seasons( and it should) to be completely realized.  The spin-off needs to stop playing coy and show its hand.  The audience has been waiting 14 years already.  Time for that happy ending to at least be on the horizon. Yes, this means a real romantic love interest and eventually Dixson children.  Daryl needs to realize that Dixsons are not inherently bad or defective in some way.

Don’t get me started on the rehashing Carol’s dead children arc. That arc was completed with Ezekiel and Henry and the loving family she created with them. I am not sure why they can’t move Carol forward into a new story arc.  I truly hope this season puts it to rest, and she can move forward. 

The same is true for Maggie. Since Glen’s death, she has not been able to move forward.  This arc with Negan is at least a little less stale than Daryl’s but has still been going for years.  Maggie must come to some kind of acceptance of Glen's death and move forward.

Fix: Complete these years long character arcs and move the universe forward. The found family arc will only be completed when the OG remaining cast members are reunited. Dragging out the Daryl, Carol, and Maggie arcs has become tiresome, repetitive, and uninteresting.  Wrap those up. Then, reunite the found family.

Moving the TWDU Story Forward as a Whole:

The DD spin-off in particular was teased as having at least some answers to the origins of the virus.  I have seen the entire season, and we learned nothing.  Walkers on steroids are not that interesting.  We wanted to learn more about the scientists who originally created the virus and why.  Give the viewer some pay-off.  The audience you have now has been with you all these years.  Stringing them along with little pay-off is not working.

DC at least is showing that there is a new power source and is somewhat moving the universe forward.  They will need to continue with that story arc. Negan and Lucille 2.0 will not be enough of a story to attract, or even keep viewers. What happens in DC needs to affect the entire universe.

Fix: Pay-off for at least part of the origin story started in TWD season 1 is needed quickly.  The universe itself needs to be regenerated and eventually moved to the next generation of characters with the support of our OGs. 

[that-left-turn]

Saw your post about advertising revenue going down. Subscriptions to AMC for Q1 went up while TOWL was airing. What are your hopes for TBOC drawing in new audiences for AMC? Do you think Caryl is a big enough draw and if not in its current state what needs to change?

Subscriptions going up while TOWL aired was good (for AMC). The question is if it's fans of that particular show dipping in and then dropping off? AMC can't appeal to the larger TWD fanbase for all the spinoffs. They've slimmed down, so they need to find ways to grow those individual audiences and they need to retain them for the longhaul.

The appeal of TBOC is in the lead characters and sadly, not the story. Zabel hasn't done his homework (which an incoming showrunner should do): he has either only watched the montage and final scene of the flagship show, or he's relying on what other EPs have told him about the characters and their arcs. That's why he thought Ezekiel was Daryl's friend, since he was there to see Daryl off in the series finale.

Contrary to what you'd believe from looking at the fandom and the loudest screaming individuals, Carol resonates with the general audience, so seeing her again will probably draw curious viewers, but will they stick around? It depends largely on how her character arc is handled and also, her relationship with Daryl. They have natural chemistry, which the show should capitalize on as it comes with a built-in audience.

Will it, though?

From what I know about TBOC, Carol and Daryl's individual arcs merge at the end of block 2/beginning of block 3, so 204-205-ish. That means half the season has them separated. That's not ideal for a show where the main appeal lies in the relationship between the leads (whether romantic or platonic). Their emotional drives appear uneven, from my limited view of the beats, which might also be a viewer deterrent.

I think AMC needs to go all-in on canon once the storylines intersect—especially as it looks like we're in for some heavy nunbaiting—to at least get some good word of mouth and maybe draw back parts of the audience who've given up on the show. There were people who stopped watching TWD in S7-8 who came back after the original Caryl spinoff was announced. Having a loyal core audience is vital, so the studio needs to insure that those viewers are invested and engaged.

The show also needs a story engine. The escort mission in S1 had little urgency, beyond Daryl looking for a radio, and the actual meat and potatoes of the external plot was nondescript. Laurent was said (prophesied, really, by a Buddhist monk) to be the new Messiah who will "save humanity." It's very fuzzy on the details and not in a way that implies mystery. It screams of hand waving. The show has to draw in horror fans with a season arc that services the genre.

Caryl fans would watch for a good emotional arc and the GA should be treated to a well-conceived external plot. If you can cater to both of those demographics, you can grow the audience (because people tell others when they like a show) but it hinges on tight storytelling. You have to have an actual detailed plan and not a vague idea of where you're going—pantsing might work for a novelist, but never for a screenwriter. There's an A story, a B story and you may have a couple of runners, for the season as well as individual episodes, so a TV show requires organization. (And I'm getting off-topic here, so I'll leave the logistics at that.)

I'm not confident in TBOC based on what I know of Zabel's writing in general, his management of S1, his statements to the media and what I know about TBOC. I think the show needs a redirect into a different subgenre and some fresh ideas that showcase McReedus playing off each other and Caryl being thrust into the unfamiliar (both to the characters and the audience)—we need to see something new while the characters stay in-character to tether them to the character development already done on the flagship show. (And now I've written 'character' so many times that the word has lost all meaning 🙈)

Zabel played loose and fast with Daryl's backstory in S1. Fans are invested in those details and if it's made it to screen, the showrunner can't ignore them to shoehorn the already well-established protagonist into a plot involving new characters. He shouldn't love his own original creations more than the actual main character. All of these things give me pause as to Zabel's suitability as a showrunner for a show that already has a preexisting ecosystem.

That said, it looks like the show is getting delayed to a fall premiere, promo seems to be on a hold and the season finale may still be in post, which could be signs of AMC fixing problems and/or changing direction.

Sorry the answer was neither short nor succinct, but I hope it gave some clarity regarding my thought process. Obviously, like everybody else, I have ideas of what I'd do to increase ratings, but I'm not the person in the hot seat 🙃 I'm waiting for the panel at Tribeca to see what I can decipher from the inevitable sell speak.

It may be a long summer for us.

[shinymentalitynerd]

I don’t think we should give in to Zabel’s attitude that Carol and Daryl are platonic friends. I think we should start a concerted campaign on all social media platforms to get AMC to replace Zabel. I’m told that the fans’ uproar over Carol being fired at the end of TWD brought Carol back to the spinoff. We were pissed and let it show. We were successful in getting Carol back into the spinoff. We have power. Let’s NOT just give in to Zabel’s vision of how things should be—let’s get AMC to replace him with a different and better showrunner. We need to let AMC know that 1. We want Daryl and Carol to be romantically canon with no ambiguity. 2. No more shipbaiting of Daryl with every woman who gets near him. 3. We want the old Daryl back. The one we know from the flagship series and not this new guy who falls in love with someone after a couple of months and treats Carol as a 3rd wheel after she crossed the ocean during the zombie apocalypse to be with him because she knew something was wrong. 4. We want a new title to the show. No other TWD spinoff has a character’s name as the title and we want a title that doesn’t exclude Carol’s importance to the show and 5. We want Melissa to have equal billing with Norman. We need to let AMC know we are tired of being strung along and that we are not going to watch for the little crumbs they give us. That we want canon Caryl and we will not watch without it. Look, this spinoff is not doing well. The ratings are far below TOWL and you know why TOWL got higher ratings—because they gave the fans the show they wanted to see. Zabel and Nicotera boast that they don’t write the show for the fans—how arrogant and stupid can they be. If AMC doesn’t get a new showrunner, season 3 will be the last season. The Carylers are TWD’s largest and most devoted fan base and they have to know they are going to lose us if they don’t give us what we want. They brought Carol back because the show floundered with just Daryl. That character couldn’t carry the show alone. We need to make our voices heard and let AMC know our demands—that we get Caryl unambiguously loving and romantic and they need to get a new showrunner because Zabel is imposing his personal desires onto the show rather than what the fans want. We need to make our voice heard now while there’s still time to rework season 3. Are you ready? Go on ever platform and let AMC know what we want and expect.

[cake-by-thepound]

In the story so far part of the ep, we see images of Jadis that I had never seen -hell, until i saw those images I actually had no idea Jadis reappeared in the twdu after the bridge… So I finally looked up Polyanna’s filmpgraphy and apparently, she was part of the main cast of one of the spin offs (for one season)? Whenever she appears on towl, they better find a way to explain her story in 2 sentences (listen, the less jadis on my screen, the better… actually i only want her to appear just so that michonne can kill her. That’s it. And I will happily take that with no backstory even 😂) cause i am just not looking any of whatever her story is up 🤷🏽‍♀️ they need to be fr about that one

Now see, if you had been listening to our TOWL preview, you woulda known! We watched all of season 2 so you wouldn’t have to. (But seriously, you didn’t miss much. Jadis is a bad guy. Surprise, surprise. She saved Rick because she thought she owed him, but she ain’t shit, ain’t never been shit, will never be shit.) (I won’t spoil the rest, because it does tie into what’s happening on TOWL, just in case you don’t wanna know.) But I, too, hope Michonne gets to take her out. Danai said Michonne didn’t get enough decaps for her liking, but gawd I hope Jadis is one.

[twdmusicboxmystery]

Daryl Dixon Spinoff - Season 1

Before Premiere:

Conjecture and Asks About the Daryl Spinoff (2023 Before S1 Aired)

DD Sneak Peek Analysis, Part 1 07/10/2023

DD Sneak Peek Analysis, Part 2 07/11/2023

DD Sneak Peek Analysis, Part 3 07/12/2023

DD Official Poster "Hope is Not Lost" 07/14/2023

New Daryl Dixon Teaser Trailer 07/19/2023

New Spinoff Picture Strangeness 07/20/2023

Daryl Dixon Official Trailer - So Epic! 07/22/2023

First 10 Min of DD Episode 1, Part 1 07/24/2023

First 10 Min of DD Episode 1, Part 2 07/25/2023

8-Ball Symbolism and Daryl's Characterization 07/26/2023

Daryl Promo Poster for SDCC 07/27/2023

Ask: Will Audience Be More Accepting Now That Beth is Older 07/27/2023

Meaning of the Name Laurent 08/03/2023

Teasers and Trailers for Daryl Dixon Spinoff 08/05/2023

Carol Part of Cast for S2 08/06/2023

Daryl Flashbacks as Promos by AMC for Daryl Spinoff 08/09/2023

Diverged as a Template for the Daryl Spinoff by BookQueenRules 08/11/2023

Pine Vistas and Other Similarities Between DD Trailer and Flagship Show 08/17/2023

Empty Chair Theories 08/16/2023

Theme of Choices Around Daryl 08/15/2023

Follow Up On Choices Theme 08/21/2023

DD Episode Titles Revealed 08/26/2023

Discussion About the Bathtub Scene in DD Trailer 08/27/2023

DD Promo Poster with Phoenix, Dog, and Song Symbolism 08/28/2023

Daryl's Button and Beth's Knife 08/29/2023

DD Spinoff Villain 08/30/2023

Will we See Beth Before S2 of DD? (Ask) 08/31/2023

Why Group Let Daryl Tell Beth About Zack in S4 (Because Romance) 08/31/2023

TPTB Confirmed Changes to DD Spinoff (Melissa) So Why Not Beth (Because She's Alive) 09/01/2023

Submission - Book Queen Rules - Why Beth Will Be Shown by Episode 3 09/02/2023

Why Emily May Still Appear Even Though She Hasn't Been Filming 09/03/2023

If Blond Hair in FTWD Coda Isn't Beth, Who Is It? 09/05/2023

Early Review Articles for Daryl Spinoff 09/07/2023

Not Releasing Episodes Early on App (For DD Spinoff) ) 09/08/2023

Episode 1: L'ame Perdue

Video Analysis:

L'aime Perdue Symbolism 09/10/2023

From Other TDers:

The Dialogue That Sent a Ship Reeling and What it Might Mean for the Overall Arc - @queenbookrules 09/13/2023

More Filming at the Louvre - @frangipanilove 09/14/2023

Beth and Daryl spinoff art - @gala-art 09/14/2023

Asks:

AMC Not Releasing Episode Early 09/08/2023

People Need to Give TD Credit 09/09/2023

AMC Promo (Painting) is Beth Coded 09/09/2023

Fake Names Used on Set 09/09/2023

Painting Looks Like Emily 09/12/2023

Daryl's Weapons in Spinoff 09/13/2023

Daryl Thinking of Beth When Saw Isabelle's Scars 09/13/2023

Showing the Real Painting From AMC Promo 09/13/2023

Talking to Isabelle About His Scars 09/15/2023

Loved the Episode; About Daryl's Happy Ending 09/15/2023

Ep 5 Title: Two Loves 09/15/2023

Groups in S4 and Daryl Staring 09/16/2023

Whether Beth Will be Revealed in DD or TOWL 09/17/2023

Responding to the Painting That Resembles Emily 09/19/2023

Episode 2: Alouette

Video Analysis:

Alouette Symbolism Analysis 09/17/2023

Other Posts (Mine):

Mork and Mindy in the Episode 09/21/2023

From Other TDers:

Orpheus and Euridice by BookQueenRules 09/22/2023

More About Birds by Frangipanilove 09/21/2023

Opening Sequence of Still is Foreshadow by Emcee 09/21/2023

Asks:

Missing Daryl's Arms/Sleeveless Shirts 09/19/2023

More on the Penguin Symbolism 09/19/2023

Flashback to Normily Days 09/19/2023

Getting Lots of Msgs About Not Seeing Her in S1 09/20/2023

Dream About Beth's Return 09/20/2023

Ep 5 Name Drop/Scene Where Daryl Shocked 09/20/2023

Will Daryl See Painting and Talk About Beth? 09/20/2023

Did Beth See Terminus Signs 09/20/2023

Why Emily Doesn't Talk About Return 09/20/2023

Suspicious Lyrics in Emily's New Songs 09/23/2023

"It's Not a Dream Sequence; It's an NDE." 09/2023/2023

Symbolism of Daryl and Dog 09/24/2023

Significance of "3 Weeks Since Atlanta" and What Daryl Lost 09/24/2023

What Emily Listened to to Prepare for Still 09/24/2023

Ep 3: Paris Seras Toujours Paris

Video Analysis:

1x03: Paris Sera Toujours Paris Analysis 09/24/2023

Ep 4: La Dame de Fer

Video Analysis:

1x04: La Dame de Fer Video Analysis 10/01/2023

Miscellaneous Posts

DD 1x04: La Dame de Fer Episode Extras 10/04/2023

Leaked Scene: Daryl Talks About His Friends 10/06/2023

Ep 5: Deux Amores

Video Analysis:

1x05: Deux Amours Video Analysis 10/08/2023

Ep 6: Coming Home

Video Analysis:

1x06: Coming Home Video Analysis 10/15/2023

Not By Me:

Thoughts on Azlan's Broken Pocketwatch Story by BethGreenePrevails 10/11/2023

"Home" is North O'Clock by Frangipanilove 10/11/2023

Claimed Convergence by AngeltheFirst1 10/11/2023

DD S1 Replay of S5 by BookQueenRules 10/22/2023

Isabel and Carol are Beth by AngeltheFirst1 10/22/2023

Cauterizing the Wound by AngeltheFirst1 11/14/2023

[flutterbyoz]

This is going to be a pretty long post but I found that once I started I couldn't stop! Hopefully it all makes some kind of sense

I miss Richonne everyday, they still fill so much of my headspace and though it's been a few months since The Ones Who Live episode 6, I think I miss them now more than ever.

Though I would love a TOWL season 2, more Richonne is always a good thing, there are a 2 things that I think are important if/when we see them again and a couple of things I'd like to see happen.

1. Andy, Danai and Scott come back because they want to and because they feel they have the perfect story to tell.

We know they will only come back for a story that feels right and necessary to tell and I love that! I love the fact that not only do they care about giving us amazing stories but they also care about the characters having a story that needs to be told rather than just coming back just for the sake of it.

I also love how it's a team thing with the three of them. Andy and Scott waited for Danai to be free to do S1 and Andy has made it pretty clear he'll do it if Danai does and if the story comes from her and/or Scott. The friendship, trust, respect, care and love that exists between the three of them is something I adore ❤️ I've said it before but the friendship between Andy and Danai especially is one of my favourite things, it's easy to see that it's genuine and not just put on for promo or anything else. There is a real connection between them and they trust each other completely and Andy knows she can write a story worthy of being told.

2. Andy, Danai and Scott need to have full creative control.

AMC knows by now that this trio can deliver. They know they can create an amazing story, they can bring in the viewers, generate the hype, the engagement and earn glowing reviews, they can bring in new viewers and bring back those who left. They know this creative team can produce high quality TV, revive a franchise and deliver an episode and performances worthy of Emmy buzz. I don't doubt that if/when Andy, Danai and Scott wish to tell more stories, AMC will greenlight it without a second thought.

As well as greenlighting a second season or even another 6 episode series, AMC need to give full creative control to the trio. They've more than proven they know what they're doing so just let them do what they do best. Set them free to produce another incredible show because you know, when Andy, Danai and Scott get together they create magic. They know what they're doing, they what works for the characters and for the fans.

I've seen some discussion lately about whether what fans want should be high priority when it comes to writing a show. Now, while I understand and believe that the wants of the fans are important, after all you do need to create a show that fans are going to want to watch, engage with and keep watching, you also need to keep the story true to the characters and their journeys. Sometimes what the fans want doesn't align with what we know about the characters and/or their relationship and it's not really right to forgo a characters story/journey just because some fans don't like it.

Luckily for us, what Andy, Danai and Scott want for Richonne is also what so many of us want too, it also makes sense and is true to the characters. They know these characters and their relationship like no one else and they love them just like we do and when they write and create a show they aren't just writing for the fans, they are doing what's right for Rick and Michonne too.

Again, I have no doubt that AMC will jump at the chance to have them back again and I'm also very hopeful that, just as with S1, they will give them full control over everything. They need it as they've shown that what they do works.

3. Michael Slovis back as director

Not only did Danai write the perfect episode with 'What We' but Michael Slovis also did an incredible job directing it. He just seemed to understand these characters and Andy and Danai so well, he got them on a level that other writers/directors didn't appear to on the flagship show. I also read somewhere that it was his idea to put in the kiss in the car at the end, showing how, now they were together and on the same page again, they simply couldn't keep their hands off each other and I love that!

If we do get more Richonne, I'd love for him to come back and direct and if he and Danai could work together again on an episode she wrote then that would be awesome! They make a great team, along with Andy of course, and they delivered one of the best episodes this franchise has ever seen.

Now, as for what I'd like to see in a possible season 2 or another mini series there is quite a lot but the two that I'd most like are:

1. Domestic Richonne and Grimes family time

After everything they've all been through, this beautiful family deserve to enjoy some 'normal' family time. I'd love to see Richonne and their kids at home, cooking dinner, playing games, enjoying family fun days, I'd love to see Rick and RJ bonding, Rick and Judith bonding, Michonne and the kids reconnecting and Rick and Michonne enjoying married life.

I know many people would love to see them have another baby and I totally get why and it wouldn't surprise me after TOWL to be honest but I'm in two minds about this. On the one hand, it would be lovely to have another little Grimes to add to the family, maybe a little girl who is her mothers twin but her personality is all her dad. Rick missed out on so much with RJ and seeing him get to dote on a pregnant Michonne and witness the birth of his child would be amazing.

However, on the other hand I think just letting them stay as a family of 4 may be the best thing. Adding a pregnancy into the mix could stir up some old wounds for Michonne and there are risks involved, it's also one more thing to worry about and Rick's already overprotectiveness would go into overdrive. So while another baby Grimes would be lovely I'm very happy with how they are now but if they could find a way to include a pregnancy/baby into the story then I certainly wouldn't be against it.

I just want more of the Grimes being a family, being happy and feeling loved. We always have to keep in mind that this is The Walking Dead and it's not going to be sunshine and rainbows all the time. With Andy saying something along the lines of he'd like to take it back to the horror roots, we know there will be some level of peril and threat but with Andy and Danai in charge, I know we can trust them to do right by these characters.

2. Michonne's trauma

This is something I've seen brought up a few times recently and it's something I've been thinking about for a while too. It's quite a difficult thing and doesn't really fit into the happy family time I've mentioned but I think it's important to address.

For obvious reasons, TOWL S1 was mostly about Rick's trauma and PTSD, I have no issues with that, I liked the way it was addressed, how Michonne helped him through it and brought him home. However, I think some people seem to forget that Michonne is carrying a lot of trauma herself and apart from a brief mention in TOWL, it has largely been overlooked.

Michonne had a lot to deal with on the flagship show, not only did she lose the love of her life but she also had a daughter to raise alone, a baby on the way, Judith was kidnapped and she herself was attacked and branded while pregnant. Due to not feeling safe she cut herself off and lost trust in a lot of people and friendships seemed to drop off. She also went through hell trying to get to Rick and it all left her with some heavy trauma that really needs to be addressed.

In a possible future story I'd like to see this trauma get brought to the forefront, Ricks PTSD will still be a factor and seeing him try to adjust back to a 'normal' life may see it rear its head again. We all know Michonne is Rick's rock, she'll be with him every step of the way and will be his shelter from the storm but I would also like to see Rick do the same for her.

Everyone knows how much Rick adores his wife, there is no question that he loves her more than life itself but I still don't know whether he knows the full extent of what she went through while he was gone. It may be a conscious decision on Michonne's part to keep some things back from him, at least until they got home but I think he needs to know. Michonne needs his support, she needs to be able to get out everything she's been bottling up so he can be her rock just like she is his.

Not only do they need time to reconnect with their kids but they also need time to reconnect as a couple and though I know Rick regrets what he did and said to Michonne in TOWL, it still hurt her deeply. There was a lot of effort on Rick's part to make up for that and I know Michonne doesn't hold it against him but they need time to heal together and I'd really like to see that explored in any future story.

If you've managed to reach the end then thank you! I know this was a very long post and I didn't intend for it to be so but here we are.

If we do get more Grimes adventures, I think there will be some sort of time jump and depending on what that looks like we could be looking at slightly different versions of what I mentioned above. I do think we'll get some family time, romantic Richonne moments and obviously some danger thrown in, but I do wonder if Michonne's trauma will be brought up at all. With Danai almost certainly having a big part in writing any future story, I like to think she would address it and she would definitely do it justice.

With the DVD saying season 1, Andy saying there is an infinite chance it could happen again if Danai and Scott are writing it, and the fact Danai is very secretive when asked about the future of Richonne I do think something will happen at some point. What that will be and when I have no idea but to me, Andy and Danai strike me as the kind of people to be honest and straightforward with the fans and would say outright if there was no more.

Whatever happens, we've been truly blessed by Richonne and Andy & Danai. I've never seen two actors more committed to their characters, more in tune with and supportive of their relationship and their fans and have such a supportive, caring, respectful and loving friendship off screen. The Walking Dead really struck gold with these two and would be lucky to have them back again.

[sharkbaitouhaha]

6. describe your personality in 3 words or less, 37. do you read a lot? whats your favorite book?, 41. top 10 favorite songs, 68. can you draw?, 94. favorite lyrics right now

6. describe your personality in 3 words or less Dependable, funny, organized

37. do you read a lot? whats your favorite book? It goes in waves, sometimes I’ll read constantly and then I’ll go months where it just takes forever to get through a book, even if I’m really enjoying it. My favourite book of all time is Rules of Civility by Amor Towles but my favourite book that I’ve read this year is The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller.

41. top 10 favorite songs Oh no this is the part where we all realize how terrible my music taste is! These are in no particular order. These probably aren’t even favourites but they are songs I really love. 1. Jackie and Wilson - Hozier 2. Sloppy Seconds - Watsky 3.The Boys of Summer - Don Henley (i will often just listen to this on repeat) 4. Time in a Tree - Raleigh Ritchie  5. Season if the Witch - Donovan  6. In a Week - Hozier (an all time favourite for a relaxing bath when you use a bath bomb and just need to ignore the entire world) 7. Tiny Dancer - Elton John (this gets played on every road trip, or long trip on a bus/train) 8. One Week - Barenaked Ladies 9. Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Swede BUT only when Hudson is dramatically singing it at me 10. The Monster Mash which I will sing a long to any day of the year

68. can you draw? Not even a little bit, my stick figures don’t even look good 94. favorite lyrics right now “This life’s our greatest project The journey’s all an art“ from Watsky’s Carboard Castles, these lyrics were my second tattoo and I love them I had to like really think about a lot of these! Thank you, it was a lot of fun <3 

[kellyinboston]

WHAT Wednesday

Hi folks! Happy Wednesday. Today is my Friday, so that is exciting. I am going to Nashville tomorrow and I am very much looking forward to it. I am a little stressed missing work for a couple days since it has been super busy but this trip was planned months ago, and it is probably good for my mental health to take a little break!

We got some snow last night/this morning, nothing too crazy, maybe 3 or 4 inches. Enough to not annoy me!

Alright, let’s get to it!

WHAT am I reading?

So you all need to sit down for a second because I am going to blow your socks off. I finished all three library books in three weeks (Columbine, Before the Fall and Evicted). Did that just blow your mind? Are you so impressed? You should be quite frankly.

I finished Evicted the other night and I would definitely recommend it. It was not a feel good book but it is worth a read. People more important than me should probably read it. I admittedly find it hard to relate to people who are in certain situations, I assume that people, if they work hard enough, can rise above, get out of a bad situation, etc., however I know that is not always the case. This book was somewhat frustrating in that certain people were doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, however the holes they were digging out of were so massive that it is hard to blame them. I don’t know if that made sense at all, but you get my point…right? All I am trying to say is that reading this book gave me a little more empathy, which isn’t a bad thing.

I am now reading Rules of Civility by Amor Towles, here is the description from Amazon:

The story of a young woman whose life is on the brink of transformation. On the last night of 1937, twenty-five-year-old Katey Kontent is in a second-rate Greenwich Village jazz bar when Tinker Grey, a handsome banker, happens to sit down at the neighboring table. This chance encounter and its startling consequences propel Katey on a year-long journey into the upper echelons of New York society—where she will have little to rely upon other than a bracing wit and her own brand of cool nerve.

I just started it, like 8% of the way in, I like it so far. Once I finish this book I will go back to finish Chronicles of Narnia. I took a break from that book because I cannot travel with it because the book is massive!

WHAT am I watching?

Still making my way through Parenthood. I am a few episodes in to season 2. Enjoying it very much.

I stopped watching Homeland after the 1st episode, I was going to give it one more episode, but decided against it. I have The West Wing on my list of shows to watch at some point and that is a HUGE commitment, so why would I waste my time with a show that I am not thoroughly enjoying.

I am excited for The Americans and Better Call Saul to come back on, I think they are coming back sometime in the next couple months. I am also planning on watching the HBO miniseries – Big, Little, Lies (based on a book I have read) – it stars Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and a couple other good actors.

WHAT is up with Neil?

Neil is doing good, staying busy. He is watching Snoop again this weekend, he has been a big help with my crazy schedule. Snoop actually seems to prefer Neil so she is probably happy when I am not around!

He had some United points (you know, the airline) that expired yesterday so he bought a ticket to go to LA in mid-March. He has a couple architecture friends out there and he loves LA architecture so it sounds like he is going to just visit a lot of cool buildings. He said he may rent a car to drive up to San Fran and look at some cool buildings up there as well. I am super jealous, I want to go but it is hard with a new job to take time off, but he seems A-OK with going by himself (maybe a little too okay?)...

He has taken a break from condo projects, but it sounds like he is ready to start something new. The lighting in our place is not great, especially during the winter when the days are so dark, so he is going to install some lights, which will sync up to our “google home” – I am looking forward to the finish product!

WHAT is up with Snoop?

She is good. Still a beast. She is doing good at night outside her crate. She will sometimes come up and put her nose in our face, but if you play dead she will leave you alone. She seems to move throughout the night, she will start at the door, then move up to the loft with us. I am very happy that she is no longer crated at night. I bet she is too!

I may get her a jacket for when she gets her haircut. It will still be pretty cold outside and her cut will be really short, so I may be that person that gets their dog a coat. I know…super ridiculous.

She had a mini playdate this morning with her favorite friends (Charlie, Elmer, Matilda and Jack), that was a pleasant surprise.

WHAT am I excited about?

Going to Nashville tomorrow with my friend Erin. I used to work with Erin so we would talk every day and she became a very good friend. I haven’t seen her since I started my new job so I am SO excited to hang out with her for 3 days straight!

The podcast “Hardcore History” just released a new episode. He only releases like 4 episodes a year, but they are 5+ hours long. This one is about the early years of the nuclear age. Pretty exciting people!

The superbowl on Sunday. Go Pats! This is the 2nd time the Pats have been to the superbowl since we have lived out here and it is really fund for the city. I honestly don’t think we will win. This is not me being a pessimist, rather a realist. Atlanta is good. Although we do have Tom Brady…

Thanks for reading!

[tonyduncanbb73]

A Worcester Brewery Focusing on Imperial Beers Is Almost Open

And other Boston-area beer and liquor news, updated weekly

As the Massachusetts beer scene continues its fast-paced growth, we’re tracking beer-related news bites right here: brewery openings and closures, links to interesting features from other publications, and more. We’re throwing in some liquor news for good measure, too. This piece is updated most weeks, and the most recent additions are at the top. Email boston@eater.com with any Massachusetts beer or liquor news that should be on our radar.

Check out our 2017 archive of beer news here, and for a more in-depth look at the scene, check out the archive of our Beer & Mortar feature series.

March 1, 2018

BOSTON — Prepare for beer gardens. Once the season arrives, Trillium’s popular Greenway garden will likely make a comeback this year, as the Herald reports, and that’s not all: The Greenway Conservancy is trying to find a brewery for “Dewey Square Drinkery,” a pop-up bar that would be open at least a couple days a week in Dewey Square. Stay tuned, and in the meantime, catch Trillium’s other seasonal beer garden — an indoor one — at the Roslindale Substation (4228 Washington St.)

CAMBRIDGE TO MEXICO CITY — Moe Isaza, bar manager atPammy’s(928 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge), is currently competing for his third time in the annual Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition, and he’s already made it quite far — he’ll be one of just two United States finalists competing globally in Mexico City against about 30 international bartenders on April 25. The US finalists were pulled from a field of 720 recipes submissions, narrowed down through several stages of judging and competition. Isaza’s drink is called the Poderoso and includes Bacardi Ocho, coffee liqueur (paying homage to Colombia, where Isaza was born before coming to East Boston as a four-year-old), pineapple juice, amaro, and a muddled lemon wedge.

EVERETT TO PAWTUCKET AND BEYOND — Night Shift Brewing (87 Santilli Hwy., Everett) is outgrowing its home and is now doing some contract brewing out of the Isle Brewers Guild cooperative in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, adding about 10,000 barrels a year to Night Shift’s output. And it’s the Everett brewery’s first foray into Rhode Island; it doesn’t yet distribute there, but its beers made at Isle Brewers Guild will be on tap and in cans at the Guild taproom.

In other Night Shift news, Braintree’s Widowmaker Brewing(220 Wood Rd.) has signed on with Night Shift Distributing (Night Shift Brewing’s sibling distribution arm) to take things to the next level (previously self-distributing to around 30 nearby accounts), hoping to spread around the whole Greater Boston area, not just the South Shore. Keep an eye out for Widowmaker’s Ecstasy of Gold American IPA and 50 Year Storm Double IPA around town, likely followed soon by the Donut Shop Stout.

And in other Night Shift news, Night Shift Distributing recently brought its first gluten-free brewery into its portfolio, Ghostfish Brewing out of Seattle. Four-packs began to hit Massachusetts shelves a couple weeks ago; look for Ghostfish’s Grapefruit IPA, Meteor Shower Blonde Ale, and Shrouded Summit Belgian White Ale.

IPSWICH — Privateer Rum (11 Brady Dr.) announced today that Maggie Campbell — head distiller since 2012, vice president since 2015 — has risen through the ranks again. She’s now president of the company, working alongside founder and CEO Andrew Cabot to further grow the seven-year-old brand, including doubling Privateer’s production capacity this year. (Privateer also recently debuted a new tasting room at the distillery.) Campbell is a familiar and distinguished face in the distilling world (and wine world, too), appearing on a number of boards and committees, as well as winning plenty of awards and recognition for her work at Privateer.

MALDEN — In case you missed yesterday’s news, Malden is getting lots more beer.

WORCESTER — Here’s a sneak peek inside Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company(55 Millbrook St.), set to open later this month with a focus on hefty imperial brews. The 100-person taproom will also have live music, games, and some food, such as panini and pretzels.

February 23, 2018

American Fresh/Facebook

American Fresh Assembly Row patio

SOMERVILLE — Somerville Brewing Company, aka Slumbrew, will be temporarily bringing back its outdoor beer garden at Assembly Row. “We’ll be back this summer with outdoor drinking and dining right at Assembly Row,” said cofounder Caitlin Jewell in a Facebook live video today. “We have bands and bocce and fun.” The beer garden, which was open in warmer seasons and covered up by a tent in colder seasons, was around for nearly three years before shutting down in fall 2017. A couple months later, Somerville Brewing Company opened up a full-service restaurant and bar, American Fresh Brewhouse, just down the block at 490 Foley St. in Assembly Row. Plus, there’s also the original Somerville Brewing location, a brewery and taproom in Somerville’s Boynton Yards neighborhood, right by Union Square (15 Ward St.)

In a Facebook thread, Jewell mentioned that this time around the beer garden will have “no tent, just fresh air.” She also noted that the “current plan” is that it’s just coming back for this upcoming warm season; the land is still slated to be built upon — part of Assembly Row’s seemingly never-ending development — but plans got delayed by a year.

Another beer update elsewhere in Somerville: On March 3, Winter Hill Brewing Co.(328 Broadway, Winter Hill, Somerville)will introduce its new milk stout, Large Iced Regular. The name — and the winter release date — is an homage to New Englanders’ year-round iced coffee obsession, and the stout is infused with Counter Culture Hologram coffee. In honor of the release, the brewery will be serving a special Union Square Donuts doughnut on March 3, while supplies last; the doughnut glaze is made using the beer.

February 16, 2018

Pretty Things [official photo]

Pretty Things’ Fluffy White Rabbits

BOSTON — Boston Beer Co., which is behind Samuel Adams beer as well as Angry Orchard hard cider, Twisted Tea, and other alcoholic beverages, has a new president: Dave Burwick, who will leave his position of CEO of Peet’s Coffee for the job. He’s also been a member of Boston Beer Co.’s board of directors for over a decade. Burwick succeeds longtime president and CEO Martin Roper. Meanwhile, Boston Beer Co. founder and chairman Jim Koch will continue to hold those positions.

EVERYWHERE — In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, female brewers nationwide — including plenty in Massachusetts — will be brewing beers made with a special Pink Boots blend of hops, named for the Pink Boots organization, which supports women in beer-related careers. (Sales of the hops go to the organization.) Keep an eye out for all the Pink Boots beers appearing at breweries around town later this year.

THE UK — At last, the news that Pretty Things’ rabid Boston fanbase has been waiting for! Well, not exactly. Pretty Things founders Dann and Martha Holley-Paquette have a new brewery project in the works, but it’s all the way overseas in Sheffield, England. The popular Somerville-based Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project ended in late 2015 after a seven-year run; the website, which is still live, describes it as “now an ex-project.”

“We always intended to end it on our terms, and we are happy to have done so,” the duo wrote on their website. “That’s why it was a project!”

The new project will be a microbrewery on the site of the Old Dairy, which, as its name suggests, was once a milk and cheese processing plant. The Holley-Paquettes will reportedly “produce craft beer in bottles and kegs for sale to wholesale customers.”

February 8, 2018

Trillium Brewing Company [official photo]

BOSTON / CANTON — No, a Trillium Brewing Company (369 Congress St., Boston; 110 Shawmut Rd., Canton)truck didn’t get “Storrowed” — that was just a fun bit of Photoshop in order to promote the brewery’s new release, a double IPA called Storrowed. The company describes it as having a “dank nose of sweaty pineapple, mangosteen, and stone fruit [and] intensely juicy flavors of overripe mango, pear flesh, notes of grapefruit pith, and a background hit of raw sugar.” For those who don’t understand the term “Storrowed,” just heed the road signs that prohibit trucks from driving on Storrow Drive. Don’t be that truck that gets stuck at the overpass. You will get stuck.

CAMBRIDGE — Lamplighter Brewing Company (284 Broadway) officially debuts its new back taproom today, February 9, doubling the brewery’s capacity and allowing it to host more private and public events. And it’s got a really great mural.

HAMPTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE — Smuttynose Brewing Company (105 Towle Farm Rd.), which has been a big name in New England’s craft beer world for more than two decades, is for sale. In a note shared by owners Peter Egelston and Joanne Francis on social media and the Smuttynose website, the duo writes: “At this time, in order for our company to continue on the path we embarked on back in 1994, Smuttynose needs someone who can provide financial resources that will move the company forward…We’re strongly committed to making sure this transition is as smooth as possible, and to help the company’s new owner or partner embark on a successful next chapter for Smuttynose and its wonderful staff. We want to emphasize Smuttynose Brewing company is open, brewing our fine beers daily and serving delicious food at Hayseed Restaurant. Many of you have asked how you can help…keep drinking Smuttynose brews and send your rich aunt or uncle our way!”

ROSLINDALE — Distraction Brewing Company (2 Belgrade Ave.) is a big step closer to opening; the brewery has secured its TTB license, meaning that the federal government recognizes it as a brewery. “In other words, we’re one step closer to transforming this raw, beautiful space into a place where our fellow Rozzidents can kick back and enjoy our beer,” the brewery wrote on Facebook late last month. “Still plenty of work to do. But we can’t wait to get our hands dirty.”

WEYMOUTH — There’s a Kickstarter campaign underway to help fund the building of an “epic taproom” for Article Fifteen Brewing (835 Washington St.), a “veteran-owned nano-brewery” that is currently in the buildout phase. The campaign ends in 10 days, and there’s about $4000 left to raise by then. The team has a lease, brewing equipment, and funds to help with the buildout but is seeking a little bit of help to get to the next step of the process. When Article Fifteen opens, it’ll serve beer “inspired by a love of hops and a proud tradition of military, fire, and medical service.”

WORCESTER — Founded in 2014, 3cross Brewing Company (4 Knowlton Ave.) made a change recently: It’s now 3cross Fermentation Cooperative. As the name suggests, it’s now a coop, owned by workers and customers (the first community-owned brewery in the state), and it’s expanding its focus beyond beer to other fermented products.

[comicsbeat]

We’re back with more thoughts on the state of the comics industry, news and inspirations. Thanks to the creators from all over the industry who took the time to participate at the busiest time of the year- you’ll find some thoughtful perspectives in the comments below – and as always a lot of sneak news.

And check out Part One and Part Two 

James Romberger, cartoonist

2018 Projects: Post York (a lot of pages for #2 collected with #1 in book form). Also, Between Acts, a collection of my short solo stories. And, I have completed Steranko:The Self Created Man and am shopping it.

What was the biggest story of 2017? The mainstream doing their usual death dive of ineptitude and irrelevancy, and dragging their asses re: sexual harassment etc.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? The mainstream doing everything in their power to shrink the audience for comics.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: Watching my students at various schools make beautiful and inspiring comics, knowing full well that I am basically teaching them how to starve.

Who or what inspires you? I can’t name anyone and found this year to be underwhelming, which is to be expected given the current focus on graphic novels, which need a very long gestation and process time.

 Jim Ottaviani, writer

2018 Projects: I’m not sure what (if anything) will appear in 2018, but 2019 might be big-ish, with graphic novels about Stephen Hawking and women astronauts and maybe even one more tumbling out into the world.

What was the biggest story of 2017? Much the same as in the rest of the world: #MeToo, with the resulting too-long-delayed ousting of a highly placed predator and the naming of many others.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? As the saying goes, prediction is difficult, especially about the future. So, I’ll pass!

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: Taking a weekend off from writing.

Who or what inspires you? It’s still the MARCH team for me; I got to see them speak, and they all inspired me.

Shaenon K. Garrity, cartoonist

2018 Projects: As always, I draw and co-write the daily strip “Skin Horse” (skin-horse.com) with Jeffrey Wells. My old strip, Narbonic, is getting a second printing thanks to a very successful Kickstarter campaign. I’m working on another comic strip, but I can’t talk about it yet. In the world outside of comics, I’m starting a blog for 2018 called Horror Every Day, in which I provide the correct horror movie to watch for every day of the year. For example, on International Left Handers Day you watch “Evil Dead.”

What was the biggest story of 2017? It’s possible we’re not cool with sexual harassment anymore? Pretty good if true.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? Bitcoins and sex robots. Sorry, I mean comics about bitcoins and sex robots.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: Watching enough horror movies to recommend one for every day of the year.

Who or what inspires you? Jason Shiga. He has no limits. He does not.

Van Jensen, writer

2018 Projects:  with Dennis Calero, from Dynamite Entertainment. Two Dead with Nate Powell, from Simon & Schuster. Captain Canuck, from Chapterhouse. Some other comics and film stuff to be announced.

What was the biggest story of 2017? Like everywhere, the misdeeds of men in position of power. And the world finally paying attention.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? I’ve heard that a lot of comic shops are suffering, and I’m worried that where the market is right now, that’s going to lead to more shops going out of business.

Keiler Roberts, cartoonist

2018 Projects: paintings 

What was the biggest story of 2017? Emil Ferris’ total domination of the comics world!

What will be the biggest story of 2018? The biggest story will be about the massive increase in comics sales after Mayo Clinic proves they are better for your heath than yoga and sunlight.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: staying home

Who or what inspires you? Mimi Pond. I really enjoyed reading The Customer is Always Wrong.

Jimmy Palmiotti, writer/editor

2018 Projects: Only creator owned- first out of the gate a kickstarter for a hardcover graphic novel called KILLING TIME IN AMERICA. Then on to Captain Brooklyn and a few other projects.

What was the biggest story of 2017? For me, It was the lack of power the internet has on sales. With all the noise the internet and people make about certain comic books, I found it amazing how most of the time it never really translates to the sales it should. We have seen a ton of books that people go on and on about get cancelled because of terrible sales and not finding their supposed audience in trades. There are exceptions, but for the most part, this is the year where the sales are slowly killing the business and once again I find peoples buying habits still locked in blind company loyalty, sadly. I will never understand this- being someone that buys a book by the creator’s names and not always the character. I always hope, each year, this changes.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? Creators once again getting frustrated by the Big companies not doing everything they can to involve them in the process, and benefits of their work on the page and beyond, and them going elsewhere to do their own thing and control the rights to their creations.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: Not working for others as much and getting some of the ideas Amanda and I have been sitting on out there into the world.

Who or what inspires you? Amanda Conner always. She has a joy to her work that reminds me why comics are so much fun.

Josh Bayer, artist/editor

2018 Projects: Unnamed Theth Sequel, All Time Comics Issue 6 out Feb 2018, and All Time Comics Season 2 out 2019. Rom1&2 recolored rerelease.

What was the biggest story of 2017? Women dominating narrative comics. Most of the effective comics I saw this year came from women.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? Thousands of would-be-cartoonists letting their dreams become eclipsed by the siren call of reality and the time suck of jobs and family.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: I dont really believe in guilty pleasure when it comes to art and comics. (Maybe Family Guy and the Orville though. )

Who or what inspires you? Tom Hart forever.

Stuart Moore, writer/editor

2018 Projects: CAPTAIN GINGER – SEE BELOW. Art by June Brigman. Inks by Roy Richardson, color by Veronica Gandini.

Mysterious Project X Mysterious Project Y Mysterious Project Z

What was the biggest story of 2017? The wave of mega-mergers affecting the largest entertainment companies in America.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? The rise of smaller companies to fill the gaps left by the mega-mergers.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: More STAR TREK: DISCOVERY.

Who or what inspires you? Tom King, Brian K. Vaughan

Sean Kelley McKeever, writer

2018 Projects: Multiple comics & games to be announced in 2018. What was the biggest story of 2017? For a long time, we mourned the death of the midlist. Now the midlist is back, but its resurrection appears to be at the cost of the frontlist. What will be the biggest story of 2018? I don’t want it to be about losing local comics shops, and I hope it will be about Marvel’s sales resurgence. A healthy Marvel & DC allow an eclectic commercial ecosystem to thrive. Guilty Pleasure of 2018: It’s a guilty pleasure because it’s 100% self-serving: my first new comics since 2011 will be in stores in 2018. Who or what inspires you? Greg Pak is an excellent beacon of creator and comics evangelism. We need more of us out there on social media pointing our followers to who and what we love about the artform.

Raina Telgemeier is comics’ greatest superstar, almost singlehandedly responsible for creating a new generation of comics fans and creators and dreamers.

Kelly Sue DeConnick, writer

2018 Projects: Bitch Planet Vol. 3, Pretty Deadly Vol. 3

What was the biggest story of 2017? Bendis going to DC.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? I’d love to be wrong, but I’m afraid it might be the contraction of the Direct Market.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: The JoCo Cruise.

Who or what inspires you? The Billy Ireland Museum isn’t either a comic or a cartoonist, but my visit there was a profoundly moving and inspiring experience.

Gary Tyrrell, journalist

What was the biggest story of 2017? Abuse of privilege — milkshakes, Berganza, Cebulski, etc.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? I think Iron Circus is breaking out in 2018-19.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: I will have no guilt whatsoever regarding the coming White House perp walk.

Who or what inspires you? Kate Beaton took a horrifically terrible family tragedy and asked how she could help other people in similar situations that don’t have her reach. Lucy Bellwood is heading up a relief effort for Ojai, CA. More creators than I can count raised money for Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and other organizations in opposition to the regressive wave in politics. Matt Furie sued an alt-righter over his appropriation of Pepe, and it appears he’s not done. A lot of people are doing their best to make the world less cruel, less greedy, less hateful. More power to them.

Alex Lu, journalist

2018 Projects: Beat 4.0 and a couple of unannounced editing projects

What was the biggest story of 2017? The #MeToo movement bringing increased scrutiny to sexual harassment in comics

What will be the biggest story of 2018? How distribution channels in the market continue to shift

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: I feel 0% guilty about it, but digging through more classic Jack Kirby titles

Who or what inspires you? I couldn’t find it in me to sit through the peerless tragedy of Rosalie Lightning when it came out last year, but I managed to do so this year and found something sublime.

Ben Towle, cartoonist/educator

2018 Projects: I’ve delayed the planned launch of my new comic, In the Weeds, until next year owing to a rare fit of good sense and advance planning: instead of doing it chapter by chapter, I’ve decided to pencil the entire story in advance. I’m about half-way through and my main project for 2018 will be completing the other half. A few penciled pages:

What was the biggest story of 2017? I don’t know if it’s necessarily a “story” in the news sense of the word, but the conclusion of Providence. This series seems set to be Alan Moore’s comics industry swan song and is, in my opinion, his late-era masterpiece. Given what an important figure Moore is, I was surprised at how little attention this series received.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? Con-pocalypse! We are clearly in the midst of a “con bubble” that’s gonna burst soon. The number and frequency of comics/pop culture conventions currently happening just isn’t sustainable. I think we’re going to see a significant number of these start to go belly-up in 2018.

Who or what inspires you? I’m always inspired by Steve Ditko, who at age 90 is still steadily cranking out exactly the kind of comics he wants to be making. In 2017 he successfully Kickstarted at least three comics–maybe four?

Patrick Crotty, publisher Peow Studios

2018 Projects: New books together with Zainab Akhtar editing with the Peow team.

What was the biggest story of 2017? Patreon changes and how this type of service affects so many comic artists. It’s kind of a wake up call that should motivate people to try and figure things out for the better.

What will be the biggest story of 2018? Dunno! I’m no psychic.

Guilty Pleasure of 2018: I’m only reading manga because its more exciting.

Who or what inspires you? Ryoko Kui, Delicious in dungeon is fantastic.

The Beat’s Annual Creator Survey, 2018 Edition, Part Three: “I’ve heard that a lot of comic shops are suffering” We're back with more thoughts on the state of the comics industry, news and inspirations. Thanks to the creators from all over the industry who took the time to participate at the busiest time of the year- you'll find some thoughtful perspectives in the comments below - and as always a lot of sneak news.

[usuallypleasantprince]

Read Revived (Revved #2)(6) online free by Samantha Towle

Revived (Revved #2)(6) Author: Samantha Towle

Kit’s job exposes him to a lot of beautiful women. He’s a model.

When Jett was a few months old, Kit started modeling part-time to make more money when he wasn’t working seasonal construction jobs. His money helped me pay the bills. From the compensation I had received from the courts after what had happened with Jett’s father, I didn’t have a lot leftover after paying for the house and using the rest to put myself through school while I also worked part-time in a supermarket.

I owe my brother everything. He’s sacrificed so much for Jett and me.

As time has gone on, Kit’s gotten larger campaigns, some that take him out of the country, but we always make it work to ensure one of us is here for Jett. If a job doesn’t fit with our schedules, Kit doesn’t take it. He’s in the position now where he can pick and choose his jobs.

Putting my slice down on the napkin, I take a drink of my much-needed wine.

After my session with Leandro Silva—which was definitely enlightening and very interesting—I took a frantic call from Sarah, another one of my patients. She’s having a really tough time at the moment.

Three years ago, Sarah broke things off with her boyfriend. He stalked her for months, and one night, he broke into her home while she was sleeping and raped her in her bed.

He went to prison for his crime. But he’s now out on parole... Read here: Read Revived (Revved #2)(6) online free by Samantha Towle

[junker-town]

Steve Addazio’s Boston College desperately needs an offensive turnaround

Becoming good might take a while. Can the Eagles become watchable?

Aesthetics matter. Without them, you could make a case that Addazio is one of the country’s more underrated coaches.

Addazio inherited a crumbling Boston College — the Eagles’ win total had fallen for five consecutive years when he arrived, a really difficult accomplishment — and has taken his team to three bowls in four years. After a one-year setback, his 2016 charges more than doubled their win total and earned the program’s first bowl win since 2007.

BC’s attendance, however, lays out like a program in decline.

Home attendance, 2007-08 (record: 20-8 | coach: Jeff Jagodzinski): 41,513

Home attendance, 2009-10 (record: 15-11 | Frank Spaziani): 37,042

Home attendance, 2011-12 (record: 6-18 | Spaziani): 36,364

Home attendance, 2013-14 (record: 14-12 | Addazio): 33,638

Home attendance, 2015-16 (record: 10-15 | Addazio): 31,181

The slide has not abated, even though the rate of losses has turned around somewhat.

We know attendance is on the decline throughout college football, and that can explain part of what has basically been a 25 percent drop for BC. But aesthetics help.

Ten years ago, BC reached No. 2 in the country. Senior Matt Ryan threw 47 times per game, and six different players caught at least 30 balls. The Eagles upset Viginia Tech and Clemson on the road to secure the ACC Atlantic title, then beat Michigan State in the Champs Sports bowl to finish 11-3 and 10th in the AP poll.

Ryan finished 2007 with 4,507 passing yards and seventh in Heisman voting. Over the last three seasons, BC quarterbacks have combined to throw for 4,807 yards. That’s 300 more yards ... in 24 more games.

Now, that’s fine if you’re operating out of a dynamic rushing attack. But in 2007, BC running backs rushed 327 times for 1,430 yards; in 2016, BC backs rushed 388 times for 1,427 yards.

Let me commend BC for having what was, according to Off. S&P+, the fifth-worst offense in FBS, but still reaching a bowl. That’s really tricky to pull off. The Eagles beat four awful teams (UMass, Wagner, Buffalo, UConn) and upset NC State and Wake Forest to eke out a bid, then turned great field position and a fumble return touchdown into a 36-30 win over Maryland.

Basically, they had a chance in eight of 13 games and won seven of those eight. And good for them. But on paper, they were worse than the 3-9 squad of 2015. Their defense was still strong after losing coordinator Don Brown to Michigan, but it slipped from second in Def. S&P+ to 21st; meanwhile, an offense that had bottomed out in 2015 (125th in Off. S&P+) barely improved. This was a run-first, run-second team that couldn’t run.

Wins only matter so much if you’re hurting your fans’ eyeballs. Because BC still had an efficient defense, Eagles games featured a non-stop barrage of three-and-outs. At least, as long as they weren’t playing somebody good. In four games against S&P+ top-20 teams, BC got outscored, 202-24.

Outside of quarterback, the Eagles’ experience level is relatively high. They return their top two rushers, top five receiving targets, four offensive line starters (plus graduate transfer Marcell Lazard, a part-time starter at WVU), four of six on the defensive line (including Harold Landry, maybe the best end in the country), three of four at linebacker, and five of six at defensive back. The defense will be strong. The offense will run and punt a lot. Supposedly offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler wants to experiment with tempo, which is a fine idea ... if you’re moving the chains.

The major difference this fall is that the schedule gets more difficult. In 2016, BC feasted on four opponents that were either FCS or ranked in the 120s; in 2017, only three project worse than 70th.

S&P+ gives the Eagles a greater than 32 percent chance in only five games this year. To reach another bowl, they’ll have to win every semi-winnable game and at least one big upset.

I enjoy being wrong, and I enjoy out-of-nowhere rebounds. But it appears the odds are stacked against Addazio this season.

2016 in review

2016 BC statistical profile.

BC opponents fell into three pools, with distant space between each. You’re expected to fare better against bad foes than good ones, but the difference for the Eagles was drastic.

BC vs. S&P+ top 25 (1-4): Avg. percentile performance: 19% (~top 105) | Avg. yards per play: Opp 6.7, BC 3.5 | Avg. score: Opp 43, BC 9

BC vs. No. 45-87 (2-2): Avg. percentile performance: 38% (~top 80) | Avg. yards per play: Opp 5.3, BC 4.9 | Avg. score: Opp 22, BC 22

BC vs. No. 117+ (4-0): Avg. percentile performance: 78% (~top 30) | Avg. yards per play: BC 5.0, Opp 2.1 | Avg. score: BC 33, Opp 5

You’ll rarely see splits this large. Top-25 opponents averaged 451 yards per game against the Eagles, and the four opponents at the bottom gained 417 yards, total. The offense was far below average against bad opponents, but scored more than enough.

If BC could physically dominate you, you had no chance. But there was no Plan B.

Offense

Full advanced stats glossary.

BC’s offense has been so awful that it’s almost jarring to remember the Eagles had a Heisman finalist not even four years ago. In 2013, Andre Williams powered an attack that ranked 30th in Off. S&P+; in 2014, without Williams, the combination of quarterback Tyler Murphy and freshman grinder Jon Hilliman kept the Eagles at 50th.

In 2015, BC fell straight to the bottom. Three different freshman quarterbacks struggled, Hilliman got hurt, nobody caught more than 17 passes, and the Eagles crashed.

Sensing a problem, Addazio brought in Loeffler, which makes you wonder if he understood the problem.

Loeffler’s reputation as an OC is unfair. HIs biggest problem seems to be that he can’t say no to impossible jobs. In the last six seasons, he has been brought in for turnaround/salvage jobs at Temple (2011, with Addazio), Auburn (2012), Virginia Tech (2013), and BC (2016).

Average Off. S&P+ ranking for those schools in the pre-Loeffler year: 86.0

Average Off. S&P+ ranking in Loeffler’s first season: 88.0

Virginia Tech and BC basically remained the same with Loeffler in charge, Temple improved a bit, and Auburn plummeted. His next top-50 offense will be his first. And if he pulls off a top-50 ranking this fall, triple his salary.

Loeffler will at least have a more experienced set of personnel.

Hilliman is back and might be healthy for the first time since basically 2014. And after averaging a ghastly 2.95 yards per carry last year, his numbers have nowhere to go but up. And big, well-touted freshman AJ Dillon could challenge for carries.

Leading receiver (and former quarterback) Jeff Smith is in his second year as a wideout and was already BC’s most dangerous weapon. Speedy junior Michael Walker and big senior Charlie Callinan combined for 58 catches last year as well, and redshirt freshmen Christian McStravick and Kobay White and sophomores Chris Garrison and Nolan Borgersen give Eagles depth they haven’t had.

Tight end Tommy Sweeney averaged 13.6 yards per catch and easily had the best success rate of the primary receiving weapons.

Including Lazard, the line has six players who have combined for 87 career starts.

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Jon Hilliman

Experience can be a major weapon if players are developing, and there are at least a couple of exciting skill guys.

Great, so what about that quarterback position? In the last two seasons, five different players have thrown at least 49 passes, but of the five, Patrick Towles (graduated), Smith (changed positions), and Troy Flutie (changed positions) are no longer on the QB depth chart, and junior John Fadule (walk-on who played in 2015 because there was no choice) probably won’t be. So that leaves Darius Wade and some newbies.

Wade and mid-three-star redshirt freshman Anthony Brown battled for the job this spring, but while it was assumed Brown would win — from a fan perspective, the new guy with question marks is always better than the old guy with question marks — Wade more than held his own.

Wade appeared to have some “QB of the future” potential in 2015 before he got hurt, but he just got a smattering of reps backing up graduate transfer Towles. There were rumors of a transfer, but Wade staked his claim to finally becoming a full-time starter.

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Darius Wade

So, about the tempo thing. BC utilized it against an unsuspecting Maryland in the Quick Lane Bowl and saw some success — 40 plays, 29 points in the first half — but it was marginal. The Eagles scored three times on drives that began in Terrapin territory, and two quick-strike touchdown drives were offset by a quick three-and-out and a quicker turnover on downs.

Still, an identity is important, and if a Wade-Hilliman run game is able to move the chains, working with tempo can maximize matchup advantages and wear on a defense.

But if you’re not moving the chains, you’re just wearing on your own defense. That’s a massive risk here.

Defense

Jim Reid took on an impossible task. The veteran coach was asked to succeed Brown after the 2015 Eagle defense had been a work of brutal art, ranking first in success rate allowed, second in Rushing S&P+, and third in Def. S&P+ despite getting no support from its offense. There was no way to avoid regression.

(There might have been a slight correlation between defensive success and offensive ineptitude. An opponent isn’t going to empty its offensive playbook when it doesn’t fear that your offense is going to score. As you grow more threatening on offense, opponents might try to do more.)

Despite losing three key members of an incredibly disruptive front seven, Reid was able to maintain BC’s identity. BC ranked third in success rate, eighth in Rushing S&P+, and 21st overall (not to mention second in havoc rate).

But the glitches were a little more costly. The Eagles went from allowing 19 gains of 30-plus yards in 2015 (14th in FBS) to allowing 32 (89th), and that extra big play per game contributed to allowing 9.7 more points per game. BC was as efficient as ever, but the big plays carried a little more magnitude.

Experience in the secondary should smooth out wrinkles. Only safety John Johnson departs, and senior corners Kamrin Moore, Isaac Yiadom, and Gabriel McClary are among the best in the conference, and junior Lukas Denis capable of taking over for Johnson.

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Isaac Yiadom

BC was a little lucky from an injuries standpoint, and Reid didn’t employ a large rotation, so we don’t know about depth. But if the secondary’s fine, the odds are good that the front seven will be, too.

When you’ve got Landry, your ceiling is high no matter who else is involved. The senior end recorded 22 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, five passes defensed, and a nation’s-best seven forced fumbles.

Landry was the primary reason BC ranked first in line havoc rate, and while a couple of battery mates have graduated, junior ends Zach Allen and Wyatt Ray (combined: 17 TFLs, 10.5 sacks) and tackles Ray Smith and Noa Merritt are back, and middle linebacker Connor Strachan is a good mess-cleaner. The senior had 11 TFLs and 3.5 sacks of his own, and Ty Schwab and Sharrieff Grice appear solid.

For the most part, Addazio utilizes redshirts, both to maintain depth and make BC as big and physical as possible. This has not worked on offense, but the defense has benefited. It’ll get a test in 2018, when Landry, Strachan, Schwab, Moore, Yiadom, and McClary are gone, and we’ll see what happens if there’s a run of injuries. But this miniature golden era for BC’s defense should continue.

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Connor Strachan

Special Teams

Place kicking and punting hold the heaviest weight in the Special Teams S&P+ equation, and that was a problem for BC. The Eagles missed three PATs and went 1-for-3 on field goals over 40 yards, and place-kicker/punter Mike Knoll averaged just 38.3 yards per kick and ranked 122nd in punt efficiency. That doomed them to a poor rating despite the fact that Myles Willis and Tyler Rouse were a tremendous return combination, and kick coverage was decent.

Knoll’s return might or might not be a good thing, but the loss of both Willis and Rouse is definitely bad.

2017 outlook

2017 Schedule & Projection Factors

Date Opponent Proj. S&P+ Rk Proj. Margin Win Probability 1-Sep at Northern Illinois 86 1.4 53% 9-Sep Wake Forest 64 -2.4 44% 16-Sep Notre Dame 17 -14.7 20% 23-Sep at Clemson 6 -27.3 6% 30-Sep Central Michigan 97 8.8 70% 7-Oct Virginia Tech 25 -11.0 26% 14-Oct at Louisville 14 -23.0 9% 21-Oct at Virginia Tech 25 -16.0 18% 27-Oct Florida State 3 -25.7 7% 11-Nov N.C. State 27 -9.4 29% 18-Nov at Connecticut 125 11.5 75% 25-Nov at Syracuse 60 -8.0 32%

Projected S&P+ Rk 76 Proj. Off. / Def. Rk 121 / 19 Projected wins 3.9 Five-Year S&P+ Rk 0.3 (65) 2- and 5-Year Recruiting Rk 71 / 66 2016 TO Margin / Adj. TO Margin* 7 / 4.8 2016 TO Luck/Game +0.8 Returning Production (Off. / Def.) 69% (67%, 72%) 2016 Second-order wins (difference) 5.9 (1.1)

The schedule is the thing. Boston College returns enough on both offense and defense to lead you to believe both units could improve. S&P+ projects the Eagles to improve by 10 spots overall.

But ...

they face road trips to Clemson and Louisville, both projected in the top 25.

they host Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Florida State, and NC State, all projected in the top 30.

of the four opponents projected 70th or worse, BC hosts only one.

That’s rough. It means that the Eagles not only have to improve; they have to improve a lot.

How’s that supposed to happen? Landry, Strachan, and company will assure BC’s defense remains tenacious, but unless an offense with a new quarterback and a new tempo proves capable of scoring in the 20s against good teams, that defense will be mostly for naught.

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