#perfect isaac design imo

[ender-goo]

This came to me in a dream, Peacemaker and his butt-ugly (/aff) adopted child Isaac

[floaromaxtowns]

Isaac would've been the best part of CV anime if they didn't butcher his entire character, design or story

Hm, I can see your frustration towards the show. Which, I don't blame you for feeling such way since the show sold itself as an adaptation of CV3 & CoD. But in the end, that's not really what we got. That's most certainly disappointing, if that's what you were expecting out of it.

I'm mostly neutral and indifferent towards the show, I've watched it with an open mind and with low expectations to find much of the games outside of those two entires. I always saw Netflixvania as something on its own. IMO, I don't think that Castlevania would have enough material or things, for an animated serie of that size to work with, more specifically that period of the timeline (Castlevania didn't start investing on a story, until RoB/SOTN). The show as a whole hasn't done anything groundbreaking, and at the same time it hasn't damaged what we previously had. We can always return to the games, and ignore the animated show just fine. No one, aside from Konami itself, has a saying about the story/characters in there.

To me, Netflixvania is just there. I guess I'm just happy, more people are aware of Castlevania's existence. That's going to be a lot of people's introduction to the franchise (since God knows when Konami, will release another mainline game💀), even if I don't think it truly represents Castlevania. Regardless of it all, it's what we got and even if it were perfect, it would never replace the game's canon & true version of the story/events/characters.

In regards to Isaac, in specific. I have never played Curse of Darkness, and have only briefly read some things about it. So, I was never entirely familiar with either Hector and Isaac. However, I'll admit I found it weird that in the show, they got both mixed up. As in... They swapped roles and personalities. It was an odd decision, that worked for the show's favor (although, knowing the kind of crowd that Netflix's series tends to attract. I can see why they would probably go with that route, for him. Don't want to deal with Twitter's keyboard warrior mob 💀).

All in all, if I were to directly compare them, I'd agree wih you anon. Even I, someone who hasn't played the game he appeared in, can say how much more striking and memorable he is than his show's counterpart.

The animated Isaac only works, within the show's context, he is our saving grace from all the garbage surrounding it, because he doesn't stand a chance next to his original version.

[thirdmagic]

anyway now that i'm finally back on browser and can write long posts, full spoilery thoughts on rise of skywalker

i had a lot of time to think about it and honestly the more i did the more i went from 'i liked and was ok with most of it until the ending' and now the more i actually thought about it the more it progressed to 'actually, i kind of hate it, and there are individual moments that are very good that i love and then the ending ruins that too and now it rings horribly hollow and now i'm just sad and disappointed and also baffled at this whole movie'

first of all, the good part is: REYLO REYLO REYLO REYLO REYLO REYLO REYLO R E Y L O

i admit i had a very embarrassing reaction of pure unfiltered joy when they kissed because it was such a perfect moment, but also, in general? all the bits involving these two were easily the strongest and the most compelling. a lot of other very stupid bad moments tangled in between, but on the whole, when it was just them, their dynamic, their force bond, it was really intense and spicy and so resonant and beautiful all at one. i love them so so so much. their dynamic is SO juicy and good, their fights were amazing and gorgeous and also spicy and intense, and then the bits of palpatine fight where they interact without any words and just look at each other and you can just tell exactly what's going on without them even needing to say anything, the way they smile at each other and the love in their eyes, the tenderness in every motion, the encouragement when they see each other through the force bond in the middle of the ritual and rey just knows.... these moments are some of the best filmmaking in this whole movie.

unfortunately that was also when we got the bizzare exposition dump on her dumb backstory retcon that's very very delicately done so as to still be consistent with tlj and and this brings me to rey palpatine, which, on the one hand, is kind of the only rey heritage theory i'd ever accept and (ironically) the lesser of several evils that the heritage theories are, but also the undoing of what was really, really compelling in tlj about rey nobody and the horrible waste of potential that came from rey being a Nobody McNothing, her search for identity and ultimately accepting that it doesn't actually make her lesser as a human being, the potential that this movie is when she'll face her insecurities and emptiness and accept herself and find and forge her own path.... and also honestly it's dumb. it's really really dumb. if it had been built up to in any way in any of these movies, that would be one thing, and i actually find a lot of rey's struggles really interesting in concept but just awful and messy and forced in execution, and the idea of rey struggling with being good against an evil legacy and her own darkness is really compelling too, but rey doesn't need to be a palpatine or to want revenge on her actually good parents when being abandoned and alone her whole life is a very very good reason for her to have anger and hatred and darkness to struggle with. it also implies that she's evil because her great grandpa who she never met is evil and because genetics as opposed to like....... again, being abandoned and sold by two asshole jerk parents and having to repress the awful trauma of that her whole life and being unable to come to terms with it, which was interesting, and powerful, and very very real, and then it just throws away a really compelling set up for something really boring and bad. and then an ending for her that has no impact or emotional resonance and makes no sense and isn't in the least bit satisfying.

i will say though that i love love LOVE the dark rey fight, it was a vision but in the exact right Symbolic way, i loved rey struggling with her darkness in theory and it was the one and only part that was executed well, it was truly something that felt like it belonged here, it was eerie and intense and good. and unfortunately not properly followed on in any interesting way.

there were a few jokes that i liked and found funny! the way c3po says 'irony, sir' when poe asks him 'why can you not talk when we NEED you to' has me losing my shit, that was great, and also poe lighting the flashlight when rey uses her lightsaber as one was also hilarious. in general there were definitely a few actually purposefully funny moments that i liked.

ben's whole storyline up til the end was the only thing that really felt consistent and on track imo, a few missteps but mostly stayed solid, and I was very happy to get my bendemption. i can't describe how emotional i got at the scene with han and him throwing away his evil red saber and him calling han 'dad', and the force awakens callback-- i don't know why han is back as a ghost or if that's just a symbolic illusion or whatever, i don't care. adam driver is magnificent, and seeing him as ben again, seeing him comfortable with himself, and happy, on the light side, being playful while fighting and messing with the knights of ren because he’s so powerful and confident in his power, was worth everything. if there's one thing this movie really did right is that it made me suddenly realize that i actually love kylo-ben and also made me realize that i was so much more invested in his happiness than i thought, and unfortunately it made me realize this right as the story gave him maybe a few minutes or seconds of real joy and a beautiful sincere happy smile and then killed him off, and that's when i felt my soul being crushed.

look, i don't have tragic endings, okay, i don't hate even bittersweet endings, the purpose of an ending is to be satisfying and wrap up and tie together all the story strands in a way that makes sense for the story. that's not what this was. i would be willing to forgive the fact that the rest of the movie was a big stupid mess if it had just given the whole saga a proper ending, if it had been like umineko episode 8 which is also a big mess but with a perfect, beautiful, satisfying ending for the entire vn. but instead this just ruined everything, and made me feel miserable, hollow, and sad. this specific story, and trilogy, and nine part saga, did not need that kind of ending. we had a tragic and bittersweet ending for the first two, a happy ending to redeem all the misery of the skywalkers would have felt sincere instead of saccharine because you feel that they fought for it. and it would be a good complement to the rest of the movies and the message. instead we have two people who have both been lonely and emotionally isolated their entire lives finding solace and happiness and comfort in each other, finally finding a true connection and someone who understands them, but only getting to be together for all five minutes before the story rips them apart. and for what? what is this trying to say? what is the point? what is the point of doing that to either of them? how does this serve the story? what is the purpose of this? the tragedy and the depressing ending of the prequels is purposeful and intended and is done to make a point, because it's the story of a fall from the very start, by design, by its very premise. the tragedy of umineko is purposeful and done to make a point because it is about how these tragedies happen, and why, and the human behaviors that lead to them. how is it a good ending and how does it serve and complement anything in the rest of the saga to have one tragedy and one happy story with a bittersweet ending be concluded with a hollow pretension of a happy ending where one main character is miserable his entire life and dies when he’s still young after only a taste of the happiness that’s been denied to him, and the other loses her soulmate and is alone and surrounded by people who she herself said don't really know and understand her? taking on the name of a more famous family as if that's the only way she can forge and identity and meaning for herself?

ben's death actually had me so down and so sad i can't even be angry, honestly. the rest of the movie was full of dumb shit, it's like 80% mcguffin chasing with barley any actual character development or any substance and meat to it, rey-finn-poe have no chemistry because they were never supposed to have because they were never meant to be the trio of the movies until oscar isaac convinced jj to let poe live and that messed everything up because the thematic trio of these movies is finn-rey-ben, rose being sidelined because we need to please the racists who are threatened by her existence i guess and her relationship to finn ignored, the absolute waste of all the new characters and the incredibly stupid hux reveal that's also for naught right afterwards, rey's force lightning, the chewie death fakeout, the entire final battle being a big mess, finn not doing anything interesting or meaningful, the general weird bizarre baffling writing and dialogue choices and how it reads and plays out like something completely disconnected from not just the rest of the trilogy but the entire 9 movies and feels like a messy rough draft that a completed screenplay, and the all over the place pacing and everything... i would have accepted this is a weird, entertaining, fun movie if it weren't for the horribly depressing ending that makes what the creators apparently thinks is a happy ending ring terribly hollow and make me unable to find any joy in it. it's just so depressing i don't have the energy to even be fired up about hating it and i sincerely cannot for the life of me understand why it went this way. how is 'if you're miserable your entire life and make bad choices because of it your only way to redeem yourself is to sacrifice your life and have your one chance at happiness taken away from you because you don't deserve to live past your attempts to fix your mistakes and don't get to have a better life for your efforts'? how is that supposed to mesh with the rest of the story? how is that hopeful or uplifting or anything this saga is supposed to be? what even is this movie about other than the old and tried and redone ten million times 'believe in yourself and the friends you made along the way' message that means nothing at this point?

so yeah. thing bad. and i don’t even have the energy to be salty or angry. i’m just sad and disappointed and depressed about it all. and you know, coming from me, i’m very lenient and can find the good in nearly anything and can appreciate a lot of flawed and otherwise messy media for what it tries to do and for the good it does have. i love all the movies in the saga and i’m still a prequel fan. and the fact that i found this to be so disappointing and unsalvageable and tried to be positive about it and failed should tell you something. 

anyway i'm going to go get a warm blanket, some ice cream or other comfort food while i go watch tlj again to cleanse myself and remember what good movies made by people who understand what's important are like, and maybe go watch marriage story and whatever other stuff adam driver is in, and find a way to watch knives out again, and then binge on the most self indulgent reylo fanfic i can find and a lot of fix-its to heal my soul. i'm not going to stop liking or caring about star wars, or this trilogy, which had one very pleasant solid movie and one excellent and fantastic one, and plenty of other good content out there, just because the last movie dropped the ball so hard, but i am going to stew in my sadness and angst about it for a good long while.

[robron-til-the-end-of-time]

Still pro producers? I think they're lacking.

Oh my God YES!! I am unbelievably pro producers.

And if robron had a good long running story, and Seb was still with them, I think a lot of people wouldn’t have already deemed they’re completely unfit to do their jobs tbh.

I was done. Honestly and heartfeltly done with the show. I couldn’t cope any more with characters only speaking to their designated partner. I couldn’t do it, and I’d made the content decision to let emmerdale go. It wasn’t worth it, because I knew how the next 6 months would go on repetition without watching a single minute. Robron were together and reunited by this point btw. So it wasn’t to do with them. I couldn’t cope with the same beats of Ross’s acid attack, Chas’s pregnancy, Charity’s abuse being hit in the same way, week after week, after week with no new input. I was done.

12 hours later, IM left for Corrie and a friend messaged me. Without that, I wouldn’t be here, because I couldn’t cope with him any longer. It’s really easy to forget his flaws and focus on his positives (like his big special episodes) now that he’s no longer here, and we’re not dealing with the 30th consecutive week of the White’s disowning someone, or the sixth running cheating plot that leads nowhere. Or the hot summer affair. Or how Vic was completely obliterated under IM. You forget all that because you’re not living it in real time any more.

Yeah, these guys aren’t perfect. The big black mark imo was Lachlan, because that was just weird and stupid. I also am not of the opinion that they’re dropping stories for months at a time. It simply feels that way because they’re picking up stories that IM completely abandoned. Like the aftermath of Emma’s death. We should have got that early 2018, but we waited until the new production team took over in Autumn, so it feels dragged out. Robert losing the Haulage was abandoned for more than six months. Jimmy was ill and kept having to go to the doctors which vanished. Priya struggling to feed the kids. Vic grieving for her husband. Isaac had some warnings of being ill after his birth which faded into nothing and was never addressed again. Liv’s asexuality. All these stories dropped completely in the Spring last year that never came up again when they absolutely should have done. They’ve only been repicked up now (some of them) because of the new team, but because of the massive six month gap, it feels stagnant. Whether picking them up again is a good idea or not is a different question. I think some of it works, some of it doesn’t. But the Spring of 2018 was littered with abandoned stories, which isn’t these guys fault.

Because they’re readdressing some of these, it’s left the show with a feeling of it’s not really moving on, and they’re not starting anything new. Besides Maya. Most people who remember those stories have filled in the blanks themselves, so is it needed? No, probably not, but it’s a choice.

I still think when they eventually start more of their own stuff (hurry up please!) it might feel different.

I’d also personally get rid of a thousand Iains to get the village feel back too. It’s so much better, even IMs biggest advocates would say that.

[trayonus]

Eyre Peninsula 4WD Guide [Map Included]

Introduction

South Australia is renowned for its iconic outback regions such as the Flinders Ranges and Simpson Desert. But there is more to SA as it has some spectacular coastal areas such as the Eyre Peninsula which has some of the best camping and coastal scenery anywhere in Australia.

Port Augusta, the gateway to the west and Eyre Peninsula is also the last major centre before heading west.  

 A great option for an overnight stay is the Fitzgerald Bay area just north of Whyalla. Heading down the east coast there are a number of caravan and camping spots such as Arno Bay Bay and Port Neill that are worth spending a night. Next is Port Lincoln - the major centre of the region.

 Port Lincoln – Gateway to the National Parks

Port Lincoln is a good place to stock up with all the major supermarkets represented, plenty of fuel outlets, and even 4WD accessories available if something has been forgotten. The Port Lincoln Tourist Information Centre has all the relevant brochures and information about the nearby national parks, and can book the relevant campsites in the park so this should be our first port of call.

 A good tip when planning a trip to this area is to pre-book our stay in Memory Cove and add on a few days at the beginning or end within the Lincoln National. The access key for Memory Cove is collected from the Port Lincoln Tourist Info Centre.

 Put some fuel in the 4WD, grab the grocery shopping, and then head to the first National Park in the area which is just out of town – Lincoln National Park.

    Lincoln National Park

The entrance to Lincoln National Park is 11km south of Port Lincoln, so it’s not long until we are away from civilization. Lincoln National Park has more than 10 designated camping areas, most with toilets and fire rings. If travelling outside the fire danger period make sure we bring some wood and choose one of the campsites that allow fires such as September Beach. Some campgrounds (such as Memory Cove) have a year round ban on fires, so make sure the gas cooker is also right to go.  

   Stamford Hill

To gain our bearings and take in the scenery, a short hike up Stamford Hill to the Flinders Monument is worthwhile. There are spectacular views across Boston Bay, Port Lincoln and Lincoln National Park. The monument commemorates Matthew Flinders voyage of discovery to this area in 1802. Flinders himself climbed Stamford Hill and named the area Port Lincoln after his native province in England. There are other walks heading off from here – there are more than 20 designated walks in the Lincoln National Park which are detailed in a brochure available from the Port Lincoln Visitors Centre.

 Cape Donington

Cape Donington is the most southern section of Lincoln National Park, and there are great coastline views here. There is a lighthouse at the point, with the sheltered campsites at September Beach campground just around the corner. This campground with its fantastic beach and sheltered campsites with fire pits makes it one of the better camping areas in the Lincoln NP.  

 This area has an early rural history that includes woodcutting, grazing and guano (seabird manure) mining, and records its first grain crop in 1875. There are reminders of this period in the form of abandoned farm machinery, cleared land and a cottage.  

     Memory Cove Wilderness Area

Within the Lincoln National Park is the Memory Cove Wilderness Area. Unlike wilderness protection areas in the eastern states, Memory Cove is open to four wheel drivers and visitors are actively encouraged. It takes a little bit of planning and organising to gain access to this area but this pay up in spades as IMO this is a major highlight of the trip to this area.

 Caravan’s and camper trailers are not permitted into Memory Cove so this area is just perfect for slide on campers such as the Trayon.  

 Journey into Memory Cove

The access gate to Memory Cove Wilderness area is about 20km from the Park entrance, and its 4WD access only from here. Generally the track is pretty good to start with so 4WD is not immediately necessary, but if you have manual hubs then lock them in ready. From the gate the Memory Cove camping area is 19km, with plenty to see on the way in.  

 The drive into Memory Cove covers a range of different vegetation. It starts with a fairly dense mix of eucalypt and sheoak woodland consisting of coastal white mallee, tea-tree, and sheoak. It quickly changes to rugged granite and limestone headlands, then more tea-tree and mallee sections.

Early into the drive there is a cliff top section that offers great views out to the nearby islands. The track then heads inland to an open plain commonly stocked with emu’s and kangaroos.

 This area was grazed and cropped from 1840 until 1957, with stock watered from springs and soaks from the granite outcrops along the cliff tops. The flat was ploughed by teams of bullocks and harvests of barley were bagged and shipped out from Memory Cove. The last barley was shipped out in 1912 prior to a devastating bushfire.

 Further into the drive another side track leads off to a great cliff top view. The open ocean swells crashes on the rocks below, sending salt spray into the air. There is a walking track that follows an old vehicle track around the point that provides great views and is worth checking out.  

 Just prior to heading down into Memory Cove, there is a scenic lookout that provides spectacular views to Cape Catastrophe, Thistle Island and the bay below. The lookout is known locally as ‘Ivy’s Leap’ after a local tour operators’ vehicle plunged off the cliff here when the handbrake failed. Fortunately no one was in the car at the time.

 Memory Cove

Memory Cove is a shady and sheltered campground just back from the beach. Our campsite had its own track leading the few metres to the brilliant white sands of Memory Cove. We can fish right off the beach here and we managed to catch a nice feed of Salmon one afternoon.

 The campground has well-maintained male and female pit toilets that were clean and smell free. There was also a small rainwater tank but don’t rely on this – bring in sufficient water for our stay.

The park contains a variety of wildlife. We saw several Western Grey Kangaroos on the way in, along with Emus and a blue-tongue lizard that had taken up residence in the middle of the track and needed a little prompting to move on. While camped at Memory Cove we saw several large seabirds, pelicans and a lone seal that appeared to be lost.

 There is a marked walking track at the right hand end of the beach that leads to the ocean coastline. This is a great place to watch the passing boats, look out to the nearby islands, and throw in a line for a feed of fish. About half way along this track, mobile phone service is possible.

Memory Cove is a great place to relax and unwind. We spent three fantastic days here and really enjoyed this time. Such a spectacular location with limited camping spots & access it is a definite must-do when in the area.

    Sleaford-Wanna 4WD Track

A major highlight of a trip to Lincoln National Park is the scenery and 4WDing along the Sleaford Bay coastline. Massive wind-sculpted sand dunes, pounding surf and spectacular limestone cliffs await the visitor to this area.

   Sleaford-Wanna 4WD Track

There are several beach access points, so if the tide is right a run along the beach could be in order. The access points do vary in difficulty so check before venturing onto the beach.

 Quite a lot the Sleaford-Wanna Dunes track consists of narrow sections and vehicles may be coming the other way so caution is needed. Also a sand flag is a good idea to advertise our presence – much easier to spot and be spotted in the narrow parts and when cresting dunes.

 Cape Tournefort

Another excellent 4WD track heads from Wanna out to Cape Tournefort. This track is generally sandy as it meanders through coastal tea-tree and comes out at the cape. From the end of the track there are great views of the nearby Curta Rocks, rugged cliffs and pounding surf onto the beach below.

Coffin Bay

Coffin Bay is a small and picturesque town on the shores of Kellidie Bay. Coffin Bay is famous for its oysters which are sold all over Australia and overseas, and we can pick up some directly from the oyster farmers straight of the boat. The Coffin Bay general store is a good place to pick up any last minute supplies needed, including fuel if required.

Now the bay and area got its name from Matthew Flinders who explored this area in 1802 and named Coffin Bay after his British Navy friend Sir Isaac Coffin.

 “The Coffin Bay Township is great but there is a bigger and better attraction right on its doorstep.” – Coffin Bay National Park.

        Coffin Bay National Park

The entrance to the national park is right on the Coffin Bay township boundary. The first 15km is sealed up to Yangie Bay, which is a popular sheltered camping spot which offers some good shade.

From Yangie Bay the rest of the national park is 4WD only. The tight sandy tracks are tailor-made for a slide on camper and the Trayon is the perfect camper for the job.  

 The first part of the track is sandy but pretty straight-forward with the right tyre pressures. It rounds Yangie Bay then head north adjacent to Port Douglas Bay. There are a couple of salt lakes passed and a few areas of the track that can be flooded by high tides, so there are bypass tracks if the tide is very high. The track then heads inland through coastal bush land, past Lake Damascus and back out to the coast at Black Springs.

  Black Springs

There are some great sheltered campsites and toilets at the Black Springs campground, a great beach below and the nearby Black Springs Well. Also near Black Springs campground is the black rocks walking track which is a 6km hike to the western side of the peninsula.

 From Black Springs head across the headland to seven mile beach dropping down onto the beach for great run along the sand. It’s a great drive with lovely beach views, large picturesque dunes, and many seabirds along the foreshore. The beach run is possible near high tide, but it’s much better to time your trip closer to low tide.

 Head along the beach to the signposted beach exit and back onto the headland. The scene is now open rocky grasslands almost devoid of vegetation. This area is frequented by emus so keep an eye out for them.

  Across the headland there are lots of track options but I would recommend heading first to the most northerly section of the park – Point Sir Isaac.

   Point Sir Isaac

Point Sir Isaac was named by Matthew Flinders in 1802 after his good friend Sir Isaac Coffin.

This a good spot to see whales migrating along the coast towards the head of the Great Australian Bight to mate at the right time of the year.

 On the protected eastern side of the point there are several small quiet beaches surrounded by mallee scrub. One such spot is ‘The Pool’ which is a designated campground with toilets, shady campsites, and a few fire pits.

 Mullalong Beach

From Point Sir Isaac it is worth heading to Mullalong Beach which is on the more exposed western coastline. Here there is great coastal scenery consisting of wide beaches, deep blue water, and rocky cliffs. The drive across the headland is also very scenic, with views of the track winding its way across and the blue sea framing the picture.

 From Mullalong Beach head out to the most westerly section of the park that you can drive to which is Reef Point Lookout. This is quite a picturesque place, with limestone cliffs, blue waters and extensive reefs joining the beaches.

 From Reef Point Lookout continue back inland then southwards to Sensation Beach. Having a name such as Sensation Beach we would expect something pretty special, but actually the place is named after a tuna boat called ‘Sensation’ that drifted ashore here.

 Morgan’s landing

One of the best campsites in the national park is Morgan’s Landing. This is a great sheltered camping area with several spots under shady paperbark trees just back off the beach and Coffin Bay. From the campsite take the short cut along the beach between Morgans Landing and the exit from seven mile beach run.

 All the tracks were well signposted and marked so with the Coffin Bay National Park Brochure it is pretty easy to navigate.

  Time to Travel

The National Parks are open all year but the weather can get pretty rough in the winter. The summer time is so popular and the holiday time can see this area quite busy, so I would recommend visit during the autumn or spring season.  

 Conclusion

The Lincoln and Coffin Bay National Parks have plenty to offer the avid camper and 4WDriver.

There are also plenty more attractions on the Eyre Peninsula so you can easily spend a week or more exploring the area. Even though the Eyre Peninsula is a long way away for most of us, it is well worth the effort so load up the 4WD and head down.