#remains to be seen whether I'm gonna tidy up my thoughts for each one but I'll try

[wolves-etc]

thoughts on The Last Of Us episode one, largely in the order I had them:

[thoughts on: 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9]

(I have some spoilers from tumblr, a vague awareness of the older gays & younger gays situations, and a friend's recommendation that I'd really like this show. I didn't realise how evocative this would be in a mid-pandemic world. the show quickly set me right.)

— all kudos and respect to mr "I have an opportunity to infodump to a crowd about disturbing fungal diseases and I am going to make the most of it." loses points for warning people about hypothetical future dangers while actively smoking at them.

— the views we get of the crowd and the host during the second half of his speech are interesting - they're so still, all rapt attention, while he's talking about humans made puppets. it's unsettling.

— and the visuals during the theme music? gross. the guy who recommended this to me is squicked out by fungus. I may have used the words "wetly unfurling" while confronting him about this.

— I'm struck by the apparent ritual of joel setting his alarm, sleeping through it or ignoring it, and having to be alerted by his daughter anyway. he's a mess. (<3)

— there's something very real and unsanitised about their home environment. sarah's presumably not the worst cook in the house, but still they're eating eggshell. there's takeaway in the fridge that tommy sniffs before having any (though I wish he didn't decide against it then put it back.)

— and joel's shirt is on inside-out. bless him.

— sarah and joel passive-aggressively siccing the neighbours on each other is bitchy and great

— the first glimpse of the unrest of the pandemic being someone visibly panicking, closing the shop, herding sarah out, telling her to go straight home? I'm trying not to do too much real-life comparing. but that's ouch.

— we have a dog!! a border collie!! mercy I love you I am giving you up for dead given the genre we're in but I very much hope to be proven wrong <3

— "three nails plus one cross equals four-given." please, please tell me people don't speak like that. lie if you must

— the mental shift from "that blurry old lady in the background needs medical attention" to "oh. oh this is a horror show, the characters just don't know that yet, oh no" was a fun one

— "and you were never gonna [get the watch fixed] for yourself" OH BOY

— it's functional depression vibes in joel and it's intense. he won't get the watch fixed for himself, and he probably wouldn't celebrate his birthday for himself either - I'd buy that the pancakes could have been more for sarah than him, but then she insists on cake, and he doesn't suggest anything he'd enjoy better. still, he seems willing to make an effort because she wants to, and that's nice.

— that moment, sitting down to watch a movie together, sarah falling asleep against him? joel's a mess, but he has a good relationship with his daughter, and that's refreshing to see. there's real love there.

— mercy is a very good dog and sarah COULD DO WITH MORE ANXIETY SLASH SURVIVAL INSTINCT, FRANKLY,

— and we get the first glimpse of joel being brutal and unhesitating when it's called for. the sense that he's already made a shift in thinking that sarah's slower to - she's scared, crying, not yet really believing that it was necessary.

— sarah in the back of the car being smart enough to put together - given what she knows - that any one of them could be infected. it's awful.

— "[they've] got a kid, joel." "so have we. keep driving." fuck

— (how must that feel for sarah? if she's the thing to be protected, it must be her fault.)

— okay the infected's too-quick movements and bird-like head tilts? very "inhuman software on human hardware." it's cool.

— this scene here, though. there's a lot here. they're saved, in the nick of time, by a soldier. the soldier receives orders that he has to double-check. joel calls him sir, says please don't, has to know what's coming. it's unfair and it's horrible and there's nothing he can do.

— and I had a lot of thoughts about that. about how the US military - quite aside from the huge wrongs it does to other countries - promises people to chance to do some good, and to be a part of a family, and betrays them on both counts. leaves its soldiers with trauma and no way to manage it. leaves them, perhaps, with chronic depression, in a job I don't even want to speculate about because neither the military nor construction work are kind to the body. it's betrayal on top of betrayal as standard. and it's cruel, very cruel, that the military betrays joel again here. (edit for reasons and for at least one "article" possibly lying to me)

— and it's a fucking needless way for sarah to die. fuck.

— okay. okay.

— we get this little reminder that the birds, the trees, the sunlight, they all keep going. no matter what goes on with humans. and I, for one, find that comforting.

— and that comfort is VERY NEEDED because holy shit it's twenty years later and joel barely even hesitates to throw a bound child's body onto the fire. (practical and brutal, when it's needed. I don't even want to wonder whether he's done it before.)

— he's still wearing his broken watch and he is very much not okay.

— tess is all steel. I'm a little scared of her as a person and I love her as a character. what the fuck are they both up to that they can handle criminal dealings like this.

— "I promised him you wouldn't hurt him, but I would very much like for you to hurt him." CLEAR AND TO THE POINT.

— no but that's a lot of fun though. clear communication, what seems like no real lies when she's negotiating with her captor, just a forthright attitude that's so easy to believe and a comfortable willingness to mislead him.

— "you don't have a fucking ear on your fucking head" would be a fun way to accuse someone of not listening

— "y'all talk it through, but please remember that I'm bleeding out." I LIKE MARLENE

— and here we see joel's fight response to trauma, which will, I hope, serve him well. that flashback was evil though.

— what the FUCK is the expression on ellie's face. is that awe. is that delight. miss, you're very fucked up, do you know that

things I expected: ellie being a murder child; joel being a traumatised badass with a soft spot for her. did NOT expect ellie to be THAT much of a murder child, or joel's soft spot to be that well-armoured. this is gonna be interesting to see.

and I didn't expect tess, who's interesting, and scary in her own right, and rugged in a way women aren't generally allowed to be in the zombie genre. this was a really pleasant surprise.

[anna99blog]

Vivo x Reader: Despacito

(I haven't seen a lot of these, or if any yet, so I thought I'd be the first. I love the movie and Vivo is one of my favorite characters! Also, you are a kinkajou in this one shot, just so you know. Anywho, enjoy the story!)

You lived with a nice couple in the small community of Key West, Florida. On some days, you would be out in the backyard, listening to the radio, the music blaring somewhat loud. Whenever you hear your favorite song come on, you couldn't help but dance along to the music. This was one of those days. You were out in the backyard, just tidying things up a bit. The radio was playing in the background, and one of your favorite songs Despacito started playing (if that's not your favorite song, then imagine it being something else). You closed your eyes, listening to the guitars and people singing harmoniously. You couldn't help but instinctively tap your feet to the beat of the music, even humming along to the lyrics. Then, after a little bit, you were lost in your own world, your mind and body in like a trance. Completely unknown to you, another kinkajou was watching you, transfixed by your grace and beauty.

Vivo was walking through the sidewalk, making his way to your place. He was straightening his hat and his scarf. "Okay, you got this, Vivo. Just go up to her and tell her how you feel" he muttered to himself, trying to muster the courage within himself. You see, ever since he first saw you, it was love at first sight. He thought you were beautiful, kind, amazing and selfless. You two instantly connected when you first started to hang out. You had a lot in common, whether it was about music, dancing, your lives and your favorite hobbies. This has been going on for a few months, and today, today would be the day that he finally will have the guts to tell you his feelings, to tell you that he loves you.

Vivo just got to your house when he heard music playing on the radio in the backyard. Through the gaps of the fence, he can see your figure dancing with the song. He climbed up the fence so he can get a better look. The moment he got to the top, he sees you dancing in perfect rhythm. He watches on, totally memorized by your beauty and grace. Vivo couldn't stop his legs from walking over towards you. It was like he was in a trance, a trance that couldn't be broken (not that he wanted it broken anywho). You were lost in your own world, that you didn't see yourself bump into a furry chest. You look up, your trance long gone, and see Vivo standing before you, holding onto you to make sure you don't fall. Your eyes meet in a surprised but loving gaze, his brown eyes meeting your e/c ones. Vivo extends his paw out to you, silently asking to continue this dance. You stood there silently, your face a blushing mess. After a brief moment, you lightly grasp his paw into yours, accepting his silent offer. Vivo places his other paw on your waist, while you place yours on his shoulder. Then, at the next moment, you two started to move to the beat as one.

You and Vivo moved in perfect harmony. From moving your feet to twirling, from spinning to sidestepping, you two didn't miss a single step. Also, you guys couldn't seem to keep your eyes off each other, both of you having loving expressions on your faces. It was as if you were entranced with each other's gazes. You danced for the entirety of the song. At the last remaining minutes, Vivo twirls you around for a bit, bringing you back to his chest and softly dipping you once more. You look up at him, still keeping the same expression, along with a soft smile. Vivo does the same, his eyes never leaving yours. He brings you back on your feet as the song ended at that moment. "Nice to see you too, Vivo" you said to him, making him snicker slightly. "I'm still amazed of how great of a dancer you are" you said, rubbing your arm shyly. "Yea, well, you're a pretty great dancer yourself" he said, rubbing his neck a little. That comment made you blush, your face now red as a tomato. You both were silent, not really sure what to say next. 'Come on Vivo, don't get cold feet now' the male kinkajou thought. "I should, um, should probably head back inside" you said, making your way to the backdoor. Vivo tried to speak, but he couldn't seem to find his voice. 'What are you doing? Wake up, you fool!' he thought. "Uh, y/n wait!" he said. You stopped in your tracks, giving your full attention to him. Vivo took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for what he's gonna say next.

"Y/n, I'm not sure how words can describe what I'm gonna say. You're an amazing, caring and fantastic being. Back in Cuba, I've never felt these feelings before, but when I'm here, with you, my heart just beats a million miles per hour. I love when we hang around, talk about our interests, music, I just love being around you. What I'm trying to say is that I...I love you, y/n" he confessed, pouring his heart out in each and every word. You, however, were at a loss for words. Yes, you too had feelings for the singing kinkajou, but you never thought he would feel the same way. "Vivo, I...I don't what to say" you said, after a moment of silence. "Anything you wish, though if you don't feel the same way, I'll totally understand" Vivo said, his voice almost lowering at that last part. Pushing away your nervousness, you said to him "well, actually, to tell you the truth, I love you as well. I just wasn't sure if you felt the same" you said to him.

Vivo's eyes widen as he hears your confession. He feels some relief, but he was mostly overjoyed that the girl he's been in love with loves him in return. Then, you walk up to him and place a light kiss on his cheek. Vivo tenses up, but then gives a lovestruck look as he watches you walk back into your house. "I'll see you tomorrow, mi amor" you said, blowing a kiss in his direction. "Yea, see ya then" he replied. With that being said, you gave a kind smile and went inside, leaving the lovesick kinkajou just standing there, a goofy grin on his face. He lets out a loving sigh, almost feeling a little faint. "This has just been the best night of my life" he said, as he makes his way back home, the smile still on his face, his paw lightly touching his cheek where you kissed. One thing's for sure, he'll surely sleep very well tonight.