#robby fans unite

[phantompoguefangirl]

THISSSS.

Rewatching the show because apparently I'm a sucker for pain or something and just hurting so much for Robby. I wanna smack everyone who has ever done him wrong and then just hug him for days.

But it's been nice to see my feed here full of Robby fans or people just mad in general about the Zara thing instead of the fandom shitting on him as much as the writers do.

Once more the show's narrative has Robby go through something horrible and traumatic, and places the blame squarely on his shoulders. Broken relationship with his father? Robby's fault! Because Johnny's feeble attempts should have been enough, and Robby was wrong for being angry!

Trying to help a kid only a 2-3 years younger than him, and accidentally steer him in the wrong direction, despite still being a kid himself? Robby's fault! Because despite no one really fighting to help him post-juvie, he should have known better!

Assaulted when too drunk to give actual consent? Robby's fault because he "didn't say no", so that's "consent" enough for the writers.

It's rough being a Robby fan.

[eldesperadont]

ROBBIE IN TMDK LETS FUCKING GOOOO

[soular-sisters]

The most common celebrity/fame Astrology placements ✨🤩📸

The glitz, the glamour, the endless number of fans that seem to be mesmerized by them… have you ever notice how a lot of famous individuals have a certain grab and magnetism about them? Well, they might have more in common astrologically than you thought. Without further ado, here are some of the most common traits you will find in famous individual’s natal charts:

1. Pronounced Leo and Cancer placements in personal planets, especially sun, moon, and ascendant.

In the world of Hollywood, Leo energy is prevalent with countless Leo suns in the industry including: Demi Lovato, Steve Carell, Robert De Niro, Kylie Jenner, Daniel Radcliffe, and Madonna just to name a few. Cancer energy also runs strongly, with cancer sun celebrities also finding major success such as:

*Lana Del Rey (a Cancer sun with a Leo Moon, Scorpio Ascendant, Leo midheaven and Venus conjunct her north node)

*Ringo Starr (another cancer with a Leo moon)

*Margot Robbie (a cancer sun with a Taurus Midheaven & Aquarius north node)

Cancer & Leo personal planets can be found in a wide range of celebrities including:

*Dua Lipa (a Leo sun/Cancer Moon)

*Taylor Swift (a Sagittarius sun/Cancer moon)

*Micheal B. Jordan (an Aquarius sun/Cancer Moon)

*Drake (a Scorpio sun/cancer moon/Leo ascendant)

*Julia Roberts (Scorpio Sun/Leo Moon)

*Megan Fox (Taurus Sun/Leo Moon)

*Paul McCartney (Gemini Sun/Leo Moon)

*Bruno Mars (a Libra sun/Leo moon)

*Blake Lively (a Virgo sun/Leo ascendant, with plenty of positive sun aspects including sun conjunct her natal Mars, venus, and Mercury, & also sun trine her Jupiter)

There are many more celebrities who have these similar placements.

2. Prominent north node aspects or favorable house placement.

The North Node shows our Karmic Destiny. Certain placements show where an individual might see fame more than others, including the 1st, 5th, 10th, and 11th houses. Some celebrities that have these placements include:

1st house of identity:

*Martin Luther King Jr. (North Node in Taurus: who showed fearlessness in the face of racism to unite the people)

*Amy Winehouse (North Node in Gemini: who’s songs about her life have remained popular long after her untimely death)

*Megan The Dutchess of Sussex (Leo sun/Cancer Ascendant with North Node in Leo: who is one of the most famous women in the world now whether you like her or not)

*James Dean (North Node in Aries: who’s image as a bad boy heartthrob has been solidified in history long after his untimely death)

5th house of creativity, children, and happiness:

*Angelina Jolie (who is also cancer Venus and Ascendant at 28°, has her North Node in Sagittarius. She is a talented actress that has also traveled the world and made it her mission to help and adopt children)

*Selena Gomez (who is also Leo Ascendant, with moon & part of fortune conjunct her Taurus midheaven, has her North Node in Capricorn, and is also a talented actress, who due to her illness cannot have children. Unfortunately, the planet of Saturn, Capricorns ruler, may deny children entirely, or only bring very few)

*Christiano Ronaldo (who is also Leo moon, has his North Node in Taurus, he has had a stable career playing soccer, known as a heartthrob with the Venus energy, and also the father to five children)

10th house of public image:

*Donald Trump (who is also Leo ascendant & Taurus Midheaven, with sun & Uranus conjunct his North Node in Gemini, he has captivated audiences on a global scale with his words and with Sun and Uranus being opposite planets conjunct his north node, he is extremely polarizing with his supporters absolutely loving him and his opposers absolutely hating him)

*Beyoncé (who is Mars conjunct her Leo North Node in the 10th house. Beyoncé is also known on a global scale and the amount of time and energy she puts into her craft is very evident, she also carries herself with a mars-esque energy in her public persona.)

*Britney Spears (with her North Node in Cancer. While she is extremely talented, her career has had a lot of exploitation of her and her assets and made her a victim in the public eye)

11th house of social circles aspirations and collaboration:

*Lady Gaga (who has her North Node in Taurus, which rules the voice, has famously collaborated on singing projects with other creatives including Tony Bennett, and Bradley Cooper)

*Robert Downey Jr. (who has his North Node in Gemini has famously gotten himself into heaps of mischeif when he was younger turned his life around when he associated himself with Marvel and propelled himself further into stardom, eventually getting his Oscar winning role in Oppenheimer)

*Ariana Grande (who has her North node in Sagittarius. In Jennette McCurdy’s book “I’m Glad My Mom Died” she recalled being jealous of how lucky Ariana was for all the opportunities that were being granted to her though her association to higher ups at Nickelodeon)

3. 1st house planets, 5th house planets, 10th house planets, and 11th house planets (especially Sun, Jupiter, Neptune, and Venus)

House placements are always important to check when looking at a natal chart and this area is no different. We see many of the same placements among famous individuals such as:

*Blake Lively (who has a first house stellium consisting of her sun, mercury and Venus, and a fifth house stellium with Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune)

*Paul Rudd (who has a fifth house stellium with Neptune, moon and mars, and a 10th house stellium with his Mercury, sun, Venus, and Saturn)

*Vanessa Hudgens (who is also Leo ASC & Taurus MC also has a fifth house stellium with her sun, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Mercury)

*Kim Kardashian (sun and mercury fall into her 11th house and she has a 10th house stellium consisting of Jupiter, Pluto, and Saturn. She also has Neptune in her first house which is another popular fame placement that is also seen in Marilyn Monroe) A stellium is not needed in these houses either.

*Rihanna (her sun & mercury is in the 11th house with her Jupiter in the first house and though her moon & Venus fall in the 12th house, they do conjunct her ascendant)

4. Having a fixed midheaven: Scorpio, Taurus, Aquarius, Leo

The midheaven shows where the most ideal career placement for an individual. Usually fame can been seen amongst fixed midheaven placements. Some examples include: Taurus MC:

*Margot Robbie

*Timothée Chalamet

*Emma Stone

*Vanessa Hudgens

*Miranda Kerr

*Nick Jonas

*Justin Timberlake

Leo MC:

*Harry Styles

*Daniel Craig

*James Gandolfini

*Chevy Chase

*Robin Williams

*Nicole Kidman

*Jim Carrey

*Aretha Franklin

Scorpio MC:

*Hilary Duff

*Zendaya

*Jane Fonda

*Johnny Knoxville

*Barack Obama

*Willem Defoe

*Carrie Fisher

Aquarius MC:

*Miley Cyrus

*Pamela Anderson

*Will Smith

*Drew Barrymore

*Gordon Ramsay

*Tim Burton

*John Krasinski

5. Having personal planets at 5°, 17°, or 29° as they are degrees ruled by Leo.

In degree theory, these degrees are ruled by Leo and can also be seen as a common placement among many different famous individuals including:

*J.P. Morgan (successful banking mogul, who actually used astrology in his personal life, had his Taurus mercury at 29° and he once famously said, “Millionaires don’t use astrology, billionaires do.”)

*Post Malone (also has his Gemini Venus at 29°, and he has made his career diverse in various genres and has been extremely loved wherever he goes)

*Morgan Wallen (has his Aquarius moon at 29°, and his 5° Libra Jupiter conjunct his Midheaven)

*Steven Tyler (who has his Aries Sun at 5°. He has amassed many fans among his decades long career)

*Jim Carrey (who has both his Gemini moon at 17° and his Capricorn mars at 17°, once wrote himself a check for a million dollars before he became famous to manifest his future as a successful actor and around a year later found himself with major roles)

*Loretta Lynn (the iconic “Coal Miners Daughter” singer has her Aries Mercury at 17°, and her songs have stood the test of time)

6. Having personal planets at 28° ruled by cancer. Makes an individual a “household name”

Cancer rules the home, so it goes hand in hand with creating a household name among 28° holders. A few examples include:

*A$AP Rocky (who has his Leo Venus at 28° is famously known for his music and style)

*Miley Cyrus (who is 28° Taurus ascendant is definitely a household name and made her way into homes being a child actress and singer)

*Rihanna (has her Sagittarius mars in 28° as well, and she has had a fruitful career full of energy that she has put forward to become a self-made billionaire before 40)

7. Strong 11th house energy

The 11th house in astrology is the realm of Aquarius. Think of these individuals being innovators, and different. 11th house energy is commonly seen in famous individuals including:

*Johnny Depp (world famous actor has his Gemini sun in 11)

*Beyoncé (billionaire and one of the biggest singers in the world also has her sun in the 11th)

*Angelina Jolie (renowned actress and philanthropist has her Gemini sun and Mercury in the 11th house)

*Rihanna (another one of the biggest singers in the world has her Pisces sun and Aquarius Mercury in the 11th house)

*Lady Gaga (has her Aries sun, Aries venus, and Taurus north node in the 11th house)

*Kim Kardashian (A-list reality television star, model and business woman, has her Libra sun, and Scorpio mercury in her 11th house)

*Zayn Malik (another one of the biggest boy band & solo singers in the world has his Capricorn sun, nept, Uranus, and Mercury in the 11th house)

8. Prominent Jupiter Aspects

Jupiter the planet of luck, optimism and abundance having prominent energy in the natal chart can have a “lucky” influence on a famous individual, a few examples include:

*Elizabeth Taylor (world famous actress has natal, Jupiter trine ascendant, Jupiter trine Uranus, Venus trine Jupiter)

*Quentin Tarantino (talented movie director has natal Sun conjunct Jupiter, Mercury conjunct Jupiter, and Jupiter trine North node)

*Zendaya. (world famous actress, singer, and model has natal sun trine Jupiter, moon trine Jupiter)

*Samuel L. Jackson (another one of the most famous actors in the world has natal sun conjunct Jupiter, moon trine Jupiter, Jupiter trine Saturn, and Mercury conjunct Jupiter)

9. Aspects made to the ascendant and/or midheaven.

Our ascendant (how we portray ourselves) and our midheavens (career placement) having plentiful aspects can be seen in a wide range of well known celebrities in both old Hollywood and in recent time. Here are a few examples:

*Jayne Mansfield (one of the biggest sex symbols of her era before her untimely death had, North node trine ascendant, Neptune sextile ascendant, mars sextile ascendant, ascendant trine Midheaven)

*John Wayne (world renowned western actor, was a natal holder of, Mercury conjunct ascendant, sun conjunct ascendant, ascendant trine midheaven, sun trine midheaven, Mercury trine midheaven)

*Judy Garland (who played Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, had ascendant trine midheaven, moon sextile midheaven, mercury conjunct ascendant, Mercury trine midheaven)

10. Positive mars & Jupiter aspects

Mars the planet of action in a harmonious aspect with Jupiter the planet of luck, abundance and optimism can bring lucky opportunities with action and can be seen in famous individuals such as:

mars conjunct Jupiter:

*Ariel Winter

*Channing Tatum

*Lily Collins

*Ludacris

mars trine Jupiter:

*MGK

*Rachel McAdams

*Heath Ledger

*Joaquin Phoenix

mars sextile Jupiter:

*Nicki Minaj

*Emma Stone

*Bella Thorne

*Reese Witherspoon

11. Natal Midheaven conjunct north node.

Our career placement, the Midheaven, in conjunction with our North node, karmic destiny can be seen in quite a few famous individuals including:

*Jared Leto (We the Kings singer and actor has his conjunction in Aquarius)

*Jaden Smith (actor, rapper, and nepo baby has his conjunction in Virgo) *Donald Glover/Childish Gambino (actor, writer, rapper and producer has his conjunction in Gemini)

*Meryl Streep (world famous actress has her conjunction in Aries)

*Mike Tyson (world famous boxer has his conjunction in Taurus)

12. Gemini energy is very common amongst rappers.

Gemini energy is extremely prominent amongst rappers, for the sake of keeping this example shorter I will just be using sun sign Gemini’s. The list of sun sign Geminis:

*Kendrick Lamar

*Sage the Gemini

*Fetty Wap

*Ice Cube

*Kanye West

*Tupac Shakur

*Notorious B.I.G.

*Trippie Redd

*Kodak Black

*Takeoff

*G-Eazy

*Don Toliver

*Azaelia Banks

*Macklemore

*Swae Lee

13. A 10th & 11th house conjunction. If two planets are conjunct but fall into the 10th house of public image and the 11th house of friends/friend groups.

Both of these houses are major players when it comes to our public life. A few examples of these placements are:

*Kim Kardashian (sun in 11 is conjunct her Pluto in 10th)

*Eminem (sun in 11 is conjunct his 10th house Uranus)

*Nicki Minaj (her 10th house sun conjunct her 11th house Venus)

*Marilyn Monroe (11th house sun conjunct her 10th house Mercury)

14. Having prominent Mercury aspects.

Mercury is the planet of communication and self expression. Having mercury aspects are common amongst famous individuals as well including:

*Stephen King (who has had an extremely long career with countless dark books written and movies made, has natal Mercury sextile Pluto & Mercury conjunct Neptune, and Mercury sextile Saturn)

*Drake (has natal Mercury conjunct Venus, common amongst musicians and actors)

*Beyoncé (has her natal Mercury sextile North Node, Mercury sextile mars, and Mercury conjunct Saturn, and her songs have been listened to around the world countless times)

*Justin Bieber (who unfortunately has had a lot of hardships explaining himself and expressing his truths has Mercury square North Node, Mercury square ascendant, and Mercury square Pluto)

*Liam Neeson (the world famous actor has his natal sun conjunct Mercury, Mercury conjunct Venus and moon opposite Mercury)

Research Disclaimer:

All research was conducted by Arielle in April & May 2024. This is all information found by her own research. There are definitely more celebrities that fall under these categories not listed. There is more room to further research this topic.

-AH

IG: @starlit.artistry

[whitehartlane]

AUDERE EST FACERE. ↳ "I want us to be brave, to be aggressive. To play like Tottenham Hotspur. All I care about is this football club. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is the most important thing."

Push and run football AKA 'make it simple, make it quick', the mother of Total Football, as designed by Arthur Rowe / Rowe meets Puskás and passes on his philosophy / Ange Postecoglou talks about the inspirations behind his footballing philosophy / Bryan Gil on Tottenham's style of football / Cormac McCarthy, 'The Road' / Tottenham 2-1 Sheffield United / Tottenham 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion / Tottenham 3-3 Manchester City / Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool / Fall Out Boy & Elton John, 'Save Rock And Roll' / Ange Postecoglou mic'd up at Celtic training / Ange Postecoglou on compromising on his attacking style of football / Tottenham playing a high line against Chelsea despite being only 9 men on the pitch / Bill Nicholson / Ange Postecoglou waves to the crowd and his family after winning against Liverpool at home in his first season of the PL, caption from the fan song 'I'm Loving Big Ange Instead' sung to the tune of Robbie Williams' Angels, created by thevoiceofspurs / Young Sheldon, Season 4, Episode 1: 'Graduation' / Tottenham players celebrate after winning against Liverpool at home / Ange Postecoglou on Tottenham weathering a major injury crisis and suspensions leading to players playing out of position / Son Heungmin on Tottenham's underdog comeback victories / Son Heungmin on the feel of the new stadium before the UCL match against Man City, 2019, 'No Filter UCL' / Stray Kids ft. Tiger JK, 'TOPLINE' / Off the Shelf Ep. 20 ft. Brennan Johnson / Lord of the Rings: Return of the King / James Maddison's 'FEARLESS' tattoo on the side of his neck / Ange Postecoglou on Tottenham's chances of clinching the title in the 23/24 season / EDEN, 'love; not wrong (brave)' / Tottenham players link hands and run toward the South Stand in celebration after winning 2-1 against Sheffield United, both goals scored in injury time / Lao Tzu / Pape Sarr runs into the Tottenham fans' arms after equalising against Brighton, 2024 / Destiny Udogie points to the club's badge over his heart after equalising against Brentford, 2024 / James Maddison on Ange Postecoglou encouraging the players to play his way in the first North London Derby of the 23/24 season / To Dare is to Do, fan tifo, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium / Dejan Kulusevski on playing for Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou

[xxsksxxx]

get to know your moots

Thank you, @randomfoggytiger for the tag!

What's the origin of your blog title?

It’s just a combination of initials and the inclusion of x for the x-files.

My username though is because Im a huuuuuuge fan of those pretty agents in FBI jackets. They are such a united force when they're in official garb.

OTP(s) + Shipname:

Mulder and Scully MSR

Favourite colour: midnight blue and apple green

Favourite game: Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood my beloved. And basically most of the Assasin’s Creed franchise. I also enjoy playing the Sims.

Song stuck in your head: advertising space by Robbie Williams

Weirdest habit/trait?

I don't really know. I have my habits for sure but they don't seem that unusual tbh.

Hobbies:

Writing, reading, coming up with ways to analyse and organize things (I’m building a huge template right now for a collection of quotes and information; maybe I should add that to weird traits!)

If you work, what's your profession?

Communication and marketing

If you could have any job you wish, what would it be? Writer. Researcher. Academic.

Something you're good at:

Analysing and evaluating behaviour, people, situations, and circumstances.

Something you're bad at:

Directions. Turn me into the wrong direction and I'll never find my way home.

And Tumblr! I am unable to format or search for anything on this app!

Something you love:

Books. Music. Nature. That peaceful silence of early mornings an late nights when the whole world seems to be asleep except for a few kindred spirits.

Something you could talk about for hours off the cuff:

The X-Files

Something you hate:

Manipulation. Power plays. Condescending behaviour.

Something you collect:

X-Files merch. And books.

Something you forget:

Everything I don't write down.

What's your love language?

I had to do a test for this one. Apparently, it's words of affirmation, followed by quality time and acts of service.

Favourite movie/show:

The X-Files

Favourite food:

Stuffed bell peppers with rice.

Favourite animal:

Cats. There's nothing like having your cat choose to come up to you and cuddle because they want to be close. It's honest, it’s real, and it’s the sweetest, warmest feeling.

What were you like as a child? Shy with strangers, open with friends.

Favourite subject at school?

That changed. It used to be chemistry, switched to languages, then math and moved on to literature.

Least favorite subject?

Physics. I just don't get it.

What's your best character trait?

According to my friends, loyalty, being a good friend, being open, having a talent for getting to the bottom of things and giving good advice.

What's your worst character trait?

Getting triggered by confrontational behaviour and dwelling on it for hours afterward.

If you could change any detail of your day right now what would it be?

I wish I didn't have to spend part of my day preparing for a work event next week. It's the weekend. Leave me alone!

If you could travel in time who would you like to meet?

I have two answers. 😅

I’d love to travel back and meet Caesar or Alexander the Great.

I’d also give a lot to travel back in time to the Golden Globes 1997 and be a fly following GA and DD around all night.

Recommend one of your favourite fanfics (spread the love!):

Soooooo many. I don't even know where to start. This time I’m going to recommend a fic I haven't mentioned in a while:

Waldron Island by @sisterspooky1013

That fic is one of the very few stories (books included) that had me terrified of turning off the lights at night.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/36700006

I’m tagging @carrie11 @leiascully @scullysflannel @muldersfingers and everyone who wants to play.

[chucktaylors]

The NJPW fanbase is dying out, and as a primarily AEW fan that got really into NJPW a couple of months ago, heres a couple of NJPW wrestlers I recommend watching/stanning!!

TJP

- Member of United Empire

- One half of the tag team Catch 2/2, with Francesco Akira

- Also known as The Aswang

- Known for a high flying, flexible, flip-based style of wrestling

DRILLA MOLONEY

- Member of Bullet Club: War Dogs

- 44' Calibre

- Usually seen tagging with Clark Conners

- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion (2nd reign)

- Former United Empire member

CLARK CONNERS

- Member of Bullet Club: War Dogs

- 100 proof

- Usually seen tagging with Drilla Moloney

- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion (2nd reign)

- Cowboy 🤘🏼

GABE KIDD

- Member of Bullet Club: War Dogs

- Im a mad man, dont ya know?

- Known for his hardcore matches and insane/mad/angry personality and style pf wrestling

- Strong Openweight Champion (1st reign)

DAVID FINLAY

- Leader/creator of Bullet Club: War Dogs

- IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion (record setting 2nd reign)

- Beat Ospreay and Jon for the first reign of the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship

- Sent Will Ospreay out of NJPW, alongside the War Dogs and United Empire

ROBBIE EAGLES

- Member of TMDK (The Mighty Dont Kneel)

- Sniper of the Skies

- Former member of Bullet Club and CHAOS

- Australian Style

El Phantasmo

- ELP

- The HDBNGR (head banger)

- 1/2 of G.o.D with Hikuleo

- He's literally put me on blast before on his story for editing him to songs he doesnt like then we beefed then he wished me happy birthday the next day.

- Former Strong Openweight Tag Team Champion (just lost it like 2 days ago)

- He has an LED jacket and the LED glasses down there on Desperado, he's pretty swag ig

HIRMOU TAKAHASHI

- NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion, alongside Bushi and Yota Tsuji

- Timebomb

- Known for his stuffed animal cats, "Daryl"

- Lowk mentally deranged but look how cool his hair and gear is

- He means no harm, rlly

EL DESPERADO

- Former 3 time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion

- Winner of the recent Best Of the Super Juniors

- Former member of Suzuki-gun

- Also means no harm, rlly

[animesavior]

Clark: “One week ago, Earth faced an alien invasion. You’ve heard different versions of what happened, but we at the Daily Planet have a duty to bring you the truth.” Jimmy: “The truth is that Superman and his cousin [Supergirl] saved us. But they weren’t alone.” Lois: “The people of Metropolis came together to help them, putting aside their differences to protect our home.” Clark: “The invader was defeated, and justice came to those who those who tried to benefit from fear and pain.” Lois: “But even as this brought out the best in many, it brought out the worst in others. And there will always be new threats to face.” Clark: “No one knows what will come next for Metropolis, but there’s one thing we at the Daily Planet know for certain…” Jimmy: “No matter what the future holds…” Lois: “No matter what is thrown at us…” Clark: “We will face it together.” -          My Adventures with Superman (Season 2, Ep. 10)

The Toonami Trending Rundown for the month of July 2024. During these past few weeks, fans got to enjoy the final two episodes of My Adventures with Superman season 2, among other great moments. And as July is the month of San Diego Comic-Con, Toonami viewers got to enjoy some big announcements in regard to several upcoming shows.

During the night of the airing of the penultimate episode of My Adventures with Superman season 2 on July 13-14, #MyAdventuresWithSuperman would trend on the USA on Twitter, while One Piece trended on Tumblr. And during the night of July 20-21, where we saw the season 2 finale of My Adventures with Superman, #Toonami would trend in the US alongside #MyAdventuresWithSuperman and #NarutoShippuden. #Toonami also trended on Tumblr. The night of July 27-28 did not see any trends, as Toonami showcased a MAWS marathon of season 2 during SDCC week.

As for Toonami Rewind, #ToonamiRewind would trend in the US during the broadcasts of July 12, 19, and 26, though on July 19, Sailor Moon and Naruto would also trend in the US, while Naruto also trended on Tumblr. Which isn’t bad, especially considering that on July 26, both the Olympics opening ceremony and Comic-Con were occurring at the same time.

As mentioned, San Diego Comic-Con took place at the end of July, and in case you missed it, Toonami fans got to enjoy several announcements during the convention. The big news was that we got a brand-new show announcement in Rooster Fighter by Shū Sakuratani.

Adult Swim announced that the English dubbed version of Rick and Morty: The Anime will premiere on Thursday August 15 @ midnight EDT/PDT, while the Japanese (with English subtitles) version will air on Toonami on Saturday, August 17 @ midnight.

Also, towards the end of the Rick and Morty panel, Jason DeMarco also revealed that we finally have a release date for Junji Ito’s Uzumaki after several years of delays: September 28, 2024 at 12:30 a.m., following premiere episodes of Rick and Morty: The Anime. Back during Anime Expo 2024, the Uzumaki cast was revealed by Production I.G, with Abby Trott as Kirie Goshima and Robbie Daymond as Shuichi Saito. In addition, Lazarus, the newest work of Shinichiro Watanabe, will be scheduled to premiere in 2025.

Finally, during the Demon Slayer panel on Saturday night, Aniplex announced that Demon Slayer’s third season, the Swordsmith Village arc, will begin airing on Toonami this August 10.

Meanwhile, for those who have been wanting to see more Lycoris Recoil, it’s been announced during the show’s second anniversary program that there are six short films in the works, that will depict the daily lives of Chisato, Takina, and others in the LycoRico cast. While Director Shingo Adachi will return in supervising, each of the six movies will feature different people handling direction and storyboarding, including character designer Imigimuru will be in charge of some of the scripts. A release date is to be announced.

Of course, this won’t be the end of My Adventures with Superman, as DC is hard at work creating the show’s third season, so stay tuned. In the meantime, we’ll have the trending rundown for the first few weeks of August, including the premiere of Demon Slayer's Swordsmith Village arc and the premiere of Rick and Morty: The Anime, out in the coming days, as with other articles and interviews from San Diego Comic-Con coming soon. Until next time, Be sure to register to vote for this year’s elections if you’re eligible and haven’t already, and let’s go Team USA.

Legend: The shows listed are ordered based on their appearance on the schedule. Show trends are listed in bold. The number next to the listed trend represents the highest it trended on the list (not counting the promoted trend), judging only by the images placed in the rundown. For the Twitter tweet counts, the listed number of tweets are also sorely based on the highest number shown based on the images on the rundown.

July 12, 2024 Toonami Rewind Trends

United States Trends:

#ToonamiRewind [#25]

Tweet Counts:

#SailorMoon [2,303 tweets]

July 13-14, 2024 Toonami Trends

United States Trends:

#MyAdventuresWithSuperman [#26]

Tweet Counts:

#MyAdventuresWithSuperman [2,539 tweets]

Tumblr Trends:

#one piece [#8]

July 19, 2024 Toonami Rewind Trends

United States Trends:

#ToonamiRewind [#17]

#SailorMoon [Trended with #ToonamiRewind]

#Naruto [Trended with #ToonamiRewind]

Tweet Counts:

#SailorMoon [3,307 tweets]

#Naruto [14.3k tweets]

Tumblr Trends:

#naruto [#9]

July 20-21, 2024 Toonami Trends

United States Trends:

#Toonami [Trended with #MyAdventuresWithSuperman]

#MyAdventuresWithSuperman [#7]

#NarutoShippuden [Trended with #MyAdventuresWithSuperman]

Tumblr Trends:

#Toonami [#8]

July 26, 2024 Toonami Rewind Trends

United States Trends:

#ToonamiRewind [#2]

Tweet Counts:

#ToonamiRewind [1,552 tweets]

#SailorMoon [4,244 tweets]

#Naruto [8,515 tweets]

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Only Toonami on [adult swim] on Cartoon Network.

[weclassybouquetfun]

Variety's Actors on Actors lineup has been announced.

Surprising absolutely no one, BarbenHeimer unites again with a Cillian Murphy and Margot Robbie team-up.

A Zodiac/Avengers reunion with Robert Downey Jr. (“Oppenheimer”) & Mark Ruffalo (“Poor Things”)

A THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA reunion with Emily Blunt (“Oppenheimer”) & Anne Hathaway (“Eileen”)

An ALOHA reunion between Emma Stone (“Poor Things”) & Bradley Cooper (“Maestro”)

*B-Coop, you may not get an actor nod, but you most definitely deserves Best Director recognition for MAESTRO.

EUPHORIA costars Colman Domingo (“Rustin,” “The Color Purple”) & Jacob Elordi (“Priscilla,” “Saltburn”)

*While Colman was excellent in RUSTIN, and I would love for him to get nominated for that, THE COLOR PURPLE as the performance for me.

SHAME reunion with Carey Mulligan (“Maestro”) & Michael Fassbender (“The Killer”)

*Carey is sensational in MAESTRO and I hope she and her team don't push her for Supporting because she is quite frankly the lead. She even has top billing over Bradley Cooper. He has always asserted that the film is more about Lenny and Felicia and it's more her story.

MORE ACTORS. MORE AWARDS SEASON TALK

A THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT reunion between Annette Bening (“Nyad”) & Julianne Moore (“May December”)

*May December wasn't to my liking and surprisingly Charles Melton was wonderful. But I'm all about NYAD and if Bening isn't nominated for Best Actress it will be a crime.

Disney Princesses Halle Bailey (“The Little Mermaid”, “The Color Purple”) & Rachel Zegler (“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes”)

*The struggle to hide that pregnancy is real.

Jeffrey Wright (“American Fiction”) & Taraji P. Henson (“The Color Purple”)

*He's the lead in AMERICAN FICTION but he gave RUSTIN the punch it needed in his small role.

Greta Lee (“Past Lives”) & Andrew Scott (“All of Us Strangers”)

*ALL OF US STRANGERS was very affecting. I thought it too navel-gazing at first, but it blossomed over me much later.

Natalie Portman (“May December”) & Paul Mescal (“All of Us Strangers”)

*Mescal was in the film CARMEN directed by and conceived by Portman's philandering husband Benjamin Millipied. The screening happened before his affair allegations came out, but after the Q&A someone commented to me that Benjamin and his lead Melissa Barrera looked too comfortable with each other and bet they had slept together at least once. I just chalked it up to him being French. But maybe?

Alden Ehrenreich (“Fair Play,” “Oppenheimer”) & Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Holdovers”)

*I've been a fan of Ehrenreich since the wretched BEAUTIFUL CREATURES so I love all the attention and acclaim he's getting. But male voters hate weak male characters (which is why I'm worried that Leonardo DiCaprio will be snubbed for his performance in KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON. Every man I've spoken to about it hated his character - not because of his actions - but because he was weak and stupid. And Leo's character has nothing on Ehrenreich's soppy Luke. There's a meme about people being weak in the knees and needing to stand up. Nah, Luke needed to sit his ass down.).

However, Da'Vine Joy Randolph seems to be a lock. The trio of Randolph, Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa in THE HOLDOVERS deserve any nominations they may receive.

My fantasy Best Supporting Actress list is

Da'vine Joy Randolph (THE HOLDOVERS)

Danielle Brooks (THE COLOR PURPLE)

Jodie Foster (NYAD)

Rosamund Pike (SALTBURN)

Penelope Cruz (FERRARI)

*If Apple is running Lily Gladstone as Supporting (which they shouldn't because she's a lead), then I would swap out Foster for Gladstone. If Gladstone isn't in Supporting, then Cara Jade Myers as Anna in KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON would be my swap.

[ishomieokay]

And We Made You Pairs (Ch. 2)

──── a homelander x arab oc story.

✰ summary - Homelander’s mission in Syria puts him in direct conflict with Noura, an activist working to protect her country from foreign interference. Although their initial encounters are fraught with tension, over time they develop a begrudging respect for one another. Homelander is drawn to Noura’s fearlessness and conviction, while she catches glimpses of humanity in him.

When Noura’s town faces annihilation, Homelander must make a choice. Will he remain the military’s loyal wardog, or will he do something good for once in his life? ao3.

✰ warnings - blood and gore, violence, minor character death, war crimes, breaches of the Geneva Convention, mental health issues, intrusive thoughts, stalking, obsessive behaviour.

✰ taglist - @discowizard88, @possiblyafangirl, @sacha1slytherin, @infinetlyforgotten, @redroserabbit, @1800imgay Let me know if you want to be tagged!

The room was buzzing with tension. Reporters, photographers, and cameramen had flooded the venue in downtown Damascus. The ceiling fans rotated slowly, barely stirring the warm, packed air as people jostled to see. Bright lights from a dozen cameras flashed on the podium where General Mark Thompson stood, flanked by a proud red, white, and blue symbol of American might. Although his presence in the country was known, seeing Homelander in the capital was a rarity. Enough to warrant quite a high amount of media attention, and that without considering the upcoming events. 

All eyes were riveted on him, expressions ranging from curious awe to simmering resentment. Dressed in his pristine suit, he looked out of place there, too polished and proud for the worn-down walls and bustling heat. He scanned the room sporting an easy smile, his stance straight-backed, head held high. 

“Today marks a critical step forward for stability in the region,” General Thompson announced, his voice carrying over the murmuring crowd. “We’re pleased to be here to support diplomatic efforts between our two countries, and to strengthen our commitment to protecting our allies in Syria.” His words rang out mechanically, delivered with practiced conviction. Devoid of any real feeling.

“And we are especially grateful for the continued service of America’s greatest hero, Homelander! A personal friend, and a big source of inspiration for the troops.” Thompson extended a hand towards Homelander, then, his eyes sharp and attentive as he waited for a response.

Homelander stepped forward, his cape swishing behind him with a practiced flair. A subtle smile tugged at his mouth as he looked down on the crowd, his gaze lingering on the members of the press. Phones out, notebooks poised and pens at the ready. They were looking at him like in the good old days–hungry, enthralled. Finally, after almost two years in service, the Stormfront scandal was beginning to die down. 

“Now, now, guys. I know some folks out there are worried about the safety of our diplomats. Let me assure you, we’ve got some great security over here. My boys from the Falcon Unit are on the mission! Isn’t that right, Robbie?” he beamed, randomly pointing at one of his squadmates. The man only smiled, awkwardly waving at the crowd. “Oh, don’t mind him. He’s just shy. He knows what I’m talking about. Anyway, everything’s gonna be a-okay, you hear me? And if anything does happen, you can bet I’ll be there to save the day!”

Homelander’s voice was light and smooth, his tone just teasing enough to suggest that such concerns were unnecessary, even amusing. Cameras clicked furiously, capturing his practiced smile, the proud tilt of his head. His eyes glinted in the harsh lights, and he basked in the attention, in the energy of the room. He was in the eye of the storm, devoured by the ravenous beast of the international press, and he felt right at home.

Someone was watching him different eyes, though. 

At the back of the room, Noura clutched her phone, heart hammering in her chest. She wore a cream colored hijab that framed her face, allowing her to blend into the crowd, a silent observer amid a sea of clamoring voices. Her eyes were fixed on Homelander, her fingers trembling as she hovered over the record button.

She could still see him, painted in moonlight—his face splattered with specks of blood, his eyes empty of any remorse as he made his way through the empty streets of Nineveh. The image burned in her mind’s eye, inescapable. The screams, the destruction, the ruins where countless lives lay buried—he had brought all of it. Her nails dug into her palms as she stared at him now, regal and proud, standing under the harsh ceiling lights in the guise of a benevolent savior.

When General Thompson’s voice dropped to signal the end of the briefing, she felt a surge of adrenaline run through her. Noura took a step forward, heart pounding, ignoring the uneasy glances from those around her as she raised her voice, determined not to be swallowed up by the crowd’s inclement noise.

“You call yourself a hero,” she shouted, her voice clear and cutting through the room, “but all you’ve brought us is death and ruin!”

The room went silent as a ripple of shock spread through the attendants. Heads turned to stare at her, a plain looking woman standing at the back of the room. Although she felt the weight of their stares, Noura held her ground, her chin lifting as she took another step forward.

Homelander’s smile faltered, his eyes narrowing as they found hers across that vast sea of anonymous faces. For a brief moment, he appeared surprised. He quickly masked it with a smooth, almost bening expression, though. He tilted his head, looking at her like one might at a wayward child.

“Sorry, what was that?” 

She clenched her teeth, feeling her anger rise as she fought to keep her voice steady. “You act like you’re here to protect us, but your protection has only brought us grief. How many innocents did you slaughter in Nineveh, Homelander? How many lives have been lost ever since you so magnanimously took us under your wing?”

The crowd held its breath. She could see his smile tighten, something dangerous flickering across his eyes. “Ma’am,” he began in that maddeningly smooth tone, “War isn’t always pretty. I know, I know. It’s not easy to accept.” His brow furrowed, and under a certain light, he almost appeared contrite. “But sometimes, sacrifices have to be made to… ensure peace.”

“Sacrifices?” she repeated, her voice unusually blank. She took a slow breath, steadying herself, the phone recording in her hand long forgotten. “What gives you the right to decide who lives and who dies? You level towns, you massacre innocents, and then you have the gall to play hero for the press?” Her voice rose as she continued, words cold and resolute. “You’re not our savior—you’re a murderer!”

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Homelander’s smile wavered, the cracks in his facade showing for just a second before he plastered it back in place. She saw it in his eyes, though—a glimpse of something darker, colder. A pale reflection of the monster she had seen before, the night her home was burnt to ashes. 

“You know,” he said, a hint of frustration slipping into his voice, “people like you, who spread rumors and make accusations, who love to point fingers and criticize but never contribute—you’re the ones who make this job harder than it needs to be.” He held his head higher, his gaze lingering on her with barely concealed disdain. “I’m here to protect lives. To make sure that peace actually has a chance. Maybe you should stop wasting your time playing influencer with that little flip-phone of yours and start looking at the bigger picture.”

His words fell on her with a weight that felt suffocating. He really felt no remorse. In his mind, everything he had done was right and justifiable. Noura held his gaze, refusing to shrink back. She remembered the faces of her neighbors, her friends, who had been buried under the rubble of their homes. The blood and the wounded. The tears shed and the collapsed mosque. Far from deterring her, the indifference in his voice only strengthened her resolve.

“Tell us, then,” she shot back, her voice rising to fill the room, “tell us how many lives you took in the name of this ‘protection’ of yours.” Her voice broke faintly as she spoke, “Tell us how many children you left to die that night.”

Gasps and whispers rose around her, but Noura had eyes for one person only. Homelander’s expression faltered again, just for an instant. He looked around, gauging the reaction of the crowd with something akin to nervousness. Then, his face twisted into something colder, almost irritated. His displeasure only deepened when several reporters turned their cameras toward her, the lenses hungry for every moment, every biting retort.

He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, two security officers flanked her, seizing her by the arms. “Ma’am, you need to leave,” one of them said, their voices hushed but firm.

She struggled in their grip, but she kept her eyes locked on Homelander’s, refusing to be intimidated. “The world deserves to know!” she shouted, her voice echoing in the silent room. “They deserve to know what you’ve done!”

Homelander’s smile was gone, replaced with a hard, unreadable look. He held her gaze as the guards started to pull her back, his blue eyes flat, icy. A primal instinct made her insides twist with fear, but Noura clenched her jaw, unwilling to back down. 

As the guards dragged her towards the exit, she raised her voice one last time, her words ringing out over the heads of the international press, clear and defiant. “We will not be silenced!”

The woman was forced out of the room, but the energy she left behind lingered, thick and unyielding. Homelander remained standing on the stage, his gaze fixed on the doorway where she had been moments before. Suddenly, the conference buzzed back to life, reporters whispering, writing notes, exchanging glances. The cameras turned back toward Homelander, capturing his stony expression, the hardened set of his jaw. As he met the cameras’ gaze once more, his smile returned, but there was something forced about it now, something brittle. His mask had cracked, if only for a moment.

He left earlier than expected, dodging General Thompson’s attempts to invite him for a celebratory drink with the boys. He felt out of sorts. Unbalanced. The city blurred past the tinted window as he sat, silent, in the back of a military vehicle. He’d been advised not to fly while in the capital, not to draw too much attention. Homelander wasn’t sure what irritated him the most—that after all this time they would dare to try and control him again, or the fact that a part of him still felt compelled to obey.  

Damascus swelled with movement outside—a flood of pedestrians navigating narrow sidewalks, shopkeepers shouting their wares, the occasional glint of sunlight bouncing off the rusted fender of an old truck. Yet, in the calm hum of the car, it felt to Homelander as if he were worlds away from the ordinary bustle, separated by more than just glass.

He’d felt it in the press conference, a tremor of something he couldn’t quite place—a feeling of… what? Unease? It was ridiculous, and yet there it was, simmering beneath his well-worn armor of arrogance and pride. The memory of her voice, fearless and wrathful, cut through his thoughts. It was enough to silence the entire room. “You’re not our savior—you’re a murderer!” The words scratched at the inside of his skull, insistently, maddeningly.

And then there it was again, taunting him—not the woman, but his own reflection, his own voice.

“She’s got guts, I’ll give her that.” His face twisted in the window, his smirk sharp and cruel, eyebrows raised in mocking amusement. “It’s not every day someone talks to you like that. You’re not really going to let it go, are you?” 

Homelander’s jaw tightened. He pressed his fist against his thigh, nails digging into his palm. “She’s just another activist,” he muttered, barely moving his lips. His voice was flat, determined. “A nobody trying to make a name for herself.” 

“Riiiight.” His reflection smiled knowingly, crossing his arms as he leaned against the glass. “You think that’s all she is? Then why can’t you stop thinking about her, huh?” His voice dipped, turning soft and honey-sweet. “It’s unsettling, isn’t it? When people aren’t afraid of you.”

Homelander’s gaze drifted back to the street as if that alone could shut out the jeering specter next to him. He watched a small group of schoolchildren cross the road, their laughter reaching faintly through the vehicle’s insulated silence. He clenched his fist tighter, forcing himself to focus on the gentle thrum of the car, the smooth roll of the wheels beneath him. He was getting nauseous.

Homelander closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to no avail to block out the voice. “Shut up,” he muttered, a faint whisper. A plea to himself, always left unheard.

His reflection grinned wider, gaze gleaming with cold amusement. “Oh, you think you can ignore me?” He tilted his head, studying Homelander with curiosity. “You’re rattled, Johnny boy. Admit it. She got under that unbreakable skin of yours. Her, and her stupid little speech.”

“No, she didn’t,” he hissed, though the words tasted hollow even as he spoke them. The other grinned back at him, clever and always vicious, an embodiment of every doubt he tried to bury, every crack in his perfect facade.

The dim glow of the phone cast shadows across Homelander’s face as he lay in the quiet of his hotel room. The place was spotless—a luxury suite with every amenity a man of his stature could desire, but he barely noticed it. His gaze remained fixed on the screen, on the figure confronting him in a grainy video from earlier that day. The woman’s voice crackled through his earbuds, fierce and unyielding: “You call yourself a hero, but all you’ve brought us is death and ruin!”

He replayed the moment, watching the way her expression had transformed from stern composure to raw anger, her gaze steady as she crossed the distance between them. She hadn’t flinched, hadn’t hesitated. Homelander had to give it to her—the little dune coon had bigger balls than most of the military men he’d dealt with during his service. Although he wanted to be amused by it, his jaw tightened as he clicked on the replay button again. 

In the years following the Stormfront scandal, he had developed a somewhat thicker skin. The public’s vicious reaction had made him numb to most accusations, especially after the whiplash provoked by what he endearingly referred to as the Apology Tour. Still, there was something different in the woman’s words, in the contempt in her voice. Her defiance felt too… personal. 

“What gives you the right to decide who lives and who dies?” she’d said, her voice piercing through the tense silence of the room. “You level towns, you massacre innocents, and then you have the gall to play hero for the press?”

He felt the words in his bones, an unpleasant churning sensation that tugged at him like the bite of a thorn he couldn’t quite dislodge. It made no sense, of course. This woman was nothing. Less than nothing. He had no reason to worry about what she thought of him. And yet when he found a link to her Instagram profile as he scrolled down the comments, he found himself opening it. 

Noura Al-Sayed.

That was her name. 

A video flickered to life, revealing the woman walking through rubble-strewn streets, narrating the aftermath of a military operation. Her words were steady, powerful, painting a picture of horror and loss. Homelander’s face twitched as he watched her carefully pick her way through what had once been a school, her voice never wavering, her eyes dark and steady. Dead children. A smart choice—the media always fell for that.

“Un-fucking-believable,” he muttered to himself, trying to summon the disgust he normally felt toward rebels, protesters, or anyone who dared defy him. Instead, he felt curious. Surprised. She wasn’t like the mud people who usually stared up at him, wide-eyed and trembling, begging for mercy, desperate for a scrap of his attention. 

She wanted nothing from him. She just wanted him gone. 

His thumb hovered over her profile picture. A simple, candid photo where she wasn’t looking at the camera but off to the side, caught in some quiet moment of contemplation. He knew he should scroll past, should stop staring, but his fingers didn’t move. He felt himself searching her expression, drawn to the way her brows knitted together, the intensity in her bright hazel eyes.

She’s a threat, he told himself, clicking through to another video she’d posted earlier that day. In it, she spoke passionately at a rally, her aggressive rhetoric bordering on recklessness. Dependency theory, unlawful occupation, cultural colonialism. Very complicated words, for someone whose first language wasn’t English. 

Just another troublemaker, Homelander thought derisively. The words felt hollow, though. Al-Sayed was different from other high-brow bleeding hearts he’d come across. Her outrage wasn’t calculated or forced. It was raw, fueled by pain and anger in a way that even he, in some dark corner of himself, could recognize. She was fighting for something she believed in, something that felt real to her.

“Are we really doing this?” A voice sneered in his mind, breaking through the quiet. “She’s just some woman. Some insolent, loud-mouthed, puritan old hag. And yet here you are, obsessing over her like a fool. What is it that you’re scared of?”

Homelander forced himself to tear his gaze away from the screen, scowling at the reflection in the dark window across from him. Scared? No, that was ridiculous. She didn’t scare him. She was just a phony little activist, a civilian caught up in a conflict far beyond her comprehension. His hands itched to click back, though, to watch her videos once more.

“Just some woman…” he said aloud, looking for reassurance in the sound of his own voice. It came out softer than he intended, though, laced with a trace of doubt.

The courtyard was cloaked in shadows, the thick, warm air hanging heavy as murmurs passed between the dozen or so people gathered there. Noura scanned the faces surrounding her, illuminated by the faint light from a single, weak bulb hanging from a cord above. She felt the weight of their expectations, and, deeper still, the tremor of fear she was still learning to ignore. It was not an ordinary meeting. Each person present understood that they were taking great risks.

Noura took a breath, quieting her racing heart. “Our goal is to expose the truth,” she began, her voice low but unwavering. “What happened in Nineveh, and what’s still happening in towns like ours, needs to be seen by the world. No one else is going to tell our story, so it’s up to us.”

Across from her, Rami Haddad nodded, his camera already recording. He kept his voice just above a whisper. “They’ll try to twist everything you say. They’ll call you terrorists, fanatics, but you can’t let it affect you.” His eyes looked tired, shadowed by sleepless nights. He had worked harder than any of them to make these meetings happen. For years, he had been documenting the dark side of the war, sidestepping danger and authorities. At last, his work was bearing fruit. 

“Be strong,” Noura continued. “If we let them break us, then everything we’ve lost means nothing.” 

Rami reached into his bag and pulled out a stack of pamphlets they’d hastily printed. “Help us get these out. We need to show people what’s happening here. Spread the word through every channel we have.”

Noura took a pamphlet from the stack and passed it to a man beside her. One by one, she handed them out. “Get these to the neighborhoods, the universities, the shops. Anywhere people gather.” Her voice grew steadier as she continued, “We’re not just victims, and we’re not invisible. We won’t let them silence us.”

Later, as the gathering dismantled, a hand tugged at her sleeve. Noura turned to see Fatima, her face pale under her hijab, brows knitted in worry.

“Noura,” Fatima murmured, so the others wouldn’t hear. “This is dangerous. You’re drawing too much attention to yourself. It’s only a matter of time before…” Her voice trailed off, but her eyes spoke the rest. She was scared, and it took every ounce of her courage to stay here despite that fear.

Noura softened. “I know what I’m doing, Fatima.” Her words came out more confident than she felt. She reached out, giving Fatima’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “But we can’t turn back now. If we don’t speak, who will?”

Fatima’s expression remained troubled, but she nodded, gripping Noura’s hand tightly before letting go.

As she was preparing to leave, Rami caught her attention, his face etched with both worry and curiosity. “I found something you should see.”

He lifted his phone. Noura leaned in, her heart skipping as she saw herself on the screen, her voice rising in defiance at the press conference, the words still clear in her mind. “You call yourself a hero, but all you’ve brought us is death and ruin!”

In the footage, she could see Homelander’s face, the flicker of anger barely concealed behind his forced smile. She hadn’t noticed it in the moment. Now it was impossible to miss, though. Rami swiped through the trending posts, her face filling feeds across Twitter, Instagram, TikTok.

“You know what this means,” he murmured, glancing up at her. There was, surprisingly, no reproach in his gaze. “We wanted to be careful, to stay in the shadows as much as possible. But that’s over now. Everyone’s seen you, and you’re trending. They’ll know who you are.”

Noura took a step back. The flicker of doubt she’d pushed aside in the past began to burn a little brighter. She knew what she was doing—or at least, she’d thought she did. But now, staring at her own face on the screen, watching the way people shared and reacted to her words, she felt the enormity of it all.

“This is what we wanted,” she whispered to herself, hoping her own words would steady her. It had been an impulsive decision, careless, but she couldn’t change it now. Noura met Rami’s gaze and managed a shaky smile. “I’m not backing down.”

Homelander hovered above the flickering streetlights, nearly invisible against the midnight sky as he watched the protest unfold below. The Presidential Palace loomed nearby, a stark white against darkness. The following day, it would host a meeting between the Syrian government and a high-level US delegation. 

The reason for his arrival to Damascus was pragmatic, on paper—the American attendants needed someone to guard them, to make them feel safe in a savage, war-torn region. Homelander knew better, though. He was there to pose for the cameras, make the military look powerful and in-control. Still, he found himself breaking protocol, as he so often did these days. 

He was done with being relegated to be a phony little ken doll by bureaucrats and fools. This was not like back in the US, back with Vought. Homelander had a purpose here.

The crowd gathered just outside the gates was sparse, but big enough to warrant a quick sweep of the premises. Below, Al-Sayed stood at the heart of the crowd, microphone in hand, leading her followers in chants against foreign occupation. Her words rang clear and sharp, echoing off the surrounding buildings. Despite the limited numbers, every phrase seemed to vibrate with a sense of raw urgency.

Homelander narrowed his eyes, watching the way her face lit up with passion everytime a new agitator joined the protest. He was there to monitor them, to make sure things didn’t get out of hand. That was his duty, whether his superiors wanted to acknowledge it or not. At a time like this, the Homelander was not meant to be a spectator. He was here on official matters, America’s finest weapon, always ready to strike fear into the heart of the enemy. 

Still, he found himself hovering there longer than he meant to, gaze always fixed on Al-Sayed. She was a small woman in her mid to late thirties. Her light-colored clothing made her stand out in the crowd—a pink veil with a white tunic-like garment. There was something electric about her presence. Despite her unassuming size, she stood with a steady, defiant strength. Her words seemed to lodge themselves into the hearts of the people, to awaken something dormant within them.  

He hated it, he realized, the way she made him feel as though he were the one who lacked strength. Inside her burned a fire that he couldn’t fathom, a passion that came from something deeper than duty, image or fame.

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” he muttered to himself. No matter how hard he tried, the sting of her words wouldn’t disappear—her accusation, her challenge delivered before a room full of cameras. Her voice had been just as steady then, each sentence carefully aimed. He’d been through worse confrontations, faced greater enemies. Why would such an innocuous creature leave a mark on him? 

“What’s got you so rattled, old sport?” The voice slid into his mind again, sharp and vicious.

Homelander clenched his jaw, forcing down the instinct to snap at the specter of himself. Now more than ever he felt unwilling to indulge it. 

“She’s nothing. Just another rabble-rouser,” he muttered. “A whiny nobody in need of attention.”

“Who are we talking about, again?” the voice taunted, the jab clear in his hollow sneer. “Come on, John. If she’s so insignificant, why do you keep watching her? You could be anywhere else. Anywhere in the world. Why are you here, hovering in the shadows like a ghost? Are you hoping she’ll look up and notice you?”

Homelander felt a flicker of rage at that. It was not about the woman. He was here to protect, to serve, to impose order.

Yet, as he continued to watch the protest, he felt something tighten in his chest. There was a fierce sincerity in her, a connection with the people around her that he envied. She didn’t need a million dollar PR team. She didn’t need flashy powers or a designer suit. Her words alone, her raw courage, seemed enough to seduce the crowd, to hold them in place.

He hovered there, torn between disgust and fascination. The weight of his gaze pressed down on her, but she didn’t look up, didn’t flinch. She remained focused, her voice rising with every chant, every phrase meant to drive home her point.

A stone clattered against the pavement below, jolting Homelander from his thoughts. One of Al-Sayed’s supporters had turned, aiming a rock toward an American patrol stationed a few yards away. The rock struck the ground just shy of the soldiers, who immediately tensed, their hands reaching for their rifles.

Homelander’s scowl deepened. This was exactly what he expected from a gathering like this—violence, mindless vandalism. Al-Sayed didn’t move. Didn’t raise her hand to stop her supporter or even acknowledge the act. Her focus remained on the people, her words flowing, uninterrupted.

The protest was turning, and it could escalate if he let it. She was their voice, their spark. A strange longing twisted uncomfortably within him. 

He stayed until the mob dispersed. 

It was a quiet night, the silence broken only by the occasional clamor of distant voices or the low hum of passing cars. Up on the rooftop across from her apartment, Homelander lingered in the darkness, feeling like an intruder yet rooted to the spot, unable to look away. In the dim light of her window, he could make out the figure of Al-Sayed leaning against the windowsill. Her shoulders slumped slightly, exhaustion etched into her posture. Her hijab was still in place, though her hands toyed with its edges absently, as if itching to take it off. Homelander stared, unblinking.

He didn’t quite understand why he was there, watching her from the shadows of a rooftop—a place meant not for heroes but for apparitions and slimy cowards. There was so much to do, preparations to be made, and yet here he was, glued to a moment he had no business intruding on. He told himself he was simply checking up on her, making sure she wasn’t stirring up any more trouble after today’s events, but the excuse felt flimsy even to him. He stayed where he was, hovering in secret just beyond her world.

He watched as she stood by the window, eyes closed, breathing deeply. She seemed tired. Not as strong as before. The way she looked in that dim light, poised yet burdened, was oddly haunting. Her fingers ran over her neck again, and this time, she slowly began to unwind her hijab, letting it slip from her hair in a careful motion. Homelander caught his breath. 

It was only a quick flash. Dark hair spilling over her shoulders, fingers combing through the strands as if savoring the feeling of being unencumbered. Something about it disturbed him, made him feel that he was peering into something forbidden, not meant for his eyes to see. He looked away. 

“Let’s not pretend. You’re not here because you’re on some noble mission,” the voice said, dripping with a mixture of contempt and delight. “ You know you could crush her, right? All it would take is a flick of your wrist, and she’d be gone. Real easy, Johnny. Deal with the threat, snuff out that little fire she’s got burning.”

The thought made something rebel inside him. He glanced back at Al-Sayed. She’d opened the window, and her hijab was back on. Her gaze drifted out over the street below, a small crease of worry in her brow. Her face, framed by shadows, seemed softened, even vulnerable. Had she noticed him? Sometimes people did, even if they couldn’t see him. An instinctive response.

It was back, that longing from before. She looked human, he realized. Painfully human, like someone who still believed the world could be good if she fought for it. Homelander felt a pang of envy—for that fire, for that faith she seemed to carry so easily, as if it were some vulgar tricket and not a precious stone. 

There was a ringing in his head, someone screaming. “Shut up,” he muttered, covering his face, a sharp whisper in the silence.

The voice only chuckled, curling into his thoughts like a poisonous snake. “So, what’s the real reason you’re here, then?” It asked, teasing, pushing. “If you don’t want to destroy her, why keep watching her like this? You wanna fuck her, is that it? Or maybe you’re afraid of her? Malala’s different, I’ll give her that. Smart enough to take one look at you and see what you really are—a hollow shell.”

Homelander’s fists clenched as he tried to shake off the creeping unease the words stirred in him. It was just his own mind, playing tricks on him, nothing more. Al-Sayed was a pest, a nuisance—an ordinary woman with an overinflated sense of justice. 

“She knows nothing about me,” he muttered, gaze narrowing as he studied her from afar. “Nothing.”

“Oh, she knows enough,” the other scoffed, derision dripping from his tone. “Enough to see past your celebrity smile and your cute little act. To her, you’re just a fake, a monster masquerading. And you know what? It scares you, because you know she’s right.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Homelander said, harsher than he meant to.

Across the street, the light in Al-Sayed’s apartment flickered off. Her silhouette remained by the window for a moment, a slender shape against the darkness, before she slipped out of view completely. The night seemed to press in around him now, swallowing up the space where she’d been. 

It was a wasteland, now. The remains of the village crumbled around Homelander as he strode through smoke and dust. Shadows flickered in his periphery, bodies scattered among the rubble, some still breathing, others not. He barely looked at them. His objective was clear, simple—eliminate the insurgent stronghold, neutralize the threat. 

That’s what General Thompson had said in his crisp, military tone—the kind that always grated on him because it was not a request, not a suggestion, but an order. Usually, it was easy to tune out the details, to simply tear through the mission and let instinct take over. That’s how he usually approached it. No real thought involved.

He stepped over a fallen beam, his boots crunching through the debris. A sudden movement caught his eye. A rebel crawled from beneath a shattered wall, his face smeared with dust and blood. His arm was twisted at an unnatural angle. Homelander closed the distance in seconds, his hand clamping around the man’s neck, lifting him with ease.

“What’s the matter, champ?” He asked, his voice smooth and deadly sweet. “They left you here to die, didn’t they? So much for brotherhood.”

The rebel’s eyes narrowed, hatred burning in his gaze. When he spoke, his voice was thick with scorn, but the meaning of the words escaped Homelander. The man spat at him, saliva mixed with blood landing on his cheek. Homelander’s jaw tightened, and without a second thought, he backhanded the man, sending him crashing against the wall. 

The rebel’s jaw hung at a grotesque angle, broken, blood dribbling from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained defiant, unyielding. “Hurts,” he choked out, his words slurred and mangled. Across his face a deranged smile unfolded. “All you are. Just pain, destruction. Anti shaytan.”

The words stung in a way Homelander hadn’t expected, cutting through the thick layer of rage and landing somewhere deeper. He gritted his teeth. How presumptuous. Why would he care what this insignificant speck of a man thought? He was the Homelander, the strongest being on the planet. The world looked up to him as a symbol of hope, of power.

Then why did these words echo, sinking into him, refusing to be shaken off, even as he walked out of the stronghold bathed in blood and entrails, screams of death still fresh in his mind?

He turned, his gaze sweeping over the smoldering remains of the village. His work here was almost done; the rebels were either dead or fleeing, their hideout reduced to little more than a smoking ruin. It should have been satisfying, should have left him feeling triumphant, the same rush he always felt after a successful mission.

Tonight felt different, though.

In the distance, he saw a lone figure hunched over, one of the last survivors. He approached. The tension simmering inside him threatened to boil over. Each step felt like a march toward something he couldn’t name, a confrontation he wasn’t ready for.

The figure looked up—a young woman, eyes wide with fear, her face streaked with ash. She backed away, crawling over the rubble, her gaze never leaving his. Homelander paused, his fists clenched, every muscle in his body taut with frustration. This was what he was here for, wasn’t it? To instill fear, to make them understand the price of defiance.

He stared in silence, unwilling to acknowledge this unknown weakness that seemed to grip him. The woman closed her eyes. She was ready for the end. Without another word, Homelander turned away, leaving the girl behind. Even if she were to tell her story, no one would believe her. 

When he returned to the base, Thompson was waiting for him.

“Well done,” he said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “Another stronghold taken out. Effective as always, Homelander.”

Homelander nodded, barely registering the words. Usually, he would feel pride, he would revel in the praise, but it was as if a fog had settled over him, dulling every sensation, every thought. Thompson was just noise, barely breaking through the haze.

“There was a… delay, Sir,” Homelander muttered, his voice flat.

Thompson’s eyes narrowed slightly, his expression flickering with curiosity. “Is that so? I wasn’t aware that a few rebels could slow you down. You’re practically unstoppable.” Even though he knew it was meant as flattery, there was a smugness in his tone that Homelander didn’t like.

He forced a smile, but it felt like a thin mask, one that could shatter at any moment. “The locals, they… Well, we got caught up in a little resistance. Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

“Oh, that. You know how it is, it won’t be an issue.” Thompson nodded, seeming satisfied. He patted Homelander on the shoulder again, his gaze filled with an admiration that felt more like ownership. “You did well tonight. Another mission completed, another victory for our side.”

Homelander nodded again. For the first time, Thompson’s praise felt like ash in his mouth, hollow and meaningless. There was no satisfaction in it, no sense of accomplishment. Just an aching void that seemed to stretch wider with every word of approval.

As he walked away from Thompson, his mind drifted back to the village, to the broken bodies left behind, to the rebel’s words echoing in his mind. Anti shaytan. After two years in Syria, Homelander understood little to no Arabic, and that was fine. He had no interest in learning that strange, savage language. He’d picked up on a few words, though, almost against his will. Enough to understand what the rebel had meant to say. 

You’re a demon.

Something inside him had shifted. Homelander was dimly aware of it. A crack had formed in the carefully constructed facade he had built for himself. And somewhere, in the back of his mind, he heard that mocking voice, a sneer cutting through the silence.

“Is that what bothers you?” It whispered, dripping with disdain. “That they don’t love you? That all this power, all this strength, means nothing if they don’t believe you’re a hero?”

Homelander gritted his teeth, fighting against the anger that simmered within him. He didn’t need these taunts, didn’t need the doubt that seemed to gnaw at his very core. He was the Homelander, the strongest man on Earth, a symbol of power and strength. He didn’t need their approval.

Thompson was pleased with him. He had done what was expected of him, had completed his mission efficiently, and that was enough. It had to be. 

[wits-writing]

“A Wonderful Experience”: Why Transformers: EarthSpark and Nightshade Matter

I’ve been a Transformers fan to one degree or another for as long as I can remember. Whether it’s early memories of watching Beast Wars, renting the G1 animated film on VHS from Blockbuster, or reading the numerous excellent comics that have come over the years, I’ve always found something to love about this franchise. So, I was probably going to find time to check out the 2022 CGI animated series Transformers: EarthSpark eventually no matter what. But one little bird changed that from an “I’ll get around to it eventually” to “I need to make watching this show a priority.”

A little bird by the name of Nightshade (voiced by Z Infante)!

I’d already heard from people I trust about EarthSpark’s quality as a series, but finding out about the franchise’s first prominent, explicitly nonbinary Transformer got me eager to dive in. I’ve discussed characters I relate to and read nonbinary themes into in the past, but getting a chance to see a show in a franchise I love feature that kind of representation with intent was exciting. Given the fact I’ve written 3000 words analyzing the character of Nightshade now, it’s easy to say I wasn’t disappointed!

The topic of gender and how it relates to the Transformers as characters has been one of many long, exhausting fandom debates over the franchise’s nearly four decade history. I’m not here to relitigate any of that, so take it as read from here on out that the Transformers as characters do have and express gendered identities throughout the history of all its incarnations. 

To give a quick primer on EarthSpark as a whole (and why it’s great) before digging into Nightshade’s character in specific:

The series is set fifteen years after the end of the Autobot/Decepticon War. The bots that managed to survive the fighting and remain on Earth are presumed to be the last of their species. All of them are stuck in a holding pattern where the only options currently viable are a life in hiding or working alongside the government-funded alien threat detection/response agency GHOST. Optimus Prime and Megatron head up the latter efforts, in the hope of finding some peaceful balance between humans and Transformers going into the future (though neither of them are fully at ease with the situation, as GHOST clearly has ulterior motives of their own.)

The grim outlook for the Cybertronians takes a turn for the better with the birth of two new Transformers. The Earth-sparks of the show’s title (called “Terrans” throughout the series), Twitch and Thrash, who are bonded to the human children Robby and Mo Malto. Helped by Optimus, Megatron, and the Malto kids’ parents, GHOST agent Dot and her husband Alex, the decision is made to keep the Terrans a secret until the extent of what their existence could mean for the Transformers future as a species is fully understood. The Terrans become an official part of the Malto Family (lovingly referred to as “Malto-bots” by the other characters.) At the halfway point of the first season, in the episode “Age of Evolution”, this unconventional family unit expands further with the birth of three more Terrans, including Nightshade.

Between puzzling out the Terrans’ existence, hiding from GHOST, and fighting threats like the human mad scientist Mandroid, there’s a lot of thematic meat on the bone of this series’ setup. The main one I’m interested in digging into through the lens of Nightshade’s characterization is how the Terrans are written to feel like kids figuring out who they want to be as they grow up. Transformers has a history of designating one or more bots in its series central casts as the rookie/kid character, not insignificantly the Terrans’ primary mentor, Bumblebee, has been traditionally positioned as that very rookie. EarthSpark adding the narrative weight of representing a potential for all Transformers, particularly in how they’ll relate to humans while living on Earth, onto these characters gives more meaning to them being under that role.

The Terrans learn lessons about who they want to be and who they can/can’t trust (not always determined by old alliances like Autobot/Decepticon) from the older Transformers and humans alike. Also proving through their actions everything new they’ll have to offer the world they call home through the gift of their existence. Each Terran has been given the appropriate space so far to have their characters develop, each in their own directions, through this theme. 

Nightshade is exemplary of this, best understood through looking at how they’re characterized before/after their first focus episode “Missed Connection”, about them forming a bond with Decepticon scientist Tarantulas.

[SPOILERS for EarthSpark beyond this point]

Before “Missed Connection”

Something that genuinely impressed me going back through EarthSpark for the sake of writing this piece is how immediately Nightshade is fully themself from their earliest bits of screentime in “Age of Evolution.” While the other two members of the second batch of Terran Transformers, Hashtag and Jawbreaker, have their names confirmed upon them by their connection to Robby and Mo, Nightshade actively introduces themself with a bow and a flourish (“It is a delight and a surprise to meet you all!”) This beat quickly establishes their self-assuredness in their identity and that, while they’re later shown to have occasional introverted tendencies, they are anything but shy. I’m also fond of how the scene establishing their pronouns as Optimus lays out their plan of attack also foreshadows their eventual alt-mode, since they ask to be represented by an owl-bobblehead during the planning. The one scene serving as a contrast to their outgoing demeanor, as they recoil at the sight of Mandroid’s cruelty, gives the first hint towards their eventual desire to protect those in need.

There’s only two episodes between Nightshade’s debut in “Age of Evolution” and their first focus episode; “Hashtag: Oops” and “Outtakes.” Since neither is their focus episode, there’s not much to say about how they’re portrayed in either one (in fact, Nightshade’s entirely absent from “Outtakes” as anything but a brief visual cameo.) “Hashtag: Oops” does still manage to establish some key parts of Nightshade’s personality. Firstly, their comfort in themselves as they proclaim they don’t need an alt-mode (“I like who I am as I am.”) Secondly, their inclination towards tech and engineering as they secretly build a new underground base to surprise their family and give everyone more room to operate within. The latter also indicates their “better to ask forgiveness than permission” approach to their tinkering and scientific work. Which comes back around in a big way during “Missed Connection.”

Which finally brings us to the episode that’s the primary reason I’m writing this piece at all!

“Missed Connection”

Being Nightshade’s first proper focus episode in the series, their current state as part of the ensemble cast gets reestablished in short order. Namely, how they feel out of place around their siblings. Their affinity for science and technology leads to them making their own fun separate from the rest of the family. A pattern that gets highlighted by Nightshade working to perfect a new training drone while the rest of their siblings are playing a game of tag outdoors in celebration of Robby and Mo having the day off school. When later questioned by Alex and Dot about why they don’t spend more time with the rest of the family, Nightshade says it feels like their siblings treat them like they’re “speaking another language.”

This sense of isolation informs why Nightshade is so eager later in the episode when they find a connection with Tarantulas’ own work with tech. Simultaneously providing an opportunity for Alex to offer them something they can connect with while trying to figure out how to connect with others. Like any good nerdy dad, he does it through the magic of reading. He offers Nightshade a copy of his favorite book from when he was growing up, “Winged Sentinel”, an in-universe fantasy/sci-fi series they immediately connect with and find new aspirations. Which we hear as they repeatedly call back to the books like about its hero “protecting those in need.” Their connection to this book quickly leads to the one they find working with Tarantulas, as they were in the local cemetery since it was the “last known address” of Winged Sentinel’s author.

(Quick aside: First time I watched this episode, that detail had me thinking the show was going to do a “Nightshade learns about mortality” type of story. I was relieved when not only did Nightshade grok what happened to the author pretty fast, but the episode in turn swiftly shifted to the dynamic between Tarantulas and them.)

“Missed Connection” finds its central theme in Nightshade and Tarantulas’ discussions on identity and finding one’s place within that world rife with conflict that can be directly hostile to those like them. There’s a recurrent motif in the dialogue of Tarantulas’ cynicism born from eons of experience and Nightshade’s youthful enthusiasm. Though cynicism is far from all the elder Transformer has to offer, as he also provides Nightshade with a new perspective on alt-modes they hadn’t considered and ultimately guides them to their choice.

Nightshade: Aren’t I sufficient as I am? Tarantulas: Alt-forms aren’t meant to complete you, as though you have a missing part, they further express who you already are.

Combining that with Tarantulas’ frustration at the “constrictive labels” of Autobot/Decepticon adds to the resonance this episode has with the nonbinary experience. The concept of “passing” gets explicitly evoked by him while discussing his plan to create a hard-light hologram projector so he can live freely as a human while evading GHOST’s forces. Which is the first proper disguise Tarantulas has taken in his life. While his giant spider alt-mode may provide plenty of utility, it’s anything but discreet.

His plan and attitude informing on it connects back to the broader central theme of EarthSpark as a series of the Transformers finding a new way to live on Earth among humanity with the Terrans representing the way forward. He can’t see a way forward besides hiding who he is and the only safety he can think to offer Nightshade is to join him in that life of discretion. His outlook’s best emphasized by his assuredness that the Autobot/Decepticon War resuming is inevitable, alongside that eventuality dragging him out of whatever peace he does find.

However, cracks in Tarantulas’ bleak worldview show as he begins to admire Nightshade’s exuberant demeanor and determination to be a protector. That admiration for a Transformer with the potential to live unburdened by all the hardships he’s seen leads to him delivering the best, most resonant line in the episode:

“It is a gift to know yourself so well, so young. Take pride in that.”

A beautiful sentiment aimed directly at members of EarthSpark’s target demographic on their own journeys to express their identities.

Unfortunately, the bond these characters have found can’t last. When Tarantulas recognizes Dot as an agent of GHOST, he acts rashly under the assumption that she’s holding Nightshade prisoner. He kidnaps Alex and her, planning to erase Nightshade from their memories so they can go into hiding with him. As a fight between the bots eventually breaks out, Nightshade commits to acting like the protector they aspire to be and chooses the alt-mode of a green armored owl, based on the hero of Winged Sentinel. (Alex’s proud declaration of “You read the book!” while witnessing this is great.) A form that isn’t a disguise but expresses themself as they are and what they want to be going forward.

Nightshade and Tarantulas’ conflict has grown intense enough by this point that the elder Transformer’s admiration for the young bot doesn’t come through in his reaction. Rather he flips it into an insult providing Nightshade their opportunity for a sharp, direct retort (and other best line in the episode):

Tarantulas: You’re still just the lost protoform I first met! Nightshade: You’ve just proven you don’t really know me, because I was never lost!

When the fight ends with Tarantulas’ hologram projector destroyed in the skirmish, Nightshade reflects on words Dot offered them earlier about how everyone deserves a second chance and convinces their family not to hurt Tarantulas any further. However, it seems to be a decision out of their hands as GHOST is drawn to their location by the fight. Tarantulas, finally understanding Nightshade’s situation as well as who they are, offers himself up as bait to lure GHOST away from the Maltos. Running off into the forest as Nightshade reflects on the broken hologram projector the two of them made.

Multiple rewatches of this episode, as well as the first season of EarthSpark as a whole, has reaffirmed it as my favorite episode of the show so far. The tight focus of the dynamic between Nightshade and Tarantulas, alongside the deeper meaning that can be taken from pretty much every exchange between the two, is exemplary of what makes this series standout wonderfully as part of the vast Transformers canon.

After “Missed Connection”

Since there’s not that much of the first season left after “Missed Connection”, Nightshade’s once again mostly off to the side doing their own thing. But there are small bits that show how their experiences in that episode have changed them. They actively spend more time around the rest of the Malto Family, like helping Bumblebee train for an upcoming race and showing that they’ve formed a bond built on mutual tech-obsession with their sister, Hashtag, as they work together to further upgrade the underground headquarters. 

We also get a fun minor bit of their “better to ask forgiveness…” way of operating when they add some high tech bells and whistles to Dot’s prosthetic leg as a Mother’s Day present in the episode “Bear Necessities.” A plot point that later gives the show an opportunity for Dot and Nightshade to have a nice mother-child bonding moment as she explains to them why she liked her leg the way it was in terms they can understand (“something like this is personal”) while not completely shutting them down over it (“I’m open to some small changes, but they’ll have to be ones we come up with together.”)

Though the biggest moment post “Missed Connection” moment for the character, as well as my personal favorite single scene in EarthSpark so far, comes from their subplot in the season 1 two-parter episode “Home.” As the Malto kids and the Terrans go into Philadelphia to see more of the wider world, we get to see Nightshade continue acting as a protector for those in need as they save a young person named Sam from getting mugged in an alley. Nightshade notices a pin that says “SHE/THEY” on Sam’s handbag and tells her their pronouns in return. The two end up having a conversation about how the things that make them who they are can also make them targets for intolerantly minded people. This interaction ends with Sam affirming they feel safe around Nightshade and giving the young Transformer a simple but effective explanation of what being nonbinary means.

This not only gives Nightshade further context to understand themself, but also has the important touch from a metaperspective of having a human character be the one to explain the concept. An effective dodge of what’s frequently cited as a pitfall of using aliens/robots to explore these facets of human identity, making it as clear as possible for anyone watching (especially the target demographic of kids) that Nightshade’s nonbinary identity is in no way just a product of their being an alien robot. Rather, it's an identity that simply feels right for some people living in the world. One that people who identify with it and explore their connections to it can find immensely fulfilling. 

Or, as Nightshade puts it at the end of this conversation:

“What a wonderful word, for a wonderful experience.”

(Before I dive into my conclusion, I want to say I deeply hope this isn’t the last we see of Sam in the series. Both for representation’s sake and because I like seeing the Terrans bond with humans outside of their immediate family circle.)

It would feel wrong to end this look at Nightshade’s character and how that reflects on the best qualities of EarthSpark as a series without giving proper credit to the creative voices involved in bringing them to life. Namely, writer Mae Catt (she/they) who wrote the episode “Missed Connection” and one of the three writers on “Home”, the other two being showrunners Nicole Dubuc and Dale Malinkowski. While fundamentally I believe anyone could write any kind of story, authenticity comes through stronger when writers from the same background are involved. Catt’s passion for writing this show comes through beautifully in these episodes and in how they’ve discussed the show on social media.

Her understanding for what these characters and stories can mean to the young people watching gets clearly reflected in recurrent elements of EarthSpark’s story. Aside from Nightshade’s admiration for the main character of the Winged Sentinel novels, we also see moments in other episodes of their siblings trying to figure out what being a Transformers means through in-universe Transformers comic books telling the story of the Autobot/Decepticon War. 

It’s also what drove me to write this piece. I see Nightshade in all their creative, expressive glory and it makes me happy for the kids watching Transformers: EarthSpark, seeing them, and relating to them. Every story has the potential to be a guide someone out there can use to move closer to their heart. Nightshade’s being that guide to nonbinary kids now in a way I never could’ve dreamed of growing up is, simply put, wonderful.

Happy Pride! 💛🤍💜🖤

If you like what you’ve read here, please like/reblog or share elsewhere online, follow me on Twitter (@WC_WIT), and consider throwing some support my way at either Ko-Fi.com or Patreon.com at the extension “/witswriting”

[glavilio]

saw the barbie movie. twas okay. margo robbie was jaw droppingly beautiful as always and it was funnier than i was anticipating. was not a huge fan of the serious parts but i couldn't think of an alternative path that could have been taken so it was okay. more importantly before the movie started the theatre i was at showed this unbelievable music video ad for an amateur "documentary" made by a political group called "staunch moderates" in which a guy in a creepy bigfoot costume dances while a guy raps about how protesters shouldn't go to far and the left and right should unite. i actually could not believe my eyes, that it's completely sincere and not some secret tim and eric bit

[lol-jackles]

Your opinion on a thought I had over the weekend. Would an actor sabotage his own project to provide evidence to TPTB that the og show formula is what needs to be on air?

It still baffles me to this day that Jensen thought the prequel turned sequel AU concept of The Winchesters and the story framework of the 13 episodes would be a successful endeavor.

There was no effort put into the creation or marketing, especially by him, Robbie, Danneel or CMP production company. The execution was a small step up from a high school film project. The cast was inexperienced and apparently very inexpensive.

Jensen very quickly (even prior to the pilot airing) was pushing a reboot/revival with both Sam and Dean back on screen, and pushing it with more vigor and gusto than the TW project in production. It’s like he used the prequel/sequel project to drum up interest and excitement for a Sam/Dean reboot and to show WB execs why Supernatural (and J2) just needed a break.

Was this Jensen’s plan all along? Is that even plausible?

Thank you for your blog. I am a dedicated reader.

No. TV shows have 94% failure rates before syndication, so Jensen doesn't need to actively sabotage anything, the odds are always against you in Hollywood where even great tv shows get cancelled after 1 season and largely forgotten.

We were all baffled, Anon, it's what brought different SPN factions together in agreement and achieved temporary peace. Before that, nothing in the SPN fandom brings momentary peace than being united in fans’ hatred for the Buck-Lemming writing duo.

Jensen and Danneel probably expected Robbie Thompson to act like Eric Kripke 2.0 and manage everything for them. Where as Robbie expected Jensen and Danneel to pull their own weight. But there was no communication on expectations.

I think Jensen pushing a reboot/revival with both Sam and Dean back on screen prior to The Winchester airing was because:

The Winchesters was filming and will air so as far as Jensen was concerned, his work was done and he can focus on other things.

Jensen knew TW wasn't immediately accepted by at least half of the SPN fandom and tried to win them back with a promise of a Sam & Dean-focused SPN revival.

He wanted to keep SPN's money train running at conventions by giving rabid fans hope that SPN will return.

Jensen, my unasked advice to you is don’t go chasing waterfalls. The Winchesters was a Shein version of an AU fanfic.

WB executives cancelled SPN because they didn't trust a Jared-less SPN. Hollywood doesn't believe in breaks or letting a franchise "rest" unless it's losing money. The industry waits for nobody.

Honestly, that sounds too much like AAs/Hellers saying we got to watch The Winchesters so that we can get the SPN reboot/revival/movie.  That's like telling a vegan," I like steak, so you need to like steak so that we get more steak.". We're going to keep getting steaks regardless of vegans.

[lserver362reviews]

If you want a reason to be anti-war, just look at Elvis Presley's life. I have to wonder what he would've done had he not gone into the army. The pills, his mother, the reworking of his good all American boy image, and those shitty pictures. King Creole (1958) is genuinely a good film and his best-if he could've followed that track the movies would've been good. I felt like this movie was a little bit overblown at first, but some really good talking heads like Baz Lurhman and (RIP) Robbie Robertson. Bruce Springsteen crushing on Elvis Presley on Ed Sullivan, this is what is meant by icons only. Also Robbie and Bob Dylan watching the 68 Comeback Special together is crazy to me. I've never heard those Elvis audio clips as clean as they are presented in this, so that's really cool. We also get a lot of emotion from Priscilla, which I love seeing. This doc also goes into territory none of the other ones I have seen in regards to race and the movements that he did not engage in. Finally!! I had been wanting to rewatch The King (2017) since the election as I still think it'' is the best analysis of Elvis and the United States. I love Elvis doing his gospel work. I am also the biggest fan of (the good sections) the Comeback Special (the ring & gospel parts). Overall, a very good doc and I know I'm gunna cry when I visit Graceland next year. I dont think most Elvis docs give him the humanity and emotions this one does. Humans are complex and interesting and I think that Elvis Presley is a very unique person to study to delve into what it means to be a complicated human. To my surprise, Conan O'Brien said my favorite stuff. As I have said before, say whatever you want to about Elvis, his life and music, but it always comes back to If I Can Dream from the 68 Elvis Special.

[lifeinacartoon]

I was thinking about tt yesterday. If thaey all had stayed together and with Rob as well instead of braking up in the 90s and still had nige around what do you think thay would be like. I don’t think thay would be like thay are naw. I mean Rob would likely of got wurst mark would be getting to the stage where Rob is but not as bad. Gary’s eating issues would have been wurst because he meet when wouldn’t have dawn around. Howard I don’t knaw but think he would be struggling and Jason I don’t know. I’m not sure

That’s an interesting question and a difficult one to answer because it didn’t happen, so we can only speculate.

However, I don’t think they would have remained the same band they were in the ’90s. People change as they get older—they grow, they learn, they gain new perspectives. I imagine they would have matured both as individuals and as a group, evolving their sound and dynamic over time.

If they had stayed together, I think Gary would have eventually started working more closely with the others in terms of songwriting and sharing lead vocals. He was always the primary songwriter, but over time, I think he would have seen the value in collaboration. By the time of their reunion, he was much more open to that idea, so I imagine that shift would have happened earlier if they had never split.

In terms of their personal struggles, I don’t think Gary’s issues with food would have been worse. A lot of that stemmed from his depression after being dropped by his label and the way the press treated him—especially with the cruel jokes Robbie made at his expense. But Robbie himself was struggling massively with his own insecurities and self-destructive tendencies at the time, and lashing out was his way of coping. If they had remained in the band together, maybe things wouldn’t have escalated in the same way.

That said, I do believe they would have gained more control over their own careers. If they had managed to stick together, they might have even sacked Nigel as their manager. He played a huge role in creating divisions between them, whether it was through controlling their fan mail or his general treatment of Robbie. He clearly didn’t favour Robbie and didn’t give him much encouragement, which only fuelled the tensions within the band. Without that influence, maybe they would have functioned more as a unit rather than being pitted against each other.

As for the others, I think Mark would have struggled at times, but perhaps not to the extent he did in reality. With more stability and a stronger support system in place, he might have been able to navigate his personal battles differently. Howard seems like the kind of person who would have just kept going, but we don’t really know how he would have been affected long-term. And Jason… well, I still think Jason would have left eventually. He’s always seemed like someone who was never entirely comfortable with fame, so I imagine he would have walked away at some point, no matter what.

Ultimately, though, it’s impossible to say for sure. Maybe they would have thrived, or maybe the pressure of staying together would have led to an even bigger breakdown. Either way, it’s interesting to think about how things could have turned out.

[chussyracing]

F1 related news, rumours or interesting facts i recently learned

There's a rumour Fernando got offered an extension for one year in AM

Locals protest against Merc expansion in Brackley because they argue it will cause more traffic in the area

Alpine apparently also failed the first fia crash test (but take it with a grain of salt)

Ignacio Rueda is out of f1 rivision and got transfered to sports cars section of Ferrari

Logan Sargeant said there's a huge performance gap between f2 and f1 which should be worked on so the transition is easier for junior drivers

Ben Sulayem doesn't want just one, but two new teams in formula 1: one fully American (Andretti) and one fully chinese

Jumbo ended the sponsorship of Max Verstappen under their new CEO (they're trying to pull away from all sports, so no sposorship for Zandvoort gp, for cycling, for ice skating etc)

Bottas wants to be part of Audi and reach a decision before his contract expires but didn't get the chance to speak to Audi yet

Nikita Mazepin thinks he is still relevant and said that during last day of tests for Haas he was faster than Mick

Lance Stroll's performance coach Robbie Mads will end his role after 7 years (it is not the one who he formally apologised to)

When I said in some previous updates that fda head is leaving, it turns out that Mekies actually approached him and poached him for Alpha Tauri

Loic Serra (performance director) from Merc will join Ferrari in 2025 after his gardening leave expires

Tim Gloss left the FIA and BBC reported it's actually third leading figure leaving the institution in one singular month

Speaking of FIA changes, Tim Maylon was announced as a replacement of Nielsen. He previously worked with RBR for 12 years.

Merc will continue to supply Williams with power units till 2030

RBR will show their hypercar RB17 later this year - the car was designed by Newey and will be produced in 2025

McLaren hired Antoine Okla who has a history of work in junior formulas

From fan point of view: it was Lewis' bd yesterday, Charles posted a new vlog from LA (I didn't see it yet, no spoilers) and Lando got a new car and it's a Lambo

[zot3-flopped]

I don't understand why anyone would be shocked about Harry's success post-1D. He was always singled out as the Michael Jackson/Bobby Brown/Robbie Williams/Justin Timberlake from the get-go. It's not always about who has the technically best voice. You have to have the right mix of talent and charisma. Harry is so charismatic and puts effort into the image and presentation of his albums, music videos and live shows. That seems to be a lost art when it comes to make pop stars. Harry has gained many, many fans that were never into One Direction. Look on Facebook and you can see older people really like him and give him his flowers.

As far as the other 1D guys... Zayn got that early start and had a lot of potential to carve a JT/Weeknd type career. But his laziness and poor choices of singles for Icarus Falls (which he was obviously trying to ape Chris Brown by making it twice as long as it needed to be) derailed his momentum. How you fumble an opportunity to work with Timbaland so badly is quite impressive.

Niall actually did well for himself on the first album, and I'm glad he found a sound that works well for him. Idk if you've ever seen his full audition for The X Factor, but he was clearly just imitating Justin Bieber. He does not have a voice for R&B at all. Heartbreak Weather was derailed by COVID, and Niall was acting very passive-aggressively and salty by this. This new record was delayed a bit too long IMO, but it seems to have performed OK. I think Niall will continue to have a solid fanbase, but he'll never approach Harry's highs.

Liam is Mr. Trendhopper. Let's try a bazillion different genres and see what sticks. The end result was an album that had no congruency or artistic vision. Instead, we had an album with a random ass Christmas song, a bunch of random collaborations and a song that fetishes bisexual women (which reminds me of another former boy bander's song: JC Chasez's "Some Girls (Dance With Women). This was at least a bit more excusable since it came out in 2004. Liam really should've known better than putting such an offensive tune on an album in the year of Our Lord 2019. The fact that it got to #111 in the United States really shows how much he screwed the pooch.

Louis frankly has had way more success than he deserves. He can't sing at all, and with the way he's going I'd be shocked if his voice lasts another 5 years. Anyway, his albums are basically Oasis rip-offs drenched in dated imagery of hyper masculinity. Then there are his stage shows, where he puts in less than 0% effort and treats his own fans very poorly.

👏👏👏👏