#s3 theory i hope is wrong

[youmakethelight]

I'm making a habit of writing my s3 theories here so that I'll hopefully jinx them and they won't come true, so here's another.

Note: so serious when I say that I wrote this post for myself. I'm hoping I can revisit these next year and be glad that none of these came true, but right now, I don't feel hopeful, and it is cathartic for me to get it out of my head and on to a space that is mine. This is my own personal blog that I appreciate being able to use in whatever way works for me. I'm grateful for the people I've connected with in a positive way through this blog. And I know from experience that sometimes writing out worries like this in a public space helps others who share similar concerns to feel less alone. If my posts don't bring you something positive, then you don't need to read them.

I will say again - blaming people for how they feel in response to something is gaslighting.

Lately, I've been haunted by the idea that Daryl and the 20-year-old actress have a mission on their own, and they end up in some cave (idk why a cave), and her character comes on to him sexually. For some reason, I think she's romantically entangled with the younger guy we've seen bts and in pictures with her, and I (touch wood) don't think they'd do full romance with daryl and the 20 year old. But I'm sus that they might use her as a sexual awakening situation. Or maybe they're even gonna go for some awkward comedy. These male EPs clearly can't read a room and are tasteless.

And I hate that I'm even saying this. I really didn't want for this young actress to have her role in this show overshadowed by fan speculation about whether she'll be romantically or sexually involved with the 55 year old man. She deserves better.

But here I am, contributing to the problem. Hopefully, we are all wrong. Unfortunately, it's the men in charge who have instigated this problem because they've caused viewers to lose all faith in them to tell a respectful story.

Unfortunately, they did it to Clémence (who, of course, was 20 years older, but her acting skill was still overshadowed by a degrading story). I even feel like Melissa has been the target of it now, with the s3 teaser shoulder scene. And three of the same men also did it to Emily Kinney to some extent. I don't know enough about that situation to have a strong opinion about it, but I think we sometimes forget that she too was a young actress surrounded by much older, powerful and privileged men. Those are the same men in control of the spinoff now.

I truly hope Candela has been given an unproblematic, interesting story for her character.

[orionhelluvaranting]

My Predictions for Helluva Boss

Alright, guys, not gonna lie... I'm tired from HB! Protagonist-centered morality, favoritism, lack of stakes, Stolass' endless woobification, etc... It has become too much for me. Thus I've gave up any hopes for the writing improvement and refused to watch the show in the long run.

But!

This won't stop me from analysing the previous episodes that I've already watched. Furthermore, I wanna make a few predictions about what's going to happen in the next two seasons (unless those will be cancelled). Perhaps I'll repeat some of the points other critics had already made. So I'm sorry in advance for this, mates.

Now careful, there's a HUGE list under the cut! 🔮

⋆˙˖⟡°˖⟡˙ {Predictions} ˙⟡˖°⟡˖˙⋆

None of the main cast is dead. The plot armor is too strong. Especially for Stolass. I mean, do you genuinely believe that Viv would kill her precious sad bean?! Bitch, please! 🤗

All/most of the antagonists are dead. The only exception I can think about is Cherubs. They're just too unthreatening to bother about. Prolly the D.H.O.R.K.S are dead but reborn in the Hell and Idk if that counts or not 💀⚰️

If the rumors about one of the Deadly Sins' upcoming death are true then it's going to be Mammon. No other options 💸 (Btw I saw a fan theory about Blitzø killing Mammon and taking his place... Well, considering how poorly Viv handles the class problem I wouldn't be surprised if that came true)

F!zzarozz!e get married (S3) 💞 - 100% probability

Stol!tzø get married (S4, finale) 💞 - 100% probability

M&M became parents. Honestly I thought they'll save it for the end but after Sinsmas... Yeah. Anyway the truth about Millie's pregnancy is revealed (nearly to the middle of S3), she gives a birth for pro-lifers' delight and takes maternity leave becoming a background character. The child prolly is a boy and gets a better development than his mother. Apparently he's named Blitzø Junior or smth like that 👨‍👩‍👧

F!zzarozz!e & Stol!tzø double date💕

Moxxie's insecurity issue is showed at least once at the season. Now he isn't sure about himself being a good father/protector/role model for his son 💪

Loona shows her human disguise at least once at the season. Doesn't really matter if there's no logical reason for that 🐺➡️👩

More sappy sad ballads performed by Stolass 🎵

I.M.P. continue murdering people and not giving a fuck about morality (Sinsmas was the only act of mercy) OR they leave the business and fully go for Stol!tz soap opera (not like they haven't done that already- but hey! there's always room for degradation, right?) 📉

Stolass succeeds at the dime novels writing 📜✍️

Carnal hyper-sensual coitus between Stolass and Blitzø appears on-screen. Correct me if I'm wrong but I remember Viv expressed her desire to animate an intimacy act, so I have zero doubts these two are involved. It can't be anyone but them 🤢

Octavia forgives Stolass the moment she finds out about Stella's abusive nature. And since Stella's confirmed as a "stupid cow" the truth's revealed in the dumbest way possible. I wouldn't be surprised if Stella spilled the beans by herself 🤦‍♀️

Blitzø boosts his connection with Stolass the moment he finds out about Stella's abusive nature. After all we've got a sex out of pity, so why wouldn't we got a love out of pity as well? 🤡

Possibly Striker/Stella had been a thing at a certain time. Why? Because ✨fanservice✨ of course! And yes, it's going to be as dull, flat and out of nowhere as Cherr!snake. Or maybe worse 🙁

Stella's backstory turns out like the "she was born evil so don't you dare to sympathise with her" full edition. There is no valid motivation, no intriguing conflicts, no nuances - none of that. There is only Stolass' woobification arc. So this backstory isn't about Stella. It's revolved mainly around Stolass, maybe around Andrealphus or Vassago at the least. Granted that Stella ever had a chance to receive a decent backstory for herself Vivienne would've thrown it away right in the next episode without mentioning it ever again 😭

Actually Mammon can't play the guitar 🎸 He's just too dumb and untalented for this (according to Vivienne). Don't expect an epic villain song from him. I'd be happy to be wrong about this one but my hopes are dead

More fatphobic jokes toward Mammon 👎

Stolass' in drag. Just no comments 💄👠

Love triangle between Stolass, Blitzø and Vassago. At one point, Stolass leaves Blitzø because he doesn't satisfy his wet dreams well enough. Vassago and Stolass have complete mutual understanding and the idyll but Stolass feels smth isn't right. Smth is missing, smth like… Meanwhile Blitzø suffers and seeks Stolass' mercy. Eventually Stolass comes back to Blitzø because 💖 ~ they belong together ~ 💖

Perhaps after the breakup between Stolass and Vassago the latter will get together with Andrealphus 💘

Millie & Moxxie or Fizz & Ozzie giving romantic advices to Blitzø / helping him improve the relationship with Stolass 💝

Barbie Wire forgives Blitzø in her next appearance and then moves away from the plot without a trace 💨

Sapphic bait 💗 Verosika/Barbie Wire? Barbie Wire/Sallie May? Sallie May/Verosika? All of them together? I don't know! But I do know Viv would rather escape from being accused of wlw underrepresentation. Since she has promised S3 is going to be "a queer roller coaster" she would need to dilute her sausage party a bit. And of course the lesbian ship (whichever it would be) is poorly developed.

New unnecessary characters for celebrity VA's ⭐

Stolass was kidnapped... again?! Yes, Striker abducted him before but... Why wouldn't do this one more time? After all the stans love presenting Viv's auto-plagiarism as meaningful "symbolic parallels". Besides kidnapping is one of the most beloved tropes in fanfiction. And HB is an animated fanfic for sure ⛓

More shitty dads/exes? Because Viv adores reusing the same tropes over and over again 💩

"Positive" characters keep being justified and woobified infinitely 😇 while villains are losing all their charisma and braincells from episode to episode 😈

Nobody will ever remember that Stolass harassed Blitzø 🙈

Nobody will ever remember that Ozzie allows succubi to enter the mortal realm and seduce humans by hypnotic songs (which doesn't sound pro-consent, does it, Mr. Lust-Is-Not-About-Force?) 🙉

Nobody will ever remember that Queen Bee runs shelters (which are essentially slave trade hellholes) in terrible conditions 🙊

Stolass' "depression" is brought up occasionally as a reason to justify and pity him. Stolass' immediately healed by Stella's death. Right after that the depression has disappeared completely. Therapy sessions aren't required. Even if the therapy is shown then only as a lame joke 🌧

Stolass brings his powers back because he's out... for LOOOOoOHoOOOHoOOVE!!! 💓💃🏻

Stolass gets everything he ever wanted without any efforts and self-improvement. Because he's good enough already and everyone who disagree is just stupid and mean 🏆

Aaaaaaaand that's all! My forecast: at least 80% of these predictions will come true one way or another. And what do you think? Maybe you have your own ideas? Please share those in the comments/reblogs! It'd be cool if someone made a bingo based on all this. It definitely wouldn't be me because today I'm identifying myself as a lazy ass. Bye-bye! 👋😊

[virginiaisforvampires]

Do you think Armand was planning to keep Lestat for himself after the lynching? But then Lestat used his last power to save Louis and so Armand changed his plans?

My theory?

I had really hoped the show wouldn’t necessarily do this, but it seems like they are playing up this particular aspect to the books, so here goes.

I think Armand conspired with Santiago to produce and direct the trial because one, Louis broke the rules. Two, Louis refused to love Armand the way Armand wanted to be loved. And three, Armand wanted to get revenge on Lestat for spurning him and also not loving him back.

I haven’t seen hardly anyone bringing up the fact that the entire trial was not even truly about Claudia. It was about Louis and his relationship with Lestat. It was filled with intimacies about Louis and Lestat, meant to make a mockery of Louis, meant to humiliate Louis, meant to frame Louis as a manipulative predator, and meant to frame Louis as the one at fault for Claudia’s existence/crimes. The times Lestat went off script were the times he was defending Louis and saying it was all on him and he should be punished right along with Louis and Claudia.

That trial was personal. It was born out of deep emotion. Way more emotion than Santiago or Samuel Beckett would ever give to Louis or Claudia or Lestat.

It was all a farce to get rid of Claudia, yes. She was merely the “roof shingle.” However, the actual heart of the matter was Armand’s rage over neither Louis and Lestat loving him in return and being completely consumed with each other instead.

Armand’s final dig in 2x08? “He loved you. I can say that now. He loved you a great deal.”

Yeah, he could say that now….now that he believed he’d gotten away with it and Lestat wasn’t a threat to the house of cards he’d built with Louis as his brain-zapped Stepford wife.

Whether I’m right or wrong, I just hope Armand’s motives are cleared up in S3.

[genericpuff]

I love Lore Olympus Rekindled! Speaking of, what made you decide to make this series?

Thank you!! <3

I mean, it goes without saying that the biggest reason I decided to pursue it was the same reason a lot of people read it now - I was disappointed with what LO was becoming, but I was still too in love with it to simply let it go. I know from the outside it's easy to assume that I must have always hated LO, but I didn't. I used to adore it, I read every episode as soon as it went up, talked about it with friends who also read it... and then around the trial arc, I saw the cracks beginning to form, and then the rose-colored glasses fell off entirely by the S2 finale when I truly realized that whatever I was hoping for all throughout the first two seasons was never actually going to happen. There was no earnest character development, no payoff to the questions and theories that we had had for years, no closure for the plot threads that were left hanging until they were forgotten.

I don't think past me expected everything to go exactly how they envisioned it, but I don't think they were wrong for expecting it to at least tell a story that was worth sticking around from beginning to end for. And by the end, it couldn't even manage that - there was no story, it was just a husk of what it used to be.

It was back around that S2/early S3 mark that I had the idea to actually turn my disappointment into something productive, by re-imagining the series my own way. My writing roots have always been in transformative fiction, I've always loved re-interpreting existing works into something new, and this was the first time in ages I had gotten an opportunity to do it - so after sitting on the idea for a little while (just to ensure I didn't jump headfirst into a new project in case it was a passing fancy lmao) I finally had enough of it just living in my own head (and in the discussion circles of the critical groups) and started to make it. It started off small, as all things do, but I never expected back then that it would turn into what it is now.

As much as people know me now as the chronic shit-talker of LO and Rachel Smythe, everything I put into Rekindled is for the love I used to have for LO - without that love underneath all the eventual hate and apathy, I wouldn't have been driven to create it in the first place. At the end of the day, in spite of all the shit I have to say about LO and its creator, everything that Rekindled is and will continue to be is owed to what LO used to be and what it wasn't.

[lookitsstevie]

Do you believe in the coffee theory?

(Megatron poisoning Aziraphale with the coffee to change sides)

Hi hi!

Thank you for the ask! I have to admit I'm not the biggest fan of the theory, Aziraphale's reasoning makes complete sense to me and it feels like it's one of the most Aziraphale things that has happened. And I want him to take responsibility of his actions and decisions and grow up from it : (

But that's just me of course, and the Metatron meddling with the coffee theory does sound it makes a lot of sense with all those little clues. I'd still prefer it to be 100% Aziraphale but I'm okay with it being 98% Aziraphale asjfksjfks I just don't want "Oh it was Metatron all along, hahahah Aziraphale you did nothing wrong, let's blame it on this bigger evil force" bc it doesn't sound like Neil's writing and tbh it's kinda lazy direction to take 😔 I want to see Aziraphale's character developing beautifully in S3. I want him to be a complex, interesting, multi faceted character who has flaws and makes mistakes and knows how to say "you were right, you were right, I was wrong, you were right" (preferably with a little dance 😉)

I decided to post this answer on my blog rather than make it private like I always do, hope you don't mind! Let's see if this ages like fine wine or really bad milk 😂 Thank you again for the ask!

[suzannahnatters]

Wellp. The Rings of Power season 2 ep 8 has come. There are many eulogies to deliver in the coming days (and trust me I will) but for now, there is a certain someone who requires a proper sendoff. SPOILERS BELOW

They fulfilled my one true wish: we got to see Fair Form Adar (and my goodness he did not disappoint). And then they exploded my insane crack theory, sunk my ship, and killed him off. Oh well. At the same time, I'm so grateful for what we got. Adar wasn't Celeborn, but they didn't try to make him some other Big Name from the Sil that only 0.04% of the audience would recognise. It was a bit rushed, but the entire episode was sadly rushed and I felt that his sendoff was one of the few moments that did get sufficient screentime. He didn't get the redemption arc I was trying to manifest through sheer willpower, but the way he died fit the story while also extending a moment of grace and hope for the character. This was not Ben Solo in TROS; it was not the Darkling in Shadow and Bone, being gutted as his killer hisses "there is no redemption". And for that, I'll always be grateful. Meanwhile I'm going to spend the next week just staring into the distance, thinking about how the orcs recapture Galadriel and drag her into the presence of their lord, and he's down on his knees giving her his back in a posture of utter vulnerability. I'll be lying on the carpet thinking about how she was the only person he could show his face to. (I may have been wrong on Adarborn but I DID correctly predict that we'd get to see his fair-form). I'll be chewing on broken glass thinking about how when Sauron offered Galadriel a ring and a position healing Middle Earth at his side, she tried to stab him, but when Adar offered Galadriel her ring back and proposed a partnership...she accepted. SHE ACCEPTED. Oh, and? the probability that in all likelihood Sauron saw that happen. (and yep, I also predicted a callback to s1).

*high-pitched fangirl keening*

Anyway, my chums tell me that in the BTS segment for this episode, Adar was originally slated to die much sooner, but Simon Tolkien advocated for the character to be continued. Let's all raise a glass to Simon Tolkien, who is obviously continuing the Lord's work here. And let's admit that even though Galadriel seems to be stuck in the worst possible version of Middle Earth Bachelorette, in which her actual husband is lost and her boyfriends are a hit parade of Middle Earth's Most Wanted (stay tuned for s3, when we all watch in mind-boggled fascination while Galadriel romances Ar-Pharazon!) in hindsight the fact is that this was supposed to be a supporting character who ended up dominating much of the show almost by mistake. I can't imagine how they'll manage to outdo Adar when they bring along Actual Celeborn (unless they cast Dev Patel! I'm sure he's not got anything important scheduled!!!! THE PEOPLE DEMAND A HOT DESI CELEBORN), but if Adar was a mistake, he's a mistake I wish many more shows would make.

In conclusion: yes, I will be writing an Adariel fix fic, filing off the serial numbers, and self-publishing it. It will be titled AUTUMNTHRALL. Stay tuned.

[usercelestial]

tbh i think a lot of the people saying "well both sides are wrong"/"bt stans are just as toxic" are just not exposed to other perspectives in this fandom. as a buddie fan who's been watching this show since s1, i can safely say that buddie fans have always been toxic. like as fact. to me, to say that bucktommy fans are just as harmful or just as annoying or just as bad as buddies consistently are is just. delusional. indicative of at worst a biased opinion and at best an uninformed one. buddie has been here since s2 and fans have ruthless ever since. bucktommy has been here for 3/4 of a season and for the most part, stay in their lane. i'm sure there are bucktommy fans who suck, like that's just being on the internet, but you have to be blind to ignore how insane buddie fans are and genuinely how much worse they are in comparison.

i don't want to generalize and i think constantly adding that disclaimer is annoying as hell bc obviously i'm not talking about everyone but because buddie has been here for so long and taken up so much mental space of very die-hard, passionate fans, you're going to see much more intensity on that side. after season 5, i had to step away from the fandom and the show because of how frustrating it got. it was annoying to see people swear up and down buddie will be canon by the end of s3-no wait s4-no wait s5-no wait- and ultimately it sucked my enjoyment out of a show i otherwise enjoyed because i got swept up in the Buddie Of It All and forget about why i watch the show to begin with. we've been left to stew in our theories and now we can't tell what canon and what's fanon anymore, and when the show reminds us, the disappointment and frustration kills our hopes.

i was also active in the dan and phil fandom and supernatural fandom, like ik why people think we're annoying and it's because we are. we make everything about the one thing we like, we comment on every post begging for it to become canon, we're violently disappointed when the show doesn't play into our fan theories because we've convinced ourselves buddie is going to happen by the end of the next episode or actually the end of this season or actually maybe the end of the next season. we've torn a part every female love interest, either making them boring or making them unlikeable in our fanon. all that to say is that when people call us annoying, they're telling the truth and when bucktommy fans say buddie fans are toxic, they're coming from a sincere place. i mean we can't even enjoy our own ship because we're so quick to get our hopes up and be let down about something as stupid it becoming canon. who cares if it becomes canon, just like it to like it.

and it makes sense why there's perceived "toxicity" on the bucktommy side. our energy is being matched; the obsession, the passion, the surge in fandom. if you don't like it or even just find it annoying, i suggest you guys look back on your own posts and comments and behaviors towards other people in the fandom and other characters and unbiasedly compare it to the Toxic Bucktommy Shippers you're claiming you hate. if bucktommy fans are obsessive, it's because we've set the stage for that. if bucktommy fans are getting aggro and defensive, it's because buddie fans have been on the opposition and don't know how to turn it off. we've gone from underdog to bully somewhere in the last 6 seasons.

[lightwise]

They Call Themselves The Bad Batch

Parallels between TCW S7 E1 and TBB S3 E11

Watching the latest TBB episode, I realized there are some striking parallels between the very first time we meet our boys in season 7 of the Clone Wars, and watching them be hunted down on Pabu after everything they’ve been through. I know this isn’t the last episode, but this is the countdown to wrapping up this part of their story. Let’s take a look at the first time we see them on screen vs. now:

TCW: The Bad Batch is brought in to help find an algorithm on Anaxes that has been causing the GAR to lose tons of battles by “learning our tendencies and using that data against us”. Rex was one of the army’s best tacticians and he was being defeated by his own strategies being copied. 

TBB: CX-2 uses every tactic that the Batch possesses against them (tracking, data decryption, sniping, hand to hand, demolition). The Batch was the best the army had and they are defeated by CX-2 in this episode. 

TCW: Cody asks his superiors (Mace and Anakin) to let him take a team and go behind enemy lines in order to try and find/defeat this algorithm. 

TBB: Omega convinces Crosshair to help her give herself up to go back to Tantiss so they can finally rescue the clones still imprisoned there. 

TCW: Rex looks at a picture of his “family” - Cody, Fives and Echo. Also, this is where we get Cody’s famous line “sometimes in war it’s hard to be the one that survives”—which is exactly what the entirety of TBB has been about. 

TBB: Omega puts memorabilia of her family—Tech’s goggles and Lula—into the Archium for safekeeping and remembrance.

TCW: Cody and Rex have a conversation about Rex’s theory that Echo might actually be alive. Cody’s response begs him to not have “misplaced hope. I need you to be focused on this.” 

TBB: Omega and Crosshair discuss their limited options as the Empire closes in on them on Pabu. “Think about the greater mission. I’m just a small part of it”. 

TCW: Tech brings the Havoc Marauder brought in onto the platform with the infamous Tech turn. 

TBB: CX-2 has his ship brought in by remote with a menacing turn mid-air so the ramp faces them after capturing Omega.  

TCW: Wrecker’s (and any Batch members’) first line - “The Cavalry Has Arrived��

TBB:  - The last episode of the series will be titled this. 

TCW: Crosshair is introduced as being able to hit precise targets from 10 klicks away.

TBB: Crosshair misses the most important shot he could ever make.

TCW: One of Wrecker’s first “feats” that we see him perform is rescuing Cody from a downed gunship before it explodes. Cody is then severely injured, flat on his back, and out of commission for the mission.

TBB: Wrecker risks his life and rescues Gonky before the Marauder explodes. He is unconscious and flat on his back for the rest of the episode.

TCW: Tech tells Jesse and Kix that “maps can be wrong. Hunter never is”. 

TBB: Crosshair immediately notices when Hunter’s senses go off and asks “what is it Hunter?” “Not sure, but I don’t like it.” 

TCW: Rex states “We should move out before reinforcements arrive. Our position has been compromised”. 

TBB: Omega tells Lyana that it’s safer if they leave, and Crosshair notes to Hunter that ships don’t blow up by themselves and therefore they’ve been compromised. 

TCW: Tech is easily able to hack into the computer and give Rex a reading of the algorithm and pinpoint its location, in the process finding out that it is actually Echo on Skako Minor. 

TBB: The episode opens with CX-2 hacking into Phee’s ship and decrypting her data logs and flight patterns to Pabu. 

TCW and TBB: The episodes end with ships flying off into the sunset with eerie red lighting, and the Bad Batch theme music playing is a somewhat melancholy version of their theme rather than the standard one. 

✨ Tag List ✨

@drafthorsemath @freesia-writes @ladyzirkonia @jedizhi @the-little-moment @sunshinesdaydream @the-bad-batch-baroness @heyclickadee @burningfieldof-clover @dreamless-daydreamer

[nekohime19]

Macaque study # S3 SPECIALS

Macaque in season 3 was a whole ride, really. The specials are quite literally the following of season 3 and it ties up quite nicely everything that has been already established beforehand!

So I would like to creates this time frame of Macaque in season 3 before we dive in the specials :

EP 1 : Macaque being established as a villain working for LBD yet we see he's nervous and frantic which is unusual for him.

EP 2 : Macaque as a threat that follows the team (and thus was not defeated the previous episode, it establish him as a recurrent villain this season)

EP 4 : Macaque goals does not align fully with LBD, he's about survival and he's playing a two-faced game by trying to balance the scale between LBD and MK.

EP 8 : Macaque first betrayal of LBD after learning of the samadhi fire but she gets a hold of him and chains him.

EP 9 : Macaque being desperate and his second betrayal of LBD, he goes after the samadhi fire for himself.

EP 10 : Macaque achieving his goals of freedom and fleeing away from this mess + MK proving Macaque wrong about heroes.

-> All in all, I do think season 3 was really tied up nicely concerning Macaque developpement. Like I said in my first study, LMK is a short series with not a lot of time, so every appearance is pivotal. We cannot have multiple episodes of Macaque hating LBD to really dig into our heads that he's not on her side, one or two scenes are enough for that, they have to be enough. You can feel like Macaque development is fast-paced but in reality it's just the kind of show LMK is, every appearance is meant to add layers. Here everything follow a logical order : you cannot have Macaque's first betrayal in EP 8 without establishing that his goals do not align with LBD beforehand (EP 4).

Now let's delve into the specials!

By theory, Macaque shouldn't return. He has everything he wanted this season : freedom. Yet he does return. He saves MK from the possessed Wukong by portalling him away.

This lil action tells us two things :

First, Macaque never left. He presumably stayed close to MK to watch the events unfold and when MK was put in danger he decided to intervene. This shows that Macaque does care about MK enough to stay behind even if he has the choice no to, but at the same time Macaque doesn't feel confident enough to reveal himself until MK is put in danger. And even then he doesn't show himself, perhaps because a possessed Wukong is quite intimidating and LBD is still near.

Second, Macaque portals MK where Mei is training with Red Son. This is not a coincidence. Clearly he meant for MK to be in a safe environment with known faces. And it also shows that it's not just MK that Macaque has been keeping an eye on after his flee but the whole team.

This scene serves us as an audience to indicate that Macaque did not leave but at the same time he's not fully on the team yet, even if he helps he does not reveal himself.

We see Macaque again some time after when the team are all together. It's interesting to see that Macaque chose to appear from Red Son shadow.

At the moment Red Son was the most isolated person of the team, while everyone was at the front of the frame, he was in the background.

Macaque chose to appear in Red Son shadow specifically because :

First, he came as an ally and didn't want to appear threatening. It would have spooked the team way more if he suddenly appeared in front of them. He was also perhaps more nervous than he appeared and wanted to put some distance between him and the team.

Second, it held significance. Red Son is here as a “reformed villain”, or at least he's here to help. Having Macaque emerge out of Red Son's shadow is a way to portray the same intentions : Macaque wanting to help.

Macaque : I hope I'm not interrupting. But if you're making a plan to defeat the Lady Bone Demon, I know a guy who might be able to help.

He makes his intentions clear by calling out the team plan, and offers them what I'll call a “peace offering” to be more easily accepted. We know that the not-mayor will not be of any help to create the plan (as we can see in the next episode) but Macaque, here, was more looking for a “proof of his goodwill” than a truly helpful hostage. By giving the team the henchman of the Lady Bone Demon he's proving how he's not on her side anymore.

The not-mayor reveals himself to be quite useless. And we got this shot of Macaque :

We can see how he's completely cut from everyone. He's cut from the circle, alone to the side of the frame, yet he's also tied up. I think it physically represents Macaque right now. The team is still suspicious of him, they tie him up, but at the same time he's not being interrogated nor being circled by the team. His place is ambiguous, in a weird in-between.

I think it's telling how it's Macaque who provides the inside information that the team tried so hard to pull out of the not-mayor. Macaque, out of anyone here (except the not-mayor), is the one who knows LBD best. He spent a lot of time with her. Moreover we already established that Macaque is a good observer (we can see how throughout season 3 he successfully gets a lot of the team characters simply by observing them), so we can easily assume that as much as he observed the team, Macaque also observed LBD.

And then, perhaps because he showed he was willing to go against LBD, MK includes Macaque in his plan to defeat her. And this is Macaque answer :

Macaque : Look, I brought you the Lady Bone Demon's lapdog but I'm not up for being a hero, kid…

I think it's pretty telling that Macaque is not fully on board with being a “good guy”. He spends so much of his life painting himself as the darkness to oppose Wukong's light, so much time building his act as a villain, even if he wants to oppose LBD, he's still reluctant to join the team and call himself a hero.

Even when MK proved how wrong Macaque's idea of a hero was, it's difficult to change the way you see things overnight. Macaque spent much of his rebirth hating heroes because of what happened with Wukong. He blamed everything on Wukong's status as a hero. So calling himself a hero stings for him.

And MK knows this, perhaps that's why we get this exchange :

MK : Stop you keep playing at being this bad guy, acting as if you're just in it for you. But I know, deep, deep down, you're not that guy. Help us. Make it right.

Macaque : I'm not a hero, bud.

MK : Then be a warrior.

MK just got it. He knows Macaque has been putting on an act since the beginning. He's acting as if he's only caring about himself yet he comes back to save MK even after he has the choice to flee far away from this. MK calls out everything we established about Macaque those previous seasons, how everything Macaque showed was just part of a performance to either enact his vengeance or appear more intimidating in stressful situations.

MK's words “Make it right” are pivotal in Macaque redemption processus. It can be interpreted as MK asking for help but it's also a way to offer Macaque a chance at proving his goodness, at setting the records straight. MK offers Macaque a chance to right his wrongs.

And while MK is doing his lil speech, Macaque is not trying to put on another mask either :

Macaque is genuinely surprised that someone calls out his act, or even picks up on it.

Yet still Macaque looks away and refuses, not because he doesn't want to right his wrongs but because calling himself a hero would be too much for him. It would question everything he is, everything he built those last years, and Macaque is not ready to abandon everything about himself and become a “hero.”

That's why MK's next words are Macaque saving grace. Because that gives Macaque familiarity. He doesn't have to cast away everything he is, or even the entire identity he built, instead he can be something familiar while still trying to right his wrong.

He can be a warrior.

It's important that Macaque doesn't jump on the occasion of being a good guy. It wouldn't have felt genuine otherwise. The fact he has the occasion to right his wrong but still doesn't call himself a hero provides a balanced in-between.

Macaque : What can I say? I'm dramatic.

Yes. Yes you are. Look at how dramatically you put your cape on!

Both Macaque and Red Son preparing themselves in the same shot is not coincidental. It's an emphasis on both their journeys to get here. If you don't see Red Son as a villain, you can't see Macaque as one either, there are differences between the two but at this very moment the show portrays them in the same way : the redeemed villains.

Macaque and MK confrontation with LBD is very important because Macaque is not just helping MK in a roundabout way, he's directly confronting the one who tormented him all season (LBD), the one he preferred to flee rather than fight before the specials.

LBD : MK the Monkie Kid and the Six-eared Macaque, here to embrace oblivion?

Macaque : The opposite actually. I'm kinda on this whole living streak thing right now, so we were hoping maybe you could call off this whole end of the world thing? Would really help us out.

We can see Macaque is still trying to diffuse the situation but this time it's interesting to notice that instead of doing it like he used to (with sarcastic quips and threatening smiles) he adopts an attitude closer to what Wukong would have done. Wukong is always the one to joke around and make light of a situation. Macaque actions and words are closer to what Wukong could have said if he wasn't possessed. Perhaps Macaque is trying another method to handle stressful situation without his villain persona now that he's in the good guy team, or in his way Macaque unconsciously imitates Wukong because Wukong is the only example of a hero he has.

This similarity between Wukong and Macaque in this particular scene is further emphasized by this action :

I don't have the exact episode in which Wukong twirl MK above his head the same way Macaque does in this scene but I know it happens in season 1.

I think the fight between Macaque and Wukong is quite interesting because the sequences is the exact same as their fight in s1 ep9, yet Wukong uses something he never used before : his laser eyes. It does makes me think that LBD is pushing Wukong to be way more violent than what he is and forces him to use power he doesn't naturally wants to (like his laser eyes that are particularly destructive). That could explain why Macaque is so easily defeated and so soon too, because Wukong is pushed beyond his limits and forced to abandon his fighting ethics.

I do love that to defeats LBD everyone in the LMK cast have to steps up and join forces together. But what I really love is the two scenes we got that emphasize Wukong and Macaque in particular. How they acknowledge the other despite everything that happened between them :

First we get their shared look and nod when everyone is coming together to merge their forces and power up MK's mech. This simple look speak volumes of how easily they can understand each other, they're on the same wagelenght even after years of being ennemies, it speak for itself of their bond.

The second is when they're side by side to push the staff on LBD, it's a nice way to hint at their rekindling relationship. They are in this together despite being ennemis since the start of the show.

Even if not everything is good between the two of them, far from it, this wordless acknowledgement that we see in those two scenes, of them fighting side by side, really ties up Macaque redemption quite nicely.

Then, after LBD defeats, we get the after-fight party that nicely ties up the series.

And obviously we get a fight between Wukong and Macaque.

Macaque : You're done with that right?

MK : actually I -

Wukong : Actually he was saving that for me. Cause you know, I'M his mentor *agressive eating*.

Macaque : Still the same Wukong. Doing what he wants with no regard for other.

Wukong : Oh yeah, yeah I'll keep that in mind next time you scheam with the ennemy and almost get us all D.E.D.

MK : You know you two are the same right?

Wukong/Macaque : I'M NOTHING LIKE HIM!

Macaque wanting MK's bowl of noodle because perhaps he doens't feel comfortable enough to ask Pigsy for one and MK is the only one in the team he feels comfortable talking too right now is one of my personal headcanon.

So first, I think that might be the first healthy fight between Macaque and Wukong. Instead of any of their other fights where they hid their true feelings between mask of nonchalance, here they are openly expressing their anger and frustration to the other. We can see Wukong is still salty about Macaque taking his place as MK's mentor, mayhaps he felt like his place was endangered. Macaque answers with a comment on Wukong's selfishness. Wukong, probably hurt by this, reply with a comment on Macaque working with LBD and endangering them all. Unlike before, all their bickering are direct and more in tune with the present. They're not trying to purposefully hurt the other by digging at past insecurities (Macaque fear of not being enough, Wukong unhealthy way of coping), instead they comment on recent events (Wukong stealing MK's noodles, Macaque working for LBD). Which I think is an improvement, no matter how tiny it is. It shows that they're not trying to hurt the other as much as before, they're not going at the other throat, even if they're still frustrated and angry.

Also, MK is so right when he says they're the same, it's even more funnier because they have the exact same expressions on their faces.

Wukong : Hey! Where do you think you're going!?

Macaque : Don’t know, somewhere I could do a bit of scheming probably. See you around MK.

Wukong : Eugh, I hate that guy so much. Acting like he's so cool!

I do like to think Wukong is questioning Macaque about where he's going because he doesn't want to see him go, 😌.

Macaque callback to Wukong comment minutes earlier is a funny lil quip to annoy him before disappearing. Also his soft tone when addressing MK does really shows he cares about the kid in his own way.

Wukong last line is so funny because no one said Macaque was cool, you're betraying your own thoughts here Monkey King.

All in all, I do think Macaque redemption was handled really well. Each episodes showed us a new layer of his character. His evolution, based on his actions alone, was logical. No matter how much you think Macaque hurts the team, you cannot erase the fact he saved MK twice this season, and keep doing so in later seasons. But I think we also have to remind ourselves that Macaque character arc is not finished yet!

Also, the voice over talking about “redemption” and having one of Macaque first genuine smile in the entire series is so heartwarming for me. The fact MK also draw Macaque smiling 🥺🥺

That was my study of Macaque in season 3 specials! Hope you liked it. If you have any more theories or if you simply disagree you can talk about it, I'll be glad to hear about it.

I'll post my study of Macaque in season 4 in another post!!

S1 / Previous / Next

[youmakethelight]

It's time to write down a fear I had for the spinoff bc whenever I write plot theories here, they don't come true.

Carol will be paired up romantically (endgame) with Rick's brother who they find in Spain.

I had this fear LONG ago. And now something like this is looking less unbelievable.

[neragufetta]

This last episode just left me astonished. There are so many questions and so many discrepancies that I start to have doubts about the consistency of the plot. I hope S3 will prove me wrong.

My theories about BAe6 are the following:

- Lu Guang's answer to the forest's test might be: "since there is no way to find out the truth I'd kill them all", because this would explain LG's resolution regarding CXS's death.

- I wonder if Shao YuanYuan's and Lu Guang's plans interfere with one another: what if saving Cheng Weiming would cause Xioshi's death and viceversa? But this only works if YuanYuan does not know that Xiaoshi is going to die.

- In order to avoid inconsistencies with the plot, I want to believe that Bridon Arc was not set in S1/S2 timeline but in all of them. BAe1 and BAe2 have proofs of different timelines being merged with one another, therefore, whatever happened in BA that does not work with S1 and S2 I can pretend belongs to a previous timeline.

- for as much as I love the idea of Lu Guang going around killing whoever is a threat to CXS, I much prefer him move around the events just enough to 'let things happen' without him actively kill. I don't want him to become a murderer, honestly, or he'll be too doomed for CXS to accept.

[ananke-xiii]

This post contains spoilers for the lastest episode of Severance "Attila" (S2E6, I believe?), so big FYI here.

I've already shared my disappointment for how this season was headed and I was really hoping that, as the season progressed, I would've changed my mind but, alas, I haven't. Personally, I don't think the story is currently being told in a way that's engaging to me. Secretly, I just don't think that the storytelling in S2 was either planned or executed well enough for a show with that time and that budget at its disposal (I'm not talking about camera work and acting performances because they're genuinely the only two things I enjoy atm). Like, I can genuinely feel they're buying time for S3.

"Attila" didn't change my mind about it. However, it gave me an important clue as to why I'm not enjoying the show as I used to and it's also making me think that I might've been wrong in the sense that's not about poor planning but purposefully misleading planning.

With Burt's storyline, we've officially entered "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism" territory. It's text now, it's clear as day, they couldn't actually spelled it out more than this for us in a way that wouldn't be boring and pedantic. There's not takesies-backsies now.

So I've been thinking... what if... and hear me out because this is a big "what if", the show's actually poking a little (a lot of) fun at its audience?

'Cause one of the things people love about "Severance" and shows like it is coming up with theories, collecting all the details as if they're evidence planned since the dawn of time by the Author that are there to reveal something to us and us alone, the only one who can interpret them just the way they're supposed to be interpreted via our obviously unique relationship with God, ooopsie, sorry, I mean the Author.

Because this is the attitude of lots of fans of this show, lol. Like, chill.

But also, this is Luther. This is Protestantism. This is Burt (allegedly) getting severed because he's been "a very bad girl Gaga" and now he knows he won't go to heaven with his good, good husband. This is Protestantism at its core.

By contrast, it's a Protestantism that's actually doing propaganda for Catholicism which is an INSANELY FUN concept and I actually PRAY that's intentional.

'Cause the facts are these:

Luther's core belief was that Christians didn't need the mediation of the Church. This meant that good deeds cannot be earned and also that everybody could interpret the Bible because everybody is their own priest and has direct access to the word of God.

Now, the fun thing in Severance is that, apparently, the actual, in-universe Lutheran Church is literally saying that the severance procedure can help people get to heaven. Which means that Kier is acting as a substitute for the Catholic Church. This is why rituals are so important in its office culture, because they give meaning to that reality.

Kier, as a corporation, has appropriated the importance and the centrality of rituals for humans to the point that it can now "bestow" salvation to them. Through rituals. The severance procedure being one of them, the most important one. It's a baptism, in a way. However, Kier's also a huuuuuge company. Which means that work has a central (protestant) role in how they run their operations. So we have a creepily fun hybrid between Max Weber's thesis and the emptiness, preoccupations and anxiety that people feel in-universe: "Normal" work is not enough. If you want to be saved, you must get severed. You need a Church that can provide you with this service. You need Kier.

Ngl, this is good shit.

But why did I say that the show was poking fun at its audience? Well, because the show itself has inundated us with soooo many signifiers (the goats, the forest, Ricken's second book, the dentist-like tools, the MDR substitutes, the reintegration process, Miss Huang, the Kier's twin brother fairy tale, the holograms etc.) and has given us so little meaning so far that we, the audience, are actually supplying meaning to the show to the point that, I think, we've reached saturation: forms and symbols don't actually mean that much, because there are just too many meanings.

As of now watching Severance feels like a job: after each episode you have to do homework to understand half of what you've just watched. I honestly feel like I'm working trying to keep up with the show. And this is not enough! Because the following week there's a new episode and new signifiers and new shit and absolutely no trace of payoff and I'm like, wtf? The setups in this show feel like fucking traps atm.

And yeah, of course nobody wants to be spoonfed but a girl also wants a story. Which means that a girl wants to be given meaning. A girl wants an Author that can save her from the excess of signs/interpretations. A girl needs a Church. A girl needs Kier. Boom, here I'm faced with an interesting dilemma: I am just like the people getting severed in the show, I'm also looking for someone to give me meaning, to save me from the meaningless of... excess of meaning. This is good!!!

If they're doing what I think they're doing,

aka a critique of the over-"protestantization" of art to the point that art disappears in the background because what counts is only the discourse around Art, aka each individual interpretation of Art holds the same weight and how this is fertile soil for Kier-like corporations that just can't wait to become the New Catholic Church and give us rituals and meaning and salvation!!! not in exchange for money but in exchange for our Time and half of our Life!!!...

well, if they end up there, I'll totally change my mind about the show.

I'll be waiting.

[nalyra-dreaming]

Lestat teaching Felix Darwin's theory about survival of the fittest? Just no. That would be a other butchering of his character. And if Felix is actually a millennial he would have to meet Lestat when he was already on a self-punishing rat diet, in terrible mental state and in no position to be a teacher to anyone. I really hope that Esta calling Felix Lestat's student is just her (wrong) interpretation and not actual canon and that Felix is basically a non-character that we'll never see again. She asked if she could borrow a vampire from Rolin's show and the fact that he chose dispensable Felix tells me that he didn't want any important characters in this show lol.

… maybe.

In any case that’s just… no. And it doesn’t really fit with the timeline either.

I have listened to some of Esta‘s statements and… well. What she say does often not transmit onscreen and tbh I think that’s the same here as well. Just… *waves hand* a try to pull the IWTV fans in a bit more.

IF Rolin actually set up Felix as Lestat‘s or Lestat as Felix‘ teacher though… then that’s (another? s3 will tell!) gross mischaracterization.

[lostsyren]

Imagine sofia/rafe relationship went with the hookup to lovers to enemies and back to lovers trope for s5. Oh that would eat and be epic. I so want sofia to somehow become wealthy —not involved with the kooks but have money and behave aloof to their circle — help her family and live a better life outside the cut without rafe’s help. (and maybe put some of the kooks in their place) I still think there’s conflict with her and her dad that hasn’t been addressed (like is he pushing her to do things for money? Is she forced to provide for her family while her dad does nothing?). Also for rafe to see he needed her way more than she needed him. I don’t want her mopping around for that man I need to see her move on with her life and become a little edgier. It’d be so interesting to see a little change in her character like outwardly for her to be guarded and maybe even behave slyly and sarcastic. But of course, that kindness, soft nature, and care for others is still a part of her.

I was actually thinking what if hollis knew groff could deceive/harm her in some way and added sofia as a beneficiary to her assets in case something went wrong. Her money would be protected from groff and sofia inherits a fortune. It might sound ridiculous, but it’s a way for her to become wealthy and not return to her job.

Also, to me it made sense that they broke up because apart from sofia lying about the deal, rafe has been lying to her from the beginning about his actions and his past. He thought his relationship with her would give him a fresh start and leave the past behind, but he needs to acknowledge what he’s done and show honesty as well—t wasn’t just rumors she heard. They needed to hit this low point in order to level the playing field in their relationship.

Not getting my hopes up though bc I know the pates are interested in exploring #thatship, so I’ll choose to expect nothing. I’m more curious to know what you think😊

“hookup to lovers to enemies and back to lovers trope”

OHHH YESSSSS THIS WOULD EATTT!! Like I want them both to grapple with their resentments with each other– Rafe feeling betrayed and Sofia feeling discarded. That enmity disguising their underlying turmoil of being apart from this person they grew to love and and live with is soooo interesting.

Because Rafe and Sofia lowkey seem sooooo co-dependent. Like they’re so clingy with one another. And we see them be physically intimate, emotionally intimate, intellectually intimate– they both use each other as a crutch for different things. So I’m excited to see how they cope loosing that intense closeness. (Because Rafe literally proposed to her before he left for a 3 week trip– like that’s the longest time they’ve been apart since meeting in s3)

“Also for rafe to see he needed her way more than she needed him. I don't want her mopping around for that man I need to see her move on with her life and become a little edgier.”

YES YES YES!!! 100% agree. I need her to not be so dependent on him, and fight her way out of the predicament he put her in (leaving her jobless, homeless, single all from a 20 sec phone call). And I lowkey think she will. Our introduction to her character said she was “likeable and scrappy”, so I think she’ll channel her inner pogue and be self-preserving. And I totally want to see more of her family, and what her motivations are. Like if she takes on a carer role for her siblings, if her parents are reliant on her for income. And I love your theory about her dad– i definitely think they’re setting him up for something (idk tho because my faith in the writers is non existent).

“outwardly for her to be guarded and maybe even behave slyly and sarcastic. But of course, that kindness, soft nature, and care for others is still a part of her.”

Yessss!! Now that she’s not in her lover girl era I wonder how she’ll respond differently to the kooks. She no longer needs to befriend them since Rafe’s not in her life. I want her to do a complete 180 on them. Like I can totally she her have this cathartic release, where after 18 months of donning this kook facade with her bf, she is finally rid of it. She’s hurt, she’s upset, she’s lost someone she cared about– will she still retain her kindness and empathy? Or reflect her pain back on to the world? And back on to Rafe if he tries to fix things?

“what if hollis knew groff could deceive/harm her in some way and added sofia as a beneficiary to her assets in case something went wrong.”

Get in the writers room rn!!!! Yessss!!! And perhaps that ties her up with Hollis’ murder– maybe shoupe pins it on her since he has no leads on Groff? Maybe she’ll have to go to rafe for help? Or maybe she has to seek out Barry to help her out because she’s heard Rafe mention him before? So many possibilities!! Ahhhh your mind>>>

“They needed to hit this low point in order to level the playing field in their relationship.”

100%!!! Rafe’s past needs to come up. The only way I can think of Sofia being ok with rafe’s crimes and sins is if a he’s committed the same wrongdoings– then she’ll believe his whole spiel of “oh I killed the Sherriff in self defence, I was protecting my dad!” Because she’ll have the same internal conflict. (And I can just imagine Sofia completely losing it, thinking her soul is damned, while rafe tries to be there for her– “you don’t understand” she says, but he does understand, more than she knows)

(Ugh ik, #thatship drains me so badly because anything romantic between them will negate sm of their character development :(. Also you’re soooo sweet, I love hearing what YOU think!! Anddd I’m sooo sorry for the late reply. I don’t wanna give a half-assed response, so I need some time to think and sit down and write all my thoughts!!)

[rambledoo]

Questions and Theories on Wakfu Lore

(Spoilers) ( Also I ramble a lot)

I've watched all I can for Wakfu (s1-s4) and I feel like there's a few gaps in the story that are confusing and just never addressed.

The Great Dragon- where is he?? Or they (since TOT confirmed dragons are agender on Twitter). Did they also get sent away by the other gods? Does Goddess Eliatrope know where they are? She didn't really seem to care of his whereabouts in season 4 (which is makes sense that she doesn't know b/c she was imprisoned for so long) but I still feel that she would've mentioned them.

Toross- Related to the Great Dragon, but how did he get to wield Stasis? I know its largely because of the primordial Dofus he has and the destruction of his world, but how did the literal incarnation of Stasis let this happen? Or was this something they wanted, and or, didn't care about since he is the god of Stasis (and dragons seem to be known for being grumpy/powerful and destroying stuff).

Dragons - oh boy, I have so many questions and theories. Did dragons come before eliatropes? Why are there just a bunch of Dofus's ( or Dofuses, idk) laying around? Shouldn't the Great Dragon be watching over their people? I feel like they're getting overlooked.. Another thing is, why is Shinonime the only dragon sister when all the others are brothers/males? I believe Tot said that all dragons were agender ( correct me if I'm wrong about what he said b/c I don't look through X nor do I speak French x[ ) so why is she the only female dragon? Was this just something he said after their creation? ( Personally I head cannon that she may be trans since she's only 1 sister out of 5 other dragon brothers)

King Oakheart - During s3 and s4, King Sheran Sharm got ill and later died. This just makes me wonder about Amalia's mothers death ( as in if she also died of illness) and that maybe, JUST MAYBE, Amalia might fall ill too due to genetics and what not. It's probably not gonna happen, its just a little theory of mine.

Stasis users - Adamai, Atone, and Buillone are all seen using Stasis. Adamai uses it against Igol and Efrim, and Atone and Buillone against Chibi and Grougaloragran. How did they learn to do this? I didn't think that Wakfu users could use Stasis, especially Eliotropes like Atone and Buillone. ( Adamai knowing how to use Stasis is hella cool, and I hope that he gets to use it on his own at some point. I know he used it in the new season, but that was due to the Eliasphere. It's shown that he knows how to use it on his own, so please let him use it!!!)

Anyways, thanks for reading all that! I'm crazy over Wakfu so I just wanted to ramble a bit.

[erikiara80]

March 22nd and all the birthday references in ST

Will's birthday has always been important.

A birthday mug in episode 1

Same mug in Mike's basement. We see it in scenes with El in S1 and Will in S2. Yeah, I think birthdaygate could be about her, too. Will is the only character whose birthday was used to literally save him and the whole town. And we've seen El's birth and birth certificate, but we still don't know when she was born? Strange

The I forgot your birthday card in Will's room in S1

But in S2 we only see it when Joyce looks at the Will the Wise drawing. In all the other shots the card is not there, and the drawing is on another wall. This could be a hint at different timelines (of a timeloop?) More screenshots here

Basically, I have two theories about Will's birthday: either people really forgot it in S4, or the Will who was born on March 22 is the brown-eyed Will in the Missing poster, in the timeline we see in the shed scene, and not the hazel-eyed Will we see in the rest of the show. Maybe they hid the truth in plain sight, they let people believe that his eyes were different because he was possessed. But then in S3 they show that Billy's eye color never changes (here) Can't wait to see what this means

No birthday card in these shots

Lesbianmindflayer found a video posted on the official IG account in August 2017. At the time, they had already filmed S2, they knew there was an important scene about Will's birthday, so why posting the wrong date? Is it actually a mistake, or that's really his birthday in another timeline? We'll see!

The amazing shed scene. One of my favorite! Joyce talks about Will's 8th birthday. That was in 1979, the year of the massacre. She also mentions his rainbowship, a hint at his queerness, but also a reference to the lab. And I think there's a connection to the "rainbow rocket" near Creel House, and the ship of Brenner's father, who was involved with Project Rainbow, and the first man to wind up in Dimension X. This scene is so important!

Will drawing a spaceship could also be a parallel to Olivia Dunham (Fringe), who drew what she saw in another universe. A Zeppelin

Olivia's drawing (Byler-Polivia parallel and Subject 13)

3x03. Happy Birthday and '76 on the poster. The lifeguard is talking to El and Max here. My theory about what this could mean and what might have happened in 1976 here

The original title of episode 3x06 was The Birthday. There is no birthday in that episode, but after the intro, the song that plays is Stand up and Meet your brother, and then El meets the Mind Flayer/Vecna (as a lab kid, Henry is kinda her brother), who is possessing a boy named William. A surfer boy.

Episode 3x08, posters of Firestarter and Sixteen Candles. Will is associated with fire, and in Sixteen Candles a girl hopeful thar her 16th birthday is the beginning of a great year, is shocked when her family forgets it because her sister is getting married the next day.

Sixteen Candles and a boy's 16th birthday are also mentioned in S4, and it is likely that S5 is set in 1987, after the time-jump, when Will is 16.

S4. There are so many mentions of birthdays in this season, it's crazy to think that the writers forgot Will's birthday.

Mentions of birthday and stolen thoughts in the opening scene.

Birthday party at Rink-o-mania. I could be wrong, but it looks like a party for two people, to me. And there's a hidden reference to the massacre. The game Asteroids was released in 1979 (here)

The scene that made many people believe that the writers forgot Will's birthday.

March 22. The Rink-o-mania scene is a parallel to the lab scenes, Asteroids was released in 1979, and the day of the massacre El remembered her birth. Maybe a hint that her birthday is also on March 22?

They call her little baby, and two of the bullies are twins.

Murray says that a one-year-old won't remember their birthday

Also, the wallpaper reminds me of these birds we see in his house, when Alexei explains how the two keys open a gate

Murray says that his "son" is almost 16

Mention of Sixteen Candles

Mike's Happy Birthday mug

At Suzie's, Will mentions Dustin's birthday

Yeah, I think something will happen to Will in 1987, when he's 16. And it won't be funny, lol. But he'll get his happy ending.

Happy birthday, Will!