#so great to see him onscreen again

[sensitivehandsomeactionman]

Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw | Tracker 1.12

[shannonsketches]

he's so important to me

[sillysoliloquyshits]

I watched a few movie reviews on Nezha 2 and one of them on two white guys (iirc) doing a podcast on their surface thoughts on the movie kinda threw me off as one of them said 'one thing that was off-putting to me was a lot of onscreen crying' or something like that. Which is super off-putting to me actually.

I mean what do you mean? Your little brother or mother or wife just died in front of your eyes what do you mean you should not cry and it's not a natural response? Ao Bing cried into his dad at the start as he felt so awful for letting his dad down and his buddy nearly died if he didn't intervene. Ne Zha cried so hard when he saw his parents again because he really thought they were gone. Both kids are three years old for the love of God. And Shen Gong Bao is a literal family man he has a soft spot for his little brother of course when he died trying to escape he had to cry so much and to be honest, I've watched videos of how the animation team spent a long time animating and planning the crying scene for him to ensure it's perfect. The creative team has spent so long to ensure every detail to actually ensure the whole story and every shot and scene will have a lasting emotional impact to touch the audience.

And another thing that's also respectable is how the team and the story in general is very committed to fleshing out the characters and ensuring they are all very relevant to the plot and have their own personal stories in a sequel, which is not often seen nowadays given how hard it is to make a better sequel (but that's another story and post I digress, but anyway-)

What I'm trying to say is that we all need more stories of boys openly crying. The only other movies off the top of my head I can think that has boys openly crying are maybe Coco, or Luca and maybe HTTYD, and I feel Nezha 2 has done a great job in showing the different sides of healthy masculinity, in how it's okay for boys to ugly cry and for dads to be tough on the exterior while also being very caring and gentle to their own sons, and for close brotherhood bonds being a soft side of characters. And it also dispels a stereotype in how Asians are often stoic and not as emotional as westerners, as while a lot of Chinese and Asians are quite stoic, there are plenty of people who see themselves in Ao Bing and Ne Zha and etc.

And I also saw a post earlier on how Ne Zha and Ao Bing defy societal rules and societal expectations respectively, with Ao Bing doing so by being outwardly feminine in looks and being elegant while precise and aggressive in his attacks and still being able to be confident in his self, while Ne Zha has been insecure in his own looks until the end. And personally I feel the movie is a great place for kids and boys especially to learn that masculinity can be anything they can define, like how one can be more confident like Ao Bing even when he's not traditionally masculine, while knowing it's okay to be insecure and that they can overcome judgements in society.

And with their friendship and loyalty to each other (and possibly *cough* *gay* *it's ok if you don't ship them*), it also teaches boys that male friendships can be very close knit where they can be vulnerable to one another, like how Nezha soon learnt to be vulnerable around Ao Bing and how Ao Bing learnt to follow his heart through Ne Zha's influence. Boys can learn from one another and become emotionally stronger together like it's not just a girls thing yay-

So yeah this is another long ramble but tldr again:

Nezha 2 is a fantastic movie on healthy masculinity and we need more movies like this for boys especially to learn that expressing strong emotions are very healthy and essential in being a person. And we need to punch toxic masculinity to death the way Lu Tong and He Tong did at the end to the bald bitch so-

[tobiasdrake]

Here we go. It's time to talk about my personal fave. As I said before, this is my Main. In Dragon Ball fighting games, this is the character I seek out to play whenever the roster allows. Also arguably the character who's been done the most dirty by just about every form of Dragon Ball, manga included.

The vanguard of a brand new status quo and a brand new direction for what Dragon Ball would even be, washed away by the tides of a status quo resetting to zero.

We're here to talk about the champion of Satan City who carries the spirit of Dragon Ball in her heart: Videl.

(And that is one cookie to @jcogginsa who guessed it.)

Videl was a kid with a chip on her shoulder. I mean. How could you not be? Her father was the legendary world martial arts champion who famously defeated Cell seven years ago.

Don't pay attention to that. He just tripped for a moment. Once he got his second wind, he came right back and showed Cell what for! It was due entirely to Mr. Satan and nobody else that the Earth was spared from the apocalyptic horror that is Cell.

Look, he even said so himself.

Are you gonna call that man a liar? The man who defeated Cell!? I think we can trust Satan's word over yours.

This is the shadow that Videl grew up under. Raised in what had previously been called Orange City, but was renamed Satan City in honor of the world's greatest hero.

Or "Hercule City/Herculopolis" in the versions that edit out Satan's name.

As his daughter, Videl has a perspective on Satan that neither the world nor the audience gets to see: He's a womanizing playboy who cashes in on his world-savior fame for booty.

He also forbids his teenage daughter from dating by putting up the stipulation that any boy interested in her has to be stronger than him, the world champion - A stipulation naturally designed to weed out any possible suitors through intimidation. Wanna date Videl? FISTFIGHT THE MAN WHO DEFEATED CELL.

Oh, but he doesn't teach her a goddamn thing; At least, not anymore, as she does suggest there was once a time when he was her mentor. She's forced to study martial arts entirely on her own because her dad is utterly disinterested in her development in the art.

This is an angle on Satan we never get to see onscreen. Apparently he's pretty shitty about women. You know, I can believe that.

Videl, when we meet her, is trapped in an unenviable position as a martial artist. She hates what the fame of being a legend has done to her dad and wants to knock him down a peg, but she has no foundation to develop her abilities from. The one man who's supposed to be teaching her isn't doing it, and she's been passively discouraged from pursuing more esoteric martial arts because the world champion said that stuff's all fake.

Videl makes for a fascinating foil to Gohan, because they're both children living in the shadows of legendary fathers.

Gohan is expected to be Goku's successor, but wants to live a peaceful life of academia. Meanwhile, Videl is being denied the ability to become Mr. Satan's successor, but craves the opportunity to prove herself.

Nonetheless, both of these kids are prodigies. Videl has a wealth of potential. She doesn't even realize that, despite these limitations, she surpassed her father long ago. Despite being a self-taught teenager with zero comprehension of ki cultivation, Videl hones her skills and developers her art the only way that's available to her: By punching it out with armed robbers in the region.

Backpack Town isn't even her city! She's a one-woman SWAT team for the tri-state area.

As ambitious and driven as she is, Videl is also clever. The anime extrapolates the adventures of the Great Saiyaman into a several-episode arc as Gohan deftly avoids detection by Videl over and over again, but this has the knock-on effect of depriving Videl of one of her best moments.

Because she pegs him instantly. She was already suspicious of Gohan being the mysterious "Golden Warrior", when he tried to use his Super Saiyan form to disguise himself as a superhero.

Which also showed that she was open-minded about the other people who fought Cell. Satan says they were doing a bunch of tricks, but Videl's willing to consider the possibility that there exist people who can turn blond on command.

And then Gohan did this shit.

Because he was raised in the woods by the devil and Goku. Despite trying to keep a low profile, he has absolutely no idea what the baseline for ordinary human ability is.

So. Y'know.

That's pretty fucking suspicious.

Which brings us to Gohan's second outing as Great Saiyaman, and his first meeting with Videl under his new identity. Whereupon she, uh....

Plays him like a fucking sap. It's a great moment that doesn't get its due if it takes several episodes and misadventures for her to reach this point. Videl is exceptionally skilled in the field of paying attention to that time Gohan jumped thirty feet in the air and naturally drawing conclusions from it.

And also his voice and posture and other dead giveaways. Gohan sucks at secret identities.

He's just. So obviously Gohan. There's no way anyone would be fooled by this.

But she's not only adequate at seeing things with her eyes; She's also a legitimately brilliant martial artist in her own right. Due to her upbringing, she's had zero experience with ki cultivation for obvious reasons.

And yet she's talented enough and smart enough to pick up the basics of Bukujutsu in one day.

Oh, don't mind her; That's just Videl making a mockery of Tsuru-senryu by effortlessly devouring their signature technique. This is Goku's first Kamehameha all over again.

She may have started small but Videl learns fucking fast. She has all of the drive and the ambition that Gohan lacks. She wants to be part of this world, she has a ravenous hunger for self-improvement, she's clever and observant, and she picks up concepts insanely quickly.

Videl is fucking primed to be a key player in Dragon Ball's next generation.

...

So now we need to talk about what happened to Videl.

Videl has one major fight in the entire series: Her 25th Tenkaichi Budokai bout against Spopovich.

Which she absolutely dominates. She's stronger, better, and faster than Spopovich. Even the experienced martial artists agree that she's infinity times better than him in every way.

But there's something wrong with Spopovich. He's a decent martial artist, far from the top; He'd competed in the 24th Tenkaichi Budokai and made it through the qualifiers, but was eliminated in the first round. So, y'know, he had no chance in hell against Videl; She's already surpassed Mr. Satan, who won the 24th legitimately.

Uh, by virtue of none of the Kame-senryu or their rivals attending. Mr. Satan is top dog of the same weight class as Pamput from the 22nd.

But, despite being outclassed in every category, Spopovich is also a dead man walking.

He's similar to the Androids in a sense. Spopovich has no ki signature at all, nor does he get worn down by the damage he's taking. This is Vegeta vs. 18 and Piccolo vs. 17 all over again; He isn't feeling the pain from the hits she's landing on him, and so he's able to outlast.

But Spopovich isn't an Android. He's more like a zombie?

At one point, Videl cuts loose and breaks his goddamn neck. Because he's pushing her hard enough that she realizes she needs to go harder, but his body can't take harder. He isn't a match for her. He just. Isn't going down despite not being a match for her.

He can't take this level of force. But he and his ominously vacant absence of ki can put his head right back where it was and continue the fight, no problem. That's honestly scarier than if he'd regenerated.

Also despite not even having the barebones ki signature of a normal person, Spopovich can perform Bukujutsu and fire ki attacks.

Which a fighter of his meager ability shouldn't even be capable of.

All of this adds up to an unwinnable fight for Videl and the setup to... Something. This match has been criticized pretty heavily in the fandom because it gets pretty gruesome and doesn't have a payoff.

We've seen fights go fucking bad for our heroes before. Piccolo once broke all of Goku's arms and legs as well as shooting a hole in his chest, right here in this same arena.

But it's typically building to something. When our heroes get trashed, it's the lead-up to a reversal down the road. Maybe in the same fight. Maybe in a later one. And we seem to be heading in that direction?

After Spopovich and Yamu leave the tournament, we get VIdel a Senzu and she's right as rain.

Spopovich and Yamu steal energy from Gohan and fly off to Babidi's Ship so they can awaken Majin Buu. Kaioshin recruits the various protags to make that not be a thing that happens. And then. Something switches in the narrative flow of this arc.

You can feel it happen.

As our heroes prepare to pursue Spopovich and Yamu, Videl volunteers to join in as well. She's had her eyes opened to a whole new world or possibilities and is hungry to develop her abilities.

And. Then. One chapter later. It's suddenly decided that Videl will not be a part of this storyline after all, and she basically leaves the plot forever.

WHOOPS! Never mind! Didn't want this character here after all. Go home, Videl.

While her adversary Spopovich is unceremoniously unwritten from being a thing that exists.

Babidi just. Kills him. For no reason. Even though his job isn't done yet. Babidi's like, "Oh good, you collected a fraction of the energy we need; That's fine, you can be fired. I don't need anyone to finish the job."

We're just. We're not telling that story anymore. We already threw Videl in the trash; we don't need her nemesis. We're doing a different thing.

Also, because we still have too many characters in this scene, Dabra erases Krillin and PIccolo with magic spit that never comes up again or is meaningful in any way.

You'd think this would be, like, setting up something? Like. Having witnessed it ahead of time, Gohan's able to figure out something about the way Dabra's spit works. So when he fights Dabra in a climactic battle, he can turn this around.

Like when Goku was able to counter Tenshinhan's Taiyoken/Solar Flare in the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai, because he'd seen it before and understood how it works. That's usually what Dragon Ball does with this sort of advance notice of opponent abilities.

But. No. The most this ever comes up again is that it momentarily costs Gohan one of his gloves. It's just here to winnow down the cast because Toriyama brought too many characters to this scene.

You can feel the burnout taking hold. As janky as the Android arc was, the Buu arc's level of jank is through the roof.

And that became it for Videl. Denied any sort of payoff for her one fight and instead relegated to background character, Videl never got a chance to live up to the intriguing potential she was introduced with. She was the face of a new direction for Dragon Ball, a direction that ended up strangled in its crib as the series reverted to old ideas and old formulae - strangling her along with it.

Videl is a character I look at and can't help but wonder what could have been. What could have been if Gohan got to keep his focus, and Videl got to remain a key player in a story about him? What could have been if we got to see Videl developing her skills at the same fever-pace that she learned Bukujutsu with? What could have been if she got that rematch with Spopovich she seemed to have been promised by the narrative, and then got to stay involved throughout the Buu arc?

But I guess we'll never know.

[lych33dragoncookie]

Alright. Chapter 6. Boy do I have some choice words about this one.

Let's start small, though. With Spice being a fucking freak.

Look, I'm a Dragon Ball fan. I'm easy to please with this kind of thing. You give me a character who is really weird about fighting and I'll hoot and holler about it all day long. This isn't a generic "Villain plays with their food, this ends up being a terrible mistake later" situation; Spice could have killed her right there and then, much like Flour intended to do with Dark Cacao when his soul jam was stolen, but here? Nah. He wants to coke this woman up for a chance at a good fight with her and her in specific. Weirdo. I like him.

Smoked Cheese continues to be really really good this update, by the way. I couldn't be any more glad to have him here.

He's blunt. He knows how to strike a nerve, how to push someone's buttons; just because he's undeniably on the side of good, that doesn't mean these inherent traits of his' are gone. They're being repurposed, the same methods going towards a better end, he's still undeniably him, no one else would speak up to the queen like this, he knows what makes her tick, and he's using that to drag her off of the ground and bring her back up. I'm absolutely loving every bit of it.

This chapter also does a really good job of accentuating the sheer contrast Golden Cheese and Burning Spice have as rulers, with the former having outright raised her closest subjects, keeping them on an equal level, and providing for them with no hesitation or restraint, while the latter keeps his subjects in line through fear and nothing more.

Specially because, later on, it's shown that it's not at all empty threats...

He fucking killed her.

This is entirely unprecedented. I don't think we've ever seen anyone kill another character, NPC or not, onscreen. Elder Faerie didn't so much die from being murdered or anything, as much as he gave away his own life force and all that stuff to White Lily so she could deal with Shadow Milk This isn't that. This is a character being unceremoniously, ruthlessly killed, even if it wasn't a playable one. A cookie, no less; not any of the little animals, who despite their sapience wouldn't have had the same sort of impact, no, he instantly reduced this one cookie to nothing without any hesitation or remorse, and threatened to do the same to her grieving followers immediately after.

Golden Cheese keeps her followers by giving without any restraint, while Burning Spice keeps his followers by letting the threat of destruction loom over their heads constantly, willing to take from them the moment he gets an excuse to, or just because he feels like it.

And, speaking of him; while this update didn't give us a glimpse on how he started, that "first kingdom" that he ruled and presumably saw wither to dust, we did get to see something else.

His breaking point.

Admittedly, I feel like if one were to observe just these 2 story chapters, cutscenes alone, they'd get the wrong impression. If we look outside them, we're well aware that Burning Spice was once a benevolent figure, and that even now he avoids thinking about the first kingdom he ruled. With that context, these lines make a lot of sense.

Despite being the herald of change; time, change itself, was not kind to him. Burning Spice shows us the inherent pain of the idea of immortality. Of how futile it would feel to get attached to absolutely anything, knowing it'll all just wither away sooner or later, and you'll outlast those very things. After an innumerable amount of time, seeing entire civilizations rise and fall, over and over again, becoming more and more desensitized and numb to it all after the great pain of that first loss, it's no wonder it would all end up feeling utterly pointless. Why get attached if it'll all become nothing eventually? If by getting attached, you're just leaving yourself vulnerable to the pain of loss again? Why have any interest in this newly sprouting life if it'll all just wither away like all the ones before? Life, unfortunately, is limited. Fleeting. And while that already causes great pain to those possessing mortal life, at least they too know that it won't be forever. That we're all on the same ground, and that we can make the best of the time we have. But if all you have is time, time that nothing else around you has, then...

Eventually, without a strong will and the right philosophy, it will drive you mad. And that's exactly what happened here. Life may be fleeting, something irreplicable yet completely limited; but just as there will always be life, there will always be a way for that life to be extinguished. Life is unrepeatable and unique, but destruction? If you find pleasure in destruction, you always have something to look forward to. The feeling caused by razing everything to the ground is perfectly replicable, something that can't be taken away from you. It's immediate, final, and requires no pain or attachment. Empty and unfulfilling, yes; but painless and addictive.

There is no greater pretense. There is no long term. There is no end goal.

It's just all about getting addicted to the thrill of senseless, heart-pumping violence. If there's always something to destroy, there's always something to look forward to, after all; something no one can take away from you.

... Of course, this isn't to say any of this is correct. Obviously not. The complete improbability of a scenario where one cannot die of old age aside, this is the complete opposite of how you should approach this. You can keep reminders of said fleeting life, find attachment to things that will last just as long as you, make sure to never forget all the experiences that immortality has allowed you to form, and value what you have in the moment, making sure to let its memory and purpose live on through you. Something a certain someone else will, most likely, embody as her long, long lifespan continues.

Ok, this was all meant to be one post, but I have too many images to put here, and Tumblr really doesn't like that. So...

1/2

See you in like, another 30 minutes or so. Idk.

[austinslounge]

✨️We Stan a Versatile Man...✨️ 😏

Can I just say?  

I am so proud to be a fan of this man. ☺️  I'd love to have more discussions here on my blog about Austin and his acting. 

One thing that I love about Austin is just how versatile he is with his roles.  When you look above at the comparison photos of some of his recent roles, and you think back to how his character is in each of those projects, to me, it's almost amazing to realize that we're watching the same actor!  

The way Austin is able to literally transform into so many different characters, and even have varying looks in his roles, it really does impress upon you just how talented this man is, and how we've only just begun to see him tap into the potential that he has as an actor in this industry. 

Not only are his performances versatile, but his looks in every film are so diverse and different as well!  The way he changes his voice, his appearance, his body language, and even his energy for every single role that he does is just mind-boggling to me.  Benny is in no way, shape, or form like Elvis.  Elvis is not anything like Tex Watson.  Tex is not a single thing like Major Gale Cleven.  Gale is nothing like Feyd Rautha.  The list goes on and on! 😄  I mean, when you really sit down and think about it, Austin is really something else. I love it. I feel like more and more people will come to appreciate this incredible acting skill of his that he has, the more film roles he does over the years. He really has the potential to become one of the greats that people mention through a one-name basis if he keeps playing his cards right.

 The "Eddington" teaser trailer (which released today) is only further confirmation that Austin is going to (yet again!) transform onscreen for us right before our very eyes, and I, for one, am super excited to see it, and can't wait to experience the character that he embodies next!  😁

I'd love to have more discussions about Austin and his acting/talent/work in the future here on my blog, so if you want to join and chime in to the discussion, by all means, feel free to send in an ask! 😉

I love talking about Austin and his talent/future roles.  

❤️

[dynamightsfave]

bakugo katsuki—interviews

bakugo katsuki fucking hates interviews. in every shape and form. public conferences? "i did my fucking job. the building crashed down because the base sucked ass. that's not my fucking fault" one on one interviews? "why the fuck do they have so many damn questions about my methods? let them try and do what i do!" talk shows? "if you're not gonna ask me about my job, i don't know what the hell i’m doing here, my personal life is my goddamn business. also, if i wanted comedy i’d go to the fucking circus, at least the clowns wear their actual uniform instead of shitty suits"

safe to say, dynamight is every interviewer's nightmare. he's a wonderful and attentive person off camera (he’s still an asshole, but a nicer one), but when you start asking him questions and place a camera on his face, the brass defensiveness, one of the things that lingers from his stubborn teenage years, shines through. that and that mouth that curses more than a sailor in their golden years ever has. there's offers to take him of course, being in the top ten heroes ranking of not only japan, but the whole world. he's mostly partnered up in these interviews, so there's someone to lead the talking and answer for him when he doesn't want to give into "the stupidest fucking question he's had the misfortune to hear". 

red riot and shoto are the ones that are usually designated as his babysitters, but other old classmates have appeared onscreen with him as well. even deku, now a teacher, has made special features. but there's never much demand for an individual interview with pro hero dynamight, and if there ever is, bakugo usually rejects them without looking much into it.

which is why, his secretary was very confused when the mention of a last attempt at a talk show made his boss perk up rather than frown instantly. his lip didn’t instantly curl with a groan and his red irises didn’t meet the back of his skull. instead, he curiously eyed the schedule placed in front of him, and gave a curt nod in thanks when he was done. ryu developed a sense of uneasiness that took over his system. surely that was a sign of the end of the world. but he couldn’t really say anything, pinky and chargebolt recommended the interviewer and swore it would go well. maybe they were right? they needed it too, dynamight hadn't appeared on many public events lately. so there's that, now he just had to pray bakugo didn’t fuck it up.

and that brings us to right now, with dynamight taking a seat in front of you and the public’s applause dimming. the tension that fills the air lingers in the audience, and for once, bakugo and his interviewer seem to be completely at ease. ryu can’t help to think to himself that this is yet another sign that the world is about to end, and he wonders if he should call up his family to say a final goodbye. for now, maybe it’s better he focuses on what’s in front of him.

"great explosion murder god dynamight!" you smile at him, as if he was a friend you’re glad to see again, "so glad you could make it!"

you have that magnetism that makes every guest comfortable around you, familiarity being the base of your show. it’s a big part of why it became so popular, the charming host that interacts with their audience and speaks their mind in such an easy way.

katsuki smirks, chest a bit puffed and fingers drumming the armrest.

"sort of didn’t have a goddamn choice, did i?" while his response only makes the people watching tense more, you only chuckle, nodding as if you understood like nobody else.

"we’re our managers�� puppets aren’t we? either way, wonderful to have you," and goddammit, you never sound insincere, "these days it’s hard to have a minute of great explosion murder god dynamight"

"you know what they say, villains don’t rest. and if they don’t rest that just means us heroes have to work twice as hard as them" did he just answer without cursing? oh the world definitely ends today.

bakugo maintains eye contact with you while he lounges on his seat like he owns the place. he’s made hundreds of interviewers and others shrink with that attitude of his, but from the looks of it, you’re not only not one bit bothered by it, but you almost encourage it. your arms flex as you lean in towards him, agreeing with him.

"all right, since i don’t want to waste much of that precious time of yours..." eyes twinkling, you could even say teasing—dare i say flirty—, you tap a small melody onto your notebook with your pen, "let’s dive right in to the questions! promise this won’t be long. first off, i want to solve a doubt i’ve had for some time now"

he arches a brow, accepting the challenge. there’s the same amusement in his eyes that yours have, it sends chills across the room. it’s so weird to see the bakugo katsuki being not mean to someone that isn’t a little kid or a polite fan.

"i’ve said it a couple times now, and i have to admit it’s a bit of a mouthful. “great explosion murder god dynamight”. why that name? how on earth did you come up with it?"

it’s funny. you say it as if it isn’t a mouthful. quite the opposite, it rolls off your tongue like quick, flowing as if it’s escaped a million times, a prayer you know by heart. bakugo rolls his eyes, similar comments follow him practically every day everywhere he goes since he made the name up. he’s built up skin to them, not that they ever bothered him, he’s pretty proud of his hero name. some might say too proud.

"it’s a reflection of everything i am," he winces after a second, "maybe not the murder part."

"i do hear die is one of your favorite words tho"

"yeah well, it’s good to let the emotions out or whatever the hell. i try not to say it as much anymore, people say it’s rude or some shit," his hand makes a fast motion, as if to sweat it off, he really doesn’t give a damn, "anyway, the name’s like that because it had to embody how fucking awesome i am"

"ah, that makes sense," you nod along, not bothered by the curses, "a loud and bright name like your explosions. it does suit you"

at the compliment, the smirk returns to his lips, a small huff with it. he shuffles around to sit higher, now getting an idea of how this interview is going to go. katsuki finds that he doesn’t really mind it, at least the questions are off to a good start. and the host... well let’s just say he likes this one.

"i know, i picked it myself," he states, and you can’t help but laugh at how sure of himself he is. reminds you of a 6-year-old, not a single ounce of doubt in his body about how cool they are.

"would you say it was inspired by something else? maybe a hero you look up to?"

"nah, ‘t was all me," liar.

"i see. a unique name to say the least. but on the topic, is there any hero that you look up to? someone you aspire to be like. other than, i'm sure, best jeanist"

"obviously," he repeats, "but i mean; every kid and their goddamn mother has dreamt of becoming all might, he was n.1 longer than anyone. i’m sort of a basic bitch that way. when i was little i wanted to be like him, so i followed that dream until i made it real. and now i push myself to be as great as he was and more. plus ultra and all that bullshitr"

"wow. sounds like hard work," he grunts in agreement, and you purse your lips, "we all agree all might is a one of the greatest symbols we have, must have been incredible to be able to study under him. you mentioned the school’s motto. can you tell us about that? the ua days?"

katsuki smiles, his eyes drifting away to his hands. you can’t help but think he looks rather handsome, reminiscing his high school.

"in one word: it was fucking insane. he brought a lot of insight about what to expect in the actual field, and how to treat with bystanders—the little motherfuckers—, and he was always pushing us to do our best. he’s the sort of person you just know cares about what he’s doing," he explains, "our homeroom teacher, mr. aizawa was also very much like that, even though he didn’t look it. ua students are lucky when it comes to teachers. but they’re all ungrateful snotty brats"

it’s the first time bakugo katsuki has ever said something nice in public, even if it has some mean side dishes (wouldn’t be something bakugo katsuki said otherwise). at this point, it’s just you two in the room. no lights, no cameras, no audience, not even the questions you’ve jotted down in your notebook. only a conversation between two people. katsuki wonders if it’s a you effect, and he figures it must be, because he’s never as comfortable as he is talking to you. it comes so easy.

you smile, and it takes everything in you to not reach and put your hand on his arm at his words, the reminder of all the people watching in the room and through the cameras a dying reminder in the back of your mind. you like having him here, and you frankly don’t understand why other hosts dread his visits.

"sounds like a wonderful experience. i’ve talked to others from your course and they all speak of it with so much fondness, just like you. even with the hardships you had to endure," you clear your throat, voice dropping to barely a mutter. even the mic strapped to your blouse has trouble picking it up, "but i’m sure you don’t like thinking of them, i know i don’t. so, i know you’ve said all might and eraserhead are big inspirations, but do you have any other people you admire?"

you know you’re pushing your luck. your tone is far too friendly to be considered professional now and he’s not one to be heartfelt on camera. but if you could just get him to confirm what cellophane and shoto said last week... what you just know is the truth, but dynamight is a bit too proud to admit. you can see it in the way he looks away and puffs his cheeks to blow air.

"i mean, obviously, i’m incredibly grateful to best jeanist and edgeshot, they fucking saved my life," his cheeks grow the slightest bit of pink under your intense gaze. he almost chuckles as you nod entranced and edge just a tiny bit closer awaiting for the true answer. he guesses he might as well indulge, so, with a much lower tone, he continues, "and ya know, in class there were others that were pretty good too. not as incredible as i am, but close enough. if i had to pick any, maybe shitty hair and the dumbass deku. i guess"

screw the lights. your smile is blinding. it shines so much bakugo suddenly doesn’t feel like the answer was practically yanked from his throat. this is too much for his rearranged heart.

"that’s funny, they speak pretty highly of you too," you giggle. your eyes clash, and the small smile that forms on his face is instinct, he can’t control it. one, two, three.

"of course they fucking do. they better, else i’ll crush their bodies," he huffs, snapping back to his position before he was gobsmacked by you.

"all right, i’ve just got a couple more questions before we let you go," you get back on track too, despite the heat on the back of your neck, "uhm... oh yeah! well i guess you’ve answered this already, but just in case. you said red riot and deku were people you admired as heroes, i take it they are also the easiest to partner up with? i know pro hero deku is out of commission at the moment, but back when you still worked together"

dynamight actually thinks about this one. he furrows his brows, and his weight shifts on the sofa. he hums as his hand strokes his chin.

"well, it depends on the job. generally, i do like to partner up with them, we understand each other very well, as do everyone form our class. the time we spent training with each other pays off. so yeah, they’re easy to work with. but also, the half ‘n half bastard is quick to respond to what i do, and ponytail is a great strategist when it comes to infiltration or a mission that takes planning. the damn rabbit gets on my nerves a lot, but we make a good team. she should start thinking about retiring though, before she starts dragging me down"

"it’s lovely to hear the heroes of japan are so tight and coordinated. i must say, hearing you praise them is refreshing," your lip gets caught in your teeth in an attempt to stop the growing smirk, but your eyes betray you.

"oi, don’t misinterpret what i’m fucking sayin’. they’re all still pains in my ass, each worse than the last one"

"uh huh... okay, last question. if you weren’t a hero, what would you be?" that takes him aback.

"fuck you mean? i was always gonna be a damn hero. i don’t know. maybe one of those people that handle bombs in the army or some shit like that," he shrugs, but then a beat passes, "a firefighter"

"final answer?" you arch a brow. he grunts an affirmation, "o-kay! well, it’s been a pleasure to have you here, i hope we did not waste much of your time, but you’re free to go now. i appreciate that you didn’t shout"

he chuckles, following your steps as you get up and circle your table to get to him and say goodbye. the audience is clapping for you two, ryu is releasing the breath he’d been holding all throughout the interview, and the camera people are preparing to shut off. you reach him, and just like his smile before, his next actions are pure instinct. even more, they’re almost a routine.

his hand reaches for your waist, and he effortlessly pulls you closer, placing a gentle kiss on your forehead. now, in this routine, it’s not common that you tense up. usually, you wrap your arms around him and nuzzle into his chest. you look up to him, eyes wide, and it takes one millisecond for him to realize what he’s done. he curses under his breath, and you laugh.

"welp, there’s that. no more hiding this," the stunned public is so silent they hear your whispers, "see you at home?"

katsuki gives you that low laugh you love, squishes your waist, and nods.

"yeah, see you at home"

ryu dials his family to say his goodbyes as his boss steps off the stage and the audience recovers from the shock. he prays the call gets through before the world suddenly explodes.

luckily, the world doesn’t combust, and he lives to see the heart magazines with your image on their covers and headlines screaming about japan’s favorite talk show’s host and potty mouth’s newly discovered relationship.

[marzipanandminutiae]

The problem is Eggers showed that Thomas decided to bang Ellen in cuck rage because his masculinity was threatened and bruised by Ellen talking about another lover. Not because he found her awesome and desirable at the moment. He tried to reassert his man claim. Also Eggers specifically put details how during the bang Ellen wanted Thomas to kiss her heart emulating how Orlok feeds from heart and Ellen continued to talk about Orlok during the bang too. Quite easy for a lot of people to believe that no matter what Thomas did as a husband he was not quite enough as a lover and man for Ellen under these circumstances. Eggers was not going for them to be happy fulfilling couple. Not to mention that even composer of that thing said that he composed music as if for a wedding for scene where Orlok and Ellen were banging, he feeds on her. Maybe they executed the whole thing poorly, including Eggers himself, but their intentions in many places were pretty evident and felt.

See, none of that was what I got from any of those parts at all, even if it's what was intended.

I didn't get the impression that thomas was just trying to "assert dominance" because he'd been so into her before all of this- he'd never needed goading to want her, and seemed to only need it now because she's disturbingly possessed -and because the taunt was specifically about being able to please Ellen, an aspect of sex which isn't conventionally seen as macho and/or particularly masculine. It was definitely an attempt to goad him into sex by bruising his ego, but...I don't know. I didn't see it as him laying claim to her as property or whatever.

And the kissing of her heart being like Orlock feeding- since that wasn't stated onscreen and I never thought she seemed into Orlock after the initial scene where their tryst turns violent, in the flashback, my mind wasn't going to go there. like if the "sex" is convulsions that keep her from getting any rest and she evinces every desire to have them stop, and she tells him off in no uncertain terms when he does show up...how am I supposed to get even a "she's Conflicted about her Desires" from that? At no point did she seem remotely into Orlock to me

also, what she says about Orlock during sex is "let him see our love." that sounded very much to me like she was trying to prove to Orlock that she wanted thomas in a way she'd never want him, and she wasn't his to control. there is one (1) "Orlock is a great lover" comment and ALL the rest is basically "fuck Orlock; I want you, thomas." not a great way to convey her desire for the vampire, IMO

I got the wedding analogue from the costumes in the scene where Orlock has sex with her [in my view, rape by coercion, since again she did not seem to want it and only agreed because he killed all her friends] and feeds on her, but since- again -any desire on her part for Orlock did not translate for me, I saw it more like "wearing her wedding dress to finally let go of her guilt and belief that she's ~unclean~- accepting that this is not her fault, and therefore she is not stained by it." and maybe a last reminder of the life SHE chose for herself: she will never be his bride, not really, only thomas'. a last defiance of this man who's shadowed her life for years and is now taking it away from her

clearly that's not what Eggers intended- but as I said, IMO he didn't do a good job of actually making his intent known onscreen

I love a good dark vampire-fucking romance! but you have to actually show me a REASON to root for that pairing besides "he was a vampire; she was a goth; can I make it any more obvious?"

[bright-hope-spot-19]

Top 10 Kankuro moments

I decided to do a top 10 of my most favorite Kankuro moments. As we know, he doesn't have much screentime. Despite that, I decided to compile the ones I consider to be some of his best moments. I'm gonna start from bottom to top, with a little explanation as to why I find each moment so significant. As expected, this is all based on my opinion. With that said, let's start with:

10- Kankuro having an angry outburst at Oonoki's words:

It's not a very significant moment cause it doesn't last much onscreen. That's why it's at the 10th spot. I still like it, though, because it still works to show one of Kankuro's core traits: his more emotional side and how overprotective he is of Gaara. It also shows he has a general disregard for figures of authority. It just shows how distinct his personality is from his siblings. Gaara was the one being disrespected, and he showed no reactions (I understand that as Kazekage, he has to be mature). But he could've at least shown a more surprised expression. Temari, as always, has to play her peacekeeper role, but is also very detached and emotionless bout the whole situation. I love that Kank has emotions and is allowed to show them. It's important for a character to have emotions, and Kankuro does so very well in this scene.

9- Kankuro's faith in Gaara

God, do I love it when Kankuro gets to express his emotions and be protective of Gaara at the same time. In this moment, Baki is showing concern about Gaara potentially losing control of Shukaku on the village during his fight vs. Deidara. Kankuro is portrayed as Gaara's first supporter, as he quickly jumps to his brother's defense. His faith in Gaara is unshakable. It also shows Kanks development. How he went from finding Gaara unbearable and terrifying to becoming his n.1 defender. Also, I love his expressions here. He starts by biting his lip, showing a sliver of hesitancy before making his declaration. Then the pan to his eyes is not only gorgeous, but I assume was done to show his words were genuine. I love him sm.

8- Kankuro's reaction to Gaara's defeat at Naruto's hands

Once again, it's a very small but significant moment. Actually, it goes hand in hand with Kank also being the first to respond to Gaara's apology. I've already talked about this once, but it just goes to show that Kankuro had always loved his brother. Deep down, beneath all the layers of fear and unease, beat the heart of a true big brother. Kankuro's reaction is the one being highlighted here. He's the first to note Gaara's state, the one to carry him, and the one to tell him it's all right after the apology. I see it as foreshadowing for how strong their bond would get in Shippuden. It also shows the contrast between how Kankuro constantly viewed and treated Gaara through the whole arc, majorly with disdain, and the little moments he has, showing concern for him. Such as this one, and Gaara's fights vs. Lee and Sasuke. It's just great to show there's buried trauma, but not even that is enough to erase their sibling bond.

7- Kankuro's flashback of Gaara's dream

I know some people might view his words here as mean, but it's actually another trait of Kankuro I adore. That's how realistic and down to Earth he is, and how he's not afraid of stating the cold truth as it is. Now, as I see it, this memory was used to develop both Gaara and Kankuro. Right now, I don't remember if it took place during Kanks' unconscious state while Sakura healed him, or if it happened during Gaara's fight vs. Deidara, while Kankuro was observing them. Either way, it's a phenomenal scene because it accomplishes many things. For once, it does the bare minimum of showing us Gaara's drive and motivation to change and become Kazekage. It shows Kankuro's pragmatism, but how he doesn't do it out of malice, but because he cares. He doesn't want his brother to get even more hurt on this path he's chosen. It also shows Kankuro's a great listener because he lets Gaara explain his motives. After Gaara is done talking, Kankuro smiles, and it's obvious he has absolute faith his brother can achieve his dream and he's ready to support him and stand by his side. I've seen people hate on him over being mean in this scene? Which not only shows their poor reading comprehension but also a slight hypocrisy. We all know, if Temari was the one present in this scene instead of Kank, saying the exact same words Kank said, she wouldn't be viewed as cruel or mean, but as a caring sister. Temari stans who hate Kankuro baffle me.

6- Kankuro in the council meeting

Another phenomenal overprotective brother moment from our boy here. Shortly after recovering, he not only attends a meeting with the council (that Temari was excluded from, btw). But he has enough strength to stand up and almost beat up this old geezer. It's very similar to the scene with Oonoki above, Kankuro really doesn't care about figures of authority and their rules. He only cares about Gaara's safety. I know it's also clearly shown he listens to Baki here and immediately lets go of the guy. I prefer to think he didn't do it due to having any particular or specific bond with Baki, but because he stopped to momentarily realize the repercussions this action could have on him and his siblings. After all, the council geezers could've easily used Kanks lashing out here against one of their members as an excuse to not trust Gaara or his siblings. So, the reason he stopped is to not bring any further harm to Gaara's already harmed reputation with his outburst, not specifically due to Baki's words, that served more like a reminder of what he was doing. At least, that's how I view it.

5- Kakashi's acknowledgement of his skills

I'm already getting a little tired of typing, so I'll keep these next ones short and simple. As the image suggests, Kankuro not only managed to obtain a vital clue that would lead t7 to Gaara (the only reason Gaara was found and rescued). This feat also earned him Kakashi's acknowledgment. It shows how skilled Kankuro is. Despite going against an opponent who knew everything about his technique and literally being in a situation where his consciousness was quickly fading, he still managed to think and react quickly to obtain a piece of Sasori's cape. If that's not utter skill, idk what is.

4- Kankuro killing Sakon/Ukon showing his brutality

Now, I'll be the first to admit that this one should've definitely been lower. It's a cool moments but really not deserving of such a high spot. So, let's pretend it switched spots with the Kankuro flashback moment. Overall, I just like it because not only does it show Kanks brutality and decisiveness when he has to make a kill. He also revels in it, treating it like an utter show, a performance of horrors. He also shows wit and skill, being able to outsmart his enemies, which is how he managed to kill them. Once again, tho, this one definitely deserved to be lower.

3- Kankuro asks Naruto to save his brother

This moment was also vital for Kankuro as a character. It allows him to be vulnerable and ask for help. He realizes he can't protect Gaara alone, so he reaches out. You know this moment is significant because it catches everyone present by surprise, and the anime even went as far as to dedicate shots to all of their surprised faces. Meaning this reaction is quite unusual for him. I also just love him having more positive interactions with Naruto, further solidifying a bond with the mc. Let's remember these two also started not liking each other.

2- Kankuro holding Gaara

I just love this moment so much. Once again, Gaara finds himself unable to stand on his own and in need of support. Who does he rely on? Kankuro and Naruto, of course. I find this pretty telling because while making this scene, Kishimoto could've very easily put Temari there instead of Naruto. She's Gaara's sister, after all. But no, it's Naruto's and Kankuro's shoulders he's relying on. Same as when he was defeated at the hands of Naruto in the chunin exams, and Kank was the one to carry him. To me, this means Kankuro is the one helping him shoulder most of his burdens. He's the one holding him upright the both times he can't stand on his own, and the one he shared his dream with. Kankuro is definitely a very important person to Gaara.

Before n.1, I'll mention some honorable mentions:

A- His motivational speech to his squad in the war arc when he noticed Omoi's fear and indecisiveness.

B- His moment with Gaara in the forest of death. It's way more nuanced than people think and definitely not proof that Gaara 'hated Kankuro and loved Temari the most.'

C- His moment retrieving Sasori's puppets with Sakura. Yeah, I'm aware that moment was anime only, but I still like it because of what it added to Kankuro's character. Showing how he also understood and empathized with Sasori's pain but was still willing and ready to carry on his legacy.

D- The other bonding moments he has with Naruto, shortly after Gaara was brought back. He goes comfort him after he is pushed away by Gaara's fangirls. He relays the information of Chiyo's death to him and also explains her life transfer jutsu. It's not much, but I love how their bond also improved from basically hating each other in the chunin exams to being pals.

Finally, number 1:

1- Kankuro facing Sasori in the war arc:

I'll be the first to say it: their bond definitely deserved more attention. Seeing as they're both side characters, tho, I'm still satisfied with it. This is, canonically, the last fight Kankuro gets in the manga, and I think it's a very nice conclusion to his character. He comes face to face with his idol after having been defeated once to show and prove how much he'd improved. It also shows inner frustration because while facing him, Kank does reveal he'd spent plenty of time training and trying to improve after his defeat. Sasori can see that, and he entrusts his legacy to Kankuro. This can also be considered Kankuro's peak because it's also the most puppets we've seen him manipulate at a time (6 total). With this fight, Kankuro finally achieves his character goal of becoming Sasori's heir and improving his technique. People who hate it or think it should've been Sakura here instead of Kank really do not understand Sasori's character at all.

All right, and this would be all. Looking back at these moments in conjunction, we can see Kankuro did go through notable development for such a minor side character. Especially in his bond with Gaara. I just appreciate him a lot and wish more people would appreciate him more, as well.

[verloonati]

thoughts on the robot revolution

Holy fuck they made belinda an actual character, and a nurse in like the hex way not the rory way, who actually does nurse shit, and has like. actual conflict with Dr Who and it looks really promising, as well as traumatizing her heavily on her first episode. Awesome stuff.

The cartoon design and silly looks juxtaposed with the sweaty dirty survivors is so good and it looks absolutely stupid in a like flash gordon retrofuturist kind of way and the budget of the episode just makes it pop it's awesome.

Love the bootstrap paradox of it all, makes me want to delusionnaly believe hard in a faction paradox onscreen appearance finale to the season because come on, companion getting bootstrapped, causing a time fracture and other time shit? sign me the fuck up.

on that note, the special effects of the time fracture sheananigans are really unique and sell it really good, just gotta love that scene. The vfx for disintegration is also amazing love a "seeing the skeleton before vanishing" kind of disintegration, and it looks really smooth.

unfortunately the robot plot is badly paced and even if the "talk on every ninth word" thing is great from a characterization standpoint, the plot feels rushed and we barely get to spend time with side characters. Sasha's death would have had more of an impact if we could have seen her say more than five lines of dialogue, and the buff guy could have had a little more characterization.

on that note, once again, rtd is a little clumsy and on the nose and lacks subtlety in the delivery of the themes, making a very obvious thing seem preachy and caricatural. Alan is obviously a controlling loser mysoginist, but like. Going to flashback on it, and spending the time to call him an incel is very on the nose. I feel like his abduction happening whilst he's gaming is like. That's how these guys see themselves and like, just showing his petty cruelty as soon as he gets to be in charge should be enough, i wish we could have had more of that.

tldr, very fun ep, really good at setting up Belinda, looks very neat in a very unique style, its own plot lacks like a good half hour to explore its premise properly

[dollsome-does-tumblr]

etoile season 1 thoughts (spoilers!)--

this was so much fun and i really enjoyed it! the sort of meandering, the-hilarity-of-everyday-life-stress vibe combined with beautiful dance sequences was just what my soul was craving. it brought back fond memories of slings & arrows, and not just because luke kirby is there playing someone named jack!

really enjoyed luke kirby's jack. he plays Very Stressed Out All The Time in a really delightful register. may he make it to 46.

cheyenne, my beloved!!! her improbable love of the nutcracker; her seafaring righteous rage; her taking susu under her wing; how much it hurt her to be accused of having no room for people in her heart. she is everything.

genevieve is my other everything!!! <3 i love how she kind of just flops around like a glamorous muppet, trying to keep it together. (i also really enjoyed the chaos of her visiting her sister's house.)

i guess my thought on this love triangle or somewhat love triangle-y thing we've been presented with is: i can see jack and genevieve as happily married people, whereas i can see jack and cheyenne having a tortured, perhaps-unsustainable, exhilarating romance of creative soulmates. i lean toward a happy marrieds energy myself, but i'll try to respect the latter despite my personal preferences because who am i to tell the show what its main otp is? i just always lean boring because it's who i am! (re: jack and genevieve, i also liked seeing a will-they-won't-they m/f couple where both people are in their forties. we never get that! tedbecca scars still fresh! i thought it was really sweet when he sent her the four heart emojis in a time of emotional peril. ❤️❤️❤️❤️)

mishi and cheyenne's mom, god, what a totally joyous plot! a stressed out teenage girl with perfectionism foisted upon her bonding with and becoming inspired by an eccentric dgaf old lady is just the storyline of my dreams. i loved every second. they are THE new iconic roomies!

i liked how we got a lot of intergenerational friendship in this show: the above plot, plus cheyenne and susu, and jack and nicholas. (gosh, the scene where nicholas wasn't dead in the last episode! the feelings!! those two guys had a lot of really sweet lovely scenes together, and i love the open affection between them.) it's nice!

nicholas, a bombastic joy! (he has had my heart since killing eve, rip bill.) crispin shamblee, a problematic joy! i especially loved when he showed up at jack's birthday party having recently been Taken, with his snoopy bandaid and his fresh memories of s3 of charmed. lol!

i loved the tobias and gabin romance! canon gays who aren't rory and paris kissing in an asp show at last?!?! (and what a totally joyful first kiss scenario!) tobias would be A Lot IRL, but gosh, he's great as someone who lives in my tv. so endearing to me.

KELLY BISHOP HELLO AGAIN!!!!!! my heart soared whenever i saw her. especially the scene where she read the nutcracker to the little ballerinas.

i also loved getting to see susie myerson's ex love again as the conductor who's jack's sister. she has a great presence onscreen.

i'm sad that gael hurt cheyenne's feelings but also he was pretty dreamy and i'm not unintrigued by his romance with aforementioned jack's sister!!

cheyenne and her mom were also absolutely hilarious together. like mother, like daughter, truly.

i know yanic truesdale didn't have a ton of substantial material here, but man, was he delightful. loved him and loved his work bestie chemistry with genevieve. they were such a fun unit.

that one blonde lady with the glasses who's in all the business scenes (marie?) is soooo gerri kellman-core and i love her for that. <3 i love you, blonde lady with the glasses.

SEASON TWO WHEN?

[gayofthefae]

People act like they don't understand the fundamentals of TV show duos but Mike and Will are a TV show duo. Straight up. Full stop. They're a duo on the show. They are given screentime as such, they are treated by characters as such, they are marketed as such.

Dustin and Steve are another one of these duos. Dustin spends season 1 without Steve entirely. He spends a lot of season 4 with focus on Eddie. Does this mean he and Steve are less of a famous "duo"? No! And we all know that.

This is an example of when it gets to arguing these types of things, you discredit yourself. Mike is straight and loves Will but has been made more of a monster-fighting duo with Will, as he and El have not teamed up since season 1, is a thing you can argue.

But he is not a duo with El. He just isn't. They have a one on one relationship, they have one on one scenes. He is no LESS a duo either than, say, Dustin and Lucas - who spend a great deal of time together and collaborate, even having many singled out scenes together over the seasons, but have their respect default people they partner off with. We see this directly at the Creel house when they all split off. We understand what character duos are. We understand that it isn't an insult to say someone isn't. We understand these things.

Mike and Will are the duo. Mike and El fought in a group in seasons 1 and 3 but had relationship arcs. Mike and Will fought together singled out in seasons 2 and 4. They're on all the posters together. I really don't need to keep arguing this.

Now I'm gonna get counterintuitive to what I seemed to be saying because, of course, this IS Byler proof when elaborated on and I will, but really what I'm saying is that denying its existence when being a duo does not UNIVERSALLY mean romance, as with Steve and Dustin, that is an admission that it does for them.

And the argument that he is a duo with El is actually the only reason it DOES mean romance for them. If this were about the prioritizations of friendship, there would be no fight. To keep the comparison, Steve in season 4 has Nancy as a love interest but it does not make him paired with her more than Dustin in the overall show perception. She is simply seen as a love interest. It is the attempt to claim Mike and El are a duo that seals the deal for Byler.

Mike is a duo with Will. If it were platonic and they were prioritized, it would have been framed as him fighting the monsters with his friend while he is sometimes with his girlfriend in the group and sometimes she's off fighting other battles because look at my independent girlfriend go. That is absolutely fine and that casual separation of love interests when the focus is friendship happens PLENTY in shows. Take Shawn and Gus from Psych if you know them. Shawn and Juliet are not a duo and never have been. That is fine, though, they are no less of love interests and their slowburn is no less juicy for it.

But it's the mutual exclusiveness we've talked about so much. And it's the repeated fact that it is entirely possible to write what people claim is happening and that is NOT how it was executed.

Will and Mike are a best friend monster fighting time. Mike is with his sister. Together, they fight to get her back. Together, they fight to keep her safe. Together, they fight without her but are happy when she appears again. Whichever season you picture.

What DOESN'T work is the dependency of Mike's romance with El on being a duo with her. If the claim is that whoever he's a duo with is his love interest, you're claiming Byler. The claim is that he will spend season 5 with her, that they are already a team, etc. They know the couple parallels, of course, so they're claiming them.

But it's that claim that pushes Byler. Mike is repeatedly framed not as having a best friend he focuses on and a girlfriend he maintains but rather a choice to make between who is his "partner in crime". It would not be an argument if he had made that choice onscreen either. You're right, though common enough to be clear, it is not 100% consistent enough. Neither are Dustin and Steve, as mentioned, but unlike them, they are never mutually exclusive with one consistent relationship.

Time after time it is framed as EITHER Mike has a relationship with Will OR El. This is illogical. It should not be a dilemma of who he saves the world with. It should be secure enough that he is even ABLE to choose Will when he needs him with no threat to his romance in the same way that El would be able to choose Max.

Mike behaves himself by pushing himself in those ways, communicating to us that to be romantic with El, he cannot be a "duo" with Will. This is untrue, we've seen Dustin and Steve. They are always a duo and THEY know it. Steve resents it at times while he's struggling with his own jealousy of Eddie for Dustin's admiration, but he still says "we're just always partners". Tone aside, that's self-awareness of it. Mike refuses that acknowledgement. Mike refuses that Will is his person.

Dustin is the other half of Steve's duo. Steve still has a romance with Nancy. Steve is the other half of Dustin's. Dustin still has a relationship with Suzie.

You CAN be a platonic duo and still have romantic relationships, even with a fellow main character. In seasons 1 and 2, Joyce's focus is much more on Will than Hopper, but they still have their moments. In season 3, Max is focused on El, but she and Lucas remain together (they actually do throughout the season, they don't break up when El dumps Mike and all their referenced breakups are offscreen and she is referred by Mike as his "girlfriend" still in 3x06 - common mistake). Very very easy and very very common to have some sort of focus on a platonic pair that may even seem exclusive to the love interest at times but not cut them off in any damaging way, just in screen time.

It is very possible, easy, and common in both TV and life to equally maintain a romantic and platonic relationship while giving more focus to the platonic.

"I was focusing too much on El" is a statement you can make to a friend about a romantic relationship in that context. Completely normal and valid. Is not a claim that he should stop being with her in any regard. He could have continued to focus on Will in compensation for that behavior and focus on El offscreen as Dustin does with Suzie.

That is not what Mike and Will do. That is not what Mike does. He attempts to switch, force, and lie about who he is a duo with despite that being defined by quantity of one on one screentime, not character claims. Because he himself sees romance as something he has to treat as exclusive in that way. In the way that he treats Will. HE denies that Will is his partner because of how HE is defining it again.

It's happening again. Yet another example of how all of Mike's words and behaviors WOULD have been normal...had they not been delivered in the manner and context they were. Will said Mike hadn't called. Will compared it to someone he HAD kept in touch with. Normal. MIKE defined that as deeper than it was. He always does. And he reacted accordingly.

It is 100% possible to have a focus on a duo even when the members of said duo have love interests and have the duo itself be platonic and not with those love interests but keeping them as endgame relationships. It is 100% plausible to argue that that is what Mike and Will are relative to El. It is not plausible to argue that Mike and El are a romantic duo. It's just untrue. They are a romance. That part is fair game.

BUT Mike is the one who doesn't think that. I've said before and I'll say again, when Mike is with Will while in a relationship with El and becomes defensive, he behaved as though he thinks he's cheating on El. Even though everything he's doing is above board.

Mike and Will can be just friends and focus primarily on each other. In concept. Except for the fact that...Mike doesn't think they can. Mike doesn't think they are. And he behaved as such. So he signals the audience as such.

And THAT is why people argue that Mike and El are a duo when they aren't. Not because a platonic duo with a separate love interest can't exist. But because it has been clearly communicated to them that Mike views whoever his partner in crime is as his love interest. That was established after it was made clear that he viewed Will as his partner in crime. But they don't like those two facts to coexist.

If somehow they weren't romantic, they'd still be a duo. We know that even from leaks.[spoiler warning] They're spending the season together, much one on one, and without El. [Leak references over]. That would be completely in character of a concept...had Mike not established how he views his attentions and partnerships.

Honestly? This came to me because I realized: if Milkvan were somehow endgame. Everyone would be way more relaxed about admitting they were a duo all along. A

team

And the revelation of how much they would admit if Byler weren't endgame just shows what they think of as PROOF.

Everything they deny is something they think of as Byler proof. It's shocking how small and how canon some of those things can go.

[markantonys]

scattered other 3x04 notes (including book spoilers):

there is no redstone doorway in rhuidean. i haven't seen anyone else mention this yet, but it was the #1 thing on my mind for the entire episode! do we think moiraine's and lanfear's fates will be different in some way in the show, or will they manage to wind up finding a doorway to fight in front of anyway? because show!rhuidean visions had it very specifically limited to the tree and the orb that were entrusted to the aiel, there weren't additional objects of power being carted around with them. and from the pic of moiraine glammed up and holding the orb in 3x08, it does feel like the orb is going to be relevant to their big fight. but how? do they get sucked into the orb and transported to finnland? or do they really both actually die for real and mat's missing eye foreshadowing in nynaeve's test vision was for naught?

i love that they kept the future AU of moiraine and rand hooking up LMAO i howled, it was so funny. and i wish they'd lingered longer on the Evil EF6 AU so i could get a closer look, they all look SO hot as evil versions!!!

Queer Randcestor has my WHOLE heart <333 that made me so happy!! the closest we will get to seeing queer rand onscreen haha (fic premise: present-day rand gets a bi awakening triggered after having experienced having a husband through the eyes of his ancestor djkfgj)

and the Hobbit Randcestor being in a little bestie trio with mat and perrin knockoffs! <3 josha did a pretty good job with an irish accent considering how incredibly hard it is to do regional accents in a non-native language! i hope donal and ayoola are proud! also, he did so well with having so much old tongue dialogue, it sounded great!!

i was SO thrilled that rand & avi got a little solo moment together in rhuidean. that was wonderful!! we can see them starting to see each other in a different light and understand each other better. avi being like "whatever, see you later wetlander (semi-affectionate)" and rand smiling after her <3

i miss mat-as-rand's-rhuidean-companion so dearly, but i can definitely understand how that wouldn't have fit with the show's version of rand's s3 emotional arc. i'll always have the book version of rand making the wise ones let his emotional support boyfriend defy all custom and tradition by coming to rhuidean with him! (although i didn't love moiraine getting mat's gag of "unloading an improbable number of weapons from increasingly-unlikely places"; i'm fine with shifting moments to different characters when appropriate, but that moment feels like it's more about mat than about rhuidean, so i would've preferred it stay with mat but happen in a different context than stay in the rhuidean context but happen with a different character. but that's a very minor quibble! and the moiraine moment was played fairly straight, so maybe mat can get an overtly comedic moment of a similar gag later.)

me seeing sevanna: oh no she's hot!! haha ONCE AGAIN they have struck us with hot villains. if Hot Sevanna and Hot Couladin want a third, i am available!

bair telling rand and egwene that their paths don't align, she really said "oh my god break UP already" jdkjfg i do think their breakup will come in the next episode or at the LATEST in episode 6 (maddy mentioned having a "cathartic" scene with josha under the block 3 director, so surely that has to be the moment when they finally talk everything out and decide they have to put their relationship to bed), but we shall see!

[thebroccolination]

GMMTV’S “SNEAKY” MARKETING

I’ve never really looked closely at those trending posts GMMTV puts out but something about the design of the one for “Leap Day” amused me, so I wanted to break it down for fun.

Since GMMTV is a management company, they have to regularly promote their artists—and by proxy the series they’re in—to potential advertisers. According to Tha, they used to do this by showing advertisers the TV ratings and viewing numbers for a series, but times have changed, and now advertisers are asking for Online Engagement Numbers. Trends, especially.

So, check this out with me:

(This isn’t to pick on “Leap Day,” it’s just the post that caught my attention.)

The top numbers are Twitter trends for the hashtag #LeapDaySeries. That’s common, and I’ve seen that before.

What amuses me is that “2.6M+ views in 24 hours” bit, because that made me go, “Whoa, really?” I know GMMTV series tend not to get 1M+ views on YouTube overnight, so I went to check.

192k views is not 2.6M+ views.

So you read the fine print beneath the giant red numbers:

2.6M+

FROM ALL ONLINE PLATFORMS COMBINED

And then I thought, “Oooh, sneaky.” Because how are you counting that 2.6M+ exactly? What does “all online platforms” mean? Which platforms? Are you counting views on reposted videos also? How many views are repeat users?

It’s clever, because in all likelihood, GMMTV’s hoping all advertisers care about is the big red number and not how they got it.

Part of me wonders if they’re obfuscating the numbers because other management companies are starting to challenge them. IDOLFactory and Domundi make fewer series, but they’re starting to produce better quality series.

And just yesterday, an interview with KristSingto was released where they said they’re conscious that they’re in an era now where consumers are spoiled for choice, so they’re determined to keep the quality of what they produce as a khuujin. SOTUS might have ushered in the Thai QL wave, but they have no illusions or goal of taking the top spot again. They’re happy to create quality series for anyone who loves them.

Of course, GMMTV is under Grammy, which is a massive corporation that gives them a good deal of resources and clout, but they nearly went bankrupt once (only rescued by SOTUS), so they’re not invulnerable.

One of my main criticisms of GMMTV is that they’ve started churning out dozens of series in the apparent hope that one or two will be a viral hit, but the quality overall of what they create has dropped, and I hear more and more international fans starting to equate GMMTV with poor quality series. Personally, I only ever see about three pilot teasers with promise from any given GMMTV showcase, and of those three, maybe two of them will follow through on their potential.

It’s all about the bottom line, but there’s more than one way to get there. GMMTV’s seems to be mass series production, top spender events, merchandise, and online platform subscriptions. Which makes for good business, but not so great for the quality of their series’ storytelling, directing, acting, visuals, sound, etc.

There will always be plenty of viewers who want the eye candy first and queer representation second (if at all), so GMMTV doesn’t necessarily need high quality series. If they throw two half-naked men onscreen and have them sell a bit of sunscreen or a printer, the trends will soar.

Since GMMTV is just the management side, the quality of their actors’ series is down to the actual production teams. Like I love to say, Waa knew “Be My Favorite” wasn’t going to soar in the trends, but it was a passion project for him, so he and his writing team took their time with it. As a result, BMF is one of the best series I’ve seen from GMMTV. But, in the year and change since BMF aired, you almost never hear about it.

That’s because, presumably, there’s no benefit to GMMTV acknowledging a series starring a pair who aren’t an official khuujin with merchandise and events. Even though it’s an incredible series on every measurable scale, “Be My Favorite” isn’t GMMTV’s success: it’s the production team’s. I used to be annoyed with GMMTV for essentially pretending it doesn’t exist, but I just had to remind myself over and over that they’re a management company, not a studio. Krist is already in their most legendary khuujin, so it benefits them to pretend the blip where he worked with someone else never happened. I get it.

But also, watch “Be My Favorite” because Waa is an incredible director and he really outdid himself with it.

Aaanyway, I guess I just wanted to ramble about the business side of BL for a bit.

Bye!

[demigodofhoolemere]

I haven’t felt this conflicted since the 60th specials, which means I’m gonna have to go in depth for this review. Bear with me. Obviously massive spoilers all over the place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

- Okay, first of all, getting this out of the way because it was my biggest expectation and it was absolutely shattered:

WHERE WAS SUSAN?! WHERE WAS SHE?!

For one, I cannot believe they had that much buildup this whole time — from the Doctor actually telling Ruby about her, to the psych-out with Susan Triad to mess with him, to ACTUALLY HAVING SUSAN ONSCREEN CALLING OUT TO HIM — and such a consistent through-line about family across the last two seasons only to NOT follow through on what this was obviously supposed to lead to. There were about a thousand moments in this episode where I thought that THIS must be the moment, she’s gonna show up HERE… and then nothing, again and again. Not so much as a mention of her anywhere.

Leaving me incredibly confused, because they have not filmed another season or special or whatever, but Carole was shown on set wearing a different costume:

Which is, of course, very obviously a costume, as Carole does not go around like that lol. And I have a hard time imagining that this was just an outfit they tested but instead opted for the white one, because this is far cooler and there’s almost no way they’d choose the other one over it.

So what the heck were they filming?! In my mind this costume was a guarantee that she’d be back for the finale. What else was I supposed to think?! And if they really haven’t filmed any kind of reunion scene, that’s one heck of a mistake, not only narratively but practically; while Carole seems to be in just as great health as I’ve always known her to be, she’s still about to turn 85 and absolutely anything can happen without warning. I will be very upset if she passes before they can fulfill the promises they’ve set up here (I mean, I’ll be inconsolable when that happens anyway, but there would be an extra bitterness in it). There had better be something they’ve filmed that they’re just hiding from us for the time being for some reason or other. I wish it were with Ncuti as that was the emotional setup that my expectations were built upon, but even if it’s not, she needs to reunite with the Doctor, ANY Doctor, before it’s too late. I don’t know how long it would take to forgive Russell if he fumbles that.

I’m just in disbelief that they did nothing. It was my ONE expectation for this episode and instead I’ve been left confused and feeling so completely robbed.

—————

Now going in chronological order of thoughts as I skim through the episode…

- I was very pleased to see Anita again. I didn’t expect that she’d ever come back but it was lovely to see her having a nice and fulfilling life now.

- The glimpses at previous Doctors!!! Seeing Eleven already made me soft but then they also pulled out Three which is always a treat for me. I was interested to see in the behind the scenes that they had an actual Dalek going across in front of the screen (sadly the only Dalek in Ncuti’s whole era, but we’ll get back to that). I was right there with Anita though when she got awkward about Rogue, because yeah, I hated that episode, too, girl. (To be clear, I’ve never liked one-off Doctor romances and I thought this one in particular was just horrendously done. I would’ve hated it the same way if it had been het.)

- Archie Panjabi is an absolutely flawless Rani. She was giving this everything she’s got and I’m so glad they cast her in the role. More on her later.

- I’m confused about this Underverse thing. I don’t see how breaking into it frees Omega, who was trapped in an anti-matter realm. The two don’t seem to be related. Why was he in the Underverse, or at least accessible via it somehow?

- Shirley’s rocket chair is awesome and I’m here for Mel on her moped again.

- The Doctor and Ruby’s reunion was very sweet.

- I am deeply confused by Mel saying that she’s been a housewife when they made a specific point last episode about her being a spinster which meant she’d be celebrating May 24th sitting by herself. Suddenly she’s a housewife?

- Love the brief reunion between Mel and the Rani. I would have been very disappointed if they didn’t see each other again so it was very cool to have that moment of acknowledgment.

- The Rani’s explanation for surviving the destruction of Gallifrey (and presumably the reason she was Mrs. Flood in the first place?) is this: “I had a split second, flipped my DNA, made a biological sidestep, survived the carnage.” So… I guess she changed enough about herself to no longer pass for Gallifreyan which would spare her from what the Master did to wipe out their people (even though this doesn’t line up with what he actually did to them)? Is there a reason that it made Mrs. Flood so different from the normal Rani? They really did not go into this.

- Since when did the legends about Omega change? I had just been rewatching clips from The Three Doctors and Three was talking about how every Gallifreyan child learns the story of Omega as the heroic founder of Time Lord society. Now Fifteen talks about the legend of him being cast away for being insane? And unless I’m forgetting something, he’d only gone insane BECAUSE he was trapped in the anti-matter realm, yes? Am I missing something here?

- “With his body, I can resurrect the Time Lords and construct a new Gallifrey.” Except Omega famously has no body…

- When they were talking about the Time Lords being sterile I was so worried they were going into looms 😫 Thank HEAVEN that’s not what they’re saying. I don’t care what anyone else in this fandom thinks about Gallifreyan lore, I will always think looms are ridiculous and they should stay where they are, never brought into the show. But I’m very confused by them saying that it was the “genetic explosion” that did this to them. Were we not talking about what the Master did? That wasn’t a genetic explosion that wiped the Time Lords out (source: I just rewatched The Timeless Children). And did it somehow make the Doctor and the Rani infertile from afar? 🤨 What are we even talking about here???

- “Sometimes I think that’s what bi-generation is. A life force trying anything it can to survive.” At least they bothered to give bi-generation something of an explanation, but I still think it’s stupid. This was such a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it answer as well.

- Zero Room! 🙌

- I want to be clear, I do appreciate that they care so much about their child and that the narrative places so much importance on just one little life. If I were the Doctor or Belinda and suddenly had this child, even if she shouldn’t have existed, I would want to do anything to protect my baby, too. That said, I feel like there’s almost an obsession with her going on here. The narrative suddenly pivots to laser-focus on her in a strange way. It also had the unintended effect of kinda sidelining Belinda; instead of any resolution around her actual story, suddenly this is all that matters. I’m not necessarily in agreement with the fans I’m seeing that are expressing disdain for the focus on motherhood here, because I think it’s actually rarer these days to show strong women onscreen who value it so much and I don’t believe that by default making a character become a mother somehow relegates them to being “just” a mother like that’s not indeed the most important thing in the world, but… in this specific case they really did kind of throw everything else about Belinda away to have the one and only focus of her character now be about Poppy. The whole plot suddenly shifted to center on Poppy. Again, I understand the position they’re in here and I’d want to save her, too. But narratively speaking it just felt odd, like they and the whole story were suddenly completely obsessed with her.

- I do like though that both the Doctor and Belinda were so on board with being platonic co-parents. The love doesn’t have to be romantic to be very real here.

- I’m seeing people unhappy about Ruby’s confrontation with Conrad because she called his sexist and ableist world nice, but the girl has a GUN aimed at her. Diplomacy is exactly what you want to be doing in this situation. Say whatever you have to say to appeal to him. She was also wise to go straight for his vulnerability surrounding family, and acknowledging that his world’s focus on families stemmed from his own bad family history, that that was something he wanted to make better (horribly misguided as the result was). This is basic talking-down-the-bad-guy stuff, trying to convince the person with a gun to you that you understand their perspective. She saw the horrors, she saw what happened to all the disabled and to Rose’s entire existence, she just said last episode that she thought he was evil. Even if she does truly see where he’s coming from and can honestly say that a part of his intention was nice, she doesn’t mean that the result was actually nice. Maybe the writing could have been clearer about that, but I don’t see the issue people are having.

- What on EARTH did they do to Omega. Why does he have a body and why does it look like THAT?! Why did the existence of a myth around him actually turn him into that idea? Why does he want to eat Time Lords now?

- Back to Archie Panjabi: I can’t believe they just had Omega randomly EAT her. What a ridiculous ending for such a fabulous character and actress. She had better come back in the future the same way that the Master always returns without explanation. It would be an absolutely horrendous waste of the perfect casting to do her like this. All this buildup just to throw her away. Halfway through the episode, too, like it wasn’t even important!!!

- Uh, was the Doctor trying to direct Omega’s attention to Mrs. Flood to get her, too? That’s all I could get out of this but that’s messed up.

- Also seeing people complain that Conrad didn’t get what he deserved and that Ruby shouldn’t have let him be happy. On that I have to disagree. I’m all for mercy and I love that Ruby found it in herself to be kind to the man who did what he did to her and the world. If his life changes to be happy, he doesn’t become the kind of person that did all this in the first place. I would always prefer the merciful way out where even the worst of people can have a different life rather than focusing on payback. It reminds me of Kazran Sardick; make him a better person with a better life and you’ve made things better for everyone. Conrad deserved a comeuppance, but I don’t think deserve is the point. I don’t believe revenge is the only way to set things right. I appreciate that she did that.

- Aaand they got rid of Omega halfway through the episode as well. ALL OF THIS, just for him to rock up for about five seconds as a weird bird-like corpse who wants to become a cannibal and then gets blasted back into where he came from. What a complete and utter WASTE of a character like Omega. I cannot believe how absurd this was. No true payoff whatsoever. I was so sure that the Rani would use Conrad to become Omega’s body and then we’d actually have to deal with him, but no. Nothing. Nothing that mattered. I can’t express my disappointment at how they used, or rather didn’t use, this character. Ditto for the Rani, just a little less awful because at least she actually got used at all.

- Very sweet for the orphaned baby to go to the Sundays.

- I’m glad they later have Belinda saying she can’t run around time and space anymore with a baby, because I was baffled by this bit where she and the Doctor are acting like they’re ALL gonna travel the universe and go an adventures with Poppy and baby proof the TARDIS, et cetera. Like I said, the narrative is making them so weirdly obsessed with this baby to the point of not thinking straight. They didn’t explain why they’re like this right now and then not later.

- Poor Ruby always being cursed to remember things that others don’t. It once again had me wondering if there was still something about her that was going to be explained, because everything’s felt so convenient. I thought maybe if she had the DNA of something in the Pantheon (like, say, the Trickster whose theme was playing in her soul but we’re still ignoring that) then that could explain why she’s immune to these things somehow. But no. I think it’s still because of 73 Yards but dang, is that gonna curse her for the rest of her life if stuff like this ever happens again? Whatever the case though, Millie has knocked it out of the park once again. I get the impression she steals the show in everything she touches. Such an impressive young actress.

- Shirley’s face watching Kate and Ibrahim is my face lol. I’m fascinated by whatever the heck has been going on here.

- Another ominous mention of “the Boss”. I can’t tell what I’m supposed to think about this person! I’m assuming it’s the same Boss that the Meep referred to, which had suggested it would be a bad character, but now sweet Anita knows them, too! There are still no answers here, and with Who not officially greenlit yet for the next season, let alone anywhere near production again, it looks like this is going to remain unanswered for the foreseeable. If it weren’t for the connection to the Meep I’d start wondering if this was Susan!

- Can one of the little changes in reality be that mavity is back to gravity? I still really don’t like this gag.

- In theory, since Ruby’s wish for Conrad survived when they fixed the wish world which seems to indicate that independent wishes can still last even after the rest of it is broken, could they not have wished for Poppy to survive the end of the wish world before they did that? I know they couldn’t have known to, but. I’m curious if that would be a possibility if they had.

- It’s very odd here how dismissive the Doctor and Belinda are to the idea that Ruby is remembering something that nobody else can. They have all the evidence they need that she’s been the odd man out with the correct memories before, and as Ruby said, that’s happened to the Doctor himself. There’s nothing here indicating that there’s something making them act this way. It’s one thing to be sure of your memories and have a hard time believing that you could be wrong, and another to be this weird and rude about it to someone who is freaking the heck out.

- If Poppy was created out of the Doctor’s wish to have a family again or whatever exactly this was, could there not have been potentially thousands more children created by people all over the world because of this wish that have also disappeared and will never get the treatment Poppy is getting here? Surely there are others who unconsciously wished for children, or for a spouse. It’s hard to imagine it’s ONLY Poppy.

- Enoooouuuuggghhh with the ‘last of the Time Lords’ thing!!! It had its day, but it’s silly to keep using that now when the Doctor knows full well there are others. He just saw TWO Ranis and at least one of them is still out there, which he is aware of. He just saw Omega, and while that’s not the company you want to keep, it still means there’s another. He knows the Master is inside that tooth (even if he believes the tooth is in the box with the Toymaker, he knows he’s alive in there). He’s just seen Susan calling out to him in his mind and on the screens. He has a whole other self out there sitting in Donna’s garden. I believe wholeheartedly that the Monk is out there somewhere because ain’t no way that guy didn’t run away from the Time War. Somehow or another, some other Time Lord ALWAYS comes back, and he KNOWS OF MULTIPLE at this very moment. Stop calling yourself that, dude! You’re one of four Time Lords in this episode alone!

- I do love a little montage of Doctor faces, I must admit. I think that’s the third one this season but I don’t even care. I’m an easy target, I always enjoy this.

—————

- AND NOW FOR MY FAVORITE SCENE OF THE EPISODE!!!

HER!!!

Oh my gosh. I was not REMOTELY expecting this. Absolutely the surprise of the century.

This WRECKED me. I was crying on the spot and had to keep myself quiet so I could actually hear her. Thirteen has been living in my brain nonstop for the past month because I’m writing a story for her to submit to Big Finish’s Short Trips opportunity, and I’ve been enjoying rewatching her era to ‘study’ and literally just finished. I mean, I actually watched The Power of the Doctor a mere TWO HOURS prior to watching The Reality War. Just as I’m having this month-long high of loving her and now very freshly feeling emotional over the loss of her again, they suddenly throw her back to me without warning. It’s as if it was written personally for me; it felt like I summoned her somehow.

If I couldn’t cry over getting Susan back this episode, I’m grateful they gave me Thirteen to cry over getting back instead. It felt like she came right out of her era and like I was suddenly back to where I’ve comfortably been living this month and only just said goodbye to again. I’m in disbelief that this happened with this kind of timing, and that they managed to keep it a secret for this long.

I’m still reeling like I must have dreamed this. But nope. Thirteen was right there. My sweet Thirteen that I’ve been so particularly attached to right now, whose era I appreciate more with each time I watch it. For all that people talk about how bad the Chibnall era was, and for all that I even used to say about it, more and more I find that the problems I thought existed really just aren’t problems to me anymore. I can think of only three big things that I wish had been different, and two of those are things that I can still appreciate in their own way. On average that actually makes her era the least riddled with things I don’t like, just after Eccleston (only speaking of New Who here). For all of RTD and Moffat’s very high highs, to me they also both have very low lows; I love their eras but I have problems with a larger number of individual episodes, events, and recurring themes (I’m looking at you, frequent oversexualization and innuendo). I now find myself in the position of more deeply appreciating her era (though I never had any trouble loving her) and becoming more defensive of it and her than ever, and right as I’m at the absolute peak of this, they gift her back to me.

I’m just stunned and so, so completely happy. Especially because I’ve been feeling like other than the acknowledgment of the Timeless Child (one of the things I’d change but which I can fully appreciate as a story even if I wish it hadn’t been in Doctor Who) and the cameo from the Fugitive Doctor, this era has gone completely forgotten immediately. RTD has written much of his second run as if Chibnall’s did not exist, and I’ve been especially baffled by the retroactive treatment of Yaz. The Doctor tells her she can’t settle with anyone because it will hurt, then Ten 2.0 immediately settles with the Nobles like this was never a concern and doesn’t seem to remember Yaz whatsoever despite having cared so much for her five minutes ago. The Doctor won’t tell Yaz anything ever after years together, then trauma dumps his entire life onto Ruby immediately after meeting her. The Doctor gently rejects Yaz who she genuinely cares about and has an emotional connection with, then randomly falls for a bounty hunter he’s known for all of an hour who has opposing morals to him, offering to travel together and BE together, for no reason whatsoever other than lust because they did not freaking fall in love in an hour, but no, not Yaz. This isn’t even all of it. That poor girl has been so repeatedly kicked in the face after the fact and it’s been making me all the more defensive of the Chibnall era and annoyed at its erasure and neglect (and I don’t even ship Thasmin, but dear goodness, Yaz doesn’t deserve any of this; she saved the Doctor’s entire existence from being permanently usurped by the Master, we only still have a Doctor because of her, and this is the thanks she gets?). So imagine my surprise when it turns out RTD actually CAN remember Jodie, and even Yaz! (That almost actually makes it worse for her that Fifteen actually can be bothered to remember her and yet still keeps doing all this stuff rofl. It’s a good thing no one remembers that Poppy was initially his child with Belinda because Yaz doesn’t need to hear about that at the group.)

And Doctor, stoooop with saying that so-and-so doesn���t need to hear the words ‘I love you’. It doesn’t matter if you think they know it. Rose deserved to hear it and so did Yaz.

Anyway. I’ve been a hardcore Thirteen fan right now so this came at the most perfect possible timing. I love and miss her and I can’t believe they gave her back to me for one shining minute. I could almost forgive all the other faults of the episode purely for how ecstatically happy this scene made me. When Fifteen stopped her to tell her he loved her, I felt that.

You’re welcome to come back any time. Love you forever, Doctor.

—————

- This end result is… very awkward. I wondered for a moment whether Belinda really did have Poppy all along and things had just been set right, but no, Belinda’s life seems to have been altered. Having her whole life changed without her knowledge is quite the way to end a character who didn’t like the Doctor so much as scanning her DNA without permission. I do believe that had she been given the opportunity to know that this is what would happen, she would have gladly accepted if it saved a child’s life, but… she wasn’t. Everything was changed for her (and presumably Poppy’s new father who has also had this reality thrust upon him unknowingly; who knows what that guy was up to before). Is it a nice life? Certainly! This could be a lovely departure if it had been real in the first place. But it’s not her life. Of course Poppy needs somewhere to go but there should have been a way that didn’t involve altering a person’s memories of their life in such a drastic manner. Just because she was Belinda’s in the wish world doesn’t mean she has to be with her now; she could have gone to the Sundays as well, or be adopted by someone else. It would have been just fine if Belinda herself had knowingly adopted her. But the way that this was done is kind of uncomfortable. And I feel like we don’t get to properly say goodbye to Belinda in a meaningful way, because the conclusion to her story gets swept up in time being different and the Doctor being relieved about Poppy. It’s hard to feel like this was a companion departure. There isn’t another goodbye for Ruby, either. They just end the stories of two companions without really making it feel like we were actually saying goodbye to either of them.

- Bit random to have the Doctor go be with Joy the star at the end but I guess that’s sweet. And at least the regeneration energy is a slightly different effect this time, even if it’s still the golden glow. I’ll address the actual regeneration in a moment.

- I… don’t know what to make of the sudden appearance of Billie Piper. I’d seen rumors about it, just as I’d seen rumors of Ncuti regenerating, but you can’t believe everything you hear; I’ll never forget the “leaks” from The Last Jedi involving Anakin’s Force Ghost living as a sea monster around Luke’s island rofl. So while I wasn’t surprised to see her, I have no clue what’s going on here. I have a very hard time believing she’s meant to be the next Doctor, as it’s one thing to cast Peter Capaldi and say he took the form of that guy from Pompeii to hold him to the mark and another thing to cast an entire companion! Billie and RTD seem to be alluding to things not being what they seem, so I’m assuming that this has something to do with the heart of the TARDIS from when Rose looked into it, but heck if I know. They need to get greenlit so they can continue whatever it is they’ve just dropped on us. And can I just say, much as I love Billie, I really am quite done with RTD revisiting his own greatest hits over and over again. Ten and Rose were my very first Doctor and companion, but I don’t like them both getting used for nostalgia bait like this. Ten did not need to return and I am never calling him Fourteen; he does not deserve a second number, no one Doctor is so much more special than any other that I’m acknowledging them twice. They may surprise me with something interesting but Billie does not need to be here either. All of this just feels like Russell is constantly patting himself on the back and I can’t help but wonder if the recent inclusions of Thirteen and Fugitive are just to give plausible deniability that he isn’t using only his own stuff. And I truly feel bad that Fifteen is bookended by David and Billie; the attention was taken from him in his entrance and it’s taken from him again in his exit.

- Okay, the regeneration. Knowing the rumor, I wasn’t totally surprised, but like… I was still also surprised that they actually did this without official warning. I’ve always wondered how it would be if they pulled off a regeneration without announcing it and I can now say unequivocally that IT SUCKS. It doesn’t feel real. I can’t grieve the loss of this Doctor properly because it feels so random. It took watching the goodbyes with Ncuti in the behind the scenes stuff for me to feel anything. I shouldn’t have to look outside of the actual episode of regeneration itself to feel it properly. This all just feels so wrong. More on this in my final overall thoughts.

—————

THOUGHTS

I have so many of them but I’m almost at a loss to communicate them. There’s good here, and I believe there’s good in even the worst Who episodes, but my word this was a mess.

First off, pure and simple: these characters deserved better.

Fifteen should have had longer. I felt he was just beginning to hit his stride better, and this season was pretty much hit after hit for me. Apparently they decided to only do 2 years from the get-go, which is not only bizarre, but is even worse when you look at how much was left unattended to despite them knowing exactly how much time they were working with. There are so many plot threads from across his two seasons that they’ve either done absolutely nothing with or didn’t delve into in full, leaving things feeling incomplete and choppy, and he has multiple episodes that he’s barely even in whatsoever. Why in the world would you keep doing Doctor-lite stories when you know you don’t have much time with this one? Fifteen was given such a raw deal imo. Overshadowed in his entry and exit, overshadowed in some of his own episodes, his emotional threads left hanging unresolved… this is just weird.

Belinda should have gotten an ending that related to her own, actual, REAL story. I wanted the resolution for her desire to get home, a very realistic and normal desire, and instead her own personal motivations are erased to serve whatever this story was with Poppy. Like I said, she could have knowingly adopted Poppy and that would be great, and it wouldn’t have changed her original life and motivation, she would just have a new factor in her life moving forward. Instead they take her memories and alter her reality. That may be a good thing for Poppy, who deserves to live, but am I supposed to be happy for Belinda? This is not a satisfying ending for her. (We also completely dropped anything regarding her being more wary of the Doctor than other companions and seeing that he’s dangerous. I thought this was going to be more of a challenge in their relationship but evidently not. I love their friendship but everything seems to end too perfectly.)

Ruby may have had her goodbye last season, but there’s no official one again now. We just don’t see her anymore at a certain point. After all she’s been through it doesn’t feel fair to just… walk away from her and not feel that her story has concluded. One can assume things go on like normal and that she’s probably working with UNIT to some degree or another, but it bothers me that we as an audience don’t get to see her off properly one last time.

The Rani deserved better. There ultimately wasn’t much point to the bi-generation, and after all this time of buildup for the Mrs. Flood mystery, they take the character(s) away just as soon as we get the answer. They get rid of her halfway through an episode that should have been her magnum opus, her most ambitious plan yet. One is eaten unceremoniously and the other teleports away. Whether we’ll see her again is completely up in the air. This should have been so much better for her (though her portrayal by Archie was absolute gold).

Omega deserved better. I’m just in shock that they brought back a character like that only to do whatever in the world that was. For such a significant cliffhanger last episode, Omega turns out to be such a weirdly-portrayed non-issue here and is disposed of halfway through as well. What a complete waste.

AND. SUSAN. SHOULD. HAVE. BEEN. HERE.

I feel like this episode, and really these past two seasons, tried to set up more than they could actually pull off and kept focusing on the wrong things. I went easier on series 14 than I saw a lot of people do, because the things that were left unanswered or felt too convenient were things that I gave the benefit of the doubt they’d be solved this season. No such luck, and now there are even more things left unsatisfyingly on the floor. Maybe part of that is that we as the fandom built up too high an expectation and we always come up with stuff that’s better than what we get, but I seriously think it’s mostly that RTD dropped the ball. Why set up things that don’t go anywhere? Will we ever actually see a reunion with Susan now? Is Rogue ever gonna get out of super hell? I don’t even want to revisit the Doctor/Rogue stuff whatsoever but he shouldn’t be left there either!

We should have had another season of Fifteen. Maybe he could have traveled with both Ruby and Belinda, if they’d be willing. There just should have been SOMETHING more than this. He needed more time to fully develop as a Doctor and to wrap up all of his loose ends in a satisfying way. I feel robbed. Robbed of more time with him and robbed of feeling like I actually just experienced his real ending. Not being officially warned was to this episode’s horrible detriment because I don’t feel I had the right experience with it.

This shorter amount of time also means Ncuti misses out on some staples of Doctor Who, like fighting Daleks or wearing the orange spacesuit. Fifteen is the first one since that suit arrived not to wear it, and he’s the first Doctor PERIOD to not have faced the Daleks. That’s insane. I’ve seen multiple Doctor actors, including Ncuti, say that it doesn’t quite feel like you’re really the Doctor until you’ve faced a Dalek. Does Ncuti seriously not get to have that?

It’s not even just about the time. It’s how you spend it. Even with only one season, it felt like Eccleston had a good run. With two seasons, it feels like Ncuti’s only barely begun to hit a really good streak. They spent too much of his time being confusing, and sometimes barely even having him there. Fifteen isn’t necessarily my favorite Doctor but I really think they did him a disservice.

It seems like just yesterday I was writing a review like this about Ncuti’s entrance. I shouldn’t have to do the same for his exit so quickly.

Thank goodness Thirteen showed up to distract me from all of the… *gestures broadly* everything.

(I feel like I may have forgotten something, so bear with me if this ends up with edits later.)

[germesthegenie]

So like how long were you Ward readers sitting and watching my liveblog waiting for me to get here?

Not quite at the end of Arc 10 (will follow up with those thoughts in a reblog probably) but thoughts so far + a bonus below:

Bonus: Cuff with her regular / Worm hair color

Arc 10 (Part 1 - 10.1 - 10.11)

Carol really coming back to try and reclaim the “Most Hateable Ward Character” throne. Hard Boil has made a pretty secure hold on that spot, but Carol is really, really trying here.

(10.1) “Mom the fuck up!” LETS GO SVETA 🗣️ TALK THAT SHIT

Liking how Ward keeps up the slower slice of life moments Worm had early on but kinda dropped after Leviathan (even if pacing at times does feel a bit weird). Sveta and Victoria’s day at the mall was a nice breather and developing her plotline

It’s feeling like Sveta’s the next focus now that Rain, Ashley, Kenzie, and Capricorn have had their moments and Chris has left the team. That could be good, but then considering how the interludes of the rest have gone, could be sad

Kenzie had a crush on Chris? 🥺

Doodle Idea: Chicken Little staring into the camera with a fisheye lens effect

Undersiders are back again! And Imp lost an arm maybe?

March time? And she’s working with the hate crime cape? Damn maybe she isn’t as cool as I thought

And Faultline Crew’s back! Brockton Bay reunion

Tattletale borrowing Coil’s strategy of “leaking key info to sabotage the enemy”, now let’s see if it pays off better than it did against the E88

(10.6) Rain. Phrasing 😭. The rest of Breakthrough just going 🤨🤨🤨 killed me

Not Swansong scheduling Kenzie’s playdate she really is becoming her new mom

Sveta dysphoria :(

Was confused by the surprisingly intricate animated telenovela descriptions until I realized it was Kenzie making an auto rotoscope animation camera. Its on the smaller side of ridiculous cameras she’s made but still damn she is creative

Sidepiece and Disjoint almost sabotaging Breakthrough by making them look like freaks watching the video in public

Never ask anti-parahuman movements who they hire as muscle

(10.8) Victoria’s perspective on the Undersiders’ territories is interesting. Wonder what she thought of Skitter’s territory, which to my memory was relatively crimeless and provided for the community

(10.X) “Rex. Rex dead.” Why’d you do that power :(

(10.X) Golem Mention‼️ Nice to see he’s still active. Wonder if any of the others still are

(10.10) ^ Clueless

Poor Chicken Little, it’s like if Taylor joined the Undersiders with like 10 Alecs and Imps. He gets along better with them at least.

(10.X) I still got Monster and No Longer You to finish (they’re like in different states of completion atm)… but Chicken Little kinda has enough Telemachus energy that a follow up to We’ll be Fine might be put in the queue

(10.10) Oh hey its more Brockton Bay Reunions. Hi Weld Hi Laserdream Hi Vista Hi- GOLEM AND CUFF???

They’re still together, kicking warlords’ asses (as Weaver’s bootcamp taught them), Golem seems to be doing better and more comfortable with himself. Chicago Wards stay winning (except Wanton in the nebulous “maybe died onscreen” realm)

(10.10) Victoria and Sveta are Chicago Wards fans too, instantly elevating them in my internal ranking of Breakthrough (they were already at the top)

Everyone else outside of the Undersiders daring not to mention Taylor’s name after GM and then there’s Cuff who’s just “Ugh, Weaver.” It’s funny and also kinda fits with that fic I’m writing (also poor girl is never living the New Delhi V incident down lmao)

(10.10) TECTON MENTION‼️ Hoping he’s alive and still in the cape scene since the way Cuff said it feels a bit ambiguous. Same for Grace and Romp (thinking about it the latter could’ve maybe gotten along with the Major Malfunctions pretty nicely)

(10.10) Theo being the one to tell Victoria it was good she punched Nazis is great even without my bias. Helped him get a wakeup call kinda like Rain had without needing something like the mall incident

(10.10) Nice little coincidental cameo before we move on- THEYRE STILL HERE? I don’t dare get my hopes up past this arc but I am being fed

Dear god who invited the S9 crime scenes to the reunion too that is horrifying

(10.11) Ok they’ve been really mysterious about their new system for holding dangerous criminals. Like it seems bad enough Tattletale specifically wants a pass from it for her people, and even the heroes seem either in the dark on the details or iffy about them. Like what, are they dropping them to Earth Zayin?