#so when presented with the notion their otp has loved another it can be off putting bc 'real love' is singular

[majimassqueaktoy]

Some fans: Oh Majima canonically had sex with someone other than *insert either Makoto or Kiryu depending on the person's preferred ship*? better hate Mirei for existing!

It's kinda ridiculous.

Honestly I don't have beef if people don't like her because sometimes you just simply don't like a character and that's fine, I'm not here to tell anyone who they should or shouldn't like but yeah we are playing a game about gang members who do immoral shit pretty frequently... let me enjoy a character who was a bit morally grey and a woman... Also you hit the nail on the head tbh, I think if she had been someone else's ex she wouldn't be nearly as divisive but because she was Majima's ex, well... 😬

[duhragonball]

I'd like to suggest Majin Buu for the character asks. He's a strange dude who stuck around longer then expected, so I'd imagine you have some mixed feelings on the character. I'd say any version of Buu applies, but thats up to you.

Give me a character and I will answer:

Why I like them: Those who know me, know that I am all about that post-Frieza era of DBZ.  That’s why I want Hit to kill him again, because it did wonders for Z, and maybe it could improve Super II or whatever they end up calling it.   I’ve already discussed why I love Cell, but for me, the Buu Saga was not much of a step down.   I came out of the Cell Games wanting more, really craving an epilogue to show how everyone was getting along after Cell’s defeat.   And the Buu Saga gave me exactly that.   

The common criticism leveled against Buu is that he isn’t much on personality.  He doesn’t have the charisma of a Frieza or Buu, but I think that works in his favor, since it gives the good guys more time to work out all their issues.   A big part of the arc was about Goku and Vegeta getting on the same page, and it’s tough to make that happen when the bad guy has his own monologue.   I think that’s why you don’t see much of them together on Namek, or during the Androids crisis.   

I’ve seen Team Four Star compare Super Buu’s absorption forms to sort of a carbon copy of Perfect Cell.    I’m not sure I agree, but 1) I’m not sure that’s a bad thing, even if it’s true, and 2) If you don’t like Buuhan, don’t worry, because he doesn’t stay that way for very long.    Majin Buu has lots of variety, is my point.    No one’s going to love all of his different forms and appearances, but you’re probably going to find a few that appeal to you.    I had trouble picking a header image for this, because it feels like it does a disservice to the character.    He’s so many different things.   He can be cute and cuddly, or vicious and terrifying, or sassy and rude.  

I also like what he represents to the series as a whole.   When he was first introduced, Buu was presented as this instant “game over” for the universe.   If Babidi reawakens him, that’s it, we all lose.   No one can stop him.    But then he breaks out anyway, and the good guys still manage to rally.    He proves too powerful to defeat, but Goku comes up with a plan, and the Supreme Kai comes up with a plan, and the Old Kai comes up with a plan, and finally Vegeta comes up with a plan, and all of them are premised on the idea that maybe we’re not so doomed after all.    Maybe the Z-Fighters are strong enough to pull this off.   And they do pull it off, and somehow turn Buu good in the process.   There’s a very hopeful message in that.   

Why I don’t: Not gonna lie, I find it somewhat uncomfy that Fat Buu survives the conflict and just... stays that way.    I’m not talking about his appearance, mind you, I mean he still seems like the same guy who gouged out Dabura’s eyes, who creeped on that one lady, and seemed unable to stop eating.   

Let me put it like this: When I first watched the episodes where Mr. Satan befriends Buu, I wasn’t entirely surprised, but what worried me was that he cooked food for Buu, and then he’d immediately demand another meal.  The implication, for me anyway, was that maybe Buu couldn’t be reformed, and he would be compelled by an endless hunger to destroy everything in his sight, regardless of how he might have felt about it.  

In hindsight, I think the “can’t-stop-eating” bit was just intended to set up the emergence of Evil Buu.   Once he got that out of his system, he was fine, but it still bugged me, and even Vegeta was concerned about Buu making another Kid Buu someday.   Because no one really understood what Buu was or how he worked, so who’s to say that he could truly shake off the ways of evil?    Also, Fat Buu owes his existence to absorbing two of the ancient Supreme Kais, so it bothered me that they got everyone else de-absorbed but not them.  

But, I can’t say that bothers me too much, since the final episodes of DBZ show that he lived peacefully with Mr. Satan for at least a decade.  Even so, I wasn’t surprised to see Dragon Ball GT merge him with Uub.   I think the urge to write him out of the story was pretty strong.    Notice how Dragon Ball Super has Majin Buu, but they hardly ever use him.   It makes you wonder.

Favorite episode (scene if movie): You know, I think I might go with the one where the Supreme Kai explains Buu’s backstory to the Old Kai.   Pretty sure that one ends with Kid Buu blowing up the world, so it’s got a lot going for it. 

Favorite season/movie: The Fusion Saga is kind of my go-to answer for the best of Buu, but after I rewatched everything last year, I think the Kid Buu Saga make be the better arc.   It’s tough to decide.

Favorite line: When Goku and Vegeta power up on the Supreme Kai Planet to draw Buu’s attention, he senses their ki and grins, saying “Dum-dums!” like he’s so excited that they’re gonna try and fight him again.   That’s in the dub, anyway, but I always liked that this was Kid Buu’s pet name for those two idiots.

Favorite outfit: I don’t think I have a preference, but it might have been nice to see more of this version:

OTP: I guess that female Buu he made so he could have children?   Honestly, the less I have to think about Buu being romantic the better I like it.  

Brotp: Gotta be Mr. Satan.

Head Canon: The Xenoverse games and Dragon Ball Online introduced this whole notion of Buu starting his own race of Majins on Earth.    I’ve been trying to figure out how to work with that in my fanfic, and the main thing that sticks out in my mind is that Buu is the progenitor of that entire population, and I’m pretty sure he’d still be alive at any given time, so it intrigues me that a Majin OC I might come up with could just stroll on over to Buu’s house and say hello.  But I’m not really sure what they’d talk about.  

Unpopular opinion: Killing him off was one of the few smart moves GT made, and providing a means for the absorbed Supreme Kai’s to escape was one of the few smart moves Toyotaro made.  

A wish: If they do another Tournament of Power, Buu should actually be in it.   He can absorb Frieza and that way they can get around the cap on team members. 

An oh-god-please-dont-ever-happen: If they do another big fight, for the love of crap, don’t just have him nap through it.   I just realized he probably slept through the Broly movie too.   Lazy bastard.

5 words to best describe them: That’s the tubby custard machine.

My nickname for them: “You r--” whoa ho-hoooo.   Just kidding.  

[alphaofdarkness]

not me here for the oc ask ! can't wait to answer the ones you asked me, tomorrow i have my exam and then i shall live again haha ! but now i'll ask you 1, 2, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 31 — i know, it is a lot ( you don't have to do them all 💕) , but i really want to know something more about your wonderful babies and Dany ofc ! I missed her sm during this semi-hiatus 🤧💕💕💕 hope you're doing fine, sending you lots of love 💞💕💘

@carmenio Edgy!! 🥺 so happy to hear from you! ✨ I love these kinds of asks, especially on my many, many OC babies! I hope these answers are good and interesting to thee! I’ll present more info on Dany to some way, some how cause I love her 😭💖

I have gone and included the other questions you asked as well! 🤗 Let’s dive in! 😳

1. Gone and Answered Here ! UwU

2. Do you have a personal favorite among your OCs?

Personal favorite is often shown in the one I draw the most lol, which for a long time was Danielle LWW, but just because she was also my wolfsona at the time. After I made my own personal one I think I went onto Sam for a good while, also eventually going to Dany from Bsd!

So a tie between two beautiful girls, Sam is definitely my favorite LWW Oc, she is just precious and the one I hold the most and most always feel terrible and bad when I put her through it TM. 

Also Dany is my self insert, U//w//U, she has definitely allowed me to slowly self love and allow me to appreciate myself, especially the parts of me I didn’t think to much about or consider so appealing, I think? She has definitely been changing gradually into more of myself since I first came up with her almost 2 years ago! Watch me slowly knock her down to my height of 4′9″, let her have her 3 inches for another year maybe lol.

My dearest Atsushi agrees lol ✨🐯

17. Any OC OTPs? 

👀 lol yesss~ so many and so many crack ships too, which I'll answer next 😂

I’ll just go on and list them off, plenty more of them but~:

DanyJay

SoraYama

LidiaTom

AlikLucy

IsabelleKayla

AlexanderIsabelle

DarkwolfmonJatomon

JatamonRaiwolfmon

EarthamonHounmon

HumaamonWolverimon

And lastly TakaSam is the one I have definitely drawn and thought of the most! They are the top OTP and just best trope of Childhood Friends to Lovers trope, also filling in that trope of Oblivious to both of them but everyone else 🙄. While SoraYama may have been the OG Couple in my story, my love and warmth for TakaSam is unmatched TwT.

It is wild cause I always draw anguish between them as could-have-been-lovers-had-it-not-been-for-death, but recently been drawing them purely happy and content. Total sweethearts, the love everyone wants, excluding possibility of being old friends or not!

18. Any OC crackships?

L o l, I never seem to focus on the main couples because of this specific thing.

I’ll again just go off in list an maybe add a trope or something to get an idea of them:

DanyYama: Rivals, Constantly arguing, and can be petty as heck, but oh the potential and just possibility of opening up after the traumaTM 👀 also the couple that is always in your face about being in a relationship.

DanySora: Sparing partners, the sass and stubbornness, BiPan solidarity 👀

DanyLidia: Pure, wholesome, best friends and so much hugging and lifting from the tol to smol, the nature love vibes

SamJay: Wholesome, soft, healing together from traumaTM, protectiveness, also their Digimon were lovers and married in their previous life, what does that make us? 😳

SamDany: Mostly sibling-like relationship, but damn they have that Sun and Moon tropes?! How can you not possibly ship them!

SamLula: Shy and Confident, Bisexual/Lesbian solidarity 💕✨

JaySora: Opposite of the DanyYama tropes, why are our partners constantly arguing, can they please stop, pure and soft together.

DanyTaka: Digimon Au specifically, Oh you and I are the voice of the revolution? We are rallying up the troops together? Oh boi my Digimon feels love for yours, am I falling for you or are we falling together? Depression buddies but also each others hope and spirit boost ;;w;;

Any of the Warriors with the Sins: A whole lo t of mess, and just not healthy ... but I can already seen fandom people sayin g otherwise~

LustWrath: Spicy, no strings attached kind of deal.

WrathEnvy: ...Oof um, not healthy, kind of manipulative, we are devils there is nothing but toxic vibes.

PrideWrath: Rulers, King and Queen vibes, Yeah we are toxic for each other, f*** off.

19. Introduce an OC that means a lot to you (and explain why)

Definitely Darkwolfmon! I am sure I explained in the first question why, but again I consider her to be that other half of me, the part of me I never discovered or the parts that essentially fill in the gaps within me. She is my precious partner Digimon and has honestly come a long, long way since I first created her. I believe sometime in 2009-2010, so almost 11-12 years since. She was the first ever OC of mine and is one I hold closest too in my heart.

For the longest time, even too now, I have always wanted her to just manifest at my side. Go on this journey of life together. While she might not be physically here like my child-self would want, she is still in my stories, my imagination, my inspirational drive. I think that is definitely more than enough, I don't know where or who I would be without having created her. I probably wouldn’t have a whole tale of OC’s and stories to tell if it wasn't for her. 

I am more than grateful and thankful that I am who I am because of this lovely Oc of mine. I can only hope to have her at my side for the rest of my days!

20. Do any of your OCs sing? If they sing, care to share more details (headcanon voice, what kind of songs they like etc)?

Most, if not all, my OC’s can sing! Their voices and tones vary, to which I cannot give a straight answer on how I headcanon most of their voices right now ^^; I will say that Danielle has a British accent to her voice as well as Spanish speak, and Sora has a Russian accent to her voice, so may be just lightly deep, but not to much.

I will definitely go with my Bsd Oc/Self Insert Danielle Mika Mason, however! Because I have gone and done a thing on how she would speak in her Japanese and English Dub! Other than me also being her voice, her Japanese VA would be Yui Ishikawa, same VA of the queen herself, Mikasa 💕 English VA would be Barrett Wilbert Weed, with an English accent, good Veronica from the Heathers! You can have a listen to her here in this post! 

Dany is meek when it comes to her singing, she will often be caught humming and softly singing something, but quickly tends to stop around others. She is often back and forth with how she sounds and often shuts down when she hears someone she considers better than her. She just needs some encouragement and a gentle push from someone she really cares about. When she does feel the push and genuineness from someone she will sing her heart out. But of course prefers to sing for only that one special person~ can ya guess~ 🐯

31.  Pick one OC of yours and explain what their tumblr blog would be like (what they reblog, layout, anything really).

Oh boi! I literally have moodboards to add to this! I pick Samantha, or Sam! 

She would totes have a Tumblr blog, and Instagram! You always look forward to see what she post and just feel an instant calmness and warmth when you see it! She is always tagging her things appropriately, a soft and warm spring like layout that is shades of yellows, golds, orange, white; an occasional blue and teal as well! She would reblog anything of her aesthetic, golds, yellows, dance and ballet related things (may even post videos or poses of herself in practice and dance related things), cafe shops, sweets and desserts, warm night lights, cats, lots and lots of cats and felines of all shapes and sizes! Her best friend/boyfriend, Takaru always cameos in her stories and posts 💖

She would also reblog or spread awareness of any issues happening in the world, marking them and making her own voice heard as well. In spur moments, you may see her not tag things, but will likely go back to name things accordingly. She would also reblog anything of Bi Pride too!

28. Your most dangerous OC? 

Hmmm,,, my most dangerous Oc, I am taking the notion that they are just plain dangerous and likely of evil intent in their actions. Because plenty of my Oc’s on their own are dangerous in their own right, such as the Legendary Wolf Warriors, who have a great power at their paws. They can be destructive in their actions if they lose control or use it for the wrong intentions, which they wouldn't do of their free will. 

I will say Danielle and Sam are the strongest of the seven, because of their powers of Darkness and Light, respectively. Their souls created the others, so the other Warrior’s power does not match theirs. They can definitely be lethal together if used for the wrong reasons or if they are under the control of a Human or Deadly Sin.

Which leads me to say that the most dangerous of my OC’s with the worst intentions and evil thought processes that makes them dangerous is likely the Deadly Soul Sin Pride, or Mikka Penelope King/Pride as her solid name goes. 

She is definitely the most sinister of the seven sins, even worse than Wrath, who you may figure would be the worst. She has a calculating mind and is very precise in her actions and ways of manipulation. She has a poison within her veins that is just as deadly, capable of blinding others or even killing without remorse or care. While she may be a ghost like entity in my stories, a person/digimon holder in my Digimon College Au, she has enough power to influence people to fall under pride and vanity in the most dangerous level possible, heck even possess them if she wishes. That makes her stronger, as well as the other sins. Does not matter if she is dead or fades away for a while, her influence remains and if it does, than she can exist for a long as she desires.

48. OC who is a perfect cinnamon roll, too good for this world, too pure

Lol I saw cinnamon roll and instantly had a list of ocs ready, honestly any child OC I have is instantly a cinnamon roll and to good and put for this world, please treat them all kindly!

Current top Oc’s that come to mind are Haruko Mason-Nakajima, along with their nameless sister/pup! They are the sweetest babies ever and love them so much. Too good and pure, especially nameless pup with her love for tigers; she wants to grow up and be like her sibling and papa 🥺🥰  You can see the post on them here!

Next up is my precious flamey boi named Alik Azure Mizuhara! A next gen. LWW, son of Sora and Yamato! A little sightless boi with the softest heart and warmest empathy for others. Very much like his mother in likeness and pure curiosity of the world’s secrets and tales. His father worries for him a lot, but gradually learns to trust in his ability to guide himself. Don’t worry too much about him, he is very smart and knows how to care and guide himself!

Thank you so much for the time and questions you asked me Edgy! I had so much fun with these and gave me a chance to gush about my dearest OC’s! I do hope you find them of interest! 🤗🥺🥰

May your day be beautiful and amazing!! 🥰✨💖

[aion-rsa]

Psych: The Essential Episode Guide

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As a TV series, Psych is like one of those frozen yogurt chains where the wall is ringed with different flavors and you can keep pulling levers for whatever combination you want. There are the Shawn/Gus episodes, the “Shawn’s psychic lie is threatened” episodes, the increasingly genius and lovingly rendered (often ‘80s-tastic) tributes, and the ensemble classics where the whole cast is just a well-oiled machine after years of riffing off one another. You can have whatever flavor you want. And don’t even get me started on toppings (there’s gotta be pineapple, at the very least).

Over its eight-year run, Psych interrogated its own premise, built out its supporting cast, let its characters play their favorite movie characters, and adapted its own internal mythology into trilogies that would make any movie-buff weep with appreciation. Here is a baker’s dozen of the most giggle-worthy, self-referential, surprisingly dramatic episodes of Psych. (And with so many to choose from, your favorite flavor combinations might be different from mine—share your own best episodes in the comments!)

Season 2 Episode 1: “American Duos”

Once the show had had a season under its belt of the fake-psychic shtick, the writers and actors got to really start playing in the sandbox they’d created. The second-season premiere has it all: a pop culture riff on a certain popular reality show competition; Tim Curry and Gina Gershon going above and beyond in their parodies of Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul; and Shawn and Gus giving a truly spectacular mashup performance as Curt Smith and Michael Jackson.

Season 2 Episode 3: “Psy vs. Psy”

I’m a sucker for the episodes where Shawn might have to come clean about his big fat lie. Season 2 poked at that possibility early on, with a counterfeit case that brings in government agent Lars Ewing (Lou Diamond Phillips) and female psychic Lindsay Leiken (Bianca Kajlich). Not only does Lars ruffle Lassiter’s feathers and get Jules hot and bothered, but Lindsay seems to be a lot more intuitive than Shawn—to the point where the SBPD may be looking to replace their consultant. Shawn has a knack for making things harder for himself, but the situations in which he has to actually fight his way out are always rewarding.

Season 2 Episode 13: “Lights, Camera… Homicidio”

The second season really cemented the series’ delight in its own ridiculousness—not just in the bizarre cases, but in how Shawn and Gus (and the rest of the SBPD) react to them. This week, it was an accidental murder via botched prop knife on the set of Explosión Gigantesca de Romance, Gus’ (and Henry’s) favorite telenovela, that really highlighted Psych’s embrace of the absurd. While doing his psychic thing, Shawn gets “discovered” enough to play the sexy delivery guy, who becomes a beloved character in his own right… only to learn for himself how badly the show’s fans blur the lines between characters and actors. Though not as outright meta as the tribute episodes, it still was wonderfully self-aware about the pitfalls of emotionally investing in fictional characters.

Season 4 Episode 5: “Shawn Gets the Yips”

This episode is a bit of a bait-and-switch in that Shawn having the yips (about baseball, not being a psychic) doesn’t really impact the plot, which starts with a shooting at a known cop bar and culminates in a commentary on the police force not properly punishing drug lords who sell opioids. The subplot about the drug lord supposedly targeting SBPD members is a bit of a red herring for the more nuanced twist about the cost of the opioid epidemic, but it contains one of my favorite moments, in which Shawn unintentionally gets a great workout because he believes that the message on his water bottle (your heart rate drops below 150, you die) is a threat. Just a solid mid-series episode.

Season 4 Episode 16: “Mr. Yin Presents…”

Just like with Bones, Psych really came into its own when it mixed the laughs with actual life-or-death stakes—and in both cases, that was thanks to a serial killer obsessed with our protagonist. Season 3 ended on “An Evening with Mr. Yang,” which introduced Ally Sheedy (one of many, many famous cameos) as the eponymous serial killer who kidnapped Shawn’s mother to get closer to him. But with her locked away and more artfully arranged kills discovered, the SBPD have to confront that Yang might have a Yin—which of course spawns a trilogy. 

Read more

Movies

Psych 2: Lassie Come Home Review

By Natalie Zutter

TV

Psych 2: Lassie Come Home Stars on Hitchcock Homages and Special Reunions

By Natalie Zutter

The Empire Strikes Back of the Yin/Yang saga is my personal favorite, though I highly recommend watching all three. The team’s introduction to Yang’s twisted mentor is through his love of Alfred Hitchcock movies: He casts each of them in an iconic role while leading them on a wild goose chase through Santa Barbara, ending at a movie set mashup and presenting Shawn with an impossible choice between saving girlfriend Abigail or Juliet. The latter has one of her most powerful moments, stoically accepting her death while suspended from a clock and later breaking down in Lassiter’s arms. Her PTSD remains through the Yin/Yang saga, another sign of the series’ maturity as it explores the ripple effect of its more dramatic plots.

Season 6 Episode 2: “Last Night Gus”

While Shawn and Gus are the series OTP, part of the show’s beauty has been in building up its other bromances. This spoof of The Hangover has Shawn, Gus, Lassiter, and Woody waking up in the Psych offices with no memory of their antics the night before, but plenty of incriminating clues tying them to a dead body. Their attempt to solve the mystery of how they got so memory-obliteratingly drunk has them encountering a sweet gay bartender couple, a murdered donut mascot, and a hot girl who’s very into Last Night Gus… if only he knew what he did. In addition to riffing superbly on the movie, the episode is a fun commentary on our present selves solving the mysteries of our past personas.

Season 7 Episode 5: “100 Clues”

I managed to watch this without realizing what the Psych crew was going for, so the moment that Shawn and Gus pulled up in the Blueberry to a mansion in a rainy homage to Clue, I was squealing harder than Gus at the notion of a secret chocolate room. For the series’ 100th episode, they lovingly parodied the perfect locked-mansion murder mystery, with killer cameos from Lesley Warren, Christopher Lloyd, and Martin Mull (plus little nods to the Clue alums who couldn’t be there, like Eileen Brennan). From the Singing Telegram Girl to the secret passageways, only true fans could achieve this level of detail—a perfect landmark celebration.

Season 7 Episode 7: “Deez Nups”

The sign of a great ensemble series is that they can make the standard, super-tropey wedding episode feel fresh again. It helps that it’s Lassiter’s nuptials, and everyone wants to see the guy happy, which is what leads to Shawn, Gus, and Woody kidnapping the detective for a bachelor party, while Juliet and the Chief get roped into being Marlowe’s bachelorette buddies. The threat of a mob boss taking revenge on Lassie takes a backseat to such wedding fare as Vick getting weepy-drunk on shots and McNab popping up as a police stripper (I cackled at the payoff of his Chekhov’s tearaway pants). Just like with a real-life wedding, when you know the people involved, it feels special and unique. (There is also a gross, transphobic joke about a stripper, one of the aspects of Psych that did not age well.)

Season 7 Episode 8: “Right Turn or Left for Dead”

Tribute episodes are Psych’s bread and butter, but rarely do they advance the plot as effectively and emotionally as this riff on Sliding Doors. After Juliet finds out that Shawn has been lying about being a psychic, which makes her believe that everything about their relationship has been a lie, Shawn indulges in a fantasy in which he’s 1990s Gwyneth Paltrow (naturally) pondering the diverging paths of whether Jules does or doesn’t discover the truth. 

The story immediately splits into two takes on the same case, but in one she’s a Jane Doe and in the other Shawn actually has a chance to save her… only to discover that her life path was already set in stone after an abusive childhood. Even with subtle moments of humor that highlight the parallel universes’ differences in solving cases, overall the episode is a study in how one choice has ramifications far beyond the initial action—a lesson Shawn needed to learn, in the penultimate season.

Season 7 Episode 11: “Office Space”

If the boys trying to cover their tracks in “Last Night Gus” was worth a few giggles, Gus and Shawn tampering with a murder scene and then trying to clean their hands of it in this episode is the kind of laughter that hurts. When Gus publicly confronts his abusive boss, only for the man to wind up offed and poor Guster very incriminated. The sequence in which they hysterically stumble their way through the crime scene is worth watching alone; but as evidence mounts and it looks like they could actually be caught in the crosshairs, the levels of ingenuity to which they’re pushed shows why this is the show’s best partnership.

Season 8 Episode 1: “Lock, Stock, Some Smoking Barrels and Burton Guster’s Goblet of Fire”

This is the episode that got me back into the show after years of casual viewing: a mashup of Guy Ritchie and Harry Potter that manages to add a whole new layer to one of Psych’s best recurring characters, refined art thief Pierre Desperaux (Cary Elwes) while giving him a proper send-off.

Like the Yin/Yang trilogy, the entire Desperaux quartet is worth watching for the heists, the Indiana Jones lampooning, and especially for his continued double-crossing of his greatest fan Shawn. But this one takes the cake because it adds a new layer to the Desperaux mythology: He’s actually Royston Staley, an Interpol agent who went undercover as a gentleman thief. Or is he?? Plus, add in the runner about poor Gus in his Hogwarts robes just trying to make it to PotterCon, and you have a near-perfect episode.

Season 8 Episode 3: “Remake, A.K.A. Cloudy… WIth a Chance of Murder”

What better way to mark your final season than by remaking one of your season 1 episodes? What’s incredible about Psych is how many different ways it goes meta, but there was something especially entertaining about its remake of season 1, episode 12 “Cloudy… With a Chance of Murder.” With periodic reminders that this episode is set in 2006, it recasts almost all of the characters—a teacher accused of killing a local weatherman, the lawyer for the prosecution (Ralph Macchio)—and makes space for new jokes (about remakes and My Cousin Vinny) and new twists. All long-running series should get a chance to try and redo their early episodes after they’ve gelled their characters and dynamics.

Season 8 Episode 10: “The Break-Up”

After trying to make their long-distance relationship work, Shawn decides to move to San Francisco to be with Juliet, a far easier choice than actually breaking the news to Gus. Of course the Psych series finale would be about these two facing the end of their partnership. Specifically, Shawn’s inability to say goodbye, so instead he and Gus wind up investigating a case involving special guest star Billy Zane, careening around in their high-school drivers ed car, and competing with SBPD’s peppy new detective Betsy Brannigan (Mira Sorvino). When none of this helps Shawn come out with the truth, he does so through DVD—a whole batch of DVDs, tailored to each of his colleagues and dear friends. Because Shawn loves telling a story.

There’s no better end for Shawn and Gus than a bromantic one, complete with driving cross-state (albeit turning back 12 times), dramatic declaration of love (at a crime scene), and pledging their lives together before Shawn actually proposes to Juliet (as a formality). And it’s not just about them: The finale has sweet moments of closure for new junior detective McNab (aww) and especially Lassiter, who finally gets Shawn’s confession—then breaks the DVD. If the Psych movies had never happened, it would have been enough; but instead, it’s the sugary-sweet end of one chapter and the opening of another.

The post Psych: The Essential Episode Guide appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[robinine-blog]

Pairing the Scrooge

We all have our head cannons about sexualities and favourite pairings. I'm an inclusive person. I'm not sure if I have a OTP, although there's several I favour.

So here I'm going to present my thoughts on Scrooge McDuck, his sexuality and a few pairings for him.

Scrooge McDuck

Asexual? Possible. No long term romantic relationship in canon. Only one known sexual relationship, short term. Little evidence of sexual attraction to anyone.

Demi Sexual. My personal head canon. That one known sexual relationship? Only happened after he gained respect and appreciation for his partner, shown to still pine for that partner and regret the could of beens.

Hetrosexual? One known sexual relationship suggests yes.

Homosexual? Perhaps. Known to have several close relationships with men, and perform dating activities with them, such as dinners, social events, museum visits, sports and vacations. Could also be a preference for one to one friendship time due to being an introvert.

Homoromatic? Scrooge's feelings and actions seem to be of a more romantic nature than sexual. He wants to spend time and do social things with the men he's close to, but doesn't invite them into him home. Those that are invited into his home are employees or family, and within strict boundaries that Scrooge sets.

Bisexual? Perhaps. While his known Sexual relationship is with a woman, Scrooge has shown no desire either way, which could be him supressing all desire because it is a disadvantage in business. Or a factor of the media he is in.

Biromatic? Shown to have a few close friendships with both men and women, although he spends more time of a romantic nature with men.

Pan? Adding this because it's considered a separate sexuality, but I don't think there's the difference between bi and pan other than personal preference for the label (I previous thought it was a consideration of non-binary or trans people, but have revised my opinion in recent years)

So, I think that covers Scrooge's possible sexuality from my point of view, now onto pairings.

Scrooge X Goldie

The one who got away.

Their relationship in the comics and DuckTales '87 is shown as in the past. It was a brief fling that could have been more if not for a misunderstanding. And Scrooge definitely pines for her. He may even consider her his one true love.

Goldie on the other hand is shown to have very fond feelings for Scrooge, wants him to see her at her best, but I think she's moved on. It was a fond memory of a good man and several passionate fights, but from Goldie's point of view, this doesn't make the basis of a good marriage. Maybe when she was younger, before the misunderstanding that drove them apart, they could have made it work. But now? They're too invested in the lives they built for themselves.

In DuckTales 17 we get a very different relationship. Scrooge is attracted, Scrooge is pining, but there's no evidence that a sexual or romantic relationship has taken place. They are competitors.

Goldie is shown to have no romantic feelings and doesn't even consider the possibility of a romantic relationship with Scrooge.

There is mutual attraction, and respect for each others capabilities, but they have never allowed themselves to be vulnerable to each other until Scrooge opens up during the flashbacks in the episode "The Golden Lagoon of White Agony Plains!" At which point Scrooge feels betrayed because Goldie didn't have the same experience and didn't read his mind. She left him, assuming that it was still part of the game they played, while Scrooge had stopped playing and was ready for something else.

Thinking about this makes me angry, because Scrooge had no way of communicating, Goldie isn't a mind reader, and yet Scrooge feels betrayed that Goldie didn't understand?

In a future episode I hope we see Goldie tackle the idea of a romantic relationship with Scrooge, but for the moment her answer seems a clear no with confusion over why Scrooge wants to change the basis of their current relationship.

Scrooge X Bridgette

I've not seen much of this relationship, so apologies if I make a few wrong assumptions.

Bridgette seems to have a full blown crush on Scrooge, to the point of obsession and stalking.

Scrooge seems to have a very casual friendship with her, and doesn't seriously consider the possibility of a romantic relationship.

I don't like the vibe of it, but it probably depends on the writers. The comics can be a bit all over the place.

Scrooge X Mrs Beakley

I haven't seen them in the comics, and their relationship in '87 and '07 is rather different.

First of all let's deal with '87. As a child I was angry that Mrs Beakley worked for Scrooge without wages. To be honest, that still bugs me, but now I know a lot more history I can see why Mrs Beakley might have offered to work for free.

She's not an employee, she's a volunteer. She can walk any time she needs to, there's no contract in place.

She gets shelter for herself and her granddaughter, as well as the protection of a powerful, wealthy man. Maybe Webby is an heir to a fortune, and her grandmother doesn't want her taken advantage of by less moral relatives.

Maybe Mrs Beakley has money, maybe she just wanted out of a desperate situation, maybe maybe maybe XD all this considering is giving me plot bunnies.

But Scrooge does come to respect and appreciate her, as Mrs Beakley gains admiration for Scrooge (as well as knocking some of the glitter off her preconceived notions)

I think as their relationship develops, they gain a strong understanding of each other.

Could there be romantic love? Possible. Marriage? I don't think Scrooge would consider it even if Mrs Beakley angled for it, and I don't think she would want to give up her freedom that way

'07 is an entirely different kettle of fish.

Beakley and Scrooge again start with a work association, but they are being hired by the same company and expected to work together.

There's a bit of jockeying for power, as Scrooge considers himself the expert on this mission, while Beakley is the experienced agent. They work well together as partners and later seem to develop a friendship and presumably go on several more missions together.

They respect and appreciate each other, there's a lot of trust in this relationship, and they're both willing to call each other out when necessary.

Now here's a question for you. Has Mrs Beakley retired from the spy business altogether, or did she take up another role when she retired as Agent 22?

Current day, Mrs Beakley is working for Scrooge, but it could easily be a cover for something else. Considering Launchpad's and Fenton's activities, I don't think Scrooge would object if Beakley is taking a few missions on the side.

I think they have the basis for a strong marriage, but I don't think they would seriously consider a romantic relationship. Scrooge doesn't seem to fit Beakley's type.

On the other hand, I think most people would agree that Webby looks incredibly like a member of the Duck family. I'm almost tempted to suggest she could be Scrooge's granddaughter, if not for the importance of family to Scrooge. Even if he was the sperm donor, I imagine he would want some involvement, and Beakley's actions also seem to discount that possibility.

So overall, I don't think Beakley is attracted to Scrooge or vis versa, but I could entertain the possibilities for hours.

Scrooge X Ma Beagle

I can already hear the screams. XD

The only way I could see this relationship starting would be deception or magic.

The trouble being both Scrooge and Ma Beagle are known for their tricks, and I can easily imagine situations where one or both are disguised. Both want to know what the other is thinking/planning/plotting…

Of course it would end in tears, because we all know Ma Beagle just wants his money, and even if she didn't, who would believe that?

Although why it's okay from Goldie and not anyone else…

Onto the men in Scrooge's life.

Scrooge X Glomgold

I consider this crack. Entirely entertaining crack, but still crack. A relationship wouldn't work because they would never trust each other and Scrooge would grow bored of Glomgold's plotting.

Glomgold definitely has the obsession down, and he matters to Scrooge. Scrooge tried to do right by him, and failed badly. I'm pretty sure Scrooge wouldn't seriously consider it.

Scrooge X Duckworth

Possible? I don't know, there's a huge power issue here. I would love to know how Duckworth went from Scrooge's chaperone for high society to partner in crime. I actually suspect Duckworth's past has a few interesting twists and turns.

Scrooge certainly appreciates and respects Duckworth. Attraction? I don't see any. Just two very good friends, but I'm willing to consider otherwise.

Scrooge X Johnny

Scrooge seeks out Johnny for several reasons, and often these reasons come under the heading of possible date activity.

I don't know a lot about Johnny, but I could easily believe that they are dating, but keeping it quiet because of their reputations.

Does anyone have any other pairings they like to add for Scrooge? I know there's a few characters from the comics I've missed.

[crest-of-courage]

Digimon OTP Week Day #3: Profession AU

Because I’m not entirely sure if I can get something done for tomorrow’s prompt in time (since I’m still lacking ideas and will be gone for most of the time), I decided to do the second prompt of Day 3 instead (for now).

(Or maybe this is just my excuse for writing Taichi and Yamato shamelessly ogling each other in front of a whole audience off NASA employees and reporters.)

I dedicate this to @terresdebrume because we’re both in love with Yamato being fluent in many, many languages :D

Pairing: Taito/Taiyama/Taichi x Yamato

Word Count: 1478

Summary: Taichi thinks that he has a right to see his boyfriend after he has spent four months off on a mission in space. The NASA and a hungry-for-answers crowd of reporters seems to think otherwise by organizing a press conference right after the return of the astronauts. Refusing to give in just like that, Taichi talks Yamato’s dad into giving him access to it - fully intending on distracting his boyfriend a little.

Warnings: Mildly sexual content.

The room was full of people Taichi Yagami had never seen before in his life – at least not face to face.

Of course he knew what the Administrator and Deputy Administrator of NASA looked like, since his boyfriend had forced him through many, many documentaries about said administration.

Some of them were fascinating to Taichi as well – the ones that were focusing on black holes or some rumored about comets that were about to hit the earth and split it into a million pieces.

Most of the times though, they had watched the ones were employees were talking about how they got into the space programs and what opportunities and risks came with it – stuff Yamato proved was useful to him when he signed up to be part of one many years later.

Being a member of the teams that were actually launched into the great big open was, Taichi was sure about it, the second biggest success Yamato had ever scored in his entire life (the first one was, of course, having Taichi as his boyfriend.)

Just this morning, his team had finally landed back on earth, almost 4 months after the nerve-wrecking day the rocket had gone into space, leaving worried, but proud faces behind.

Taichi had spent the months they had been apart working even harder on his football career; arms and legs burning from the effort at practice and heart soaring with joy whenever he actually scored a goal in an important match.

It had earned him a place in the starting line up for the World Cup, which was scheduled to start in a few week's time.

(Taichi had desperately googled if there was a way to call Yamato in space to tell him, but couldn't find any way that didn't require for him to spend all his money or a few nights in jail).

He was gonna tell him after this stupid press conference was over.

In fact, he couldn't believe that they had dragged poor Yamato all the way here to Paris to answer questions in the tired-as-hell state he must be in after coming back from fucking outer space.

He had hoped he would see him before all these terribly boring suit people would, to talk to him and greet him properly, but instead he had received a quick – if loving – call that told him about the conference.

Which may or may not have made Taichi develop a teeny tiny devilish plan to sneak into it and see him anyways.

He had already been punished for it by the long-suffering expression and knowing stares Yamato's father Hiroaki had given him for it – since he had been the one Taichi had to beg for access.

So it was thanks to him and his fabulous connections to the press that Taichi was here now. Dressed in a pristine black suit and a perfectly ironed white dress shirt and equipped with a notebook and a pen.

Hiroaki had even gone as far as talking his friends at the French news channel into getting him a badge and putting his name on the list of reporters, with the simple notion that “one more wouldn't hurt”.

Taichi grinned at the thought, not wanting to know how good Hiroakis connections really were.

Though the thought of him liking Taichi enough to do all of this for him in such a short amount of time – he had been informed mere seven hours ago – turned his grin into a warm smile.

Back when Yamato and him had started dating – almost 12 years ago – his father hadn't been too happy about their relationship. The fact that Taichi had actually sat down for a serious talk with him and had told him that he adored his son and would do everything for him, had eventually placated him a bit. Takeru and Hikari had added to him being less disgruntled by presenting him with their first child a few years later.

Suddenly, the whispered discussions around him stopped and Taichi focused his gaze onto the stage, heart suddenly betraying his calmness by beating almost painfully against his rib cage.

At first, there was just one of the administrators holding some kind of speech that Taichi only cared about because it somehow involved the mission Yamato had been on – one of those that the NASA kept going to further improve their research on the topic of the Mars being a possible replacement for Earth.

Hearing the details about it was actually quite fascinating, so he caught himself being so entranced by the thought that he didn't even realize that the sudden eruption of polite applause around him meant that the speech was over.

His brain was still trying to catch up with the facts he had been told – even as there were suddenly several people walking on stage, politely nodding into the directions of the many reporters.

It was only when he spotted a familiar head of blond hair that his mind seemed to blank out for several seconds – just to kick into overdrive and scream at him that it was him, it's really him, there he is, he's back, he's safe.

He resisted the urge to jump up, run up to the stage and hug his boyfriend, making sure that he wasn't just imaging him.

The blond must have caught the movement though, because suddenly, his blue, piercing eyes were on him.

They widened in complete disbelief and Taichi winked cheekily, which resulted in Yamato almost running into the man in front of him, though he managed to regain his balance and posture just in time.

Despite the still very apparent disbelief, he could see a smile spreading on his lips.

He had missed him as well.

Then the round of questions started and Taichi busied himself with simply staring at the beautiful man that was patiently answering them in perfect, fluent French, English and even Russian.

His appearance – the somehow messily styled hair, his pale skin contrasting with the dark fabric of his suit, and the self-assured professional smile – mixed with the ease with which the worlds rolled from his tongue, stirred a yearning inside of Taichi that was boldly physical.

He tried to ignore it, knowing that they would have plenty of time for it later, in the stupidly expensive hotel room he had booked as a surprise for him. The manager of the Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière had looked at him in outraged offense as he tried to book a suite the same day he wanted to actually sleep in it, horrified by the simple possibility that this random customer could think that their hotel wasn't completely booked yet.

Unluckily for him, one of his employees had informed him just in that moment that some highly important business man Taichi couldn't bother to remember the name of a second after he heard it, had just canceled his stay – which left his pretty suite for Taichi to book.

He couldn't wait to roll around in those stupidly soft satin sheets – preferably with his boyfriend, of course.

Redirecting his attention to the men in front of him just in time to hear Yamato answering another question – in Japanese this time – his boyfriend suddenly focused his gaze directly at him.

It held the same kind of yearning in them; a mixture of wanting to share every detail of his mission and simply forgetting about it for a while and kissing him for the next three hours instead.

Taichi returned this look with a teasingly raised eyebrow and a lazy grin, as if he was actually mocking him for being so desperate to get close to Taichi again.

Yamato's answer was the exaggerated rolling of his eyes, before he quickly gave him a wink and returned his attention to the questions at hand.

Taichi let him.

-

“You're crazy.”

Taichi grinned proudly at the disbelief that colored his boyfriend's voice, even a full twenty minutes after he had realized what kinda suite he had booked for him.

“Wanted to give you a proper welcome”, he responded, his eyes fluttering closed at the sensation of Yamato's lips on his neck.

“You actually managed that.”

He felt the grin, right before his boyfriend decided to bite into the spot he had just turned purple, making Taichi yelp and helplessly bury his hands in the blond's hair.

“Missed doing this”, he then murmured, voice suddenly soft, and Taichi felt the same butterflies he had had roaming around in his stomach for over 12 years now fluttering excitedly.

“Just this?”, he asked teasingly, earning another bite for the remark.

He grinned proudly, his head falling back against the wall – so much for the satin sheets – while Yamato huffed indignantly – now against the skin of his stomach.

“You know I missed you too.”

[withasideofpixiedust]

Dance Academy Movie thoughts

Obviously I’m going to put it under a read more for spoilers! You’ve been warned.

1. Thoroughly enjoyed Tara’s mental fight with her dancing and the memory of her fall. I thought it was done extremely well, I always felt the pain and fear when those scenes were played out. Her breakdown was down breathtakingly.

2. I wasn’t super pleased with how she got over that trauma. I definitely had a different play out in mind with that regard.

3. The Kat/Tara fight/argument was never resolved, just buddy buddy again after Ben was taken to hospital. They left each other on bad terms, didn’t speak for an assumed 3 weeks or so and then there’s a nude scandal and ben in hospital and they’re fine. Maybe they could have put in a brief, ‘I’m sorry,’ or ‘We can talk about it later.’ Just something that says it wasn’t forgotten.

4. Ben and  Miss Raine’s relationship was fucking beautiful. That little family and how she cared so much for him in such a struggling time in his life.

5. Loved that Miss Raine realised that it was wrong of her to give Tara that almost ultimatum, dancing isn’t everything and now Miss Raine also understands that and has found a happiness in her life that isn’t just ballet.

6. I felt so bad for Ollie. He was truly struggling.

7. Tara essentially being tricked out of her settlement fucking pissed me the fuck off.

8. Benstara Choreography <3

9. One minute Ben is sad and emotional over the fact that he may not grow old and the next he’s ignoring signs of infection that could kill him and he doesn’t tell anyone. That left me a bit perplexed.

10. Abigail was great, her role in the movie was very true to her but her choice to leave the company was a little ???? She was obviously not happy and I get the need for having to bring everyone back together for the ‘happily ever after’ finish but I don’t think she’s going to be just content for long where she is at the end of the film.

Now to start on the big OTP issue.

I’m a firm believer that sometimes things change from when you first plan them at the start of a series. Christian and Tara were amazing during the beginning run of Dance Academy but they progressed and became just too toxic for each other and that reflects once again in the movie. Just because you may have planned out the relationship early on doesn’t mean you have to stick to it. On screen there lack of chemistry was quite clear as they weren’t in a good place for majority of the movie. In fact they had another break up scene for what feels like the hundredth time.

Though at the beginning they give off a content feel to their relationship, after the break up Tara herself says they weren’t okay for a while now. That suggests that prior to the movie there was more issues that we the audience do not yet see. We can kind of see a glimpse when Christian ignores her calls and eventually breaks up with her over the phone. She brings up at that it feels like he had decided to break up with her before she had gotten on the plane and his silence is her answer. They aren’t healthy in the slightest and then suddenly she’s dancing and she says that he makes her happy. I’m left feeling confused, what is the truth. I’ve been shown conflicting sides emotions throughout the entirety of the series for this couple and to me, they should have finally ended them.

It doesn’t help that the happiest Tara looks throughout the entire film is the 3 weeks with Ben. Where she is dancing, choreographing and just re-connecting. Their dance scenes were undeniable packed with a natural chemistry which you have to assume was done on purpose as the words, “I think they’re doing it,” are said. Her scenes with Ben felt very cathartic to the emotional struggles she was having towards her dancing and as he was present to see her emotional break down and she to see his struggles with leukemia. They had a shared notion that both felt as though they needed to dance

Tara kisses Ben in a scene that is honestly quite sad as Ben reflects on the fact that he might not grow old like the elderly couples they are dancing amongst. He assumes it’s because she feels pity however as they both reciprocate the kiss and it is quite sweet. She tells him it’s because she is attracted to him and to be fair that’s what I felt. I didn’t feel like she was kissing out of pity but from the 3 weeks we’ve seen them together that they have come together with their struggles and connected once more in an emotional way.

Her giving up her spot on stage to run to him as he is in hospital basically knocking on deaths door was heartbreaking, the grief and sadness that Tara is displaying had me crying not just for Ben but for everyone that loves him. It was a shame they decided to go with the Christian route as it felt forced in comparison.  

Now the worst decision of the movie was to last minute hook up Ben and Kat. Came out of nowhere. Suddenly Christian turns up and all is good with Tara apparently, the grief of Ben’s hospital admission is gone and now Kat’s nude scandal and boobies has Ben interested in her. I shit you not. Mind you that’s after Kat has broken up with her tool of an American boyfriend. I was left kind of really angry.

We get one mention early on that he hasn’t been answering her skype calls but we all know that is due to the fact that he is sick again. We’d seen him skyping Tara early on so it’s no long shot to assume that he was skyping everyone and keeping in touch. So it’s not a hint at a possible Kat relationship down the path. It’s just slammed in their last minute with no real care.

Overall nostalgia had me enjoying the film and there were some worth while aspects of the film that I really enjoyed and then there were some parts that had me complexed or just angry. Overall I am on the fence for the movie, part of me thinks it was better off leaving the series as a stand alone and another part of me thinks there were some good enough aspects of the film that made it worth seeing.

[tinybit92]

Let’s just break down my thoughts on Volume 4 episode 10 scene by scene below a cut like I did for the last episode.

So Oscar’s off on his journey to be the wizard or whatever. He’s an interesting character and I’m intrigued to see where they go with him, but I’m once again getting that vibe of a character who would be the main protagonist in a different show and just kind of bogs down the pacing in this one. Fingers crossed they handle whatever they’re planning with him in a way that blends comfortably with the rest of the story.

Ozpin describes Hazel as someone from his past, now I’m wondering how those previous encounters must have gone.

Holy goodness, tiny baby Ren. No words for this preciousness.

Tangent here, getting a really good look at what lien looks like for the first time I think. They’re plastic cards with magnetic strips on the back and a value denoted on the front. So, are they like those pre-loaded visa gift cards you can spend anywhere? How do you give change? Exchange one large card for another of smaller value? What’s the purpose of the  magnetic strip exactly? Do the cards get used up and reloaded or is it there to keep track of how many times it’s been used for transactions? Very curious about this currency.

Tiny child walks right up to vendor and asks for sake. Ren, you are adorable.

Stop picking on tiny Nora, you little shits! Look at her patched up clothes and dirty face, how long has she been alone? The way she rushes to protect the bread instead of herself when the kid knocks her down is seriously heartbreaking. Eating is more important to her right then than her own safety. No wonder present day Nora practically inhales any food she comes into contact with. She got that notion of never knowing when her next meal would be ingrained into her so young.

I was honestly expecting Ren to say something the first time I watched this scene, so I was really surprised when he started hyperventilating and moved to run away.

So everyone has already pointed out Ren’s dad looks like Hanzo, but also he’s voiced by Kaiji Tang. Must resist Fire Emblem jokes.

My hand slipped.

I’m really glad we got a moment of development for Ruby. Showing her blaming herself and having Jaune reassure her is very good and important. Now don’t stop there. Don’t let that be the only time we address Ruby’s feelings this volume. Let this be the opening for her to keep developing. You have two episodes left this volume, use them for your main characters.

Damn, An’s death was brutal. Pretty obvious it was gonna happen the second she let go of Ren’s hand though. The shape of the blade on the knife Ren’s dad gives him is very similar to the blades on his weapons. I wonder if one of them has the original blade built into it or if they are just designed similarly.

Ren’s semblance kicks in for presumably the first time when he’s in this serious and terrifying situation. I’m guessing this is a much more common way that auras are unlocked than what Pyrrha did for Jaune. Also says a lot about Jaune’s life pre-Beacon if nothing ever happened to make it unlock naturally.

And what a fascinating semblance this is, by the way. It looks like it’s some kind of zen thing that puts him in such a complete state of calm that he becomes invisible to grimm because there are no emotions for them to read off him. The fact that he can extend it to the crying Nora just by touching her is even more interesting. This has got to be a really useful technique that has probably saved their lives more than once growing up.

Speaking of Nora, look at this cute terrified baby. That slow violin version of Boop kicks in and I have to use all my willpower not to cry. Ren gives her that little wooden hammer and says “We’ll keep each other safe,” and you can tell by the look in her eyes that the concept of having someone to rely on is so new and wonderful and such a relief to Nora. Like, no wonder she fell in love with this sweet, smiling boy who saved her life in more ways than one.

Back to present day and that easy, comfortable dynamic that the two of them have always had is even more present and understandable than ever. Relying on each other is so natural to them now. That smile Ren gives her for just a split second before the thunder hits is so perfect. Renora even more OTP than ever.

Okay, seriously, what the heck is that thing? Why is his dad’s arrow there? Was it stuck to this thing for the last ten years and just fell off? Was there another previous battle in that cave? Or is it some kind of death creature and Ren’s dad is a part of it somehow now? Really hope it’s not that last one. No grimm zombies please. And if this thing ends up being some kind of embodiment of Ragnarok to Nora’s Thor and they kill her, I swear to god I will riot. No more dead children, thanks.

That last shot on them holding hands. Ugh, my heart.

So, here’s a question this episode raised. We’ve all kind of assumed since volume one that Ren’s name, Lie Ren, used the Japanese convention of last name first because of the fact that he goes by Ren and they used the R in his name for JNPR like they do the other first names. But both his mother and father call him Lie throughout the episode, implying that Ren is in fact his last name. So, why does Ren choose to go by his last name nowadays? Even Nora, the closest thing he has to family, does not call him Lie. It also implies that the Beacon team names just use the initial of the name you go by rather than first names specifically, but that’s less interesting to me than Ren’s reasoning for going by his last name. To honor his family, maybe?

I really enjoyed this episode, it was great to get some backstory on these two finally. But I am really curious now as to how long the next two episodes are going to end up being. Because they’ve only got two episodes left to close out all the currently hanging plot threads for this volume. I’ve accepted we aren’t getting a team RWBY reunion until volume 5, but how are they going to lay the groundwork for that in what little time they have left this volume.