#spoilers for 4x01 I guess?

[raayllum]

the “I trust her. Unconditionally” from Callum in 5x01 about Rayla and how gentle/steadfast he is through the whole process makes him intimidating Soren like “if you don’t tell me what I want to know right now” (even before he knows it may involve Ezran) in 4x01 even funnier, like sir

[kmze]

Thoughts on 4x01 - 4x12 again I wrote a novel. This is probably my least favorite rewatch half since S1 and it's because the stuff I liked I really liked and the stuff I didn't like I really didn't like. It kind of ebbed and flowed for me, I didn't like the first two episodes (they felt weird I don't know how to describe it) but then I liked Connor and the hunters mythology. I liked the Klefan team-up and the hybrid sire bond breaking with Tyler (I liked his plot the most of anyone) and obviously I liked that the show remembered Steroline existed and all the friendship and sober sponsor goodness. But I didn't like when the hunters mark turned to the cure and Silas because I honestly lost the plot on the convolution of that. I loathe LOATHE the sire bond stuff and DE in general and while 4x09 was a highlight the next three brought it back to not enjoying myself as much (I blame the lack of Caroline).

4x01

“I made a choice that I will regret for the rest of my life” see even Stefan knows that was a stupid ass decision!

Not to defend Matt but can the Salvatore brothers leave him alone like damn it’s not his fault. Especially Stefan like projecting much? Damon wanting to kill Matt so badly is tiring like what is even the point?

God the DRAMA over Elena deciding to transition or not became downright annoying.

Bonnie you need to listen to Grams and stop saving these damn people!

RIP the Council you were useful for one day and then you got blown up.

4x02

I don’t really see how the animal diet wouldn’t cause more duress since you have to kill an animal, as opposed to just drinking from a blood bag? IDK Stefan you need to maybe reassess your vampire training manual because this doesn’t seem to be a diet anyone chooses unless they have drinking problem. Plus the dramatics over Elena feeding and possibly killing someone come on man, there’s like six people watching her I think you can all manage if you do it in shifts.

Damn I forgot how hot Conner is *bites fist* and I love that he shots first questions later! Someone who gets shit done and actually shook the table around here!

Tyler is the only one around here actually willing to put himself in danger to cause the least amount of casualties. A motherfucking G!

I’m sorry but Elena told April to remember it was a beautiful service but like it wasn’t! Tyler got shot! I would have included that information.

Why did Damon start kinda breaking the fourth wall suddenly?

Between Stefan starting it off by listing people Damon killed and Elena mourning HERSELF this is the most in sync’ Stelena has been since S2 LMFAO!

4x03

These past few episodes have been so overly emotional and dramatic it’s a bit much for me. I think it’s because the show is making us “feel” Elena’s transition like we’re doing it along with her, but please show I don’t ever want to be forced to relate to Elena.

Klaus getting so excited to try and breakup a high school couple is both sad and hilarious. Like he is glowing at the thought!

Man Rebekah is RUTHLESS!

The motorcycle scene is so bad!

I know I get more of a buzz from this than most but the Steroline scene is really just a nice scene. There is so much self righteousness and postering going around in these episodes and finally someone is like “I need help will you help me” ��of course” and it is so nice! Stefan gives her these heart eyes when she says she's good at it because of him that just make me melt. I don't even think it's about the boost to his ego, I think he just really needed to hear that he did something right. This is also such a huge moment in relation to Stefan because it's the first time he ASKED for help with his blood addiction. With Lexi, Damon even Elena they told him they'd help him and they all did a bit but Caroline was the first person he sought out help from. And he trusted her when she said he could come to her whenever he wanted and she wouldn't let him lose control. Because Caroline is a genius at self-control. I always liked how we got the line "you don't have to pretend with me" from Stefan to Caroline in 2x13 and now you see how Stefan starts to learn he doesn't have to pretend with Caroline either.

4x04

Even the voiceover recap is dramatic!!

Stefan’s “we’re not in a fight this is our resting phase get over yourself” comment was hilarious.

How does Caroline not know how hard it is Elena hmm not like she woke up all alone having no idea what was happening to her since NO ONE told her about the supernatural world before that! The only possible information she had was visions of Damon abusing her, raping her and feeding on her! Not like she didn't have to work her ass off to prove to EVERYONE she could do it (only Stefan had some faith in). Then after that she was tortured by her own father despite being "too good at it". Yep no idea how hard it is.

Klaus sitting at the bar with a glass of wine smirking at Rebekah’s failures should not be as funny as it is but I am DYING!

Klaus’ smile when Stefan figured out his motive, what a sap! At least he's using new methods to get his (boy)friend back now. Instead of ruining his life he's like "wanna manipulate people and be shady" the best way to Stefan's heart.

While I do enjoy the Bonnie/Shane storyline (mostly) I am immensely tired at how often Bonnie loses her powers. This never seemed to happened to the witches on TO... and of course we all know why (racism).

Everything about Damon in this episode disgusts me. When he basically described S1!Caroline as the perfect "feeding victim" I wanted to reach through the screen and stake him. Can't even enjoy Bamon crumbs during this time period.

Stefan manipulated Rebekah into giving up all the information after one conversation… I just cannot. If Rebekah wasn’t mostly indestructible there’s no way she’d have lived this long, she will give all her secrets away to the first person who shows her a modicum of warmth.

4x05

Elena is so out of the loop and I love it (because I am a HATER)

I'm glad Bonnie got to just vibe with Shane instead of being forced to help this hostage situation, good for her.

The Hunter plot is good, I do like how they have their own symbols and the tattoo only other hunters can see. It gets a bit too complicated when Silas and the cure get introduced but it was good while it was just about the hunters.

Matt and Jeremey getting April a vervain bracelet THANK YOU!

Farewell Connor you should have been Too-Hot-to-Die!

The cracks in Forwood are starting :( because Tyler is right, Chris was his friend and more importantly Tyler wants to keep everyone safe and values everyone's life not just those he believes are important. But Caroline doesn't believe that, she'll try to save everyone and she'll at least feel bad but she will always save her friends first. There's also the fact that she's already started picking Stefan's side over Tyler's which will come to a head soon...

4x06

Caroline’s grin at tricking Klaus LMFAO

They would make Elena be haunted by her first kill after telling me how SHE JUST CARES TOO MUCH and her compassion is her greatest weakness the last five episodes. I hate it here.

Jeremy being so eager to stake Damon LMFAO!! I mean can you blame him? You know how many problems would have been fixed if they killed his ass.

They make it the Stelena break-up all about Elena's feelings for Damon which... is not the full problem here. If anything the problem is Elena's feelings for Damon mean her and Stefan aren't in sync like they were in S2. Because when SE works it's when Stefan can be the ideal boyfriend who respects Elena's choices and always protects her (at the expense of others if needed) and Elena can uplift that. She'll even remind people of it, like Elijah in 2x19 or when she would remind Damon, like when she invited Stefan into the boarding house first and embarrassed Damon on the condition he follow her rules (and Stefan smiles smugly). I mentioned it in my 2x12-22 recap thoughts how Elena wants to have a relationship with both brothers, but it only works if Elena isn't in love with Damon. Because then the roles don't work anymore, and Stefan has more self respect than Damon and quite frankly has zero interest being a side piece. Because we KNOW Damon will be in love with Elena no matter what like he was in love with Katherine for 145 years (until he transferred that over to Elena) but Stefan can move on (and does fight me).

4x07

When Caroline is talking to Stefan about her disgust at Delena and goes “and you’re you” the way Candice says it and her body language is PERFECTION! You see that small part that feels a tingle for Stefan pop out for a second after she buried it when they became friends in S2 (it stays there until S5 IMO).

Klaus is such a dick lol, he knows exactly what’s going on (that Elena is sired to Damon) and he just gives Caroline another riddle.

Everything with Damon and Elena this episode (most episodes lbr) makes me ill so I'm just going to ignore it :)

The Klaus and Caroline scenes at Miss Mystic Falls are kinda cute, I liked when he was teasing her with the application lol. The hummingbird analogy was kind of like "what TF is he talking about" though. Also why didn't we get Caroline saying if she'd take the cure or not, feels like they purposely wanted to keep that lingering.

I do like how much shadiness is going on this season, like not really knowing Hayley's motives and now we know she's working with Shane. Stefan and Klaus' team-up and how that brought a lot of hostility to the trio and also makes Caroline a more primetime player.

Another precious moment! When Caroline is going on her pro-Stelena rant and she’s like “her and Damon” *shakes in disgust like her whole body icks over the idea* (samsies). Then Stefan does this d’aw look and shy smile trying not to laugh because Caroline is Caroline and just BEING HER makes him forget how crappy his life is.

Now one of my favorite eras begins aka "Stefan and Caroline figure everything out by the fireplace (and fall in love)" era.

4x08

Stefan is being more sanctimonious than usual and if it were any other character than Damon I’d be like "let's not throw stones from glass houses..." But since he’s Damon and he still doesn’t do the right thing after all this, I'll allow it.

The show tried to push the side bond as feelings but like that’s not why the sire bond is bad. It’s the lack of consent because you are forced to act based on what you’re told by one person and it prohibits free will. THAT'S THE PROBLEM! No one thinks Elena didn't have feelings for Damon before she turned we fucking know this.

The scene with Caroline, Elena and Bonnie drinking and partying in the Salvatore living room is very cute and funny and I love it and it sucks that every other interaction between them this episodes fills me with hate. The part where Caroline says "It's not your fault, Elena. Damon took advantage of you!" you really hear the fear in her voice.

Elena is a bit too intrigued watching the hybrids bow to Tyler...

I thought Stefan was going to say "because he's my brother" when Caroline asked how he could trust Damon and how utterly annoyed it was going to make me, his excuse was a least a little better than that. He was wrong of course, because Stefan never learns when it comes to Damon.

4x09

The first scene of this episode is… why? They just established the lack of consent with the sire bond and Damon and Elena are laying on top of a bed together.

Caroline looks ETHERAL (and yes the very petty part of me loves that she gets to look stunning while Elena looks dull and miserable even her hair doesn't pop like it used to *evil grin*)

The way Tyler says "you told HIM" AJSHBCFJSFHJ god I love this scene, and the way Stefan moves in front of Caroline to protect her from HER BOYFRIEND, god I love it. I love when two characters just straight-up do not like each other based on personalities and not plot contrivance. Because Tyler and Stefan have never gotten along and they would never speak to each other if they could help it but they have to, because they both care about Caroline. That's how you do a triangle. Love how Tyler threw in Stefan's face that he already got one of the hybrids killed so he doesn't owe him anything. Sterowood you deserved more.

The Klefaroline stuff is also so great, the little art critic remarks and Klaus saying "you've been dodgy and Caroline's been lovely which I've come to recognize as a tool of distraction" (took him long enough lol). I do really enjoy the Klefan conversation about loneliness (which was what Caroline said about the snowflake) and memorializing their dead. Then the remorse that Stefan and Caroline feel at leading Klaus to slaughter and then cutting to... Klaus brutally murdering 12 hybrids to a Christmas carol. This show!

Watching Tyler find all the dead hybrids... damn I just feel so awful for Tyler. He was just trying to help them and never really wanted to be the alpha and now he has to feel immense guilt over them trusting him.

4x10

I’m sorry Becks but getting mad at Stefan for his dirty tricks girl... maybe stop letting yourself get manipulated ALL THE TIME!

I do appreciate Damon shooting Klaus for Carol.

Man Shane can resist compulsion too why are these idiots still not learning that! Morons all of them.

The prospect of Rebekah ramming the cure down Klaus throat does give me a perverse amount of joy! Really would have loved to see him deal with that predicament MWAHAHAHAAAA!

Stefan is such a drama queen this episode. Look the sire bond is gross and the way Damon is using it to his advantage is gross but like... Stefan is mad at Elena having feelings for Damon because of the sire bond but HE KNEW SHE DID BEFORE HE LET HER DROWN! And again maybe you shouldn't have been so comfortable with your brother being in love with your girlfriend Stefan because it "proved their was a part of him that was human" or whatever bullshit he used to say.

4x11

I do love how sassy Stefan got once he detached from Elena, he’s so much more fun this way!

Even Matt is questioning Elena’s choices about Damon oh how the mighty have fallen!

Sorry not sorry but I’m ready for the Original family to leave for their spin-off. I don’t care enough to even understand their issues now it’s so zzzzzzz, Klaus is the only one who mildly entertains me and that’s only when he’s around Stefan, Caroline or Tyler.

I know he's just trying to aggravate Damon but Klaus saying "Stefan would never dream of hurting Elena" um sir we all know that is not true. You were on the phone with him when he threatened to turn her into a vampire and drive her off a bridge! So much so that you actually stood down!

For someone who wants to be human so bad Rebekah is obsessed with Ripper Stefan and I don't get it! Do you know what Ripper Stefan does to humans? He eats them! And not in the sexy way! I'm also forever over these vampires say they want to be human so badly when they clearly love their vampire powers.

Elena like “wanna commit genocide real quick” girl...

4x12

CTFU at Stefan looking so guilty when Klaus opens the door like he’s been caught cheating!

Two episodes in a row with no Caroline WTF I don’t deserve this!

I know Bonnie’s Dad literally appeared out of nowhere but he’s not wrong in basically everything he’s been saying. She can’t really protect the town like she says when she’s working in vampires' interest. And thank god someone put vervain in the water supply!

It’s kind of sad to watch Bonnie’s parents finally give a shit about her and started telling her to stop putting herself in danger for Elena. Because they are completely right with everything they’re saying and Bonnie just won’t listen now.

The Stebekah 80s “date” does a good job of showing the duality of Stefan. I think he’s being completely genuine in having fun with Rebekah and that it reminded him of his time with Lexi who always made him happy. But he’s also doing this to distract her while Elena and Jeremy try to kill her brother. And I like that he doesn’t have Matt dagger her because she was honest with him and he didn’t want to betray her after she did. But then he manipulates her into being back on his side to get the cure and to not be mad Jeremy and Elena killed Kol. Oh when he’s good he's good.

There’s so many mentions of burning Elena’s house down lol. They couldn’t wait to torch this sucker.

The Klonnie scene where Klaus is like "witch" and she gives him a death glare... they could have been a fire hateship man!

Bonnie’s face was like oooooo watching the triangle drama lol (samsies).

Lines that made me laugh:

Klaus: For future reference, one voicemail is just as effective as nine (this was an ongoing theme with Klefan and it was hilarious)

Stefan: *snaps Damon’s neck* You’re welcome (LMFAO all in the delivery sassy Stefan never leave me!)

[quarks-pussy]

Lower Decks 4x01 spoilers ahead!

Okay so, I might be jumping the gun here since I haven't seen any opinions in any directions so far (probably cuz the ep dropped less than 3 hours ago as of the writing of this paragraph) but what can I say, I'm ahead of the curve.

I wanna talk about genders. Specifically the genders of the tuvixed hybrids in the episode mentioned. Because, as far as I could tell, all of them were binary. Many of them were made from characters of different genders, yet all the hybrids were binary. Which, Doylistly? Kind of cowardly. But Watsonianly? Holy shit, it blew my tits clean off. Let me explain.

In fiction, when we deal with hybrids made from people of different genders, they're usually considered non-binary by default. A little othering but makes sense at a glance, right? But here, this is being challenged. LD is (probably unintentionally) saying "gender isn't as simple as mixing two different colours and getting a new one, it doesn't work like that" and like... yea!! You're right! It doesn't!!

Non-binary can be but isn't automatically a mix of pre-established genders. And a gender isn't something you can pour together like a cocktail - it can be for some people but it isn't inherently - in the first place because gender is a deeply personal experience of the self.

Just like the hybrids only have one set of eyes, one of each physical feature, it makes sense they'd only have one gender per hybrid. And since genders are not an inherently mixable thing, it only makes sense they'd adopt a gender one of their components already had rather than try and create a new one. My guess would be whoever feels more strongly about their gender gets to keep it.

And again, I don't really think this was what the writers had in mind. They probably didn't give it much thought at all. But to me? It's a bit of a revelation tbh. That's the thing about art and stories: People find deep meanings in it for themselves, even if it's not something that ever even entered the creator's mind. And isn't that beautiful?

[autie-hobbit]

Final Thoughts on 4x01

I quite liked it. I wasn't really sure what I was expecting, but I guess it was kinda a bit more scattered? If that makes sense. I like that they're kinda all still together.

I like that Klaus is living with Allison and Claire, that makes my heart full.

Interesting to see that Allison also doesn't have her powers, seen as it was highly theorised that she did because she still had her wounds at the end of 3x10 from their fight.

Overall, I'm excited to see what happens next!

(I am watching this season one episode a day, please do not comment any spoilers for future episodes past the episode my post is about, thank you.)

[walkingstackofbooks]

DS9 4x01 The Way of the Warrior thoughts (I'm re-watching, so beware spoilers for future episodes!)

(11/06/2023)

Kira looks so elegant! <3

There's something unsettling about Bashir carrying a phaser not a medkit idk

"On three. 1... 2..." why wait so long, just call it!

It's such a good idea to use Odo like this... Shame they didn't carry on with these drills!

"Constable, it just occurred to me that if I knew in advance how just long it'll take them for to catch you during the next drill? Well, let's just say you and I could share a substantial profit." Quark really is incorrigible XD

I hadn't even noticed Sisko's hair cut, the baldness just suits him

"How far is Cestus Three?" "Eight weeks at maximum warp." "To see a real baseball game, it might be worth the trip." I love how much Sisko loves baseball

"Dax to Sisko" The way Sisko and Kasidy both pause and share a silent acknowledgement that they are both just are so done with this sort of interruption

This Martok's a changeling, right?

Yamok sauce, Julian? I thought that was a Cardassian thing. Has someone been broadening your palate?

"Look how they're watching the room. It's like they're picking out targets." Well you're actually not wrong there, Quark.

Love Julian trying so hard to flick the pea XD

Martok insisting on that blood test and cutting his own hand - how did he do that? Is this the earliest scene of a changeling faking the test? Were blood tests basically useless from their inception?

"Because Malko's not real." Oh Kira

I love Jadzia trying to teach Kira to have some fun (and just seeing them together), but I'm pretty certain she's going about it the wrong way. Think about what Kira will enjoy, Jadzia, not you!

"And as for your underdeveloped imagination, I prescribe a strict regimen of exercise starting immediately." Jadzia, that look was so sultry. Oh, 90s, couldn't you have just left the implication that Jadzia would like to exercise with Kira, and not with some holosuite boy...

Huh, hadn't realised Garak knowing Klingon was canon. But also, while I love hearing different languages, It always bugs me that I can never be sure why universal translators aren't consistent

"Let me guess. You're either lost or desperately searching for a good tailor." Garak, are those really the cutting remarks you're about to boast about to Bashir??

"Perhaps they decided they just didn't like me?" "Not like you? Impossible." XD that is such couple banter

"You know where to find me." Sisko's so soft with Kasidy :3

I can't describe how little I am looking forward to Worf turning up I'm afraid. Imma try to like him though

Quark's distaste at Worf's prune juice order XD

"It's like poker, but with pointed tips." No, Miles, darts is nothing like poker XD Good attempt though, 10/10 for effort!

"He kissed me!" "He's supposed to kiss you!" This is such a fun scene, but also, Jadzia, stop making Kira do romantic holosuites! You're only reinforcing her idea that they're awful! (Though I do feel like Kira is enjoying being outraged)

Ok, Jadzia's smitten with Worf straight away it seems.J

Jadzia walking in and giving Worf fighting advice, what an icon 😘

"It would not be a fair match." "I'll go easy on you." Knew she was gonna say that, but it's a classic line for a reason

The old Klingon going "I suppose you have the right to know." - the scene's now going to cut to Worf raging about the reason we're not yet told?

Ah, no, cut scene to Worf brooding. Checks out.

Gotta love Odo

"I am not interested in your conclusions." Worf, that was a flounce!

This is so complex - Klingons attacking Cardassia to oppose the Dominion, while being themselves manipulated by the Dominion to upset the balance of the Alpha Quadrant.

M: "Believe me, Captain, we have no wish to antagonise your people." S: "Then call off the attack." M: "I will consult with Gowron. You will have his decision within the hour." >>>>>> "As soon as General Martok beamed back to his ship, he sent a message to the Klingon fleet. It was just one word. In'Cha." "Begin." "The Klingon ships are going to warp." ...."Straight to the Cardassian Empire." Of course, Martok's got his proof that this will split the Klingon-Federation Alliance, so the sooner they attack the better.

Interesting that not warning Cardassians is worrying to Julian

"Which means we need a third option." ... Something something Garak? My fingers are crossed!

Yes! Garak! :D

"Bring your tailor's kit." HAH

Worf's hesitance and actually everything about this whole scene is perfect > We interpret Garak's constant "I just heard it while tailoring" as an amusing total falsehood, but what if this sort of game that Sisko's playing actually did happen in other scenario's and Garak is actually never lying about where he heard info XD

Dukat???

"We can stand here all day reminding ourselves just how much we hate each other, but you don't have the time." Gotta love some disdainful Garak.

G: "You will have nothing." "Except my honour." Okay, sure, this is compelling - Worf being the most honourable Klingon is valid

O: "I know how much you miss the Enterprise, but I'm sure they'll be building a new one soon." "It will not be the same." Okay, I see the autistic Worf headcanon too

"I got to hand it to you, Quark. You really know your to make your customers feel welcome." XD

S: "I guess our timing hasn't been too good." K:"No. No, it's been terrible." I loved the way Kasidy said that, I'm just really fond of her (and how much she liked Sisko but also puts herself first)

*kiss* "Don't get killed." I do love her <3

B: "I won't tell the Romulans if you won't." THAT WINK. Sisko really just winked at Julian?? Why do I not remember this?!

"Two decades of peace with the Klingons, and it all comes down to this." Oof. And Sisko's expression, knowing the future is all on his shoulders right now. Gosh.

"Well that should make the trip home a little more interesting." I don't know how to describe Sisko's attitude here but I am here for it!

"I find this whole procedure offensive." "And I find you offensive." Excellent, I want more Julian speaking his mind to Dukat, please

Jadzia and Sisko making bets about Dukat and then making it so obvious how little respect they have for him. We love to see it.

"Captain, are you aware that there's a Klingon on your bridge?" Dukat's delivery is so excellent though, he has some great lines

Garak! Though always a bit bittersweet to see him knowing there's no chance Julian will be in the scene 😅

This non- federation alien bonding Garak and Quark have got going is brilliant. The root beer metaphor - I can't.

Q: "Now what?" G: "Well, I can't be sure, of course, but my guess would be Klingons."

"They've got friends." *pans to entire fleet* Welp...

"Doctor, if a Klingon were to kill me, I'd expect nothing less than an entire opera on the subject." Hah!

I need to see more Odo-Julian friendship tbh. It's underlooked.

*Rom has stolen Quark's disruptor* Q: "I will kill him." O: "With what?" - Odo's smirk! XD

Seeing Garak and Dukat together is always so fun

And suddenly, there's a Julian with a phaser! Looking weirdly sure of himself.

Kira getting stabbed and STILL taking out the Klingon - the most badass of badasses > (the script on Chakoteya says "Kira is honourably stabbed in the back" and that made me chuckle)

"Captain, your shields have been weakened, your station boarded, and more Klingon ships are on their way. Surrender while you can." "I don't think so. My shields are holding, your boarding parties are contained, and my reinforcements are closer than yours. You're facing a war on two fronts. Is that what you really want?" Sisko is the coolest of cats

Martok being so angry - "We will not surrender! We can still win!" - is where his changeling act first slips; he knows he's lost for now but he is still trying to rile Gowron into doing his bidding.

I forget that Gowron is so witchy sometimes. Is that just me?

"I thought I could take the uniform, wrap it around that pain and toss them both away. But it doesn't work like that. Running may help for a little while, but sooner or later the pain catches up with you, and the only way to get rid of it is to stand your ground and face it." Man, Sisko. No-one talks like you do.

W: "But wearing that uniform must remind you of what you have lost." S: "Sometimes. But it also reminds me of what I've gained, and who I am." I LOVE HIM

"Poor Garak. Dukat's a hero, and Garak's still stuck in his tailor shop hemming trousers." I'm sure no-one else was thinking about Garak, Julian XD

[ramblingdisaster73]

Thoughts while rewatching 4x01 - 4x04 -

Episode 4x04 - this does include thoughts that span the whole arc - so spoilers ahead.

Excellent opening – great set up to the creepy mother/son duo

·  She is so matter of fact about the blood and shovel

·  But so happy for Carlos that he is engaged

·  So polite to his kidnapper – polar opposite to TNT when they were kidnapped in 2x08

·  She is so unconcerned about the dead woman in her pantry

·  Thunderwear

·  Not a fan of the FBI lady that says they are done with Owen in the last ep, then is back to it in this one.

·  The Instagram comment was funny

·  agreed with the FBI lady when she said it would be great if O’Brien was going to get rid of the witness

·  I still think people should only go to Owen for advice about fires, aliens, health food recipes, & skin care.

·  There is a whole ass body blocking the door jam – the only fix to that is removing the body.

·  Rafa does so well in these scenes – his total disdain for the man, trying to sympathize with the mother

·  These creepy fucks are so matter of fact when they talk about how to kill Carlos

·  I guess at least they agree that they don’t want blood

·  At least Marj agrees with TK that something is up with Carlos ghosting him

·  I knew he would get Nancy to call either Carlos or Iris – I even had it in my spec fic

·  The way Mateo realized right away that something was wrong when Nancy asked about the visitor logs

·  Also, how calm Nancy remained when she was getting info that she knew was going to be bad for TK

·  Honestly, I would have made their ears hurt with the bike too

·  I love that TK knows Carlos enough to know that this isn’t right, that the behavior is the opposite of everything he knows of Carlos

·  The Grace call was great – “Its not completely illegal, it’s not completely legal either.” Then just doing it

·  This dude is a dick to his mom – but she still helps him with his murdering (even if it is just not telling on him & feeding his victims)

·  The bluebird song while creepy man is taking Carlos’ car is interesting

·  The scenes with Owen & the nazi biker gang were honestly fairly anticlimactic – only served to take me out of the rest of the episode – Now, had they done some of this when Carlos wasn’t being held captive – then maybe they would have had more of an impact

·  Literally going to everyone to try to find Carlos

·  I love that we are getting to see the Reyes home – I never thought they lived on a ranch – just that they had one in the family

·  The only person with a braincell at that table in the roadhouse was O’Brien – Owen had already used all of his up in the last episode

·  Gee no wonder he wanted to join the MC – you gave him a cool nickname – “Honor pup”

·  “I’m a fireman – our codes are like, Fire!” Was a great line with great delivery

·  We’re screwed – not really, apparently the MC finds ya’ll to be a joke

·  I always apologize to the people for the mess I made when they bashed my head with a shovel. Make more of a mess babe. More mess.

·  I think she does truly regret having to hurt Carlos – but her blind love for her murdering son is her downfall

·  Oh, her again – she needs to be moved to another department – she isn’t that great at finding living missing people – or believing people when they were missing about why they were missing

·  This episode does NOT make the police look good, like not a single one of them

·  TK speaking the truth about how the detective treated Iris – especially as one of the paramedics that treated her.

·  TK was there to watch this detective blow off Carlos’ concerns

·  I love that Gabriel acknowledges his failings as a parent – if only another father will do that this season (I know that Ronen has been teasing a “beautiful scene” that explains their relationship)

·  Of course, your serial killer son wouldn’t like an increased police presence in his neighborhood – he might get caught – at least if the members of the APD that were present were competent.

·  “I love the Gays.” – this just makes me think of SJP in The Family Stone “I love the gays.” Like it is on repeat in my head

·  God, Ronen killed this ep just as much as Rafa – the police station scene was great for him

·  The “you’re not the only that loves him TK” part of Gabriel’s speech was not something I enjoyed – because at no point did TK ever think he was. The rest of the speech was just fine & got the point across without that dig. I know a lot of people loved it, but for me, it just added a bit of you don’t matter – just remember that – to it, for me. He was trying to understand why Gabriel was so calm – he wasn’t acting like he was the only one that loved Carlos

·  Detective TK to the rescue – the useless one just discounted anything about the other victims because of their mental illnesses. Didn’t look at anything as obvious as the fact that they all went to the same pharmacy

·  Details matter detective – a paramedic shouldn’t be doing your job for you

·  Still so polite to the creepy lady

·  That she has to refer to eating the cookies she made as Stealing some of her own cookies says a lot about the relationship with her son

·  Yes, hearing someone screaming in the neighborhood that you are looking for a missing person in, then just shrugging it off is excellent police work – on par with the rest of the police work this episode

·  I like how he could just take 3 vials of morphine like it was no big deal.

·  Carlos is correct – that man is not capable of loving anyone

·  His words about Gwyn & TK were so sweet

·  Finally got through to her, too bad it was when her killer son got home

·  He should have just kept pelting him with the hot pan

·  TK going into paramedic mode, but still doing what he could to comfort Carlos

·  The way that Gabriel started dropping his cop mode once he saw his son on the floor – I think that the gun in his hand was the only thing that kept him in cop mode at all.

·  “You just died” at least TK was able to say that to someone else now. The look like “Wtf is wrong with your” from TK that followed that was amazing

·  The parallels from 2x08 are plentiful – but also to several other episodes

·  Cool – Owen made the 126 targets again – what a surprise

·  So, after watching it all the way through – the thing that would have made the marriage thing totally not a big deal to me – would have been to either have it not be a secret to TK, just to us the viewers (could have been off screen like so many other conversations) or if they had acknowledged it was a lie – even if it was a lie by omission – your legal marital status is kinda important when you are PLANNING A WEDDING.

·  One of those two things would have made this all make enough sense that I didn’t have to do Olympic level gymnastics.

·  Instead, they acted like not telling the person that you own real estate with, that you agreed to marry that your are already legally married is totally normal. Then when this lie caused a delay (as temporary as it may be) to the short ass time frame that Carlos gave them – TK goes to find out why – and then everything else is his fault. Even if it is just to himself & the large portion of the fandom that froths at the bit whenever they can jump all over him.

·  Personal note – I do see this particular issue through my own irl experiences. I am the TK in my life – the one that gets blamed for everything – even the things that are beyond or no where near my control. This is probably why it annoys me so much how eager the writers and a lot of viewers just use him as a vessel of blame.

·  The Owen storyline is dragging on – for at least 2 more episodes – can we please have a break from anything Owen only centric until the next season.

·  No Tommy or Grace in 4x04 felt weird

·  CAN’T FUCKING WAIT FOR 4x05 and Marjan’s storyline

·  The acting is superb

·  If they hadn’t so frequently spoiled that Carlos is fine after 4x04 long before 4x04 aired – I think I would have found this to be more intense or suspenseful – but it wasn’t – knowing that he was going to be fine.

·  However, that did make it so I could just pay attention to the acting, the dialog.

·  I don’t think I can say enough about the acting in this episode – this season. They have all been at the top of their game & I am grateful for it.

·  There were so many quotable moments in this episode that will stick with us for a long time

·  They are doing a lot better job with making us guess on what happens with Marjan than they did with Carlos – she hasn’t been in any stills after 4x05

·  Ready to see more Paul, Marjan, Nancy, Mateo, Judd, etc.

[wikiangela]

911 lone star 4x02

spoilers ahead

aw I missed Grace so much 😍

loving Marjan getting a moment, I hope we'll see more of her this season, maybe she'll get an actual storyline 🤞

also, lmao this is so funny, why is this woman so difficult 😂 istg ls is a drama only sometimes, mostly it's a fucking comedy 😂

unpopular opinion but: I actually enjoyed Owen in s3, and I'm still enjoying him haha, tbh he was only really insufferable in s2, now I kinda like him, and his scenes are hilarious, and I'm kinda interested in his storyline this season 😂 (more interesting than tarlos that's for sure, and that's still so weird to even think lmao)

Grace and Tommy have the best friendship in this show 💯 lmao I love them

"just my wife" lmao okay that was funny - it's still not the best plot ngl, it's just so... low stakes, so low basically nonexistent - I already said that in a post before, but like, so what if they can't get married in a few weeks? 😂 like, this is just such a dumb reason jfc, we know they're gonna stay together, this is just drama for the sake of drama - I'm still gonna try to enjoy it tho, maybe they'll make it fun 💁🏻���♀️😂

I was about to say this convo is annoying, but them recalling TK's accidents and the "how many comas have you been in" 😂 😂 lmao this is so funny

oh wow... she didn't sign the papers, who could've seen it coming..... just about everyone but okay 🙄 it's just such a boring storyline I'm sorry but like, it might've been a funny convo, but the overall plotline is just so boring, and making Iris just annoying tbh

OH MY GOD WHO CARES ABOUT THE VENUE 🙄🙄🙄 like, seriously, I can't express how boring I find this, they can literally find another place or wait a little longer

why is tarlos' storyline the most boring this season, please can this be over and can they get something more interesting?

Tommy being awkward with the pastor oh my god I love her so much, but someone shut her up pls 😂😂😂

okay, that leather jacket and hair kinda ruffled by the helmet - it's working for me, why is Rob Lowe so hot, I wasn't prepared to be (this) attracted to Owen this season 😭

thank god that was just Tommy's dream, because the dialogue was really making me cringe lol

I'm loving Tommy and Owen's friendship too 😂

I'm sorry, I guess I'm happy they're getting an annulment, and we're adding some drama now, but like.... I really don't fucking care, what is happening, tarlos were my fave part of this show and now I just wait for their scenes to be over, what have you done writers 🙄

okay, that tarlos scene was adorable and I love them - im still already over that whole marriage and Iris thing tho

oh, now Iris disappeared? okay, now it's getting interesting

that was a good episode, it flew by so fast tbh haha

loved Tommy and I'm lowkey here for the pastor storyline, but it seems to be going well, and we're only on episode 2, so I wonder what's gonna get fucked up

pls tell me Grace and Judd will get some story of their own because so far they're kinda to the side

same with Mateo, Marjan and Paul and Nancy - like, please give them something, they each had like an episode about them (aside from Nancy I think) and we're in s4, give them some longer storylines pls

(also, can we get begins episodes for them? that'd be so cool pls)

I kinda like Owen's story, it's interesting, and it's taking surprisingly little screen time for Owen 😂 (also, Rob Lowe has always been hot, but this season it's like, really standing out, almost as much as the beginning of s3 with the beard 🥵 wtf)

and finally, tarlos.... I was kinda over their whole story, but Iris disappearing makes it interesting tbh, so far it's been boring - hope it'll get even better!

so, tbh I liked this one more than 4x01 and I hope that now it'll get better and better haha

(tho was there literally like only one emergency this episode?)

[castielafflicted]

For the fanfic asks!! 🤡🌞👀

hiii taylor thank you! Ask game here!

🤡 What's a line, scene, or exchange you've written that made you laugh?

Here's an exchange from This Is Normal, Right? aka thee shaving fic.

"Dean, I don't know why you told me I needed to shave if you were going to turn around and tell me you didn't trust me to do it cleanly," he snapped back. The conversation was going further down the drain with each passing second. "I was trying to offer to do it for you!" Dean yelled. He flopped backwards to face the ceiling. There wasn't any normal way to offer to shave your best friend’s face, let alone when he’s the man you've been having weird feelings towards. This one was clearly the wrong way though.

This one makes me laugh because jesus christ Dean you are a wreck. The other exchange is the last two lines of Laughter in a Corn Maze, because it's so adorable that it makes me giggle.

🌞 Do you have a preferred time of day to write?

After sundown, regardless of what time of year it is. In winter I can start writing at like 5pm without issue, and summer it's easiest if I wait until 10pm. My favorite days of the week to write are Saturday and Sunday, and that shows on my spotify daylist.

👀 Tell me about an up and coming wip please!

Oh my god Taylor I love you for this. I am not back from my writing break yet but I love talking about the fics I'm writing. I put a clip of one fic here that I'm excited for, but one that I'm looking forward to being done and posting even more is my sutober day 3: Inspired fic.

I have no idea how complete it actually is, but as of right now (aka October 23rd) there are four different poems in it. The first one was an unfinished piece I wrote before a family cat died back in October that I edited slightly to make work for the fic, and in doing so it made me realize that it being unfinished was actually how to finish it and titled it Unfinished Finality. The second poem currently titled Thing in my Soul has been unfinished since July and I'm still foaming at the mouth over it not being done but don't know how to finish it and intentionally left it unfinished in the fic. The third poem is specifically a destiel poem titled Pollution was unfinished until I was writing this fic, and is used as the major plot point in the story. The fourth poem is titled Lazarus Arise and I think you can guess what it's about. I'd been wanting to write a 4x01 poem for months and it turns out all I needed to do was start writing a "short fic that would only use one poem that was already mostly done". The spoiler I will give you on this poem is that it makes Cas laugh, and that's all that matters in life actually.

Once the fic is posted, I'll definitely post Lazarus Arise on here separately. I might post Pollution and the unedited version of Unfinished Finality too. My brain is slowly starting to rotate fics again because of this ask which is good 👀

I just realized I didn't say anything about the fic besides the poetry, so very quick. It's completely Cas POV and that's always something exciting for me to write. He is absolutely doing things in this fic that he should not be doing <3 Dean draws and writes poetry in his cute little diary (journal) as a coping mechanism and Cas reads it (he should not be doing this).

Also I'm excited about an destiel omegaverse outline that I have fully done, so if anyone wants to hear about that I can talk about that too.

[redblinkinglights]

Rewatching 4x01. Spoilers ahead.

We barely started and I already love Ed’s and Kuz’s relationship. Nothing bad is ever gonna happen.

Really thought this whole wrangling the asteroid this was something from later in the season, not the first goddamn episode.

Watching Margo start off her morning in anywhere but JSC is jarring.

So as of March 17, 2003 Ed Baldwin is 72 years old? Which means he was born in 1931.

(Which means Ed was 19-22 when the Korean War happened. Wouldn’t he still be in Annapolis? Unless his birthday is later in the year so he turns 73 in 2003 which means he was born in 1930. Makes him 23 at the end of the war. So no 2 years of flight school? I do not have enough information of how flight school worked back in the 1950s to know if this makes sense.)

Also why is Apollo 10 written as an event from 1968 in the newspaper? It was May 1969 people, it’s literally something that takes 2 seconds to google.

Aleida worked so hard to become flight director only to see her back down in Thrust is heartbreaking. But seeing her still married to Victor with a daughter is nice to see. They always seemed like a good couple.

Miles lying on his job application is not gonna come and bite him back in the ass at all.

Guessing Aleida’s PTSD is not just from the bombing but also the guilt from everything that happened to Margo.

Miles and Mandy are gonna end up with another baby aren’t they?

This man seriously out here underestimating Margo because she’s not the director anymore.

Danielle and Kuz went from adversaries to close friends. The pain in Dani’s voice when talking about him is so palpable. I hate the writers for making us fall for the man only to kill him so early on. I wanted so much more of him.

Who in the world is this lady talking to Margo?!

It is so good to see Will.

Dani carrying trauma of her time in Mars and now heading back up there. Then again, if there is anyone who can set things back on track and wrangle in Ed, it’ll be her. They better not bring her out of retirement to get her killed up there!

Ed really giving me S1 Gordo vibes in that last scene. Not wanting to go home because of what is waiting back there for him, or rather what is not.

It seems like this season is going having the main characters deal with the consequences and trauma of their past selves. Aleida with the bombing, Dani with what happened with Danny. Margo with her decisions to help the Russians. Ed with well….life.

[pinballlizard]

So yeah how we feeling about Thomas x Kitty everyone?

[pastelwitchling]

I should be writing a novel, but this is the last season I’ll get to write my thoughts after each episode, and I’m depressed so I can do what I want. I have no idea how long this’ll be, but here they are; my thoughts on Roswell, New Mexico 4x01.

This actually might end up being a super short (and bitter) post (edit from future rin; it’s not) because it’s a wonder how much I don’t care about anyone but Alex, malex, and Kyle. I seriously don’t care what Liz is up to, I don’t care about Max and Jenna reuniting (actually, where’s the collaboration between Jenna, Kyle, and Alex? Where’s that team that we never got?), and I especially - especially - couldn’t care less about Maria losing her powers.

While we’re on that, actually, let me just get this out of the way; I don’t care who Maria sleeps with, just stay away from the Manes men. I don’t know how much clearer we as fans could’ve been about that woman and the Manes men, I don’t know how much more we could’ve argued against it, how much louder we had to be about how badly she needs redemption and not another boyfriend who worships the ground she walks on and who she will undoubtedly dump (especially after this thing with Dallas, who’s also too good for her) because strong female characters don’t get broken up with, right? They’re too perfect for that. I hope at least Gregory’s the one that ends things. He deserves that much. And I don’t care about her losing her powers. She used them in season 1 to identify what Alex was feeling, you know, one of her best friends who she knows was usually unhappy and without hope, and that hardly seemed to make a difference. Season 3 used her powers to give her more screen time than almost anyone, so what good are her powers exactly?

I can’t with Isobel and Anatsa, they don’t have a scrap of chemistry, it’s just so awkward to watch. They feel like actors playing a part, and I just don’t ship them. Also, I really dislike that Isobel had given up her event planning business. I loved that as a female character in the first season, she was allowed to be arrogant, caught up with herself sometimes, fashionable, stylistic, and still be such a kind person with a good heart who protected the people she loved. It was such a great contrast to her character which is usually written as stereotypically selfish, but it showed that female characters can be fashionable and a little self-centered and care about aesthetic but also be kind and loveable. I just think that as a female character, she was a lot cooler and more groundbreaking in the first season.

I hope Kyle and Isobel get together quickly. They have actual chemistry, and they just look good together.

I loved Alex, Kyle, and Eduardo all working together, planning. I love that it’s kylex together on this serious stuff, doing the real work behind the scenes. I just hope that, unlike in the last season, this time Alex isn’t left out of the climax with the excuse that he was working on some important stuff in the background. Not this time, please.

I can already see where this plot is going. They’ve already mentioned Michael feeling a connection to Bonnie and Clyde (God willing, please no more threesomes in this show, final season or not, let’s just put that out into the world, no more of them), and undercover work. Before the episode aired, I thought it would be Alex going undercover with an evil version of Deep Sky or something, but now I can see that it’ll be Michael going undercover to find out what Bonnie and Clyde are planning, and then that challenges him and Alex (hopefully while they stay together). I’m hoping, and I’ll love to write it at some point, that the triad ends up taking Alex because he was the only one that ever figured out the Lockhart Machine that had called them in the first place, and they threaten him, and that’s what gets Michael to fight back and expose himself. Or they take Alex after they expose Michael, to get Michael to do what they want, or they threaten Michael to get Alex to do what they want. I think Bonnie and Clyde are going to be good people who do the right thing in the end, and I just hope that what changes their view of humanity is Alex and Michael’s love for each other. I hope that’s where the show goes, but we’ll see. As long as Alex and Michael face whatever comes as a couple, and stay together.

Dallas is a freaking breath of fresh air. Michael needs a friend like him, and I’m glad he has one, someone who’ll just tell him he’s afraid and reassure him. I just love that man. Finally someone other than Max who can talk to Michael about Alex, who makes Michael confront his obvious feelings for Alex. Not much more to say on that other than; I love Dallas, and Michael should just go to him and Max from now on when he has trouble with his feelings as oppose to . . . anyone else.

Michael is gorgeous, of course, I just really wish we got more of Alex and Michael together amongst their friends, you know? I wish we got to see the dynamic of them as a couple and Michael’s siblings, Alex’s siblings, their friends. Not just them together in private when a scene allows it. I want to see them as a couple around people.

Alex is my precious captain, he’s the reason I watch, the reason I continue to watch, and the very idea of losing him brings me to tears even now as I write this, but that’s for later, I know.

I feel weird saying it was a great episode considering how much I really don’t care about anyone but Alex, malex, and Kyle, but it was a great episode where they’re concerned.

[deansawthetvglow]

I’m not saying Kripke has a thing for the ‘sparks flying’ trope but....

spn 4x01 || the boys 1x08

[dorms-fic-archive]

[Ao3 Link] Part 1 of mourning period.

Preview: He doesn't know why he's thinking about it. Everything has a beginning, but the end is inescapable. There is no point in dwelling further on possible outcomes.

Elliot gets to work, but the thought won't leave him, an ugly, abrasive notion that colors his gestures with a violent emphasis; Mr. Robot watches without comment from his position at the terminal.

"Are you going to tell Darlene?" Elliot can't answer for himself. Or won't; there's hardly much difference, or point in pretending. It won't matter in the long run. "You're going to have to talk to her before someone else fills her in."

No. She already knows enough.

[tiffanybluesclues]

whuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhh

ho ly shhhhhhh

[tortoisesshells]

screw finishing the hem of the dress, I started watching The Terror. come talk to me about it!

1x01 - Captain Wentworth, maybe you should have run this past Anne. You really should have run this expedition past Anne. - wasn’t Tobias Menzies William Walter Elliot in the more recent Persuasion? he was! - “... as I was climbing the ladder, I was thinking of Caesar, crossing the Rubicon.” they went there. they really, really went there. did Tobias Menzies and Ciaran Hinds look at that script and laugh? roll their eyes? did Menzies stab Hinds in the back again? the world wonders. - oh god, Goodsir’s wince when he completely blows it trying to comfort David Young. poor guy. this is what Dickensian sentimentalism gets you: a complete lack of understanding of systematic poverty. - am I supposed to dislike Sir John? he’s clearly not the sharpest here, but he does believe what he’s saying: a pilgrim to the deeps, goddamn. i mean, he’s going to get them all killed, but he’s annoyingly likeable for me? - I was told the underwater scene was spectacular, but holy shit, y’all. - the title of this episode is Go For Broke, which is coincidentally what they appear to be doing with the autopsy audio effects. - Fitzjames’s look of insult/intrigue/arousal when Crozier literally pounds the table and metaphorically drags him to hell is Relatable AF. me too, dude. me too. - if I yell loudly enough at the screen, can I change history? no? too bad gonna try anyway. - I believe I’ve seen Hell. And it’s white. It’s snow - wait, wrong period drama about the British empire in the 40s/50s. - well, at least things can’t get worse, thinks Sir John Franklin, amiably. Francis Crozier, aboard another ship and a decent distance away, suddenly develops a headache. - bring it on.

1x02 - nothing good is going to happen to that cat. nothing. - It’s the little acts of kindness and compassion, honestly, that are making this compelling. Hickey jumping down into David Young’s grave to close the coffin, claiming it will make a difference to David’s father (though we know Young didn’t know his father), now Bridgens (I think?) bringing Peglar a comedy to cheer him on the long overland scouting expedition. - oh, Goodsir. someone had to be the Dr. Maturin and that someone’s got to be you.  - “Does it make you uneasy, Doctor?” Goodsir defers, meanwhile, the audience clutches her blankets and whimpers vaguely at her cat. This place wants you dead, adorable Not-Dr.-Maturin, and you are not an unreasonably badass spy-slash-surgeon. RUN. - oh! oh! I saw that paper - the one in the cairn - on exhibit at Mystic Seaport over the holidays!  - oh god. this is it. the moment Sir John realizes he fucked up. oh no. oh shit. - why does Sir John get all these annoyingly wonderful lines? “.. you must know by now that explorers are made of hope. They breathe hope.” I get it - he thinks he’s in a different story - a different genre entirely, but he’s never completely off the mark. (& given Lady Franklin’s famous banner, I’m sure hope will never become a theme or byword at all here. nope. no sir.) - OOPS. - my god, the shit-eating grin on Hickey’s face. you go, kid. - WHAT WAS THAT?? - well, that’s nothing about anything that just happened was ominous in the slightest.

[raayllum]

S4 Trailer Timeline Breakdown

Let’s do this + spoilers for all of episode one from the twitter thread at SDCC.

4x01 is Callum’s birthday and Viren’s revival day. It establishes Callum waiting on a book of rune translations from Lux Aurea, likely to try to decipher more about the mirror. Ezran states that Zubeia and Zym will be arriving in Katolis, and Janai proposes to Amaya. She accepts. Out on the balcony, Callum looks up at the moon and we see that he is still in love with Rayla.

Thus, things that are from 4x01 are as follows:

Any scene with Claudia and Viren in the cave

Ezran’s council meeting

Janai and Amaya looking at each other happily

The failed birthday party

Callum out on the balcony

Then we move into what I’ll call 4x02 territory: 

Phyrrah (red dragon from s2 and s3) as well as Zubeia arriving in Katolis for Ezran’s meeting.

Which doesn’t go especially well, as Ezran makes this speech in the Valley of Graves, likely because 1) it’s big enough to house Zubeia, who’s there, and 2) because it was on her orders that Harrow died, and Ezran is trying to bridge that gap / hurt (since the gift he had made for Zubeia, maybe even by Callum, has seemingly been vandalized) and it’s sunset. This probably isn’t the very next day since it would take time even for a dragon to fly, so it could be up to a week later post-4x01, say.

Also in the early days we see Terry seemingly having braided Claudia’s hair, which she has for the majority of the rest of the trailer / season, even if they seem to be somewhere more metal than Storm Spire-y. I’m guessing they start out in Drakewood and then work their way across.

Also likely in 4x02 is the scene with Amaya with the Sunfire elves, including Janai and her future brother-in-law, Prince Karim.

A human is about to be punished, possibly due to stealing a Sunfire artefact (hence bandages wrapped around burned hands) with Janai supposed to dole out traditional Sunfire punishment. I think given the shot misdirect and Amaya’s worry, Janai will choose to free and spare the human, prompting her brother’s ire and kicking off their political plotline for S4.

On that note, the lack of crowd in the shot below while still having spectators make me think that perhaps Karim has challenged Janai to a one-on-one combat duel for the throne and ‘fate’ of their people. In the far left we see who appears to be Miyana under the mask, part of the Six Horns, who was revealed at SDCC 2021.

Then, post-4x02 we have what seems to be what I’m going to call the Ibis Time Thread, as it / his staff / Callum having his staff is one of the clearest through lines the trailer has. We see him and Claudia squaring off in what seems to be the Storm Spire, as it was the last place Viren’s staff was and that seems to be what they’re fighting over, and Claudia’s hair is braided back.

Then we see Claudia and Ibis having a second encounter in a different space. It may be another part of the same area (just without the gold coins) as a continuation of the first fight, or another encounter entirely. It seems Aaravos has had her wait until now to retrieve her father’s staff, given that her hair is braided and half white in both shots.

This means that Claudia needs Viren’s staff, likely as a component for Aaravos to get out of his mirror. If one of Aaravos’ former gifts / relics can be an important component in freeing him, it seems that can be doubly so for the Cube as the Key of Aaravos. (We’ll circle more back to Aaravos’ bits later.)

Sometime after the fight with Claudia, we see the kids holding what’s clearly a funeral for Ibis, with Callum conducting one of the spells and holding Ibis’ staff.

However, arguably the most important piece of information here (to me) is that Rayla is with the three boys in this shot, and with her little pet creature, Stella, on her shoulder. This means from this point on in the season (likely mid-S4) Rayla has not only reunited with the boys but possibly travelled with them from Katolis to the Storm Spire again.

Here we see Zym at what appears to be the Great Gates (possibly to Rex Igenous’ chambers, the Earth dragon at the very end of the trailer) and in Ez and Zym’s poster, so it seems that while the group is there, it’s mostly centred on the young king and his platonic soulmate.

Possibly in their path to get to Rex Igneous, we see Callum use his scarf to douse the light (maybe light attracts the creatures) which is easier said than done when Bait is a glow toad, and this kicks off the battle there with Callum using lightning to protect his little friend.

We also know that Rayla is with the boys and what appears to be a smaller Earthblood child here, since we can see the three fold of her tunic as well as her hip-thigh pouch that holds Stella as Zym flies up to seemingly call a bit of a lightning storm to protect his friends.

Soren, however, is most notably absent (maybe stuck in another area, like the one with the rocks in his solo shot?). Rayla also has both her blades!

Zubeia getting pissed on her baby’s behalf and when we see those creatures earlier, Callum has Ibis’ staff with him and Ezran. This means either they’re not friendly at first and Zubeia steps in / destroys them, or that she gets them to settle down and the boys manage to have a conversation. Again, we know presumably as soon as Callum gets his staff, any scene where he has that is also one that Rayla will be in (just about). 

Then of course, we have Rayla showing in Katolis with Stella in tow, who quickly grabs the cube and has an affinity with the Star arcanum (given that her name literally means “star,” too) in a perfect parallel of when she and Callum first met. That more than anything makes me think this is real rather than an illusion, but I wonder what’s made Rayla feel safe enough to come back - what proof has she found of Viren’s death after all this time, after all?

Then we have a shot of her outrunning some kind of drake-riding Earthblood elf and with her pouch, but it’s void of Stella. She seems to be purposefully baiting him and trying to create some kind of diversion.

Some very keen eyed people have pointed out that she’ll likely fall after this clip, as one of her hands (her one that used to have the binding, I think) slipped and missed slightly, meaning she’ll dangle and then hoist herself up.

It also makes me wonder, what, exactly, Rayla has found to convince her to come back to Katolis. She’d need irrefutable proof Viren was dead and she could’ve found the empty chrysalis, but she probably would’ve assumed as a result that Viren had simply chosen to leave it. So I’ll be curious as how that gets explained and addressed.

I also think that because she’s seemingly 1) fine and 2) returning of her own accord for their first reunion at least, Callum will be pretty furious with her because he’ll have room to be furious at her. Whether that’ll be in their first scene together or a bit later remains to be seen. 

Finally I want to address the few remaining trailer shots / scenes I haven’t so far, namely: 

An eye i think might belong to Rex Igneous and a wider shot of his hoard that matches where we see Ibis and Claudia initially fighting. It’s also hard to tell in the shot below but it almost looks like maybe it isn’t the trio and/or the two groups are together, with Ezran almost standing by Viren (as he’s the main figure we’ve seen clothed distinctly in all white) even if it’s a bit too blurry to tell entirely.

There are also the shots of Aaravos blowing a kiss at the camera, the aforementioned Callum as a pawn with the cube shot, the shot of Aaravos being displeased, and Callum cradling Rayla’s blades. I wondered if, after the Viren as a pawn clip, if the person as a pawn might change in every episode’s intro in S4. Now I wonder if we’ll get three mini arcs: the first with Viren as the pawn, and then the second and third arcs with Claudia and Callum as the pawn in some kind of order (like the key art, since “everything is going according to plan” for Aaravos). I could also see it changing every episode and then having the final episode intro being Aaravos blowing the kiss with the mirror shattering while he sits calmly (we’ve never seen him sit before) as it felt very winkwink nudgenudge to the audience. 

We know that whatever vexes Aaravos cannot be permanent, since he gets out of the mirror this season 100%. I’m also curious, if Callum and Rayla reunite fairly early on, what Callum is doing dark magic for. I still think he’ll have to build a connection with Aaravos before she comes back, but maybe not, even if the light-dark symbolism we’re getting supports it: Callum is angry, alone, and enshrouded with darkness, whereas Rayla’s head is haloed by the moon, giving her more positive light connotations (the way the show always has).

I do think though that the near the end of the season, perhaps while trying to stop Aaravos or something else with Ezran, Rayla will be forcefully dragged away from her blades, and Cube Hostage Exchange Theory (Callum exchanging the cube to Aaravos for her life) could happen, as it was always an “end of the season / final arc” specific prediction over the season as a whole.

Unless Rayla is an illusion carried by Aaravos through little Stella for the season long term, only to reveal the real Rayla all along has been having a truly terrible time (maybe Callum thinking something with Rayla is wrong, the others write him off as letting his hurt feelings cloud his judgement)... there still has to be a Narrative reason for Rayla’s absence to be relevant. I don’t think she would’ve come back if there was a significant problem (she wants to keep Callum safe from dying for her) and we know they are separated again with their aged up designs...

Something circa, “I just got her back, I am not losing her again” before he hands it over, per se. 

And I think that’s everything, but I’m sure I’ll update / add even more thoughts as I go along, with only a little over three weeks before s4 airs! Aaah