#still don’t know how russefeiring is allowed

[oneshortdamnfuse]

Fjor wears the ugly Gucci tracksuit and the red overalls with his name on them because he’s a senior in high school and he’s russefeiring until May 17th. If you don’t know what that is look it up. If I have to keep learning extremely cursed things about Norway then so do you.

[danasmonster]

Comparing the SKAM Remakes: SANA (Part I)

Sana (SKAM original)

Sana is constantly having to defend and explain herself to others - her friends, her family, strangers. We see this with Vilde when she says Sana can’t have sex, and Sana clarifies that by explaining that she can have sex, she just chooses not to. There is also the assumption that Sana isn’t interested in boys or that she can’t participate in russefeiring “because she’s not ‘allowed’ to drink alcohol.” We see it with her parents when she has to explain to her mom that not all aspects of Islam fit her, and with her brother when she references him discouraging her from wearing a hijab in order to fit in more and avoid stigma. And finally, she explains during her season that she has experienced watching her brother being spit on, being asked racist questions, and other rude or hateful acts because she and her family are Muslim. 

The struggle to be both Norwegian and Muslim turns into a competition she gets lost in, and she ends up doing some very non-Muslim things like bully the Pepsi Max squad and lie in order to procure a russ bus. She also develops feelings for former Muslim and current atheist Yusef, which opens up an internal debate about the “Muslims only marry Muslims” rule.  

With all of her bitchiness, her prickliness, her rudeness and her mistakes, I still absolutely adore Sana. She is strong, outspoken, and takes absolutely no shit from anyone. Her story is so incredibly relevant to the world as a whole because of the way a lot of people view Islam or other “restrictive” aspects/sects of Christianity or other religions. It is a reminder that ultimately we should strive to love and understand each other, whether you are a theist or an atheist, a Muslim or a Norwegian. All is love. 

Everything I Love:

The opening scene with the contrast between Sana’s view from the bus with terrorist attacks and None of Dem by Robyn & Royksopp is so fun, & the look Sana gives the woman giving her a look over on the bus is pure Sana perfection 

The scene when Elias called Sana a slave woman and all of his friends gave him a verbal beatdown 

When we heard that Eskild was redecorating Noora’s room without her permission 

The Hot in Here scene with all the Balloon Squad working out while the girl squad ogles them, and the way Sana visibly snaps herself out of her trance. Also the shot of them coming up the street with a bunch of balloons to meet the girls is iconic

The way Yousef comes over to talk to Sana while she is over in the corner being a grump on the bus - I knew there was a reason she and Isak became friends. They’re both grumpy pants. 

When Sana catches Yousef dancing in her living room

The happy little look on her face when Yousef sends her a friend request on Facebook. She always smiles so freaking bright when she’s having fun with him

When Yousef showed off his carrot peeling skills

The way the Pepsi Max squad always has Pepsi 

When Yousef took the rap for the vodka left out at Sana’s party, then Sana was hit with a metaphorical brick when Yousef told her he isn’t Muslim. You could see the shock on her face, and now she is conflicted because “Muslims only marry Muslims” and she clearly has already developed feelings for Yousef

When Sana and Noora drink coffee and bask in their solidarity that Vilde and Magnus are gross

When Sana and Yousef play basketball together and we see her smile - we have NEVER seen her smile like that. And then they have a heart to heart about their individual religious beliefs and it is PURE GOLD

“I just feel like Islam, or religion in general, creates a lot of anxiety in people . . . I personally feel like I’ve taken the best out of the religion and thrown away the rest. It’s like, compassion towards others, being grateful for what’s best, having compassion. That’s it. Don’t you think I can remember to be a good person without praying?” - Yousef

“For me, everything can be total chaos during the day, but the moment I start to pray, everything turns quiet and clear. Because even though there’s all this chaos, you’ll remember what really matters. It’s fine because everything has a bigger context and a meaning. Because every little part of the universe is so complex. Imagine that! Even the brain of a cockroach has greater meaning on earth. I just can’t believe all of that is a coincidence,” - Sana

Her chat with Elias was also fantastic

“What’s more important, saying you believe in Allah or behaving as though you believe in Allah?” - Elias

Watching everyone join in during “Imagine” definitely almost had me tearing up - another song added to my playlist. Honestly this scene was so sweet and touching and then everything just came crashing down. It was intense. And Sana’s face just looked freaking broken. Then when she overheard that her suspicions about being pushed out of the group because she’s Muslim were correct it was like an extra stab through the heart

The scene where she’s walking through the schoolyard was excellent - very reminiscent of Isak’s similar scene, and another way in which the two of them parallel one another 

And this line is so, so true from Sana to Isak regarding why she never told Isak she knew Even before he met Isak

“I think Even should get to choose for himself how much he wants to share about his past. I mean, you might not want to share every thing about your past.”

When Sana and Jamilla have the conversation about all the different ways people fast, and Jamilla references her friend who won’t even swallow her own spit. So this friend goes around spitting all the time while she’s fasting. “She’s really confident about it, too.” 

Both Sana’s expression of how she thinks the world views her and Isak’s response are very powerful

Sana: “Do you know what people think when they see me, when they see my hijab, which is the first thing they see? They think I’m wearing it because I’m forced to, not because I want to. And if I say it’s because I want to, then I’m just oppressed because I can’t have my own opinion. We talk about freedom of religion and all kinds of freedoms here in Norway, but being allowed to wear an extra piece of clothing, that’s wrong? Do you know what people do when they see Elias and I walking down the street? They spit at him because they think he’s oppressing me! He doesn’t even want me to wear the hijab because he doesn’t want me to get hate. Do you know how fucking tiring it is to walk out the door everyday knowing it’s yet another day where you have to prove to a whole country that you’re not oppressed . . . I’ve received so many dumb, racist questions in my life.”

Isak: “The dumb questions are so fucking important. People can’t stop asking the dumb questions because when they stop asking the dumb questions they start making up their own answers. And that’s dangerous. You just have to stop looking for racism in dumb questions. Even if they feel racist, it’s so fucking important to answer them.”

The Los Losers bus definitely had me tearing up

When Linn admitted to sending a used tampon to someone who flirted with the boy she liked 

When we see Eskild picking up his guru mantle once more and he compares The Bible to Beyoncé . . . “The Bible says ‘The greatest of these is love’ or as Beyoncé would say ‘Love on top,’” while giving Sana advice

Noora’s face both when she saw William getting out of his car and when she got out of his after a four day sex and talk marathon

The conversation between Sana and her mom about why it is important for her to eventually marry someone who understands her beliefs and reminds her of them, not because she should be Muslim but because she chooses to be Muslim and she “would be very lonely if she were the only one in the relationship who believes.” So, whether or not she marries a nonbeliever or a non-Muslim is Sana’s choice, but there would be essential parts of Sana’s own wellbeing that would effected if she chose to go that route because her faith is an essential part of who she is. 

The conversation with Noora was equally important. They may not necessarily be fated to be together, but there is a reason this person (Yousef) came into Sana’s life and avoiding him would be ignoring this sign from fate that this person is supposed to be a part of her life right now. Life is now. 

When Yousef and Sana have yet another philosophical/religious discussion and Yousef proposes: “Maybe that’s why society needs religion. Democracy isn’t based on the idea that all people are different. It’s based on the idea that all people have equal worth. And that idea doesn’t exactly come from science. But I don’t think it helps to pretend there aren’t prejudices. What you have to do instead is show what Islam is.” 

And The Finale!!!

When Vilde was putting on her makeup and listening to Pretty Hurts by Beyoncé, and everything else about her segment. I loved getting that glimpse into some of her life and mind for a little while. I’m still disappointed she never got to tell us her story during the original SKAM.

When Eva reminds Chris that he’s a fuckboy so they can never be together. Sure he’s momentarily disappointed and probably felt sad for a little bit, but he was really quick to move on to Emma - proving Eva was smarter than him and knew him better than he knew himself. Seriously though the scene where Penetrator Chris and Emma first see each other is fucking awesome

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that the school nurse has a big white dildo on the desk next to her while she has her chat with Chris

When we see Even stressing over making Isak’s birthday perfect 

The interaction between Eskild and Linn when Eskild tells Linn she has to wear a hijab to Sana’s party because Sana is Muslim was hilarious. And then he told her they are always going to be there for each other and it got me right in the feels

And then when Eskild was proposing he, Noor, and Linn could share everything together if William moved in . . . shampoo, and William, and dish soap . . . 

Then Vilde to Chris; “You know why you’re my best friend? Because no matter how hard my day is, you always find a way to make me laugh. Sometimes it makes you feel better to pretend that you’re fine.” 

And the final speech!!!!

“Dear Sana, This speech is for you. And you’re getting it because what you’re inviting us to today overthrows American presidents tomorrow. We live in a chaotic world where it is difficult to understand the rules. Because why are some people poor and other people rich? Why do some people have to be refugees while others are safe? And why is it that sometimes even though you try to do something good it’s still met with hate?

It’s not weird that people give up, that they stop believing the good. But thank you so much for not giving up, Sana. Because even though it sometimes feels like it no one is ever alone. Each and everyone of us is part of the big chaos. And what you do today has an effect tomorrow.

it can be hard to say exactly what kind of effect, and usually you can’t see how everything fits together. But the effects of your actions are always there, somewhere in the chaos. In 100 years we may have machines that can predict effects of every action but until then we can trust this: Fear spreads But… But, fortunately love does too.”

I’m going to go cry now. 

[skamenglishsubs]

Subtext and Culture, Season 2, Episode 12

Subtext: Although the show is never explicit about it, it shows how William respects Noora’s consent. Noora has repeatedly said she doesn’t want to have sex with him yet, which is why he pulls away from her during their morning in-bed makeout session. Noora wants to keep making out, but William isn’t interested in only that, which is why he’s pushing Noora away. Subtext: This is the closest the show ever comes to saying anything outright about eating disorders, and even then Noora masks it by saying that her experiences at thirteen made her “‘kind of sick”. Subtext: The overarching theme of this season is that Noora is constantly torn between doing what she thinks is right, and doing what she wants, and in case you still haven’t gotten this theme, William is spelling it out for us here. Subtext: Right after making the decision to move in with William, to do what she wants, she tells him not to hold back when making out, because she also decided at that exact moment that she’s ready to have sex with him. Unfortunately, this is interrupted by William noticing a letter from the police.

Culture: Most Scandinavians are probably a lot more familiar with how the US justice system works, due to having watched numerous courtroom dramas or police dramas produced there. The Norwegian justice system is a lot less adversarial, much more boring, and a lot less suitable for juicy tv dramas, so most Norwegians don’t really know the details of their own justice system. Norway doesn’t have Miranda warnings, and the rules around witness testimonies in court are completely different, so the ‘right to remain silent’ actually isn’t a thing. Subtext: Again, having Vilde be the adult voice of reason is pretty smart, because telling the police about the high-school drama about who-called-who-a-slut and who-had-to-get-back-at-who isn’t gonna work, they actually don’t care, the whole thing is ridiculous. Smashing a bottle over someone’s head is aggravated assault though, and that is serious enough for them to care about. Culture: The song that starts playing at the end of this clip is called Si Ingenting by Kamelen, and the lyrics at this part of the refrain goes: “If the cops ask, say nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing.” Culture: Skogtur is a vintage Norwegian porno movie from the 90′s with hilariously cringey dialogue. It can be easily found on the internet, but Google it at your own risk. Eskild is referencing the dialogue of the movie, but exactly which part is left as an exercise for the reader, because there are limits to the amount of research I’m willing to do for this series of posts.

Culture: William is flipping through Et dukkehjem, a play by famous Norwegian playright Henrik Ibsen, written in 1879. The main protagonist of the story is called Nora, and at the end of the play she leaves her husband to pursue her own life. At the time the play was written, it was considered absolutely outrageous to have a woman be so strong and independent that she could leave her marriage and children behind. Blink and you miss it: Both William and Nico have asked Noora why she spells her name with two o’s. Subtext: William only half spells out his reasoning, but it goes like this: If he can escape justice, if he can use his money and influence and rely on people to not speak up about what really happened, then Nico can do the same for his assault on Noora. It would be hypocritical of William to call out his brother for escaping justice, when he’s done exactly the same. So he takes his punishment on principle, to make sure Nico gets his punishment.

Blink and you miss it: Norwegian artist Astrid S whose songs have featured in the show make a cameo appearance. Blink and you miss it: Also making a cameo appearance is Marius Borg Høiby, oldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and half-brother to the royal children Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. Did you blink and miss it? The BJ action Jonas talks about is the one in the very first episode this season that made Noora escape the flat-share to hang out with Jonas and Eva instead. Subtext: This is extremely not-subtle, but we never actually see Noora reply to William’s text. However, since the music cuts in with the lyrics “I wanna fuck you” at this point, it’s pretty clear what she wrote him. Season 2 of SKAM is much less subtle than season 1, the drama doesn’t rely on the characters having shared history, or details being kept from the viewers. Noora doesn’t mask her feelings towards William to us, it’s obvious that she likes him, and her struggle lies in allowing herself to like him. So even though this season is much longer than season 1 by runtime, there’s actually less to write about in the context of this series of posts, because it’s just a lot more straight-forward. And from a cultural perspective, season 1 already put down the foundations on how the school system works in Norway, the only thing this season adds is that we get to see more of russefeiring, but I intentionally left that out of this series of posts, since everyone ought to be familiar with it beforehand, since it plays such a huge part in the story. Season 3 should offer up a lot more sweet, juicy, delicious subtext though because of its subject matter, so keep reading!

[chillm4tic]

Hi Fam! My friend @reasoniwantyoutostay created this fun thing! I LOVE this idea because the attention to detail is one of the things that makes SKAM so incredible! 

Answer the questions below and then tag 5 people you’d like to get to know a bit better. Use the hashtag #skamsmalldetails and feel free to add the pic above to your post. 

1) When did you start watching SKAM? Ugh, I was so late to the party. Late December 2016. I was sick over Christmas and seeking entertainment. I binged it in 2 days and haven’t been the same since!

2) If you found SKAM through tumblr do you remember the first pic/gifset you saw? I found SKAM through Insta actually, and no I don’t remember! It all happened so quickly. I don’t remember life before..?

3) Your favourite SKAM text post between characters? Does ❤🐬☀️🍆💯 count?

4) Favourite pic from a character’s Instagram? Probably Eva’s “resting bitch face” of the Girl Squad - Noora. They are so beautiful and adorable. Or really any of the entire Girl Squad / Boy Squad are my faves! 

5) Favourite background extra in a scene? Uhhh honestly all the beautiful dancing girls in the opening of s3. 

6) A small detail that you cherish from a scene? I cannot be limited to just one! 

Isak’s eyebrow raise in the elevator. How Even’s neck gets all flushed during 5 Fine Frøkner! I meannnnn!! What!!! How?! Also…Every time Isak coughs to stall in conversation - when he’s uncomfortable or when he’s about to lie. Isak’s gasp in the locker room. Any time Isak’s hands are in Even’s hair/tugging at his neck. Kill me. Sana’s lil noise when she finds Evak in the kitchen. Squee! Isak’s eyelashes!!!!!

7) A small detail that the fandom has speculated about long enough that it’s become canon for you? Yeah I mean it’s for sure the hand holding in the locker room. 

8) Favourite line in Norwegian? The incredulous “Nei?!”

9) Something unique to Norwegian culture you didn’t understand at first? They’re allowed to wear hats at school. This is harder for me to fathom than Russefeiring tbh.

10) Favourite fandom “losing our shit” moment? Henrik’s lil interview at Ett Bord where he talks about Tarjei and getting the role. I am still all up in my feelings about that. 

11) A SKAM blogger that you think brings a lot of positivity to the fandom? @isakiyakis Nate is always being real kind and sweet and respectful over there! <3

12) A SKAM blogger that has you laughing out loud because of their tags?Okay so not necessarily tags specifically, but @folerdetdufoler is ALWAYS cracking me up. <3

13) A SKAM blogger you think more people should follow? @isaksavedeven is the best

Yeah so I mostly referenced s3 as well, probably because I’ve memorized it rewatched it the most! 

Alrighty I will tag everybody I already tagged in this post, PLUS @sugdennstuff @schembel @eksild @skam-addiction @linneaxskam Enjoy! <3 No pressure, of course.