#then when he showed up for the meeting in ep 3 they all thought ‘MAN. well it was fun while it lasted.’

[tired-demonspawn]

im working on something else rn but a lil while ago i made a star wars au, so here you go :)

the main idea is written in the corner but imma tldr it(also i dont trust the upload quality of the pic): set in roughly prequel era robotnik used to be a high up republic special weapons group guy and, as a high up military guy, was assigned a jedi bodyguard, that being stone.

once his inventions got a bit too war-crime-y the republic had him jailed and stone (who fell in love with him) breaks him out and they start being weapons dealers

other misc details under the cut

okay so some of these are mentioned in the pic but i wanted to specify/expand/clarify:

stone never really falls to the dark side, that's actually why he couldn't bleed his own crystal (which let's be completely clear he would be willing to do for robotnik), he simply didnt have the hate and pain necessary to do it. he follows robotnik, his devotion and duty to him is what gives him strength in the force(think knights of zakuul)

to go with his brand, also just to show that he could, robotnik made stone a lightsaber with a black market red kyber crystal... smthn smthn your lightsaber is your life...

i went with orange for his original one because

it provides a nice contrast with the rest of his fit

it goes with robotnik's colour scheme

he simply does not have the temperament of a purple lightsaber, i dunno man the vibes are off

for my fourth reason let me present to you a quick clone wars episode concept:

--

(clone wars intro music)(random quote) UNCERTAINTY HAS GRIPPED THE REPUBLIC! the separatists have captured a republic military research vessel along with its scientists and military generals! it is up to only 3 brave jedi to save them.

(i fucked up the tone of the intro guy by the middle, and also i dont really have a 3rd guy i just wrote 3 cuz it seemed like a number they would use)

anyway gimmick clone wars intro aside

robotnik was forced entirely into the military uniform(including non special gloves) for a special scientific military meeting where "even jedi werent allowed" it obviously being a trap robotnik had a few aces up his sleeve, but even so, stone was told to stay on alert, because robotnik was most definitely getting kidnapped.

so when robotnik misses all 3 agreed upon check ins stone contacts the council(hes already somewhere with a lot of jedi, its not just a matter of "he thought it best to report"(and waste precious time that could be spent saving the doctor?) but "he literally cannot take a ship and leave without it raising suspicion"), he basically tells them something like "we cant waste any time arguing, im going. i am closest to the last reported location" so the council sticks 2 more people on him(if it was an actual episode they would most likely be already established, so we could see a "familiar face" interacting with this new character of stone)

anyway they find where did the seps take them because obviously robotnik chipped himself.

with the correct password(that only stone has(not that he knows that hes the only one)) robotnik can be tracked even through hyperspace(not exactly, but it at least gives a general quadrant of space, which ofc after leaving hyperspace gets pin-point accurate)

they get to the base, they sneak around trying to find how to get to the prisoners(because its nice that they have robotniks coordinates to the tenth of a milimetre, but they dont have the base blueprints)

during the dramatic peak of the ep, there's a weirdly menacing moment where the mild mannered jedi knight, that was kinda made fun of the entire episode for being "reduced to an errand boy" can actually swing a lightsaber around pretty well.

and then he unties robotnik, helps him up, asks if hes alright("of course not, imbecile! what took you?" "the tracker wasnt as accurate while in hyperspace as you theorised" "hm. well in any case none of this would happen if it werent for this stupid uniform" "i have a change of clothes prepared for you in the ship") aaannnd the errand boy is back

fast forward, robotnik was both arrested and freed, is now doing his own thing.

the two knights that were with stone in that "initial episode" are snooping around one of robotnik's labs, investigating this new arms dealer. they're on a terminal of some sort and behind them out of focus of the camera a bright orange lightsaber ignites, contrasting sharply against the red/blue tones of the lab.

"you aren't welcome here." the former jedi knight says.

--

and scene

so yea hope that last bit sold you on the orange lightsaber bit

originally wanted to post this au with more art attached but alas life had other plans.

anyway if you've read this far i hope you have a nice rest of your day :)

also dont be afraid to ask any questions about this au, i have so many thoughts about it, so im 100% sure i didnt include something i deffo have figured out because i either a) forgor 💀 or b) didnt know how to properly explain a vague feeling about a possible situation

[gh0stsp1d3r]

ℳ𝒶𝓎𝒷𝒶𝓃𝓀𝓈 𝓈𝒾𝓈𝓉ℯ𝓇

Chapter 4- I love you.

Season 2, ep 3-4

Series masterlist

Summary- something is wrong with Rafe, no one will listen, except for you.

“Rafe I know you’re upset, I know you’re feeling bad. But you don’t have to, okay? I know you didn’t mean to hurt her. All right? They said they’ve checked all the hospitals, they checked the morgue. There’s been nothing. It’s good news, means she’s okay, all right? She’ll come back to us.”

“What if I’m not okay?” He spoke, trying his best to open up to his dad. It was always Sarah, Sarah, Sarah.

“What? I’m sorry.”

“I’m not okay.”

“You are. You’re okay, buddy.”

He shook his head, Ward didn’t get it. “No, dad, I’m not okay.”

“We’ll go back, get a good nights sleep. We’ll get a steak or soemthing. You’re gonna feel completely different in the morning, I know you will.”

Rafe put his face in hands, he wasn’t listening. “Dad, I thought I was okay, but I’m not.” His voice cracked and his eyes welled up with tears, he hid it from his dad.

“Get control of yourself.” Ward whispered.

“I just keep… I keep having these um… these thoughts in my head.” He stood up. “And I don’t know if I can control them. And I’m just… I’m afraid. I don’t know how much more of this shit i can take.” Rafe finally looked at his dad, who stood in front of him now.

The two talked over each other.

“I need you, okay? Not her. I need you, Kay?”

“I know, i know-“

“You’re not listening to me, I’m having a hard time,”

Ward hugged him, it was all fake affection. Just a show.

“You need to man up. Okay, look at me.” Wards hands went to the back of Rafe’s neck, making him look into his eyes. “Man up right now. Thank you.”

Rafe stared at him, he didn’t understand. He watched Ward lie to the cops, staring distantly.

He took out his phone with a deep breath, pulling up your contact. You were the only one he knew would listen.

He looked up at Ward who was walking back over to him now.

“Where you going, Rafe?” Ward asked when he turned around and began to walk away.

“On a walk, I’ll meet you at the house soon.” He mumbled.

“Rafe, it’s dark, you can’t-“

Rafe didn’t care, ignoring his father’s protests against it and putting the phone to his ear.

“Hello?” You mumbled out tiredly after a few rings.

“Hey. Sorry to wake you up.” He spoke, his voice making your eyes widen and sit up on the couch.

“No. No you’re fine. Uhm… how is it…?”

He chuckled quietly, shaking his head to himself and running a hand through his hair.

“Pretty bad.”

“Why?” You asked him, listening. You listened to him intently as he spoke, unlike his dad and the others.

“Uhm… Sarah and her boyfriend are alive.”

“Wait, what?”

“Yeah. It was uh… yeah. Anyways, they tried to get the gold from us and I just… I accidentally shot her.” His voice was hoarse, he messed with the ring on his finger.

“Are you okay?”

His hands stopped, he froze for a moment. That was the first time he’d heard the words come out of anyone’s mouth.

“I… I don’t know. I just… I keep…” he paused, you could tell he was hesitating.

“You can tell me.”

“I keep having these, uh, thoughts… like, really, really bad ones.”

“About…?”

He swallowed. “Everything.”

“And I don’t think I’m okay. I think there’s something wrong with me.” His breathing was heavy.

“Rafe…”

“And no one will listen. Not my dad, not my friends, nobody. And all he tells me is to ‘man up’ but I can’t. I can’t do it anymore.” There was now tears falling down his face, he ran a hand over his face.

“I’m here. I’m here for you. Your dad is an asshole, he’s making you do his dirty work for him. You can’t keep doing it. It’s not good for you.”

“I know, I know. But I just want him to love me, I want him to-“

“You want him to see you. I know.”

“That’s all I want.”

It was silent for a little, his sobs being the only thing heard.

“I love you.” You told him after a while. It was the first time he’d heard the words in a long time, you’ve never said it to him and he’s never said it to you.

His crying had stopped, and he sniffled. “I love you too. I’m sorry for this.”

“It’s okay.”

“When I get back, can I come over?”

“Of course.” You told him, looking around the house. “It feels empty here.” You said with a laugh.

“He never showed up?”

“He got arrested, again. I know, shocking.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I’m used to it by now.”

“Right…” he chuckled. “I’m sorry, again. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I’ll see you.”

————————————

“Why did you make me walk all the way out here? What’s going on?”

“I have to tell you something.” Ward turned to Rose now. “Sarah… is alive. I saw her in Nassau with John B. Um… she was with people from the island, and they tried to take the gold from us on the road there. But it got ugly. She got shot. But he didn’t mean to, Rose.”

She was shocked, her mouth agape as she listened.

“He was just… he was aiming at John..”

“Who- who didn’t mean to?”

“Rafe.”

“Oh..”

“He didn’t mean to, though, honey, he was just…”

“Rafe shot Sarah? Is she okay?”

“I don’t know. I hope so, God.”

“Well, I told the police that Rafe was here when Peterkin was shot.”

“So? Yeah?”

“So? So if Sarah’s coming home and testifies and they believe her,”

“She’s not gonna do that-“

“It’ll come out that I lied under oath.”

“She’s not gonna do it!”

“Of course she would! Rafe just shot her!”

“Rose, she… he didn’t mean to!”

“Ward, Ward. Ward, there’s something wrong with him, okay? You’ve been ignoring it since he was ten but there is something wrong with Rafe. He hasn’t been home in almost 2 days-“

“Stop it, Rose, okay? Please. I’m asking you to stop.”

“You always told me to think three moves ahead. Well I’m thinking, and if you can’t keep Sarah from testifying, you’re gonna have to make a choice. Rafe or Sarah.”

“I can’t choose.”

“Well, if it comes down to it and you can’t make the decision, I will.” She turned to walk away.

——————

“Bro, the kick on a Glock 17, like I mean you… you load it up, you line it up. It’s like… yah!” Rafe fake a shot, knocking into a man who stared at him.

“Do you mind?” Bob asked him.

“Do I mind?” Rafe asked, leaning down against the bar.

“Yeah, I do mind, Bob. C’mon, take a shot with me… pussy.” He mumbled, pouring the drink onto the spot in front of him.

���Hey, what the hell are you doing?!” The man shouted, standing up and pushing Rafe.

“Take a seat, that’s what you need to do!” The man sat down and Rafe tried to fight him before Kelce pushed him away.

“Jesus Christ.” You mumbled, walking up to the two. You checked his location on his phone, and when you saw him out you knew exactly what he was doing.

“How’d you get here?” He slurred, turning to you with a furrowed eyebrow.

“I snuck in, what the fuck happened, Rafe?”

“Nobody’ll drink with me, man.”

Kelce interrupted.

“Sorry, but I swear to God, 20 minutes ago, I just saw John B and your sister, bro. They’re alive.”

“I’m trying to relax and you come over here and tell me this bullshit?”

“I know you’re trying to relax, bro. But I saw them buying beer at Geechies.”

“Freaking bullshit.”

“You wanna go see for yourself? I’m telling you, I saw them, go sober up, man.”

“Hey, put it on Cameron!” He shouted as the two of you walked away.

“I don’t think going to your dealer is going to help this shit, okay?” You told him when he spoke his plan.

“Go home, y/n.” He tried to wave you off, walking towards his bike.

“Rafe, I’m being serious.”

“You can help us or go home.”

You groaned in annoyance. You didn’t trust him driving in his drunken state. And someone had to hold him back in case things did get messy.

“I’m driving. I’m not trying to get us both killed.” You mumbled, getting on his bike.

“Yes ma’am.” He mumbled. Wrapping his arms around your body and leaning his head against your back.

——

Taglist:

@cassie0sstuff @rafesgiirl @fals3-g0d @tiaamberxx @callsignwidow

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - Scandals, Face Offs & Disappointments, Oh my!

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

Oct 2024 Week 3

Ongoing Series - Thai

Jack & Joker (Thai Mon IQIYI) ep 6 of 12 - 3 tiny girls ragging on Jack was possibly the greatest opening sequence ever. Poor Jack. He is so not single anymore - so far as everyone around him is concerned. 

Love Sick 2024 (Thai Sun iQIYI) ep 5 of 15 - Sports day continues. We get a little backstory on the respective crushes on Noh. The jealousy between Phun & Earn is way more extreme in this version. I'm not mad about it. I love a claiming. Although it is so unfair of Phun to claim Noh when they agreed not to go there, AND he’s dating someone else. The byplay with Pete’s ex was fun. I wonder if we’re supposed to suss that Noh knows he’s gay in this version? 

I'm doing a face-off style watch along of this new version versus the original 2014-2015 version. Where I decide with each new ep which one wins. I will render a final judgement at the end. Frankly, I'm warming to this show way more than I thought I would give my extreme affection for the original.

Kidnap (Fri YT) ep 7 of 12 - Oh it’s so cute that he just wants to officially move in. And the necklace claiming thing was darling. Mini boyfriend era. Min being a kept baby girl was kinda fun. The family thing was too sweet. Oh noes my man has been strangled! Oh good he’s okay. Stupid breakup “for the plot” moment, they could have easily been separated by baddies, we didn’t need to go through this. 

Fourever You (Thai Thurs YT) ep 3 of 16 - I don’t care how cute he is or how longing those beautiful eyes, ghosting is a pretty big offense. Especially high school first love. I’m glad Ter is being difficult about it. Still the backstory is getting frustratingly confusing. It seems increasingly convoluted (full of girls) and I’m not sure what happened. So I’m not sure if I should be on Hill’s side or Ter’s. I’m beginning to feel manipulated and I don’t like it. I still like the show, but not as much as I did last week. I’m on a roller coaster here. 

Battle of the Writers (Sun YT) ep 11 of 12 - It remains odd, disjointed, but still modestly entertaining. Ozone using a well placed Phi for manipulation purposes made me happy. Random het wedding is random. 2 drunk horny sunshine babygurls was cute tho. 

Every You Every Me (Thai Mon Gaga) ep 2 of 10 - AKA Just one meet cute after another. Nice queer rep this time. It’s lovely, just not my style BL. 

Addicted Heroin (Thai Tues WeTV) ep 10 fin - Okay so last week half the ep was eng subbed and this week only 3/4. Whatever. Please note my extreme annoyance with everything about this show will color my rating. As it should. Ready for a mini rant?

Conclusion

What to say about this damn show? It wasn’t what I wanted and I didn’t like it. I’m disappointed in myself for having expectations and in it for not living up to them. It starred August for fucks sake! How could they fuck it up so bad? I wanted it to be a Thai reinterpretation of the brilliance that was Addicted giving us the ending that we never got to have but the narrative deserved. I got a resounding nope. The side couple was messed with, rearranged, and then entirely dropped and forgotten. The main romance was weirdly obsessive without any physical payout or emotional resolution, as if this remake were the censored Chinese version. All characters acted irrationally most of the time, and from what I could tell there was no logic to the ending, which seemed to be to minors escaping to a beach, abandoning their schooling, families, and respective futures. It was a hot mess. Without being hot. 4/10 fatally flawed, do not bother

Bad Guy My Boss (Thai Sun Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - it's bad. I don't like it.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo (Korea Thurs Gaga) eps 1-2 of 8 - High school student Do Hoe lives with his violent and brutal father who runs a Taekwondo gym in a rural area. Then cheerful Ju Young arrives who dreams of going to college for Taekwondo. Joy begins to fill Do Hoe's dark life. An unexpected incident forces them apart, they reunite over a decade years later.

Make no mistake this one is dark. And Korea can go many directions when it leans dark. So I’m not entirely sure what to expect. All the triggers: child abuse, corporal punishment, alcoholism, gambling, and a few other things. But also a fantastically awkward kiss. Oh this is VERY good. I’m enjoying it. Tumblr is officially losing its tiny mind about it. What can I say? This hellhole loves it some gritty dark angst with high romance and deep meaning. All hail the return of Queen Hwang Da Seul. 

My Damn Business (Korea Sat YT) eps 3 of 7 - He kinda is the worst boss ever. Now he’s turned into a drinking buddy whether baby likes it or not. I really feel for this kid. I do want more backstory on both of them. Why are they the way they are? All that said….. phenomenal kiss. Thanks boys. 

Teenager Judge (Vietnam Sat YT) ep 4 of ? - I do like the brothers relationship. Even though we know it’s gonna become romantic, it’s nice to see them all teasing and friendly. Meanwhile I’m getting a little exhausted by the bullying and I’m very much ready for the revenge narrative to continue.

Although I understand we have more of a spiral first, could we get on to some actual kissing soon? 

I'm shallow I just wanna see BV kiss the next boy. It's the BL world's version of Pokemon.

Our Golden Times (Hong Kong YT) 6 fin - Okay so this was the last ep! 

Summary

This was an odd disjointed little piece, but the most BL BL we’ve ever seen out of Hong Kong. The optics are good and it’s enjoyable for what it is, which is a circumspect, badly subbed, and slightly odd yet earnest reunion romance. I liked it more for what it could be, and for what it represented, than for what it actually was, but I still liked it.

7/10 recommended with reservations

I would like to nominate Our Golden Times @bengiyo as a candidate for the next "Girl you tried." Because it really did try hard to be the best little BL it could be under the circumstances.

First Note Of Love (Taiwan Mon Gaga) ep 11 of 12 - I do like all the couples, and in classic Taiwan style we’re ending ultra sappy (when they don’t fuck it up, and I don’t think this one will). Mei is the secret power behind the throne - as we all knew - love this for her, and us. 

Love is Like a Poison AKA Doku Koi: Doku mo Sugireba Koi to Naru (Japan Tues Netflix?) 5 of 10 eps - I'm falling beind because my subber is, but sort-of trying to keep up. I don’t know. Just Japan messing with us, I guess.

Eccentric Romance (Korea Weds Viki) eps 3-4 of 12 - It’s oddly erotic with all the gym stuff but also awkward and weird with the jelly plus suspicion. (Hi GeonU, another Thai/Korea BL for you? Is it a thing for you now? Could you recruit Jimin to the cause? I mean you go him into a reality competition. BL is right there. Waiting. Pretty please with a shirtless hottie on top?) Anygay, I keep thinking that this show would actually be better if the Thai character were just a Korean character and this was just a regular KBL. Although, it probably still wouldn’t be very good.

It's airing but...

The Hidden Moon (Sat WeTV) 10 eps - This is a supernatural romance (my ghost boyfriend trope) by Violet Rain (I Feel You Linger). A man is hired to write an article about an old mansion in Chiang Mai being converted into a café. He sees the ghosts of people who died at the mansion, falls in love with one of them. Was substantially recast. I loved IFYLITA except the ending so I think I'll let this one run it's course you can tell me if it's work tracking down... if they managed to land it. I have my doubts.

Next Week Looks Like This:

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

Still Coming:

10/21 Love in the Big City (Korea Mon Viki) ep 1 of - Okay, this is both a movie (already out) and a series. Neither one is likely BL and I can't imagine it will end happily. Here's your synopsis:

Cynical fun loving student Young pinballs from home, to class, to on night stands. He and Jaehee, his female besie and roommate, frequent nearby bars where they push away their worries about life, love, and money with soju and hookups.

Apparently this is causing a homophobic ruckus in SK right now. As is wont to happen when one puts a really big name in the gay lead and your country is, well, pretty damn homophobic. Brokeback mukbang anyone? (Oh yes I am aware I'm a turd, but I'm too old for this crap. I guess that makes me a coprolite.)

10/23 See Your Love (Taiwan Weds Gaga Viki et al) 10 eps? - Zi Xiong, a third-generation heir, attempting to flee from taking over their family business, meets and falls in love with Shao Peng, who works as a hearing-impaired nurse. From the same production house as Kiseki Dear To Me in partnership with Shinehouse Theatre, funded by Taiwan’s BIGART + Japan's Rakuten (Viki). Show includes Lin Chia Yo (Be Loved in House: I Do). Director Chiang Ping Chen’s childhood experiences with his deaf uncle have inspired the drama.

10/27 Perfect 10 Liners (Thai Sun YouTube?) 24 eps! - New directing yet another university BL with engineers + their mentees. Based on a Jittirain novel. with a massive cast and massive run time. We will be watching this until APRIL of 2025!

ForceBook playing the same old characters = enemies to lovers tsunder/sunshine jock/nerd thing.

PerthChimonSanta are doing the cohabitation cool guy/dork trope.

JuniorMark are doing popular sunshine meets lonely sad boy (the only interesting pair IMHO).

Not sure if these will be interwoven (We Are style) or shorter stand alone runs-within-the-run of 8 eps each (Y-Destiny style).

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

You just kissed his brains out, what do you think? (Eh, we all know the aniyo is coming. This uke is made of tsudere and 아니요 ) (Damn Business)

I know, it's not a good show, but just LOOK at his face.

And the uke drunken shenanigans was brilliant. Loved it. (Battle Writers)

I did LOVE the twist on Golf. (Love Sick 2024)

Joke coming for our hearts just like...... it's TOO MUCH. War is SO DAMN GOOD. (J&J)

Calling out the trope HDS?

Gah. So awkward.

(Both from LFTCOT)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs

Sigh, Tumblr in its infinite wisdom doesn't like too many at-ings.

[impala124]

Bad Buddy 12

My thoughts on Ep 1 | Ep 2 | Ep 3 | Ep 4 | Ep 5 | Ep 6 | Ep 7 | Ep 8 | Ep 9 | Ep 10 | Ep 11

Me, at the end of this episode:

Oh, we have a 4-year time skip!! Interesting.

Pat, where is the Nong Nao doll? I don't see it on your bed. I need answers right now.

I like the transition from Pat putting down his toothbrush to Pran picking up his own. Very clever.

Pran, quick question: WHERE ARE YOU? I see the view in the background, and that's one of Singapore's most iconic buildings, if I'm not wrong, which is definitely not in Thailand. So, boy, what's your ass doing in Singapore?

At least he's still wearing The Watch, so I have hope. Pran's a yearner through and through, so I expected nothing less from him.

We all agree that Max is hitting on Pran, right? Pran's not having any of it, though.

Poor Pat, he doesn't look too happy when Korn and Wai mention revisiting the old days.

Not the fucking elevator flashback 😭😭. Oh no, the curry Pran made for him after he confessed that he liked him. Man, this shit hurts!!

I, for one, am not at all surprised that Pat joined his father's business after graduation. I could've told you that on the day we first met him.

Sidenote, but why are these 22/23-year-olds lamenting about getting old?

Guys, Pa graduated from university and is making a movie!! My baby's all grown up now!! *wipes tears*

Ok, Wai and Korn each have girlfriends. How about instead of saving for individual dowries, you both just ditch the girls and marry each other? Just food for thought.

But why aren't they bringing up Pat's love life? Is it still a touchy topic? I mean, it's been 4 years, and we don't know what reason they gave their friends for the breakup, though, so we shall see.

What do you mean someone else moved into Pran's room? It should've been preserved as a heritage site. Contacting the people at UNESCO ASAP.

Ink and Pa are on my screen together. My boys might be miserable right now, but at least my girls are thriving.

A high school reunion, you say? If I'm not wrong, Pat, Pran, and Ink went to the same high school. Are they going to MEET at the reunion????!

Wow, Ink misses her high school classmates. Definitely can't relate to that sentiment, bestie.

Pat, sir, is that a smile on your face at the possibility of running into Pran at the reunion?

Not Pat looking solemnly at the memory wall.😭😭

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. Pran is here at the reunion!!!

Okay, so just looking longingly at each other is all I'm going to get for now.

"But some things can never change." Pat, bestie, change is the only constant in life. Fuck everything else and go get your man!!

Are you really playing a game at your reunion if the prize up for grabs isn't something like an accommodation voucher for a night at a mid-budget hotel??

Not the trip down memory lane😭. Y'all are in the same room; talk to each other and put yourselves (& me) out of this misery.

A live performance, you say? And PRAN IS SINGING. Now, don't tell me it's the song he wrote to soft launch his feelings to Pat in high school.

Yes, he is. Pat, are you listening? I know you're hearing it, but are you LISTENING to it?

EXCUSE ME! What was that sweet smile you guys just exchanged? I need an explanation!! NOW!!!

A group photo with them being pushed towards each other, which could be a metaphor for the string of fate always bringing them back together. Love to see it.

Pat, let me introduce you to something called a cab. It's really effective in taking your friend's drunk ass home, especially when your ex is giving you THE LOOK!!

Okay, Pat's on the phone with Pa (probably?) and is complaining about being hungry. You know what you should do, Pat? Go to your favorite noodle shop and wait for your ex to show up so that you can talk things through.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S PRAN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR AND ON THE PHONE??!!! My brain is malfunctioning right now.

"You said you'd sleep at your house." What in the hell is happening right now?

Crisis averted, the Nong Nao doll makes an appearance on the bed.

Okay, Pran, I see you wearing your 'happy hour' shirt while complaining to your boyfriend (?) about Singapore's air pollution.

One thing about them: they are going to use the fucking sponsored makeup remover on the other. It's quite endearing, actually.

BB Product placement stays superior till the end.

I need an explanation, stat!! Are you still mad I didn't pick you up at the airport? What is that boyfriend-ass statement, Pat?

Pran just referred to Pat as his boyfriend. "We've been together for too long."

WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY NEVER BROKE UP IN THE FIRST PLACE??!!! I need a minute to process this.

My reaction till now, everyone, is the fucking Kuleshov effect in action, with me thinking that both of them are sad because of their 4-year-long separation, when in reality, they are just boyfriends missing each other.

Aww, a memory wall in their home.

Finally, THE GUITAR PICK that Pat made for Pran all those years ago makes an appearance!

So, according to the photos on THE WALL, Pat actually visited Pran in Singapore.

I do hope we get a home tour at some point; I'm really interested in seeing how Pran's OCD self blended his life with Pat's messy ass.

Unknowingly, from two people who couldn't be friends, we became two people who were more than friends.

So, they lied to everyone by saying that they broke up and began Secret relationship 2.0

Not them holding their fucking pinkies together when they pass by in the hallway ASFDGHF—

Time and space are just a construct when it comes to me and my blorbos because remember what I said when they were dating in secrecy the first time? I told them that they should have at least one person they are both familiar with to be in the know about their relationship to maintain a successful secret relationship. And Pran IRREFUTABLY heard me because Wai, Korn, Pa, and Ink knew about them this time around. I bet Einstein didn't foresee this coming.

Aww, they even visited Uncle Tong and Junior after they graduated.

I love that the parents aren't still getting along, because in such cases where the rivalry dates back decades, it feels abnormal to not continue doing so. It's almost like sunk cost fallacy but make it about rivalry.

However, I do love the little detail of Ming having to back off during their car face-off because Ming was the one who stabbed Dissaya in the back, figuratively speaking, all those years ago.

Not Pran rubbing the shirt all over his body to ensure that his scent lasts for a while💀 My boy is an actual menace.

Pat, sir, what are you thinking sending thirst pics to your boyfriend AT WORK?

They even held their pinkies together in their high school reunion photo.

Oh, I'm a happy camper because all my ships are sailing smoothly. The irony of Wai and Korn running the bar (where they used to fight with each other on a regular basis) together is just 😂 😂

Wai and Korn are soft launching their relationship, and no one can tell me otherwise. See, Pat is also a KornWai truther.

Pa, sweetheart, Ink was pining for you since she was in high school. I don't think you need to worry about her straying.

Keep up with shoving your couple photos down everyone's throats, though, just because y'all are hella cute together.

Korn does look like a middle-aged Asian uncle when he is complaining about the rival faculties breaking tables. Oh, how the tables have turned.

Yes, Wai, it's your penance for all the mess you guys used to cause all those years ago.

"Guys, I don't mind if you want to fight, but you must get a lover out of the fight, just like me." STAHP IT

Pran went from ordering three wontons to four—that's how you know he's in a long-term relationship, accommodating your partner without any prodding from their side.

Pran's "I brought your dad a bottle of liquor" is a solid strategy. There is nothing Asian dads love more than receiving imported liquor, even if they don't drink. A sure way to win some brownie points.

Kissing in front of the trashcans!!!! Oh, how far they've come.

Ming once again being the most Asian dad to ever exist by just randomly flipping through the newspaper just to appear busy.

As much as I love to hate on his quintessential Asian dad quirks, he is the most relatable of bl dads for me. Is he perfect? No, but I don't think anyone can say that he doesn't love his son.

Ink is accepted by Pa's parents, which doesn't surprise me one bit because she's perfect. PERIOD.

The dinner scene at Pat's house is a callback to the dinner scene in the initial episodes, when the dad was telling Pat to not let the neighboring boy win at any cost. Oh, how the tables have turned! Now, Pat is trying to curry favor with his dad for the said neighboring boy.

MING TOOK A SIP. Told ya, Asian dads just can't resist imported liquor.

The question of Pran's guitar. Did Pat keep it with him this time around too??!!

Ming crossed the LINE to deliver the mail, and Dissaya saw it.

Awww, his mom put it on his bed, which goes in line with my theory about parallels between Dissaya accepting Pran playing the guitar and him loving Pat. So, I'll be taking this as silent acceptance from her regarding their relationship.

I think both of them are ready to bury the hatchet, TO AN EXTENT, for the sake of their kids happiness.

Going off on a tangent for a bit, but bear with me. Let me take a moment to thank @respectthepetty for training me into thinking of love whenever I see the color pink because, what was the paint color the fathers used to draw the boundary between their houses all those years ago? Yes, it was fucking pink. It means that the answer was love all along. They were MEANT to fall in love to bridge the rift between their families. Talk about 'born to be together,' which was the exact sentiment Pran wanted to convey through The Song in high school.

Now, Pat coming into Pran's room through the window is a clear callback to the time Pat did the same to return the watch after Pran saved Pa. However, then he did it to tell Pran to not act friendly towards him in front of others, and now it's to spend some time with him without hiding from anyone, even their parents.

"If not you, I won't allow anyone else to use it. Pran, when I catch you—

Not Pran, my resident menace, trying to wake up the green-eyed monster by mentioning that Wai may have used it before💀😂

Pran's dad providing the meta commentary with his "This show is just so good." comment.

Ah, forehead kisses, my beloved!!!

Man, the flashbacks to when they were kids overlapping with them right now are just the cutest.

Everyone gather around because I just had a very big-brained thought. Remember, in Ep 8, on the rooftop, Pat wanted to share their relationship with the entire world while Pran asked what's wrong with just wanting to keep it for themselves. What if, whatever happened with their relationship after that, was just exploring both their paths? They clearly tried Pat's way first because Pran cared about him, despite his worry, and it resulted in the Ep 11 ending. After that, they took Pran's way and we all saw how it panned out for them. It might've taken them four years, but their parents are kinda onboard with their relationship.

Now that we're on this subject, let me try to provide some context to Wai pulling down the curtain on their relationship. Not defending his actions, but me thinks it was very intentional that Wai heard Pran say that although he's worried about others finding out about their (Pat & Pran's) relationship, he's willing to take the risk because he cares about Pat more. Wai's vindictive ass heard that and went through his montage of Pran lying to me about his relationship with Pat moments in his head and decided to put Pran's words about caring about Pat more to the test.

We get a post-credit scene? Truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Of course it had to be on a rooftop! Wait a second. Pat's birthday is on 23rd April, and the first time Pat slept over in Pran's room is on 24th April. The psychological implications of it all (for me) can't be overstated!!

Pran, my menace-in-residence, was really showing his horny ass by saying, 'The winner can do anything to the loser.' Never change, bestie!!

Well, I got the house tour I asked for earlier. Fucking Architectural Digest could never.

They shut the door in my face, and I said thank you!!

Honestly, I don't think I've even processed the finale yet. It was very pleasing to my lizard brain, that's for sure. I need to sit with it for a few days, and I'll probably write something about my whole experience liveblogging this BB watch and my thoughts on some of the CHOICES made in the whole series. A sneak peek of few things that are marinating in my head are—

Pat associating Pran with home because he feels lost (I was only half-joking when I compared him to a lost puppy following Pran around).

The air of sadness around Pat that just goes unacknowledged for the most part.

Pran associating Pat with freedom because he feels burdened.

Pran feeling undeserving of Pat's love.

Like I said, I'll be thinking about them a WHOLE LOT.

Quick question: Were there any talks of a season 2? Because there are some easter eggs peppered throughout the series that deserve further exploration, and they definitely have issues they need to address and work through as a couple. This ending will only count as an HFN (happy for now) in my book. I'm putting this ending on par with the To My Star ending, and I adored To My Star 2, so there's that. Still waiting for To My Star 3, though that's a discussion for another day.

One thing I can say for sure is that I'm extremely grateful for the fandom that has welcomed me with open arms and engaged with all my ramblings each episode, because let's be honest, it was just a stream of consciousness.

I wouldn't have had nearly as much fun watching the series without you guys. I'll be camping out on the rooftop for so long that I'll be claiming squatters rights for sure!!!

Tagging the usual suspects: @shortpplfedup, @incandescentflower, @starryalpacasstuff, @7nessasaryevils, @greenteadumplings, @grapejuicegay, @madworld-bbs, @usodeshou, @tao-moonb, @fanatic-freakshow @desi-yearning.

[yingdu-lover]

Right now, I can't cite those sources, I'll paste the link when I find them.

Rambling time!

Omg, I have always thought about this! Cheng Xiaoshi is

1. Tall, tanned and handsome (fork in the kitchen, surprise!)

2. Talented singer, so much so that Lu Guang closes his eyes and then sincerely compliments with a solemn expression. (ref - ep 8, season 1)

3. Skilled basketball player, athelete

4. Also skilled in martial arts

and something, SOMETHING even I misinterpreted very much, and this is coming from Li Haoling himself,

5. Cheng Xiaoshi is also academically gifted. Lu Guang and his first meeting was in high school and after qualifying university entrance examination, they got into the same tier university. Haoling describes Cheng Xiaoshi as someone who will perform badly in class, getting 60 or something in class tests and will pull an all nighter before exams and score 90 or above.

So the kind of 'good for nothing' image of Cheng Xiaoshi (ik not all but there are people) is not true. He is truly a multi-talented guy with a charming and cheerful personality (I mean come on his mbti is ESFP).

About his popularity and having friends...

I have always headcanoned that Cheng Xiaoshi chose Lu Guang one day and just never let him go. His choice to spend time with Lu Guang is an active choice and not out of his status of being 'friendless'. I have no one so I'll hang out with lu guang because he only tolerates me/gives me 'patta'. Nope.

The host asks Haoling why Qiao Ling said that before Lu Guang, Cheng Xiaoshi didn't have any friends...and Haoling replies with,

"There is a difference between ordinary friends and true friends, Qiao Ling is referring to the latter. The kind of friend you would open your heart to, embrace with your body and heart, show your most vulnerable core..."

So Lu Guang is that to Cheng Xiaoshi.

I mean, yes, people have different interpretations but I have always been very uncomfortable with that discourse which undermines the intimate bond Shiguang share, it's very underwhelming.

It's both psychological and physical. Season 1 is full of these moments. For Lu Guang, I can say he is the kind of person who just doesn't care about people (I think people might misinterpret it. let me explain. I am not implying he is a sociopath, he is responsible, he manages a lot of things and he considers a given situation with due seriousness BUT he is never actively trying to discuss his extremely personal judgement with anyone EXCEPT your name is Cheng Xiaoshi. He is rational, aloof, respectful towards others as it is a general decorum he follows; all of these have an avalanche breakdown while interacting with Cheng Xiaoshi. I can tell you ( as a fellow introvert scorpio who almost shares his mbti, he judges, I prospect) Lu Guang will probably never curse anyone who is not Cheng Xiaoshi. Decorum and etiquette gives away when he is with him. He does not care about what kind of impression others get of him, but his otherwise solemn demeanour just deliciously fails- he gets angry, frustrated, extremely angry, he (sharply) mocks, he calls him names because he can. Cheng Xiaoshi can install all those feelings in him which he never really publicly displays. Throughout season 1, we often forget that we witness extremely intimate and private Shiguang moments. The stories of the clients progress as it leaves room for Shiguang to interact. The way Lu Guang straight up yells at Cheng Xiaoshi sometimes when he doesn't seem to understand something is so relatable lol. There are fools who allude to that chibi episode where Cheng Xiaoshi asks Lu Guang with hopeful™ eyes " do you think I am handsome?" and Lu Guang goes like "😨🤢🤮" and try to argue that Lu Guang is het 😭 man. Get some IQ. Lmao, Shiguang bicker like an old married couple, and tbh I would react similarly if I had a partner like that.), he cares about Cheng Xiaoshi's morals and perceptions. He seems to be very possessive of Cheng Xiaoshi but Cheng Xiaoshi being Lu Guang's Cheng Xiaoshi does not mind it.

I can't fucking forget that scene when inspector Xiao Li approached Cheng Xiaoshi for Emma's case and Lu Guang just grabbed his wrist and straight up said to the police inspector with all seriousness,

"Before talking to him, you have to talk to me."

I mean- bro-

Cheng Xiaoshi is an adult goddamnit. Lu Guang has no interest in negotiating or discussing the case, and no that is NOT the behaviour of a business partner/manager.

Yingdu episode 1 : Normal friends do not move into your house as an act of apologising. Lu Guang went - I was the reason you were injured, I apologise, I will stay with you (as compensation?). And the conversation escalated to the point where he said "I'll never leave."

heh?

And in ep 8, season 1, he is telling Cheng Xiaoshi to sleep on the couch 😭 bitch it is his house.

(ok, while writing I just suddenly teared up thinking that Lu Guang's Cheng Xiaoshi died. We will never see their original interaction, the Cheng Xiaoshi Lu Guang probably imagined his future with...there was a violent separation and everything stopped altogether. This Cheng Xiaoshi-ok ok it's too painful to think rn I can't )

um, I might have had a shiguang meltdown and I can't continue this rn. will edit later

hi, I came back

so,

about lu guang, we get to see 50 shades of lu guang only because cheng xiaoshi is there.

on the other hand, cheng xiaoshi...

I can't stop thinking about the earthquake episode. Cheng Xiaoshi slapped lu guang. Then hugged him while crying. Then lu guang calls him 'silly melon'. Can you fathom this level of emotional intimacy with someone? what level of intimacy would you need to achieve to let the very person hold you gently and intimately and call you by sweet nicknames who offended you in the first place? it's huge. Cheng Xiaoshi's trust in lu guang is beyond comprehension and no it's not just portrayed in life and death situations, rather shown in vignettes of everyday suffering.

[moonyskarma]

dating history in my . . . SINGER REALITY

─ the real list is short, despite what critics may say. the speculated list, however? well, that's another thing. love stories built from lies and paparazzi propaganda. shall we start with what's real?

⋮ ⌗ . . . jamie campbell bower

jamie and I met through mutual friends when I was seventeen. I fell in love with him almost immediately—but thought we would never happen, since he was... well, older. he was twenty-nine when we first met.

in november 2019, 7 months after my 18th birthday, jamie and i publicized our relationship that had begun in august. he was everything i wanted in a boyfriend—charming beyond belief, ever so respectful, the sweetest man i knew. my london boy.

many critics didn't agree with our relationship, especially due to the age gap (twelve years). hateful articles claimed jamie was pedophilic, that he was taking advantage of me.

let it be known that none of that was true.

towards the end of our relationship, jamie and i began to want different things. he was in his early thirties at this time, and was thinking about settling down. i was nineteen, and didn't want that at all.

thus began the beginning of the end. a publicized breakup in august of 2021, an on-and-off situationship that didn't truly end until august of 2022.

arguably the worst time of my life was the breakup.

written about him . . .

╰┈➤ butterflies (august 8, 2020) — my debut album

╰┈➤ casual? (september 10, 2022) — my first EP

╰┈➤ the exit (january 11, 2023) — my first single

╰┈➤ mirrorball (december 1, 2023) — my second EP

╰┈➤ all too well (june 3, 2024) — my second single

╰┈➤ ghosts (august 18, 2024) — my second album

╰┈➤ naked (january 23, 2025) — my third single

as you can probably tell, getting over him and the relationship was a very long (and difficult) process.

p.s. he never did settle down, after all. not without me.

⋮ ⌗ . . . charles leclerc

charles and i met years before we became friends, when i was about twelve and he was fourteen. i'd always been interested in motorsport, and began following his career when he was still in karting. the first time we met was in his last year of karting, when my father arranged a little meet and greet because he knew i had a little crush on charles.

our meeting wasn't anything special. a picture together. he complimented my ferrari t-shirt, and I told him he was going to become my favorite formula one driver one day. he laughed, said "we'll see about that", and that was that.

we met again in 2021 at the silverstone grand prix, a few months before jamie and i publicized our breakup. nothing happened, of course. he was in a relationship at the time, as was i. we became friends, though, occasionally hanging out when he had time between races.

it wasn't until about 2024 that we became much closer. he had broken up with his girlfriend in 2023, and i was still grieving the loss of my relationship with jamie. we began dating casually — i'd come to some of his races when i could, he came to a few of my shows, we'd meet for lunch or dinner.

casual dating turned into serious dating. love letters he'd read before races, whispers that i was his lucky charm, flying back and forth to see him. we publicized our relationship in april of 2025, but it had been going on since about february when we spent valentines day together.

he's my everything. my world. the air i breathe. my soulmate, of course.

written about him . . .

╰┈➤ fever dream (november 9, 2025) — my third album

╰┈➤ better people to leave on read (september 2, 2026) — my fourth single

there will definitely be more written about him as our relationship progresses !!

─ and now, the paparazzi propaganda. the fakest of fake, the outrageous, the how-did-they-even-come-up-with-this kind of crazy. the speculations.

⋮ ⌗ . . . billie eilish

billie and i have known each other since we were really young, and we've been best friends ever since. she's definitely my platonic soulmate, but that's it.

billie was my first kiss when we were teenagers — her 13, me 15 — but we never had feelings for each other.

since me and her are so close and are seen together all the time, the media loves to assume we're dating.

like, no. platonic friendships exist.

⋮ ⌗ . . . yungblud, aka dominic harrison

dom came to one of my shows in 2020. it was my first tour, while he'd been touring before, and he gave me tons of advice. we really hit it off, and became extremely close. he's one of my closest friends.

again, we're seen together a lot. both of us are rather physical people, i suppose, so sometimes it kind of looks like we're all over each other. the only "proof" of our so-called "relationship" is like, out of context photos of us shoving each other around or at dinner or whatever.

so... yeah. nothing going on there.

⋮ ⌗ . . . timothée chalamet

timmy and i met years ago, when we were teenagers. we've been friends ever since. he's practically part of my family, like one of my brothers.

honestly, it's kind of gross how the media takes things out of context. a photo from my instagram of timothée and i in a hotel room, cropped to exclude my brother, is pretty much the only "evidence" of our so-called love affair

⋮ ⌗ . . . thomas depp

this one's just diabolical. THAT IS MY TWIN BROTHER. saw articles about our "romance" and lost my actual mind because what the fuck...

the only reason this speculation began is because some random news platform took a photo of me kissing tom on the cheek and ran with it. HUHHH.

disgusting. like um. what the fuck. and when they were called out THEY DOUBLED DOWN IT AND TRIED TO MAKE OUT LIKE TOM AND I WERE ACTUALLY DATING AND IT WAS TWINCEST. sued them so hard for this shit because no actual way...

this was so fun omg xx

[funnypages]

Wheel of Time 3x05 - Tel'aran'rhiod

Probably the weakest ep of the season so far but still had some great moments

We get our first look at an Aiel hold, or town as well as seeing some "civilian" Aiel. Up to this point, we like most people in the Wetlands, have only seen Aiel warriors, but there are people in their culture who do not fight, at least all the time

We also find out that Aiel are polygamous/polyamorous (I word it like that because in the books I cant recall us ever hearing of an Aiel woman having multiple husbands). Its worth noting due to how Aiel marriage works this is an agreement between multiple women to share a man, not a man choosing to have multiple wives.

Egwaine learns how to move through the dream world, and liked them including the moment where her clothes change according to her mood. That happens quite a bit in the books, although I doubt we will get any scenes of women temporarily becoming naked when they think of their lovers lol.

We get a lot more characterization of Elaida consistent with the books. She is a power hungry snob who loves the finer things in life but she is not a Dark Friend. Doesn't make her a good person by a long show

Love Matt and Elayne bickering; their begrudging friendship is hilarious in the books

We meet the Atha'an Miere, or Sea Folk, a culture of semi nomadic people who are some of the greatest sailors, merchants, and explorers in the known world. We also learn their greatest secret: that the reason for their success is every Sea Folk ship has at least one woman who can channel, a Wave Mistress. How they portrayed her weaves and her movements was beautiful

The girls interactions with the Wise Ones and the Wave Mistresses are revealing to them more diverse ways of channeling than they would see in the tower, and are going to be vital in them becoming better channelers, and exhibiting the arrogance and close mindedness of the tower

One of Mat's sisters can channel! This is in the books but I thought they might cut it as shockingly it doesn't amount to as much as you would expect. Considering how much more emphasis they have put on Mat's close relationship with his sisters in the show, I imagine it will be more important here, particularly with his relationship with a later character

Mat's mother being killed by the White Cloaks is unique to the show (she survives the book series) but is taking the place of a different murder in the books. In the books when Perrin returns he finds that both his parents and his 3 siblings were all captured and killed by the White Cloaks. I think they changed this as in the books we never meet any of Perrin's family before they are killed, and through Mat's interactions with his family we have seen how his mother (and probably his father) have changed since the pilot. Natti's death will serve the same purpose, rallying the Two Rivers folk against the White Cloaks

Morraine convinces Egwaine to help her visit Siuan in her dreams. I am glad they are introducing this way of communicating over long distances, which is used in the books but not nearly as often as you would expect

Egwaine peeping in on other peoples dreams is consistent with the books, and brings some funny/sweet moments. Loved Elayne on the boat with Avi!

[thesunfyre4446]

I’m surprised to see so many people happy with the Sept scene, it’s complete illogical fan service.

They should’ve been clawing at each others faces. Instead you have Rhaenyra chuckling and joking “I’ve begun badly” girl, Vhagar made a mukkbang out of your son. A little bit of “Bitchy Alicent” peeked out towards Rhaenyra but still. Alicent knows Rhaenyra is a liar, the “On my mother’s memory” is a dig at that so why should Alicent believe at face value that Rhaenyra didn’t order Jaehaerys’s murder?

Rhaenyra also never apologizes about Jaehaerys, never expresses remorse or condolence. Her feelings last episode were more to do with it being bad publicity and less that a child her littlest sons ages was murdered. The whole thing is being treated like a one sided Rhaenicent fic where they wax on and on about Luke’s death and Alicent must repent for it every single day and twice on Sundays. While Jaehaerys is brushed over, that is if he’s even mentioned at all. His murder is never something that Rhaenyra needs to atone for. It’s never something Alicent or Helaena hold a grudge towards her for. All is forgiven.

That’s what the show is doing.

Not only that the Sept scene has ruined the potential of f Rhaenyra taking King’s landing. This meeting didn’t end badly, they didn’t throw insults or hands. Both just said they had no part in the murders of their son and grandson, both believed the other. Then Alicent let Rhaenyra go peacefully and Rhaenyra never intended on actually stabbing Alicent.

Alicent tells Rhaenyra that she meant it when she said she’d make a fine Queen- despite Rhaenyra never showing the potential to be a great ruler and Alicent deploring her for years because Rhaenyra’s lack of regard for duty usually led to Alicent having to fulfill them as well as her own and Viserys’s.

While Rhaenyra walks away from this reaffirmed with this thought that Alicent is still this pure soul and gentle heart- despite Rhaenyra accusing Alicent of hiding her true nature behind a cloak of righteousness and then saying “Now they see you as you are”. How do you go from getting sliced by Alicent to basically saying “Alicent is a sweetheart, she wouldn’t hurt a fly!”

Sure Aegon is about to almost die from injuries gotten in battle against the blacks and Rhaenyra will lose Jace and Viserys, that is going to impact both women but after this meeting of “It wasn’t me!” The other things can be explained away too, can’t they? Rhaenyra didn’t directly burn Aegon and Alicent isn’t the one who skewered Jace and kidnapped Viserys.

The build up of tension, rage, hate, resentment was just destroyed with this meeting. It doesn’t bode well for the Queen in chains/Half year reign/Maegor with teats storyline. We probably aren’t going to get one of the lines of all time, Alicent saying that her Grandson was an innocent child and Rhaenyra’s sons were “bastard blood shed at war” and Rhaenyra probably won’t even put Alicent in gold chains.

The entire war just seems pointless after this, these two started this way before Viserys died. With Driftmark or even long before that when Rhaenyra had Alicent’s father exiled from Kingslanding and Alicent wore that dress… but they don’t want to finish it anymore?? These women are about to sacrifice their whole families for this and neither of them want it. Now they realize how pointless it all was? How they could’ve co-existed in the same place?

Also, why have the writers seemingly forgotten about Alicent’s very valid fear for her children’s lives if Rhaenyra ascended? Her fears are being validated with each episode yet they’re hinging it all on the ramblings of a dying man while he was dope sick?? On Viserys’s ramblings why didn’t Alicent(the writers) remember the conversation Alicent and Viserys had by the fire in ep 3? The one where Viserys explicitly says “a male babe born to me wearing the conquerors crown” he’s describing his son Aegon. Could Alicent have not countered Rhaenyra’s “he meant the conqueror” with “No, years ago he told me the same thing”

After having the blame of her Grandson’s murder placed on her for having non dissociative sex for once in her life, yet again Alicent will be filled with guilt. This time at the thought that the entire war and its casualties are her fault because of a misunderstanding.

Free Alicent, Ryan Condals whipping boy.

I would honestly take Benioff and Weiss, at least the seasons where they had the material laid all out for them were good. Condal has a full story outline but is still fucking up right out of the gate.

(Sorry for the long rant)

anon you ate and left no crumbs. i truly have nothing to add.

up until ep 7 the show made sense. in ep 6 alicent tells aegon that if rhaenyra becomes queen him and his brother will be murdered. but by ep 8 she apparently doesn't give a fuck anymore?

[hughungrybear]

Lyrical essay in the On1y One series

The cicadas in that summer were more noisy than in any other year. The lush branches outside the classroom windows couldn't block the sunshine. The breeze blew through the treetops, and the sun shined brightly. They were so young.

from Episode 1: "He's NOT my brother"

He is like a tree, without happiness or sadness. A part of his body will be sleeping in the earth peacefully; a part will be dancing with the wind joyfully; a part will be providing green shade willingly; and a part will be bathing in the sunshine warmly. So quiet and so proud will he be that he won't have to depend on anyone, or search for anything. (Tian's note: Lyrical essays set the mood without being explicit, like placing an arm around his shoulder to subtly show I've already got him on my side.)

from Episode 2: "Getting close is just lips touching"

Deep into the night, all is silent. I don't know which cicada it is, but it suddenly lets out a long cry. Even though it's late summer, I feel a flutter like it's early spring.

from Episode 4: "The glamorous end of the century"

A young man's heart is unpredictable as June weather, heavy rain pouring and clouds overhead, feeling like it will never end. But when the rain stops, it's all bright again with the sun hanging up high.

From Episode 5: "Closed, as the wind rises..."

The gods take away people's fears. Young men's love is intense and passionate. At that moment, the sunset bathed the winding Tamsui River. Stained-glass windows were outlines in a golden hue, and the feather on the clasp had a glowing edge. Time, like this blessing, feels gentle and everlasting.

From Episode 7: "Belonging. Let's live in the dorm together"

A young man's heartbeat is a midsummer wasteland. It's endless and untamed. When the wind blows, the wild grass stretches out to the horizon.

From Episode 11: "Kissing is just two lips touching?"

Grief is boundless as the setting sun. Eastward I go, where wild winds run. Fallen blossoms turn to mud, nurturing spring's new buds.

From Episode 12: "Sprout. The growing pains of starting over"

Bonus not part of the lyrical writing (usually quoted from Wang, either at the beginning or end of the ep):

There are about seven billion people on Earth, if each person's average lifespan is 80 years, you may encounter 1,000 people per day, and you will meet about 292 million people all your life. The probability of two people meeting is 0.00417. If you like him, and he also likes you, you're the only one for each other. That probability is only 0.0000173...

(Tian on the mathematics of finding The On1y One)

In everyone's life, there will be the very moment, a special one on which your mind lingers. That's the most important memory in your life. Every time you think of it, you will have a special feeling in your heart.

(Wang on memories and special moments)

from Episode 1: "He's NOT my brother"

At that moment, I completely forgot what the English teacher had said about the difference between "up to you" and "down to you". It wasn't until later that I realised when Jiang Tian said those words, my world was already upside down. My world was turned upside down.

from Episode 3: "Actually, we can give it a try"

Venus and Mars are in a 180-degree opposition, creating a powerful and intense attraction. The impossible can be possible. A twist, and it's the glamorous end of the century.

from Episode 4: "The glamorous end of the century"

If there's only one person in the world who can understand you, he is the most important. I just know there's a time for everything. I should go a little wild while I'm young. After all, I'll have decades ahead to play it safe. What's the rush?

From Episode 6: "When will the schedule start?"

Isn't there a saying that when you can drop the pretense and comfortably share both troubles and joys, you'll become friends?

(Tian's thought while looking at Wang)

When I feel abandoned by the world and think nothing I do will make a difference, I forget that someone with no place to call home is still trying so hard for me and giving his all to protect me.

(Wang's thought on Tian while the latter is frantically looking for him)

From Episode 7: "Belonging. Let's live in the dorm together"

A girl's shyness is like a tender cherry under the sunlight...16- and 17-year-olds are like fruits in the morning sun, sparkling.

(Passages read by Wang from the Guide to Lyrical Writing)

It's like something straight out of the Guide to Lyrical Writing. All 16- and 17-year-olds are shining.

(Tian reminiscing as he finally empties his suitcase)

From Episode 8: "16- and 17-year-olds are shining"

The book says that 16- and 17-year-olds are shining. As summer wanes, some cicadas never escape the earth, trapped the whole season. Meanwhile, someone is stuck at midsummer's end, waiting for his one and only.

From Episode 9: "Exposing youth fearlessly"

It's precisely these movements and advancements that broke down walls. And because of these so-called boundaries, we get the chance to enter each other's worlds and understand one another. So, do you think I'm invading your world now, or are you invading mine?

From Episode 10: "Thief. Who is about to cross the line?"

[hellyrossum]

scattered non-comprehensive s2ep9 thoughts

at first i thought jame just invited himself into helena's house, but no, she still lives with him full time?? awful. she needs to get the fuck out of there. "i wish you'd eat them raw" fuck off man. she can't stomach being the perfect eagan heir; she never could.

miss eustice huang... that felt like not just her last scene in the season, but maybe the whole show?? which. makes me a little sad, honestly. i'd raised the idea to some friends after last ep that that ep might have been a good opportunity to include cuts to eustace as the b-plot to provide a grounding point / comparison for the related bits of cobel's backstory, and i'm feeling much more vindicated in that thought now. there's a lot you could do with a character like her, it feels like a shame to leave it here.

all the milchick stuff this ep is, as it has been through this whole season, spectacular. tramell tillman the actor you are. i really wonder what role he'll be playing in the finale, now that he's seemingly teetering on the edge of rebellion...

"[dylan] has to choose between one group of people or the other; choose which version of himself gets to be loved. and innies aren't made to be loved." <- shoutout to that last line basically calling the end of this arc this season. dylan g. tries to have what he as an innie can't, and so he loses both his outie's family and the remaining connections he had down here. and then he pulls what irving b. tried to, and there's no one to do for him what he did for irving. evil, evil show.

(dylan, whose world blew open when he learned he was a dad but will never get to meet his kids, telling miss huang it isn't her fault... augh. ...meanwhile, no one's there to reassure seth, tell him it isn't his fault. he has to say it for himself.)

related: when the dylan-helly convo started i was so excited to see the show highlighting their bond again. and then it stabbed me. i get it, dylan, but. somehow this season feels like it's been even harsher on helly emotionally than last season was. which, when she's your favorite character, means. pain. good pain, tbc

the irving and burt stuff... god. there's something about jon tuturro's facial acting in this ep that's so... he looks so young and desperate. makes the heartbreak hit so hard.

dr. mauer. the band-aid on his forehead from when gemma hit him with the chair... directly parallels mark's head wound and band-aid from when helly threw the speaker at him in s1ep1. which could mean nothing

so, reghabi was just, wrong about the innie cabin not being a viable option?? like, it'd be one thing if she said "there's no way we're getting in there", but instead she said "they're two completely different things," which to me at least implied it wouldn't trigger the switchover to innie mark. is it that there's something special about this cabin - and if so... why? why would they need a cabin that-- ...oh. right, that... was established as a thing that some work innies have experienced. ... killing jame eagan right now with my mind

mark calls devon persephone in s2ep2. in this ep cobel passes her off as “one of jame’s”. if lumon is the underworld, then... you see it, right. (in a way, mark s. is the "child" of jame's that devon is responsible for. a fucked way, but. that's the only read i have of this parallel that isn't. well.)

(helena has siblings she probably doesn't even know about, out there in the world. ...potential replacement heirs, if she fails her father enough times. ...almost makes me wonder if she was a bastard child, actually.)

living for the crumbs of devon interacting with mark s. <3

really surprised there was no ricken this ep. like, i can't imagine him showing up in the finale, and i was so expecting that we'd get one more scene with him this season to put a (temporary) bow on his subplot. maybe we'll get something with him calling to check in on devon??

speaking of the season finale, apparently it's gonna be the same length as this ep? not 76 minutes?? i mean, they wrapped a lot of stuff up in this one, but that's gotta be a very packed 44 minutes to contain the innie mark - outie mark convo (which better go hard as hell) AND whatever jame has come to helly for (so scared for that. sir don't you have cold harbor to be worrying about. are you going to use her as leverage against mark. or is this more personal.) AND the full explanation/demonstration of what cold harbor actually is AND THEN the break-in to the testing floor + mark-gemma reunion + escape attempt, along with outie mark meeting helly for the first time somewhere in there. and also hopefully dr. mauer getting what he deserves (killed <3 )

[invisiblegarters]

The Heart Killers Ep 3

I won't lie, I was planning to approach this episode with a lot of trepidation (and the tags with even more than that if what I thought was gonna happen happened, if I'm honest). but a soul who is far kinder than I think I would be eased my mind on the first thing. The second I'm still nervy about but well. I want gifs so I'll have to brave it at some point I'm sure.

But before that, let's get into this episode with bells on baby. Give me Fadel's tragic backstory and give it to me now.

Previously: Style was annoying af but also hot and we learned Fadel is not immune to that. Bison and Kant played more games and I was floored by how ruthless Kant actually was (and I haven't seen anything yet whee).

Now: Well we know this woman is evil because she's dressed in all red.

HI PEPPER. HI JJ I didn't know you were in this.

Oh she's really good at that dead eyed I will end your life stare. Good for her.

GIVE ONE OF THE Js A BL ALREADY.

Yeah you know what lady I don't believe you. Bison you little dumbass Fadel told you he'd ask. JFC kid.

Bison is literally the only one in that room who doesn't get that this woman is kind of the devil isn't he? How sheltered has Fadel kept him really? I do love a devious, evil woman though.

PFFFT Style babe please don't talk about who is the type to listen to heavy metal wearing that shirt.

"I can have a good time all by myself" Yeeeah you can.

Fadel if you actually follow him I will lose all hope for you.

One thing I will say, I think Style definitely is one of those people who can make himself fit in anywhere by sheer will.

There was a whole moment there when Fadel absolutely thought about choking him again lol but I don't think it was in the fun way that Style was looking for.

Wel that pool conversation was interesting. Both of them lying their asses off. And Bison absolutely did follow him there I'd bet money on it. I still don't think he really gets what's going on (or at least I hope not), but that meeting was too coincidental to be coincidental. Bison literally showed up to deliver that little warning and bounce. I really don't love the idea that he's hip to what Kant's pulling yet - it annoys me in a very specific way that all "oh this character is so smart and plays 4D chess in his sleep" stuff annoys me, but also, I just like it better if he starts falling before he really starts to wonder if Kant might be on to something. That he's going to choose to ignore the signs at some point feels like a given right now, but personally I'd prefer Bison a little naive for a bit (and it would fit with what happened earlier in the ep with Mother Lilly).

Then again, if Kant insists on meeting his Captain friend literally five seconds after chatting with Bison maybe he deserves Bison knowing the entire time. JFC dude this is almost as bad as you meeting the dude you paid to get a bowling ball dropped on his foot in a parking structure two seconds after Bison leaves your sight.

Can no one do these things right.

Oh Captain Christ followed him too. Man Kant is popular today.

Captain Christ doesn't give two shits if Style gets himself hurt lol he's only asking because he wants to know how much damage control he might have to do later. People keep talking about how Kant siccing Style on a literal murderer is wild and it totally is, but I do think that it is also a case of what Style doesn't know can't get him killed. I really don't think Kant wants or expects anything to actually happen, he just wants Style to distract Fadel for a bit so he can work on Bison. Hard to get in already, even harder with a scowling big brother dogging your every single move.

So Captain Christ and Kant have totally banged, yes? Bet it was really good but Kant felt a little (or a lot) dirty about it after (still went back for seconds though).

The way that Fadel isn't even trying to drive Style off anymore is kind of hilarious.

"You're not my type" says yet another liar.

So Style absolutely knows that Fadel wants to bang him like a screen door right? Yes, yes he does and he's gonna poke at it until Fadel explodes from frustration. He is so ridiculous.

Put the grandma glasses on Kant. Put them on.

He's not gonna put them on is he? All my dreams are now dust. Jojo you're on notice.

Hm. I'm going to have to think some about this before I really talk about it. All I'll say is Kant you fucking dumbass this is not the kind of thing you do when YOU don't trust someone 100% and I know you don't you loser.

Fadel babe Style is not gonna guess you're an assassin and even if he does it won't be seriously calm down.

OH MY GOD KANT STOP YOU'RE EMBARRASSING YOUR GLASSES THEY'RE JUDGING YOU ALMOST AS HARD AS I AM.

Lol okay I know this is an unserious show but if one more person does some sort of shady shit right out in the open I'm gonna lose it.

And here it is. The tragic backstory, delivered by a smirking Pepper. Pepper I hate your bangs but I am kinda getting a kick out of how much enjoyment you're getting out of rubbing Fadel's mistakes in his face.

Or well. "Mistakes," I'm sure.

Oh no please not back to these two dumbasses I can't.

Bison baby he doesn't even know what a safe word is (unless he's putting that on so that he can make Bison explain it to him but I dunno he does seem to not get it) please put an end to this farce.

(spoiler: he is absolutely not going to put an end to this farce)

Here's the thing though. I don't actually think that Kant would hate this if it really were coming about organically? But one, right now it's a job that he's getting through, not something he actively wants. And two, he does not trust this man. Right now Kant is sailing through this with sheer balls and not much else. And it kind of makes me wince a little when we have Bison trying so hard to make sure it's consensual and that Kant's not pushing himself.

Hahaha now they aren't even safe from Fadel in Kant's tattoo parlor why is this so funny to me that man is everywhere. He sewed a tracker into the hems of Bison's pants didn't he.

Lie better Bison.

"Gimme a sec Bison I've gotta threaten your not boyfriend again I don't think he heard me the first time."

Kant is such a shit I swear.

Oh Fadel. I just love him so much.

Well Bison called this one. Good for him. Dark and brooding indeed.

Oh this should be fun. I would have thought that -

*Joong starts dancing, head empties*

Style: oh, he's hot.

Buddy where have you been.

Also ah, so Bison's drugging the secretary's drink then. Interesting tactic, that (but also low key cackling because well I know what's coming).

Style babe I like the way you think.

Hahaha of course he learned it from Magic Mike Jojo I love you you're back off notice for the glasses.

Actually though this is kind of perfect because to Style it would explain everything if Fadel just leaned into the host thing. Except he might want to show up again and that could turn into a problem. Oh no is Style actually trying to be helpful? Every time he stops being deliberately obnoxious it's pretty much always to be randomly earnest in a disarming sort of way, isn't it? And usually it's when he's trying to help someone, be it doing Kant a solid by telling Bison how down bad for him he is, helping out at the restaurant simply because they're busy and he's there, or offering to find a way to help Fadel out with his financial troubles (that he definitely does not have lol).

And now Fadel is going to kick all of these dude's asses.

What is with all the mouth close ups.

I don't believe for a second that Style didn't believe that Fadel was a host because he needed money. Style I'm liking you a lot right now and I don't think you're dumb but I do think you believe people when they tell you things...until they give you a reason not to, that is. Such as beating the everloving shit out of three dudes without breaking a sweat.

I say again, Kant is such a shit. Like he knows Fadel can kill him, he was genuinely worried he was gonna do something to him earlier, and he's still acting like a bit of a dick to the man's face. I swear, this dude is either great at compartmentalization or he has a death wish.

Or both.

You know, I'm gonna miss the running gag of Fadel interrupting these two every time they start to have a moment.

Oh no I am way too invested in Fadel because all I needed was the tiniest little flash of him being so happy with his past lover and I got all teary.

YES he's scared he doesn't TRUST you and he doesn't actually LIKE anything you've done so far.

Style. Style. Style what are you doing Style.

Jfc dude is nothing sacred.

Although to be fair, I don't think he knew what it was a support group for. But still, good god. Maybe back away graciously when you realize what you've walked into? Maybe? Don't' invent a dead dog story and fake sob about it these people are grieving holy shit Style.

Okay that bartender sucks what. Why would you make those drinks.

Oh look more drugs they really are made for each other.

Ha. You can just tell that Fadel thinks fucking Style is gonna get him out of his system. Ever look at a man and think wow honey you are so wrong that it's both hilarious and a little sad? Yeah.

Pffft Style that confidence is gonna get you in trouble.

And you know what? I'm not even mad about it. Play stupid games get a fist to the stomach and a knee to the groin.

Actually Bison has it better than the secretary at least he's not vomiting all over the place.

Oh Kant I see you. And so do the cameras.

Kant give him five minutes before you go snooping jesus.

...you know what I just realized. Bison's "prize" for winning the bet still assumed that Kant would be coming home with him. So there's that. But of course Kant would have still had to drug him because he doesn't want to go home with Bison for sex (kinky or otherwise). He wants to go home with Bison to get his snoop on.

The way that Bison pulled out those ropes was very funny, and when I paused it to laugh I got the best reaction face from Kant:

this is the face of a man who did not properly think this through. Dying. The question is though was Bison too drunk to clock it? Although...hm. Would it matter if he had? Maybe more on that later.

The music is hilarious what even.

"I have been waiting to have fun like this with someone for so long," he says. Yes honey we know you literally have your bed prepped for it even though you just said you've never taken anyone home (and unlike some of the other shit that comes out of his mouth, this I believe. Mostly because Fadel would do a murder).

Why is this cracking me up is it supposed to? It's First's fault entirely.

Because this is what Kant's mouth is saying: "I'm Kant. I'm a tattoo artist who loves adorable guys." What his eyeballs are saying is "I'm a fucking moron who is gonna get whipped to within an inch of his life and have to ask for more," and it shouldn't be funny, the underpinnings of why this is happening are absolutely NOT funny, but the music and the faces are taking it there. I'm kinda grateful tbh because it could have gone really dark instead and I kinda love this dark comedy tone the show has going on let's not ruin it.

Well Kant you said you liked being slapped.

He was totally enjoying himself at the end there. Getting into it big time. See the thing with him is he strikes me as the kind of guy who actually wouldn't mind trying something like this out in a normal setting, and he might even like it, but the problem here is that he doesn't feel like he's allowed to say where his limits are because due to what he has to do for Captain Christ, his limits have to go as far as Bison's. Even if he's not comfortable with it. And his limits might even be as far as Bison's! It just doesn't matter.

Add that to the fact that he knows damn good and well that the dude squirming in his lap and getting off on hurting him a little could easily kill him. Has killed. Will probably kill again while he takes his sweet ass time investigating. So he's unable to have real limits while dealing with a man he doesn't actually trust who could very well kill him if he slips up.

Fun.

...okay but did Fadel kill his ex lover because his mom told him he was a traitor or was working against them? That's how I'd write it but also I like angst and drama way way way too much.

This episode had a lot, and I have a lot of thoughts. and I don't now how coherent I will be in them but here we go I guess.

I like that everyone kind of sucks - I was worried that we'd have a situation where at least one of these guys is an innocent baby but we're not getting that at all. Even Style, arguably the most innocent of them all, is a jerk. This is fine and honestly kind of exactly what I want from this show. I'm invested in no one save Fadel but that makes it a lot easier to just enjoy what I'm getting.

Kant continues to fascinate me. I'm still so wary of what will happen to his character but man, right now I'm loving how ruthless he's being. I know I keep saying that but I don't even care this guy is a dick.

But also, this isn't his first rodeo, is it? While I'm utterly certain he's expendable to Captain Christ he's used him for dangerous jobs before and if all goes well here will probably continue to do so in future.

I really can't wait to see how he falls into his own trap. Just please bl jesus let him stay competent and ruthless. He can turn that ruthlessness in another direction, you know, he doesn't have to lose it just because he falls in love.

This was the first episode where I looked at Bison and went, "oh honey," which I was surprised by. It wasn't the drugging and it wasn't the tattoo shop stuff or even the stuff after the bar. Nope. What got me was his delighted little smile when Kant said he was helping him clean around the restaurant to prove himself to Fadel. That was the first time I looked at him and thought "oh this really is gonna hurt."

I truly don't know if I buy that he's actually given Kant his heart next ep - as I already said this was also the first ep that he did something that had my eyebrows going up a little so I'm side eyeing him a little right now - but he's definitely in this a little too deep. How could he help it though, when Kant's there working so hard at every turn to please him and trying to prove himself to his big brother and is even game to try this new kinky thing that is actually pretty important to him? And here is why I think that even if Bison clocked that Kant's apprehensive at best about this pain stuff, it might actually work in Kant's favor.

Because as far as we know, Bison doesn't know that Kant is basically being coerced into this whether he likes it or not, all it looks like from someone on the outside is him trying to please Bison. That's heady stuff, especially for someone who likes being in control as much as Bison does.

And I'm really starting to think that Fadel has kept Bison from knowing a LOT. Because some of the stuff he said with Mother Lilly was just jarring. I'd understand it if she coddled him but she doesn't, not really. And yet he's the only one who doesn't seem to understand to tread carefully with her. It's weird.

Which brings me to Fadel, literally the only character that I am emotionally invested in and who I am just so in love with I can barely handle it. Honestly though this tracks for me, since Kat was the only character I really cared about in 10 Things.

Joong is just playing him so well, he's killing me a little bit. He plays so stern but oh, there are already cracks aren't there. Mostly with Bison - it was only a matter of time before he cracked and let him have what he wanted, not because of Style but because he does want Bison to be happy, and as much has he chides him for being naive and trusting he has clearly worked hard to make it so that Bison can be that way. In spite of everything.

And this lover he used to have that he was going to leave everything for. I'm assuming he's dead or that he were disappeared by Mother Lilly, and there are different ways they could play this but my two favorites are as follows:

Mother Lilly lied about BF being some sort of traitor after either disposing of him herself OR she made Fadel do it/Fadel was so mad he went and did it himself.

He was actively working for someone, either a rival or even the police, and Fadel found out and disappeared him / told Mother Lilly and let her handle it. Or Mother Lilly was the one who told him.

Mother Lilly discovering (or "discovering") that BF was set to betray Fadel would go a long way towards explaining his devotion to the job and his unwillingness to go against her - he might not like it himself but maybe he feels like he owes her?

Also, number 2 would fit in with 10 Things and the Joey plot - Fadel warning Bison about Kant because he has been there before but also not telling Bison the real reason why and Bison just thinking he's being a paranoid weirdo. It wouldn't be a perfect 1:1 because Bianca was over Joey pretty fast lol but it'd be close enough, plus I kind of love that kind of parallel (except I guess in Bison's case loverboy accidentally does the job so well he actually falls in love. Also no killing of the Kant Bison he's too pretty to die).

Maybe we'll get fed a little more info next week, eh?

[mariailoveyou-guerin]

Rand fans mad about rand screen time like that man and moiriane aren’t the only people to ever exist in that show dialogue and screen time in 3 full season gone to them who are 2 of the least interesting characters separatly and together but they still want more of that blandness and now Elayne very boring self is taking it and her family drama no asked for but yall act like nyn or egwene get things 😂 just bs don’t even get me on how Perrin is non existent in season where it’s his pov that matters the most and Mat it’s been half I feel good

Loved ep3 and 2&5 the most to now loving this season, wish we got more Faile her introduction how she came to ride that horse like who sent her why? and how she was part of the team when they were taking the camp her meeting the others greeting them ect all of that is something we could’ve seen instead of randfear I don’t mind rand he’s always there him and Mo you get use to it after 2 seasons of it just feeling like them show when

Mo isn’t as important in books as EF5 and a lot of her stuff scenes should’ve been given to Nyn/Perrin/Mat/Egwene and especially in this big season when it’s the book where it’s Perrin POV mostly which is shame bc it felt like 2 other season the rand mo show when it made sense for s1 for mo and s2 rand but s3 is mostly Perrin yet we have barley seen him for 5-7m a whole ep of 1 hour and 9m! don’t even get me started on nyn where is she since s1 hasn’t seen her egwene since s2 Mat a bit more this szn still not like s2 and a way to much on Elayne family drama when all that + rand unnecessary lanfear stuff could’ve been used on building idk Perrin character Faile character them together and two rivers arc how they gear up to the battle planning fight trainin

and now I’m scared we won’t even see Perrin as it’s gonna be tanchico ep tmrw meaning more Elayne no one asked for and isn’t her📕like just give us two rivers arc Perrin arc Faile since this is the book where he’s the most in he basically just disappears afterwards 4ever!

Don’t even get me started on Lan one of the most fun cool an interesting characters yet nothing for him too I really thought we was gonna get some arc for him after ep3 with the aiel lady thats actually his people yet nope

all we could’ve gotten just to see those brothers and rand cheating with lanfear like we already didn’t know in s2 and the unnecessary Elayne stuff at least we get Liandrin back tmrw I hope and min being awesome it’s her element let her shine finally and give us more Avie other than being rand babysitter and Elayne lover plz she is her own person and so much more interesting then both of them combined if no Perrin two rivers arc or Faile character build tmrw im only here for nyn min mat and Liandrin hopefully some Aviendtha without it being related to Rand or Mo at least let it be related to egwene or lan idk someone interesting the wise ones

give my my two rivers mains or give me dea*th or EF4 + Aiel/Tanchico 4 Min Lan Liandrin and Aveindtha plz

Landfear is the 4th most boring like girl move it’s been years and it’s all repetitive from s2 we tired from you an rand both how did they put all the uninteresting people in the Aiel waste with most interesting culture and folk in the show the Aiel they were so smart with that fr rafe ate that up bc he knew we wouldn’t care for 3/4 most boring uninteresting characters if we got aiels there to

[bengiyo]

Love Sea Ep 3 Stray Thoughts

Last week, Tongrak and Mut started to have sex on the beach, but then Rak rushed them back to the hotel so he could write his thoughts out for his novel. Mut was understandably frustrated and went to take a shower, which of course ended in sex (but Fort showed ass!). Rak became possessive of Mut, and once again tried to use his money to lock Mut down. We had a great moment of Rak checking in about how out they can be, and the two shared insights into their histories. We learned that Rak sees his work as an outlet to express himself, and that Mut has worked his ass off to earn his place in this community as a respected leader. We ended on some trauma flashbacks underwater for Rak involving his father who abandoned them, and a friend who may have been pregnant. Meanwhile, Vie had Mook come over to clean up her house and eat with her in a flirting ritual that seemed to work for both of them.

Aya is really pretty.

This weird issue with the italicized subtitles not displaying on the TV apps is driving me insane. Why do I have to pull up the episode in two places now??

It rains a lot in Thailand, so I like when they incorporate it into the shows.

Chapter 3: Where the Sky Touches the Sea

It's nice to see that Rak is able to talk nicely with a friend. He and Vie feel like they've known each other for a while, and know what each is going through. I'm curious how deep we'll get into this tabloid drama Vie is facing.

Is Kwan Rak's sister? What's going on with their dad that they're scared about him showing up around the granddaughter? I thought he was out of the picture?

Wondering what Mut must be feeling after not seeing Rak for a few days now after that incident.

Mm, Rak reverting to be as rude as possible like it'll scare Mut away.

At least he apologized after relaxing for a little bit. I hope he opens up about what's got him so stressed.

Oh fuck yeah give me the lore. Rak's messed up because his mom poured all her money into a man who didn't love her back, and his and his sister's names are messages to him.

Let's bond over family problems.

Oh, I'm kinda into this "Try it while you're on the island" proposal.

Are they trying to mirror that with this fake girlfriend proposal?

I'm not keen on playing in the sea at night, but they do kiss well.

Why is he in that bed with a towel on?

Mut baiting Rak into being the big spoon is sending me.

Unsurprised that Mut is a conservationist.

I like that Mut acknowledged Rak getting up early to see the community meeting.

Oh they have Ja playing an actor who shoves his costar away immediately. How fun.

This joke about the length of novel titles feels like they're alluding to people missing the point of the novel because title is too cumbersome.

"I'm not bi." She and Lom should meet.

Mut seemed real nervous about Rak seeing how modest his home is.

Wow, Mut's dad sounds cruel.

Okay but Rak was even more turned on by the idea that the neighbors would hear them.

The timeline is a bit vague here.

I feel like we got here a little fast, but I kinda like the way Mut is chasing this feeling with Rak he wasn't expecting to feel.

I really like Mook.

I'm looking forward to seeing how both of these guys' issues with their families play out. I feel like.we.mkssed some things this week that didn't translate into the adaptation smoothly, but I like the idea of Mut reaching for something he didn't think he could have, and a cynic like Rak being taken by that earnestness. Also amused by Mook likely having a crush on Vie while missing that Vie has been flirting this whole time. I wonder what our Mut Exposition Fairy will do next week.

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - Must you, Japan? has become Thank You, Japan

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

BL OLYMPICS! Week 3

This is my last week of passing out metals in various sporting events, as part of the weekly updates.

Aug 2024 Week 2

Ongoing Series - Thai

Century of Love (Weds Gaga) eps 9-10fin - There were a lot more unnecessary dramatic speeches than there was practical medical aid being administered. Very extra, boys. I wonder how long it took them to get that "birds meet hug" shot? Meanwhile, great grandpa‘s attitude that he knows best in every way is thoroughly annoying, and yet absolutely appropriate to his age. My great gramps (RIP), had he had the body of a 20-year-old, would behave in exactly the same self-righteous know-it-all way. The doctor is great. I would like him to get his own romance please? What happens when you are the villain in someone else's reincarnation story? There's a whole fanfic there. And yes I cried. I am a sap for this kinda thing.

Final thoughts:

This is a great little show about a young man who fell in love with a pretty girl 100 years ago, and when she died in his arms, he was cursed to live until he could meet her reborn self. Only this time around, she’s reborn into the body of a man. I love it when Thailand gets all up in its own historical business and reincarnation and shizz. I like this pair (it’s not DaouOffroad’s fault I didn’t enjoy most of their first series.) Daou’s wushu is pretty snazzy and we got a fun meet cute. (Erm... Remeet cute? Meet cute 2.0?) Plus this is a very PRETTY show. Despite some ham handed comedy moments, this ultimately has more in common with something like I Feel You Linger in the Air meets First Love Again, then (as one might expect) Until We Meet Again or The Director Who Buys Me Dinner. The leads turned in great performances, although Daou outclassed everybody else on that screen. It’s a good story and a great BL. I’m not sure this is going in my rewatch rotation, but I can’t find any major faults with it beyond a certain level of camp that is sadly endemic to lackorns. Also I’m going to give it credit as the kind of BL that one could safely recommend to lovers of melodrama and historical romance, without having to qualify it as “good for a BL.” It was, to put it succinctly, simply a VERY ENJOYABLE show. 

Under those auspices I really can’t give it anything less than a 9/10. 

Bronze in Fencing

My Love Mix-Up Th (Fri YT) ep 10 of 12 - It’s cute. They were cute. I enjoyed it a lot. I talk quite a bit about why they're using nai as a you pronoun here:

This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans (Fri iQIYI) ep 6 of 8 - Honestly the side couple is truly stellar in this show. I wasn’t sure about them at first but now I absolutely love them. Not sure how they are going to resolve such intense dislike (from JJ) by the end of the series. But I’m interested to see them try.

Meanwhile, there isn’t anything else airing right now that makes me laugh as much as the behind-the-scenes from this show. Highly recommended.

Monster Next Door (Thai Thurs Gaga ) eps 1-2 of 12 - Oh it is so much fun. I’m particularly delighted that our musician is a drummer and I don’t have to listen to him sing... I hope. I’ve been waiting for Big to lead a BL forever. I’m disposed to enjoy this. We can all be confident in one thing, the kisses are going to be great. I like the side couple too, very indulgent daddy. While I am disturbed by the tortoise in the tiny tank, I love the extrovert friendship group. They remind me of my own college crew. It is a cute premise, but I will need them to actually be together in the same room, looking longingly at each other a smooching within the next couple of episodes.

YouTube served me both episodes 1 & 2, and I don’t think it was meant to. So this may be next week's review as well.

The Trainee (Sun YouTube) ep 6 of 12 - I wasn’t wild about this ep or where this show is going. But I enjoyed the language play. 

Gold in Linguistic Gymnastics

(my new favorite sport)

Sunset X Vibes (Sat iQIYI) ep 9 of 12 - Wow. Sam admitted it just out loud like that! Right after a betrayal? Balls on that boy. Worked on Yo tho. Too well, actually. I wish Yo had made him suffer and dragged him over the coals for a while. But I guess Yo really really likes him back. Meanwhile, the GL side plot also moved quite rapidly. A lot happened in this episode.

I Saw You in My Dream (Weds Gaga) ep 4 of 12 - Them ALL jumping into the water was totally ridiculous. It’s still a little slow, because it is a pulp, but I’m rather enjoying it.

Knock Knock Boys (Thurs Gaga) ep 12fin - Almond and Latte were cute. The breakfast with the four of them was funny. I did laugh a lot. Almond getting "first time" advice from his two resident gay dads (or at least trying to) was super sweet. Also I got a lot of smiley kisses. Nice final ep.

Ultimately how do I feel about this show?

A story about 4 boys of differing personalities who end up living together and pair up, falling in love. Slow moving and waffling, with some artificially generated family drama makes this a classic Thai pulp except that in general it's a smiley kiss of a show. It had plenty of good qualities like great communication and sexual rep (including toys, first time, safe sex, and sexual identities). The heat levels were on point and well executed, and the performances were good. It’s just that the script and the directing were lackluster, rendering it ultimately forgettable. Still, fine on a rainy afternoon with some camomile tea or whatever. 7/10 

Love Sea (Sun iQIYI) ep 9 of 10 - I’m getting some sort of PTSD from this show, It is making me feel like I’m the problem. Trash watch

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Cosmetic Playlover (Japan Tues Gaga) eps 1-2 of 8 - Anyone surprised by this jump in the standings? Yeah, probubly not. Anygay... this show is GREAT. Warped af but great. Lemme try to explain.

I actually said out loud during ep 1, "Well this is boundary pushing." By which I mean mine and everybody elses. But it’s Japan, *checks watch* it’s about time they turned out something edging into unpalatable and kinky. And because it’s Japan, I’m more forgiving than I would be were this show nested in the clumsy hands of say... Thailand. So actually this being me, and me being of questionable taste, I’m enjoying this show a lot.

You want me to list the ways? Sure.

Younger seme with grabby hands.

The younger one identified the elder gay as his personal property and it’s now: single motivation, on target, against all odds.

Uke cares about his work and not much else.

Seme cares about the uke and not much else.

Uke is gonna make this boy WORK for it.

That one particularly Japanese style of obsession that I actually adore.

Passes the sniff test!

I’m being reminded of that KBL Love Mate. Which I believe I enjoyed but no one else did. For exactly this set of tropes. Only Japan is better suited to handle them. For me this is a case of:

Must you,Japan? = Oh yes? Well, thank you very much, Japan.  

I Hear the Sunspot AKA Hidamari ga Kikoeru (Japan Weds Gaga) ep 8 of 10 - enter the evil girl character. Yawn.

Takara's Treasure AKA Takara No Vidro (Japan Mon Gaga) ep 6 of 10 - It is what it is. 

It's airing but...

Battle of the Writers (Sun YT) ep 2 of 12 - I did not catch ep 2 before they took it down from USA YT. I don’t know why it’s down. Either they got a deal for distribution off YouTube or there’s some sort of scandal. Frankly, I wasn't particularly impressed with ep 1 so I’m not rabid to find wherever it’s gone or why. Still, perhaps someone will let us know the sitch in a comment? It's a me problem. I'm figuring it out.

Sugar Dog Life (Japan Sun ????) 10 eps - OMG a uni student who looks too young and a... COP. GAH. The subversion and kink of it all. Why can't I find it? Do I have to go grey?

4 Minutes (Thai Netflix/Grey) - A rich boy at uni suddenly gains the supernatural power to see four minutes into the future. I have a source, but I've decided to hold off and binge if it ends okay, since it's only 8 eps. I depend upon y'all to tell me if it's safe.

Meet You at the Blossom (China) - it's your funeral (or, more likely, one of the main characters'). You can argue but... statistics. You know my feelings on this matter. MY BLOG, remember?

In case you missed it

The Time of Fever AKA Unintentional Love Story 2 (Korea movie) trailer IS COMING IN SEPTEMBER!!!! (Yeah this is gonna sit here until then)

Next Week Looks Like This:

Ooo, nice spread.

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

Still Coming This Month!

8/12 First Note Of Love (Taiwan Mon Gaga) 12 eps - About a singer with stage fright and his timid fan stars Charles (H4 the puppy one) and Michael Chang (the youngster in My Tooth Your Love), plus side couple featuring a Thai actor Jame (Koh in Gen Y) and Liu Min Ting (of Guardian fame). What a damn tean. I can't wait. With thier powers combined!

8/13 Addicted Heroin (Thai Tues YT) 10 eps - supposedly Jinlo with air this on their YT channel. Stars August (Love Sick) so I'm excited despite Jinlo's poor reputation. From the trailer it looks like it's following the original pretty closely... just Thai style. GIMMEEEEE!!!!

8/16 The Last Time (Thai Fri YT) ? eps - Convoluted story of loss and possible reincarnation or something.

8/22 The On1y One (Taiwan Thurs Gaga) 12 eps - announced in 2023 this one has a high school set stepbrothers trope and is reputed to be high heat. From Taiwan! It's made for me. Based on a novel Mou Mou from the Your Name Engraved Herein folks, so it could go dark. Still, I'm very excited.

8/22 The Paradise of Thorns (Thai movie) theater release - Jeff Satur is back but this does not look like a BL (the gay lover's death is the inciting event). More in Goodbye Mother vein. Looks dark and dramatic. He opposite and extremely well known actor Toey Pongsakorn who has never done gay before.

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENT

Linguistic flirting trope! One of my all time favorites. FANTASTIC. (I did keep hearing Gun yelling Papiiiiiii! in my head tho.)

(Last week)

Streaming services are listed by how I (usually) watch, which is with a USA based IP, and often offset by a day because time zones are a pain.

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs

Sigh, Tumblr in its infinite wisdom doesn't like too many tags.

[impala124]

Bad Buddy Ep 10

My thoughts on Ep 1 | Ep 2 | Ep 3 | Ep 4 | Ep 5 | Ep 6 | Ep 7 | Ep 8 | Ep 9

Me, at the end of this episode:

This is what I'm talking about!!!

Now, I'm no conspiracy theorist, but the way Pat getting shot was so inconsequential to the plot makes me put on a tin foil hat and theorize that they knew exactly what they were doing with Ep 9. They knew that nothing sustains a fandom more than having something to hate on together, and that was what Pat getting shot was about. It is to ensure the longevity of the BB fandom. So, in a roundabout way, Pat got shot for us!!!

Here are my thoughts on this episode:

Okay, I see you, Pat. Look at you trying to soft launch your relationship with Pran to your parents by telling them that he helped you in a sticky situation.

Wow, Pat's father thanked Pran. I'm sure Pran never imagined that he would live to see this day. I know I haven't.

Why isn't Pat's dad asking him for more details about the case though? I don't know, man; they seem too nonchalant about this whole getting shot and almost getting charged thing for my liking.

You know what? I wonder if the parents had found out about Pran saving Pa's life when they were kids; maybe their rivalry would've been long over.

You heard it here first: the reason for Pat getting shot is for them to get a shot at their relationship.

"Your dad might warm up to me and hand me his son." STHAP IT!!!

I know I've mentioned it before, but Pat's being so brazen right now with pinching Pran's cheeks in broad daylight where anyone could see. IN FRONT OF THE TRASH CANS. Remember when they used to fight at the exact spot? Yeah.

Okay, what is your new password, Pran? I want to know.

Are you telling Pran, my beloved, who loves order and structure in his life, is so forgetful? Headcanon time—Pran just wanted Pat to visit his faculty because he wanted to show off his adorable puppy boyfriend from the rival faculty.

See, Wai and friends have accepted Pat as a part of Pran's life from now on. Compare it with the last time Pat came to his faculty to give the thumb drive—Pran had to hide Pat behind a wall so that his friends wouldn't catch Pat and beat the shit out of him. Now, they are personally delivering Pat to Pran on a nice platter.

Something about Pran just being at the top of the stairs looking at Pat with hearts in his eyes, while his boyfriend is professing his undying love for him from the bottom of the stairs for anyone to hear, is just AAAHHHHHH

Remember when Pat did the same previously but under the guise of auditioning for the play? Yeah, me too. For my boys to have this, out in the open ❤️

Guys, you don't understand. Pran never thought he could have this. He never even dreamt of having this!!

Pran's new password is "Praninlove." Now, what should I do with that information??

Pran is now egging him on, a total 180 from him asking Pat to not post anything that could lead to others suspecting their relationship status.

Well, Pat is never one to back down from a challenge. So, my boy delivers.

What do you mean they are meeting in the MIDDLE of the staircase? The fucking symbolism of it all.

Post confession handbumps, my beloved!! Hope that there is a compilation of all their handbumps somewhere on this website.

Well, I know that Wai said he has a crush on Pa. But how about I present you Korn? He'd be good for you. Now that they're not fighting anymore, they'll need an excuse to touch each other, so why not date along the way? We've seen Pat embrace his bisexuality. Me thinks it's Wai's turn now.

Pat, don't think I haven't noticed you casually draping your hand on your boyfriend's shoulder in the canteen before your friends. I see you, and it's bringing me immense joy.

Ink's got Pa having gay thoughts. I'm sure she's wondering if Ink sees her as more than just a junior to look after.

Man, I gotta be honest, it took me a second to comprehend why Pran is in the hospital. In case anyone forgot, let me take it upon myself to remind you that PAT GOT SHOT in the previous episode 🤦.

It's already healed. These are not serious people at all. Now that we are on this subject, when Pat, Pran, Korn, and Wai were hanging out together, there was no mention of the shooting or the investigation or anything that happened.

I don't know, man; if something like that happened in my friend group, we would be talking about it for months to come.

Okay, the guy who works for Pran's dad spotted them in the hospital. Isn't it the same guy they were hiding from in the music store at the mall to avoid being spotted together? Oh, how the times have changed!

Yes, he is, and he saw it all. Well, PAT'S VERY ASIAN DAD LIED TO HIM ABOUT FAMILY LORE?! I'm shooketh. Never heard of that happening before.

Oh, Pat, my precious, sounding so naive with the "So, we've been misunderstanding each other all along?"

Well, the parents knew everything but still hate each other. Oh, it's not just business. What could it be?

Aww," I think, one day, things will be better."

Pa is having a gay crisis and asking her brother for advice. I love how Pat is genuinely happy that someone might be interested in his sister. None of that toxic, "You're my younger sister, and here's your chastity belt" bullshit from my boy.

Pa is definitely her brother's sister. Pran, sweetheart, are you being Wai's wingman for him to hit on Pa? I hope you see it with your eyes, bestie, that Ink's got Pa covered.

Well, Wai, they do say that the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. So, Pran, being the best friend he is, can shove Wai in Korn's direction if he cares to.

Pat, did you just go to your professor, who also happens to be your father's friend, for family lore? King shit!!

What are these parents hiding? Did their dads have gay thoughts about each other and act upon them???!!!

Oh, it's not the dads. Something happened between Pat's dad and Pran's mom.

They are visiting their old high school to know more about their parents' shared history and reminiscing about their own.

Now, some people might've overlooked the detail that Pat is carrying his boyfriend's bag, but not me.

I'm just over here losing it at Pran's face when the teacher asked, Why are you two legendary rivals here together?

But Pat's the one who confirms that they're together. Gotta hand it to these two; they'll let the whole world know before their parents get even a whiff of their relationship.

I recognize baby gays when I see them. Am I going to get to see Pran serenade Pat?

Yes, dreams do come true!!

"Your mom and his dad were close friends. They were always together." 💀

Pat's reaction after finding out that his sister has a chance with his ex-crush is to say, "I'm hot too, but I failed." 😂😂 I just love Pat and Pa.

Pa🤝 Pran finding out that they know the person who gave them snacks by cross-checking their handwriting.

You know what I'm being deprived of? Pran and Pa together. Give it to me!!!

I have to hand it to Ink - developing film together is a very clever way to get your crush into a dimly lit room with you.

Pa, my beloved, are you thinking that Ink is being nice to you because she's your peer mentor? Awww.

Wait a second, Ink fought with everyone to become Pa's peer mentor. I knew it!! I had her number when she remembered that Pa liked shrimp while they were at the restaurant together.

To recall such a detail about your classmate's sister, whom you haven't seen in three years, is just so AHHHH. That's yearning, babygirl. SINCE HIGH SCHOOL.

Well, now that you mention it, Pat, it would be really funny if you guys were half-siblings. Thailand wouldn't go there, but I know that Taiwan will. Is this my way of putting the idea of a Taiwanese version of Bad Buddy into the universe? Yes!!

Oh no! Pat's parents saw him tickling Pran in the mall.

Okay, Pat's dad SHOVED Pran!!! I'm trying to find empathy for Pat's dad, but it's just so hard when he hurts Pran like that.

Is it because Pran is proof that the girl he once loved isn't with him anymore? Even if it is, sir, it has been over two decades, and hating on a child just for existing is plain monstrous.

I hope you reflect on your actions and APOLOGIZE to my boy.

Well, if there's one thing Asian parents hate, it is having their kids talk back to them in public. But, apparently we are doing it in the mall. WE ARE BOYFRIENDS!!!!

My heart is hurting for Pat!! Such a brave, brave boy. So, Pat's mom put a stop to it.

Pran sent Pat after his patents to clear things up. Both my boys are hurting. 😭😭

I love the little detail of Pran carrying the GUITAR (the thing she forbade him from playing) with him when his mom confronts him about his relationship with Pat (the person she forbade him from being associated with).

"Is it even my job to be responsible for your feelings?" Pran SNAPPED, and it is glorious to witness.

Oh, the classic slapping your son to keep him in line. Always works, right? RIGHT??!

So the truth comes out. Ming, Pat's dad, stole Pran's mom's scholarship.

"You're not the only person who wants to make his dad proud." Call back to the time when Pat mentioned to Pran that he hasn't seen the look of disappointment in his eyes before when he learnt about Pat skipping rugby practice.

"If you only wished to run a family business, why did you take my scholarship?" - Why would you do that, Ming?

We are back on the rooftop!!! Oh no, Pran is crying.

Thank God Pat is there to cheer up his boyfriend.

Boys, I'm going to need y'all to provide some clarity on the whole "Let's get away from here." Are we talking about a getaway? To escape from reality for a bit? If so, then I'm on board.

The parallels between playing the guitar and loving Pat in relation to Pran are very interesting; his mom forbade him from doing both without ever giving him a concrete reason. He left them both at the same time, i.e., at the Christmas performance at school. Pat ran after Pran with the guitar on the same day. But Pat kept the guitar with him for 3 years and returned it ( & himself) to Pran. Now, wouldn't it be something if Pat's dad used to play the guitar and that's why Pran's mom doesn't want him to anymore? It would be rather ironic because Pat is the one who gave the guitar back to Pran.

Now that everything's out there in the open, I have a lot of thoughts about the rivalry. But I'm short on time today. So, hopefully, I'll get to piece something together in the next episode liveblog post.

Tagging the usual suspects: @shortpplfedup, @incandescentflower, @starryalpacasstuff, @7nessasaryevils, @greenteadumplings, @grapejuicegay, @madworld-bbs, @usodeshou, @tao-moonb, @fanatic-freakshow @desi-yearning. If anyone wishes to be tagged in the future, let me know.

[roseprincessarts]

Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis The First Soldier Episode 2 Theory and Prediction Discussion

Good evening Final Fantasy VII peepsters!

Welp, it's November. Today we are going to be discussing what's been in my head while playing FFVII Ever Crisis. Before we get started, this is probably my first theory and prediction to ever discuss. I've probably seen other theories that relates to the episode 2 of First Soldier, so I decided to do this in my own thoughts and my own words, and could agree what other theories could be true or not true. It all takes some patience to find out what will happen in the future in First Soldier! So the topic tonight is going to be about Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis: The First Soldier Episode 2 Theory! (also made a presentation art for future discussions :) )

I was going to do this before and after Halloween, but hadn't got the chance to finish up so I feel like this will be rushed lol. I had a blast yesterday for Halloween, though!

Oh! Before I forget, I must warn to each and every one of the FFVII fans that have never played Ever Crisis, and/or did but hadn't gotten into the second episode of First Soldier, Crisis Core, FFVII, etc., just to warn y'all that this will contain spoilers! Read this at your own risk! Or have an experience on EP 2! So beware of ghosts of spoilers! Ooooooooooo~ 👻

*clears throat* Well, with no further ado, let's get on with the discussion!

Episode 2 of Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier

I have indeed finished The First Soldier episode 1 just before starting the second one. It was just before Halloween started. I really enjoyed the first episode! Really shows the past of Sephiroth! Young Sephiroth looks handsome as when he was a grown handsome man as well hehehehe <3. I really liked how they did Sephiroth as some sort of a 14-year-old hero before his fall into a psycho villain. It also shows who he was before the Nibelheim mission, what he really thought of his friends, which would be Glenn, Matt and Lucia, and what he had wanted other than a hero, but a normal ordinary life as other kids unlike him had. This also shows how he ended up being Shinra's golden SOLDIER (why I called that because he was the first one to even have incredible powers). However, we get to see more as we dive into more of Sephiroth's past. Let's begin!

Sephiroth and Angeal First Meeting

In episode 2 of First Soldier, we see how Sephiroth and Angeal met.

Angeal Hewley was introduced in Crisis Core as a SOLDIER with honor, pride and the most respected member, gifted with the iconic Buster Sword in the FFVII series before the real thing as a symbol of his family's honor. He is also the mentor of another character that was also important to the series is Zack Fair, another SOLDIER member that dreams of becoming a hero like Sephiroth.

Until learning about who he really is, Angeal dreamed of becoming human due to the fact that Dr. Hollander was responsible for the Jenova Project, or rather Project G to make him a perfect monster, as Genesis was a failure at this point, as well as Angeal claiming he has created his very own suffering.

Now, in ep 2 of The First Soldier, a young Angeal plans to leave to Midgar to join SOLDIER to honor his family before his stepfather’s death. He was to dispatch to Robio in Wutai, and boom! Angeal meets Sephiroth for the first time. Sephiroth appears to be pissy, and Angeal tries to cheer him up and lighten him up. Angeal looked handsome as a young fella ^^.

I think Sephiroth and Angeal would be going separate ways. However, what I think would happen is that they would bond later on. Plus, they were friends along with Genesis in Crisis Core.

Masamune Origins

Wondering how Sephiroth got the most iconic sword in FFVII history, and how it became a main thing? Wondered how he got the Masamune? Look no further! As most of the players were playing through all the sections, we now see a new character in the game named Masamune, based on a sword of its namesake.

Now, Masamune appears to be swordsmith of Robio, and he had the katana by his name. What my prediction or theory may be is there could be the possibility of Sephiroth obtaining the iconic Masamune in future chapters. Plus, Sephiroth's Nameless being sliced in half, I would how the aftermath might be ^^;

Well, this is going to be interesting and I'm actually looking forward to how Sephiroth obtains the Masamune from… well, Masamune (character) is going to go. Dark, climaxing, we won't know until future chapters!

Now, about the character Masamune of what I first saw him, he almost reminds me of the actor Christopher Lee lol. Also, I wondered how Sephiroth and Masamune would communicate or how they would have a bond, friendship, or even become enemies. We'll have to see on that one. This will become interesting to see!

Bachman

Bachman, or is another character that appears as a journalist for Shinra as he records Sephiroth and Angeal in action to have a detailed report.

I'd say he could be a documentary guy or something like that!

Well, to be honest, I am not sure if I have an interest about Bachman, but I'll have to see for myself what he could possibly do in future chapters. I thought he was just a minor character, but he could be important. We'll just have to sit back for more of his development as well.

Alissa Goldie

Hey, look! Another female character! Another feminine SOLDIER! Wow! Interesting!

*coughs*

Whoops. Gotten carried away there, am I not? Ahem… where was I? Ah, yes! Alissa Goldie, indeed!

Next subject to discuss in this FFVII theory is Alissa Goldie (it's a pretty name for her btw ^^).

Alissa Goldie is another female 2nd class SOLDIER appearing in this episode of First Soldier. She appeared as another missing SOLDIER I believe until found before Sephiroth and Angela's encounter with Masamune as some sort of upbeat kind of person, until she sassed Sephiroth for staring at her after meeting or seeing her.

Now, some people may be in shock when they see Alissa at first. Her character development intends to look identical to Sephiroth's birth mother Lucrecia.

Oh boy! This is going to be nerve wrecking, but here are the list of predictions of what I think will be happening with Alissa and Sephiroth.

Prediction 1: Prediction number 1 of what I am about to say is later on, I believe that what will happen in this episode 2 if that Alissa Goldie will turn out to be either an antagonist, maybe villain and/or a Jenova clone that will trigger Sephiroth’s mental disturbance. Well, we probably have seen clones in the FFVII original story. We'll probably find about this kind of prediction for Alissa’s character development

Prediction 2: This option of the prediction will indicate what I might also think if Alissa will be Lucrecia in disguise. Lucrecia is Sephiroth’s birth mother, as Hojo gives him the photo of her in episode 1 of TFS and claims her name is Jenova, who is actually a calamity from space that tried to destroy the planet but was pulled out of the 2000-year-old rock layer and experimented and was kept enclosed in the Nibel Reactor. We all have seen the Nibelheim Incident, presenting Sephiroth’s descent to madness and his death after his massacre in the village, when Cloud starts to be a real deal for the FFVII series, and Zack as well. In this prediction for First Soldier, I believe Alissa could be Lucrecia in actual see her son in person after what Hojo had done to him, and her. He does dream about his mother after couple of chapters, which warms my heart to see the moment is real mother and son ❤️

Prediction 3: This is probably the weirdest, obscure or awkward prediction, but could be shocking. This would have the Sephiroth fans to freak out over this, but in the third prediction, Alissa could be whether just an ordinary girl and/or to be (here I go) Sephiroth's love interest. Yes, awkward. However, Sephiroth is flustered by Alissa's facial identity to look like his mother. She also tells Angeal the world will change if Sephiroth continues to use his sword. This is the prediction I doubt that would happen. I could be wrong, but this has been in my head that I LITERALLY had been bragging to myself about. Spehiroth’s canon love interest? This would freak the Sephiroth fans out. Even me. Now, my apologies if it does freak you out, but it would be doubtful if Alissa could be a canon Sephiroth's love interest. I was hoping for prediction 2, but we'll sure better get some really good sleep with patience for future chapters to hope if either of the theories are true. This isn't to intend to freak those fans out on purpose. Just to explain which prediction could be true or not.

And that's it for tonight. Well, I hope you enjoy my theory, and this is my first time, so my apologies for the messy typo or not much ha ha ha!

Let's sit back and wait for future chapters to witness more of the story of Sephiroth, and Angeal as well! This could give me some ideas how my CC fanfic is going to go. Better get started (to myself) with it! I can do another discussion that relates to this if there's a new chapter coming. Plus, I'm getting better with catching up with Ever Crisis now! I do plan to do as much as possible so I can catch up to the stories! I was going to add more, but I might do another theory since I don't have time now. Plus, don't want it to make it too long anyway lol. I'll do more theory details later on!

And it's getting late so I hope you enjoy and have a good night! And now I need some sleep before turning into a zombie!

Have a wonderful day, my lovely rose petals!

RosePrincessArts, signing off! Good night!

Art ©RosePrincessArts (Used from Sketchbook app from iPad)

Final Fantasy VII, Ever Crisis, Crisis Core, The First Soldier and Characters belongs to Tetsuya Nomura and SQUARE ENIX