#there's of course a lot of exploration of clark's guilt and hope and disappointment and everything else about krypton

[futuretrain]

having kara zor-el thoughts today about her getting out of her ship, and she does not yet know what she is doing so years after she was supposed to. she is trying to focus not on what she's lost, but what she still has, and her first thought is "kal can't sleep without a lullaby, i need to find him and sing him to sleep, he must be so scared and alone" because she is scared, she is alone, she wants nothing more than for someone to sing her to sleep, but it will never happen again, and if she amounts to anything now that the future she was supposed to have is gone, she will do it for her little cousin, who will never even know krypton if not for her

but her cousin is not the little baby she used to babysit, he is a grown adult, older than kara is, and she wonders how the people who took care of him got him to sleep without knowing the kryptonian lullabies he was used to (how will she sleep now?), how quickly kal adapted to the lullabies of earth instead (did he forget the sound of his home entirely?), or who she would have to sing to sleep now that kal-el doesn't need her (who can she ever share with? will she forget, too?)

[easilydistractedbyfanfic]

The 100 Final Season Speculation Tag

Thank you for the tag, @bellarkes-hope​! This is fun to think about and I like reading everyone’s answers!

1. Which character are you most excited to learn the endgame of: I’m not sure if “excited” is the word - more like ANXIOUS! Ha! But, no surprise here - I’m most interested in Raven & Murphy’s endgame

2. Which character are you most excited to learn the backstory of: I definitely would love more backstory on Becca Franco, which would then lead to Cadogan & Second Dawn, all of which I’m interested in. But I also want to know what Diyoza’s been up to in the Anomaly. 

3. One character who deserves a new look: Diyoza! Let’s have her come out of the Anomaly (or when whoever goes IN) looking kind of fresh and fancy. Also, same for Indra, honestly! I love Indra’s awesome look but I would not be upset to see her updated for the last season. 

4. Two locations you want to revisit: Becca’s Lab for sure! I find everything there interesting and think there’s a lot more to explore. Also lets go back to Cadogan’s Office/The Office in the bunker - there’s some FASCINATING photos behind the desk and that seal on the wall that MIGHT be “Becca’s Crypt” still seems relevant...

5. Three brotps you hope get more screentime: I would like to see Octavia & Diyoza, Raven & Diyoza and probably Murphy & Jordan (although I was amused at Murphy & Gabriel’s interactions too)

6. Who will get the happiest ending: Oh man... this question haunts me. I don’t know if anyone is going to get to be “happy” but I really would like to see hopefulness at the end of the story. I could be satisfied if Raven & Murphy die as long as they actively choose to die together. Do I want that? Not really, but it would give them autonomy over something that happens to them and characters in this world rarely seem to get that. I would very much like for Raven to be happy but I’m not sure the writers know what that IS for her any longer. A new rando dude that she’s known for 12 days doesn’t feel like happily ever after to me, soooo....

7. Which minor or new characters you want to see more of: I don’t want new characters. Let me say that again. I DON’T WANT NEW CHARACTERS. Yes, I know we’re going to get some but I don’t want to focus on them AT ALL. Now that said - we’ve already got Russell & Diyoza and I think that the two of them going up against each other would be fantastic. Also, give me Becca always and jeez can we get some more Jordan?!

8. Who will eventually snap Jordan out of the funk we see him in, at the end of 6x13: Personally I would like this to be Murphy. I think it definitely needs to be a member(s) of Spacekru

9. Who will be the first to tell Bellamy he can’t immediately run into the Anomaly after Octavia: Well if it happens right away, then probably Echo, since that’s who he was with at the end of s6. But if they go back to Sanctum to report on what happened and how Octavia disappeared, then maybe it could be Clarke. 

10. To reference Monty’s ‘do better’ mantra: Raven would be a good choice, Echo too

11. To say 'go float yourself’: Would love this to be Jordan, LOL

12. Random object or prop you would bring back for Season 7 if you could: Ohhh... well I definitely think we’re going to see more of Becca’s Notebook, and I’m here for whatever esoteric info is in that sucker! Raven is on the case! But also - man man man I really wanna see the tattoos of this world come to MEAN SOMETHING! Lemme see more of Gaia’s Flamekeeper tattoo and how it connected to Titus and the seal in the Second Dawn bunker! Lemme see if the leaf jewel Simone wore in her hair is actually the reference to the Broadleaf clan in Grounder history that I want it to be. I want to know what all those tattoos on McCreary meant and how about Shaw too. I have THOUGHT about this stuff and I wanna know SO BAD! Also - I would NOT be mad to see the soccer ball make yet another appearance! 

13. Book One storyline/reference you want to see back for Season 7: Well it isn’t a broad storyline but I really loved the Raven part of the story where she accepted that Finn wasn’t right for her because he didn’t love her “the way I want to be loved” in 1x10. That was a tough conclusion for her to come to and I really appreciated that she was acknowledging her self worth at the same time she was choosing not to hate Finn or really even to blame him. But since then she’s had a lot of self doubt, hasn’t felt like she’s that worthy of being happy, and has struggled with her capabilities (ie guilt from not being able to get Spacekru off the Ring/being willing to die because of it). Feels like s6 brought so many of the s1 personalities back (yikes) so I’d love to see Raven get her confidence back and recognize that she’s more than worthy. Heck, this isn’t a bad storyline for all the characters, really. 

14. Dead character you would like mentioned: I’m always thrilled with a Sinclair reference, but really Harper and Monty should be mentioned along with the other delinquents who died too. Also it was rad to see Pike in s6 so heck add him in and while I’m at it lets talk about Luna and “it’s not your blood that defines you, it’s your heart”! Hello, that’s relevant with all our new nightbloods, isn’t it?!

15. How do you think Hope and Octavia know each other (from season 6): Definitely seems like Octavia helped raise Hope during her time in the Anomaly. Maybe when Octavia came back to Sanctum, could be that Hope was like 12 or something, so seeing Hope come out of the Anomaly as an adult made Octavia feel so emotional. The idea of Octavia & Diyoza as either co-parents or honestly with Diyoza as pseudo-mom to both of them pleases me. 

16. How do you think it all will end?: I’m struggling not to just post a photo of that dumpster on fire that’s going around about 2020, LOLOLOL. But I mean... I’ve been burned by other shows so I don’t have a lot of confidence here. I’m really hoping for both an ending that feels at least a bit hopeful but also is true to CHARACTER arcs through the series, not simply whatever the plot of s7 turns out to be. Call me Fox Mulder but I WANT TO BELIEVE - I want to believe that humanity isn’t just some plague across the universe. So... I���ll speculate that a group of survivors is either landing back on Earth or at least heading there at the end of the show. I think we need to fix what we break, and of course that means going back to our own planet. This would not be disappointing to me, so maybe the view of a renewed green Earth is the last shot we get, but instead of just being one or two people looking down, it’s everyone who has made it back. I dunno... FWIW I haven’t rewatched shows that have ended poorly, so I hope t100 doesn’t have me abandoning the world they created. 

(Don’t freak fellow Murven fans - I will never abandon THEM! And whatever ending we get, I’m sure I’ll have some stories in response to it!)

Tagging - literally ANYONE who wants to play! And feel free to tag me because I like reading these! @osleyakomwonkru @hopskipaway @ghostmontygreen @raveniisms @jarleene @beesreadbooks @mobi-on-a-mission @arkadiaschancellor @the100-theories @kinetic-elaboration @awesomenell65 @star-sky-earth @tracylorde @johnmurphysass @mamabearsdontthink

[alexsfictionaddiction]

Alex Recommends: August Books

Well, I’ve had a bit of a crazy month and frankly, I am now ready to sleep for a million years. I’ve had a lot of fun but it’s all involved a lot of travelling, which is exhausting even when you’re not doing the driving, so I can’t even imagine how tired Mark is.

We slept in a total of six different beds during the month of August. Of course, it was lovely being able to visit different places and see so many people that we love. We’ve had so much fun playing games, making animal friends, eating and drinking and having beach days but I can’t wait to cosy up again for autumn now. 

I did also get very close to landing an excellent job this month but just missed out on it in the final stage. Of course I was slightly disappointed but I had the most positive, encouraging feedback that I’ve been given in years, so I see that as a win on its own. It has also given me the energy to keep applying and validation that I am good at what I do.

I’ve also read some amazing books this month. I am very close to finishing this year’s Women’s Prize shortlist and two of my book recommendations this month are from it. I only have one more to read before the winner is announced next Wednesday, so I’ll do my best to squeeze that in. I hope you find something here to pique your interest and see you through the end of the summer. Until next month, stay safe and be happy!

-Love, Alex x

FICTION: How The One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones.

In Baxter’s Beach in Barbados, the folktale of the one-armed sister serves as a warning to every young woman about what happens when they disobey their elders. Lala and her husband Adan suffer the most horrific tragedy and Lala finds herself torn between her petty criminal husband and her first love. A burglary ends in murder and ex-pat Mira Whalen is consumed by guilt. As worlds collide, the inhabitants of this beautiful paradise are united by fear, grief and a longing to escape. This is such a powerful, transporting novel with a lot of heavy content. It includes rape, incest, violence and murder and it’s exceptionally bleak and heartbreaking. Written in a such an atmospheric manner, How The One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House is an uncompromising story that will stay with you.

FANTASY: Piranesi by Susanna Clarke.

Piranesi may have always lived in the House. He knows the endless Halls and Vestibules bedecked with stunning statues very well and keeps meticulous records of everything that happens there. Piranesi is alone most of the time but twice a week, he meets The Other, who also lives in the House. The Other is on a mission to find the Great Knowledge and he’s sure it’s somewhere in the House. But then, evidence that there is someone else in the House begins to appear and suddenly Piranesi’s World starts to feel very strange and scary. This book has had so much praise ever since it came out and I can’t believe it took me this long to get to it. The setting of the House is quite possibly the most beautiful, breath-taking place that I’ve ever been to and Clarke does an amazing job at thoroughly sucking the reader into it. The story itself is so wonderfully unique and weird. It went in a direction that I had no idea it was going to take and my mind was literally blown as the truth of what the House really was began to unravel. I was constantly thinking about the story when I was away from the book and I already can’t wait to re-read it. That’s exactly what a perfect five-star read does and I’m delighted that Piranesi is now in my mind.

MIDDLE-GRADE: How To Survive Without Grown-Ups by Larry Hayes and Katie Abey.

In 2053, Eliza and Johnnie’s parents have been given the Chance of a Lifetime and taken a one-way trip to Mars. However, Eliza can’t shake the feeling that something is a bit off about this situation. So, they stage an astronomically epic rescue mission to get their parents back. Decorated with funny, quirky illustrations and some loveable characters, this crazy ride explores the special bond between siblings. There is also commentary on climate change and the fact that it’s still a life-threatening issue in the 2050s. I really enjoyed meeting an array of odd creatures and seeing some nifty technological solutions in action too. A heartwarming, eccentric adventure for young readers everywhere!

YA: Splinters Of Sunshine by Patrice Lawrence.

Spey’s dad has been in prison for most of Spey’s life, so imagine Spey’s surprise when his dad turns up unannounced on Christmas Day. Then an envelope containing a collage of flowers turns up for him too and a memory is sparked. Spey made this collage with Dee, an old friend who he hasn’t seen for years but who he suspects may be in trouble. But no one knows where Dee is and it seems that only his dad can help him. This thought-provoking novel exposes the dark world of county lines and drug trafficking through a beautiful friendship story. Although it covers some serious topics, it is also very hopeful and heartwarming. I wanted nothing but a happy ending for both Spey and Dee and there were times I was worried it wasn’t going to happen. An important, moving and gripping read.

THRILLER: The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz.

Jake Finch Bonner used to be a successful novelist but now he’s teaching an MFA in Creative Writing and struggling to figure out his next book. Evan Parker is a student who is pretty sure that an MFA can’t possibly teach him anything because his novel idea is destined for success. Unfortunately, Jake agrees that he may well be on to something. A few years later, Evan’s novel still hasn’t emerged and it turns out that he died shortly after the course. Still fumbling around for a good idea, Jake sees an opportunity. It would be a horrific shame if the world never got to read Evan’s brilliant idea, so Jake takes it upon himself to write the book that his ex-student never did and of course, it’s the huge success they knew it would be. But someone knows that this idea wasn’t Jake’s and they’re coming for him. The Plot is a very clever, well-written novel with several complex characters who are fun to juggle. Once it gets into its stride, it’s incredibly tense and I certainly didn’t see the final twist coming. A unique, creative thriller with a very interesting premise.

[kinetic-elaboration]

March 18: Thoughts on 4x06 We Will Rise

FINALLY watched 4x06 wow I am lame at keeping up with my own fandom lol.

It was..kind of a disappointment personally. I’m sorry. I feel bad saying that. I don’t say that to bring anyone who might come across this post down. I’m not trying to be a killjoy. I’m just...left feeling very dissatisfied.

Basically my feeling is that this season has a very weird structure that seems to be based on a one step forward two steps back model. Each attempt to move forward is made allegedly dramatic through some sort of supposedly tense scenario, literally none of which has actually felt tense to me, but rather, wholly predictable from the very start. I knew that the Farm Station trip would end with destroying the generator, that the trip to the fallout shelter would not be successful, that Riley wouldn’t shoot, and that not all of the magic fuel would get to Raven from the very beginning of each respective episode, so there’s nothing really to keep me on the edge of my seat. And though at first I could sort of forgive these things--mostly because I felt like delaying obvious solutions in the early episodes would give more tension and urgency to later episodes--at this point...we’re at the later episodes, and still almost nothing has actually been accomplished. Almost nothing has actually /happened/.

I’m not saying it can’t all come together. Obviously some things are slowly crawling along, and of course there’s the possibility that old dead ends will resurrect--I noticed Jaha staring at that little medallion in this ep, for example. But...not to bring up how terrible S3 was again but with this show, at this point, I need to see it to believe it because the entire time S3 was airing, I was holding out hope that it would all come together and it never did. Once creators squander my faith in their storytelling ability like that, they need to produce at least an entire coherent season to bring it back, so it’s still too soon for me to say ‘I’m sure they’ll pull it all together eventually.’ If S4 pulls it all together and then next year S5 has some bumpy points I’ll be more forgiving. Maybe.

Also, the concept of going back to space, either in the long term like the spoiler-based speculation suggests, or even just in the short term like the current canon is suggesting, just...I cannot take it seriously. I’m sorry, but I just...every time I hear ‘Raven and my mom are going into space’ or ‘you could land your space ship in the ocean’ or anything in that vein I just...it’s like they’re saying “our plan is to ride a pegicorn across the rainbow to New Jersey to get the magic potion from Raul.” Like that’s how ridiculous it sounds. It takes me totally out of the story and literally all I can think is “this is some dumb shit.” Maybe it’s unfair that I’m willing to suspend disbelief when it comes to the various ways the Sky People came down from space, or the way the Mountain cured radiation with blood and bone marrow all willy-nilly, or even with the general idea of a VR even if the execution was bad, but I’m not willing to go along with this. I can’t explain why this is the line but for me, it is.

In terms of the individual story lines...

I have a lot of super duper unpopular opinions about the Arkadia/Ilian stuff, which I’m nervous to put out here even in this little deserted corner of tumblr. Basically...I agree that Kane can’t let mob rule go unchecked in Arkadia, like that would pose a general danger way worse than the danger to any one individual’s life. And I also get that, even though I don’t personally care about Octavia (I just find her irritating when she’s on screen and forgettable when she’s not), she had to have some sort of moment like the almost-execution one here to help her get past her rage. But generally speaking I was rather on the side of the mob. Not in their capacity as a mob but in the sense that I think Arkadia as an independent community would be totally in the right to execute Ilian if it wanted to. He came in and destroyed their home, and while he might not have done it with the full understanding of the consequences of his actions...he still did it and he did it on purpose. He could easily have killed people and it’s just dumb luck he didn’t. And even if this wasn’t an end of the world scenario he still took out their electricity, their water, and half their living space so like that’s some for-serious damage. Papa Miller was right: they’ve killed for less on the Ark and you know who else kills for less? Um, the Grounders. Literally everyone kills for less so why does the mob get so little sympathy in this narrative? Don’t get me wrong IRL I’m deeply anti-capital punishment but playing by the rules of this fictional world yeah, kill him, that’s what you get when you commit crimes on that scale. (Also ILY Monty but the Murphy comparison was only half-right because while it was a good example of a Mob being Dangerous...Murphy was innocent and must I point out yet again that Ilian was not??)

Oh also how fucking dumb are the Arkadians? Kane screams black rain and they all run inside AND IT’S NOT EVEN RAINING I mean what fucking dumbasses.

The Bellarke and Roan mission was in general pretty boring because as I said, I knew they weren’t going to get all of the magic fuel to Raven because duh that’s the exact same formula ever single episode this season has followed I mean you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to have seen that one coming based on, like, the trailer from two weeks ago. BORING.

But I will say: the scene where Clarke stops the cargo truck within like an inch of the Rover was cool (the rest was a little overdone imo I mean Roan slow-mo jumping onto the cargo bed wtf was that necessary?). And I loved their almost-love confession. Because we all know that’s what that was. 

I will say though... it’s a little frustrating to me that the relationships on this show broadly speaking get like 5 minutes total in every episode and the other 37 minutes are spent on these scenes that are allegedly plot based but actually, as I said above, do literally nothing to advance the plot. I mean... I get it I’m not watching a soap opera but my point is...maybe it would be better if I were? I feel like we get a little scene here and a little scene there to explore how people feel about each other in the broad sense and those scenes are nice but like...imo they are by far the strongest scenes and they’re no more than scraps. I want more of Kane hugging Clarke and Monty being concerned about Jasper and Jaha interacting with anyone and Luna and Murphy talking morality and guilt and ALL OF THAT. And less fucking fight scenes and death scenes and car chases and arrow throwing and gun fighting like when you’ve seen one of those scenes you’ve seen literally a million. It’s the relationships between people that are complex and interesting and multi-faceted and that are always changing and evolving. I said this in early S3 and I’m going to say it again now: The 100 is afraid of talking about feelings. They like Big Plot, they like war scenes and rescue missions and the end of the world shit because that allows them to push off feelings for another day. If the warrior doesn’t mourn until the war is done, and the war is never done, the warrior never really needs to mourn. Because feelings are so much harder to unwrap than fight scenes are to choreograph.

I liked the Raven/Murphy/Luna scenes the best but I can’t even be fully upbeat about this because (as my mom said but I 100% agree) that clean shiny white lab set is pretty and all but it just doesn’t work with the aesthetic of the rest of the show, it just feels WEIRD; and because, as I said above, the space/pegicorn story line is grade A nonsense; and because I still find it off putting how we know there are 6 people in the lab but we only ever see like 3 at a time, it’s so fake. That being said I still love Raven, she can do no wrong, and I also like Murphy interacting with people who aren’t his clone Emori.