#this episode was sooo good

[romeowho]

FIZZ'S EYES ONLY

[ruporas]

and together we set out on a journey to find treasure! (id in alt)

[kindwhispers]

Ranma 1/2 Remake (2024) - Episode 4

[gunstellations]

In the world I love

_

In a different world

[jacodraws]

You’re so fucking crazy kid.

[woolying]

am i too late do people still like maid david

[turtleblogatlast]

Something I like about Leo is that he’s honestly really chill? It’s easy to remember the moments where he’s being obnoxious or excitable but I feel like most of the time he’s incredibly “go with the flow” and has an overall affable demeanor.

[raspberrywiskey]

blonde man jumpscare

[syrupbitee]

I LOVE THEM I LOVE THWM I LOVE THEM I LOVE THEM

[thecruel]

“Every job I do, I’m always trying to hone my craft and develop new skills to add to my arsenal. Every job I do is like an apprenticeship because I never went to drama school. I’m learning on my feet.” — Ewan Mitchell, The Face, December 2022

[hufflepotato-18]

i would watch a whole damn movie about kahhori

[laughhardrunfastbekindsblog]

It took 2 people to fully convince Crosshair to do a 180 on the Empire - but neither of those people were Bad Batch members.

They couldn't be. What would a squad of defective clones who had been disobeying orders since day 1 know about loyalty to an institution determined to establish order for the good of the galaxy? What would they know about finding purpose in being "good soldiers"?

Now, I DO think the seeds of Crosshair's eventual defection were planted by his brothers. Hunter pointing out that "Blind allegiance makes you a pawn" and then telling Crosshair "All you'll ever be to them is a number" are statements that are proven later to be true. But it takes Cody and Mayday to drive the lessons home.

Cody and Mayday share several characteristics that place them in unique positions to influence Crosshair:

Both are regs who accepted and befriended Crosshair - Cody says he specifically asked for Crosshair for the mission, and Mayday is upfront and friendly to Crosshair right from the start. (Contrast this to the other regs getting up to move tables when Crosshair sits to eat, or the other clone troopers who walk past Crosshair to get onto the shuttle without even sparing him a glance.)

Both are commanders. (I believe Crosshair ultimately respects authority for the most part: even when he was arguing with and challenging Hunter in "Aftermath," he still deferred to Hunter's orders until his inhibitor chip was intensified and he was then promoted to commander.)

Both are loyal soldiers who have served the Empire well - again, these regs are still commanders even under the new government. And we all know how important loyalty to the Empire is to Crosshair at this point.

Both save Crosshair's life during their missions.

In short, both are regs, but they are still soldiers Crosshair can quickly identify with and trust.

I think it's key that Crosshair encountered Cody before Mayday, though. And despite their similarities, both soldiers drive home different points.

CODY

Cody is one of the few regs we know Crosshair already respected - and still respects, given that Crosshair almost smiles when he recognizes him.

(Some proof in case it isn't apparent: Crosshair goes from frowny face...

...to relaxed almost-happy-if-you-squint-just-right face)

Anyway, while Cody does drop some hints early on that he has doubts about the Empire, he is willing to carry out the mission to rescue "Governor" Grotton, showing he will follow orders to a certain extent. However, he shows more restraint than Crosshair might have: he doesn't attack the civilians despite their obvious mistrust of the soldiers, he comes to an understanding with Tawni Ames, he's NOT willing to follow an order to execute her, and he is clearly dismayed and disappointed by her death.

And so, at the end of a "successful" mission, Cody more plainly reveals the depth of his dissatisfaction with following orders against one's own moral scruples:

Hunter had said "Blind allegiance makes you a pawn." And Cody, unwilling to blindly and unquestioningly be a pawn - or act like a battle droid - any longer, goes AWOL.

But that lesson alone isn't enough to make Crosshair turn on the Empire. Instead, he needs Mayday to give him the final push.

MAYDAY

First, Mayday indicates how appalled he is by the idea of anyone leaving their own behind - which we know is a sore spot for Crosshair. But most importantly, Mayday has demonstrated since he was first introduced that he strongly believes in soldiers being loyal to and looking out for each other (which is far different than just being loyal to the Empire).

Second, Mayday unknowingly challenges Crosshair's belief that serving the Empire provides meaningful purpose. (Remember that one of Crosshair's main arguments to his brothers about joining the Empire was so they could "find purpose again.")

Then, he unwittingly goes for the jugular and rips apart the motto Crosshair had adopted.

And then, in case Crosshair has any lingering doubts about the answer to Mayday's rhetorical question, Nolan decidedly answers the question for him.

Hunter had said "All you'll ever be to them is a number," and he is proven right in the most heartbreaking way.

Crosshair had accused his brothers of not being loyal to him; unfortunately, now he sees what true disloyalty looks like. And for Crosshair - severe and unyielding - realizing that he has misplaced his loyalty by giving it to an entity that mocks him and casts him AND those he cares about aside for doing so... this is the final straw.

Thankfully, Crosshair has now rediscovered the people who are worthy of his loyalty.

[kolomo]

the apothecary diaries | kusuriya no hitorigoto ⤷ 09. suicide or murder?

[hallowpen]

Alright babes... Anil is officially involved now.

While Anil tries to take culpability for Princess Patt having found out about Pin's relationship with her, it is significant to note that she never actually apologizes. Anil insistently continues to use bold action, despite how it may affect Pin herself. She sneaks into Pin's bedroom and very loudly declares herself in her speech in that final scene.

Anil assures Pin that she will 'find a way' for them to be together. Yet, even as a high ranking princess, that is not something she can guarantee. Even though Anil knows the societal realities, she believes that she still holds enough privilege to facilitate a fantasy... which is simply not the case.

There is something to be said for Anil and Pin reaffirming their love for one another in the middle of a storm, where they risk the chance of being seen by others. Very symbolically fitting.

I've been building up to this for a while... No matter the fact that Anil was the one to initially pursue a relationship with Pin, it was always going to be Pin who took the brunt of the responsibility...

It's as clear as day when Princess Patt says to Pin, "Stop blaming other people, Lady Pin. It is you who has done wrong." It is Pin who has done wrong, so it is Pin who must be punished. And so, like I've said previously, it is Pin who has the most to lose. Though it's still not ideal, Anil does have a semblance of more agency over her life... where Pin does not. And while Anil is hurt and upset over their future situation, it is Pin who has suffered the most.

Let's discuss THE SCENE™️

Bless Anan... he is trying his best. As much as he supports his sister, he can only do so much for her within the confines of royal customs.

I love that the series made a very clear delineation between what are seen as western traditions vs. what are actual Thai traditions. It's been hammered into us that in Thai 'courtships', where royalty and nobility are concerned, the woman has little to no say over who is to be her chosen suitor. And while not always an unpleasant custom, Pin has made it very clear that she has no inclination toward wanting to be with Kuea. But for Kuea and Princess Patt (and Princess Alisa), Pin's feelings do not matter. All that matters is status and honoring tradition. Or as Anil put it, that Pin is simply a product... that must wait for any suitable man to buy her.

And did we notice, that while everyone else was discussing Pin and Pin's feelings about her marriage, Pin sat in silence... literally devoid of any color. 😭😭😭

And even with Pin's quiet pleas to stay silent, Anil goes on to expose the nature of her feelings for Pin... which was tear-jerking and exceptionally delivered by Becky... but still incredibly reckless and somewhat naive. In selfishly wanting to "correct" the situation, she inadvertently made things much worse.

I'm not going to nitpick the translations here, because they were incredibly spot on... but I do want to point out the use of two words in Thai:

When Patt and Anil express the someone that is a 'perfect choice' or 'deserving' of Pin (for Patt that is Kuea, and for Anil it is herself) they use the word คู่ควร 'khu kuan'. It insinuates a pair that is 'worthy' of one another based in suitability.

In that same instance, when Anil claims she is the one who deserves to be with Pin, she uses the expression ย่อมเป็น (pronounced 'yawm pen') which implies a state of definite inevitability.

We did it! We survived the emotional rollercoaster that was episode twelve... barely 😭😭😭

Check out Part One, if you missed it.

[ziptie-bouquet]

Have you all noticed how Simon's outfit changes over the course of the show? He goes from his original outfit to his Ice King robes, to a worn suit with a blue tint, and then back to his normal Simon suit. I think this visually shows that Simon is slowly realizing he actually doesn't want to ever be Ice King again, even if he keeps saying that he has to. Considering it was his most fucked up version yet who gave him back his Simon outfit, it also probably symbolizes that he's remembering what's important in his life: finding Betty, not "fixing" Fionna and Cake's world. It was thinking about Betty that kept him relatively harmless in Adventure Time. The Winter King doesn't have that and is much more destructive than the Ice King ever was. I think this is especially explicit when he asks the Winter King about Betty and he replies he doesn't think about her anymore, and it's even more so when you consider this scene starts with Simon commenting on getting back his old suit.

[skatinginfinitelywithyourmom]

Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night (2024) | episode 1 "Jellyfish in the Night"