#this episodes literally has allllll of my favorite things

[bloodydeanwinchester]

random shots of dean’s tongue - 26/ ∞

11x04 || baby

[coyotejone-s]

i will always respect and even encourage ford criticism, seeing as he's my favorite character and also he sucks, but respectfully i'm throwing you into a lake.

ford is a jerk? yes! ford is more selfish than stan? arguably yes! never really proves that he loves the kids? huh???

let's go over some facts.

gravity falls is a surprisingly subtext-heavy show. you are not exempt from the subtext.

stan has TWO ENTIRE SEASONS to prove he loves the kids. ford has LESS THAN HALF OF ONE.

he JUST got back to this dimension AND learned that he has a niece and nephew in the first place.

in that vein, he has SOOOOO much more to worry about. the fate of the damn world is at stake and as far as he knows, he's the only one who can prevent the apocalypse.

even with ALLLLLL this on his shoulders. he STILL includes the kids in this. should he? probably not, but he's not a parent. he's an uncle.

he tears himself away from dismantling the portal SPECIFICALLY to play fucking d&d with dipper. he trusts mabel with the unicorn mission and thinks that, if ANYONE'S pure of heart, it's her. plus, not to bring in the supplemental material, but HE'S the one who knows dipper's real name, and also he and stan literally fight over who's the better uncle in one of the comics LMAO

i was talking about this in a discord server, and i think this sums it up pretty fucking well:

"like considering him having grown up in the 60s(?) w a kinda shit dad and then being isolated in the woods for a while and then stranded across dimensions for another 30 years with like Net Zero Friends the whole time probably i think I’d say he’s pretty kind to the kids. yeah i think it would’ve been helpful to include mabel and stan in on the Keep The Rift Safe thing but hey. he was working through some Learning To Trust His Family stuff HDHDJSJ"

plus, stan has his shit moments too. he put waddles outside when mabel practically begged him not to and entrusted him with her little guy. that's an entire episode! he pits the kids against each other over a room. the entirety of "roadside attraction" is stan knowingly giving dipper shifty dating advice and then facing the consequences for following it himself.

the big difference is that stan's shit moments are laid out, again, over two whole seasons. ford's are crunched into a very small timeline.

again. ford IS selfish. he IS a jerk. you're fully allowed to not have him in your top 5, or not like him at all! but he also objectively DOES love his family, and even if we didn't get to see it much, we did STILL get to see it. it's not always overt and obvious like with stan or soos, but it's still clear enough to be undeniable, and it's incredibly unfair to his character to say he "didn't prove it."

[laslow]

deep dive character sheet

stolen from: ree + all of toa! tagging: the lovely lass reading this, of course!

NAME: Laslow

BODY

height: 170.18 cm / 5'7

strength ★★★☆☆ (he's lean instead of built yfm)

dexterity ★★★★★ (a dancer after all!!)

health ★★★☆☆ (i like to think he's more susceptible to things like allergies/colds bc of growing up in a literal wasteland rip)

energy ★★★★☆ (fluctuates depending on circumstances like if he's gotten enough sleep/if he's sick)

beauty ★★★★★ (i mean look at him bro roguish good looks isn't just a line and no i'm not biased on this at allllll)

style ★★★☆☆ (he tries!)

hygiene ★★★★★ 

SKILLS

perception ★★★★☆ (he's not half as stupid as he appears, especially when the situation calls for it. he knows when to shut up and be serious.)

communication ★★★★☆ (heart on his sleeve and all that)

persuasion ★★☆☆☆ (technically two and a half stars bc while he can't get beyond a first date, he does get one and he can generally coax a smile out of those he's close to)

mediation ★★★☆☆ (he tries he really really does but sometimes the nonchalant attitude has the opposite effect)

literacy ★★★☆☆ (def not a regular at the library but he'll occasionally stop by. also, he does enjoy reading about both famous dancers + swordmasters)

creativity ★★★★★

cooking ★☆☆☆☆ (dirt soup a la inigo, anyone?)

tech savvy ★★☆☆☆ (he can learn but it's a huge learning curve)

combat ★★★★☆ (explained this before once but basically: incredibly talented swordsman made even more so after his arrival in Fatesland. The magic wore off once he left but his base talent remained.)

survival ★★★☆☆

stealth ★★★☆☆ (moves lightly on his feet in general but can be stealthy when needed)

street smarts ★★★★☆ (he's managed to keep his pretty face intact so far!)

seduction ★★★☆☆ (HE SUCCEEDS OCCASIONALLY [thank u for the quote Sain] plus Laslow does get a paired ending)

luck ★★★★☆ (now I'm no stat expert but his base luck at the start of Fates is 14 and can grow up to 60%. Plus, he relies on a healthy amount of luck to get him out of dates gone awry.)

handling animals ★★★☆☆ (dogs are his favorite animal of all time ever)

pacifying children ★★★★★ (my personal hc is that inigo/laslow always wanted a little sibling so he therefore has a soft spot for kids and is a pro at making them giggle)

MIND

intelligence ★★★☆☆ (again, not as stupid as he has everyone believe and his emotional intelligence grows the older he gets)

happiness ★★★☆☆ (docking off one star because he does canonically fall into depressive episodes when he gets rejected + there's the whole childhood trauma thing oops)

spirituality ★★☆☆☆ (he believes in Lady Fate more than Naga or even Nohr's Dusk Dragon; having met both of them, he's not the biggest fan of either tbqh)

confidence ★★★★★ (full 5 stars for what he projects but like a three for how he actually feels)

humor ★★★★★ (does not matter if they are laughing at him or with him--point is they are laughing)

anxiety ★★★☆☆(gets better as he's older but it never fully goes away)

patience ★★★☆☆

passion ★★★★★ (one of his crit lines is literally "i'm a man of passion!")

nice         ☆★☆☆☆ mean (only truly sarcastic to owain. sorry pal. fully capable of being a snide little jerk but that's VERY rare)

brave       ☆★☆☆☆ cowardly (has to fight against his fear quite a lot but he will always say he's brave first and foremost)

pacifist   ☆☆☆★☆ violent (i have mANY thoughts about this but shall leave this here for now)

thoughtful ☆☆★☆☆ impulsive (finds a good middle ground at the ripe old age of 22)

agreeable ☆☆★☆☆ contrary (depends on the situation really!)

idealistic   ★☆☆☆☆ pragmatic (head full of rainbows and sunshine etc etc)

frugal        ☆☆☆☆★ big spender (lazzy needs money saving courses fr)

extrovert   ☆☆★☆☆ introvert (i say ambivert solely because he does require time to recharge. [read: sneaking off to go dance])

collected   ☆☆☆★☆ wild (i lean more towards wild because he does like going to a tavern/enjoying a good party but he's not boisterous by any means)

ambitious / possessive / stubborn / jealous / decisive / perfectionist

SOCIAL

charisma ★★★★★ (he wormed his way into his friends [and eventual beloved's] heart SOMEHOW)

empathy ★★★★☆ (another one of those things that grows with age)

generosity ★★★★☆ (when it really comes down to it, if you needed the shirt off his back, he'd hand it over)

wealth ★☆☆☆☆ (if he'd stop buying tea and flowers and trinkets and sweets all the time--)

honest  ☆☆★☆☆ deceptive (he had to be deceptive during his days in Nohr though he leans towards honesty)

leader   ☆☆☆★☆ follower (followed lucina's orders without question and became a retainer in Nohr. Now, how well he listens to some orders....)

polite    ☆☆★☆☆  rude (errs towards manners but he's fairly casual in how he refers to others due to how he grew up)

political ☆☆☆★☆ indifferent (he has a pretty good sense of right and wrong and isn't afraid to stand up to those who are wrong. doesn't matter his own political beliefs [and politicking in general gives him a headache.])

BELIEFS

higher power ★★☆☆☆ (same as spirituality above!)

fate/destiny ★★★★★ (Lady Fate this, Lady Fate that, listened to ex-girlfriend constantly saying "I challenge my fate!" So Fate is something he believes in wholeheartedly, as well as it being something you can change.)

magic ★★★★★ (he has no talent for it but he works alongside it constantly)

soulmates ★★★★★ (yeah.)

good and evil ★★★★☆ (i'd say without a doubt but he does have a conversation with Owain about the merits of killing others without stopping to think about it once in awhile.)

luck ★★★★☆ (again, see above)

PRIORITIES

family ★★★★★ (either blood related or found, he knows he would not survive one day without them)

friends ★★★★★ (again, he'd never survive a day without them)

love ★★★★★ (his entire reason for living)

home ★★★☆☆ (he broke time to fight for some version of his home to exist; he has accepted the home he knew no longer exists)

health ★★★☆☆ (takes care of himself best he can! will run into the rain/snow without enough warm clothing if given the chance. idiot.)

praise ★★★★★ (the validation eases his anxiety)

justice ★★★★☆ (docking off one star because he was a mercenary upon going back in time to a non-apocalyptic Ylisse. Having money for food meant more than always being just though he did have lines he would not cross.)

truth ★★★☆☆ (again, will lie for necessity or intentionally be vague but prefers the truth)

power ★☆☆☆☆ (physically he likes being strong but in terms of holding power he holds no desire)

fame ★★★☆☆ ("I won't rest until every woman in the realm swoons upon hearing my name!" [i'm paraphrasing there but. again. idiot.])

wealth ★★☆☆☆ (he's used to not owning much at ALL though he would absolutely want to provide for his family.)

others' opinions ★★☆☆☆ (his friends have no qualms telling him exactly how himself he is and he's fairly self aware but really he wants to make others happy and if his antics provide that, then so be it.)

[thxngam]

Any recent ww fics youve liked?

oh you betcha! be prepared to see like the contents of the first five pages of the TWW AO3 page bc i have absolutely no Self Control with these

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30689858: handle with care by berkingbad: you do need an account for this fic. TW: main character death though you never see the character. set in some sad, heartbreaking AU where leo dies during the bartlet admin not on election day in season 7. all the same, very very sad, and a lovely closeup on donna and josh’s relationship during that hypothetical time.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30661691: Coruscate w/ no author--an AU with grey’s anatomy vibes with josh as a resident (i think?) and paramedic!sam. literally josh being in love with his coworker sam and panicking and donna mocking him and it ends so sweet i thought my heart was melting. (have you noticed i’m dramatic?)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30651005: The Cooperative by @torn--and--frayed​: WHY DID WE NEVER GET JOSH AND DONNA BEING DOMESTIC IN CANON THAT WASNT RELATED TO DONNA MAKING JOSH BE A MATURE ADULT (though he did need it!) i’m sorry that was aggressive. josh and donna move in together. v v cute.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30767861: negative space by bornfalling: BREAK. MY. HEART. donna forgets the past couple years post-gaza and with that goes josh and donna’s intimacy and stuff, thereby ending that ridiculous flirting/camderie/intimacy thing that j/d had going on. josh’s pov of his loss, but not technical loss. 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29115855: Let Me Teach You What Real Love Looks Like by IveDoneMyWaitng: this fic has made me cry and it literally has 2 chapters. lots of sam schmoop that’s definitely not really canon but also not not canon so here ya go

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30062217: Regulatory Infractions by @hufflepuffhermione​: bc we ALL wanted to know the Rules that Donna mentions in the Midterms episode. So so so good!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30825962: Enjambment w/ no author: Literally bc i love the last paragraph. Do I know anything about Veep? No. Do I like the last scene and also the lovely overview of Josh during the Santos admin, even though interspersed with characters I’ve never heard of? Yes.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30792935: and i knew you w/ no author: BECAUSE GUESS WHAT if sam stayed through the end and had to go through leo’s heart attack, amy gardner, bartlet’s MS attack on the way to China, his mentor/boss/subject of heart eyes (’who's you favorite writer?’/’toby’) betraying the country (to which he has very obvs strong feelings, we’ve all see SGTE, SGTJ), leo dying, and then being away from josh/seeing him get more and more stressed on the campaign trail he would be very VERY emotional

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30792647: Committee Amendments by @torn--and--frayed​: bc we allllll wanted to see Donna be COS to FLOTUS and be the boss that she was born to be. also v cute look at j/d’s relationship

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30785072: You’re One of the Good Ones, Sam Seaborn by Tyrols: A comedy of errors! sam/donna but not really sam/donna

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30478647: touch my soul from the outside by cassieholliday--soulmate au but rosslyn with donna and josh. absolutely stunning. really pretty writing.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30475245: feelings im not used to feeling ‘cause, oh, they make me feel alive by annemeredithperkins: by one of the greats in the josh/donna world. Bi donna and ainsley hooking up while their respective stupid love interests are stupid. (yknow while i mention it here, will someone pretty please ask for rare pairs?) 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30420837: Toby Ziegler’s Exploration of What He Can Do With Words, Besides Winning an Election by @joshtoby: GUESS WHAT HAVE SOME SEXY TIMES (read the notes bc they make me laugh. you’re a linguistic genius sitch, not unlike our grumpy speechwriter)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30352230: before the die hits the table by sadness_out_of_context: guess what? i liked elsie before she disappeared to mandyville. i wish she stayed. have some wholesome lesbian!elsie snuffin (though that’s not heavily touched on) razzing her exasperated brother William bailey (szn 4 will is the only will with rights)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30342732: On a Technicality by KindaTea: HAVE SOME MORE SEXY TIMES

yall know how i mentioned 3 pages at the beginning? guess what? i lied. this is the past 5 pgs of TWW’s AO3 page. i didn’t include some fics (Pieces Form the Whole, The Denial Twist by @jessbakescakes, You, Me, and This Town by @jessbakescakes come to mind) but also they weren’t posted recently, they were just updated recently (i think) so they’re not on the list. that doesn’t mean i don’t regularly reread them and u should too!

have a good day lovelies, and pls leave comments and kudoses (is that the plural form? imma guess no) at all of these fics and any other fic u read! it can even be a plain ol keyboard smash or a <3 if you don’t have it in you to leave something long but u wanna express how much u liked something or just cause ur not very verbose. authors like that anyway!

[kyunsies]

My day was ok,, it was p chill cause it's the last "proper" day of school :')) the last 2 days are like extra help days, normally you just do attendance and log off cause everything is online. and yes I was able to nap! (multiple times haha) was a very good but I got my period today and woke up w some cramps :/ it's fine though I have a heating pad and used that to ease the pain. I'm gonna take it easy tonight!!

and yes the mx content we got today (+ this week lol) was v good!! loved watching clips of the boys doing karaoke,, kyun singing ;—;; he's gained a lot of confidence in that area :')) and I saw your gifset!! I love your colouring and sharpening style,,, they're v clean!! always wish I had more time to gif, I have a long list of ideas from older videos and I hope to make my way thru it :))) - 🌱

ooo i’m glad u had a chill day hun 🥺💖 again i’m so proud of you !!!! AND YES a nap really does wonders (although i never take naps ……… i can’t 😭) ; also i’m sorry to hear u got your period angel :( my first day is always a nightmare ask anyone here KDNJFF but i hope the heating pad was able to be of some relief :(

GOSH i can’t believe it was their last episode today :((((( i really did enjoy watching all of them, my favorite is just them doing karaoke it’s so funny !!! and i say this all the time i love listening to everyone sing but u can really tell kihyun probably just sings to himself around the dorms allllll day he just loves to sing and i love listening to him sing literally anything 🥺🥺 and yeah !!! changkyun’s voice is so nice tho …. it’s definitely not perfect but that’s what i love about it 💘💕💗💓💞💖 makes me proud to see how far he has come :( i love him :(

also THANK U for liking my gifs hun u have no idea how much that means to me <3 my 3x3 gif sets take me so long to do so I always hope ppl like them bc i really do take just about half of my evening after work making them 🥺 also I DIDNT KNOW U GIFFED OMG ????????????? that’s awesome !!! i hope u are able to catch up and make some cool things angel 🥰

[sanders-specs]

Patton’s Playlist Analysis

A/N: I’m back again with Patton’s playlist analysis!

So this is definitely my favorite playlist. I know at this point both Logan’s and Virgil’s have come out, and i still just like Patton's the best, and honestly i think this analysis reflects that. It’s also very long, so I apologize for that. And again, disclaimer: This is entirely my own opinions. I’m not trying to speak for Thomas or Joan or anyone else who helped put together the playlist. it’s okay if you don’t agree with me! In fact, I’d like to hear your thoughts if you don’t!! 

It does go song by song, like with Roman’s, so you can divide it up if you want. but for those who don’t want to/can’t read an analysis of 20 songs, I’ll put the summary above the cut and those who want to dive deeper can enjoy. 

Let me know if you want to see Logan’s! 

Roman’s Analysis 

Analysis summary/conclusion(?): 

Patton is a bright, bubbly optimist. he sees the best in everyone and in the entire world. He believes in kindness and love and wants to make the world a better place with it. 

But he also wants to be loved and feel loved. By the other sides, by Thomas’s friends and family, romantically. He craves that affection and attention almost as much as Roman does. He wants so badly to help (like with Virgil), but he feels like he doesn’t quite do enough. 

Still, though, he’s determined to spread that love and kindness, even if he doesn’t get much in return for it. 

Like with Roman’s we’re going to start with the first song sooo here we go!

Camp Fire Song Song.

None of us should be surprised and honestly, I had forgotten Patton’s answer to the favorite song question in the Q&A video until I hit play on the playlist.

There’s not too much to analyze here. It’s a really short song with only a few lyrics (if also iconic).

Honestly, though, listening to it for analyzing purposes, it reminded me of Learning New Things, when Patton and the others were trying to get Logan to sing along with them and join in on the bit. Also, in the Christmas episode when Patton and Roman are trying to get Virgil to sing his line with them. Squidward being a good representation of both of them in the moment in their respective videos.

After all, Spongebob and Patrick were just trying to have a little fun, and they wanted Squidward to join in, even if it was obvious that he didn’t want to. Still, though, Spongebob wasn’t deterred by his silence. He just kept going and having fun.

Patton’s a bit of the same way. Even though he wants the others to join him in his ideas of fun, they don’t always do. Still, though, Patton keeps trying and smiling through it all and having his own fun. Making puppet puns, doing impressions, mixing up the way he was singing his part in the twelve days of Christmas. he has his own fun, even when the others don’t really participate but you know…

It’ll help if you just sing along

Turnaround is so cute. I haven’t watched The Little Prince, but if the whole soundtrack is as good as this song then I just might.

This song, like many on Patton’s playlist, is about living life and enjoying the good things. Everything from the lyrics to the happy-go-lucky music to the scat singing just has a tone of optimism and happiness.

Straight (Straight), how can you be so straight? (Straight) Life is everything but straight (Straight) It's going up and down

Life has its ups and downs, so you shouldn’t be so focused on one path or one plan. Not everything is going to go right, sure, but there are so many things that will. Focusing too much on making things go the way you want them to will prevent you from learning and living life how it’s supposed to be lived.

Far (Far) Happiness isn't far (Far) Not far from where you are (Are)

A lot of people live like their looking for happiness, when in reality if they stopped looking, they’d find they would be much happier.

Now, of course I can’t speak for everyone or their situations. In this particular instance, I’m talking about the people who go through life thinking “as long as I do/have/accomplish this then I’ll be happy” when they already have so much or have people around them that could give them the happiness that they want so badly.  

It goes well with the Growing Up video. What Patton was trying to tell the others all along, and what the ultimate conclusion of the video was. Happiness isn’t far.

Watching your life go by (By, by by) Now, why don't you sing out loud? The tune you keep inside?

Really most of this song is saying to enjoy the now. Who you are, what you like, the person that you are. Not to hide yourself.

Shy (Shy) How can you be so shy? (Shy) Hiding below the stars (Stars) Under your neon light (Light) Hi (Hi) Don't say hello, say hi (Hi) Hi to a higher sky (Sky) Hi to a higher ground Loud, why don't you sing out loud? The words you keep inside?

Listening to this verse in the context of Patton is super interesting to me. We all know those people who are all “Just be happy! You’re alive, the sun is out, what else could you need?” While I don’t really think Patton is too in that category, he’s up there. He loves rainbows and sunshine and everything about life (see: his verse in Recipe for Me). He’s excited-able and very Maira-running-through-the-hills-singing-about-how-the-hills-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-music.

All that being said, comparing this to, say Virgil, who is arguably the polar opposite is interesting. Patton being the way he is, really doesn’t understand being shy or social anxious. Of course he would want you to sing out loud! Why would you want to hold that in when you can just let it all out and have fun with it? He’s much more likely to give a stranger a hug than he is to duck his head and look the other way.

But he doesn’t want you to just suddenly change. He wants to help! The very first lyric of the song says just that.

Turn around, I’m right behind you

He’s there, he’s with you, he’s going to help you break out of your shell and be free. He wants you to turn your views of life around to be as happy as you can be.

 All of the songs on this playlist are super chill and it’s really nice. Jim Croce has such a nice voice which makes I Got a Name just really nice to listen to. Also, the music itself is amazing (I’m huge on aesthetically pleasing things, especially in songs so I have to gush. There will be a lot of that in this one).

This one goes along with Turnaround a bit in the sense that it’s about living. Moving through life like you move easily (in…some places) down a highway.

Like the pine trees lining the winding road I got a name, I got a name Like the singing bird and the croaking toad I got a name, I got a name

Everything in the world has a name, a title, something that we call it by. If it doesn’t, we give them one. It’s part of just being alive on this earth, having a name. In so many cultures, names are some of the most important things. They mean things, for some, they define who they are. Honestly, look into why we have middle names, or all the different titles the Greeks have for love, or why Queen Elizabeth had to full on change her name when she became queen.

Maybe I’m just song analyzing at this point instead of putting it to Patton Context or heck, maybe I’m just taking the lyrics too literally. But, I mean, he is the side who cares the most about….everything. Thomas is an incredibly caring person and all of that is Patton. He’s the one who would have names for every single toy he has, because names are important, everyone has to have a name! it’s something he would care about.

Movin' me down the highway, rollin' me down the highway Movin' ahead so life won't pass me by

I find this…ironic. I don’t know if it’s meant to be, honestly. But when you’re on the highway you are…literally rolling past life. The trees, the birds, other people. You are literally passing by entire towns and neighborhoods.

I dunno, I just find irony in this, intentionally or not. I know it means trying to get ahead of life so you can properly live it or something, but…you’re still missing it.

Huh. Maybe that is what it means.

Like the north wind whistlin' down the sky I got a song, I got a song Like the whippoorwill and the baby's cry I got a song, I got a song And I carry it with me and I sing it loud If it gets me nowhere, I'll go there proud

I love the comparisons here, because it’s not talking about an actual song, but the sounds of life. The wind, a baby’s cry, a whirlpool. There’s quote that I love be Cecily Morgan (at least according to Google), “Music is life and that’s why our hearts have beats.” We all have a song inside of us, the way our hearts beats (don’t science me, that’s for Logan’s Playlist). The phrase “follow your heart” is what I’m pretty sure this verse is referencing. Even if you follow your heart and it leads you nowhere, at least you can be proud that you got there, which not many people can say.

Patton is a huge part of Thomas. I’m not saying the others aren’t, because they are, but he holds his morals very highly. Patton’s input in anything, especially the big life decisions, is one of the most important next to maybe Logan. He knows what Thomas wants maybe even more than Roman. Sure, Roman holds Thomas’s hopes and dreams, but Patton gives him the motivation to go after them, to act on them.

Thomas’s choice to pursue Vine and then YouTube could have lead him nowhere. It really could’ve. But he followed the song of his heart and got there.

That’s allllll Patton.

Like the fool I am and I'll always be I got a dream, I got a dream

There’s some self-awareness here with the fool line. Patton’s not an idiot. He knows the others don’t think much of him. He’s the perfect definition of someone who may not be book smart, and therefore everyone else thinks he’s stupid. When in reality, he’s just not very good with words, so he expresses things the best way he knows how. This song is a really good example, because of all the nature comparisons in it. It doesn’t get too literal until this verse

They can change their minds but they can't change me I got a dream, I got a dream Oh, I know I could share it if you'd want me to If you're goin' my way, I'll go with you

Thomas has big dreams. We’ve all seen Roman, we know that. But like I said before, Patton is the one who can really get Thomas to go for those dreams. Like in Learning New Things, when Thomas was feeling self conscious because of one comment an old friend made, and Patton led the conversation that helped him to understand that there was nothing wrong with Thomas or his dreams, there was nothing wrong with feeling sad about the comment. How, in the end, it takes a lot to figure ourselves out and that without his YouTube career, he wouldn’t be where he is now.

So, yeah, others can change what they think about him, his career, and his dreams, but that’s not going to change what he does or the fact that he loves it. In fact, he’s willing to share that dream with others, and to help them on theirs, as he has done. Look at his team (or, I suppose, what we know of of Character Thomas’s team). It’s full of his friends and it seems like whenever they bring someone on, they’re welcomed with open arms. Now, I’m only talking from a fan’s perspective here. That’s just how it looks to me. He’ll help others achieve their dreams as much as they’ll help him achieve his.

 So from what I’ve seen around, people really like Oranges. Or, well, me. I really love Oranges. The song, not the fruit. Not a big fan of the fruit (the texture is eugh).

And it’s such a Patton song!

That thing about him not being book smart? It applies here too. It’s a bit of a nonsense song at first listen, I’m not going to lie. A really fun nonsense song.

But then, I have to read the lyrics along with listening to the song when I do these because otherwise I just can’t pick up on every word. My attention span and memory is not that good, and I tend to focus a lot more on the music part than the singing part the first few times around. So maybe this is just my experience.

It's funny how nobody sings about oranges The reason's no rhyme, I'm starting to mind How we take our ideas and put them in storage But peel back the rind, who knows what you'll find

Take the same risks as if you're afraid If life gave you an orange, would you make lemonade And it's funny how nobody sings about oranges When you've got one in the palm of your hand

Lots of metaphors here. I think Patton just lives in a state of metaphors.

I’m pretty sure we’re talking about suppression here. Suppressing ideas, feelings, whatever, because of pretty superficial reasons. Once you strip those reason away, you can be unstoppable. We’re back to that idea of living the life you want, going where your heart takes you. Using what life gives you and running with it. Take some risks with it, if you must. But you have it. Use it! I mean if you’re given an orange, would you make lemonade?

No.

No.

You’d make orange juice.

Crazy how nobody sings about chocolate Seems there would be nothing so sweet Like we're living in the boxes of someone who's locked it How can that be, it just ain't for me

Is…is the chocolate metaphor referencing Forest Gump?

Anyway, people like pushing others into “boxes.” Titles, positions, identities, whatever. They don’t like it when you step out of that box.

Which this is interesting to me, because as we’ve seen in the videos, Patton doesn’t like change too much. Stepping out of that box would involve change. He has gotten better at it since the changes video, but that’s not really something that goes away.

But on the other hand, the heart changes it’s mind all the time. It can be fleeting as much as it can be stubborn. When it comes to your wants and needs and dreams, that can change all the time. That’s why Thomas is a creator. Not just a YouTuber or a singer or an actor. He’s all of those things, all of which would have involved individual decisions on what to pursue and focus on. Which motivation would be the focus of the day or hour or minuet.

We're curving our motions and faking our bets If you don't open a chocolate, who knows what you get And it's crazy how nobody sings about chocolate When you've got it in the palm of your hand

Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s a Forest Gump reference.

Which is a reference to life. How you’re never going to know what you’re going to get, what life is going to throw at you. But until you take it and uncover it, you really won’t know what it is.

I think this is a bit of Patton accepting that life is unpredictable and throws curveballs. Accepting that he needs to take whatever flavor of chocolate he’s going to get, whatever filling, no matter if it’s one he’s going to like or not.

We run in circles and just like this stay Now purple's got us blue and silver's going grey, hey hey Is there nothing else to say

Staying in the same place, always doing the same things, gets old. Without taking those risks or making what you can out of what you have, even if it’s not something that fits exactly what you think you need, just makes life fade away.

When you follow your heart through life, that doesn’t mean that you won’t be thrown some curveballs. Actually, it almost guaranteed that you’re thrown curveballs. That’s something that Patton has to be ready for, and ready to deal with, and not just making Thomas stay in the same state of mind.

It's funny how nobody sings about oranges Yeah it's funny how nobody sings about oranges Oh, imagine a world where we don't play this game With apples and oranges, nothing's the same

This game of staying still, comparing apples to oranges when they’re inherently the same (or at the very least have a lot in common). Where people follow their hearts and don’t duck away when things start to get a little tough.

While we know that Patton doesn’t like change, he is also the heart and he has to help Thomas deal with those changes as they come. It’s not easy or fun, but it’s something that he has to do.

 I Don’t Wanna Pray is a song that grew on me the more I listened to it. It’s definitely got a fun tempo to it.

Also I want to go ahead and say that I have a kinda complicated relationship with religion. I have grown up with a religious family and have been to church a fair few times (we weren’t the kind of family that went every week, it was really only when I spent the night with my grandmother that I went). So I have some familiarity with the teachings of Christianity. If I don’t hit every beat on this, then I’m sorry. I did my best.

It’s not too surprising that a religious song like this made it onto Patton’s playlist. After all, we’ve seen how Thomas’s religion means a lot to him and how he lives his life by his morals. It wouldn’t make much sense if this type of song wasn’t on the playlist.

I love my God, God made love I love my God, God made love I love my God, God made hate I love my God, God made hate I love my God, God made good I love my God, God made good I love my God, God made bad I love my God, God made me (Yeah)

Normally I wouldn’t include so many repeats for the sake of length, but the one word changes here is worth looking at. It goes from love to hate to good to bad and then instead of repeating bad, it says “me.”

Could it be that the singer thinks they’re bad? Maybe, but I think the point of all these repeats is to say that “me” (humans) are composed of love, hate, good, and bad. That God made all of those things and then made man with them. And despite that, the singer still loves God, because He made all those things, even if it’s something we consider to be bad.

And everything listed goes under morals and feelings. Love, hate, good, bad. Everything that Patton is (“I’m the core of a lot of your feelings”) is those things, and then some.

But I don't wanna pray to my maker I just wanna be what I see Not just who I am but the pink and darling land And that fiery wild sky over me Help me through the sun Hey I'm lookin' everywhere See I'm looking to become not the pray-er but the prayer

---

I don't wanna pray to my maker I just wanna be feelin' free Not like in a book, or the leaves of trees that shook From a word that means only not a thing Pardon god and mom, what I'm sayin' isn't fair See I'm looking to become, not the prayer but the prayer

I pretty much translate this to “I want to be the good I see in the world.” That instead of praying and hope that God will fix something or make something better, that they want to go and do what they would pray for. To take all the good and love and bad and hate that God made them out of and do something worthwhile with it.

Not much good to talk, better to walk it Not much good to take, better to give We are gone forgiven and forgotten of our sins I promise you my friend all that dies will live again Pardon god and mom, what I'm sayin' isn't fair See I'm looking to become, not the prayer but the prayer

This verse really drives home that idea. Better to give the good than to take it from others. That, yeah, you’ll sin (bad and hate are included in that beginning verse, remember), but God will forgive them.

Honestly this whole song just reinforces a lot of what we already know. Patton, out of all the other sides, holds the religious teachings Thomas had closely. It’s how he has determined to live his life. And Thomas is a good person. He wants to do what is right and do exactly what the song says: give good and love, practice what he preaches. Maybe it’s not always fair, but he firmly believes in how he lives, maybe even to a fault.

  I personally relate to New Soul and honestly this is another song that’s a very obvious Patton song and why it would be on this playlist. I know that’s the point, but still. It’s good.

I'm a new soul I came to this strange world Hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take But since I came here Felt the joy and the fear Finding myself making every possible mistake

Gosh, we’ve all been here right? Going into a new situation or stepping into a new part of our lives and just messing it all up and tripping over ourselves as we go along.

Yeah, I know that’s how life works, but I’m still going to complain about it.

I don’t know if it’s the voice or the way it’s sung or the music but this song just reminds me of those scenes in movies where the MC or someone makes this new creature and the creature comes out and we have to watch them stumble through the world and learn about all the good and bad things about life.

But, like I said, we’ve all been there. Where we’re just feel like we’re thrown into this unknown world and have to stumble through it blindly.

I'm a young soul in this very strange world Hoping I could learn a bit bout what is true and fake But why all this hate? Try to communicate Finding trust and love is not always easy to make

This is a super hard lesson. There are people out there (myself included) who are just very trusting. We want to see the best in people and give them the benefit of the doubt. But it’s so hard, because other people see that and take advantage of that. It’s a hard lesson to learn and it sucks.

We’ve seen that Patton is like this. In Accepting Anxiety, he didn’t think anyone would break into Thomas’s car, even though it’s a very real possibility. He’s a bit like a little kid who doesn’t understand the “don’t talk to strangers” rule in that regard.

And as Logan said in that episode, it’s good for him to trust people, but he’ can’t always afford to. And man, sometimes you have to learn that the hard way.

This is a happy end Cause' you don't understand Everything you have done Why's everything so wrong This is a happy end Come and give me your hand I'll take you far away

There’s a bit of naivety here. Of being oblivious to the bad stuff and thinking that everything is still good and happy, but things are still wrong. The last part of it makes me think that it’s the singer telling another new soul to come with them, that they’ll protect the other new soul.

Another thing that just so Patton. He can be naïve, but he also wants to protect those around him from the horrors he’s endured (however sever those horrors may be).

And he makes mistakes. Sometimes irreversible mistakes. Remember, sometimes the heart leads us nowhere.

 I can’t decide if Better Together is on there as a song to all the sides and Thomas or if it’s just to Roman or just to Thomas.

Now, yes, it’s a love song. No, we’re not going to talk about shipping in these, since I highly doubt that’s what Thomas and Joan were thinking when they put these together.

There is no combination of words I could put on the back of a postcard No song that I could sing but I can try for your heart Our dreams and they are made out of real things Like a shoebox of photographs With sepia-toned loving

Love is the answer At least for most of the questions in my heart Like why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it's so hard? It's not always easy and Sometimes life can be deceiving I'll tell you one thing It's always better when we're together

See, my first thought is Roman.

Patton and Roman have to work together in order for Thomas to be happy. Without Roman’s ideas and his hopes and dreams, there’s not much Patton can do to make Thomas happy. And without Patton giving Thomas motivation and having that love, Roman can give idea after idea, but Thomas can’t act on them.

They’re an important pair.

And in that second verse? It makes me think of Why Do We get Out of Bed in the Morning. All those questions? Why are we here, where do we go, why is it so hard? Of course Patton’s answer to that would be love. Thomas’s love for his job, his friends, his family, his fans. But Roman couldn’t really see that because he and Logan negated Patton’s input. I bet you that conversation would have gone differently if Patton had been there.

You can’t really have dreams and aspirations without having heart behind them, right?

And all of these moments Just might find their way into my dreams tonight But I know that they'll be gone When the morning light sings Or brings new things For tomorrow night you see That they'll be gone too Too many things I have to do But if all of these dreams might find their way Into my day to day scene I'd be under the impression I was somewhere in between With only two Just me and you Not so many things we got to do Or places we got to be We'll sit beneath the mango tree now

Okay so I’ve sat here listening to this part over and over again trying to get a read on it. Here’s what I think, and you know, I could be totally wrong.

There’s a balance between dreams being realistic and then them just being fantasies. We know that Roman doesn’t really know where that line is. Patton does. He helps to keep Roman in check and brings him back down to Earth when he needs to. But’s it’s good for them to be somewhere in between. Sometimes having crazy dreams and aspirations is good, just as long as you don’t get too lost in them.

I believe in memories They look so... So pretty when I sleep --- But there is Not enough time And there is no... No song I could sing And there is no Combination of words I could say But I will still Tell you one thing We're better together

Patton is big on memories. This has been made very clear in his room. Thomas can use those memories in order to want to continue to follow his dreams. Like the first time he saw a Broadway show, or the first time he stared in a production, and using that nostalgia and fondness to pursue his acting career. Roman goes crazy over those memories in Patton’s room, and we saw that at the end of it, he was psyched up to get back to the theater. Patton holding onto those memories did that. They can act as inspiration and motivation.

Patton and Roman can work so well together. They’re a creative team, they need each other in order for the other to strive. They help to balance each other out and keep Thomas creating and passionate.

 And now, Vienna.

I almost feel like I don’t need to analyze this one. Everyone seems to have already done it.

But you know what, I love it so I’m going to dive into it.

After I gush about it.

The piano, the tempo, the softness of it. It’s an amazing song.

Okay okay I’m good.

So.

This song isn’t even about Patton. It’s about the others. It’s him talking to each of the other three sides. It’s him trying to tell them what he sees in them. Does it make me emotional? Yes.

So as always, let’s start at the beginning

Slow down, you crazy child You're so ambitious for a juvenile But then if you're so smart, tell me Why are you still so afraid, hmm? Where's the fire, what's the hurry about? You'd better cool it off before you burn it out You've got so much to do and only so many hours in a day-ay But you know that when the truth is told That you can get what you want or you could just get old You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through, ooh When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Logan. He is ambitious. He wants order and structure in Thomas’s life, and he works so hard to get there. But he’s afraid of failing. So he works harder. Patton’s trying to tell him to slow down. Don’t try to get everything done at once and to take his time. That it’s not the end of the world if Thomas doesn’t accomplish everything on his To-Do list. And if he keeps pushing, Thomas isn’t going to have any energy left for anything at the end of the day.

Slow down, you're doing fine You can't be everything you want to be before your time Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight Tonight Too bad but it's the life you lead You're so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need Though you can see when you're wrong You know you can't always see when you're right You're right

You've got your passion, you've got your pride But don't you know that only fools are satisfied? Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true, ooh When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Roman. Oh Roman, Roman, Roman. This one is my favorite.

He’s so ready to get to where he wants to be. He just wants to go go go, do everything so he can finally achieve what he’s been working on for so long.

But he’s ambitious. He needs to stop, take a step back, and breathe.

And Patton sees his self-confidence issues. He sees that Roman acts like a big brave prince but underneath it all he’s scared. He’s so hard on himself when he’s wrong, but he doesn’t celebrate when he’s right, when he’s on a roll.

Like I said before, Patton keeps Roman grounded. The passion, the pride, he helps to keep that in check. And as much as Roman may hate it, he has to be realistic about Thomas’s dreams.

Slow down, you crazy child And take the phone off the hook and disappear for awhile It's all right, you can afford to lose a day or two, ooh When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

This one is short, but I think it speaks a lot for Virgil. He has kind of been the side that determines he’s on his phone a lot, maybe checking Tumblr and twitter to see what people are saying about Thomas, who stays by his phone to make sure that Thomas doesn’t miss anything, that he responds to emails and texts and phone calls right away so no one will be upset. So they don’t think any less of him.

But Patton wants him to realize that he can take a break. It’s not the end of the world. Like Logan, Virgil stresses about Thomas being on time and keeping to his schedule. Not because of order or structure, but because he doesn’t want Thomas to be a failure or to lose what he’s worked so hard for.

In a way this one goes with Logan’s. taking a break isn’t the end of the world. His friends and family will be okay if he doesn’t respond right away. It’s okay.

 It’s You I Like is another song that I feel like it just Patton talk to the other sides. I don’t really know if Thomas and Joan had an idea of who. My first impression was Roman (what with his confidence issues) but looking at the lyrics I can really see it being to anyone.

It's you I like Not the things you wear Not the way you do your hair But it's you I like

The way you are right now Way down deep inside you Not the things that hurt you Not your toys; they're just beside

You

'Cause it's you I like Every part of you Your skin, your eyes, your feelings Whether old or new

Hope you will remember Even when you're feelin' blue It's you I like It's you yourself It's you It's you I like

It’s supper short song, so there’s not too much to break down. Honestly I think this is just Patton saying…yeah, he loves the other sides. He loves Thomas. No matter what any of them decide to wear, he’ll be supportive. No matter how they choose to present themselves, he’ll be there. No matter how they feel or think, he’s not going to go anywhere or turn against them. He likes them for them, no matter what.

 Thomas and Joan have already said that Little Shadow is about Virgil. But they didn’t say why so that’s what I’m going to try to do.

Have you ever had a younger friend, maybe at school or as a neighbor, who kinda follows you around because they don’t know what else to do? Heck, have you ever been that friend? Or maybe you have a little cousin or sibling who watches your every move to learn how to be.

That’s kinda how I see the start of Patton’s and Virgil’s relationship. Virgil is new to the “Light” sides and he just got Thomas to start really listening to him and taking him seriously, but he’s still unsure of his place. So Patton guides him a little by being completely and undoubtedly supportive of him. To a fault, as we’ve seen.

But this song reminds me of that beginning, of Patton reaching out hand to Virgil and helping to lead him.

Patience, shadow For all your sight, there's no sight to see Little shadow, little shadow To the night, will you follow me? Pardon, shadow Hold on tight to your darkened key Little shadow, little shadow To the night, will you follow me? Closer, shadow For all your strikes, still, we're caught between All this sorrow, little shadow To the night, will you follow me? Every shape and size Deep and deep, we dive Turn and turn aside To a fantasy Little shadow Into the night, will you follow me? Little shadow To the night, will you follow me?

This whole song just makes me reinforces the “Patton wants to protect Virgil” thing. For a while there, yeah, Virgil needed Patton’s support and probably even relied on it. If this song is Patton’s point of view of Virgil (Thomas’s words) then we can really see why Patton treats Virgil the way he does. The song has this little shadow who needs a guide into the scary unknown. Maybe Virgil was like that at one point, but he’s not anymore. Patton still sees him like that, though, which is why he was still treating Virgil the way he was in the Phases video.

 That brings us to Sad.

Thomas has said that this is the song that inspired him to make the playlist. That he imagined Patton singing it about Virgil. So to go along with the last one then…well.

You're just too good at being sad I'm just a Band-Aid on a broken heart Yeah, I'm the best at making you laugh For a breath, and you're back in your head, you're so sad You're so sad

Don't know if I'm hurting or helping It's just so damn hard to tell when You're just too good at being sad

Virgil is anxiety. He’s a huge part of Thomas and the fact that he’s there at all means that Thomas does have anxiety issues. He’s been open abut his social anxiety before, and Virgil encompasses that (among other things).

Patton tries to help. He wants to make Virgil comfortable, to get a laugh or even just a smile out of him. And maybe he does, but Virgil always ends up back to where he started. Anxious and sad.

All I wanna do is take the sad from you, but I can't and you wouldn't let me anyways

I think Patton feels a little helpless. His job, in his mind, is to keep Thomas happy, and to do that the others need to be happy as well. That’s why he tries so so hard. But in Virgil’s case, that’s hard. Not only can he not change who Virgil is or Thomas’s anxiety (and depression? We’re unsure at the moment), but Virgil wouldn’t let him change it. Either out of stubbornness or a fear of the huge change that would be.

The song goes on to repeat, so I won’t put any more lyrics here. I just think this song sheds so much light on how Patton is feeling right now, after Virgil’s rejection of the nicknames and the ask that Patton completely change the way he treats Virgil.

Then there was the whole thing with Deceit and Remus. The two haven’t really had much of a chance to reconcile. Virgil got his feelings out to Patton, but Patton is still sitting on his own.

There’s still a lot those two need to work on and talk about. Thomas seems to be in the middle of reevaluating himself and that includes the relationship his has with his anxiety. I, for one, am looking forward to see how it plays out.

 Oh Heart is one of those nonsense songs I was talking about earlier. I love it, it’s so fun, but it’s also kkiinndddaaa hard to analyze. For me, anyway.

But looking at the lyrics literally all I can think is that it’s Patton singing to Logan, trying to get his attention.

I'm a bee. You're a tree on a moon cloud in the sea. --- Oh heart, Oh Heart, stop making a fool of me. (fool fool fool fool fool fool of me) Maybe I'm a monkey in the a tree running with the hope and possibility Throwing pennies down the wishing well Hoping and wishing Male monkey just to look at me. Look how quickly i can climb a purple tree. I’m gymnast, chemist, centric mathematician. You should look at me. Look at me!

This honestly looks like it’s Patton saying stuff to get Logan’ attention. Like saying “I know big words too!” and trying to impress him. And I can’t blame him! If there’s one side that ignores Patton the most, it’s Logan. He doesn’t think Patton is serious enough, when really he just doesn’t understand Patton’s reasoning. I'm great. I'm green. I'm gorgeous. I'm every thing that starts with a "G" I'm goofy. I'm gargantuan. I'm going to make you laugh again. Got one smile and I'm gone. I live in a horn

Again, a lot of him trying to show off his own knowledge in his own Patton-y way. He wants to get Logan to loosen up and have fun too, which is why he gets so excited whenever Logan makes a pun. I'm everything that a flower is I plan to make about 30 kids I got sink for his and hers and hers for his. One well where my cotton is I'm a Baby and I'm basically The B girl who's been baking your heart in my stove hungry for your love

Patton’s desperate for Logan’s approval. He wants the validation by the embodiment of knowledge, to know that who he is is okay. That his feelings and everything he feels is normal. If anyone would know that, it’s Logan. One day you have to show me How you do that thing when you ignore your heart. Oh, One day you'll have to teach me how you do that thing when you forget about the Sun Sun Sun Sun?

Logan’s able to ignore his own emotions so well, and Patton being the embodiment of emotions, likely doesn’t understand it. How Logan is able to just ignore those things. To ignore Patton. Those two have had such a silent tug-o-war going on, and they have been since Heart vs. Mind. No wonder Patton snapped at him in Moving On, Logan had been ignoring him for so long. Why couldn’t he understand the feelings were too hard to deal with?

 The Flame is the type of song that is so soft it can easily put me to sleep.

You know I think this is my favorite playlist so far.

Anyway, The Flame is definitely about Roman.

Hold on to the flame That only you can hold That keeps at bay the darkest cold Another light could never make you whole

The flame here could be passion, motivation, an idea. Something that keeps the light of creativity alive. Roman, being pride, is easily able to be discouraged and dissuaded. Patton acts a bit like a cheerleader in that regard. I know I’ve said this before on a few other songs, but those two really would not be whole without the other. Their jobs would be a lot harder.

Softly but sure The story that you weave Will be the gift that sets you free The ashes of a tapestry

Patton knows that the creative process takes a long time. He’s there for all of it. But Roman’s the one who weaves the stories, so he sees the work put into it, helps with it.

There will be times That it seems your world and wants collide But hold on for your heart to beat inside To be your guide

Roman has to learn to let Patton really help him. They’ve worked together before, on the Mind Palace, on the Christmas sweaters. So we know that they work well together. It just seems to be on Roman’s terms. Patton is telling him here to let him help, especially when the world throws a bunch of stuff at them. The good and bad.

Hold on to the flame That only you can touch That lights the path it must The journey is a game of trust

Roman has to trust him. Learn to accept the help of others and humble himself a little.

There will be times that grow darker with the dusk But light will still remain in us The longest night is but a shadow's blush

Creating is hard. It takes up so much brain power and a lot of times you fall into this slump and you feel like maybe this time is it. I won’t be able to find that spark of creativity again. And it seems like it takes forever, but eventually it comes back to you.

Patton doesn’t want Roman to burn himself up. He doesn’t want that burn out to happen, because that affects not only Roman, but Patton too. So he wants him to hold onto the flame, don’t let it go so they can keep going.

Is Landslide considered country? I think so? I dunno. I don’t know why people were mad about it, it’s a good song (says someone who grew up in the south).

But like? Listen to the lyrics. Thomas and Joan didn’t put it on the playlist for no reason. You people want angst and this song provides it.

When I looked into what this song meant to the songwriter, I honestly couldn’t think of another reason it would be on Patton’s playlist. This was a song written after a breakup, and I don’t know if Thomas and Joan knew that or not, but after Moving On, I think it’s perfect.

I took my love, took it down I climbed a mountain, and I turned around And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills Till the landslide brought me down

Patton puts his love out there for all. We know this. We see it. Thomas loves so much and so hard, because of Patton. So when that love isn’t recuperated or the love that was given back and taken away, it’s crushing. Heartbreaking, literally. So when the breakup happen, imagine how he felt. I mean, I know we saw a bit of it in Moving On, but that was months after the fact. I imagine that, yeah, it felt like the ground came out from under his feet and pulled him down.

Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love? Can the child within my heart rise above? Can I sail through the changing ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life?

Well, I've been afraid of changing 'Cause I've built my life around you But time makes you bolder, even children get older And I'm getting older too

This verse more than anything else in the song just screams Patton to me. He is the children within Thomas’s heart, for one. Heartbreak is hard, and reminding yourself of being a child, when such a thing didn’t happen (I’m talking serious heartbreak, here. And also just in general. To those of you who did have to go through heartbreak as a child, I’m so sorry and I hope you’re doing okay). Moving through a big change in life, standing on the borderline, you could say, is difficult. For someone like Thomas, whose morality keeps literally everything in Thomas’s life he can’t let go of which is to say…everything, it’s super hard for a big change to happen. To having to relearn how to live again, basically.

We saw it, in Patton’s two parter. How hard it was for him to accept that he needed to move on, and that it was okay to be sad. But as time went on, as he got older and learned how to live without his ex, it got easier. Or it will, I should say. I don’t really know the time period in which all this took place between episodes since apparently we’re on a timeline now that’s different to just present day.

Life can be a bitch and sometimes it crashes down on you and hard. Patton, out of all of the others, can and will feel the biggest impact of it.

If Roman was the bruised ego in Logan and Virgil’s debate episode, I’m not really sure what Patton would be like right after a heartbreak (as opposed to months after).

 I feel like we all need the optimism that Float On has in our lives.

But yeah, this strikes me as Patton too. He tries to find the good in everything, even really shitty situations.

Backed my car into a cop car the other day Well he just drove off sometimes life's ok I ran my mouth off a bit too much oh what did i say Well you just laughed it off it was all ok

Oh the optimism. I feel like if this were Virgil’s POV he would be freaking out, but Patton’s just trying to keep things calm and look on the Bright Side. We all have these kind of people in our lives right? Either they’re really helpful or really annoying?

And we'll all float on any way well

Well, a fake Jamaican took every last dime with that scam It was worth it just to learn some sleight-of-hand Bad news comes don't you worry even when it lands Good news will work its way to all them plans We both got fired on the exactly the same day Well we'll float on good news is on the way

Again, the optimism. Taking the chance to remind yourself that yeah, you learned something out of this shitty situation. Good news comes with bad. Something good will happen even if something bad does as well.

And we'll all float on alright Already we'll all float on Alright don't worry even if things end up a bit to heavy We'll all float on alright Already we'll all float on Alright already we'll all float on Ok don't worry we'll all float on Even if things get heavy we'll all float on Alright already we'll all float on Don't you worry we'll all float on All float on

At this point, I don’t know if this is supposed to be Patton comforting Virgil or himself. Or both.

But in the context of the sides, this is really just how you have to calm your anxiety. It’s just constantly what my therapist tells me to do when I start to feel anxious, just tell myself “it’s okay, I’m okay for xyz reasons, this’ll be okay, it’s all good, that situation didn’t go as bad as you think it did, it was actually pretty chill, it’s fine” while doing some deep breathing.

So Patton being like this with Virgil makes total sense to me. Him being Thomas’s morality also makes him be the “dad’ friend and therefore the more comforting side. When Thomas gives comfort, it’s the Patton shining through, so this song is one that definitely highlights that.

 You know, I’m not sure if putting a Beatles song on here was purposeful, or if the lyrics just fit, but The Beatles is such a dad band. And I don’t mean that as an insult to anyone who like The Beatles, they’re a good song but like…how many of us have parents that grew up with The Beatles in their prime? I swear there’s a club of Parent Artist: The Beatles, Elvis, early Michele Jackson. There’s probably more.

A n y w a y

With a Little Help from My Friends is a cute and fun song, honestly. I guess you can’t have a Patton playlist without having at least one song about friends. We all know how much Thomas loves his friends (*insert gif of Logan saying “I think he cares about his friends* here)

What would you think if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me? Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song And I'll try not to sing out of key

Back to Patton being a dad character, this verse just kinda reminds me of a dad. Someone who would randomly burst into song and it probably be a little off key just to either 1) embarrass their kid or 2) make them laugh.

And I don’t mean an actual parent, necessarily. A friend or partner can be the same way. It also shows a bit of insecurity, like trying to make sure that the person he’s singing this to doesn’t leave if he ends up not singing that well.

What do I do when my love is away? Does it worry you to be alone? How do I feel by the end of the day? Are you sad because you're on your own?

This is another show of insecurities. Thomas’s lack of a romantic partner not only affects Roman, but Patton as well (see: the Moving On two parter). Roman wouldn’t be the only side feeling sad and lonely. Patton, needing that attention and validation just as much or maybe more than Roman, shares some of the same feelings.

No, I get by with a little help from my friends Mh, get high with a little help from my friends Mh, gonna try with a little help from my friends

I’m just going to go ahead and say that I’m not sure Patton would understand the high joke. I’m not even sure I understand the high joke.

But anyway, unlike Roman, Patton—being the source of Thomas’s love for his friends—would absolutely find that solace and validation through his friends. There’s a difference between platonic and romantic love, but as we see in the next verse, Patton just needs the love. He needs to be loved by other people in order to feel happy. Not to go all Logan, but looking at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, that kind of support is something you literally need in order to function as a human being.

Do you need anybody? I need somebody to love Could it be anybody? I want somebody to love

Would you believe in a love at first sight? Yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time What do you see when you turn out the light? I can't tell you, but I know it's mine

I…really don’t want to talk about that last line. I’ll leave it there for your own interpretation.

Let’s just focus on the love at first sight line. Again, very Patton. He seems to me like someone who falls in love easily. And in this case, love at first sight doesn’t necessarily have to be romantic. Meeting someone who you just immediately click with is something that, yeah, happens all the time. Some of those people end up being lifelong friends (hi Kai).

Also I may be talking just from an ace perspective. It’s always been easy for me to love my friends (I relate very highly to Thomas in this regard).

But from a romantic (and I guess sexual??? But in my mind, that’s sorta Roman/Remus’s area. Also very uncomfy for me to talk about so we’re just not going to touch on it) perspective, yeah. Wanting romantic love is a hell of a drug. And in my opinion, romantic love at first sight is 100% possible and happens more than we probably think it does. And again, Patton (Thomas) strikes me as someone who falls in love easily, so it makes sense to me that he would relate to this idea.

Do you need anybody? I just need someone to love Could it be anybody? I want somebody to love

I feel that it’s important to note that at this point in the song, the singer sounds very tired. Like yes I just want somebody to love stop asking. It also strikes me as an affirmative to the questions asked. Yeah, it can be anybody. But in the repeated chorus that comes after, they also reiterate that they get by with help from their friends. Their friends are there and they help, even if they don’t fill the romantic hole. They still provide that support and love that can fuel someone who loves as strongly as Thomas does.

 What Makes The World is another song I just love. It’s so fun to sing along with and it’s catchy and fun and it’s just great.

Also, and I know I probably sound like a broken record here, but it’s such a Patton song! And like, I know that’s the point! But still! It’s so good!

Oh, I heard that spreading hate is easy And kindness is beneath me But that ain't so And I heard that God ain’t worth believing And hearts are made for keeping But that ain't so Fear can be found in the heart of the proud Peace runs it out without making a sound

Patton’s such an optimist. He’s also stubborn, as hears can be. So believing in what these lyrics are saying is 100% him. Believing that kindness is easier than spreading hate, believing in God and knowing when to let go of someone, living in peace instead of fear. It’s all so Patton. It makes so much sense to his character and that these lyrics would speak to him.

What makes the world What makes the world What makes the world What makes the world keep spinning? What makes it all What makes it all What makes a life worth living now? Love makes the world go 'round

This is the only time I’m going to put the chorus, so let’s talk about it.

For someone like Thomas, who, as we’ve established, seems to love so easily, believing that love and kindness is what makes up the world and gives life worth makes a lot of sense. Thomas, as people would say, has a kind heart. He reminds me of characters like Steven Universe or Mable Pines, both characters who care a lot about those around them, their friends especially.

Also, just for lyrics themselves, they have a ring of truth to them. Being cynical and full of hate gets no one anywhere. Spreading love and kindness and happiness makes life a lot better, both for you and those around you. And it’s a mindset Patton has. It’s why he tries to keep the peace between the other sides. Having inner peace and inner kindness is super important, and I think it’s something he tries hard to keep up, even when things get rocky.

Oh, I heard to turn away a neighbor Is living without danger But that ain’t so Love is so much more than just a feeling It's comforting and it's healing For our souls

It’s really hard to analyze where there’s not much to analyze. Or sounding more of a broken record than I already am.

This just furthers the idea that Patton holds this kindness mindset close. Helping others is an important part of that, even and especially a neighbor. And maybe it does show a little bit of him being quick to trust, because while helping a neighbor out can be good, you should also be cautious because people are crazy. But in Patton’s mind, of course you should help! They are your neighbor after all!

Now the next verse is something that strikes me as something directed at Virgil and Logan, both of whom are reluctant to admit they love someone. But love is more than a feeling, it’s something that can encompass all of us. it’s a strong power, one that can be wielded for lots and lots of good.

And hey, loving oneself is important. Being loved by others is important. It’s really not something any of us could live without.

I could know the future I could tell you what it holds I could own the world And all its glitter and its gold I could have the faith To move mountains and the sea Without love, I don't have anything

This is a verse that pretty much translate to the last line in it. You can have all the power in the world, but without love, do you really have anything? It your life really whole?

And you know, I think Patton would remind himself of this a lot. Especially when Thomas is having another one of his dilemmas and Roman and Virgil or Roman and Logan are fighting again, when Thomas (and himself) start to feel down and doubtful. It’s a small thing, to some. After all, love can’t cure anxiety or depression. Love can’t solve every problem.

But it helps, even a little bit.

 Do I even really need to put the lyrics here for Somewhere Over the Rainbow/It’s a Wonderful World? Don’t most of us just know these lyrics already?

Also can we just all appreciate the amazing talent of Israel Kamakawiwo’ole??? Such an amazing voice.

Anyway yeah I’m going to put the lyrics, because I know most of you aren’t going to want to look them up. Which is valid.

Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high And the dreams that you dreamed of Once in a lullaby Somewhere over the rainbow Blue birds fly And the dreams that you dreamed of Dreams really do come true ooh ooooh Someday I'll wish upon a star Wake up where the clouds are far behind me Where trouble melts like lemon drops High above the chimney tops that's where you'll find me Oh somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly And the dream that you dare to, oh why, oh why can't I?

The Wizard of Oz honestly feels like a movie/show Patton would really like. Dorthy seems like someone he would relate to. Her kindness and optimism I feel like would speak to him. Also, she has a super cute dog.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow is a very wistful song. It’s a song that promises that things will be better, one day. That you will achieve your dreams, even if those dreams aren’t wild. I think it really shows that Patton has dreams too, but not necessarily as big as Roman. This song is a lot more chill than the multiple on Roman’s playlist that talked about achieving your dreams. And this is the only song on here that really talks about dreams. And honestly in Patton’s case, it seems like his dream is to just be happy, however that may be.

Well I see trees of green and red roses too I'll watch them bloom for me and you And I think to myself What a wonderful world Well I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white And the brightness of day highlight the dark and I think to myself What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky Are also on the faces of people passing by I see friends shaking hands Saying, "How do you do?" They're really saying, "I...I love you" I hear babies cry and I watch them grow They'll learn much more Than we'll know And I think to myself What a wonderful world, world

The entire meaning of What a Wonderful World is to marvel at all the little things that exist, like flowers blooming, the rainbow, the kindness people show one another. Of seeing the good in the world and really appreciating it.

That’s something Patton absolutely reminds Thomas to do. Think about how the generations after him will learn so much more about the world, everything that had to have happened for the sun to shine today, the beauty of everything around him. Really “stop and smell the roses” kind of vibe.

And maybe because it’s such a chill song, but it makes me think of sitting outside on a warm but not too warm spring day, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the sounds of nature. Or driving down a winding road in the mountains, appreciating the beauty of everything around you, how big the world is and how vast. Watching the birds fly overhead, watching people as you sit at a red light as you pass through a town. Wondering what their lives are like, if they’re doing okay, hoping that they’re in a good place.

Okay, I may have some experience with this.

But it’s also something I can imagine Thomas doing with some goading from Patton. Logan might be the “there’s a ton of stuff that had to have happened in order for you to exist so you should appreciate that” but Patton is the one who actually appreciates this (and the more I think about it, the more I think it’s a tragedy that Patton couldn’t be in Why Do We Get Out of Bed in the Morning).

Besides, if anything can appreciate being alive, it’s the heart.

 Alright everyone, last two songs here we go

I honestly had no idea what Golden Slumbers brought to the playlist, other than it being a nice soft song that goes well with the transition to the end. then I realized this version of it was a cover of a Beatles song (I’m not that familiar with them okay?). So I wondered why they didn’t’ just put the original song on the playlist (I know there’s already a Beatles song on there, but they went to the trouble of putting the original version of I Need a Hero on Roman’s playlist and YES I am still salty it’s not the Shrek 2 version).

Turns out the cover is from a movie called I am Sam, and it’s about a disabled father raising his daughter to the best of his abilities. Now, I haven’t seen the movie, and I did just a little bit of research, so it could be totally missing the mark here. But the fact that the movie is about a father-child relationship felt a little too on the nose to ignore.

Now, as we all know, Patton is not really a father nor is he disabled. But a movie with such a moving plot and a high focus on the father’s determination to be a good one for his daughter seems to me like something Patton would very much, well, take to heart.

Once there was a way To get back homeward Once there was a way To get back home Sleep pretty darlin' Do not cry And I will sing a lullaby Golden Slumbers fill your eyes Smiles await you when you rise

These lyrics just repeat so…really this is all there is.

This song just brings comfort to the mind. I mean, that’s what lullabies are, right? Something to sing to your child when they can’t sleep in order to soothe their mind.

However, and allow me to get a little angsty and kinda headed into headcannon territory, it also seems like something one would use to comfort oneself. Maybe when they’re crying at night because some emotions are just too overwhelming, or they had a really bad day. A soft and sweet song to soothe the mind could be really helpful.

Now I’m not saying that that’s even remotely what Thomas and co were thinking when adding this song, but it was just something that popped into my head.

 It’s so fitting that the last song is from Winnie the Pooh. I just love that. And be honest, how many of you are just now realizing it’s from Winnie the Pooh because you didn’t see the cover art at first? Huh? Huh? Just me? Okay.

I can’t decide if So Long is talking about Virgil or not. Like, I want it to be, but I don’t know if that’s actually it’s purpose.

It's not complicated but very hard to grasp But every time I see you I laugh I won't get too sappy, I've had no epiphany I just enjoy your company

See? Seems like Patton’s version of his friendship with Virgil. I mean, really, Virgil is the only one out of the other sides who Patton actively calls his friend. It’s clear he wants that relationship with Logan and Roman, but Patton and Virgil are really the only ones with any kind of clear friendship

You test my nerves, it makes me stronger So can you bother me a little bit longer? Hate to say goodbye, goodbye Hate to see the end, the end 'Cause it's been so long since I've made a friend

I feel like in the beginning, Virgil really did test Patton’s nerves. Patton wasn’t the number one Virgil fan until after Accepting Anxiety. Likely because Thomas had made the realization Virgil wasn’t the bad guy, but we’re getting off topic. Looking back at times before that arc, Patton seemed to only tolerate Virgil like the others did, though he did grow to Virgil faster than the others, even Thomas.

Hate to say goodbye, goodbye Hate to see the end, the end 'Cause it's been so long since I've made a friend like you Well, I could dot the I's and you could cross the T's 'Cause letters alone are lonely

God that’s so cute.

Anyway, yeah, very Patton imagery there. Kinda reminds me of the puppet episode, the simplicity of it. But giving the letters a “buddy” makes me think of Patton being Virgil’s buddy. It also makes them complete, and Virgil completes their little group.

Well, I could be the blossom and you could be the bee And then I could call you honey

Again, two things that go together, making something better.

Also, again with the very cute imagery.

You test my nerves, it makes me stronger So can you bother me a little bit longer? Hate to say goodbye, goodbye Hate to see the end, the end 'Cause it's been so long since I've made a friend Hate to say goodbye, goodbye Hate to see the end, the end 'Cause it's been so long since I've made a friend like you Some like to be alone, independent and on their own All alone, I guess they're free but not me, not me

Yeah, Patton being a loner isn’t really something that adds up. He’s very sociable and likes to be around the others. I mean, Thomas loves being around his friends, so it makes sense that Patton would be bored being alone, or just straight up dislike it.

Hate to say goodbye, goodbye Hate to see the end, the end 'Cause it's been so long since I've made a friend Hate to say goodbye, goodbye Hate to see the end, the end 'Cause it's been so long since I've made a friend like you

Okay i’m actually going to address the phrase that’s repeated a thousand times.

Remember how Patton said he likes to leave his room when they have to have a T party because he gets to see the others? Well it was kinda implied that he doesn’t always like going back. He likes interacting with the others and hanging out with them. A lot of times in the episodes, he seems excited to see the others when they come up (or appear, in Virgil’s case).

Or, there is one more conclusion I can make to this song.

This is Patton talking to…well, us. the listeners. We’ve spent the past hour listening to his songs, ones he put together (look at the descriptions of the playlists. They’re all implied to have been together by each side). So, after to listening to all these songs he “used to listen to when {he} was {our} age…and {his} age now” it would make sense in my mind that he would then consider us friends and this is his way of saying goodbye.

“I had a good time with you, kiddos, I hate to see you go! Come back some time. So long!”

[braham-is-bi]

Okay so normally I would have left it at the bitchy post and move on but honestly I’ve had problems with Caithe’s writing for a long time and it’s high time I made a rant post so I can stop thinking about it.

Under the cut is a giant rant about how Anet shafted Caithe’s character and didn’t do her nearly close to the justice she deserved, while in the process messing with the Commander’s story in ways that still bother me and that I’ve rewritten in my own personal canon.

Tagging this as long post in case the readmore breaks. Tagging it as Caithe for personal filing. Don’t like it, don’t read it.

(spoilers for the entire game up through episode 5 of season 4 as well as mentions of abuse and criticisms of Caithe.)

TL;DR - Caithe’s writing is mediocre at best, but she had a lot of potential that was squandered. In my opinion.

The first major problem I have with Caithe’s story is simply the fact that the first and only wlw relationship we’re shown in game for a long time (I think 2 years? no canon major wlw relationships until the end of Season 1) is abusive. While I know Caithe as a character is great way for a lot of wlw to project and relate, it’s still not a great start.

That said, it’s because of this past abusive relationship that we get the base of Caithe’s character and the potential for growth. Caithe closes herself off from everyone and clearly has depression that’s affecting her worldview. Relationships only end in pain, friendships will get you hurt. Combine this with the secret (the Sylvari origin) she’s carrying that alienates her from her own kind and you’ve got the makings of a really dark backstory that gives plenty of potential for a story of “no matter what you’ve been through, you can learn to be happy again.”

In my opinion her involvement in the personal story is....eh. It matches the rest of the writing there. A bit flat, but overall fine with a note of hope at the end that’s pleasant. The Commander is there to bring hope to the hopeless and to beat dragon minions with their favorite stick.

Skipping to season 2, I personally think this is the only truly good season of writing for Caithe. Albeit her involvement is a bit sparse (that’s the problem with trying to juggle so many characters.) but the moments she does get are good.  Caithe’s betrayal of the Commander by stealing the egg was honestly one of my favorite moments of her writing. I was genuinely upset with her.

But this leads us to more insight into how terrible Caithe’s relationship with Faolain was and just how devoted Caithe can be to those she loves as well as how abusers can use their power to make their victims do things they would normally never do. I mean Caithe helped Faolain slaughter an entire village of peaceful centaurs (never mind the incredibly racist Native American stereotypes behind the centaurs and the fact that the tribe was killed by British coded people...that’s a different analysis for a different time). It reveals just how truly heavy Caithe’s burden is while also giving us a sense of terror and realization of how fucked things are.

And then she abandons us to fight the Shadow of the Dragon all by ourselves (a particularly hurtful callback to a Sylvari commander).

In Heart of Thorns her writing is...up and down. Finally finding her and having the egg choose us over her is...a moment I’m conflicted on. Yet another moment of the Commander overshadowing her. But it also gives her more justification to close herself off further.

I would have liked more emotional talk from Caithe to vinetooth Faolain, but I understand why they didn’t do that. Caithe is, at the end of the day, extremely goal oriented. Worrying about her feelings while Mordremoth still lives is simply not something she can do.

Season 3 marks the starts of my real problems with Caithe and her writing. The base game through HoT sets us up with the understanding that Caithe has a one track mind. Whatever her current goal is, that’s the only thing she sees. Blinders on, all there is forward. It’s a good character trait that can be both a good quality and a serious flaw.

But the thing anet seems to forget is that once the blinders come off, Caithe can see the mess around her. 

Her eldest brother is dead, as well as her friend and her ex lover. And at least part of it was her own doing. Not only did Caithe steal the egg and constantly distract the Commander from their goal of saving Dragon’s Watch and Trahearne, but Caithe knew that the Sylvari were Mordremoth’s minions and told nobody. Imagine if Caithe had revealed this to Trahearne. Imagine if the Pact had been more cautious entering the fray, uncertain what may happen when the Sylvari get close to the dragon that should be controlling them. Things could have been wildly different.

Instead there is no reflection. There’s no moment where you find Caithe just outside of Eir’s place, grieving and trying to process all her emotions. There’s no chance for the Commander to truly be upset with Caithe.

I certainly don’t count the forgiveness Caithe tried to force out of us in the middle of battle as proper anger or emotional processing for either of them. Why can’t I be mad that Caithe didn’t tell anybody the truth? Why can’t Caithe have a moment where she finally talks about her present emotions and has personal growth? Why must her character be so stagnant?

She literally ends her scene with a moment of self pity, proving she’s learned nothing this entire time.

I have no problems with her part in the egg chamber. Aurene is her new Wyld Hunt and she wants to prove to the Commander that she wants to help. Even if the Commander knows better than to trust her anymore.

And now we have to hop allllll the way to season 4 episode 4 to talk about Caithe again. Cause apparently Anet isn’t sexist for not including their women characters, but fans are sexist for not liking them.

Caithe appears at the end of A Star to Guide Us, revealing with a comment that she’s been around for a lot longer than she’s given on but didn’t feel compelled to help us or defend/comfort Aurene. In fact, she has yet another moment of self pity. Telling us that she felt like Aurene didn’t need her anymore cause she flew to Elona to try and save us from death instead of sitting in the egg chamber with Caithe. Cause that’s what I want from the adoptive mother of my child (who’s Wyld Hunt is literally to protect said child), abandonment at the first sign of independence. Not bothering to help save said child from death but then looking for pity and sympathy from the parent who literally died for Aurene.

All or Nothing has one moment that bothers me in particular regarding Caithe. Her branding. While I don’t see anything wrong with the act itself, it was honestly quite touching, I think it was handled poorly and completely erases the Commander’s connection to Aurene. The Commander has had a link to Aurene since she was an egg. That’s YEARS for the bond to grow between them. In A Bug In The System Aurene literally lets us see through her eyes. In Season 3 she’s shown to be following us around while we save the day. There’s an entire mastery line dedicated to our bond with her.

But instead Caithe gets everything. The psychic bond, the new look, all of the story attention. She’s even shown to be one of the only one who cares about Aurene’s feelings (Taimi being the other) even above the Commander.

And the whole reason they do this is so they can finally move Caithe’s character along. Because she’s never once in the writing allowed to grow or learn from her experience. The only way Caithe is allowed to have a happy ending is if someone else fixes her problems and fills the pain up with purpose once again.

That isn’t good writing.

Caithe never once in her entire story arc grows on her own. She’s never allowed to get better or to see more to life unless it’s handed to her on a crystal platter.

Does this mean that I hate her? No. Does it mean that I dislike her writing? Oh yeah. Caithe is repeatedly forced back into her personality from the base game and not allowed to develop in any way unless someone else makes her. That’s infuriating. Where is my story about someone leaving an abusive relationship, trying to make up for the mistakes they made when they were younger, and learning to find happiness in the people around her on the way?

I see why people love her. I see why wlw care about her so much. But to say that her writing is perfect is a lie and shows that you’re projecting your own fanon onto her to fill in the gaps.

You can still love a character while admitting the flaws both in them and their writing.

[kim-ruzek]

21, 22 & 23 for the tv show asks!

Lexi!!!!!! Hey!!!!! Thank you for asking! ❤️❤️❤️

21. Favorite song you heard in a TV show this year.

... I don't think I actually have one? Bc the main thing I've basically watched is cpd and it doesn't exactly get backed by ✨iconic✨ songs. At least none of which I can recall? And nothing has stood out to me in anything else I've watched this year. Like usually at least one song used in the soap I watch will just be iconic for me but not this year? Probably bc the pacing imo has been off. (Most likely bc no one has died ajajajk)

22. Favorite scene/quote from a TV show this year.

There's a few I could choose for this, but I just HAVE to go for the ending scene to 7x10 bc the iconicness of it. I love it so much!!!

I'd say I'm saying this bc I can quote the whole scene off by heart but tbh I can quote allllll the burzek scenes off by heart lol

23. Favorite episode you’ve watched this year.

Y'know if I hadn't just answered 7x10, I'd probably say that.

There's quite a few episodes that comes to mind, but to narrow it down, I'm going to pick one that hits everything. Like optimistic and happy ending so that I can rewatch over and over without being sad, have the actual case plot be something I'm intrigued by, amazing burzek moments, and badass Kim.

And I'd have to say season seven, no regrets. Bc look... I've rewatched that an unholy amount. And there's so many other burzek episodes I have rewatched just as much, but this...it literally meets every requirement, I never find myself skipping any scenes or unfocusing at points bc it's all about my babies (and their baby 😭😭😭).

Although I am really tempted to say some earlier burzek episodes, like 2x10 but. I don't think I'll love an episode more than no regrets. I even love it over 7x10.

Thank you for asking!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[findingtheperfectcharacter]

Logan Sanders for the character asks

favorite thing about them

That he’s me in high school/hj

Okay but really my answer changes from day to day but right now it’s his wit and lust for life. It’s not really stressed upon but I really like how Logan is shown openly wanting to explore the universe around him. He thinks the world is this amazing, fascinating place filled with things to do and learn and it’s not a trait usually given to booksmart characters but it’s a charming one.

least favorite thing about them

That he’s me in high school (derogatory) /j

His role as exposition officer. I get it, as the resident nerd character and literally the concept of Thomas’s Logic who’s filled with facts, he’s a character that they can have say all the information... But God why can’t Patton know his own facts about morality and moral principles? This has also kind of given the fandom this idea that Logan is The Solver of All Problems Who Can Never Be Wrong and that’s just... Boring. I really wish the other sides were allowed to be smart in their own ways in their own fields.

brOTP

Logince, I’m not sure if I ship it but I like the idea that despite having different ways of viewing the world, they‘re ultimately still friends who can bond over things like word play and jams and poetry.

Favorite Line

Serious:

But why put so much importance on fiction when the world is already as wonderful as it is? Why do you have to keep making things up or dreaming about what could be, rather than appreciating what we do have here and now? You were dropped into this beautiful biosphere. You could be paying attention to it rather than missing it on your quest for high heights. You should read, explore, and learn about the world.

Humorous: My dumbass will never stop thinking that him telling Thomas, ‘congratulations you’ve upgraded to full time clown’ isn’t the best every time, I don’t even like that episode in particular but that phrase-

nOTP

More like ’Meh-tp’ Logince. It’s like, the only Logan ship I don’t have explicitly positive things to say about. It’s like Logince in that they fight a lot but because of how Patton tends to be written, the ground is usually pretty uneven. 🤷🏾‍♂️

otp

allllll the rest of them! Special shout outs to Logan X Virgil for being the most wholesome thing, let them read and listen to music and hold each other!

random headcanon

Logan and Virgil both watch long form video essays.

Logan and Janus play chess on the weekend and have a Magneto-Professor X thing going on where their goals often align but Logan fundamentally disagrees with his methodology.

For Logan alone? Logan has temporary 404 can not compute moments when Thomas has a mind blank moment. Like when you’re taking a teat and suddenly can’t remember shit? Logan has temporarily just froze.

Also Logan was a rock nerd as a kid. And by rock I mean like, sedimentary.

unpopular opinion

The only kind of unpopular opinion I have is that others didn’t force Logan to be emotionless. He’s the one who threw that on himself. I’ve said this before and way smarter people have as well: Logan’s terrified of being viewed as childish because he thinks it’ll make people think less of him and he associates emotions with frivolity and childishness. The others... Don’t actually seem to think that of him? Like, rewatch Mind Vs Heart the only episode the unicorn onesie appears in as far as I know. Hell, watch the aside where he said he stopped wearing the onesie ‘because it was too childish’. Patton loved the fact that they both enjoyed onesie pjs! Thomas wanted him to change, but he’s the only person in the room that saw it as something he needed to explain or something that was embarrassing. If anything he thinks less of other people for being emotional and childish and feels a sense of superioriy in being the ‘rational’ one. (istg one day I’ll get reciepts to make this an actual analysis instead of me just saying things)

song i associate with them

The Galaxy Song by Clint Black

favorite picture of them

[tellywoodtrash]

ishqbaaz 13.02.18 lb

aaj mauka bhi hai, dastoor bhi hai, mood bhi hai, aur episode ka title bhi encouraging lag raha hai, toh here goes!

(chorni @rihanahere ko meri special waali hello. the hex of the day is that i hope that your favorite shoes are ruined! rot in peace, loser! mwah! 😚😚😚)

shivaay’s celebrating being back in his bedroom by doing his faaaaaaaavt thing.... 😏😏😏

no, not sexing up his wife. spending an inordinate amount of effort on his hair. 😐😐😐

this poor bedroom though. it’s never seen any sex in it. how many girls have come and gone; mallika was in his bed one night, tia used to regularly come hang out and give him massages, and now he��s been married for 18+ months; par majaaaal hai ki this man uses his bedroom for what it’s supposed to be used for. 😔😔😔😔😔

LMAO SHE JUST CAME AND FUCKING SHOVED HIM OUTTA THE WAY AND WAS LIKE “THIS MY BRUSH, BITCH” AND SNATCHED IT AWAY. oh man, how the mighty have fallen. 😂😂😂

oh snappppppppp, baalon ko insult. mehenga padega. 😬😬😬

yup. baagad billa is back to his old ways.

UGH LITERALLY ALL ANYONE WANTS FROM YOU TWO IS TO SEX. JUST DO IT OR GTFO MY SCREEN. 😤😤😤

ok fuck me, this smile got to me. fuckkkkk. i hate myself for still occassionally swooning for this garbage man. 😭😭😭

oh ho, kasme-vaade of “kabhiiiiii doooor nahi jayenge” are being given. should be fun when he decides fuck all that!!!! and fucking shoots her in the chest! 🙃🙃🙃

FUCKING YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS GET TO IT KIDS 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 *BOW CHICKA WOW WOW*

OMFG DADI FUCK YOU WHY AREN’T YOU FUCKING DEAD YET?!?!?!!?!? JUST LET THEM FUCK IN PEACE, LORD. 😡😡😡

lel, anika and her lame excuses. girl, just tell her that yeah you were about to make out with the hubs and could she piss off, please and thanks. 🙄🙄🙄

how many bloody khaandaani haars do these ppl have? ugh, rich ppl.

one: allllll of this jewelry is fug as hell and so not anika’s style. she’s gonna shove it in the back of a wardrobe the second she gets a chance. 🙄🙄🙄 two: don’t be playing sexy hawaa sounds and o jaana and all. i wanna see them make out against the wardrobe. don’t try to placate me with this pg 13 garbage. 😤😤😤

ok won’t deny, heart went little bit awwww at his soft and adoring stare (fuck my stupid heart. it’ll never learn. 😪😪😪)

also lol, body double alert! the one hugging dadi isn’t surbhi, whoever that is, has straight hair, while surbhi has curls in the scene. and whoever surbhi’s hugging has a ratchet-ass dadi wig on.

LMAO YUP, ANIKA GOT RID OF ALLLLLLL THE KHAANDAANI CRAP AND PUT ON HER FASHION STREET KE 100 RS WAALE JHUMKE AND CHOODIYAAN THE SECOND DADI TURNED HER BACK. 😆😆😆

wait, tia’s still pretending to be blind? how the f did she get the tapes to shivaay if she’s still keeping up this schtick? 🤔🤔🤔

also, someone please give navina more clothes? i feel like i’ve seen this skirt 3 times already in the last month. 😑😑😑

tia be barsaoing duas on her otp. oh tia baby. mat jao. the moment your back is turned he’s gonna try and kill her. (again.) ����😫😫

at least take my girl with ya! 😣😣😣

LOL THIS NONSENSE BATWAARA WAALA LINE IS STILL HERE 😂😂😂

ok shivaay, there’s 10 million OTHER things that you’re ACTUALLY guilty of. how about you take accountability of those, instead of taking on random shit that you have nothing to do with. when i say it’s all or nothing with this man, it’s truly ALLL OR NOTHING. lord. 🙄🙄🙄

jfc, jhanvi. hadh hoti hai irritating hone ki. i liked you better when you were an alcoholic who didn’t give a fuck. 😒😒😒

i’m not really a fan of pinky when she gets all shouty like this, but mummeh be dropping 100% truth bombs today. 😌😌😌

lol shivaay be like FUCK THIS NOISE, I’M OUT!!!!! 😂😂😂

yeah the kadwaahat is BECAUSE you’re all living under one roof. that shit don’t work no more, son. get different houses and you’ll be able to stand each other. 😕😕😕

man i blame dadi for like 85% of shivaay’s fuckd-up-ness with her expectation on him to fix everything all the fucking time. first off, he is just ONE man, ffs. and he handles his brothers and their lives already. why not hold fucking tej and shakti accountable for SOMETHING??? 😡😡😡

LMAO THE THOUGHT OF SHIVAAY SITTING AND READING THE RAMCHARITRAMANAS IS MAKING ME LOL SO HARD. AS IF!!!! 😂😂😂

LOL LOOK AT HIS FACE, IT’S LITERALLY LIKE DADI SRSLY WTF AM I SUPP TO DO WITH THIS, DON’T YOU HAVE ANYTHING FROM THIS CENTURY TO HELP ME OUT????? LIKE SOMETHING PUBLISHED BY HBR? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

hahahahahahah shivaay being maryaada purshottom. sureeeeeeee. 😆😆😆😆😆

oh shit. bhaiyya be using his stern voice. omRu spring to feet immediately. 😐😐😐

haaaaye, om back in his half-ponytail look to commemorate DBO day. hottttttie. 😍😍😍

(he needs a haircut tho. the hair’s getting a little toooo long.)

LMAO WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS MUSIC??????

man i hate the hindi version of this song so much. the telugu original is a fucking banger (it is my #1 all-time favt. telugu song. i don’t know/understand telugu, but phonetically know all the lyrics to this, and you best believe that i scream-sing them every time it comes on) and allu arjun, him of the rubber-band bones, killllllllllls it with his dance moves. fucking salman khan not only just took and ruined the song, BUT ALSO DISRESPECTS THE SHEER DANCABILITY OF IT, BY JUST STANDING THERE AND SHUFFLING HIS HANDS AROUND IN HIS POCKETS LIKE A FUCKING ROADSIDE PERVERT. 😒😒😒😒😒

sorry not sorry for the rant. this song just reaalllllllllllllly steams my clams. 😡😡😡

LOLOLOLOL OBROS DOING POCHAA. 😂😂😂

ugh fuck fucking bhavya. it’s like it’s july/aug ‘17 all over again and my hatred for her is alllllll back. SHE IS AS GHUSAAAYA HUA IN THIS SHOW AS THAT RAMCHARITRAMANAS INTO SHIVAAY’S HANDS. 😠😠😠

same, girl. #same.

lmaoooooo omRu’s reaction at jhanvi exhorting them to “ask” tej. inhone aaj tak kuch tej se poocha hai, jo aaj poochenge????

damnnnnnnn, every time om gets all righteously angry, i get sooooo hot for him. mmmhmmmm, yas honey, tell off your stupidass mom. 🤤🤤🤤

dude, nehalaxmi’s evil/reaction faces are the fucking best. these split second shots are giving me so much life, i can’t even.... 😍😍😍

matlab kaunse industrial waale paint se marble pe lakeer banaayi hui hai, be? kabse ghise jaa rahe hai aur jaaa hi nahi raha. 😐😐😐

ouff. finally done.

dat tadi waala pocha-throwing by all of them tho. 😎😎😎

haaaaaaye, my boys. bohut dino baad aisa feel aaya hai. 😭😭😭

oh god ab yeh kaun hai manhoos?

oh god shaadi ke card. fuck this nonsense shaadi. someone make this stupid rudra complete a bloody bachelor’s degree first!!!!!!!!! 😠😠😠

what? WHAT? why the face getting utraa hua?

OOOOOH, IT HAS TEJ’S NAME ON IT?

"ismein mistake hai. yeh invitation mere bhai ki taraf se jayega.”

yaaaaaaas son! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

om’s tiny approving smile tho. ouff, my heart. he’s looking too handsome today. that blue is realllllly working on him. 😍😍😍😍😍😍

OMG FUCKKKKK OFFFFFFF JHANVIIIIIII.

“kyun? jab baap ke saare farz bhai adaa kar raha hai, toh baap ki jagah bhai ka naam likhwaane se kya faraq padta hai?”

hahahahahahahahahaha om’s reaction at jhanvi’s “aur tumhaare papa ka kya? unki khushi koi maayne nahi rakhti??”

boy be rolling his eyes so hard, he practically saw into the past and the future simultaneously. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

“mera IQ kam hai lekin ek baat main bhi jaanta hoon; ki sirf janam dene se koi baap nahi ban jaata.”

DAAAAAAAYUM CHILD! YOU TELL HER! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

lol fuck off tej no one wants you here. 🙄🙄🙄

these two be like yikessss what have we married into. 😬😬😬

bhavya, you still have the chance. gtfo while the door is still open.

OM’S TURN TO TALK. AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS! IT’S SMACKDOWNNNNNNNNN TIMEEEEEEEE, COZ MY BOIIIIII HERE IS SICK. AND. TIRED. OF HIS PARENTALS’ BS. TAKE IT AWAYYYYYY SON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

shivaay be in the middle of this like

GOD SHIVAAY WHY ARE YOU FOREVER LOOKING TO REDEEM TEJ????? HE’S THE FUCKING WORST. HONESTLY. 😣😣😣

om’s reactions today are just A++++++ and i’ll have to gif alllll of them. 😂😂😂😂

no for real, my man, beat some sense into shivaay already. 🙄🙄🙄

wow, shivaay’s actually taking anika along on one of his little missions? 😯😯😯

anika’s nonsense overconfidence ever since she married into this fam the second time realllllly annoys me. like shivaay se bhi zyaada guroor she has these days. about what, god only knows. 😒😒😒

does it bother no one else how easily distracted shivaay gets when driving? like every single time i’ve seen this man drive, i’m constantly chanting EYES ON ROAD EYES ON ROAD EYES ON THE FUCKING ROAD 😫😫😫

UM SHIVAAY...? 😶😶😶

OH SHIT HE’S GONNA PULL A SALLU AND RUN HIM OVER! 😯😯😯

aaaaand.....

ok i’m actually more worried about the car ki haalat after 8 foot, 300 kilo of pure muscle-mass waala veer hit it, than veer’s wellbeing. 🙈🙈🙈

anika’s split second of pure rage waala look at shivaay tho. lolololol. it’s ~~screaming omfg why are you such a sociopath?!??! 😂😂😂

LMAO AFTER RUNNING HIM OVER, HE’S ASKING HIM “KAHIN LAGI TOH NAHI....? OMG VEER TUM MUMBAI MEIN? THAT’S GREAT!!!!!” AS IF BUTTER WOULDN’T MELT IN HIS MOUTH HAHAHAHA 😂😂😂😂

fuck, sometimes asshole!shivaay really has his moments. 😆😆😆

anika is like fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck this is nooooot goood

she’s right. because when this one makes ☝🏽☝🏽☝🏽 THIS ☝🏽☝🏽☝🏽 face, it’s never good.

(she should know. she’s seen him make it a lot AT HER.)

“mujhe yaqeen hai; humaari khaatirdaari kabhi bhool nahi payenge aap!”

i am kinda lovingggg seeing shivaay in his shark singh oberoi mode after a longgggggg time. 😈😈😈

lolololol.

anika, girl, do you not know your husband even a little bit????? 🙄🙄🙄

so happy that after FOR-EV-ERRRRRRRR, shivaay’s energies are being constructively put to use to fuck up someone who actually deserves it.

i think the last time i enjoyed so much was when he beat the everloving crap outta ranveer. remember that? like when gauri had to physically throw herself onto shivaay to stop him from killing ranveer? oh mannnn, that was the bestttttttttttt! *happily sighs* 😊😊😊

meanwhile veer here be like bitch i’m desi wolverine and these bones be reinforced with adamantium.

ohnoe. he’s completely ok. already! 😯😯😯

ok ngl i was a little charmed by veer’s wink. 😍😍😍 why can’t someone give this dude a role where he’s a good guy? he looks really cute with his irl wife, someone cast them together in something happy and fluffy!

oh ho shivaay ka overconfidence. bhaari padegaaaaa. like, literally. coz look at veer’s size. ouff yaaaaar. 😫😫😫

and ffs, could someone please update omru about this ASAP, so they know to come provide backup!!!!! 😣😣😣

[ever-at-your-side-15]

FFXV Favorite Meme

tagged by @katkitoshi  (I’m usually so indecisive about picking favorites for anything, so its going to be interesting to see how this turns out. xD)

Instructions:

To celebrate a year of FFXV and the end of the first year of updates, let’s spread the FFXV love! I haven’t seen a tag meme like this for FFXV yet, so I decided to make one. If you see this and want to, copy/paste this list and share what your favorite things about FFXV are.

Favorite Chocobro: Prompto!! (Shocker, I know… xD)

Favorite Guest Party Member (including Ravus and Libertus from DLC): Hmmm… this is a bit of a tricky one. I liked a lot of the guest party members, but I have to say that Cor was pretty fun, because he just kept complementing Prom on his fighting skills. It was frankly, super adorable.

Favorite Minor Character(s): I would have loved to see a lot more of Regis in the game tbh. The whole game is basically based around the idea of the endless love that Regis has for his son, and the fact that he was essentially willing to sacrifice his kingdom just to keep Noctis safe (despite you know the whole stupid prophecy bs... *sigh*) So yeah, I’d probably have to go with Regis, even though he’s only in the game for all of like five minutes.

Favorite Villain: Although I felt like there were some pretty good villains, no-one quite sticks out in my mind like our favorite trash jesus, Ardyn. xD Honestly though, he’s just such a compelling and interesting villain. The lengths of which he goes to in order to carry out his plans, and the fact that he is able to manipulate each situation to perfectly suit his needs without fail, and without those closest to him becoming suspicious of his true intentions… its impressive as hell.

Favorite Kingsglaive Character: Definitely going to have to go with Nyx on this one. I was still pretty new to the fandom when I first saw Kingsglaive, so I feel like I wasn’t able to really appreciate the awesomeness that is Nyx at first; but I steadily have actually become quite the Nyx fan recently. Nyx deserved so much better...! T.T

Favorite Astral/Divine Being: Hmmm… yeah, all of the Astrals are pretty much dicks, but the fights against Leviathan and Ifrit were super fun, so one of them I guess?

Favorite Character Overall: To absolutely no-one’s surprise… Prompto!!! :D I could literally go on and on about all the reasons I adore the precious choco-boy, but I would have to say that one of the reasons that I like him so much is because I relate to him so well. I know what its like to be ‘that weird kid’ and while a lot of times I’m super peppy and happy around my friends, there is definitely a big part of me that feels like I’m not good enough in a lot of respects. But on a happier note, I also love how fiercely loyal Prompto is and the fact that he will do just about anything to protect the people that are important to him. Prompto doesn’t give up, even when things are falling apart around him, and I really admire that.

Favorite Weapon: Can’t say that I pay allllll that much attention to specific weapons, but I can say that I have gotten very accustomed to using daggers a lot. Most often I prefer to use the daggers that you get at the end of the legendary weapon quests, which boost damage at full health… Zwill Crossblades, I believe? Those are fun as hell to use.

Favorite location: Insomnia. I loved being able to run around in the WoR and just explore everywhere I possibly could. There are just so many possibilities, and even though we only get to explore a small section of the city, I just find it fascinating. I mean the entire game is basically leading you towards returning and reclaiming Insomnia, so who wouldn’t want to actually get the chance to explore all around the fabled Crown City?? I would ESPECIALLY love to have been able to explore Insomnia before it fell to Niflheim.

Favorite Quest/Questline/Hunt: The tours. I remember starting a tour completely unaware that they were even a thing and got so excited. They were like short little minigame quest-like events where you get to just chill and bond with your bros. One of my favorite parts of the game in general was being able to witness the relationships between the bros continue to grow stronger despite everything going to shit around him, so the tours were so satisfying in that respect. I particularly enjoyed Prompto almost getting Noct killed by a catoblepas, and taking super dorky pictures off the coast of Caem.

Favorite Boss: My favorite boss fight would definitely have to be the Leviathan fight. The fight itself just felt so freaking epic. Between all the action that led up to it (and after!) and the fact that you get to pretty much go god-mode with Noct, and not to mention the completely awesome and bad-ass music that plays when you’re fighting… it was just so freaking fun. So much happened, and I just couldn’t stop playing, I was so ridiculously hyped.  

Favorite Monster/Monster Family/etc: Cactuar, I guess? They’re pretty adorable, though that thousand-needle attack gets real old real quick. xD

Favorite Song: Aaahhhhghghgh. Now this is a TOUGH one. There are so many tracks from the game that I just LOVE listening to. I listen to the OST so often… in fact, I’m actually listening to it right now as I’m writing out this post… xD Honestly though, I think I’m going to have to break the rule on this one and list a couple, because I just don’t think that I could possibly choose JUST ONE. My top favorites would have to be: Careening Into Danger, Wanderlust, Overworld themes and Orbital Insanity from Ep. Prompto, Battle theme from Episode Ignis & Stand By Me.

Favorite Boss Theme: Apocalypsis Noctis. This song is just SO EPIC. It pumps me up literally anytime I listen to it. <33

Favorite Non-Episode DLC/Update/Event: Assassin’s Festival DLC! Four words: Promptis cosplay date simulator. This update was SO CRAZY FUN. There were so many small things that just came together so nicely and keep me constantly entertained. I really enjoyed the story, even if it was a bit short. Though, I spent a good few hours just randomly running around the festival doing side quests and what not while in the midst of the story missions, so it definitely didn’t really seem short to me.

Favorite Episode DLC: Episode Prompto! I’ll freely admit that it was a startlingly close race between Episode Prompto and Ignis, but I think I’m going to have to give the slight edge to Episode Prompto. I LOVED the story and really enjoyed the game play. The cutscenes were super exciting, while also effectively destroying my heart with feels, but it was all just REALLY satisfying. I also loved being able to get more concrete information about Prom’s backstory. Probably the only gripe that I have with Ep. Prompto is that it literally does nothing to explain how Ardyn re-captures Prompto and how the bab ends up in Zegnautus, or what happens while he’s being held there before the bros show up to rescue him… >.>

Other Favorites of Note:

The motel scene between Noct and Prompto was no joke, probably my favorite part of the entire open-world section of the game. I also have to say that I particularly enjoyed running around Zegnautus Keep like a madman trying to rescue Prompto, and of course I was over the moon relieved/excited when I FINALLY found him. Damn you square though for not having Noct hug Prom when they found him…! The boys definitely needed to hug it out. :P I really loved how natural and real the bros acted with each other in general too. Their banter continues to give me life whenever I’m playing the game, and of course, I especially love all the random soft moments between Noct and Prompto because, well, I’m very happy down here in Promptis hell. xD

Now for the tagging...! haha. Hopefully, they haven’t already been tagged... feel free to do or not. ^^ @chikelo @elillierose @thenameisfame @bagpipes5k @yallneedtrashjesus

[funkaliciousfrog]

I’ve finished Symphogear! I have a lot of thoughts and mixed feelings and it all ended up pretty long so it’s under the cut. Spoilers for the whole series ofc.

The more stuff I watch, the more I think that maybe straight-up action just isn’t for me. I can still appreciate a good fight scene, and some of my all-time faves are battle shonen like Jojo and Hunter x Hunter. Even so, whenever there’s an extended stretch of straight-up fighting, like a tournament arc or a 3+ episode long boss fight, my eyes tend to kind of glaze over. Action alone is just kinda boring, to keep my interest there’s gotta be something else going on like character development, or clever strategies, or humor, or really anything. 

I think that disdain for pure action is the main reason why I didn’t get as much out of Symphogear as other people seem to have. It's main draws are really 1) hype 2) cool over the top fights and 3) the music (I’ll get to that later), and all the other parts of the show are the bare minimum necessary to keep it from falling apart. This especially showed in seasons 2-4, where the bulk of the episodes followed the same structure: the enemies to show up in the middle and start attacking something, the heroes show up to stop them and we get a ~cool fight~, and then one of the parties retreats. There’s still plot and character progression, but it’s sprinkled in around and in the fights. It’s a very 90s Sailor Moon filler episode vibe for me... which is a little concerning considering that Symphogear has 13 episodes per season and Sailor Moon has 50. 

Some people clearly enjoy these episodes for their cool fights, but they wore on me after a while. It even took me out of the show a bit by reminding me that it owes its existence largely to character song CD sales. By the second season we’ve got 6 main characters who all need at least one new song every season, and only 13 episodes to get them all in. So, it felt like a lot of these fights were just there to get in the obligatory character song of the week so they can slap it on the CD. 

The first season seems to be universally agreed to be the roughest, with dated animation, lots of edge, and bad writing. But, I actually enjoyed it the most. The messy plot and excessive amount of blood and explosions contributed to the show’s wacky over the top tone, even if in a so-bad-it’s-good way at times. Personally I don’t go out of my way to hunt for plot holes, and I can deal with some nonsense if it makes it more fun. And so, I had more fun on season 1′s wacky wild ride than with the more polished but also more formulaic later seasons. 

Another thing I liked more about season 1 was the extra focus on a smaller cast of main characters. Like I mentioned earlier, by season 2 we’ve got 6 characters. So, each one only gets a few of dedicated scenes each, which isn’t really enough time for an actual character arc. And then after Maria’s group joins the heroes in season 3, our 6 main characters have to split time even further with the villains. It doesn’t help that I didn’t care much about most of the villains, with the exceptions of Dr. Ver (although mostly on a meme level since he’s just Sugita set loose in the booth) and the Illuminati (I’m a bit biased there as a Shouta fan but I did genuinely like them). There’s just not time to give meaningful attention to allllll those characters in 13 episodes.

But, in season 1 the main cast is smaller and the final villain only shows up near the end. So, we’re pretty much dealing with just Hibiki, Tsubasa, and Chris (and Miku ig). They all get enough time for a decent character arc, be it Hibiki finding her reason to fight, Tsubasa moving on from Kanade’s death, or Chris learning to play nice with others. As mentioned the writing isn’t the best, for instance even I have to agree that Miku getting angry at Hibiki for hiding literal classified military intel from her was pretty stupid. But, I still enjoyed the main trio’s arcs a lot and they got me more attached to them than any of the characters introduced in later seasons. 

Although I’ve been complaining about the later seasons quite a bit, I do agree with everyone who has commented on how well the writers managed to pick up old plot threads and bits of lore and incorporate them into the current story. They even managed to make Fine’s crazy rant about being in love with God that came out of nowhere at the end of season 1 kinda make sense in XV, which is really quite a feat. 

Now of course I have to talk about the music! My favorite OPs remain the two I already knew before watching the show, Synchrogazer (LISTEN TO MY SONG!) and Metanoia (LIIIIIIIVE!). None of the other OPs or EDs really stuck out to me, but admittedly I have a bad habit of skipping them if I don’t like them immediately. I do plan on eventually going back and giving them another listen to see if any of them grow on me. 

To be honest most of the insert songs didn’t stick with me either. They were all fine enough and worked well in the context of the show, but over time it all starts blending together and they’re just not really something I’d listen to on my own time. The exception would be Tsubasa’s songs, since I always love a mix of pop/rock and traditional Japanese music, and Nana is in her element sounding great. For me no other insert song ever managed to top her first song, Zettou Ame no Habakiri. But I also liked the lyrics for Chris’s songs cause they were funny, Tsubasa and Kanade’s duet from the very first episode, and both of Carol’s songs. 

Speaking of Carol’s songs, Minase Inori really surprised me there. I had checked out some of her own music before, but none of it was really my thing so I kind of forgot about her even though she was clearly a pretty good singer. But, she sounds even better singing in a more dramatic and aggressive style as Carol. Just listen to her performance at the Symphogear live! I think it would be cool if she got a chance to show off those chops and sing some more aggressive songs in her solo career. King Records has done the same transition from cutesy upbeat jpop to hard rock/jpop before with Nana... just saying... (tho like I said I’ve only listened to a few of Minase’s songs, so maybe she does go hardcore at some point idk)

And to wrap things up... that very last scene was kind of BS. What is this vague Legend of Korra nonsense, just admit it! Hibiki and Miku are IN LOVE!!!