#this has been a really fun and unexpectedly delightful season i’m so sad to see it end with like classic mets slow incompetence

[thequeensthroat]

it is so metsover

[hawkland]

(Mostly) Destiel Fic Recs #5

This is a LONG recs post because it’s been a while since I did an update and I fell hard into reading one author’s work (DeanRH). In fact I could easily do a rec post just of their fics alone, but for this round I’m just going to pick out a handful of my absolute favorites so far, the ones I’d recommend to start out with, along with more other authors’ works I’ve especially enjoyed lately.

Absolution at the Five-and-Dime by DeanRH (125k)  - this is perhaps THEE DeanRH fic to start with if you want a good, long read with a little bit of everything (Roadtrips! Intriguing casefic! Americana! Tasty Dean/Cas pining! Wing!kink and unique angel lore! Kinky soul fisting and tentacles!) It’s kind of two of parallel stories in one: the first, a flashback to Dean and Sam's first year hunting on their own (as well as trying to avoid hunting, and John in general); the second on how Dean and Cas finally get together during an unusual case and when Dean is able to really let go of his past trauma and accept himself/accept love from Cas. 

What I love about DeanRH’s work is that they write from the unique point of view of a drifter, so they understand living on the road, traveling place to place, and the highs and lows of that life like no others I’ve encountered in SPN before. (The author’s notes are often as much fun to read as the stories themselves). They also write a kickass angel!Cas and never lose sight of his non-human traits and background. Their writing style is unique - almost poetic in nature, and I know some readers have found it difficult to get into. But it works really well for me in their SPN fic...gives it the flavor of oral story telling as might actually happen at a drifter’s camp (with one story written exactly as such). Be warned this particular fic does play up the idea of John Winchester being mentally abusive and Dean having to turn tricks when he was younger in order to support him and Sam, so there is some dark stuff. But as someone who grew up with mentally abusive parent, reading this was extremely cathartic to me and believably written (unlike some stories that go too over the top with abusive John, or just don't understand how that kind of abuse leaves lifetime psychological scars.)

The rest of this round’s recs below the cut.

Carnevale by DeanRH (18k) - Actually the first fic by this author I read, because I just couldn’t resist a story set in my favorite place in the world, Venice, Italy. Castiel is the Angel of Venice, banished there for so long he does not even know or remember the reasons why. But Carnevale season is the one time a year he can let his wings out - figuratively and literally. And during this particular Carnevale season, he meets an intriguing masked young American tourist there with his brother and their one night stand turns into something far more powerful than either expected. This one’s hot, romantic, and achingly sad at the end as it all ties together unexpectedly with canon-verse...though with a hint for the future so it’s definitely not totally sad. I loved how DeanRH clearly understands Venice as a fellow lover of the city, the side of it most tourists never see unless they spend a long time there. This story made me cry just from wanting to be back in Venice again.

Ice cream was sweeter, food more satisfying, everything was an epicurean delight. There was just something magical about Venice, and he had lived here in the city for hundreds of years, so the shine should have worn off by now.

But it didn't, and there was always something more, something wonderful to discover around the next corner. The painted eaves of a church. The beauty of two women dancing with flowers in their teeth across the Piazza San Marco one day, overcome by the sheer joy of just being there. The way the university students still created Venetian masks, like Castiel's extravagant volto mask and Dean's humble servetta muta, with crafts that had been handed down across the generations. The morning silence that lay against the stones.

Hard Landing by DeanRH (26.9k) - A bit similar in theme to Carnevale. A pre-series Dean and Sam are sight-seeing in Spain when an angel, struck by a babel-spell, crash lands right in front of Dean. A strange yet seriously hot encounter with the angel turns into something much more complicated when the brothers return home and realize something more serious is afoot and they are both trapped in the middle of it. This is another story where things are very much not as they seem at first (as fun as that is!) It features master strategist Cas at his best, with a side helping of delightful trickery care of Gabriel and Balthazar as they deal with Lucifer, Michael...and a few others along the way.

The Sacred Band of Thebes by DeanRH (14.5k) - The last DeanRH fic I’m gonna allow myself to include in this round up, because it’s just very soft and sweet and beautiful - for a story about Dean & Cas being magically transported back in time to ancient Sparta! This is another story infused with a great knowledge of place and history, with some wonderfully delightful original characters added in that make it all the more enjoyable to read.

And now on to some other authors, I promise!

IPAMIS OL OLPRIT by emmbrancsxx0 (56k). A really wonderful fic that take a different look at what might have happened with a temporarily resurrected John Winchester during Season 14. Dean & Cas are in an established relationship here, and John here isn’t too happy about it — though mostly because he sees Cas (and Jack) as monsters, the kind of monsters he spent his lifetime hunting. This is a great fic for the emotional complexity of how John, Dean and Cas are all handled. John isn’t a cardboard evil dad, Dean is struggling between his loyalty to his father and to Cas, and Cas is increasingly bitchy/frustrated at Dean still being so desperate for his father’s approval (and all the more complex for not just being a quietly suffering perfect supporting boyfriend.) There’s some great action sequences in this too along with the emotional angst and a delicious dose of hurt!Cas if that’s your thing (as it is for me :D)

Abrenuntio by Neonbat (51k). A very dark but compelling AU take on the/a apocalypse universe. Dean, Sam and John are all alive in this post-angel war-apocalyptic world. They are part of a group of human survivors fighting against the angel army when they manage to capture “Blue” — a particularly feared angel of death. Dean is tasked with bringing Blue in for interrogation and he becomes a prisoner in their camp after John is killed. As mentioned, this is a pretty dark/sad fic (with some rather gruesome torture scenes) but I still found it quite compelling as a look at how things could have gone in some other parallel universe. And somehow the author manages to make the Dean/Cas relationship come together despite them starting out as complete enemies. This is one of those AUs that works for me because the core of the characters really shine through despite the differences in the setting.

if it all fell to pieces tomorrow by spocklee (37k) - a gorgeous post-Empty rescue fic that takes an approach I haven’t really seen explored in detail before (despite being something I’ve actually thought about as something that could’ve happened.) What if Cas has spent so long denying himself happiness, and then trapped in regrets and false-rescue scenarios created by the Empty, that he can’t trust that his rescue is real? And so he runs off to be on his own - literally stealing the Impala because he can’t handle being in Dean’s presence one moment longer - and only slowly comes to terms with the idea that it’s over now and he can be happy with/around his friends and family. This one’s both deliciously angsty and at times funny/sweet, looking at Cas’s relationships not just with Dean but with Sam, Jack, Claire, even Eileen. It does some fun stuff with other returned angels and demons who now find themselves back on Earth (and human), and...I just really enjoyed this one a lot.

Both Saved and Lost by angelfishofthelord (13.7k) Gen Cas character study, absolutely gorgeous and sad and one of those fic I couldn’t stop thinking about the day after reading it. AU where Apocaverse!Cas isn’t immediately killed by our Cas during 13x22 but instead hitches a ride back to the main ‘verse. Dean and Sam want to keep him alive for information on Michael; Cas is torn and trying to figure out just how similar—or different—they really are. Some great angel stuff here (I also highly recommend this author’s Jack & Cas “dadstiel” fics, they’re equally lovely and heartbreaking at the same time.)

flesh of the mighty by Mudprophet (2.7k) - THEE “What exactly did Dean eat in Purgatory, anyway?” fic you’ve probably already heard about. *cough* I’ve been trying to work up the courage to read this one for a while and finally gave in and OH MY CHUCK I’m so glad I did. It’s perversely disturbing and beautiful at the same time, Cas is wonderfully DERANGED and ALIEN in that way that I love it when fics managed to convey just how much angels are NOT human. Do heed the tags.

Full of Grace by ilovehowyouletmefall (11k) - Another one for the weird-as-fuck-angel!Cas lovers’ list. Heaven/canon-compliant fic where Dean knows he should feel happy and at peace but he just...isn’t, even with Cas and all of his friends and family there. He finally goes looking for Cas when he’s been absent for a time and, for the first time, gets to not just see but experience his true form. Another one that hits some kinks I knew I had and others I didn’t...until now. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

don't ask me where i've been by saltwound / @1x06 (8k) - I can never resist a good 09x06 fiction gap fic! What makes this one really stand out is how well it captures Cas’s internal voice - his struggles adapting to human senses, limitations and emotions versus what/how he experienced things as an angel. The longing and feelings between Dean & Cas here are so achingly beautiful and I just wanted to cry when Cas says he misses hearing Dean’s prayers, so Dean, he...oh, I’m not going to spoil it. *happy sigh* Just read it.

this room is wrong by DarkHeartInTheSky (12k) - Sometimes I like torturing myself with some good 15x03 divorce arc angst and this fic hit that button just so. It’s an alternative take on where Cas might have ended up after leaving the bunker and features some great Cas & Sam friendship feels, when Sam sets out to try to bring Cas home. It’s all the stuff you’d wish the writers would’ve let them talk out in canon.

Well that’s more than enough for this round! Go forth, read and give some great writers some kudos & comment love!

[blodreina-noumou]

I had fun with 6x02. It was angsty “why can’t our kids just get along” fun, but still fun!

The Big Things I’d be down to discuss:

1 - We got tiny little crumbs about Alpha/Sanctum itself, the people who live there, and how/why they’ve lived on this moon for the past century or so. The backstory with the very obvious Bellarke stand-in (that had to either be the best or worst little nod ever for shippers), including the sudden and unexpectedly violent death of Sanctum Clarke (I know she has a name I just forgot), shows us that the people of this world have been dealing with the eclipse psychosis for a long time, which definitely explains the kids’ books and general “this is a thing that happens sometimes” attitude of the people we’ve met. The mother, father, and daughter of that group are the Lightbournes (no idea how to spell that yet), who are seemingly worshiped in this world. How did that happen, when Daddy Lightbourne went nuts and murdered his wife and daughter? Jumping to the present, one of the lines between the older hijacker woman and her dying daughter - “the bodies, you have to make sure -” “I’ll take care of it” - definitely makes me think that there’s something about death/corpses on this planet that we don’t know yet. (Which makes me think of poor Shaw, quickly buried in that grave by that random field.) Both women seemed very concerned with recovering the bodies of their husbands, beyond the usual “respecting our dead” worries. And finally, that ending. The little girl, Rose, seemed to be dressed a bit more “royally” for lack of a better word, than the other children. Maybe it was just a design choice to make her stand out - if she’s got a name, she’s gonna be important. She had those “wise young leader” vibes though. The most interesting thing - her asking Clarke if they’re there to “take them home” and Clarke responding “isn’t this your home?” Sanctum believes they’re going to be rescued, I think we can safely guess that this is a big part of what makes them culty. So what are they going to do now that they know a rescue is impossible, because Earth is dead? Why do they still want to go home - to reconnect with a world an indeterminate number of lightyears away, where none of them were born? Why? Is it something about Sanctum that makes them long to return - something more than just the Eclipse Psychosis?

2. My favorite interactions were between Murphy and Clarke. I think something significant happened between them when Murphy finds Clarke holding that knife to her own throat. I think Murphy has a moment of realizing, “oh, maybe Clarke hasn’t let go of her baggage, maybe she carries more guilt and self-loathing than she shows us.” He gentles a lot as he talks her down, tells her that the radio she’s hearing all of those terrible things from isn’t even on. I do think they have a better understanding of each other now, and will probably snipe at each other less. Probably. Maybe. I appreciated Murphy telling Clarke that her taking some responsibility for being “the bad guy” was “a good start.” I do think Clarke needs to make serious strides towards apologizing properly, and she came closer than she had before to doing that in the argument she and Murphy had while they were locked up in the school. She was passive aggressive, but I think part of that is her frustration that anyone would think she doesn’t regret the things she’s done. She’s lost so many people who are important to her, and, given what Delusion!Abby said, Clarke also clearly blames herself for all of it. I think part of why she can’t apologize to anyone is because it’s hard for her to live with herself without justifying the why of those lives lost. She has to remember what she did it for, who she did it for, or she’ll lose it completely and surrender to her darkest, self-destructive impulses. This episode helped me with Clarke a bit, I’ll admit it. I hope this isn’t the only thing we’ll get, but I’m not holding my breath.

3. The different reactions everyone has to the psychosis is worth a hundred metas and at least twenty crack posts. I wanted to make a “tag yourself” meme about what everyone does (Echo “nopes” herself right out; Emori flips and attacks her “it’s complicated” lover; Bellamy becomes an Angry Rage Dad; Jackson and Miller try to protect each other to death; Clarke just hates herself (I don’t even have a good joke for it, it was honestly pretty sad); and Murphy would just be “????”; a bonus would be Octavia, who managed to behave as if she was under the Eclipse Psychosis, but it turns out our girl is just Losing It For Real Now, No But Like For REAL For Real - but I’m not good at the image-making thing, so anyone who sees this is free to steal the idea and adapt it to their own interpretations (just lmk ‘cause I wanna see it)!

4. Was Murphy affected? By the time Emori, Jackson, Miller, and Echo are all down for the count, Murphy becomes the voice of reason for Clarke and Bellamy. He has to protect himself, and them, from themselves and each other, and he does so in a very level-headed way. He isn’t shaking off the delusions like Clarke does when Murphy and Bellamy are fighting. He isn’t raging and ranting like Bellamy is. His craziest moments come from believing that he’s the only sane one left. Yet he shoots at Bellamy and Clarke, and clearly seems paranoid that they’re out to get him at certain moments. So what gives? Which parts were potentially Eclipse Psychosis, and which parts were just Murphy? I’m inclined to believe his needling of Clarke is 100% Him - given how he stomps off from their little fireside chat in 6x01 (that smile was sarcastic af y’all, not him really being like “you win”, he was pissed), I don’t think he’s able to hold himself back from speaking his mind to Clarke about her decisions, once they’re both tied up and stuck in the same room together. So when he shoots at Clarke and Bellamy, do we think he’s trying to protect them from themselves, or does he genuinely want to hurt them? So much to analyze. 

5. Speaking of Octavia, I am both elated and devastated to see that Niylah is pretty much her only friend right now - it makes my Niytavia heart happy, but it’s rough to see Octavia struggling so much, and being so alone in it. It’s clear Niylah is so scared for Octavia, and might be the only one who really sees how much she’s hurting. She’s the only one who recognizes that Octavia is egging everyone on, trying to get them to fight her, probably even kill her. Octavia is lashing out so much right now, and it’s definitely not a good look. I think it’s the only thing that makes sense for her character right now. She lost everything - all of the honor and respect and (yes) power she had, all of the hope she had for finding redemption in Eden, all of her closest friends and supporters (with the exception of Niylah - also, side note, I hope we see Indra and Gaia soon), and her brother. She’s never been good at actually reflecting on her mistakes. Now that she feels she has pretty much nothing to lose, of course she’s going to lash out and act like an angry kid throwing a tantrum, baiting people into punishing her. She wanted to die in that gorge - she believes she deserves it. Now, in her own words, “none of it makes sense”. I don’t know how much darker and angrier she’ll have to go before she finally confronts Blodreina, and all of the reasons she had to become her. She has to accept what she did, and forgive herself, before anyone else will.

6. What will the fallout from the Bellamy/Murphy fight be? Everyone was throwing out some sharp barbs, but Bellamy’s comment about Murphy being a court jester, and how that was “barely” better than useless was a low blow. It’s also a long way from the premiere last year, with Bellamy pinning Murphy and refuses to let him up until Murphy says he isn’t worthless. Will they brush by it as Eclipse Angst, or is this indicative of bigger problems between Murphy and Bellamy down the line this season? Bellamy definitely wakes up looking hella guilty about how close he came to killing both Clarke and Murphy. Does he really feel that way about Murphy, does he see him as an equivalent threat compared to Clarke? Why, and how?? Not to beat a dead horse, but Clarke has been pretty traitorous lately and has been much more dangerous to trust than Murphy has, for Bellamy for sure. Clarke’s own self-destructive thoughts seemed to be the genuine truth, what she believed about herself. Who’s to say we can’t assume Bellamy was being equally genuine about Murphy?

7. What’s going on with Murphy at the end there? Before he went into the water, he was mostly okay. After he comes out and passes out for a while, he’s suddenly near-death, with crazy black shit visibly running through his veins? I’ll admit I’m a little scared for him! I’m sure he’ll probably be fine, but the source is what unsettles me - the biggest difference between the three of them by that ...pond? puddle?... is that Murphy went under and inhaled a lot of water. Is even the water toxic when the eclipse is going on? That’s going to mean that the Sanctum people, who clearly have some safe place to go to during the eclipses, will have a lot of power over the safety of everyone on the planet, even more than we originally suspected. So our traumatized heroes are going to have to adapt and assimilate to this new society, and we really have no idea what that’s going to look like yet. We’ve already gotten some hints that it’s weird and culty though, and culty things have never boded well for our characters. Has it been mentioned how often these eclipses are? I don’t think so. We know they last two days, but not how often they happen. We also don’t know much else about the dangers in the world, and what life is like for other parts of the moon’s surface.

8. The parallels between Clarke and Octavia so far this season are delightful and frustrating. They both have so much in common, and it’s interesting to see the different and similar ways they’re reacting to the terrible things they were forced (and chose, at times) to do as young, inexperienced leaders. They both don’t think they deserve to be alive. They both have tried to hurt or kill themselves because of that. What frustrates me a bit about 6x02 is that it feels like a reversal from the way we saw Octavia at the end of 5x13. Octavia seemed ready to accept responsibility in that gorge “Wonkru is dead. I broke it.” and Clarke seemed more willing to stand by her convictions as a Mama Bear. Now Clarke is slowly starting to accept some accountability, and Octavia is calling out everyone for their “sins”. But I think on some level, they’re both motivated by the same self-destructive self-loathing. Both Clarke and Octavia attempted to sacrifice themselves (Clarke at the end of s4, Octavia at the end of s5) for the sake of their people, and also in an attempt to make up for how fall they’d each fallen from their own moral centers - they both wanted redemption and absolution for the terrible things they’d do to other people for the sake of survival. Both of them were robbed of this opportunity when they survived their attempts at martyrdom, yet their attempts do save the people they love. They’re both pretty much in the same place at the beginning of s6 - on the edges of their groups (although Clarke has been treated far more warmly by ReconKru than Octavia has been on the Eligius ship), feeling alone except for one special girl (Madi and Niylah respectively, although also Bellamy was being pretty nice to Clarke before the Psychosis thing happened), and they both have so much blood on their hands. Both have lashed out to an extent, but both have also directed their anger and guilt inward, and against themselves physically. I don’t know what the intention is behind these parallels yet - both women need a lot of peace and time to heal from what they’ve been through. Will they both actually be allowed that, on this show? I doubt it. That scares me, because as much as I complain about Clarke, I’ve never wanted a tragic ending for her. But if it comes down to a choice, I think y’all know what my bias would be. And right now, Octavia looks more likely to meet that dark end than Clarke.

This is long enough, so that’s it for now! Let me know your own thoughts!!

[rikrakyarnncrafts]

Global Fiber Tour #2: Denmark!

Raise your hand if your travel itineraries start with stops that involve yarn, fabric, thread, or anything tangentially related to crafting? Oh man, me too! Last summer my husband and I traveled to both the island of Bornholm and Copenhagen for ten days. Before I penciled in any castles, gardens or museums, I had a map of every craft-adjacent institution in both places first. Tag along for my list of places I recommend stopping and the places I wish we’d been able to see!

Unfortunately, I left my knitting bag on the first 2-hour leg of our extensive flight time to Europe. This meant that I not only left behind my activity for the next ten hours, but I’d also lost my carefully curated set of projects (yes, plural). I always pack a fiddly project and a mindless project to switch between, depending on what I have planned that day. Jetlagged? Easy project, here I come! On a lengthy train ride through a rainy countryside? Intricate cables forever! Anyway, I started this trip with a totally (unexpectedly) open knitting queue!

Our first five days were spent on the absolutely stunning island of Bornholm, a short ferry ride from Copenhagen. All three of the cute knitting shops on the island were closed for the season during our trip but I stumbled on two unexpected alternative yarn sources! The first was  Melstedgard Agricultural Museum located on the northeastern side of the island. We made a special trip by bus to see the museum and hike along the coast but wound up spending most of the day poking around the fascinating museum all day instead.

Melstedgard Agricultural Museum is a working 17th century family farm restored to working order with draft horses, heritage pigs, rabbits, barn cats, geese, orchards and farm buildings. I loved seeing the livestock in situ but my favorite part was the working farmhouse. The staff were cooking lunch in on the old wood ranges and the whole building smelled so homey!

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled on the dining room featuring a massive loom. Far bigger than the communal table right next to it, this loom has pride-of-place in this rambling farmhouse. I’d hoped to see some form of handwork around the museum but I wasn’t expecting to see it on such a scale and in pristine condition. I really felt that this is how the home would have been set up in the 17oo’s and it felt so welcoming.

In the same room as the large floor loom was a small rigid heddle loom next to a daybed, complete with a basket of knitting close by. I can imagine spending time in this room throughout the day between bigger chores and also most evenings because this room was right off the kitchen with the big cooking ranges.

You could see right into the pantry from the loom seat and I can imagine how lovely it would be to spend time weaving with the smell of fresh pretzels and jams so close by.

I ducked into the farm museum store and found locally spun yarn from the museum’s resident flock of sheep! I wasn’t able to find out what breed of sheep was at the museum, I think I love the wool all the more for the air of mystery around the fiber type. Unfortunately, I had to settle for needles I found in a local supermarket. I really missed my interchangeables by the end of this trip! Straights are just too hard to knit within confined spaces like planes. Maybe next time I’ll pack an emergency set in the bottom of my bag where I’m sure I won’t leave them behind!

After Bornholm, we spent three days exploring Copenhagen! We visited some super fun shops including:

A.C. Perch’s famous teahouse (highly recommended) where I filled any room left in my luggage with huge parcels of tea.

Marimekko’s Copenhagen store! Her prints and textiles are amazing.

I was so sad that the Stoff & Stil craft store was closed all three days we were in the city. Next time!

My favorite part of our trip in town (besides the delightful pastries!) was the Design Museum of Denmark. Chock full of examples from every time period, there’s something for every craft enthusiast here.

The hall of Danish chair design was beautifully displayed. All of them are perfect for knitting!

The museum does an excellent job curating clothing collections from the last 200 years or so with embroidery examples going back further. This quilted bedjacket was stunning in the level of skilled embroidery but also the incredibly delicate areas that have been hand mended by the owner over the years.

Lastly, this oh-so-delicate embroidered portrait was an incredible example of craftsmanship. I almost missed it the first time around but it caught my eye when I got lost in the museum’s wonky maze of rooms the second time. I can’t image the time dedicated to this portrait, I’m so glad it survived long enough to wind up in this museum.

I appreciate that each place we visited in Copenhagen dedicated space and time to displaying examples of various handcrafts with equal weight to paintings, statues and other more “traditionally celebrated” artworks. Whole rooms at the Design Museum were dedicated to embroidered samplers! I came home with so many new ideas and inspiration photos on my phone for future projects!

Have any of you traveled around Denmark? What were your favorite stops? A few of my other Denmark recomendations are listed below. Happy travels and happy knitting!

The Round Tower (so picturesque!)

Rosenborg Castle

Botanical Garden

Papiroen (island of food carts!)

    The post Global Fiber Tour #2: Denmark! appeared first on KnitPicks Staff Knitting Blog.

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[myhahnestopinion]

THE AARONS 2017 - BEST TV EPISODE

My consumption of serialized TV seems to be inversely correlated to the amount of bing-watching I do. I love the more complex storylines and engaging characters of serialized TV, but I also like having time to reflect on how each episode works as a piece of the whole. That’s why I designed this award to look at the exemplary singular efforts in TV this year. Here are The Aarons for Best TV Episode:

#10. “The Ricklantis Mix-Up” (Rick and Morty, Season 3, Episode 7)

The promise of Rick and Morty taking their absurd antics to the realm of Atlantis was enticing… but it was not meant to be. Instead, the show flipped the script, transporting us into a trio of trope-blasting adventures with some unexpected, but amazing, dark social satire. In a miniscule fraction of the time and budget, Rick and Morty create a high-concept buddy cop examination of systemic racism far more enjoyable and insightful than Netflix’s Bright could ever have hoped to be, along with a surprisingly affecting coming-of-age tale, and a sublime political thriller. A lot of Rick and Morty episodes had a chance at making this list, but “The Ricklantis Mix-Up” ultimately got it for delivering a holy trinity of the show’s brilliant meta-narratives.

#9. “Stupid Piece of Sh*t” (BoJack Horseman, Season 4, Episode 6)

Since its inception, BoJack Horseman has been a blistering portrayal of the depths of depression, but “Stupid Piece of Sh*t” (Netflix’s censorship there) found a way to be even more cutting than usual by finally giving us a glimpse inside BoJack’s head, narrated by Will Arnet’s haunting voice work. Taking advantage of the cartoon format, the episode’s innovative departure from the show’s traditional animation style brought mental illness to life in painfully real fashion, and made it clear that the show’s honest look at these struggles is indeed a story best told through the animated format. Well, that, and because the episode also delivered plenty of wonderful animal puns and sight gags, as always.

#8. “New York, I Love You” (Master of None, Season 2, Episode 6)

Similar to “The Ricklantis Mix-Up,” a large number of Master of None’s second season could have made this list, including its wonderful send-up of Bicycle Thieves and the touching “Thanksgiving” episode, but “New York, I Love You” stood out for its narrative swerve and its triad of empathetic stories. Departing from our regular cast to follow the stories of unique New Yorkers by way of camera pan, the episode showcased Master of None’s knack for finding compelling stories and wise commentary in the simplest of stories. Stories about the characters that make up the character of New York City may be rote material for TV, but Master of None’s unique viewpoints and celebration of diversity, from a Burundian cab driver to a deaf couple, made it one of 2017’s most powerful and important stories to watch.

#7. “Duet” (The Flash, Season 3, Episode 3)

Like Barry Allen with Singin’ in the Rain, I’m a sucker for a good musical, and The Flash’s celebration of the talented cast of Broadway stars and Glee-alumni amassed by it and its crossover show Supergirl was just way too much fun to not include on this list, despite a confusing direction for the episode’s central villain. The stars were all clearly having a grand time getting to put a superhero spin on a classical musical style, and while the show’s covers of existing song were stirring enough, it’s really the two original numbers that made this episode such a delight, including the tender “Running Home to You” from La La Land’s songwriters, and the clever wit of “Superfriends” from Rachel Bloom of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend fame.

#6. “Chicanery” (Better Call Saul, Season 3, Episode 5)

If Better Call Saul indeed ends up lasting as long as its predecessor, than “Chicanery” will sit as the exact middle of the show, and is appropriately a game-changing episode and the height of emotional drama thus far. The entire show has been building towards watching Jimmy McGill and his estranged brother Chuck going head-to-head in the courtroom, and the resulting conflict was one of the most intense watches of the year. The sharp plotting and rich characterization provided the perfect framework for a show-stopping performance by Michael McKean, whose vitriolic courtroom meltdown was absolutely shattering for viewers. Honestly though, the real reason this episode was guaranteed a spot on this list is because, of course, it also marked the return of Huell to the Breaking Bad world.

#5. “The Law of Non-Contradictions” (Fargo, Season 3, Episode 3)

“The Law of Non-Contradictions” was an outlier in the already peculiar early episodes of Fargo’s third season, moving the location of the show outside of frozen Minnesota for the first time, and transplanting Carrie Coon’s Officer Burgle to sunny California. While the pieces all falling into place in its final moments made Fargo my favorite show of the year, “The Law of Non-Contradictions” is one of my favorite episodes precisely because it doesn’t fit into the show’s larger narrative. Burgle’s investigation of her murdered stepfather’s past as a pulp science-fiction novelist ended up irrelevant to the case at hand, but its examination of the role of stories in our lives and the frequent failures of good intentions, themes that are enhanced by a beautiful animated story within its story, made the episode a key piece of the lingering power of Season 3.  

#4. “USS Callister” (Black Mirror, Season 4, Episode 1)

While Black Mirror’s terrifying Twilight Zone-like looks at technological trepidation made it into such an addictive show, it’s the episodes that break this mold that become some of my favorite episodes of television ever. “USS Callister” is the most visual effects heavy episode of the show ever, and, given it also runs at a full 80 minutes, could very well be considered a movie, but, like “San Junipero” before it, the true power of the episode comes from its place within the show’s loose anthology structure. The episode certainly gives a haunting look at the dangers of potential technology through its scathing indictment of the toxic masculinity festering in certain sects of fandoms, given form in Jesse Plemons’ perfect parody of William Shatner’s Kirk. However, what makes it one of 2017’s best episodes is its fulfillment of the intentions of its parody subject, Star Trek, with its thrilling adventure of a diverse crew working in harmony to overcome insurmountable odds. 

#3. “Hero or Hate Crime” (Always Sunny, Season 12, Episode 6)

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia continues to show it deserves to become television’s longest running live-action sitcom, because every year it manages to put out at least a handful of great new episodes. Season 12 had a couple highlights, including a wickedly fun Always Sunny take on The Wiz, but “Hero or Hate Crime” understands that the greatest moments of the show come from just letting the cast bounce off one another. The gang’s debate over whether Frank’s use of a slur to warn Mac of a danger to his life constitutes as a hate crime is a fantastic source for the show’s riotous and outlandish, though never truly offensive, brand of dark humor. It’s all great fun, but it’s the episode’s unexpectedly moving ending, perhaps the first time Always Sunny can be considered an emotional experience, that cements “Hero or Hate Crime” as one of the finest episodes of the long-running series.

#2. “Dance, Dance, Resolution” (The Good Place, Season 2, Episode 3)

In what I like to consider the unofficial spiritual mascot of the Reboot Already Underway podcast, “Dance, Dance, Resolution” was the most madcap episode of a very madcap sitcom, an episode so intent on tearing down its status quo that watching it made one extremely nervous that the show had pulled yet another bait-and-switch and its finale was going to come unexpectedly in only the third episode of the season. Thankfully, the show didn’t end, finding a way to subvert all expectations yet again at the end of this extraordinary, joke-a-millisecond entry directed by Cabin in the Woods’ Drew Goddard. “Dance, Dance, Resolution” suggested that The Good Place truly does have an eternal source of cleverness to draw from for its twisted afterlife, made even clearer by the lengthy list of unused punny restaurant names that episode writer Megan Amram released on Twitter the following day.

AND THE BEST TV EPISODE OF 2017 IS....

#1. “Cryogenics, Lightning, Last Review” (Review, Season 3, Episode 3)

“Dance, Dance, Resolution” may have been such a clever deconstruction of its show’s premise that it seemed like The Good Place’s finale would come in just the season’s third episode, but Review actually did it. Review is perhaps the most underappreciated show of the decade, and, had the viewership justified it, I’m sure it would have never stopped being entertaining to watch Forrest McNeil’s absurd quest to review everything in life, no matter the cost to his health or personal relationships. While it’s sad to see such an ingenious show end, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect note for Review to go out on, an episode that saw the show’s cringe-inducing absurdism and glorious dark comedy in peak form. The tragedy of Forrest McNeil truly deserves a place alongside the great works of the Greek poets and Shakespeare, a downfall that simply must be experienced in its entirety for yourself. So, I’ll say no more than: I give this episode… all the stars.

NEXT UP: THE 2017 AARON FOR BEST TV PERFORMANCE!

[gffa]

Time to cry about STAR WARS fic? Ha ha, trick question, it’s ALWAYS time to cry about Star Wars fic. This is what life is now. Crying about Star Wars, especially via fic. STAR WARS FIC RECS: ✦ Broken by lilyconrad, obi-wan/anakin & ahsoka & rex & cast, NSFW, sith!obi-wan (sort of), dark themes, 17.5k wip    The Twins are unstoppable enforcers of the Emperor’s will, the sun and moon that hang in the black void of his rule. It is said they are not the same age and that under their hoods they do not look alike, but they fight as one entity, silent and terrible as an eclipse in a spring sky. ✦ Capture and Release by Rocket_Sith, obi-wan/anakin, mild bondage, 19k wip    Anakin’s past comes back to haunt him unexpectedly during a mission. What starts as Obi-Wan’s attempt to help him face his fears takes on a life of its own and evolves into so much more. ✦ Heart of Kyber by Eirian Erisda, obi-wan & cast, 3k    With part of the Open Circle Fleet docked for some much-needed shore leave after a harrowing battle, Obi-Wan gives the rest of the 212th the slip and wanders planetside alone. ✦ The Cry of the Fallen Jedi by crowleyshouseplant, ahsoka/barriss, 5.1k    Barriss looks for Ahsoka after she disappears into the Sith Temple. ✦ untitled by fireflyfish, obi-wan & anakin & cast, ~1k    Prompt: Number 6 their vices with Obi Wan please ✦ tap, tap, tapping on the glass by skymurdock, obi-wan/anakin, modern au, ~1k    .so while I am screaming at this big bang (what do you mean you don’t want to move come the fuck on you got this far) here is a small destressing thing based off of Just Like Heaven. ✦ The Light You Leave Behind by laventadorn, obi-wan/anakin & anakin/padme & ahsoka & bail & asajj & cast, 28.6k wip    Ahsoka has left the Jedi Order, and Anakin is haunted by the last words he spoke to her on the steps of the Temple: “I understand, more than you know, wanting to leave the Order.” ✦ He Watched by temple_mistress, obi-wan/anakin, NSFW, 22.1k    Obi-Wan secretly watches Anakin in lightsaber practice. Anakin is not having any of it. At all. ✦ Temple History by sanerontheinside, obi-wan & anakin, 1.4k    There was no way his Master wouldn’t see that bruise, and so now Anakin was hiding. ✦ Sofa, So Good by Smitty, obi-wan & anakin, 10.9k    Why would anyone want Obi-Wan’s grody old couch? ✦ The Curious Feeling of Falling by Eirian Erisdar, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & cast, 2.6k    There is a common misconception that Obi-Wan Kenobi has never felt the pull of the darkness. ✦ A Falcon in the Dive by Eirian Erisdar, obi-wan & cast, 1.8k    A dive is so very different from a fall. Obi-Wan dives into the unknown. From the Temple gardens to Naboo, Mandalore to Utapau, and in the Unifying Force to another Falcon altogether. ✦ untitled by stonefreeak, obi-wan & yoda & mace & cast, ~1k    “Disturbing, these findings are.” Master Yoda’s ears droop slightly, as his clawed hand gently lays the datapad he held back on the table. ✦ Meet the Skywalkers by frodogenic, anakin & piett & luke/mara & han/leia & jacen & jaina & anakin solo, 34.8k wip    Newly returned from the Unknown Regions with Darth Vader, Admiral Piett doesn’t expect much of a welcome from the New Republic. And not in a million lifetimes would he have predicted that their very first guest would be Luke Skywalker. After all, Vader is still his mortal enemy…right? ✦ untitled by stonefreeak, obi-wan & cast, ~1k    Obi-Wan is tired. So, so, tired. He rubs a hand over his tired eyes, wanting nothing more than to go to sleep and not wake up until the war is over. full details + recs under the cut!

✦ Broken by lilyconrad, obi-wan/anakin & ahsoka & rex & cast, NSFW, sith!obi-wan (sort of), dark themes, 17.5k wip    The Twins are unstoppable enforcers of the Emperor’s will, the sun and moon that hang in the black void of his rule. It is said they are not the same age and that under their hoods they do not look alike, but they fight as one entity, silent and terrible as an eclipse in a spring sky.    Chapter 4: This is an update rec and will focus on this chapter, rather than the fic as a whole. This fic continues to break my heart, but also utterly engross me–it’s still not a happy fic, it’s almost assuredly never going to be a happy fic, you gotta roll with that when you start it, but it’s well-told and has this really sharp edge to everything, it doesn’t try to oversell what’s happened, but instead lets the horror of all of this breathe, lets what happened with Obi-Wan and Anakin have the room to settle and is almost understated, so much is unknown, but it still carries the weight of just how awful it is. This is one of those chapters that really hit me with how much has been lost between these two, how much of who they were is just gone, even if bits and tattered pieces remain somewhere long buried, it only hurts more because they can never really fully come back from this, it can’t be undone. Seeing the reactions from Ahsoka and Rex, the interaction Dooku has with both of them, drives home just how little is even there anymore, even when they’re set off by something or other. They’re truly feral here and the final scene of the chapter has this incredible frantic energy without trying too hard, I just felt the chaos and sheer intensity of it! But, really, my favorite thing about this fic is how it takes the bond between Obi-Wan and Anakin and twists it to something so much more desperate and dark, the one thing they have when all other lights go out for them, the one thing they hold onto when everything else must have been pain. I loved seeing them through Dooku’s eyes, the way it was such a waste of who they’d been, that the fic does such a lovely job of showing how terrifying The Twins are while still making the audience sad for how much was lost to get them there. It’s dark, but it’s so good for me. ✦ Capture and Release by Rocket_Sith, obi-wan/anakin, mild bondage, 19k wip    Anakin’s past comes back to haunt him unexpectedly during a mission. What starts as Obi-Wan’s attempt to help him face his fears takes on a life of its own and evolves into so much more.    Chapter 6: This is an update rec and will focus on this chapter, rather than the fic as a whole. There is a whole lot of talking in this chapter, which I can see why it was being difficult, because it’s a lot of hard stuff to articulate, especially for characters who aren’t sure they’re on the same page and the stakes feel very high (because everything feels very high for Anakin Skywalker), but it’s also this really warm, not quite fluffy, but certainly softer scene between them, where they’ve worked hard to get to this point and it finally allows a bit more breathing room for what they need to talk about. The sense of how long it takes to pull the words out of Anakin, how he wants to spill everything everywhere, but is also so terribly afraid, the way the restraints have come to mean something safe and comforting to him through association, all of it just left me tearing through the chapter and feeling really content with the characters afterward. It was something much softer than they all too often have and it was lovely for that. ✦ Heart of Kyber by Eirian Erisda, obi-wan & cast, 3k    With part of the Open Circle Fleet docked for some much-needed shore leave after a harrowing battle, Obi-Wan gives the rest of the 212th the slip and wanders planetside alone.    I can’t tell you how much I just quietly fell in love with this fic, how it gets the balance of Obi-Wan’s character down so very well–how entirely Extra he is about slipping away from the Jedi Cruiser, how casual he is about it and the mild chaos he knows he’s going to leave in his wake, how it’s fine, and yet how he’s also a man weighed down by the war and being a Jedi with his face plastered all over the HoloNet sometimes. It’s a nicely sharp fic about Obi-Wan trying to regain a bit of anonymity and how well that does/doesn’t go, a lovely look at the everyday people’s reactions to the Jedi who are fighting for them and how Obi-Wan feels about it all, plus a really just pitch-perfect satisfying ending. I loved this for the characterization, but also because it hit my id in just exactly the right ways. ✦ The Cry of the Fallen Jedi by crowleyshouseplant, ahsoka/barriss, 5.1k    Barriss looks for Ahsoka after she disappears into the Sith Temple.    Oh, this was a really lovely story about Barriss looking for Ahsoka after the end of season two of Rebels, all the history between them that you felt looming in the background, the almost gentle tone of this, even among such terrible events, the guilt and pain Barriss still carried with her, the depth of her sorrow and what she owed Ahsoka, all of it was very pretty and very heartbreaking and very lovely a read. ✦ untitled by fireflyfish, obi-wan & anakin & cast, ~1k    Prompt: Number 6 their vices with Obi Wan please    This isn’t really precisely fic, but more a series of headcanons written in a style very much like a fic, which I’m always weak to! And I liked this piece for how it’s about the things Obi-Wan likes and about the characterization underneath that, what a person’s vices says about them and the life they live, as well as how, even amongst all these people that Obi-Wan cares about, there’s that certain focus on Anakin, how much Obi-Wan loves him. It’s a lovely piece that I enjoyed this take on Obi-Wan! ✦ tap, tap, tapping on the glass by skymurdock, obi-wan/anakin, modern au, ~1k    .so while I am screaming at this big bang (what do you mean you don’t want to move come the fuck on you got this far) here is a small destressing thing based off of Just Like Heaven.    Oh, no, I wanted so much more of this one, ahhhh, I would have read a full 30k of this AU, where Anakin’s ghost-of-sorts is haunting his apartment and runs into his ex Obi-Wan, who is subletting the apartment. It’s a short thing but it’s so much fun and already has plenty to get me engaged with it and some great “what the utter fuck” as the characters realize the situation they’re in. Utterly delightful! ✦ The Light You Leave Behind by laventadorn, obi-wan/anakin & anakin/padme & ahsoka & bail & asajj & cast, 28.6k wip    Ahsoka has left the Jedi Order, and Anakin is haunted by the last words he spoke to her on the steps of the Temple: “I understand, more than you know, wanting to leave the Order.”    Chapters 5-6: I already loved this fic and what it was doing and what it was trying to do with the terrible situation the prequels characters found themselves in with the war. But after chapters 5 and 6, I’m even more in love, because it’s so considering of everyone’s points of view and how easy it is to lose track of yourself, to make one side or the other the enemy, when they’ve been a friend to you for a long time. The nuance, care, and delicate consideration in these chapters just had me over the moon, because it felt so much more real and impactful and full of depth, that it’s easy to sometimes want to blame the Jedi for things that are much more complicated than they first appear and yet without losing the warmth and compassion of Padme’s character, how very, very much she feels things and cares. I read these chapters with such with so much emotional engagement because of that, they’re so good and sharp for that. But this fic is also very much on top of things with the relationships between the characters, especially the strain between Obi-Wan and Anakin, as it’s obvious what’s coming or at least looming on the horizon with Anakin and how of course Obi-Wan sees it, but there are so many other things that are pressing on them for time and getting in the way. My fannish heart was completely wrapped up in everything between them, how painful it was in just the right ways and how much I felt for both of them. This is one of the fics I most look forward to whenever it updates, but I also entirely recommend reading it now if you can stand wips, because there’s some great stuff already put down! ✦ He Watched by temple_mistress, obi-wan/anakin, NSFW, 22.1k    Obi-Wan secretly watches Anakin in lightsaber practice. Anakin is not having any of it. At all.    This is one of those fics that I suspect you have to be in a certain mood to read, it’s very softened edges and big, dramatic confrontations and love confessions, it’s one of those fics you read when you want something kinder and sappier to read for these characters because you’re tired of getting your heart broken by canon or more wrenching fics, and I greatly enjoyed it for doing exactly what it wanted to do, giving me something that was all about their relationship and then nicely satisfying porn. Because, oh my god, Anakin just being so hungry for getting up on Obi-Wan’s cock and riding him until he screamed his Master’s name was exactly what I wanted, that he was so beautiful while wrapped up in the throes of it, that he was this incredible tight heat and clenching muscles as he rose and fell on Obi-Wan, that this was all he seemed to want in the world, to have his Master finally in him and their spirits connected, it soothed my heart and soul. If you’re looking for something with their sharp edges and heavy weight to everything, this isn’t it, this is something fluffier and happier, even in its angsty moments, you know it’s going to work out, the characters are much softer and emotionally open (well, okay, Anakin is always spilling his feelings everywhere, let’s be honest), and it’s for when you just need them to be all sappy in love and to roll around in that for awhile and then read some very nice sex of Anakin wanting nothing more than to sit on Obi-Wan’s cock for like the rest of his life. And I enjoyed it for exactly that, that it was just the right length for what it was doing, and it was entirely kind-hearted and warm! ✦ Temple History by sanerontheinside, obi-wan & anakin, 1.4k    There was no way his Master wouldn’t see that bruise, and so now Anakin was hiding.    Oh, this was a lovely look at Anakin’s younger years, trying to fit in and struggling with it, especially because it’s not preachy or unbalanced, but instead this really warm-hearted, kind look at a tough situation and how these characters dealt with it. Moppet Anakin is adorable and I felt so much for him, loved him so much, but, ahhh, the moments between him and Obi-Wan, the way a Master looks after a Padawan, just had me utterly melting at how perfect and good this was. ✦ Sofa, So Good by Smitty, obi-wan & anakin, 10.9k    Why would anyone want Obi-Wan’s grody old couch?    You may want to read The House That Obi-Wan Built first, but all you really need to know is that Obi-Wan decided to train Anakin on Malastare because he needed something different and they’ve started sprucing up the place they got. I also had to reformat this fic to get it into readable shape (but it was just a find & replace job), which I mention to encourage others through that because, oh, every moment of this was joy. The author does an absolutely fantastic job with their dynamic, that older brother and younger brother dynamic that works so well for them here, BUT ALSO that Obi-Wan is an absolute shit cook and he’s kind of a dick sometimes in that way older brothers are, especially when responsible for their brother’s training, but it’s always done with love, and it’s so sharp and engaging and fits the characters, especially for something that was posted in 1999! But then I’ve always liked anything by Smitty and this fic really holds up, it’s absolutely charming and sharp and was an incredible bright spot in my reading this week, which was already pretty great. ✦ The Curious Feeling of Falling by Eirian Erisdar, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & cast, 2.6k    There is a common misconception that Obi-Wan Kenobi has never felt the pull of the darkness.    This is a lovely bird’s eye view of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s life, the pull he’s felt towards darkeness and the strength of his character that’s required to pull away from it, that it’s never been easy for him. It’s told in snippets, from when he was still just an infant to his time as a Padawan to his time as Anakin’s Master to Tatooine, the anger that has followed him all his life and how he’s risen above it, in ways that are rarely easy. It’s a bittersweet look at the character in exactly the way I was looking for. ✦ A Falcon in the Dive by Eirian Erisdar, obi-wan & cast, 1.8k    A dive is so very different from a fall. Obi-Wan dives into the unknown. From the Temple gardens to Naboo, Mandalore to Utapau, and in the Unifying Force to another Falcon altogether.    A bittersweet and painful look at the greater scope of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s life, from when he was young to the final days of his life, told through snippets and themed with a falcon in a dive. The metaphor worked very well for me, but also the fic captured that sense of how much good there is in Star Wars, but also how much sadness and loss and how much heartache it causes me. It’s not a long fic, but it was just the right length to accomplish what it wanted to do. ✦ untitled by stonefreeak, obi-wan & yoda & mace & cast, ~1k    “Disturbing, these findings are.” Master Yoda’s ears droop slightly, as his clawed hand gently lays the datapad he held back on the table.    This is part of a larger story universe, which I think should be read in order for this part to make sense! Another shorter addition to the Supreme Chancellor!Obi-Wan universe and I really enjoyed it because it’s another one that shows how delicate the whole situation is, that even when the Jedi finally have more room to actually do something, they have to move so very carefully and they’re trying to juggle all these factors and trying to do what’s best in the situation and it’s just really not easy. But it’s also so satisfying to see some of the bad things starting to be exposed and how you can feel shit’s going to hit the fan pretty soon. ✦ Meet the Skywalkers by frodogenic, anakin & piett & luke/mara & han/leia & jacen & jaina & anakin solo, 34.8k wip    Newly returned from the Unknown Regions with Darth Vader, Admiral Piett doesn’t expect much of a welcome from the New Republic. And not in a million lifetimes would he have predicted that their very first guest would be Luke Skywalker. After all, Vader is still his mortal enemy…right?    Chapters 9-10: This is an update rec and thus will focus on this chapter, rather than the fic as a whole. Two more chapters of this fic that’s super fun and delightful, for Anakin’s family just totally and utterly ruining his cool, while still obviously caring very much about him. I mean, he’s still Darth Vader, he’s still pretty terrifying, but his grandkids and his son are still Skywalkers and still can never quite be properly cowed or not pipe up with their thoughts. I especially enjoyed seeing Luke again, though, there was some interesting almost plotful stuff with Piett and what to do with the Executor now that they’re moving ahead with rejoining the galaxy and some nicely light-hearted moments with all the cast. ✦ untitled by stonefreeak, obi-wan & cast, ~1k    Obi-Wan is tired. So, so, tired. He rubs a hand over his tired eyes, wanting nothing more than to go to sleep and not wake up until the war is over.    This was short, not even quite 500 words, but I really enjoyed it, as a way of showing how Obi-Wan is distant from the war and how difficult that is, but he does what he can, how it affects the way he strategizes, and just how much he’s handling at once. I really do enjoy this AU so much and this was a lovely addition to it!

[hope-for-olicity]

Fabulous Olicity Fanfic Friday - February 3rd, 2017

Happy Friday! So this is my attempt to both thank awesome fanfic writers for their amazing work and offer my recommendations to anyone who is interested. Here are the fantastic fanfic stories I read this week! I will include an AO3 link if I have one, otherwise I read it on Tumblr and you can find it there! They are posted in the order I read them.

Intense Happiness by @felicityollies - Oliver as grandfather spending time with his favourite granddaughter - too sweet! http://archiveofourown.org/works/9481781/chapters/21454469?show_comments=true&view_full_work=false#comment_92108912

Bound to You multi-chapter by @bindy417 - Really this has been my main story this week and I am LOVING it. Felicity is an ARGUS agent and Oliver with the Bratva but they met long before that! This story gives the past and the present and did I mention it’s awesome?  http://archiveofourown.org/works/6602668/chapters/15105862

The Room, Please by @geneeste - What happens after Oliver asks to have the room with Felicity, so delightfully naughty!  http://geneeste.tumblr.com/post/156449209972/arrow-fic-the-room-please-explicit

A Soul Lost at Sea multi-chapter by @tinaday3w - Oliver and Felicity love and attraction seen within a regency setting, I can't lie adore this story http://archiveofourown.org/works/8181362/chapters/18742952

Autumn Dreams multi-chapter @sadfangirl - An AU Goth Felicity and Curtis go to Arrowhead Farm http://archiveofourown.org/works/9424283/chapters/21332849

5 Dresses by @laurabelle2930 - Felicity wears five memorable dresses to remind Oliver of their love - so wonderful!  http://archiveofourown.org/works/9486794

Deceive, Inveigle and Obfuscate multi-chapter @machawicket - Amazing story of Felicity being wrongly accused of a crime and Oliver protecting her the best way he knows how http://archiveofourown.org/works/6452551/chapters/21460550

Untitled fic @felicityollies - I can't believe I forgot this last week! Felicity punches Susan and that's all you need to know! http://felicityollies.tumblr.com/post/156305514182/i-would-actually-love-it-if-felicity-punched

Restless by @arrowgirl20 - Set after 5x10 when Felicity is trying to get some sleep http://archiveofourown.org/works/9490379

Untitled by @runawayminds - Oliver takes Felicity on a date

The Green Dress by @hope27 - Felicity wears a green dress to show she has made a choice http://archiveofourown.org/works/2385665

Law of Averages by @darlinginmyway - NSFW and absolutely delightful http://darlinginmyway.tumblr.com/post/141322633117/no-but-hear-me-out-olivers-reaction-the-first

Fifty Bucks multi-chapter by @entersomethingcleverhere - Oliver and Felicity are platonic roommates and their good friends bet on how long it will last - funny and heartfelt story - totally brings the warm fuzzies! http://archiveofourown.org/works/9183436/chapters/21097064

Stand up (A Fanfiction Adventure) multi-chapter by @geneshaven - Exciting tale of future Oliver and Felicity and their twelve year old son Kevin, all kinds of twists you don't see coming.

Olicity Fic: The Life we Choose by @jsevick - Delightful happy Olicity.

Trust Me multi-chapter by @felicityollies - Dom/sub prostitute/client fic that is very hot and feelings are starting to get confused.  http://archiveofourown.org/works/8487226/chapters/21498629

Alone Time by @dmichellewrites - Oliver and Felicity want to spend quality time in the Arrow Cave http://archiveofourown.org/works/9494570?view_adult=true

Just a Piece of Paper by @smkkbert - A lovely story about the people who don't necessarily want to get married. http://smkkbert.tumblr.com/post/156587823600/just-a-piece-of-paper

Baby Fever by @deadlybingo - Diggle really wants Oliver and Felicity to have a baby - fluffiness ensues! http://deadlybingo.tumblr.com/post/156599613053/baby-fever

Things Unsaid by @steelrigged-blog - Felicity and Oliver are in a dangerous situation and Felicity thinks it's the perfect time to talk

As Easy as Falling multi-chapter by @charlinert - Felicity meets Oliver after she has been diagnosed with a fatal disease BUT I'm holding out hope for a miracle. http://archiveofourown.org/works/8035363/chapters/21546017

Olicity - You are Not a Rebound by @marytagus - Conversation Oliver and Felicity have during their night together http://marytagus.tumblr.com/post/156627987733/olicity-youre-not-rebound

Picture Perfect multi-chapter by @thebookjumper - Set in Season 2, Felicity and her friend send Oliver some very interesting text anonymously and fun ensues http://archiveofourown.org/works/7406446/chapters/21561770

Falling for an Angel multi-chapter by @missafairy - Oliver discovers Felicity an Angel that has fallen from heaven - super sweet! http://archiveofourown.org/works/9368912/chapters/21209975

Looking Through Your Eyes Multi-Chapter by @felicityollies - Felicity is suddenly blind and must learn to live her life a new way, along the way she meets Oliver. Very sad but I'm looking forward to seeing things improve for her http://archiveofourown.org/works/8343334/chapters/19113514

A Day in the Life multi-chapter by @tdgal1 - Felicity and Oliver pretend they are dating and things are starting to get very interesting http://archiveofourown.org/works/9229205/chapters/21599849

The 5 Times the Green Arrow Unexpectedly Called Captain Singh and That One Time Singh was Thoroughly Done With That Superhero BS by @alexiablackbriar13  - The Green Arrow calls Singh and fun ensues! https://alexiablackbriar13.tumblr.com/post/156725643513/the-5-times-the-green-arrow-unexpectedly-called

Last Moment (5x20 spec fic) by @dust2dust34 - What could happen in 5x20 and it would be very memorable! http://archiveofourown.org/works/8226541/chapters/21611369

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