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hawkinsschoolcounselor · 6 months ago

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Regarding queerbaiting: Sherlock is one of the more famous examples, and the tumblr drama surrounding it is an... interesting story that I think is worth knowing if you want to understand the queerbait allegations.

The show, made and set in the 2010s, liked to poke fun at John Watson for being a straight man shacking up with another single dude. The show's creators -- one of whom is a gay man himself -- were born in 60s, so I see these jokes as two guys who were adults during the height of AIDS and Thatcherism taking delight in the fact they're now living in a world where queerness is largely accepted and somewhat normalized. A straight guy being forced to constantly defend himself from nonchalant assumptions that the man he's living with is his gay lover is funny when he's not in any danger of being hate-crimed over it, right?

(I'm not a fan of the joke personally, but I get it.)

They really liked this stupid joke though, so they used it again and again and again, to the point that young fans started to become convinced it was hinting at something. I can't blame them: there was even a lesbian character who fell for Sherlock and explicitly compared herself to John as someone who wasn't into men and yet was just so spellbound by this one special detective boi.

It was pretty lesbophobic imo, which should have been a massive red flag as to how the showrunners really felt about queer characters...

...But where the show went from annoying to actively hostile was the mystery of how Sherlock survived his apparent death at the end of season 2. The showrunners swore up and down it was solvable... and then when the next season aired, the "solution" was "lol who cares how he did it, this is a ~*character driven story*~ and only stupid obsessed idiots would want to solve the mystery. 🤣🤣🤣"

Make no mistake, they singled out the mlm shippers specifically for mockery -- there's a group of Sherlock Holmes conspiracy theorists in the show who argue over a theory that Holmes and Moriarty staged the death together and then kissed about it. (The viewer is clearly meant to laugh at this.)

Some of the Johnlockers on tumblr refused to believe this was happening to them and doubled down and convinced themselves there was going to be an amazing Johnlock plot twist at the end of season 4. My understanding (which might be wrong, I wasn't in the fandom) is that this contingent was largely composed of naive queer teenagers who blindly trusted a handful of influential adults who insisted that the show was deep and clever and didn't hate its fans.

So I can definitely sympathize with the folks who fear Byler is just queerbait. This too is a mlm fandom made up of naive teenagers trusting the adults who swear that the secret gay plot twist is totally gonna happen this time, trust me bro it's not called Surface Things.

And, look. I think it's very sensible to be skeptical of random strangers on the internet who insist they have the answers, no matter how authoritative they might sound. Keep on doing that, folks. 👍

But I think that principle applies just as much to the "this is just like Sherlock" doomers as it does to the "anyone who thinks Byler won't happen has no media literacy" lot. Yes, it's always possible that the Duffers were queerbaiting us all along... but the way Sherlock and Stranger Things approach queerness truly is like night and day.

Huh, well, if what you say is accurate, then it sounds like the Holmes writers were just jerks overall. I can see the joke, as you explain it. I may not think it appropriate to make it a running gag, but it's good for a chuckle or two. If it was truly presented as a joke, then it would be on the fans for misinterpreting it, but I don't know enough about how it was presented to know how easy it would be for fans to make that conclusion.

To me, it only makes it more apparent that things on Stranger Things are "night and day," as you put it. Will's feelings, and Robin's, for that matter, are not treated as jokes. They're treated as dramatic, emotional parts of their individual arcs. In Will's case, his happiness is linked to his relationship with Mike, which is complicated by the fact that he doesn't think he'll get to have a romantic relationship with him, or at all really.

I prefer to think the Duffers are better than whoever was responsible for what you described. While it all remains to be seen, they deserve the benefit of the doubt, for now.

#stranger things #byler

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the-nosy-neighbor · 1 month ago

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TV from the Period, Continued

TV shows didn't really try to appeal to children, as far as I can remember, so it was nights of watching whatever was on, because you had two choices: either this or the other channel. Plus, at the time, it was expected that the adults would pick the show. I remember watching lots of crime dramas. Magnum PI, CHiPs, The Fall Guy, etc. When I was older, The Cosby Show was the best thing on TV.

But, the most amazing thing as a kid were the Special Presentations.

Edit: my photos didn't make it, so it appears that I was talking about Tom Selleck, I was not. Sorry Magnum. I will fix the photos tonight or tomorrow.

If you saw this guy, you were in for a nice time. Not to be confused with "A Very Special Episode," which meant some lame thing where they had your favorite TV characters talking about something really depressing or scary, also known as an “After School Special,” though a lot of times those were not filmed with known characters, just really lame low budget deals. The most famous example of this is where a character on Saved by the Bell was taking diet pills (so excited and so scared). Definitely worth a watch.

I actually didn’t see this at the time, and only learned about it as an adult. Two TV stations. If Clown does “A Very Special Episode,” I will die.

So, Special Presentations were your really good things. It meant either you were getting something you didn't see a lot (Miss America), a once-a-year treat (Wizard of Oz), or cartoons (Holiday Specials!) I remember how excited we were to have the Wizard of Oz every year. It seemed random when it happened, but I’m sure there was a schedule that I wasn’t aware of as a kid. I don’t think we even got the TV guide. However, there were TV listings in the newspaper.

Once a year treats included things like "Circus of the Stars." I had forgotten about it until I googled Special Presentation to get that graphic. Actual TV stars would learn to do circus stuff, like trapeze. I am going to drown in nostalgia. Here's a later one in 1992, (Downtown Julie Brown!) with Weird Al, because Weird Al is synonymous with TV. Apparently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8CTEEOMLgE

It's a massively different experience to have such limited access to shows. I do think that having such limitied access created a shared lexicon for Gen X, as we largely relate to each through pop culture--movies, tv, introduction of VCRs and home video. We even get oddly nostalgic about commercials, since I guess a lot of us were kind of raised by tv and the characters that existed within.

It is a very particular feeling, these rituals providing a window to a moment in time. It is almost tangible, but indescribable. I think Clown is very close to capturing that here, and may do it before the end.

All this to say that the shared culture of tv during this period created a very specific way of thinking about it and excitement to these references. Holiday specials, very special episodes, feature presentations and annual tv events were such a big deal and it is neat to see it replicated, but i think it can also give us some hints as to what we can expect.

#welcome home #welcome home arg #early television #80's tv #welcome home lore

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telomeke · 1 year ago

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THE SIGN EPISODE 4 – MUCHNESS IN THE MIX (BUT THE NAGA AND GARUDA STILL PEEK THROUGH THE MUDDLE)

This episode of The Sign somehow managed to be a LOT and yet not quite enough (for me) at the same time.

After the languid pacing of Ep.3, set in far-off, semi-rural Nong Khai and punctuated only sporadically with moments of drama and foreboding, Ep.4 took a jarring tonal leap back into the darker, sleeker world of modern Bangkok as the boys got stuck into their day jobs as newbie investigators for a mysterious crime involving rape, abduction, torture, murder and media manipulation. 👀

Maybe it's just me, but the show is starting to show signs of having bitten off more than it can chew – with aspirations to being a fantasy, a procedural crime drama, a supernatural thriller, a comedy and a love story. Is it some of the above? All of it? At the same time? It's early days, but there are hints it may be going down the same meandering path trod by KinnPorsche, flailing in several directions on a whim. (At least KinnPorsche flailed with style, but I'm not sure The Sign has quite the luxury of a Romsaithong budget to ladle on the bucketloads of sugary gloss needed to make a ramshackle raft of uncohesive elements at least superficially appealing to the palate, if not exactly good for your soul.)

Don't get me wrong though. I think there is a place for the mixing and even blending of genres in media, and there is a long history of this in the Asian cinematic universe (what's coming to mind are Bollywood/Kollywood films in which a mafia tale can also be a love story and musical for example – echoes of KinnPorsche here, though most of KP's musical bits were tacked on in the after-concerts – and also Hong Kong movies of decades past where a martial arts movie could also be a slapstick comedy and nobody would bat an eyelid).

A culinary metaphor might be the easiest (laziest) way of making my point: the mile-long ingredient list and complex spicing of a curry may seem like you're inviting nothing but clashing and competition in the claypot, but careful dosing can stew them up into a sumptuous, unified result. And the myriad of ingredients in East and Southeast Asian noodle soups and flash stir-fries not only foreground contrasting textures and flavors in a single dish but actually celebrate them. Both approaches assert that artful assemblage and the right dosage can bring together disparate components (that might seem uneasy companions in their raw and uncombined state) to finish up with a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.

I'm no media expert (necessary caveat inserted here) but I think The Sign needs quite a lot more finessing with all that it's taken on, and getting the proportions, mixing and balance correct will be the tricky bit given the wildly contrasting ingredients they've already added to the pot. I'm not convinced KinnPorsche got it right and I have concerns The Sign may slide down that slope too (if Ep.4 is anything to go by).

Even the acting is starting to betray the fact that Kruu A's assured directorial hand, so evident in the first three episodes, is possibly losing its grip on all the disparate threads and themes. (It's not too late for him to pull it back though, so I think the next two episodes or so will be critical to see if The Sign can live up to the promise of its first three episodes.)

I think this loss of control is especially noticeable in Billy's acting for Ep.4 – his thespian chops had been confident and dependable enough in Episodes 1 to 3 (even during the high tension fight scenes and especially during the quieter emotional interludes with Babe). But in Ep.4 he crossed the line repeatedly and was visibly overacting in almost every take. I'm guessing they needed to amp up the energy level of his portrayal since Phaya is supposed to be a hot-headed garuda after all. But I think the actorly resources currently at Billy's disposal don't quite allow him to pull off the bigger emotions and scenes with authenticity, not just yet anyway. (Babe showed characteristic restraint throughout though, and I thought he consistently did a good job.)

Unfortunately Billy wasn't the only one falling short in the acting department; the extras and bit players were also allowed to ham it up no end (yes, I'm sorry for the kid who was sexually assaulted, but the hysteria on display was jarringly and completely inauthentic, and drew more mockery to the predicament rather than sympathy, which is such a shame). 🤷‍♂️

Special mention also for the OTT expressions of the investigative group during each team meeting – they all appeared to be reacting exactly in unison to every turn of events, whether it was exaggerated focus on new findings, flinching in collective disappointment whenever their leads were thwarted, or looking around suspiciously and suddenly when it was suggested the murderer might be one in their midst. It looked far too much like a group of actors responding to instructions from outside in, rather than a team of individuals reacting from inside out, each with their own agency but choosing to align themselves as one. And this should have been weeded out by the director, since we know this team was largely able to deliver on the acting front in the first three episodes.

I stand with Inspector Akk whose confused expression in most of the group scenes seemed to be saying "What the hell is going on here?" 🤣

(above) "Inspector" Akk Akarat Nimitchai: "What is going on? Why am I here? Why did I listen to my agent? I am an Actor!"

Although this is probably just The Sign telling us that Akk knows more than he's letting on, and the newbies he's assigned are doing a far better job than he thought they would (and which is maybe not the desired outcome?). 🤔

Anyway the writers dialled back somewhat on the naga/garuda mythology in Episode 4 to shine more light on the NCIS-style criminal investigation, and this isn't doing The Sign any favors because the mythological themes roiling beneath the surface were what set this series apart in the first place and made it such a fascinating watch.

We still got to see some of it though. Whenever the naga and garuda's inner energies are especially stoked, the lighting often plays along (e.g., the brightly sparkling lights that accompany garuda Phaya charging up his batteries at Ep.1 [4/4] 14.20 and Ep.3 [2/4] 19.07, PhayaTharn's toilet encounter at Ep.2 [4/4] 9.12, the Mekong rescue at Ep.3 [2/4] 19.18, and Tharn's erotic dream of him and Phaya having shower sex at Ep.4 [2/4] 5.52). When it's fiery garuda Phaya and watery naga Tharn experiencing this together, the lighting dances between warm tones (suggesting the flames of the garuda) and cooler blues (suggesting the watery world of the naga).

I think that's why they made such a big deal with the blue and red lighting in this scene:

Phaya and Tharn have just survived an encounter with an armed and possibly insane killer. The flashing lights (blue for the marine naga, red for the fiery garuda) quite literally signal them recouping their respective beast energies after their near-death experience. (I also like that in the screenshot above, the light on Phaya is blue while the light on Tharn is red – each seems to be reflecting what the other is giving off. 👍)

There are also a few other examples of the naga and garuda dynamics in Episode 4, if we look a bit more closely.

Naga Tharn really had to fight to overcome his aversion to the flames in the abandoned mental facility (the Molotov cocktail is also I think a callback to the naga fireballs of the previous episode); garuda Phaya on the other hand breached the fire without a second thought.

But in hand-to-hand combat with the masked Molotov man (an agent of the malevolent naga out to get him and Tharn I suppose) Phaya is swiftly overcome – take a look at where they're fighting though (at Ep.4 [3‌/4] 12.25); it's a forest clearing right at the water's edge (with water being the nagas' stronghold, while it seems to weaken garuda Phaya's abilities).

When Phaya insists he and Tharn have dinner, it's at a hot-pot place (a culinary experience of both fire and boiling water at the table, another metaphor for the coming together of the naga and garuda). And the red and blue lighting of the restaurant also pays homage to the mythological pairing:

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When Tharn is cooking breakfast for him and Phaya, it seems the sizzling on the stove is all it takes to remind him of his sex dream with hot-as-fire Phaya (although that is likely an induction hob though, not an open flame 🤣):

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And when offered the breakfast, Phaya lets us know in no uncertain terms he prefers the more liquid option (just as his garuda self has chosen a waterworld naga):

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OK so on to the most direct reference yet to the fantasy world-building in Episode 4 of The Sign – the visitation from the mysterious old woman spouting warnings and exhortations to Tharn and Phaya:

Her serpent bracelet and subsequent physical transformation show that she is most likely a nagini from Tharn's past life, come to warn the pair that the vengeful naga whom Tharn betrayed previously (see Heng Asavarid's interview spoiler here) is nearby and out to get them (remembering also that at least some of the nagas have the power to shapeshift).

My guess is her golden eyes and general coloration at Ep.4 [1‌/4] 15.40 are signaling that she's Wanwisa, Tharn's sister in his previous life as a naga:

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Going off-tangent just a little, the mysterious gran/golden dragon lady is another example of a wise and mysterious elder popping into a Thai drama to dispense life-saving wisdom.

Not sure if it's enough to be a trope, but The Sign's psychic gran calls to mind a couple of other almost deus-ex-machina plot-helpers:

the loong with the time-portal crystal ball in Be My Favorite; and

the wise monk at the end of Nang Nak (the Sine Inthira version).

There are surely others (but I just can't recall them at the moment). I also can't help but think Uncle Tong in Bad Buddy fits this mold as well, because his wise, unworldly advice helped PatPran re-think and re-chart their lives (except that Director Aof had the good sense not to spring this sage and magical loong on us at the very last minute, and introduced him to us earlier in BBS Ep.6).

Anyway, on to Ep.5 of The Sign. I can't wait to see what's in store, and hope they can get the series back on track! 💖

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#the sign #the sign the series #the sign episode 4 #naga and garuda #billy patchanon #babe tanatat #phayatharn #billybabe

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witheredoffherwitch · 1 year ago

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i don't like where these leaks are heading...especially the part where daeron would be cut from the show. they're going to divide his book plot between aemond and helaena which will validate #those shippers. i will be honest that the show did give hints to a romance between them, but when the alys leaked audition was released i completely thought they scrapped that idea entirely. this is a HUGE change so if this happens, anything can happen. the characters and the plot will be wildly different...most specially aemond. to me it seems they're cutting him to give way for helaena. and sure i agree that it would be good for a mother to get her revenge but aemond would be divided between harrenhal and the reach. this leaves no room for alysmond to develop or happen. it only opens up room for helaena to be the one who has some connection with alys if alys has seer powers too and not aemond. i now fear that they're really making #that ship to happen because it would give aemond and helaena a good reason to commit war crimes and the revenge on daemon to make more sense. another concern is that they'll cut alys and aemond's son because this would mean he already has son who died and was relevant for the greens motivations. they'll just exciuse it because everything ends with aegon the younger's coronation.

i hate thinking about this at all but those writers would like drama like this. i just hope those leaks are dead wrong but these leakers have been reliable thus far

Hi nonnie,

I'm at odds with most of the opinions expressed here. This will be a lengthy post, so buckle up:

First, I don't think the show provided any significant hints about the Helaemond ship. People are citing two instances to back up this claim - the first one is of baby Aemond talking about fulfilling his duty, had his mother betrothed Helaena to him instead of Aegon. The second one is in episode 9 where the older Aemond busts out this incredible line of dialogue: "I am next in line for throne. Should they come looking for me, I intend to be found." Both of these scenes were set up to establish Aemond's primary characteristics which alligns with him being duty-bound all while having great ambitions for the throne. Now, why would Aemond assume that he was next in line for throne when Jaeherys exists? And to that I offer *in D&D's voice*: AeMonD kINd oF fOrGoT aBoUt HIs NepHeWS!

It's a writing discrepancy and you will find many such inconsistencies throughout the series. Right from Laenor's age in episode 1 to episode 5, Alicent warning Aegon in episode 6 and then acting shocked when Otto says the same thing in episode 9, Luke acting self-conscious about his 'bastard' status in episode 8 only to laugh in the face of someone he maimed shortly after; and many more. Most characters have some major inconsistencies that can be attributed to post production rewrites and editing.

It's possible I'm mistaken, but it looks like people generally scoff at this ship beyond Twitter and Tumblr. On Reddit, the majority of comments are cynical or dismissive towards this pairing. Even those who think it might actually be canon have voiced their disappointment with the theory. In response to you mentioning the changes being made in the show, I completely agree - they are not favorable to TG fans. It appears that the narrative is now being heavily biased towards Rhaenyra's side, with the introduction of Dyana and the potential omission of Daeron from the storyline. None of these developments are positive!

Now with Daeron's storyline, I am sure it will be divided between Aemond, Gwayne and Cole in the chance that he is absent from the show. But I am confused as to which arc do you think will be adopted by Helaena here. I don't think they will have her fighting actively besides her brothers in the show either. They may have changed Rhaenyra's character development in Season 1 to make us think that may happen, but I am not sure about Helaena. She's a dreamer: she might serve a larger purpose later when it comes to predicting the Dance or even the possible demise of House Targaryen as they've already introduced Aegon's dream in the show. Other than that, I don't think she'll take part in any battle strategy.

Now this is obviously my point of view but once again, I am open to discussion. If anyone has taken the time to read through this post and wants to share their opinion, please feel free to contribute.

That's all! 🤗

#anon asks #aemond taragryen #helaena taragryen #alys rivers #nettles #daeron #alysmond #hotd discussion #hotd discourse #hotd season 2 #hotd leaks #team green

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h0wi1e · 1 year ago

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Tusk 2 Headcannons/Shit I want to see because I'm about to gnaw my foot off.

(This is a bunch of stuff I've been thinking about— As well as some ideas me and my friend came up with. Fair warning this is a bit long.)

Wallace still being one of the main focus es, I really want Tusk 2 to show how he slowly becomes the new Howard Howe.

The movie only having two plots: The new protag and Wallace.

The new protag might be a detective or even a journalist that runs into Wallace and they manage to escape him. The movie could be them trying to find a way to stop him.

Wallace intentionally ripping himself from the suit, this probably has to be at the start of even a flashback. I imagine most of the walrus stuff is gone but I feel like either the tusks stay or they're taken out and he obsessively holds onto them like Howard and the oosik (I want him to keep the tusks they look so badass)

Ally & Teddy still being relative to the plot but they probably don't get a lot of screen time.

NO TEN MINUTE MONOLOGUES FFS

Guy Lapointe might be in this movie (depending on the whole Johnny Depp situation) but if he is I want him to be a lot more serious, he may even die in this movie idk.

Wallace has a partner in crime to help him out. Someone that may have been affiliated with Howard and might know medical stuff because Wallace probably knows nothing about keeping someone alive.

There is just a big ass room full of cages with the new monsters in them, kind of like those rooms with the birds.

Wallace has prosthetic legs but they're not fancy or anything. He would also be very clumsy walking around, stumbling, tripping and falling over a lot.

A bit of backstory of how Wallace got away, I imagine after tearing the suit he got removed from it and probably got sent to a mental hospital where he escaped (killing a few people in the process) this may be where the partner in crime comes along.

For some reason I'm imagining the partner in crime being played by Costas Mandylor AND I'M CRYING

Howard being given the Jigsaw treatment and being seen as this... I don't know, symbol?

Howard leaving a note for Wallace because he knew that if he survived, he'd come back for vengeance.

Wallace having some codename, similar to how Howard was referred to as 'The First Wife' I feel like Wallace will be called something like 'The Devil of the True North' or even 'The Devil's Pinniped'

Wallace just having a huge breakdown halfway through the movie where we can really see the trauma he got from the first. There are things throughout the movie that subtly foreshadow it; such as him smashing mirrors which symbolises his identity issues and how he doesn't really know who he is anymore.

Wallace either using sign language to talk or has some kind of device that talks for him. The ones mute people use.

The partner in crime maybe double crossing Wallace? 👀

Things mirroring the first movie, Wallace stitching someone in the exact same way Howard did it or him sitting on the rock by himself like in the first movie with him and Howard sitting together. The shots are completely identical.

The subject matter is being treated a lot more seriously, if anyone has seen Yoga Hosers you notice that the events of Tusk are talked about so casually. I feel like the authorities would've tried to keep the whole situation under wraps and hiding it from the public.

Tusk 2 being mainly a Horror/Drama, there can be a comedic scene or two but the sequel needs to be more serious for me.

Wallace having sympathy for the new monsters, I imagine he'll try to act cold but he understands their pain at the same time.

A random scene of Wallace just absolutely DEVOURING a giant burger, like Peter B in Into The Spiderverse. Cuz I know damn well he doesn't get fed enough at the zoo.

Wallace being an active menace throughout the entire film.

The protag trying to stop Wallace by reminding him of the person you used it be, "tHiS iSn't YoU pOoKiE."

Sorta hinting back to the scene where Allison talks about 'The old Wallace' and 'The new Wallace' I feel like he will say something like "The old Wallace drowned in that dungeon ___ years ago." Which is the point he embraces his new self.

Hang in is it a ten year time skip?? I feel like 3-5 years is better because there's NO way.

Wallace dying at the end of the movie. Let's be real he should've died in the first movie but he didn't and here we are now. I doubt the protag would do it— I actually think he'll end himself after realising the damage he's caused for nothing really.

HOPEFULLY ALL THE MONSTERS DIE AS WELL BECAUSE ISTG IF THE WHOLE CYCLE REPEATS ITSELF I'M GOING TO SCREAM.

Sooo that's my little dump, I've been dying to share my thoughts, I don't exactly have the highest expectations for Tusk 2 but I'm dying to know more.

#tusk 2014 #tusk movie #tusk #tusk sequel #this better fucking happen #I'm so content deprived I'm about to chew my own foot off #I literally can't wait for 2024

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wackybuddiemewbs · 2 years ago

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Random thoughts about 6x13 before we can move on with life again

OMG. That whole episode was chaotic perfection!!! I really love those "filler episodes" that are just wacky calls, mingled with some domestic firefam shenanigan, a lot of Buddie goodness, and some heartfelt drama. Like, girls (gn), we've been FED this whole episode.

Here a not at all ordered assembly of what was going through my mind, watching the episode:

Human Calculator Evan Buckley

I do hope Buck gets to keep his math skillz a while longer. And I'd really love to see it come in useful on a more serious call, too? But oh well, a fangirl can dream. Chimney asking if he did math "in his head???" was sending me. Just like Eddie's facial journeys during the math homework scene. Like, he's such a muppet.

On a more serious note, I wonder what they are going to do with that, moving forward. They laid on pretty heavy with the whole theme of figuring out the equation (hence answers in life), missing the assignment, and how Buck's skills may only be temporary. So it might be that he'll lose his way again (the same way his math skillz may leave again). We'll have to see. But it's... intriguing.

Babytrap and Sugarbaby

Like seriously. They stole this straight out of fanfic, I'm not even kidding. Eddie is babytrapping Buck so hard, only to start hustling together with him, and Buck happily handing over the money. Eddie Diaz, I'm in your walls.

Love to see Eddie being like: I will use your abilities, for evil. This guy (affectionate).

For real, though. What is the point of all that if not to give those two a nudge in the right direction (aka each other's muscly arms and taut tummies)? Eddie taking out Buck for poker dates... Them doing crime together... Them doing homework over at Buck's apartment... Buck being alone with Christopher to make cookies for school??? What is even happening??? And what's the point if not the BUDDIE AGENDA???

Also, Eddie Diaz, wear some sunglasses, your hearteyes are showing. Geez, wear some protection, you freak.

The Man with the Answers

Speaking of which, Buck's journey this season has now taken him to the stage where he feels like he is the one having the answers he's been seeking for so very long. He began this season, reading self-help books and asking e.g. Hen for the right answers. After his coma dream, Buck figured out some things about himself. He learned to appreciate his inherent value and could let go of the ghost of Daniel haunting him ever since that revelation.

Which is to say: They're moving the chess pieces in the right position, for the strategy to fully unfold. And I do believe it is the Buddie Agenda, I do.

I think a big hint was Eddie telling Christopher that the point of doing the homework himself instead of letting Buck run the calculations is that this is what's for Buck in store as well. Buck will only truly learn and get those life lessons he's so desperately seeking if he's the one to find the answers. He can't rely on self-help books or the opinions of others. He has to figure out that equation entirely on his own. He has to figure himself out.

Details that pointed me in a similar direction:

Buck telling Eddie why he didn't just get more gas: Because figuring it out was "more fun". AKA the getting to the destination is actually the goal. Buck is already where he needs/wants to be.

Eddie pointing out that those "superpowers" aren't permanent: Which may indicate that Buck will find himself struggling further down the road. Once he doesn't have the answers anymore (or rather, has them, but doesn't know how to act upon them).

Buck asking Eddie if he thinks Buck knew math all along (which is why it's actually no secret superpower via lightning ex machina): Because yes, Buck, you knew all along how to solve the equation, you're just running the wrong calculations right now. But I have faith in you that you will figure it out. Maybe just use a different measuring system!

Christopher pointing out that Buck may get more superpowers the stronger he gets: Which may be the big hint that Buck can have so much more than he currently has (more powers), the moment he understands that he already has these things (the family unit with Eddie and Christopher). He just has to claim his winnings.

I tend to believe the upshot is going to be that Buck has the answers, he just didn't put them together yet. It's like he has all the puzzle pieces, but he has to stick them together to see the grander picture (the secret ingredient). And my guess would be that it's going to be the resolution of the sperm donor storyline as well. He's looking right at the solution, and yes, it's Eddie and Christopher. And it has been all along.

The Sperm Donor Storyline(s)

Speaking of which YET AGAIN, I do find it interesting that we got this donor parallel (or antithesis) with Nathaniel and Denny vs. Buck and Kameron's and Connor's baby. Like, they now established that Nathaniel will get to play some role in Denny's life, because that is what Denny wants.

Which makes it hard for me to believe that the writers will choose the same route for Buck, also for the plain reason that they seemingly put Buck and Connor on different trajectories. Whereas Hen and Karen had an agreement with Nathaniel to keep his distance, Connor keeps sending sonograms and what not. He involves Buck actively in this whole "process" or "experience", which makes for an entirely different premise of how they are going to negotiate Buck's future role in Connor's life as well as that of Kameron and the child.

Which is something I honestly didn't see coming, I'll admit. I figured they'd take the route that him and Kameron would rather try to push Buck away (while he'd try to push into their lives). Because they chose someone as their donor who's not as much part of their social circle as Buck may have been, back when he and Connor were still roommates. The point being: I thought the storyline was going to be that Buck has to (painfully) accept Connor and Kameron having chosen him as the donor also because he'd be "easier to cut out of" their lives (and that of their child by extension). But that's not the route they are taking thus far.

But in the light of how they chose to have Nathaniel interact with Denny, I guess it makes sense. Because that'd be repetitive, in a way. Which isn't to say that Buck won't overstep and try to insert himself more into their lives than he should. I actually believe he will (it's been foreshadowed with the baby cozy and all). But Connor actively involving him thus far gives me a different vibe from what I'd previously estimated.

I'm interested to see whether they wish to explore how hard they make it on themselves, by Connor having Buck be that invested. Even though the reality is that Buck's always going to be donor not dad for that child. Like, I see great potential there. Just like I see potential character development for Connor, say, in a scenario where he feels like he's not the child's dad or so. And how he may come to struggle with that (or may even project that on Buck). There are many paths this could go.

But to turn this back to Buck here, the Nathaniel-Denny-storyline fits in so damn neatly. And I personally hope we get that kind of antithesis by the end of the season (because I'd find that very neat storytelling, is all). Namely, that Buck will do the opposite thing and extract himself from the child's life, having finally solved the equation that his family equals NOT Buck + baby but Buck + Eddie + Christopher. Because that is the stark contrast with Nathaniel. He doesn't have the family Buck already has. So that'd be the kind of bittersweet finale to that storyline I'd love to see, personally.

The Wilsons and Nathaniel

I still love to see the show standing true to exploring the different shapes family can take, now also by adding Nathaniel to the mix, portraying the tough reality that comes with this. It felt very real to me, how anxious Hen and Karen were that their son was slipping away from them.

I also liked to see Nathaniel owning up to his actions (albeit belatedly) and apologizing for his irresponsibility, without demonizing him. That guy feels very alone in this world, it'd seem, and to seek out that connection with Denny... It felt very human. So I loved to see them making it out to be just that, people making mistakes, but those mistakes being motivated by love.

And I LOVED to see Toni's growth as a character. Like, she's really trying to be there for her family, she serves as the messenger between Denny and his moms. And now she's seemingly also part of the rules Hen and Karen are setting for Nathaniel and Denny to safely interact. I love to see her safeguarding her family by opening up conversation and accepting people for who they are and how they feel. LOVE TO SEE IT. LOVE IT.

Also, loved how the Wilson family seemed to visually match, when they went to see Nathaniel at the hospital. Like, we saw a lot of yellows and blues, which signified to me that they were being there as a unit. Which tells me they're gonna be alright. Or as Toni said, they just need to figure out the right way.

Chimney's Journey to Healing

First of all, loved to see his interaction with Denny and with Hen. He's such a supportive uncle and friend (note: VERY different from what we see Buck and Christopher doing this whole episode, coz Buck ain't his uncle!!!). Like, I loved to see how he showed understanding for Denny and even let on about his own troubled feelings about his father. Even though that must still be heavy on his mind.

I do find it interesting that Chimney and the Buckley children seem to follow the same path: Which is not to forgive their parents, but to choose to let that anger/grief not control their lives anymore. Chimney has a family of his own and it's wonderful. So him coming to terms with his troubled relationship with his father in an effort to embrace the future he has as a family father is great for him. I do hope it pans out like that.

It also shows how the next generations (Chimney, Maddie, Buck) try not to repeat their parents' mistakes by holding on to e.g. grief but to choose to move on and embrace the future instead. Like, Chimney recognizes his father's humanity, well aware that this man's not changed one bit and did the terrible things he did and still does not see his son for what his son sees him (a fallible human being)... it highlights the long way Chimney's come and the great person he's become. And that's owed to the family he's found and his own strong character.

Like, I love to see that we get different versions of breaking vicious cycles.

With Eddie and Ramon, they seem to take a different route, in that Ramon seems to show genuine interest in reconnecting with Eddie, trying to find a better way for them to be father and son again.

With Toni and Hen, we see a similar thing. They reached a level of healing. Also, in that, Toni is stepping in and actively supporting her daughter and her family.

But then we still got those absentee parents who are seemingly never going to get past themselves. Which I feel is... very real in that way? You will have those people in your life. Some of them may even want to change, but they can't, past a certain point. And buying your son a new couch won't mend that relationship because you still haven't taken full accountability for what you've done in the past. Showing up to one family dinner (and being an absolute pest about it) is not going to mend things either. That's as much the reality of troubled family relationships as are the examples where there is a moving forward, together.

3 Minutes and 17 Seconds

That one's still sending me across the universe, right into a black hole. Like, they are nudging Eddie and Buck in a certain direction, but neither one is seemingly ready yet to solve the equation. Eddie knows down to the second how long he lived in a world where Buck was dead. And he feels the need to point that out, unprompted.

I honestly thought they'd have Captain Mehta point back to the shooting regarding the matter. But again, I guess timing is of the essence (maybe also signified by Buck's and Eddie's fancy watches). But after they were told that Eddie was welcome back without Buck as his human calculator, maybe we will see a second poker scene to get us there?

Like, there is something very purposeful about bringing the actor for Captain Mehta back after he left acting, really. You wouldn't do that if it didn't serve a purpose, right? And up until now, I haven't seen it. So maybe Eddie will play poker without Buck. And then Captain Mehta will say something about the shooting that either we as the audience don't know yet (e.g. Eddie lied to Buck about how little he remembers and he's only ever shared that in the poker family) or Eddie doesn't know (what Buck was like after he got shot, something that Captain Mehta witnessed first-hand).

Performance Anxiety Underway

Something that struck me was that Buck was, on the one hand, rather confident in his abilities that he started to hustle with Eddie. On the other hand, he seems very unsure about them (and what they may mean, or if they're meant to stay, or if they've been there all along). It gave me similar vibes to Buck being unsure if something's wrong with him, when the doctors did more and more tests, without telling him what may be wrong with him.

We got a hint in the previous episode that Buck still has a way ahead of him in dealing with his trauma. Right now, he is more caught up in those "new sensations", and doesn't know how to move on with his life. At the poker table, I also had a feeling that there were those moments when he wasn't just confused (as he often tends to be) or putting on a poker face. I felt like he feels out of place in a way, like he doesn't yet know what to do with his abilities/with his life, after this event. He is still doing lists to be sure he's back to reality (back to life), after all.

Deep-down, Buck is immensely insecure. And the moment he felt like something he used to be confident about (his abilities to sexually please his partners) may actually hit closer to home than just... you know, ego. They played it for laughs, having him call the women he's slept with. But they might actually turn this around to be something more serious (i.e. a symptom for something else).

Like, Buck is hellbent on pleasing other people, so potentially not being satisfactory in bed may just be the kind of performance anxiety we may see in the next episode. It ties in with Buck's previous fear that his donation isn't good enough, so he spends weeks being horny and hangry thanks to green smoothies.

If I remember correctly from some of the interviews, Buck has no intention to dip his toes back into the dating pool and will basically have the shutters on for now... Which makes it unlikely for me that he's gonna start sleeping around, to be sure that he's good at sex after all.

But if it wasn't just for laughs, I could see the theme of "having the answers already" coming back into play here. Though I'm not sure how. There's just something to that theme of Buck needing his body to be functional, and how it may give him serious anxiety, feeling like his body isn't doing what it's supposed to do (or rather, what he always believed his body was supposed to do).

On a side note: Buck telling Christopher that he likes to measure everything to feel like an actual chef hit a similar mark to me. Like, Buck is overthinking things, which may make him miss the assignment for now. Buck seemingly feels like he's only pretending at things right now (which may feed into his insecurities, really), or like he has to seize control (measuring things, calculating everything, doing those lists, and texting Bobby). Like. There is something there. I just can't wrap my wee head around it just yet.

So yeah, I can very well see Buck continuing to have performance anxiety. And I'd love to see more of that, in all of its awkward facets.

Healing Starts in the Kitchen

Kitchens continue to be the places to be for meaningful conversations for characters, and it seems to be back in full swing for Buck and Eddie. Last episode, Buck found himself finally relax when he was at Eddie's (and on Eddie's couch, hopefully soon just on Eddie). The conversation with Eddie in the kitchen definitely helped him in some ways, but the road ahead of him is still long.

It's an interesting choice that we continue to see Eddie, Buck, and Christopher being this domestic in the kitchen/at dinner tables. Like, we started out this season with Bobby's infamous lasagna and Boggle, and now we're here for math and popcorn and more math and cookies.

Others have already pointed this out, but Buck learns to express his care by cooking for his loved ones (contrast that with takeaway for his parents and waffles for Taylor at a point in their relationship where they were basically done for already). So having him repeatedly cook for/with Christopher and Eddie is just SUCH a big thing, I believe. We're shown that Buck's not just the uncle to come pick Christopher up when Eddie's car's broke. He is alone with Christopher, baking cookies for school with him. He is not just a donor, not just legal guardian (AKA the backup plan) here. And I do believe that part of Buck's journey is going to be to figure out that part of the equation.

We've already established in previous seasons that Buck's apartment is a safe space for Christopher, and it continues to be a second home for him. In the same way Eddie's house proves to be the same for Buck (as we were reminded last episode). Which has me think that part of the equation for Buck is to fully embrace that, or rather, see it for what it is, namely his path to happiness that's been there all along.

Honorable Mentions

Here's a list of things that was sending me:

Everyone of the firefam is a himbo, except for Athena and Karen. Which drives the point home that they're the only ones with the brain cell. Like honestly, Bobby and Chimney instantly jumping on detective work like that??? Buck calling his past sexual encounters??? They're all himbos, your honor!

Denny, take your damn shoes off when you are in bed, you little punk!!! Your moms raised you better than that!!!

Hen at the hospital being like "My husband? The heterosexual audacity!" was everything.

Buck continuing to creep people out with random knowledge now fueled by the power of math. We stan a himbo icon.

Eddie interrupting Buck thinking about women he's had sex with, like "I did not take you out to sexy poker night for you to use your brain for that right now, you traitor!"

I guess RIP to a favorite headcanon of mine that Buck's gonna blurt out at some point that he's screwed with plenty of guys in the past. Because he specifically started to think about the women he's slept with, though the guy was talking about partners (gn), I believe. If the writers wanted to keep that door open, I guess he would've said people or partners or whatever, too. But I shall keep it for fanfiction purposes forever and always. Because that scenario is always sending me places.

Chimney asking if Buck did math, in his head??? No, Chimney, he did it in yours, now get the hell out of here.

Buck calling the women he's had sex with... oh, those phone bills. Also: We stan a himbo icon yet again.

Buck and Eddie, doing crime, dressed in blue and red, looking damn fine. I'm here for every damn second of it.

Christopher's sass being back in full swing. We stan the one true icon.

So yeah, that's it. For now anyway. I guess I'll ramble a lot more. But I rest easy in the knowledge that Buck and Eddie marrying in Vegas just became a possibility.

Cheers!

#buddie #buck x eddie #eddie x buck #911 spoilers #911 season 6 #911 season 6 spoilers #evan buckley #evan buck buckley #eddie diaz #meta #kinda #it's more “in which I ramble and make it everyone else's problem”#but oh well #it's fun

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mediamixs · 8 months ago

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Wednesday 2: everything you need to know

The upcoming TV show Wednesday season 2 is highly anticipated by fans, with production starting in May 2024 and an expected release date in early 2025. The show, a gothic fantasy drama created by Tim Burton, is a Netflix series that follows the Addams family's eldest daughter, Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega. The cast for season 2 includes Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams, Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams, and other talented actors like Billie Piper, Steve Buscemi, and Thandiwe Newton. The show's creators, Miles Millar and Alfred Gough, have expressed their excitement for the future of the series, hinting at a possible expansion of the Addams Family universe with more family members and spin-off shows. Season 2 is expected to delve deeper into horror elements, offering a darker and more action-packed storyline, with each episode potentially feeling like a standalone movie. Jenna Ortega has teased that the upcoming season will be visually striking and memorable, promising a thrilling and captivating viewing experience for fans. Overall, Wednesday season 2 promises to continue the dark and intriguing journey of Wednesday Addams and her family, exploring new depths of horror and storytelling.

The plot of Wednesday 2 picks up in the aftermath of the season 1 finale, where Wednesday Addams faces new challenges and mysteries. After solving the murders orchestrated by a Hyde monster controlled by Ms. Thornhill, Wednesday is confronted with a mysterious stalker sending threatening messages and photos, hinting at more trouble to come in season 2. The season is expected to delve deeper into the Addams Family Mansion, providing more insight into Morticia's role and wardrobe, while also exploring the supernatural world further with werewolves, vampires, and potentially new monsters for Wednesday to confront. Additionally, the show is set to offer more standalone episodes, each with visually striking and memorable scenes, promising a unique and captivating viewing experience for fans. As production for season 2 began in early May 2024, fans can anticipate a darker, more action-packed storyline with twists and revelations about the Addams Family and Wednesday's personal journey.

In Wednesday 2, it's expected that Tyler, the Hyde monster manipulated by Ms. Thornhill in season 1, will seek revenge against Wednesday Addams. The season 1 finale revealed that Tyler can still transform into the Hyde, hinting at his return in season 2 to confront Wednesday. However, the nature of Tyler's revenge plot is still unclear. Some theories suggest he may have a change of heart or that there's more to his character and the Hyde species than initially thought. The show could explore a more complex storyline for Tyler, rather than portraying him as a purely evil villain. Another potential revenge plot in season 2 involves Bianca's mother, who tried to get her to return to the cult Morning Sun in season 1. This storyline was left unresolved and could be revisited, with the cult potentially seeking revenge against Wednesday or Nevermore Academy. Additionally, Sheriff Galpin, who was demoted to a recurring role in season 2, may harbor resentment towards Wednesday for exposing Tyler's crimes. He could pursue his own revenge plot against her, believing she is as threatening as her family. Overall, while a revenge plot involving Tyler is likely, the specifics of how it will unfold and who else may seek retribution against Wednesday remain to be seen in the upcoming season.

#horror #tv shows #horror tv #netflix #wednesday #jenna ortega #catherine zeta jones

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sneek-m · 1 year ago

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Favorite Dramas 2023

I think I need to raise the grading curve on ratings over on MyDramaList and start relegating the "just fine" shows from a 3 star to a neutral halfway point of 2.5 stars. That goes to say this year I actually watched a good amount of "just OK"s, a lot of 3s as those currently stand. Which is fine! I mostly watch these to wind down after a day at work or get my mind elsewhere as I catch up during my lunch breaks, hence the easier pickings of comedies. (Though, crime, mysteries and hospital dramas never really interested me anyway.) But I did watch some memorable ones, and I jotted down thoughts on them below:

0.5 No Otoko (Sundays, 11 p.m.; WOWOW)

0.5 No Otoko is far from showy, very comfortable settling into its suburbia: it’s only in the last credit roll did the crew decide to flex, revealing the elaborate set they used to execute the one-shot takes in Masaharu’s home. Though, calling the show low-key would be to gloss over the huge attention to detail they put in to build the world. The episode that sold me on this was the one involving Bugranger, the fictional in-universe super sentai show. They filmed an entire opening sequence for the episode, and made up its own exclusive little dance — actually a key component to get Masaharu bonding with his nephew, and then eventually his sister’s entire family. The drama goes on ordinary yet never mundane, finding warm comedy in the most everyday scenarios, but also handling the heavy stuff plainly, like his niece reading back the sticky notes left by his mother in the past when he was a more severe recluse. In the spirit of the drama, I think it would be better said that it’s more than meets the eye.

Kashimashi Meshi (Mondays, 11 p.m.; TV Tokyo)

There were quite a few shows that I watched this year about the hardships in trying to create new, meaningful friendships in your late 20s. While Kashimashi Meshi isn’t explicitly about that compared to the few others, it still brings attention to the fact that a relationship like the one forged (rekindled?) by the show’s main trio isn’t so easy to come by. Because as incidental as their meeting seems, it still goes to show a chance to create and foster a connection isn’t to be taken for granted, a fact of post-grad adulthood written home from the pilot on: I understand the desperation in trying to keep company from Atsuko Maeda’s Chiharu, who quietly breaks down over dinner in front of her newly reunited college mates, revealing to be suffering from a debilitating depression while living alone after leaving a hostile workplace. Their initial interactions hint that they may have not been the closest of friends when they knew each other in school, yet it only makes it more worthwhile to see them deepen their relationship in a new form. I only hope there will one day be a dinner table like the one in Kashimashi Meshi I can join after a hard day at work.

Kinou Nani Tabeta? Season 2 (Fridays, 0 a.m.; TV Tokyo)

I recommend watching the 2021 theatrical release beforehand as a kind of prelude to the discussions that happen in season two. But even without the viewing, you get the point it’s trying to make pretty clearly as general anxieties about mortality looms throughout. These guys are entering their 50s after all, and the topics often comes up as mundane as Shiro’s own grocery-shopping and yet nevertheless just as crucial: I think about Shiro going out with his parents to check out cemeteries to store their ashes with the same demeanor as if they’re looking at apartment rooms for rent. The lightness actually makes it more real for me, especially as I have these thoughts kind of often.

Sexy Tanakasan (Sundays, 10 p.m.; Nippon TV)

One of my favorite episodes of TV this year was the show’s 8th episode revolving around what it really takes for get one’s make-up to not only look good but simply work for their preference. Of course, 23-year-old Akari’s own style is not compatible with 40-year-old Tanaka’s — it’s never one size fits all. You have to really study your own face and then visualize how you want to look; if you’re doing make-up for someone else, as Akari does, you have to really get to know the other’s person from the outside in. That’s a lot of work on multiple levels, and as much as make-up seems very interesting, I frankly have not had enough energy nor confidence to start doing the self-assessment myself so I can even begin experimenting on my own face. But that whole process, confronting your own reflection and putting in work to make your visualization of self-beauty come true, is embedded in the whole comedy of Sexy Tanakasan — albeit in the form of belly-dancing, though the make-up becomes more adjacent as the show goes along — to the point the men really become besides the point.

Nichiyo No Yoru Guraiwa... (Sundays, 10 p.m.; TV Asahi)

Nichiyo No Yoru Guraiwa.. maybe deals with the right amount of extremes and by that I mean it’s so extreme to the point the fiction becomes clearly obvious and you stop sweating about the details, like, say, the whole lottery-ticket wish fulfillment that drives much of the plot. Still, the show dumps so much misery to its main trio, and I am thankful to these three particular actresses for adding to their respective fatalistic characters a much needed levity. Because really, whatever they decide to blow their lotto winnings on, as long as the gang has an excuse to get together again and have a grand ol’ time, that’s all you can ask for. That anticipation to go out on a weekend after long days spent planning out the details with your buddies is almost too real, especially as the droning part-time grind can waste away the hope of a free weekend entirely. And of course, actually having available buddies to make those plans real after being robbed of the opportunity to befriend strangers in the past. It all started from listening to their favorite radio show partly as an escape from their humdrum lives; in the case of Seino Nana’s Sachi, being roped into attending the show’s fan event as a sub for her mother, the real fan. You never know what can happen.

Ranman (Every weekday, 8 a.m.; NHK)

I cried like a baby, internally, on the last episode as it delivered what the 6-month-long serial had been building up to practically since week one. As Sueko withers during her last days, Mantaro presents her with his lifelong gift: her name etched into history as the scientific name of yet another of the botanist’s newly discovered plant species. After pouring everything to support her husband’s dreams, she can now stay by his side forever, she says. You follow a man’s silly obsession, and he shows a life is defined by what we do with what we’ve been given, and, perhaps more importantly, what of us we leave behind and pass down to those who come next. It’s what started Mantaro’s whole journey: the memory of his dying mother, embedded eternally into her favorite flower, one of the few things he got to know about her while she was alive. I’m kind of weak for these kind of things, this want to preserve a loved one’s memory as pristine as possible. Mantaro did it for Sueko superbly.

Daga, Jonetsu Wa Aru (Sundays, 10 p.m.; Nippon TV)

If there’s anything to be gained from the life of the two comedians during their come-up, it’s that art — if you can classify the routines of Audrey and Nankai Candies as such — takes a painstakingly long time to perfect. And it takes even longer when their egos get in the way of the growth of their own craft: it’s hilarious seeing that both Masaharu Wakabayashi and Ryota Yamasato wrote themselves as the boke of their respective duo when they so clearly are the tsukkomi, and they stubbornly stuck to their desired roles despite floundering for several years all for the sake of being the star of their own comedy. But the dynamic only seems obvious in hindsight of the comedians they would eventually become, and sometimes you do repeat your mistakes over and over again until something spontaneously flickers a switch.

More dramas:

Paripi Koumei

Maikosanchi No Makanaisan

Oishi Kyushoku Season 3

Ichiban Suki Na Hana

Watashi No Oyomekun

Kocchi Muiteyo, Mukaikun

Hayabusa Shobodan

Pocket Ni Bouken Tsumekonde

#Now Watching

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idontwanttowhy · 1 year ago

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Review: Destined With You (2023)

An instant classic...for some

Synopsis: Being a civil servant is not the easiest job, and for Lee Hong Jo, its only made worse by being transferred to a team that can't stand her. Her first assignment on this team is to demolish a centuries old shrine, which is held on the private property of Jang Sin Yu, a sharp lawyer haunted by a curse as old as the shrine. Her efforts surface a spell book with a mysterious past that only she can use. In need of a miracle, Sin Yu makes a deal with Hong Jo to use one of the spells on him, in a move that ultimately sets their fates in motion. Can love bloom in cursed soil, or will they be cut red-handed?

MZ Overall: 9/10, you had me at "I am Groot"

... aaaand absolutely not before "I am Groot." Seriously, I almost gave up on it early, thank god I didn't. When I saw the love triangle blooming I stuck around and am glad I did. If you are looking for a romcom that hits all the hallmarks (past lives, love triangle, jealous ex, etc.) you are in the right place. The leads have great chemistry, though it does feel like they are sometimes off in their own little worlds. Rowoon (as Jang Sin Yu) is great at playing a love-sick character, and Jo Bo Ah (as Lee Hong Jo) is the perfect ingénue AND doomed shaman--talk about range. Definitely give it a watch, this is easily one of my top favorites of the year (right behind Love to Hate You, of course).

MZ Review: Parks and Recreation, but make it a supernatural kdrama rom-com (no spoilers)

no one:

absolutely no one:

Jang Sin Yu: ThAtS A cRiMe!!!

Ok, I got that out of my system. This was my second Rowoon drama and now Netflix thinks he's the only guy I want to see on my screen. I'm not mad at that, but I do think if his role in this and Extraordinary You (2019) are any indication, I may need a little bit more time before I can handle the brand of lovesick desperation that he brings. Not a bad thing, but much like candy you can have too much of a good thing. I will be looking out for his stairs scenes going forward, in much the same way I have cataloged Hyun Bin's elevator scenes. (It's an art people!)

This show strikes a near-perfect balance between time spent on the side characters, developing the main couple, fanning the flames with the love rivals, and hinting at the past lives of this group. Seriously well done, I did not have any complaints in this area. Really my only gripes would be the first few episodes, which really tested my resolve on supporting womens' wrongs. If it were not for the next episode previews at the end, I would not have made it past episode three. After that, it's smooth sailing with lots of laughs, drama, and suspense as the many mysteries of the show unfold. Those first eps are why this only gets a 9/10 for me though. Otherwise, A+ work!

As I sat down to write this review, it occurred to me that the setup for the show was kind of similar to Parks and Rec, if you're mainly looking at the fact that the context for the show is a municipal parks department, leading to lots of outdoor events and internal politicking. It also works in the comedy department, because both shows had me absolutely ROLLING with laughter at the absurdity of some of the stuff going on. I cannot recommend this drama enough!

AC Overall: 7/10, could've been great but

It took me sooo long to finish the show, even on 1.5x speed (thank you, Netflix). And I was so excited at first! Like MZ, I thought the first few eps were...off, but once the show fully planted its feet I fell for the silliness, especially the supernatural love-spell aspect of the drama, and the stupidity with which those entranced acted "because of it". But the show ultimately became unbalanced, and the fantasy charm faded to reveal...a few thriller episodes within a cute and silly rom-com. It's not bad, just...took a turn I wasn't looking for at the time.

Honestly, its fine if you don't take it too seriously, and don't barf at cute moments like I currently do. Solid, just know what you're getting in to. It's definitely a cutesy rom-com with a dash of thriller and pinch of fantasy.

AC Review (with miiiinor spoilers):

It wasn't all bad! I cheeeesed at Sin Yu inadvertently confessing his "love" for Hong Jo against both of their wishes, and was curious about how Hong Jo's crush on her second lead Jae Gyeong would play out considering. It was a pretty unusual and juicy love triangle at first, especially with the fantasy aspect of Sin Yu's feelings...and possibly Jae Gyeong's...but somewhere they decided to ignore the whole love-spell part of the drama and Sin Yu just--accepted his love for Hong Jo? And Jae Gyeong barely put up a fight. And and I wasn't convinced Hong Jo actually had feelings for Sin Yu, I feel like he just wore her down with pretty words and concern. And and and I just kept thinking of Legend of the Blue Sea the whole time--much better fated love fantasy drama. But alas, I got too far along to just stop.

Hong Jo's character annoyed me quite a bit. She had a way of acting shy most of the time, but would suddenly talk with her chest at other moments...it's personal, but I really dislike the demure act when it's clear it's not real. But, Rowoon as Sin Yu made up for it in the beginning. The character was played and written well; we could feel the (delicious) inner turmoil when he recognized his feelings.

Overall, this was a drama-that-couldn't for me. But I must admit, the early, fun moments of Sin Yu fighting his inexplicable love for Hong Jo were classic in itself.

#kdramareview #kdrama #k-drama #k-dramareview #kdrama review #kdrama recommendations #destined with you #but seriously why did he just sit down and say “I AM GROOT” like that like be for real

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starseedfxofficial · 2 months ago

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The Weekly Timeframe: Unemployment Rate's Silent Partner in Crime Ever found yourself looking at the weekly timeframe of the Forex market like it's a cryptic puzzle? If you squint hard enough, it almost looks like modern art—all those candlesticks forming patterns like they're auditioning for a Picasso remake. But there's one plot twist in this art that we can't ignore: the unemployment rate. You know, that economic number that moves markets like a bad sequel that no one expected? It's time we go behind the scenes and spill the tea about how this seemingly boring stat makes your trades either soar or sink—especially when we zoom out to the weekly charts. Let’s dig in—because behind every candlestick, there’s a story, and behind every successful trader, there’s an understanding of how fundamentals mix with technicals to shape the market moves. The Mysterious Dance: Weekly Timeframe & Unemployment Rate To put it simply, the weekly timeframe is like the wise elder in the Forex trading family. It's seen it all, heard it all, and is just about ready to drop some truth bombs if you care enough to listen. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate is that awkward cousin who only shows up at family gatherings once a month but somehow manages to cause an uproar every single time. Here’s where things get interesting: The weekly timeframe gives us the bigger picture. It’s like taking a step back and seeing the whole mural instead of obsessing over the tiny smudges. It helps smooth out the daily noise, and when you mix it with major fundamental indicators like unemployment rate reports, you get a pretty accurate weather forecast—at least for the market. Think of the unemployment rate as a hot topic at a family dinner: it affects everyone's mood. If the rate goes up, investors assume the economy is down. No jobs, no consumer spending—you know the drill. The weekly chart lets us see just how much this news is going to affect the market long term, instead of hyperventilating over every five-minute tick. Why the Weekly Timeframe Matters (and Why the Daily is Just a Little Noisy) Many newbie traders are in love with the daily timeframe. It’s short enough to feel fresh and manageable but long enough to not fry your nerves like a 1-minute chart would. The problem? Daily timeframes are like teenage drama—everything feels like the end of the world, and they don't always provide the best perspective for making sound decisions. A sudden drop may seem catastrophic, but on the weekly timeframe? It's merely a blip, or even better, a strategic retracement. If you use the weekly timeframe, you’re less likely to hit that 'sell' button in a panic—you know, the one that makes your portfolio take a nosedive as dramatic as a sitcom actor when the laugh track runs out. Instead, you’re looking at those massive trend lines and finding places where the unemployment rate reports trigger key moves. The weekly chart lets you spot whether those spikes are legitimate game-changers or simply over-hyped jitters. The Real Impact of the Unemployment Rate on the Weekly Charts Let’s dig a little deeper—we’re talking true insider stuff here. The unemployment rate affects how investors think about economic strength, which then flows through to currency values. High unemployment? It means consumer spending’s about to take a nosedive—just like your trade when you fumble and accidentally short in a rising market. The key is how this number affects the larger trends we see in the weekly timeframe. When the unemployment rate disappoints, you'll often see a series of bearish weekly candles forming—an indication that sentiment is turning for real, and you’d better not be standing in the way like a trader with no plan (yes, like buying those on-sale shoes that really only look good in-store lighting). How to Read Unemployment Data Like a Pro (Hint: Weekly Charts are Your Friend) 1. Context, Context, Context! Numbers are numbers, but the story matters more. Imagine unemployment falls, but wages remain flat. What does that mean? Fewer unemployed people are taking jobs that don’t pay much. Is that good news for growth? Not really. But for the average trader, lower unemployment might seem bullish—and that’s where the weekly timeframe steps in and clears things up. Look at what’s happened before and after similar reports. Are we breaking out of resistance, or bouncing off support on the weekly chart? If the weekly candles are breaking key levels, then you can bank on the market continuing to move—a bit like when you know that touching the hot pan means you’re going to get burned. 2. Watch How the Market Reacts (And Then Ignore the Panic) There’s always a frenzy immediately after unemployment numbers are released. Prices zig-zag on the lower timeframes like a hyperactive squirrel. A lot of traders make the mistake of jumping in right away—like kids at a candy store, too excited to wait for a sale. But the weekly timeframe allows you to act like the adult in the room. You watch and you wait. Let the dust settle and check if this move changes the big picture or if it’s just noise. 3. Make Use of Breakouts and Fakeouts When the unemployment rate numbers diverge significantly from expectations, we might see sudden breakouts on the weekly timeframe. However, more often than not, these are false signals meant to trap the inexperienced. By watching closely, you can determine if it’s a genuine breakout or a sneaky fakeout designed to trick traders into taking a bad position. Combining Weekly Timeframe with Unemployment Rates: A Step-by-Step Game Plan - Watch for News Releases: This is the obvious one. Mark your calendar for when unemployment data is set to come out. - Use Weekly Support and Resistance: On your weekly charts, identify major zones of support and resistance. If unemployment reports push price into these areas, watch closely—the market’s either going to bounce like a basketball or smash right through like a determined cat that really wants to get through a closed door. - Identify the Dominant Trend: Weekly timeframes give us a clearer view of the dominant trend—so after an unemployment report, if you’re in an uptrend, treat dips as buying opportunities. If you’re in a downtrend, well, put on your favorite bear outfit and wait for that bounce to short. - Wait for Confirmation: Don’t just jump into the trade because of the unemployment rate release. Look for confirmation on the weekly timeframe—does price break key levels? Does volume support the move? This is about stacking the odds in your favor. - Ride the Trend (Or Get Out Fast): If the unemployment rate changes the trend, ride that baby! But if you’re unsure and things are looking rocky, remember: no trade is better than a bad trade. Plus, you avoid the drama of watching your position plummet like a poorly-written movie plotline. Insider Ninja Tips for Weekly Unemployment Rate Analysis - Volume Matters: If a breakout happens on high volume after an unemployment release, it’s much more reliable. Low volume breakouts? About as dependable as using a chocolate teapot. - Look for Divergence: A drop in unemployment while economic growth stagnates might mean investors are being overly optimistic. Watch the weekly candles closely—are they printing smaller bodies and longer wicks? That might mean buyers are running out of steam. - Watch Central Bank Signals: Remember, unemployment is a key factor for central banks, and they use it to adjust policies. Keep an ear out for statements from central bankers—it can give clues to whether they’re considering rate changes. Think Bigger, Be Patient, and Watch Out for Unemployment Shocks The weekly timeframe and the unemployment rate are a power couple in the Forex world. Together, they give you a wide-angled, drama-free perspective of market movements. Understanding how unemployment impacts the big picture helps you stay grounded and avoid rookie mistakes—like buying high and selling low, or being one of those poor souls caught in a trap on a fake breakout. Patience is the game here, and the weekly chart is your weapon. So next time you see those unemployment numbers hit, resist the urge to overreact. Wait. Breathe. Analyze. And make decisions that won’t make your trading account look like it’s trying to set a new record for "quickest way to zero." —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated Read the full article

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influencermagazineuk · 2 months ago

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There are new reports that Sophie Turner is slated to play in a new series of Tomb Raider as the legendary Lara Croft. According to Deadline, the creator of Fleabag, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, is to adapt the action video game into a live-action version, and the star of Game of Thrones is on board. The news indicates that Turner is in talks to lead the show, just last month, it was rumored that she is in a race to land the role with Lucy Boynton, who stars in Bohemian Rhapsody. This project is a significant priority for Amazon, being its first collaboration with Waller-Bridge since the writer and actress joined the company in 2019 on a reportedly $20 million per year deal. Speaking about this exciting project that was announced, Jennifer Salke head of Amazon Studios said:. "When we look at a long-term commitment to a creator like Phoebe – we're so happy now that we retained her because she's obsessed with and grew up playing Lara Croft/Tomb Raider," Salke shared. "So the fact that she's the creator and bringing this character to life, we think it's going to be a huge franchise for us." Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Waller-Bridge is writing but also an executive producer on this series. She co-created Fleabag, on which she also starred, after that series went huge. Waller-Bridge has dipped her toes into behemoths with roles in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and co-writing on No Time to Die, Daniel Craig's final outing as James Bond. In an interview conducted with Vanity Fair in 2023, she admitted to being eager to play in the action genre. "The opportunity to have … a female action character … Having worked on Bond and having worked as an actor on Indy, I feel like I've been building up to this," she said. "What if I could take the reins of an action franchise, with everything I've learned, with a character I love, and also just bring back some of that 90s vibe? " Waller-Bridge also hinted that the series would bring something "dangerous and exciting" to the table, making the project even more appealing to fans of action-packed adventure. The actress has portrayed the character of Lara Croft twice in the past, Angelina Jolie, and now 2018 sees Alicia Vikander in a reboot. More recently than this is Hayley Atwell's voice in the Netflix animated take, but this live-action version seems poised to be forward-moving onto new paths which the debonair archaeologist adventurer will be embarking on in this incarnation. Turner is best known for playing Sansa Stark in the fantasy series Game of Thrones. She has kept busy with appearances in the X-Men franchise as the character Jean Grey and the crime drama The Staircase starring Colin Firth. She was last seen in the lead of ITV drama Joan, based on the true story of Joan Hannington, and next set to appear in the thriller Haven, described as a heist film with plenty of suspense. The series has already created a huge buzz for this novel take on the classic character, and Waller-Bridge is bound to give a more profound tone to Lara Croft. This Tomb Raider adaptation may become one of the most awaited projects from Amazon. Fans await with bated breath to see how Turner will play the character through this ambitious new series led by the genius hands of Waller-Bridge. Read the full article

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cindyssouthkoreanlitblog · 1 year ago

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Five Interesting South Korean non fiction books

Korean Culture Dictionary: From Kimchi To K-Pop And K-Drama Clichés. Everything About Korea Explained! - Woosung Kang

“Before reading this book, you probably had some moments of curiosity in your life where you questioned certain things about Korean culture. Why is there a Pepsi logo on the Korean flag? Why do Korean kids in my class only have like… three last names (Kim, Lee, Park)? If you are a K-Drama addict, and even took the time to watch variety shows with your favorite idols, your thoughts and interest towards Korea may have grown even deeper! What does ‘Korea’ mean, and why do Koreans love kimchi so much?” (good reads)

Brother One Cell: An American Coming of Age in South Korea's Prisons - Cullen Thomas

“A memoir of a young American's life-changing imprisonment in a Seoul jail describes the inadvertent factors that contributed to his incarceration, his daily struggles at the side of fellow inmates ranging from human traffickers to jewel smugglers, and his observations about the differences between American and Confucian imprisonments.” (good reads)

Trail of Crumbs: Hunger, Love, and the Search for Home: a memoir - Kim Sunee

“Kim Sunée was three years old when her mother took her to a crowded marketplace and left her on a bench with a fistful of food. Three terrifying days and nights later a policeman discovered Kim, who was clutching what was now only a fistful of crumbs.Nearly twenty years later, Kim's life is unrecognizable. Adopted by a family in New Orleans, she grew up as one of only two Asian children in her community. At the age of twenty-two, she becomes involved with a famous French businessman, and finds herself living in France, mistress over his houses in Provence and Paris, and stepmother to his eight year-old daughter. But despite this glamorous lifestyle, Kim never really feels at home. Trail of Crumbs follows Kim as she cooks her way into many makeshift homes and discovers that familiar flavors are the antidote to a lifetime of wandering. Ultimately, it is in food and cooking that Kim finds solace and a sense of place.

Sensuous, intense, and intimate, this powerful memoir will appeal to anyone who is passionate about love, food, travel, or the ultimate search for self.” (good reads)

Court TV Presents: Murder in Room 103: The Death of an American Student in Korea--and the Investigators' Search for the Truth - Harriet Ryan

“Exchange student Jamie Penich left her small Pennsylvania hometown to see the world, but her journey ended with a brutal attack in a shabby motel room in Seoul, South Korea, where the raven-haired 21-year-old was found naked and stomped to death. Investigators zeroed in on soldiers, turning out barracks and trolling seedy bars for the GIs who partied with Jamie in the hours leading up to her death. But every lead produced only new mysteries. There were unbreakable alibis, a roommate who claimed she had slept through the crime, and lab tests that hinted at a secret lover. The investigation seemed destined for the cold case file until a high-powered American senator pressed for answers. Soon, a greenhorn detective settled on a shocking new suspect, a pretty blonde exchange student named Kenzi Snider. During an interrogation, the teenager confessed to killing Jamie during a lesbian encounter . . . but it was what happened next that was truly surprising. What really happened in Room 103?” (good reads)

Korea: Land of Morning Calm - Craig J. Brown

“Land of Morning Calm displays the rich history, diverse cultures and striking sights of Korea. Evocative text and stunning photos bring the Korean experience to life, giving readers a taste of what they can expect to see and experience in the "Land of Morning Calm".” (good reads)

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gigglyramblings · 2 years ago

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While You Were Sleeping (2017) Overall Thoughts

Spoilers ahead.

I'm convinced that I would have enjoyed this drama a lot more if I was watching it while it was airing as it just feels a little dated now. It's a good drama but not a great one it's biggest flaw is that it doesn't maximize on any of its strengths thus doesn't pack as much of an emotional punch as it could have. For example, it employs some great tropes such as the protagonists being neighbors and kind of becoming a found family of sorts as they share breakfast and stuff but I think it misses the crucial part of why found families are so appealing because it fills some sort of Gap that the protagonists were missing in their life. However, this drama fails to capitalize and emphasize on the emotional bit and it just feels like they are having breakfast together because two out of the three protagonists suck at cooking.

This weakness is further exemplified as the three protagonists all share the ability of having dreams that correctly predict the future, the drama cuts the chase and the protagonists find out fairly early on and help each other out using their dreams. However, again you have a news reporter, a prosecutor and a cop and your entire drama kind of revolves around cases yet, we only see them working on three cases across the entire drama together? That number just feels way too low I'm not saying they should have rushed the cases but it just feels like they wasted a lot of opportunity for them to use their professions to the fullest capacity and make it sort of like a crime solving trio.

My biggest gripe with the drama though has to be the fact that they made the protagonists dream prophecy powers to function like a free get out of jail card when they hinted at the fact that changing things may actually make things worse we never actually got to see that play out. We never got to see any consequences of them using their powers to get better outcomes for themselves and those around them. Fate was never like I'm the ultimate bitch and you can't escape me even though it was heavily hinted at. All this just puts a damper on investigator Choi's death because why he try to change it since he knew was going to happen we've seen characters do that with no negative consequences so I don't get why he had to die.

I get that it was his choice and given everything that has happened to him so far it is fitting for the character but without establishing consequences for using the powers for what essentially amounts to self gain it just makes his ultimate choice seem like a bolt of extreme noble idiocy, which in my opinion is like the worst k-drama trope there is.

I am most likely being overly harsh on this drama and like I said at the very beginning of my post I would have most likely enjoyed the heck out of this drama if I watched it while it was airing or a few years earlier perhaps. But I suppose my expectations were too high? It is definitely the weakest Park Hye Ryun drama I've seen. So if you want to watch a Park Hye Ryun drama pick either Pinocchio or I Hear Your Voice those are far better examples of her work in my opinion.

And now I've seen every notable Park Hye Ryun drama except Startup and I'm definitely not in the mood for that one and probably never will be as I really don't want to get into the love triangle drama. But I'm totally looking forward to her next drama starring Park Eun Bun so Diva of the Deserted Island please be good!🙏

TL;DR: one of those shows that I would have totally loved if I watched it a few years earlier. Didn't pack the emotional punch I was hoping for. It was fun seeing so many familiar faces and that they have all deservedly become such bigger stars in kdrama land. 7.5

#while you were sleeping #while you were sleeping 2017 #kdrama #sbs while you were sleeping #overall thoughts

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themovieblogonline · 2 years ago

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The Godfather of Harlem Season 3 Finale

"The Godfather of Harlem" is an American crime drama television series that premiered in September 2019. It stars Forrest Whitaker as Bumpy Johnson, a notorious Harlem gangster who returns from prison in the 1960s to find that the Italian mafia has taken over his neighborhood. Johnson, determined to reclaim his turf, partners with Malcolm X (Nigel Thatch) and other prominent African-American figures to fight against the Italian mob and protect his community. Throughout the series, viewers follow the complex relationships and political alliances between Johnson, Malcolm X, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (Giancarlo Esposito), and other historical figures as they confront the challenges of their time. Alongside Whitaker, the show features an ensemble cast of talented actors, including Vincent D'Onofrio, Ilfenesh Hadera, and Lucy Fry. The Good I love how approachable The Godfather of Harlem is. There are some shows where I feel intimidated in hopping in and watching their current episode but The Godfather of Harlem is amazing at avoiding this problem. This show tells the familiar story of Bumpy Johnson, a character we've seen in the old movie hoodlum and also appears in the Denzel Washington movie American Gangster. There's also the story of Malcolm X and that story being intertwined with this one makes for some fantastic television. There's just something so familiar about this story that makes it easy to enjoy. There are other stories hinted at in the episode that makes the idea of going back and watching past episodes seem more intriguing. The CIA, The FBI, and the Italian mob. There are so many characters with stories that pay off in this episode that I am genuinely curious to watch. The acting in this episode is on another level. I only got to see him in one episode but Jason Alan Carvell is a marvelous Malcolm X! I am learning that the role was previously played by another actor but Jason did a great job. The real treat is watching Forest Whitaker and Vincent D'Onofrio act opposite of each other. These are 2 of the finest actors alive and they are giving us outstanding performances in this episode. There's a scene in which they confront someone who is out to do them harm. I won't ruin the scene entirely but they display this communication through incredibly satisfying body language. The scene itself is a highlight and the way they perform at this moment is a triumph. The way The Godfather of Harlem tells the story of Malcolm X is heavy. There are definitely times I feel like I'm watching a show about Malcolm X rather than about Bumpy. I never knew Malcolm and Bumpy were working together at the time. I want to see more about their story and find out how Malcolm and Bumpy's working together affects each other. Malcolm was a fairly righteous man and the idea of him working with criminals is intriguing. I can't help but think of 90's rapper Tupac Shakur and his efforts to be a civil rights activist by appealing to the LA Gang culture. Was this the inspiration for 2Pac? There's so much I need to know. The Bad I wasn't feeling the Italian mob in this episode. They were a little too Abbott and Costello-ish for me and came off pretty corny. This is more obvious when the scenes featuring the Italian mob are compared to the scenes with just about everyone else. I know their scenes serve a greater narrative that I know nothing about but it comes off as disappointing. There's a scene where one of the Italian mob members wants to shoot bumpy with an assault rifle. This scene comes off almost as cartoonish based on the bad dialogue between the crew on whether they should shoot him. I cheated myself by not watching prior episodes. Overall Great episode. Great directing and filming. This actually feels like a mini-movie and I really love how easy it was to hop into this episode and enjoy it without seeing any prior episodes. I may go back and watch the series for review purposes just to see what I've been missing. I highly recommend this show and it's a triumph for the growing MGM+ roster of shows. Read the full article

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