#tw bullet mention

[canecorset]

𖤐. CARTRIC

🥩 . a gender related to guns, bullets, true crime, red herrings, and / or mystery as a whole, whether it be fictional or real.

➱ coined by maverick!

(plain text: a gender related to guns, bullets, true crime, red herrings, and/or mystery as a whole, whether it be fictional or real. coined by maverick! end plain text)

[menacing-anon]

My Predictions Masterpost, Pre-2x04

This is an update on all my predictions after the first batch of episodes! Here's the compilation pre-2x01.

In new promotional material is this ad; I haven't gone through all the photos on the Warner Bros. website that I haven't seen, because at a glance, they seem to give too much away. And as last time, I'm sure there are some great theories out there that I have to miss because I'm running late! Hopefully for the last time this season :)

THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR 2x01-2x03.

First, I'll sum up what I got right and wrong in my previous masterpost, though I also made a bunch of predictions between eps that are only documented in my (under construction) reaction vids.

Episode 1: Impossible Birds

What I got right: The cake the Revenge crew eats is wedding cake, and we find out by the end of the conversation about Izzy and Blackbeard's relationship that Ed has repeated his violent act from the finale. Fencing with Izzy is Stede's dream sequence, transportation is an issue for them, and this ep features Stede and Oluwande shopping, etc. and the rainy shots of Stede and his crew. Stede lies awake next to Roach thinking about Ed, which alternates or is consecutive with Ed playing with the cake toppers, but,

What I got wrong: It happens at the end of this episode, and Stede thinks about what he heard about Ed that day. The wedding raid is the first time Ed is shown, the conversation with Izzy happens right after they eat cake, and Ed plays with the cake toppers in the auxiliary closet.

Episode 2: Red Flags

What I got right: Ed just had a rough night, then behaves like he's moving on. The storm happens, and the crew mutinies. Ed is the person with the rock tied around them.

What I got wrong: The Fang and Izzy area starts the mutiny, though Izzy is not in favor of killing Ed. He is still thrown overboard by his crew, is seen falling into the water here, reunites with Mer!Stede and emerges from the sea at the end. The intended new captain is Jim — this we just never find out. Stede runs across the beach, lies awake under Buttons' hammock, and throws the bottle in this ep.

Episode 3: The Innkeeper

What I got right: Izzy's amputation is for medical reasons. The man Ed confronts is a hallucination of Hornigold.

What I got wrong: Izzy's amputation is in this episode and due to the injuries he sustained before the gunshot. The innkeeper is not a character seen anywhere else.

The Rest:

What I got right: The Chinese Outfit Era is before Green Shirt Era. The crew is dressed in Chinese outfits by the (eventual) capturers. The scene where Ed headbuts Stede is around the time of the escape, and they're not made up then or when Stede tells someone that he hurt Ed. This is their IRL reunion. Lucius is alive, he reappears before Stede and Ed make up (in fact, Stede never tries to reunite with Ed while thinking he might have killed Lucius), and this is a reaction to him:

I'm proud of myself for this last one 😅

What I got wrong: The Chinese Outfit Era in in episode 4. The crew wears the Chinese outfits to blend in with another group. The scene with Anne and Mary? is Stede and Ed's IRL reunion. This shot of Zheng is in episode 6, on the other side of this street chaos:

Now onto predictions! *rubs palms*

Episode 4: Fun and Games

Every time, the way I thought an ep would end was actually the way the next started, so I figure we start with a headbut! 😅 B****, you thought 🤭 Ed probably walks out of the sea in his dream sequence, I would say before that so the headbut causes a sudden tone shift that doesn't wear off.

In the in-between part, Stede tells his re-changed crew the headbut was an accident, but I bet much of what happens has not seen the light of day at all and is so much fun! 😃

...Later, Stede runs into the similarly rumpled, mark-on-his-lip Ed at this furniture... shop? "Former" means Ed intends to leave, so maybe he came to stay with his buddies?

We meet Anne and Mary?, Anne and Stede talk, and they have a double dinner date. It takes a turn 😅

Although the kiss looks like it's in the same room as the dinner — where Stede is already sitting and there would be someone else for Anne to look at — ngl, it's off. Look at the candles and paintings behind Stede 🤔

I'm saying it's this room, or at least the same room in a different scene:

And Anne's tone in this conversation could be interpreted as flirtatious, so idk, maybe she's for real and that look after the kiss is because someone interrupted. Still, the idea that Anne is making a point or trying to evoke some reaction feels more right to me, enough to outweigh the set details that I can't explain away, so I'm throwing it in as an alternative prediction.

By Ed's look and the setting — ooh, and Mary sitting next to him! — I believe this also happens at Anne and Mary's place. I guess they split into duos to talk, before the dinner. EDIT: Actually no, I think it's after Ed causes some havoc at dinner!

There's that clip where Stede demands Ed's respect as his captain. Someone predicted that Ed might step down as captain in recognition of the harm done to the crew, and I suppose it might also be because... they just wouldn't let him stay in a position of power if he sticks around. I believe this might play out towards the end.

Anne and Mary have a bunch of furniture and stuff, and Izzy's peg leg looks like it could be from another object, so I say he gets it from there. Through whom? All my guesses are equally unsupported, but maybe Stede feels responsible, or his anger towards Izzy has cooled off enough to think about what might help him.

What with their training, I think the rest of the Light Shirt Era is too much for one ep, so I'll say it happens in...

Episode 5: TBA

Ed is in his If I Was A Regular Dude Phase outfit, and Stede demands his respect as his captain. I have no idea how they still aren't made up, tbh. Stede isn't just immediately telling Ed why he didn't meet him at the dock, that he loves him, and that he's been looking for him for weeks? 🤨 The whole crew isn't groaning at them to just kiss already? Hyped to see what gives.

Anyway, Ed's disrespect prompts Stede to start training with Izzy. Stede may very well approach Izzy with the idea, 'cause I doubt he would go to Izzy just to be like, "what do I do if Ed doesn't respect me?" 😆 The way I see it, Izzy had two issues with Stede as a captain: his people-positive management style and lack of piracy skills. Stede was never gonna stop supporting his crew, but now that even Izzy is realizing Stede is onto something with that, he could probably respect Stede as a captain if he became a more capable pirate, so he's willing to help make that happen. Otherwise, Izzy sticks around because he feels like he owes it to the crew to improve their situation, which I'm basing on his 2x03 conversation with Stede where he takes responsibility for their pain and wants to prevent more of it.

Izzy instructs Stede on the deck and slices candles. We get a raid, maybe a small one for practice, where Stede picks up a gorgeous coat, fights a guy, and tells an observing Izzy that he's done a punch, as demonstrated on him earlier.

The Rest, Chronologically:

I'm still grouping events by OOTD, though now breaking it down further to include Ed. Below is a handy-dandy chart for your reference. Keep in mind as well that there's Before Earring and With Earring for Stede.

I'm more or less saying it's an episode per slice.

Episode 6: TBA

I am so confused about the order of events in Green Shirt Era 😭 If how much 2x01 changed my predictions for the next two eps is anything to go by, 2x05 or 2x06 will make a lot of this fall into place.

"Alls I know is," in Green Shirt Regular Dude, Izzy and Ed talk outside Jackie's, then Ed talks to Jackie while Stede is a seagull nearby, probably after becoming the object of enthusiasm of these folks outside:

So maybe this is later in the same ep:

Quite possibly around here, Zheng returns and draws her dagger, and Oluwande fights someone.

Green Shirt Era also comprises this:

I think it would happen sooner rather than later, to allow time for more overarching threats and introduce the fireworks, which I'm pretty sure are involved in a later, Banes-related explosion — check out the top right corner.

Also, it's Before Earring, and speaking of that, I know people thought Stede's screaming is post-battle, but I think it might be around here, because of the bullet wound or whatever is going on. Banes also talks to the "gentlemen" at least an episode before they do anything, probably at the end.

Episode 7: TBA

We enter Green Shirt With Earring Back-To-Black Back-To-Beard. Someone was like, "why are they avoiding showing Ed in the ad? what are they hiding?" The beard that he grows overnight! And that's what everyone's screaming about here, if you ask me 🤭

More likely, it's an intimidation tactic! 🙌 Which is why Ed equally quickly loses it in time for the larger-scale beach battle.

Stede talks to someone about being a failure, probably before the succeeding action. The soldiers raid? the bar, and Zheng, Stede and Ed prepare to fight. There's that protagonist-caused explosion, and I suppose that's when chaos ensues on the street. Right before it might also be when Ed says that something's wrong.

New threat introduced and assessed, all the mains gather to discuss the suicide mission: the beach battle. Right? Surely it's not at the bar. I don't know when Oluwande, Jim and Archie wear dumpling chains, but nobody was shown stealing them, so perhaps it's after they ally with Zheng against their common threat.

lizardywizardry points out in the replies to the ad that "it's only suicide" is clearly from a different conversation than "if we die," predicting that Stede gives Ed a last-night-on-Earth speech, and naranja-petrificada did raise the possibility of Gentlebeard having a bittersweet sex scene with that context in the finale.

On the first point, yes, and I'm not oblivious to the possibility that that's actually when Gentlebeard make up. Super late, but as naranja-petrificada suggests, penultimate episode para||el 🤷‍♀️ I won't commit to that prediction, though; I think they'll get there by the time they're planning all together.

Secondly, Gentlebeard's probable sex scene — Chekhov's orgasms — totally escaped my previous post, whoopsie daisies, but I'll say... end of episode 7. It suits for an ending, it almost para||els the timing of their first kiss, and it won't detract from the fuckery-heisty-ambitious-packed-twisty-cliffhanger finale. naranja-petrificada says that might mean a morning after scene, which I would also bet on, and they have some more interesting ideas from there!

Episode 8: TBA

Morning after scene, then suicide mission. During it is the other time I think Ed might say a storm is coming.

Frenchie, Lucius and Izzy infiltrate in army? attire. But as I wrote last time: Izzy is also the only character seen talking to the new antag, about piracy and in his regular outfit. No way he gets in cahoots with them, and he could be recognized during the fuckery if it were before, so I guess that's in the aftermath...? Much to think about.

Also Red Shirt Era manages to slip in after...? I am SO confused, I'm SAYING 😫

And that's it! I'll be back to reevaluate before the next drop! 😃

[duttonremington]

"Do I even wanna know why you're being cocky at Dominoes?" He asked like it was some foreign concept. A pool shark he had heard - even darts but with this? Absolutely not. "Actually just forget I asked. If you want to play something more competitive I am game for pool. The only time I have touched dominoes when I used to use them as targets when I was a kid." But that was ages ago - surely though there were still bullet holes in those things somewhere in the woods of his old neighborhood where he grew up.

open starter for @whiskeyflatsstarters where / domino night at the sombrero

Rhett liked the Sombrero. It was like being close to home without actually having to deal with, well, with his family if he was honest. He never really got along with the rest of his family and kept them at arm's length. But when it came to games, he was good at Dominoes, specifically 42, which is what he was playing at the table. He had a nasty reputation around the bar for absolutely dominating even the older people at this particular game. As he won the last round, he glanced over to the person who was sitting down, "I think the table's hot today, even if that's a casino phrase, it works here too."

[asgardian--angels]

Izzy Discourse Masterpost

Hey all, given the amount of awful splintering and wank happening in ofmd fandom rn regarding Izzy's death, including the flat-out immature and unacceptable harassment of David Jenkins and Co, I wanted to just make this one all-encompassing post to address the various grievances and complaints I've seen (almost entirely on Twitter). If I've missed anything, please feel free to add on. I'm putting most of this under a read-more for length.

Please be aware, I say all of this as an Izzy fan. I've loved his character since season 1, and while I was sad to see him go, I completely understand and support David & Co's reasons for concluding his arc, and I think it was done respectfully in a way fitting to his character. So let's break down some of the takes I've seen. I am not referencing specific posts or people here, I just want to address the general themes that I keep seeing about why some people are upset.

Izzy's death served no narrative purpose.

Look, this is one that I'm sure fans will debate for the rest of the hiatus. It's completely within your right to disagree with this writing choice, but Izzy's death did serve a narrative purpose in the story that David Jenkins is telling - and he has spoken to this end in several interviews already. I can only summarize here, and fans may find other perspectives in time as well. What we need to remember is that Our Flag Means Death is, at the end of the day, Ed and Stede's love story. That has been made abundantly, explicitly clear. The show has been fantastic at fleshing out the other supporting characters, but that's what they are - supporting characters. They often have their own subplots but ultimately the narrative seeks to move Ed and Stede's story forward and they are tools to spur Ed and Stede's growth or mirror their struggles. Izzy has been a wonderfully complex, multifaceted character but we must remember that all characters are vessels through which stories are told, lessons are imparted, and metaphors are established. He's not a real person who 'deserves' any particular fate. David said he's always intended for Izzy to die at the end of his arc.

Firstly, Izzy (now canonically, through his own dying words) represents part of Blackbeard. He enabled and encouraged Ed's darker side, they were mutually toxic forces to each other. Ed is attempting to cope with and move on from this phase of his life, and like Stede in season 1, set out a free man, unshackled by expectations and loose ends of those he's hurt and been hurt by (though we realize this is an ongoing process that takes time). This lovely gifset sums it up nicely, with Izzy being the Mary parallel, and making s2 mirror s1. Blackbeard is both Ed and Izzy; Ed cannot be free of Blackbeard while Izzy is in his life, and when Izzy is gone he will never truly be Blackbeard again. They are each other's rotting leg!! Yet, they love each other - and David has said that for Ed, this has developed into a mentor and father relationship, and where Ed has previously despised his father figures (his actual father, Hornigold) he does not want to lose Izzy. This time, Izzy brings out Ed, not Blackbeard - and that's where we get the callback to 'there he is', bringing their impact on each other full circle, freeing Ed, getting approval of sorts that he never had, to be soft, to be loved (and there are parallels to Zheng and Auntie here as well that others have made) from that force that drove him to stay in line all this time. David has said in multiple interviews now that he was going for the idea of the mentor/father figure dying and the hero living on and trying to do justice to them.

From Izzy's side, Izzy cannot be free while Edward remains either (Mary cannot find peace while Stede remains). The scar never truly healed, the leg will always be a reminder. At this point the argument becomes 'yes, but why did he have to die? Why not just sail off with the crew of the Revenge?' David has stated that he feels they've done everything they can with, and for, Izzy; he's come leagues from season 1, he's found community, he's found hope, he's found new parts of himself, and he's made good memories. He's found worth outside of what he can be to others. That's more than most pirates could hope for. Where would his character go from there, when the Golden Age of Piracy he belongs to has burned to the ground? Would he stay around and whittle on the Revenge? If he were a real person, yes, that would be lovely, and he'd deserve all the quiet peaceful happiness in the world. But as I explain several points below, he's not interested in being a captain. He's not up for the hard physical labor of regular crew, and he's extremely overqualified for that besides. He has served his narrative purpose, and symbolically, to enter a new age, everything must go. He's connected to the old age of piracy, to the Republic of Pirates, that is now demolished. To him, fighting for what he believes in, for the family he's found, bringing down an army of British twats in the process, is how he should go. It's a pirate's death, and as Izzy's said, he's a pirate - unlike Blackbeard who's succeeding in breaking away from piracy, Izzy never wanted to stop being a pirate, throughout his arc. To me, that's why Izzy remains trapped in the narrative, trapped in history, whereas Ed and Stede will escape history. They leave piracy, and canon, behind, while Izzy was content to remain a pirate and face a pirate's fate.

Burying him on land, right next to Ed and Stede's beach house, shows that his sacrifice was not in vain - they start this new life together, thanks to Izzy's mentorship, his role in their lives that sometimes for worse, sometimes for better, made their love what it was and made their breakaway possible. The new age is built on the foundations of the old age, and is stronger for it.

As we're well aware by now, David tweeted that there's no version of ofmd without Izzy. Whether that's literal or not, symbolically it's true. Izzy's arc of growth affected everyone on the Revenge. Jim fondly remembered fighting for a time when life meant something on that ship; the crew helped give Izzy new meaning in life, and he helped them in return. When he dies, they mourn and have a funeral; that wouldn't have happened under Blackbeard's watch in episode 2. His life meant something to them. He influenced Ed and Stede immensely, and they will take that with them. As David's said, they're all a family, and Izzy was a part of that family, and his loss unites them and brings them closer to continue to fight for that family they've built. It's a tragic, sudden death of someone they've all grown to care for, and that steels their reserve to keep the torch lit. They literally sail off into the sunset to hunt down Ricky to avenge Izzy; he will always be a part of this show. And, of course, with the brief appearance of seagull Buttons, the door is left open for anything.

If this was The Izzy Show, then sure, we'd be content to see him simply engaged in shenanigans every episode. But the plot, and therefore the characters, need to keep moving forward, and Izzy got his growth and development. He got what he needed for his character to have closure, and he served his symbolic narrative purpose in Ed's (and Stede's) story. You may have your own ideas and perspectives, and that's great - that's what fandom is for. But we cannot say his death was pointless when David Jenkins and the writers clearly had a well-defined motive for pushing the narrative in this direction. I actually think the narrative around Ed and Izzy is the most well-developed in the entire show. I for one am so happy we got such an interesting and complex character, and had the brilliant Con O'Neill to portray him.

Izzy's growth & healing arc was rendered pointless by his death.

As this post so eloquently puts it, it's pretty bleak to have the outlook that taking steps to heal and find meaning in life is worthless if it's later lost. Seeking happiness and self-actualization is worthwhile for its own sake; no one knows what's down the road, and we all die eventually. Find meaning in life now. Would you rather have had Izzy not miss with his bullet in ep2? He was given the chance to experience joy, freedom, and hope for the first time in potentially a long time, and when he died he did so with those happy memories. As mentioned, Izzy's death was decided long beforehand given the narrative, and the point of storytelling is to make you feel emotions. We were given impetus to connect and relate to Izzy's character through his process of healing, so when he did die, we felt it keenly. That's how stories work actually! We felt what Ed felt. It moved us. It's not a bad thing that Izzy's arc made him more likeable to fans before his death. It's not a bad thing to lose a beloved character - guess what, it happens constantly in stories - and it's not bad to grieve over it either, but to say that it made his journey pointless is just not true. People saying that Con must be upset that they snatched his character away from him after getting to develop him so much - again I say, would you rather him have died in ep 2 before he had the chance to grow? Or how about in s1, when the crew tried to mutiny? How'd you feel when Stede killed him in his dream, in the very first scene of the season? I think Con's probably glad for the opportunity to have explored this character so much in season 2. Ask him if he thinks it was pointless.

Killing off Izzy was bad for queer rep/burying your gays/"Izzy was the queer heart of the show"

I'm putting 'bury your gays' on the top shelf so people can't use it when it doesn't actually apply. Most of the main cast of characters in this show are queer, and it's a show about pirates with a good amount of violence. Ergo, chances are a queer character will die in the course of Things Happening In Stories. Izzy didn't die because he was queer, and he wasn't the token queer rep. Please turn your attention to the boatloads (literally) of queer characters that are happy and thriving (how about the LuPete wedding immediately afterwards??). As for Izzy being the "queer heart of the show," this is literally the Ed and Stede show. You know, the two queer leads whose queer love the show revolves around, per David Jenkins himself. I'm glad folks connected with and derived joy from Izzy's growth and especially his performance in Calypso's birthday, but he is not the main character of the show. The queer heart of the show is in fact, the entire show, all of their characters and the community & found family they create aboard the Revenge. Not to mention the fan community as well. Izzy was never carrying the show's representation on his back, and frankly that's an absurdly wild take to have (esp when he spent most of s1 actively working against the main queer relationships in the show, attempting to maintain the oppressive status quo of pirate society).

It was bad and irresponsible to have a suicidal character die

Are we forgetting the entire first half of the season where Ed, who was suicidal, kept trying to passively kill himself because he felt he was an unlovable monster, only to be shown that he is in fact loved unconditionally and it gives him the strength to fight for life and triumph against his own self-doubt? The show has spent quite a lot of effort telling viewers that despite feeling damaged or broken you are worthy of love and that you are loved even if it may be hard to see it when you're in a bad place. That you don't need to be fully healed to deserve love and care, and that love and support will help you along your journey. It's incredibly wild to disregard this major plot point and fundamental message of s2 to try and spin this the opposite way for Izzy's character.

Secondly, where are people getting 'Izzy is suicidal' from? Are we going back all the way to episode 2, when he's at his lowest point and fails at his suicide attempt, only to be figuratively reborn after removing the metaphorical rotten leg? By the time of the finale he's shown to be in a good place, thanks to the arc of healing and growth he's gotten, through the support of the Revenge crew and his 'breakup' with Blackbeard allowing him to find his own way in life, realizing he doesn't need a purpose to have value and enjoying his time on the Revenge and the bonds he's made with Stede and the crew. He is, in the words of Ivan, "the most open and available I've ever seen him" by the finale. To take episode 2 as evidence he's suicidal is to erase his whole season of growth, which is an ironic thing to do in the context of these arguments. There's no canon evidence Izzy Hands was suicidal post-'Fun and Games'.

As for 'irresponsible,' once again I say, David Jenkins is not your therapist, he's not 'Dad,' and has no responsibility to tell his story any other way than he intended to tell it. Please find media that gives you what you want or need, and if the death of a fictional character causes you this much distress please seek help. I mean this kindly but seriously.

Killing off Izzy was ableist/bad for disability rep.

I point once again to the rest of the characters, several of which are disabled in varied ways. There are literally multiple other amputee characters specifically. It's not good storytelling to wholly avoid killing off any character that is disabled/queer/poc/female or [insert marginalized group here], especially when a) it makes sense narratively, and b) there's plenty of representation of these groups in the media in question. The answer isn't making such characters invincible and immortal, it's increasing the number of these characters in shows so it's not devastating when some do die in the course of natural storytelling.

OFMD was my comfort show/safe space show, now it's ruined for me

I am not trying to be insensitive here when I say that's a problem that is yours and nobody else's. David Jenkins created this show with a three-season vision and a story in mind, and he is telling that story to the best of his ability the way he wants to. It's already been said that he and the crew did not anticipate the fandom becoming as large and passionate as it has. The plot of the show was never intended to be 'fan service,' and it's ironic that there were people complaining this season that there's been too many fanservice tropes, up until David and the rest of the writers room made a narrative decision they did not like, then the complaints changed to not coddling the fans enough.

We as viewers can derive joy from this show, it can be a comfort to us, it can be important to us. But it was not designed specifically for that purpose, therefore it cannot fail in that respect. We do not have the right to harass writers for not steering the ship in the direction we want - it's their work of art, and we can choose to either come along for the ride or not. It's rare to see creators actually given the chance to tell their story the way they intend (budget cuts aside), so let him do that. He should not cater to fans, or cave and change the story to appease us. Respect his right to create his art, and remember you have the right to create your own. That's what fanfiction is for - write fix-its to your heart's content, but keep these realms separate. David Jenkins and Co hold zero, and I mean zero, responsibility to you. He could not please everyone no matter what he did, it would be fruitless to try, and it would certainly compromise the quality of the story he set out to tell.

You are absolutely allowed to dislike choices made in any show. Curate your media experience. If this show no longer brings you joy, stop watching. But it was never David's purpose nor responsibility to juggle the mental health of millions of fans. Trying to put that on him will only make him less enthusiastic about interacting with fans or continuing to make this show. This isn't rocket science. You're responsible for yourself, not this guy you call 'Dad' that you've developed a parasocial-therapist relationship with.

Izzy should have become captain of the Revenge.

Really?? Firstly, we did actually get that already in s1. He was tyrannical and the crew mutinied. But even if you think 'well after his character arc he'd be better suited to it,' it goes against the point of this arc. He's found value in not having a distinct role or purpose on the ship, decoupling his worth from the job he's expected to perform. He's found his place amongst the crew, not commanding it. There's no narrative reason to put him in charge when he's expressed no further interest in slotting himself back into a role full of pressure and expectations.

Con O'Neill was only told halfway through filming, it's cruel to just kill off the character he loves so much.

Guys, he's an actor. More than that, an actor with a theater background. I think he's used to characters dying. You don't need to look out for him. Con and David spoke one on one about it at length so they were on the same page, and David even said that Con took it well. I'm sure Con had input, just as other members of the cast have influenced their characters' stories, costumes, backstories, etc. Do you really think David Jenkins hurt Con's feelings or something? The writers (remember, it's not just David, it's a whole team of hard-working people coming up with these ideas) gave Con such a chance to shine this season, really developing Izzy beyond what he was given in s1 and letting Con show off his full acting range. Why are you only focusing on the destination rather than the journey? Sure, Con's probably sad to see Izzy go, but please do not project your distress onto him or try and accuse David & Co of being 'cruel' to their cast. That's really ridiculous. It's constantly evident how close they all are.

More importantly, do you actually, seriously think that Con O'Neill would want fans to harass each other or the writers over his character? The man who preaches being kind above all? There is no better way to make an actor uncomfortable about a show and its fanbase than to start treating fictional characters like they're more important than real people. He would not want you to bully people over Izzy Hands, and it's mind-boggling that some of you have convinced yourself otherwise.

Lastly, I just want to talk about the fact that some people are holding OFMD to absurdly high expectations.

Our Flag Means Death has been a pioneer series for its diverse representation, earnest storytelling, and themes of hope, community, and love. It's fine to discuss aspects of the show with a critical eye, but so much of the discourse has truly felt like folks are trying to find fault in a show that is leagues ahead of the average tv series that we still enjoy. How many fan favorites are killed off all the time? How many plotlines are scrapped, or drawn out without closure, or contradicted the very next season? How many shows are indifferent or actively hostile towards their fanbase? How many have any queer characters, or actually do bury them? The bar's so low, and OFMD has risen above to give us so much. Some are holding the show to astronomical expectations, waiting for it to fall from the pedestal it's been placed on. If something you don't like happens in the show, it's not suddenly ruined or demoted to being ~just as bad as those other shows~. Give them some breathing room, have some perspective on how progressive the show is, and that perfection is impossible, especially meeting every single viewer's idea of it. This is basically a repeat of the recent Good Omens drama, with an absurd number of people harassing Neil Gaiman for breaking up Aziraphale and Crowley and leaving the second of three acts on a very predictable cliffhanger. Let stories be told, let them unfold as they may, and you are free to leave anytime. It's so wonderful that more queer love stories are becoming popular and even mainstream, but let's not shoot ourselves in the foot by tearing them down when they don't go exactly the way you want it, which often seems to mean no drama, no character deaths, and therefore no conflict or even plot!

Just, please be civil human beings, and while this seems to be a difficult thing for so many fandoms to do, just keep your fan opinions in the fan space. Never bring your grievances to the writers, never bully them and persecute them for telling a story that you opted into viewing. That's something that goes entirely against everything this show, and this cast and crew, have imparted onto us - the importance of kindness, support, community, and love. I'll say it again because it bears repeating: the fate of a fictional character is never more important than how you treat real people. Just be kind in real life, which includes the internet. Thanks.

Now please, let's work together to ensure we get a season 3. There's so much more story to be told, and if you want to see Izzy back, whether that's as flashbacks, as a ghost haunting the inn, or in the gravy basket, we'll need more episodes! #RenewAsACrew

[confessions-of-a-bookworm]

Narnia Incorrect Quotes 933/?

Peter: Ed, did you kill this man?

Edmund: No, a bullet killed him. Bullets are made of lead, and lead is from the ground. The ground is a part of nature, therefore he died of natural causes. Case closed.

[j3al0usyy]

i need a shot

idc if it is alcohol or bullet

[flymmsy]

Freaky Gortash Kinks

Just some freaky flavored Gortash kinks I don’t see as often.

Tongue, in general. I think he loves to use his tongue and will truly stick it anywhere - but the best is when it isn’t necessary doing anything, it just darts out against his partner’s skin. Especially in public - a quick glance around the room before licking up his partner’s neck and then acting like nothing happened.

Mental sex. If his partner could create a psychic connection with him, Gortash would love fucking in their minds while trying to hold it together in a meeting. And honestly? He doesn’t hate the thought of coming in his pants either.

Exhibitionism. His partner wants to physically fuck in the middle of a meeting? Okay! Gortash at the head of a table of Banites, halting the meeting to bounce his partner on his cock while they all watch, and then continuing business as if nothing had happened.

Getting caught. Secretly loves being caught in the act when sneaking around with his partner. Also loves being walked in on when masturbating (making it everyone else’s problem.)

Sex pollen, but purposefully taken. He loves not being able to stop, and the sex pollen gives him a justification for loss of control.

Plug tasting. Loves putting a plug in his partner’s ass, taking it out to taste it casually, and then putting it back in. Also loves when his partner puts a plug in his ass and makes him taste himself.

Dry humping. The idea of rubbing his cock against anything and everything gets him off.

Knotting. If there was any magical way for him to be able to knot inside his partner, this man would be feral for it. Would also want the same from any partner fucking him.

Body swap. Would love to make someone watch themselves as a form of punishment, would also love to watch himself get wrecked.

[olithatwriter]

Hello, everyone! My friend and I came up with an idea for a Sherlock AU! (I think it's an AU? Or more of an adaptation, as they look VERY different.) John is a YouTuber! This is HEAVILY inspired by Sherlock & Co, and the idea came about because she said some fanart made Sherlock and John look like YouTubers. I hope this idea hasn't been done before! I'm going to write it on A03, and as soon as I do, I will tag whoever would like to read it! Doc_And_Detect or just YouTuber Sherlock Holmes is what I'll call this! Also, I made some designs, but I can't draw so I used Gacha Life 2.

If you'd like some funfacts about them, here they are!

Sherlock: Keeps a notebook full of detective work in it. Said notebook is being held together by duct-tape, zipties, and God himself. Gay. Autistic. Is a consulting detective, as per usual, and is best friends with Lestrade. He hasn't seen his brother in ages. Is actually nice once you get to know him.

John: He got a injured from a grenade blast. Has scars all up his arms, back, and legs, which is why he always wears long sleeves. Pansexual (probably). Still on the fence, but transgender? (FtM). Most likely has ADHD. Definitely has PTSD. He wears a knee brace.

[splintergirl13]

My partner went to taco bell around the corner and pointed out these (most likely) bullet holes and instead of being like omg I hope you and everyone else are safe and that's crazy I was like Why Is It Live Slug Reaction Tho

Very festive considering it's may the fourth

[didgeriduwu]

I'm writing an unplanned pregnancy speeding bullet fic (all my friends are having babies and I'm working through stuff ok) and hoo boy is it angsty.

All 12 of you better be prepared

[rebootgrimm]

CHAT??? DONALD TRUMP GOT FUCKING SHOT IN THE EAR AT A RALLY

I bet Twitter is going wild rn

Update: I think the news said it was a firearm, but it sounded like a BB gun

Update 2: It is confirmed that other people were wounded and that there were 7-8 shots. The gun is nearly confirmed to be a firearm. The only way we’ll know is if someone gets caught.

Update 3: The shooter is reported to be dead, but no one knows how since it hasn’t been released. We also know that a rally attendee is dead. Once the story is over on the news (specifically Fox News), I’ll post one large post about everything we know.

[necrogfie]

there is so much thing we can make fun of americans about but maaaybe we shouldn't make fun of .. school shooting ??? maybe ?

that's just an idea but like .. let's make fun of their food or their weird expressions! light hearted stuff not events that often result in tragedy ??

[kiwisandpearls]

no, just because im anti-censorship doesn’t mean i think i think works of prejudice against minorities with the clear purpose to demonize those minorities are ok.

no, just because im anti-censorship doesn’t mean i think csem/csam of actual literal children is ok and should be legal everywhere. I very much think the opposite.

no, just because im anti-censorship doesn’t mean i think people shouldn’t think critically about the works of fiction their consuming and shouldn’t ask themselves if what the author wrote/made is a sort of self report of their own morals. I just think we shouldn’t immediately go to the conclusion of “you liked this therefore you are a bad person”

i am anti-censorship because obviously asides from the first two above, “good” censorship of fiction isn’t really feasible as everyone has their own subjective idea on what fiction should be censored. I could ask three random people that if they had the power to censorship certain fiction what would it be and i would get three wildly different answers. Sure we could censor fiction that romanticize bad actions but like…what constitutes actual romanticism? What constitutes “bad actions”? Because let’s be real a lot of people wouldn’t ever admit it but they see acts such as being queer and questioning authority as “bad actions”.

tl;dr - just because im anti-censorship doesn’t mean i think we shouldn’t critically of the works we consume and that works made to actually hurt real people or instigate hurt of real people are totally fine and ok just because their fictional. It just means i think censorship is way too powerful of tool and very easy to be put in the wrong hands, and in many places already…it has been.

[supportstudies]

100 Days of Productivity (44/100)

April 1st 2024

Okay, so I totally went into an emotional slump for like two weeks. Not great, but we are SO back, dude. I can't be sad, rn I got shit to do!!! I was super productive today, and I haven't like not been productive. I'm just starting my posts from where I left off so I can still chronicle all 100 days I really missed doing this and having my routine. Shit was fr hell without it. I'm a decently content little goose right now, especially since I'm registering for my first classes soon! Also, I just killed a massive spider, so I think that means bedtime before I cry.

🎧 - Aside, SHINee

Productivity/Self Care

finished this week's pages

took out all of my sad room trash

took a shower

did a facemask

dumped annies litter box

went to work

started this month's book club book

See you guys tomorrow!

[tf2-oneshots]

sniper shares weed with scout and they do stupid stuff and kiss (no sex pls)

Weed time

Warning: weed mention

Rating: Teen and up

Two joints are pulled out from a drawer in Sniper’s van. The Aussie pulls a lighter out from his shirt pocket, sticking one joint into his mouth to light it. The second is handed to Scout who sits in the van’s booth. Joints pressed together, Sniper lights the American’s before exhaling a cloud of smoke.

“This stuff gonna make us act crazy?” Scout inhales, letting it sit in his lungs before blowing out the smoke. He taps a finger against the table, impatient to see what the affects will be. Will they pass out? Try to make cookies at 2am? Have an existential crisis that leaves them freaking out on the floor?

“Probably. Pauling said she bought a fridge just to make a castle from the box.” The poor woman shamefully returned her impulse purchase with a fumbled excuse of it being too big for the kitchen. Initially, it was a great idea to bring her G&G game to life, except for the fact that she already had a brand new fridge from another weed induced splurge. That box was turned into a boat.

“Good thing I wrote down Spy’s credit card info.” The two laugh, tapping their joints together like wine glasses before taking long inhales. Sniper slides into the booth, welcoming his yank of a lover into his arm. Scout rests against Sniper’s chest as they wait for the chemicals to seep into their brains.

Twenty minutes go by. If you asked Scout if he was high right now, he would deny it. It would take him multiple tries and several tangents to achieve, but he would deny it. This doesn’t change the fact that he’s standing in front of Sniper’s dream catcher and staring into it.

“Bloody hell are you doing?” Sniper is laid out on the floor, joint smoked with its remains in an ashtray along with his regular cigarette butts. His vest was discarded from how warm and clammy it made him feel. He really hates being warm and clammy. Speaking of clams, he’s kinda in the mood for seafood right about now.

“I’m watching your dreams, dude. Crazy stuff in here.” Scout stares at the criss crossing white thread. He slowly blinks, mesmerized by whatever it is he’s imagining. His eyes are bright red and hooded, fighting to stay open. Scout doesn’t wanna pass out with a high this good.

“What?” It comes out as a stifled laugh. Sniper rolls to his side, chuckling at the thought of Scout watching all of his weird dreams. The fish people one, the one where he lived with a wallaby, and many more. Sniper stands up only to immediately fall over and cackle. He tripped on his own hat! Its only now that he realizes that he wasn’t wearing the damn thing.

“You good, babe?” Scout snorts, watching his boyfriend roll around and laugh. The strange behavior ends up causing his own laughing fit that beings him to his knees. He crawls to Sniper, falling to the floor as the couple continue their ceaseless giggling. They manage a few short breaths of silence only for their laughter to immediately resume.

“Stop! Stop, dude, I’m—I’m gonna pee!” Scout clutches his stomach and kicks his legs. At that comment, Sniper holds out one of his jars. This only makes his lover laugh harder and smack his hand against the floor. Scout practically screams into the carpet as his body shakes.

The only thing that stops their laughing fit is hunger. Scout takes out a cooler they had stashed earlier knowing how the munchies can be. Two wrapped hoagies are pulled from the ice along with soda and an iced coffee. Sniper sets several cartons of cookies, muffins, and cupcakes onto the kitchen table. Not even waiting for Scout, he takes a massive bite into a chocolate chip muffin.

“Gimme one.” Scout reaches for a muffin, but Sniper pushes them away. He continues eating the treat, ignoring how badly he needs a drink to wash it down. Scout holds up his iced coffee, taunting him with the bitter brew. He reaches out, but the American tries to snag a muffin! Oh, no. Sniper bought them, so Sniper gets to eat them.

“You’re so freaking greedy when you’re high!” Scout is offended by the man blocking him from the food. Are they not dating? What kind of selfish man refuses to feed his beloved boyfriend? Ignore the fact that Scout has two hoagies in his hand. He’s going to starve unless he gets one of those cupcakes.

After a bit of pouting and bargaining, Sniper relents and earns his coffee. He chugs half the bottle before taking another fat bite of food. This time into his deli sandwich. Scout somehow fits two cupcakes, his hoagie, and an entire can of soda into his lean body. Of course, he continues eating. He’s just so hungry!

When their meal is no more than crumbs on plates, the couple decide to climb to their bed. Its as cramped as ever, but it beats the floor. At least now they have a new mattress pad to soften the hard surface. The old one had worn down over the years, but the stubborn Sniper refused to let go of it until Scout complained enough times about back aches.

As they cuddle one another, they share soft kisses from their foreheads to their chins. Scout traces the lines in Sniper’s hand with his thumb while the man happily explained their meaning. While not one to believe in most mysticism, it was still interesting. Hell, if he can believe in dream catchers and aliens, what’s the harm in thinking a few lines in his palm have meaning?

Scout on the other hand was growing tired. Too tired to keep his eyes open. The hand rubbing his back was no help either. Although he tried to fall asleep, he just couldn’t. His mouth kept moving despite his attempts to still it, and his eyes just didn’t want to stay closed. Quite the conundrum for the poor man.

Weed is cool and fun -H

[wow-an-unfunny-joke]

Me: writes fanfic about the mercs comiting suicide just to respawn therefore having to face the consequences of their actions

Also me: they’re so silly 🥰