#vietnam off the beaten track

[senka-mesecine]

Would you be able to write a list of Barnes relationship headcanons or at the very least your perception of what Barnes would be like as a husband? I absolutely adore your writings about Platoon since there’s so little fan content for it around! <3 I appreciate what you do

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― Admittedly, it is fairly hard to imagine Barnes living a civilian life seeing as how he's pretty much synonymous with combat and to quote Rhah, war's his high, which is exactly why I think he'd make his civilian life so as to as closely resemble the army as possible, and whether he'd do this consciously or subconsciously or both is up for debate, but I feel the structure of his day-to-day existence outside of a platoon hierarchy isn't all that different from his time in the 'Nam --- meaning that I envision that as a spouse he'd be a working man. Entirely proud of it too. He thinks that's what a real man ought to be and that anything other than that isn't ought to be. He's the toiling from dawn to dusk type. Hard manual laborer. He still finds a way to bark orders at others and instill fear and admiration into their bones, to the degree he might as well still be in the military because he sure isn't here giving himself any breaks just because he's rotated back into the world from the bush. In fact, there's no difference between now and then. He's soldiering out there and he's soldiering now. He gives commands there and he gives them in his civilian life too. It's that ingrained thing that cannot be shed. In fact, it is very possible to imagine him going mercenary post-Vietnam and seeking out the next war available because it's what he is.

― That being said, married life with him is...shockingly simple, I think. Why? Because I think of him as a man of routine; a professional deformational of his military days. He likes breakfast with the spouse. Dinners. Suppers. Waking up early. Coming back home at night to them. The odd match of poker. Sharing a bottle of whiskey. Having a smoke. Living off the beaten track somewhere. And it almost comes off as weirdly idyllic and downright wholesomely pastoral that he might practice isolationism precisely because he views his home life as a separate bubble positioned against the rest of the world almost as if the domesticity he has with you is a base and everything outside of it is potentially a minefield or enemy territory. It's not necessarily said outright, of course, but, Barnes doesn't much care for the comings and goings of the outside world and if he lives with his spouse on a sort of societal margin, he doesn't have to follow its rules and he doesn't much care to anyway. I can visualize him going back to the Hill Country of East Tennessee and as far away from any rustle and bustle as humanly possible. Frankly, the fact few people will ever run into you there and that he, in ways, has you all to himself, suits him just fine and the fact can be silently possessive as well as incredibly daunting.

― I'm not talking country life, I'm talking house in the mountains deep in the woods type of life. The locals know someone lives up there; Barnes and his woman, but they don't assume they ever saw you to the point you might as well be make belief, which is how Barnes wants it anyway because if anyone has any problems they should come to him with it or so god help them. He becomes a bit of a local urban legend, almost; the scarred man in the night who scares people and lost hikers off of the woods and the mountainside and probably does far worse than just that if push comes to shove and genuinely, regardless of his civilian status, this is a reputation Barnes embraces even in domesticity. I think people could very much be afraid of him all while he lives a relatively reclusively and tucked away life with you. He doesn't give me the impression he'd like too many individuals once he's out of the army and has no interest in communicating with most any of them nor does he make any effort to re-socialize himself post-war; there's a frightening yet passionate singlemindedness to him. You're about the only chosen person he wants and that's that on that. Are you a hostage? No. Well, maybe. Can you get away? No. Does he want you to? Also no.

― Frankly, there's a certain impression he has about his various scars being the cause of stares and judgement now that he rotated back into the world especially when juxtaposed with you and the fact that you're a beaut. Barnes doesn't want stares. He doesn't want whispers. He doesn't want anyone as much as uttering the words in the vein of 'What's she doing with him and how does she wake up next to him in the morning, looking at that mug'. Doesn't want anyone as much as looking in his general direction or yours because he knows he might kill over it, which is the overall reason, among others, for so much reclusion, seeing as how Barnes doesn't 'delude' himself that anyone's going to be tremendously welcoming back home, leading to his territorial tendencies towards you as a spouse. He doesn't want you leaving, he doesn't want you perceived, he doesn't want you getting tremendously close to anyone else and he doesn't want you potentially developing an interest in anyone else and attempting to run away, irregardless of the fact that it is a fruitless endeavor and he'd find you, but still, he's selfish, he's jealous, he's vindictive, he'd take a personal interest in making anyone's life a living hell over you, he's a mean motherfucker and he knows it. He's got one person that's his and that's you and he'll be damned if he'll go around being generous with your presence.

― Meaning that as a husband, Barnes would be intense. Intense with a capital I. Especially once all restrains the military put on him and the close proximity of civilization's presence as a whole are gone. He's not bad, but intense. All in. So much of his character and who he is and was dedicated to war, the platoon, his men and what he thinks is right that once all of that inevitably ends there's a gaping hole in its place where you get poured into, meaning that you consume him the way the war itself did and he doesn't need anyone else but you, quite literally, and this is a deliberate and conscious choice he makes to the point he lives outside of the bounds of pretty much, well, everything and by extension, you do too because he isn't going around sharing you with anyone. It's an all-consuming existence where it's just you and him; he strikes me as the type who'd drive down to the nearest city, say, once a month, bring back whatever's needed and spend the rest of the time almost like he's awaiting for some sort of attack, ambush or siege that never arrives. It's safe to say he'd be angry at the world for what he'd see as the loss of war in Vietnam precisely, because the way he'd see it, people like him weren't allowed to fight the way a war's 'meant' to be fought and he'd want no part in society (least of all one that would judge people like him post-return) and so you're both blessed and cursed with the gift of being loved by a man who only loves you out of the whole wide world.

[stormxpadme]

AU Game. Scott/Logan. 1970s California road trip. No powers.

Let’s play a game. Send me a potential AU and I’ll tell you five fun facts that would happen in a story. Scott/Logan. 1970s California road trip. No powers.

Scott ends up in the worst bug-infested, grease-moldy truck stop ever that night, and he just about wants to walk back out the second he arrives but there's no alternatives for miles, and he's always gotta get his deliveries done in time if he wants to save up the buck for this damn private pilot license one day. And since he kinda sucked at being a teacher and regular flight schools won't accept him because of his damn eyesight condition, he's only got the road left. Which in this case means spending the night in this shithole and finding anything on the menu that won't give him salmonella, burn right through his digestive tract, or both.

That sleazy unkempt group of lumberjacks has already pissed him off with their digs about his glasses upon entering but he's only stepping in when one of them tries to get up and close with the shy and terrified waitress girl. Because Scott is an idiot who apparently hasn't gotten his damn ass beaten often enough yet in one orphanage after another after his whole family's died in that fucking plane crash. He's outnumbered 1:4 but he's taller and they're out of shape, so he's not worrying a lot. Not until the first switchblade comes his way.

If he's being honest, he's already had his eyes on the outsider of the bully group for a while, sitting there silently by the very edge of the table alone with a bottle of whiskey, because the guy is built like a fucking tree himself and has no interest in harassment or in like, anything at all, apparently. Somehow, Scott always happens to fall either for the red-haired mental cases or the emotionally constipated. It doesn't help his current infatuation that the guy steps in before Scott can have a couple of his arteries kebabed by those knives. He's visibly enjoying the brawl against his now-former workmates, moving fast and strong and obviously field-trained, trashing half the furniture so badly that they're being kicked out by the owner which is just as well because now neither of them has to pay. And because Scott is seriously horny at this point.

They end up fucking on the rest stop parking lot behind a dumpster after patching each other's cuts and bruises up and they're still laughing their asses off, with only that certain familiar hysteric undertone of having barely escaped death and the comfortable wordless intimacy of instant bonding, once you realize you've found a guy just as much a broken idiot as yourself.

Afterward, Scott is on enough adrenaline to drive through the night. Logan doesn't even really ask before he makes himself at home in the passenger seat, feet on the dash, hairy chest out and all, replacing Scott's favorite Johnny Cash cassette with a Rolling Stones tape Scott can't even remember having and silently humming along over the last bit of whiskey. He's been bored of cutting down trees anyway, it turns out. He doesn't even want to stop by his home for his things. Says, he doesn't need any of his shit, none of that stuff having any meaning to him after losing all his memories some couple of years ago, during some bad hit in Vietnam. Besides, there's only some violent, abusive perv of a step-brother waiting for him at home, and Logan's only been waiting for an excuse to lo leave that piece of shit behind. Sun's not even gone up before they fuck in the driver's seat again, by the side of the road, before they drop the delivery together, collect the buck and find themselves some nice burger joint for breakfast. And Scott wonders suddenly if this is what happiness feels like.

Additional Spoiler Alert: The asshole stepbrother will track them down eventually as they're dumb enough to stay in touch with Scott's trucker friends like Bobby, Sam, and Emma via his CB radio, and Scott almost ends up being kebabed again only a month later, because that Victor guy got issues. But the fuck in that cheap Vegas hotel afterward is spectacular, and since they're already in town, they miraculously find someone who doesn't care about gender and shit when he's marrying someone as long as he gets paid. It also soon turns out, it's so much easier, making a good buck on the road, working together. Scott is pretty sure he's still never going to get inside a damn cockpit but at least he doesn't need that stupid dream at night anymore, to no longer want to off himself on the next best highway.

[travelauthenticasia-taa]

Boasted one of the World's 20 best destinations, Vietnam, the country with a rich 4000 years history and a unique traditional local culture is endowed with spectacular natural settings of dramatic mountains, undulating green paddies, seemingly endless white sand beaches with honey sunlights, making it an alluring place for any traveller.

Travel Authentic Asia offers a wide range of custoomize-able Vietnam Tour Holidays from comfort tours to off the beaten track adventures, family trips and romantic getaways with best quality guaranteed. Pick your best suitable trip or choose to build your own tour at best convenience.

[snapwander]

Unveiling the World: Must-See Destinations for Every Traveler

The travel bug bites everyone eventually!  For some, it's a constant itch, and for others, it's a yearning that creeps in every now and then.  Wherever you fall on the spectrum, there's no denying the allure of exploring new 

places, cultures, and experiences.

But with so many incredible destinations around the globe, where do you even begin?  Fear not, fellow wanderer! This blog is your one-stop shop for inspiration, helping you discover the best places to visit, tailored to your travel desires.

Calling the Nature Enthusiast:

Trek through Patagonia's majestic peaks: Glaciers, mountains, and turquoise lakes - Patagonia in South America offers breathtaking landscapes for the adventurous soul. Hike the famous W Trail, or embark on a kayaking expedition for an unforgettable encounter with nature's grandeur.

Unwind on the pristine beaches of Kerala: Nicknamed "God's Own Country," Kerala in India is a tropical paradise. Cruise the serene backwaters, explore lush tea plantations, or simply relax on the golden shores, soaking in the tranquility.

Explore the otherworldly beauty of Namibia: This African nation boasts dramatic sand dunes, unique wildlife, and captivating geological formations. Witness the awe-inspiring Namib Desert or go stargazing under some of the darkest skies on Earth.

Craving a Cultural Immersion?

Wander the ancient streets of Rome: Steeped in history and culture, Rome is an open-air museum. Marvel at the Colosseum, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, or get lost in the labyrinthine alleys of Trastevere.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Tokyo: Japan's capital city seamlessly blends ancient traditions with neon-lit modernity. Explore magnificent temples, indulge in delicious street food, and experience the unique kawaii (cute) culture.

Uncover the mysteries of Machu Picchu: High in the Peruvian Andes lies the enigmatic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Hike the Inca Trail, marvel at the architectural ingenuity, and soak in the mystical atmosphere of this lost city.

Seeking Adventure and Luxury?

Go island hopping in the Philippines: With over 7,000 islands to choose from, the Philippines is a haven for beach lovers and adventurers. Sail through turquoise waters, scuba dive amidst coral reefs, or trek through lush jungles.

Heli-ski in the Canadian Rockies: For the ultimate thrill-seeker, heli-skiing in Canada offers unparalleled backcountry access. Carve fresh tracks through untouched powder snow, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery.

Glamp in the deserts of Morocco: Experience the magic of Morocco on a luxurious glamping trip. Stay in plush tents under a canopy of stars, explore the ancient city of Marrakech, and ride camels across the golden dunes of the Sahara.

This is just a taste of the incredible destinations waiting to be explored.  Remember, the best place to visit are the ones that resonate with YOU.  So, do your research, follow your interests, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure!

Beyond the Bucket List: Unveiling Unique Travel Gems

Forget the over-touristed destinations! Today's travel trend is all about seeking hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Here, we unveil some unique places to visit that will make your trip truly unforgettable.

For the Foodie with a Sense of Adventure:

Hunt down truffles in Alba, Italy: This charming town in Piedmont transforms into a haven for gourmands during truffle season. Join an expert hunt for these culinary treasures, and savor their rich flavor in exquisite local dishes.

Embark on a culinary tour through the heart of Vietnam: From the vibrant street food scene of Ho Chi Minh City to the unique flavors of Hoi An, Vietnam offers a delicious adventure for your taste buds. Sign up for a cooking class and learn to prepare the quintessential dishes yourself.

Explore the spice markets of Marrakech, Morocco: Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and aromas of a bustling Moroccan souk. Sample exotic spices, indulge in traditional tagines, and discover the hidden gems tucked away within the labyrinthine alleys.

The Budget Traveler Seeking Cultural Gems:

Uncover the ancient city of Bagan, Myanmar: This archaeological wonderland is dotted with thousands of pagodas and temples, remnants of a once-powerful kingdom. Explore by bike or electric scooter, and witness breathtaking sunrises over the mystical landscape.

Delve into the heart of Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan's Silk Road cities, like Khiva and Bukhara, offer a glimpse into a bygone era. Wander through ancient bazaars, marvel at the intricate tilework adorning mosques, and experience the warm hospitality of the Uzbek people.

Hike the Milford Track in New Zealand's Fiordland National Park: This Great Walk is known for its breathtaking scenery—towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and serene fiords. The Milford Track offers an affordable way to experience the beauty of New Zealand's wilderness.

Luxury with a Sustainable Twist:

Go glamping on a private island in Belize: Combine eco-consciousness with luxurious amenities on a private island retreat in Belize. Relax in a beachfront cabana, explore the surrounding coral reefs, and participate in conservation efforts that protect the island's delicate ecosystem.

Sail the crystal-clear waters of Raja Ampat, Indonesia: This remote archipelago boasts incredible biodiversity, making it a paradise for divers and nature enthusiasts. Charter a luxurious yacht and explore pristine coral reefs teeming with marine life, all while supporting responsible tourism practices.

Stay in an eco-lodge in the Amazon Rainforest: Immerse yourself in the heart of the Amazon without sacrificing comfort. Eco-lodges offer luxurious accommodations while adhering to sustainable principles. Explore the rainforest canopy with a knowledgable guide, and contribute to the preservation of this vital ecosystem.

This list is merely a starting point for your exploration.  The beauty of travel lies in the unexpected, so embrace the journey and discover your own unique travel gems! 

Beyond the Tourist Trail:

For the traveler seeking unique experiences, there's a whole world beyond the usual tourist hotspots.  Here are some hidden gems waiting to be discovered:

Alba, Italy: Foodies will delight in a truffle hunt in Alba, Italy, during the prized truffle season. Join an expert guide on the hunt for these culinary treasures, learning about the fascinating process of truffle hunting and uncovering these prized ingredients. Savor.

[travelcompany]

Vietnam's Off-Trail Treasures: Discovering Its Stunning Natural Beauty

The Enchantment of Secluded Waterfalls

Venture off the beaten track, and you'll find Vietnam's hidden waterfalls, a symphony of nature's grace. Tucked away in lush landscapes, these secluded cascades offer a serene escape. The rhythmic sounds of water meeting earth create a melody that resonates with the untouched beauty of Vietnam's natural wonders.

Untouched Beaches: A Coastal Haven

Escape the bustling tourist hubs and discover Vietnam's pristine beaches. With stretches of soft sand meeting crystal-clear waters, these coastal havens provide a tranquil retreat. Feel the gentle embrace of sea breezes and witness the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink.

Embracing Serenity Amidst Mountains

Mountain Retreats: Where Tranquility Reigns

For those seeking elevation and solitude, Vietnam's hidden mountain retreats offer an escape into nature's arms. Surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery, these elevated sanctuaries provide a peaceful haven. Hike through trails adorned with wildflowers, and breathe in the crisp mountain air for a rejuvenating experience.

Flora and Fauna: A Biodiversity Showcase

Explore the hidden corners of Vietnam's diverse ecosystems, home to a plethora of flora and fauna. From rare orchids in the highlands to exotic birds dancing through the treetops, the country's biodiversity is a testament to its commitment to preserving natural wonders.

Navigating Off the Beaten Path

Tips for the Adventurous Explorer

Local Insights: Engage with locals to discover hidden gems known only to those intimately familiar with the area.

Pack Light: Opt for a backpack filled with essentials. The more agile you are, the easier it is to explore off-the-grid locations.

Respect Nature: Leave no trace. Ensure the beauty you encounter remains for future generations by respecting and preserving the environment.

Read More: Vietnam's Off-Trail Treasures: Discovering Its Stunning Natural Beauty

[doanchaoc]

Vietnam: Travel Itineraries & Travel Guides

At first planning a Vietnam travel itinerary seems daunting. There are so many parts of the country that seem interesting and unfortunately most travellers are faced with a time crunch when planning their Vietnam travel itinerary. To help you through the process, we have compiled a series of travel guides on the country as a whole and its cities. The diverse information provided by the itineraries and guides will help you select locations based on your interests and will help fine tune your itinerary. Just scroll through Vietnam Travel blog to find what you need.

The Allure Of Vietnam Situated in South East Asia, Vietnam should be on every traveller’s list because of the rich heritage and history that the country has to offer. The varied terrain of Vietnam makes for a diverse set of experiences. Beaches, islands, caves, rice fields, hiking, etc. are all part of the different facets of the country. While we spent so much time in Vietnam, we still find ourselves being called back. You will find that the country has both sides of the coin. You can enjoy in the lap of luxury or you can head out on a shoestring budget. That is what makes it so alluring.

If you are looking for a comprehensive glimpse of Vietnam, then we would suggest thumbing through our Vietnam Travel Guide. It covers the basics of costs, transportation, packing guides and important attractions. It also helps you catch a glimpse of the culture of the people who live in the country. The Vietnam travel guide however is just one facet to GlobeTrove’s Vietnam travel blog. It’s all about the country in a nutshell.

Where To Stop Along The Way Hanoi

Hanoi is popularly known as the capital of Vietnam. Situated at the North of the country, Hanoi is far from your usual bustling city. While the streets are crowded and busy there is subtle personality that captures the visitor in its net. So whether it is good food or shopping or just history you are after, you will find that Hanoi has it all

Sapa Nestled at the very top of Vietnam lies a small town called Sapa which is famous for its colorful rice fields, hikes, waterfalls and traditional villages. The temperatures of this area are pretty chilly but it doesn’t deter people from visiting Sapa for its beauty cannot be described nor can its peace be underestimated.

Halong Bay Halong bay is situated towards the North of Vietnam and is probably one of the most famous places in the country. The silent ocean lapping at its shores, the multitude of islands that dot the coast and the numerous activities that Halong bay has to offer is drawing more tourists to it every year.

Hoi An Hoi An is a small French colony that is today considered one of the heritage sites of Vietnam. Wandering around the city will give you a great deal of insight on the architecture and the problems that the Vietnamese face because of its proximity to the river. You will find that Hoi An is a city that transforms as the sun sets. It comes alive as the night market opens, food stalls are arranged and lanterns are lit. It is a sight that I will never forget.

Ninh Binh Ninh Binh is popularly known as the Halong Bay on land because the Karst topography resembles the one you see in Halong Bay. Long peaceful boat rides through tunnels and temples/pagodas of various sizes gives you a glimpse into the traditional life of the Vietnamese. The outskirts of the city is calm, off the beaten track but not to hard to get to. Definitely a place where you would want to take your motorbike and ride off to.

Ho Chi Minh Ho Chi Minh is also well known as Saigon and is situated at the south of Vietnam very close to the Mekong delta. It is a popular stop for tourists visiting the area. The hustle and the bustle of the crowded roads takes getting used to but no one seems to mind. In fact it is this same activity that gives Ho Chi Minh the personality that it has become famous for. It presents is an opportunity for growth, for development and a chance to leave the past behind.

Vietnam travel blog has a number of itineraries, guides and articles that can help you plan your trip to perfection. We are constantly working to add to our resources and would love to hear about your experiences and suggestions. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

This post first appeared on (https://www.tumblr.com/vietnams-visa/702884479261442048/vietnam-travel-itineraries-travel-guides?source=share)

[shalomanna]

Ladies! I just got done with the adventure of a lifetime. I spent the past 4 days trekking through the jungle and through the worlds largest cave. it has only been open for tourism for the past 10 years. More people have been to Mt. Everest than have been inside this cave. It can fit the Eiffel Tower, New York Cit’s sky scrapers, the Egyptian pyramids etc. It even has its own eco system! We camped for 3 nights throughout the cave, swam in its lakes/rivers and enjoyed the most unreal scenery. It felt otherworldly, like I was in an avatar movie. I highly recommend checking out the Son Doong Cave trek in Vietnam. It is expensive but worth every penny. Something not a lot of people know about as well, if you’re looking for something off the beaten track.

[vietnams-visa]

Vietnam: Travel Itineraries & Travel Guides

At first planning a Vietnam travel itinerary seems daunting. There are so many parts of the country that seem interesting and unfortunately most travellers are faced with a time crunch when planning their Vietnam travel itinerary. To help you through the process, we have compiled a series of travel guides on the country as a whole and its cities. The diverse information provided by the itineraries and guides will help you select locations based on your interests and will help fine tune your itinerary. Just scroll through  Vietnam Travel blog to find what you need.

 The Allure Of Vietnam

Situated in South East Asia, Vietnam should be on every traveller’s list because of the rich heritage and history that the country has to offer. The varied terrain of Vietnam makes for a diverse set of experiences. Beaches, islands, caves, rice fields, hiking, etc. are all part of the different facets of the country. While we spent so much time in Vietnam, we still find ourselves being called back. You will find that the country has both sides of the coin. You can enjoy in the lap of luxury or you can head out on a shoestring budget. That is what makes it so alluring.

 If you are looking for a comprehensive glimpse of Vietnam, then we would suggest thumbing through our Vietnam Travel Guide. It covers the basics of costs, transportation, packing guides and important attractions. It also helps you catch a glimpse of the culture of the people who live in the country. The Vietnam travel guide however is just one facet to GlobeTrove’s Vietnam travel blog. It’s all about the country in a nutshell.

 Where To Stop Along The Way

Hanoi

Hanoi is popularly known as the capital of Vietnam. Situated at the North of the country, Hanoi is far from your usual bustling city. While the streets are crowded and busy there is subtle personality that captures the visitor in its net. So whether it is good food or shopping or just history you are after, you will find that Hanoi has it all

  Sapa

Nestled at the very top of Vietnam lies a small town called Sapa which is famous for its colorful rice fields, hikes, waterfalls and traditional villages. The temperatures of this area are pretty chilly but it doesn’t deter people from visiting Sapa for its beauty cannot be described nor can its peace be underestimated.

Halong Bay

Halong bay is situated towards the North of Vietnam and is probably one of the most famous places in the country. The silent ocean lapping at its shores, the multitude of islands that dot the coast and the numerous activities that Halong bay has to offer is drawing more tourists to it every year.

  Hoi An

Hoi An is a small French colony that is today considered one of the heritage sites of Vietnam. Wandering around the city will give you a great deal of insight on the architecture and the problems that the Vietnamese face because of its proximity to the river. You will find that Hoi An is a city that transforms as the sun sets. It comes alive as the night market opens, food stalls are arranged and lanterns are lit. It is a sight that I will never forget.

Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is popularly known as the Halong Bay on land because the Karst topography resembles the one you see in Halong Bay. Long peaceful boat rides through tunnels and temples/pagodas of various sizes gives you a glimpse into the traditional life of the Vietnamese. The outskirts of the city is calm, off the beaten track but not to hard to get to. Definitely a place where you would want to take your motorbike and ride off to.

Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh is also well known as Saigon and is situated at the south of Vietnam very close to the Mekong delta. It is a popular stop for tourists visiting the area. The hustle and the bustle of the crowded roads takes getting used to but no one seems to mind. In fact it is this same activity that gives Ho Chi Minh the personality that it has become famous for. It presents is an opportunity for growth, for development and a chance to leave the past behind.

Vietnam travel blog has a number of itineraries, guides and articles that can help you plan your trip to perfection. We are constantly working to add to our resources and would love to hear about your experiences and suggestions. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

 Content Source: GlobeTrove

[thebreakfastgenie]

‘M*A*S*H’ at 50: War Is Hell(arious)

Five decades ago, “M*A*S*H” anticipated today’s TV dramedies, showing that a great comedy could be more than just funny.

“M*A*S*H,” which debuted in September 1972, feels both ancient and current. With Jamie Farr, seated, and, from left, Mike Farrell, David Ogden Stiers, Alan Alda, Loretta Swit, Harry Morgan and William Christopher in a later season.Credit...CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

By James Poniewozik Sept. 16, 2022 Updated 10:59 a.m. ET

The pilot episode of “M*A*S*H,” which aired on Sept. 17, 1972, on CBS, lets you know immediately where and when you are. Sort of. “KOREA 1950,” the opening titles read. “A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.”

The Korean War could indeed seem a century away from 1972, separated by a gulf of cultural change and social upheaval. But as a subject, it was also entirely current, given that America was then fighting another bloody war, in Vietnam. The covert operation “M*A*S*H” pulled off was to deliver a timely satire camouflaged as a period comedy.

The year before, CBS had premiered Norman Lear’s “All in the Family,” a battlefield dispatch from an American living room. But “M*A*S*H” was another level of escalation, sending up the lunacy of war even as Walter Cronkite was still reading the news about it. The caption acknowledged the risk by winking at it: Who, us, making topical commentary?

Today, “M*A*S*H” also feels both like ancient history and entirely current, but for different reasons.

On the one hand, in an era that’s saturated with pop-culture nostalgia yet rarely looks back further than “The Sopranos” or maybe “Seinfeld,” “M*A*S*H” is often AWOL from discussions of TV history. Sure, we know it as a title and a statistic: The 106 million viewers for its 1983 finale is a number unlikely to be equaled by any TV show not involving a kickoff. But it also gets lost in the distant pre-cable mists, treated as a relic of a time with a bygone mass-market TV audience and different (sometimes cringeworthy) social attitudes.

Yet rewatched from 50 years’ distance, “M*A*S*H” is in some ways the most contemporary of its contemporaries. Its blend of madcap comedy and pitch-dark drama — the laughs amplifying the serious stakes, and vice versa — is recognizable in today’s dramedies, from “Better Things” to “Barry,” that work in the DMZ between laughter and sadness.

For 11 seasons, “M*A*S*H” held down that territory, proving that funny is not the opposite of serious.

Alda’s Hawkeye was a forerunner of the modern dramedy antihero.Credit...CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

Off the beaten laugh track

The characters serving in the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in Korea were professionals whose vocation was to save lives. But their assignment was to patch up soldiers so that they could return to the front lines and kill other people or get killed themselves. This was the eternal, laugh-till-you-cry joke of “M*A*S*H.”

“M*A*S*H” stepped into, and outside of, a tradition of military sitcoms. “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” and “The Phil Silvers Show” poked fun at the hardships and hustles of life in uniform; “Hogan’s Heroes,” which preceded “M*A*S*H” from 1965 to 1971 on CBS, was about shenanigans in a Nazi P.O.W. camp. But as for the abominations of war, these sitcoms, like the bumbling Sgt. Schultz of “Hogan’s,” saw nothing.

Only three years earlier, CBS had canceled the successful “Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” amid controversy over its antiwar stances. But by the early 1970s, even die-hard anticommunists saw Vietnam as a lost cause. Pop culture was changing, too, as evidenced by the success of “All in the Family” and of Robert Altman’s 1970 film “M*A*S*H,” based on a novel by Richard Hooker (the pseudonym of H. Richard Hornberger).

The show’s creators, Larry Gelbart and Gene Reynolds, imagined a version of the story that was more pointedly political than Altman’s dark-comic film, and certainly more so than Hooker’s cheerfully raunchy book.

The staff of the 4077th, mostly draftees, channeled their frustration with their situation into pranks, drinking, adultery and gallows humor. The insubordinate-in-chief was Capt. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce (Alan Alda), who was dead-serious about surgery and dead-sarcastic about every other aspect of the wartime experience.

Casting Alda as the ensemble’s moral center and chaos agent was key. He could caper on set like the love child of Bugs Bunny and Groucho Marx (Hawkeye would imitate the latter while making rounds with patients). He gave Hawkeye’s flirtations with nurses a bantering lightness (though from a half-century’s distance, they can come across more like straight-up harassment).

But Alda also conveyed Hawkeye’s exhausted spleen, which the doctor poured into letters to his father in Maine, a frequent episode-framing device: “We work fast and we’re not dainty,” he writes in the pilot. “We try to play par surgery on this course. Par is a live patient.”

“M*A*S*H” borrowed bits from its sitcom predecessors. It was a workplace comedy, with a goofy boss, Lt. Col. Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson), and uptight antagonists, like the gung-ho lovers Maj. Frank Burns (Larry Linville) and Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan (Loretta Swit). The staff wrestled with bureaucracy and gamed the system, as when the hyperefficient company clerk, Cpl. Walter “Radar” O’Reilly (Gary Burghoff) mailed a jeep home one part at a time.

But the zaniness came with constant reminders that the realities of war could intrude at any moment, like the incoming choppers ferrying the wounded. The producers pushed CBS to dump the laugh track — what’s a studio audience doing in the middle of a war zone? — and eventually compromised on shutting off the yuk machine during operating-room scenes.

The show earned its belly laughs and its quiet. Even the sitcom-standard high jinks — dealing with the black market for medicine, inventing a fictional officer in order to donate his pay to an orphanage — were forms of protest.

In Season 1’s “Sometimes You Hear the Bullet,” Hawkeye meets a writer friend, doing research on the war, who later turns up on the operating table with a mortal wound. The executive producer Burt Metcalfe told the Hollywood Reporter that a CBS executive said, at the end of the season, that the episode “ruined ‘M*A*S*H.’”

The show would run for another 10 years.

“M*A*S*H” shows its age in various ways, including in a subplot in which Farr’s Klinger sought discharge from the Army by dressing in women’s clothes.Credit...CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

Comedy meets dramedy

“From any angle, ‘M*A*S*H’ is the season’s most interesting new entry,” the critic John J. O’Connor wrote in The Times in September 1972. Audiences came around in Season 2, after CBS moved the show to a better time slot. It spent most of the next decade in the ratings Top 10 (even as its own timeline hopscotched among different points from 1950 to 1953).

The early seasons worked in a vein of joke-heavy dark comedy, branching out into more story forms and social issues. A Season 2 episode involved a gay patient, decades before Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, who had been beaten up by other soldiers in his unit. (“M*A*S*H” had its share of gay-tinged jokes — as well as a long-running subplot about Jamie Farr’s Cpl. Max Klinger trying to win a discharge by dressing as a woman — but they usually played as banter rather than gay panic.)

Then, in the Season 3 finale, the series exploded a land mine. Stevenson had signed a deal with NBC, and Henry was written off in affectionate sitcom style, with goodbyes and a party. In the episode’s closing moments, Radar — a farm kid who saw Henry as a father figure — walks into the operating room to read a bulletin: “Lt. Col. Henry Blake’s plane was shot down over the Sea of Japan. It spun in. There were no survivors.”

Henry’s death kicked off the series’s peak era, in which it evolved from a lacerating comedy into something closer to what we would recognize today as dramedy.

The new commanding officer, Col. Sherman Potter, was a career Army man, played by Harry Morgan, once Jack Webb’s stoic sidekick in the revival of “Dragnet.” (Morgan played a crackpot general earlier in “M*A*S*H.”) More competent and less malleable than Henry, Potter had a gravitas befitting a show that was growing in ambition.

The Kafkaesque absurdism deepened, too, as in “The Late Captain Pierce,” in which Hawkeye is declared dead in a bureaucratic mix-up and tries to exit the war on a morgue bus. “I’m tired of death,” he says. “I’m tired to death. If you can’t lick it, join it.”

The experimental episode formats became more daring. “Point of View” is shot from the vantage of a wounded soldier whose throat injury renders him mute. In a repeated format, a reporter visits the 4077th for the new medium of television. The unit’s chaplain, Father Francis Mulcahy (William Christopher), described seeing surgeons cut into patients in the winter cold. “Steam rises from the body,” he says. “And the doctor will warm himself over the open wound. Could anyone look on that and not feel changed?”

Just as important, the show evolved its supporting characters, especially Margaret, spoofed as a harpy and sex object in the early seasons. In a Season 5 episode, she vents to her subordinate nurses about the pressures that have made her into the stickler they know. Eventually, she becomes a more complex foil and ally.

Swit and Larry Linville in the first season of “M*A*S*H.” Her character, Margaret, became more complex as the show went on.Credit...CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

The hilarious but one-dimensional Frank even earns some sympathy before his eventual exit, as Margaret throws him over for a fiancé. He’s replaced by the snobby, intelligent Boston Brahmin Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester (David Ogden Stiers), while Hawkeye’s partner-in-pranks Capt. “Trapper” John McIntyre (Wayne Rogers) makes way for the dry, laid-back family man Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell).

Even in the matured version of “M*A*S*H,” a lot has aged badly. A largely male story, it subscribed to the kind of counterculturalism that saw sexual freedom mostly as license for men. For much of the show’s run, various minor nurse characters were so interchangeable that they were repeatedly named “Able” and “Baker” — literally, “A” and “B” in an older version of the military phonetic alphabet.

Ironically, Alda — an outspoken Hollywood feminist and co-star of “Free to Be … You and Me” — became a disparaging shorthand for “sensitive men” among gender reactionaries in the “Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche” era. Late in the show’s run, “M*A*S*H” intermittently interrogated its own attitudes toward women, as in “Inga,” a Season 7 episode with Mariette Hartley as a Swedish doctor whose brilliance Hawkeye finds threatening.

Those later years of “M*A*S*H” could be didactic, and few fans would consider them among its best. The camp got cleaner and the hairstyles suspiciously modern. The show’s heart got as soft and the stories as shaggy as B.J.’s mustache. But the final seasons are interesting as a model for how TV would find ways to tell stories pitched between comedy and drama.

In the movie-length finale, which aired on Feb. 28, 1983, the laugh track, which had been scaled back over the seasons, was gone entirely. And while the scenario — the war finally ended, after three real-life years and 11 TV seasons — yielded the expected sentimental goodbyes and even a wedding, the core story was as dark as any the series had ever done.

Hawkeye is in a psychiatric hospital after a traumatic experience whose repressed memory his psychiatrist, Maj. Sidney Freedman (Allan Arbus), is trying to tease out of him. Hawkeye recalls a carefree day trip to the beach, a bottle being passed around on the bus ride home. Then the booze becomes a plasma bottle; the bus had taken on a group of civilians and wounded soldiers. One Korean woman holds a chicken, whose noises threaten to expose the stopped bus to a passing enemy patrol. Hawkeye urges her to quiet the bird, and she ends up smothering it.

Finally — as you will never forget if you’ve seen the episode — the memory clears: The “chicken” becomes a baby. “You son of a bitch,” Hawkeye says, “Why did you make me remember that?”

Is it melodramatic? Sure. A downer? Of course. It is also, on rewatching, a striking bit of filmmaking for an ’80s sitcom. Hawkeye’s memory unfolds with the uncanny clarity of a dawning nightmare. No music cues you in to the horror; the images just grow more unsettling and the scene more grim. It is, in a way, like the journey of “M*A*S*H” over the years: A romp in the midst of a war zone goes, bit by bit, deeper into night and the heart of darkness.

And 106 million people came along for the ride. A year and a half later, Ronald Reagan, a Cold Warrior who was elected partly on a backlash to post-Vietnam sentiment, won a second term in a landslide. Yet more Americans than voted in that election tuned in to watch a big old liberal antiwar TV show.

After ‘M*A*S*H’

For most of its 11 seasons, “M*A*S*H” was one of TV’s most popular comedies. But its style went mostly unimitated for decades.

It’s not really until the 2000s that you see its heirs emerge. The British version of “The Office” shares its ability to turn from blistering comedy to seriousness. (Stephen Merchant, a creator, has talked about the influence of watching “M*A*S*H” episodes without laugh tracks in Britain.) The mockumentary format of the American “Office” and other comedies hark back to the news-interview episodes (while Dwight Schrute is a kind of Frank Burns of the paper-business wars).

Cable and streaming especially became fertile ground for finding laughs in grim situations. “Rescue Me” made trauma-based comedy in a post-9/11 firehouse, “Getting On” in a hospital geriatric wing. The Netflix prison series “Orange Is the New Black” was as thoroughly female as “M*A*S*H” was dominantly male, but it brought anarchic ensemble humor to a deadly dangerous setting.

In Hawkeye, meanwhile, you can see a forerunner of the modern-day dramedy antihero, charismatic but damaged and driven by anger. As a kid watching “M*A*S*H” reruns religiously, I loved Hawkeye’s rascally wit, his principles and his pranks. (One of my elementary-school music pageants had us sing the theme song, “Suicide Is Painless.” The ’70s were complicated.)

Rewatching episodes as an adult, I enjoy all that still. But he’s also kind of a jerk! He’s self-righteous, attention-seeking, snide and, if you’re on his bad side, a bit of a bully. In a Season 5 episode, Sidney Freedman diagnosed him succinctly: “Anger turned inward is depression. Anger turned sideways is Hawkeye.”

This describes not a few difficult modern dramedy protagonists, human and otherwise. In one of the best episodes of “BoJack Horseman,” built entirely around the self-destructive equine protagonist’s eulogy at a funeral, you can hear the echo of the episode “Hawkeye,” in which Alda’s character, concussed in a jeep crash, spends nearly the full half-hour monologuing manically at a perplexed Korean family, to stave off unconsciousness.

Making serious comedy is a feat of balance, and some might argue that the legacy of “M*A*S*H” was to give sitcoms license to be self-important, unfunny bummers. In a 2009 episode of the TV-biz sendup “30 Rock” — a proponent of the joke-packed school of entertainment if ever there was one — Alda made a tongue-in-cheek version of that critique himself.

Playing the biological father of the NBC executive Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), he witnesses Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan), a performer on the sketch-show-within-a-show, crying over the memory of being too “chicken” to dissect a frog in high school, which he’d covered up with a phony story of having been asked by a drug dealer to stab a snitch named “Baby.”

“A guy crying about a chicken and a baby?” Alda’s character says. “I thought this was a comedy show.”

Of course, if you got the joke, it was precisely because “M*A*S*H” did its job. It proved, memorably, that a great comedy could cut deep and leave scars. A half-century later, “M*A*S*H” has had the last laugh, or lack thereof.

[heretherebedork]

The Eclipse looks like it's going to have some focus on the teachers and other school staff as well as on the students. It seems like Teacher Sani (the new young one) at least will have her own arc. That made we wonder - how common is that in university and high school set BL, either in Thailand or internationally? The few university/high school set shows I've seen so far have almost completely ignored the teachers.

Thanks!

Not super common at all, honestly. Teachers and professors are mostly used as a backdrop rather than a real full character in the story.

Honestly, this is an even better question for @absolutebl and not just because they like high school BLs even more than I do.

But, you are right, teachers and professors don't tend to the be the focus at the same time as the students. It's not never happened but it feels very unusual for Thailand.

There was a bit of it in Light on Me from Korea? And we're getting hints in Minato Shouji Coin Laundry but it's really just bits and pieces.

I mean, my favorite HIStory is Right or Wrong and that's literally a professor/student relationship so I know Taiwan has done it but this kind of arc, where the teacher arc is related to but not entirely intertwined? I dunno.

Vietnam hasn't really done anything with this yet to my knowledge or at least not in the ones I've watched. So no data there.

It does feel unusual but I might also argue that The Eclipse feels like Not Me in that it's a step off the BL beaten track, it's a BL but with a twist of lemon, in this case a lemon and lime twist of teacher authoritarian plot and deep political commentary to spice up the romances.

[guigz1-coldwar]

All I have is nightmares

Each night is the same night for Bell : dreaming about her times in Vietnam and unable to have a proper sleep because of that but maybe that night can be different of the others....that's all she wanted !

Warning : vomiting !

------------------------------------ The Vietnam's War is nothing but only bad memories coming back !

People will say that this war was useless, that it was a fucking non-sense to send mens in a country already ravaged by a civil war that started years ago and where the advantage was already in the hands of the communists but everyone who has participated in this war returned back home changed and traumatized by the events. Nothing could have tell them that they were going to experiment what is Hell on Earth....this expression was given his full meaning during that war. They were sent there because it was their duty to fight for their country and their allies, some were forced to do so and other volunteered themself because they believe into saving the Vietnamese people from the Reds.

But all the memories that were born during that war shouldn't been seen again. Talking about it was complicated for everyone......even for Bell. At that time in 1968, she was still an MI6 recruit when she was send by her superiors in the Vietnamese jungles alongside the MACV-SOG and she wasn't very aware of the true hell hiding below the trees. Everyone thought that it was a mistake to send a simple recruit in that place but no one volunteer to do the job and she was forced to do so, having learned to never disobey the orders.

After numerous missions she had with Russell Adler & Lawrence Sims from the CIA and after a event that changed her life, she was finally able to leave the country back to London, never wanting to return back at that place. She even asked Adler & Sims to never mention everything that happened in that war with her, wanting to forget that part of her life but that wasn't a promise well kept by the CIA agents. When Adler asked to be in a special team he was creating to track a soviet spy that they heard back in Vietnam, Bell knew that she shouldn't have accepted the job but it was too late to refuse. The first day, she wasn'r very happy when she learned that she will have to talk about Vietnam again and she make her disapproval heard to him but again, she was forced to revisit one of her mission in Vietnam......'Fracture Jaw'

Recalling the memories of these events were somehow easy for Bell to remember.....too easy. After that, that part of her life returned back again each night haunting her. Each time, her nights were very long to pass and difficult for her to remove all of this out of her mind. She tried to take meds to get her daily headaches out but nothing could helped her right now. She was forced to relive everything : seeing the bodies of american soldiers mutilated, some begging for help as they were missing either a foot, a hand, a arm and even a leg were the sounds of every memories she lived. She wanted to help them but her skills were too weak to do that & the worst that there were no medics around them, making their sounds painful for Bell to hear.

Each....memories....were like that !

Days passed and Bell was hiding to everyone her distress, she couldn't talk about it. To Adler and Sims ? She feared that they will worsened the situation to her. To Lazar ? She wouldn't want to share her pain with him even if he seems to become a very good friend with her. To Park ? She wouldn't want to scare her about her memories, fearing to threaten her feelings with her. No one couldn't help her and that was making the situation worse and worse. Bell was becoming a little distant with the others, getting scared each time someone was touching her.

After a long day of work, Bell was still working alone at her desk as everyone has decided to go to sleep in their own rooms. She wasn't forced to work, it was her own will. She wanted to avoid to go to sleep because of the nights she was making but it has been 2 days in a row she didn't sleep. Coffee wasn't helping her anymore to stay awake and she had to face the only choice available now : she needed to go to sleep. She leave her jacket on her chair and then decided to go to her own room, heads down. When she entered her room, she was dreading this moment as she was starting to remove her pants & shoes. For sleeping, she was just keeping her shirt on and her underwear because for a reason, it was very hot in the safehouse and especially in everyone's rooms. She started to sit on the side of the bed, looking at the wall, not sure if she wanted to do this.

"Come on, Jess, you can do this." She whispered to herself with her name, not the surname everyone gave her. That wasn't troubling for her to get called 'Bell' and she wasn't the type of person to object about that "Just try to think to something else." Her hands were going alongside her tights, trying to calm herself down and that seemed to work.

After a few minutes, she was finally ready to lay down and sleep. She removed the glasses off her head, putting them on the nightstand and was going to remove her watch but she decided to keep it around her wrist and then she lied down on the bed comfortably, putting the blanket on top of her. She grinned as her eyes closed, hoping to think about something else : it could be about works or even about Park, she just wanted to have one simple sleep here.....that was important right now for her, that's not too much to ask but hard to do.

The first hour went completely fine for Bell : thinking about everything and nothing that was not related to Vietnam. It was finally the beginning of a real good sleep for her but she shouldn't have thinked so fast about it because something changed. As she was finally completely asleep, she heard just one voice, Adler's one and that voice was too loud to not be heard.

"Bell, we have a job to do !"

And then, it was the start of her nightmare ! She could only think about Vietnam and nothing else. She saw the dead bodies again, the cries of pain of the soldiers around her, the flames consuming everything. Hell was back again and in horror, the event she started to think of was the one she never wanted to see again : the one that changed her life and that make her leave Vietnam !

Back in April 1968, Bell was stationed with Adler & Sims in the Khe Sand Valley in an US advanced base when everything turned to shit. The base was suffering multiples Viet-Congs attacks in a small amount of time, leaving the US forces no choice but to retreat to another secured position, the base was too much damaged to be used again and the attacks wasn't helping much. The extraction consisted of multiple Huey helicopters coming from time to time to get the personal to safety and Bell, Adler & Sims were supposed to leave in the first groups but Bell couldn't leave. In that very base, she had feelings since some times for a French volunteer nurse named Julie and she didn't want to left her here without her as Julie stayed with the wounded in another part of the base.

Adler & Sims had no choice but to left her with the few remaining soldiers as she wasn't going to left Julie to die here. However, their chopper was the second to last that was planned to rescue the others, causing Bell to go to the last place where she saw Julie. After finding Julie, she had to convince to leave as the last chopper was coming in soon but Julie refused wanting to stay with the others and to help them but as they were arguing, a mortar shell just hit the place the wounded were, killing all of them in a single blast as Bell was successful to grab Julie away before the shell fell in the medical station. Julie was traumatized and resigned herself to follow Bell, her hand grabbed by her to rejoin the helipad. Bell killed the Viet-Congs soldiers that was on their way before finally board the last Huey to leave this place....that was everyone thought.

This Huey was unfortunately the only chopper that will never leave the base area intact because as soon the chopper was on the air and nearly out of danger that an RPG rocket hit it and caused it to crash in the jungle. The pilots were dead, the other soldiers too, only Bell and Julie survived the crash but they didn't have any chances to escape : the Viet-Congs were already at the crash site in a matter of seconds and instead of killing them, they decided to take them prisoners and it was the beginning of the hell for both of them.

Even if she was a women, Bell was treated like the other male prisoners. There were no differences, she was tortured for days and kept prisoner in horrible conditions : flogged, cutted and burned. She was held in a camp guarded by the NVA but also, there were a small presence of soviet soldiers in that camp....and there were the ones who were doing the interrogations of the prisoners including Bell. The day everything changed, Bell was being interrogated by a soviet officer in the 'torture room' as the other prisoners quoted, tied up on a chair. She was already badly beaten by the officer : cuts on her arms, bloods on her face, marks of flog on her back.

"Miss." The officer was cleaning his hand, having some bloods on it with a towel "You could make your life easier by giving us what we want." He threw the towel away as he put his look on Bell, she wasn't looking at him and she was smiling. "So, talk !"

"You can dream, dipshit." She smirked, looking finally at him with a serious gaze. He approached her and put his feet by force on her barefeets, causing her to cry in pain.

"Stop thinking that, you americans, can be so tough !" He exclaimed, turning his feet around to make sure the pain was still in her. She calmed herself down, trying to ignore the fact that he just crushed her feets.

"I'm British, you stupid fuck." She laughed nervously "You can't make the fucking differences."

"Aaah, a british spy." He leaned to get at the same level of her head "I never thought that the British Secret Services will send someone to die in a shitty place."

"Heard yourself ?" She told him, sounding offended by what he said. "You don't care about your allies. You think that you, russians, are superiors to everyone."

"Did you really said that to me ?" He seemed very shocked "A british cunt saying that ?" He started to crush her feets again, provoking a little cry from Bell but she resisted "The British Empire though to be superior to everyone and now look at it : a Empire in the shadow of the American Imperialism." He removed his feet and leaned backward, standing up again but the only reaction of Bell right now was to laugh

"At least, we're still an empire." She looked at him, trying to struggle with the ropes around her wrists but she couldn't liberate herself. "I'm not gonna talk !"

"How arrogant." He walk to a table where he took a pistol : a Makarov and then turned around to look at her. "There's someone that will make you talk if you like it or not."

"Did you heard me ? I'm not going to tell you shit." She exclaimed, staying determined to not give up intels, she was well trained by the MI6 to not break under the torture and she wasn't going to break but if she was not going to say anything, the officer has an other idea in mind.

"Bring the French here !" He shouted loud enough to be heard by his men in the other room and sounds of noisy footsteps walking was mainly heard.

The door widely opened, there were two soviet soldiers dragging Julie on the ground.....and those bastards didn't go easy on her : her shirt were covered in her blood, two of her fingers were broken and her brown hair were all messy with blood and mud on it. She was an nurse but she received the same treatment like the others. Seeing her like that was giving Bell more anger inside of her and more determination to break free but with those ropes, it was impossible. After the soldier was fully in the room, they threw Julie just at the officer's feets.

"Julie !" Bell said as Julie hit the ground. It's been days that she didn't see her

"Jess." Julie was trying to get up but her legs were badly injured and the soldiers was making sure that she stay on the ground. "J'en peux plus."

"I'm sorry, Julie" Bell was excusing herself to not been able to save her from that situation and now she was paying the price of it. The soviet officer with this gun approached Bell and make sure she was looking him and not her.

"Each time you didn't talk, I asked my mens to beat her.....each....day." With his gun, he slowly moved it under Bell's chin who didn't flench "But I think that.....you two were close....close to be a couple and that was better for you to look at what you have done to her."

"Please, Jess, ne dis rien !" Julie was then grabbed by one of the soldiers on her knees, hurting her.

"I'm not saying anything." Bell exclaimed to Julie "Je te le promets." She finished in a perfect french accent, still threatened by the officer with his Makarov

"You better choose your words wisely." He got closer to Bell "You gave us the locations of the other americans base in the Khe Sanh Vally or....I shoot her !" Bell didn't want her to get hurt but she couldn't tell anything, she looked at Julie who was still holded by the other soldiers. She told her to no say anything and she promised her.

"Je suis désolée." She faint to the officer that she was going to talk but as he get closer, she literally spit on his face blood she was gathering inside her mouth, causing to fall on his back and to Bell to laugh nervously.

The soldiers were shocked by that and they, unintentionally, let Julie get free from them. She regrouped all of her strengh and the only thing that she could give was punchs on the face of the officer that tried his best to defend himself but the soldiers came to his help, he was giving insults in russian as Julie was grabbed again by the soldiers. He got up, without cleaning the blood he received from Bell and then....

BANG

He didn't kill anyone but he indeed shot Julie's right kneecap who cried out all of her pain....a loud cry that still can be heard by Bell, ringing in her head in the present day. The worst was not finished. As Julie was just get shot, Bell tried to frenetically get out, moving the chair a little from its spot but her moves were interrupted as the officer striked her with his Makarov, causing blood to come out of her mouth and her eyebrow to open widely.

"YOU FUCKERS !" Bell shouted over Julie's screams "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU ALL !"

The officer put this Makarov on a table and he decided to walk back to the towel he used before to clean his hands and after he removed the blood, he looked at this soldiers, still angry. He throw the now full-blooded towel at Bell.

"Get that French bitch on the burning pole and tell Vadim to get ready." He then looked back at Bell. "She's gonna watch !" At this orders, the soldiers grabbed Julie out of the room not before she could say a last thing.

"Jess, kill them for me.....promets-moi !" She said as she was forced out of the room by the soldiers.

"Je te le promets !" That was the only thing Bell could said, in a weakened voice, unable to be heard by Julie, dragged away. She was now back with that officer, looking at her with disgust and that was reciprocal.

"She's gonna die screaming your name." He scoffed at her face "And you'll watch it !"

"I'm going to fucking kill you, you psy-" She couldn't finished that a soldier that was hidden behind her put a scarf on her mouth, gagging her and then, the same soldier moved her chair to a window, overlooking the camp and especially the 'burning pole' as the officer claimed. Julie was still dragged by the same soldiers as before, Bell could see a soviet soldier, holding a flamethrower in hands....Those bastards were going to burn her lover alive and she was going to watch it, helpless

She tried her best to look away from the window but the officer prevented that to happen by forcing her to watch the scene. He was holding her jaw while the soldier holded the back of her head, making her impossible to move her head. She see them putting Julie on the pole tying her up on it as the soldier with the flamethrower was getting ready. The soldiers finished and then get away from her. Julie looked around her, hopeless, the others prisoners was looking at the whole scene and they couldn't do anything too. Everyone was helpless.

The soviet with the flamethrower armed it and then was ready to shoot, Julie could finally saw that Bell was looking at the scene. Tears in the eyes, she could only cry, she was going to die. She gave a last breath and then with all might, screamed.

"JESS !"

And then the flames consumed her alive, the soldier firing non-stop as Bell was forced to watch.....she was forced to watch her lover getting burned to death and that was too much for her to see as the officer and his mens were laughing to that. It was too much for her....and that gave her the worst nightmare she never wanted to see again. Seeing that make her wake up in horror from her bed back in the safehouse. She was exhausted, all sweating from that horrible nightmare, trying to catch her breath again. She put her hand on the heart to help herself calm down as she slowly start to breath back to normal.

She looked around her, she was in her room safe but that safety was never there for here. She understood that it was hopeless to sleep again because she know that she will have to see that nightmare again and again. She sit on the edge of the bed, her head inside her hands, lamenting herself. Because of her, Julie died by her fault. That wasn't the case but she consider herself to be the one who caused her death.

"I"m sorry, Julie." She whispered "I was so stupid." At this moment, slow tears come out of her eyes and she tried to clean them with her hands but it was too hard. "Je suis désolée." She said, repeating the words she has told her back in that place, again in a french accent.

She then looked back at her watch : 3:20 AM. She only sleep for one hour and a few minutes. These few minutes was enough to give her the worst night she had since she returned back at working with Adler. Right now, she knew that sleeping wasn't the best option in mind, the best thing to do was to go eat or drink something in the main room before returning back to her room. She got up from her bed without putting her pants back on and then grabbed her glasses to put them on. She then walked outside her room, discreetly, not wanting to wake the others.

As she walk to the main room, she could hear some people talking inside of it, she thought that everyone has gone to sleep but maybe that was Adler or someone else still awake. It was too late to return back to her room as she was already near the door leading to that room. She opened it and then was surprised to see Park, Adler and Sims awake. The three, hearing the door getting opened, looked at the door and was also surprised to see Bell, half-dressed with only a shirt and a underwear...nothing covering her legs.

"Bell, you're awake ?" Park was the first to talk of the three.

"Yeah...uhm....can't sleep." Bell scratched the back of her head, fainting a smile "Just need something to eat."

"Hey, you could have put some pants on." Sims started to laugh as Adler was only grinning a little "You're gonna make Park blush." Park nudged him a little

"Knock it off, Sims." She was embarrased at that....and she was blushing

"Don't preoccupy too much of the two, Bell." Adler spoke, holding this cigarette in hand "Just take what you need and get some rest." He ordered to her "We have a job to do !" Bell grinned a little and started to walk in the direction of the fridge but then, she froze in place. She just saw the scene again : Julie getting burned to death showed on a TV screen in front of her that was indeed turned off.

At this moment, she started to feel that she was going to pass out but that wasn't that at all. She started to have nausea and she put her hand in front of her mouth. Hearing that scream and watching that scene was going to make her puke out. She started to look around for a bin but there were no one to be seen. She started to walk to get to the front door but everything inside her was going up and she couldn't stop it. Finally, she stopped in the middle of the room, unable to move. Park was the first one to see her in that state.

"Bell, you're okay ?" She asked as she started to look at her

But then, it was too late for Bell, she couldn't resist anymore. She got on her knees, removed the hand covering her mouth and she started to puke in front of her, everything she has eaten the past day and the coffee that she drank to not sleep : everything was going out of her mouth. At seeing her puke, Park and Sims quickly reacted to get to Bell's side, getting their hands on her back as Adler moved a little, not looking worried at all.

Everyone except was covering their nose because of the smell, Bell was not okay at all and everyone could seen that she threw up not because she ate too much as Bell was not eating so much this past few days. Something was off and that wasn't normal !

"Damnit Bell, what's got into you ?" Sims asked, trying to redress Bell back up with the help of Park.

"Nightmares....." Bell tried to catch her breath and to control herself to stop puking "Vietnam....that's the reason."

"You don't need to put yourself like that." Park said, she couldn't understand the distress Bell was in

"I can't sleep well since we talked about 'Fracture Jaw'.....I didn't want to talk about it." She breathed a little "I never wanted to." She whispered as Park & Sims helped walk to a chair that was just next to them.

"Sims, get an bucket in case.." Park ordered, he nodded and walked away as Park stayed with Bell as Adler joined them too "Tell us, Bell....what's the problem ?"

"I tried to not think about Vietnam since years and everything came back in one night, things I never wanted to relive again." Bell put her head inside her hands, not looking at anyone as Sims came back with an empty bucket in emergency but everyone hoped that she will not start again.

"Come on, just for that ?" Adler said, rolling his eyes "You puke in the safehouse because you think about Vietnam ?"

"Adler !" Park called him out, irritated by his annoyance.

"I was just eighteen when the MI6 send me in Vietnam and I saw things that I shouldn't have never seen in my life." Bell let some tears coming out of her eyes, she knew that she had to open herself to them if she want to be helped. "I was eighteen !"

"I'm sorry, Bell." Park slowly moved her hand on Bell's back to reconfort her

"I can still see her die by their hands....burning to death as I watched, helpless and I heard her say my name." She could hear Julie scream her name again....and again

"Who ?" Park asked

"Julie !" Bell simply said, her voice cracking just by saying that name again to the others

"Who is Julie ?" Sims asked but as he could see Adler biting his bottom lip and then he step forward.

"Don't you remember, Sims ?" He winked at Sims "Julie was the French nurse Bell fell in love with, she's the one where Bell witnessed to die, the one who was burned and-."

"Shut up !" Bell put her hands around her ears, covering them "I don't want to hear it, please."

"And nevertheless, you're still talking about this." Adler added, crossing his arms "You really need to know what you want, Vietnam is Vietnam, end of it !" That was something Adler shouldn't have say because after that, Bell got up, facing him in a matter of seconds

"What I saw....will stay in my head for the rest of my life." She poke him with her index finger right next to his shoulder "And you're the one who gave me back all of this. Each time, I heard your voice in my nightmares ! "

"Don't touch me !" Adler removed her hand off him without any hesistation "You should thank me for that."

"I should just hate you, that's all !" It look like she was going to hit him as she was clenching her fist but finally, Park got between the two, stopping Bell in what she was thinking to do.

"Adler, that's enough, you need to stop." Park exclaimed, her voice showing that it wasn't the time for a fight here, considering Bell's state.

"Only me ?" He pointed to himself "Just fuck off, Park."

"Hey doc, chill out." Sims intervened this time getting between Park and Adler "Better for everyone to calm themselves." He wanted no fight here and he start to have some doubts about Adler himself, there's things that Adler didn't say to Sims. Adler looked down, trying to not explode.

"I need some fresh air." He said to them as he started to walk away "Sims, clean up her mess and do it quick." He then open the garage door to maybe light another cigarette, leaving them under a big incomprehension. Park was ashamed of that situation, Sims more like her and Bell wasn't going well after that.

"Bell." Park get herself in front of Bell, putting her hands on her shoulders "Go take a shower and return to your room, I'll give you something to get better."

"Okay, I'll do it." Bell gave a little grin before she could finally move by herself, not looking at what she has threw up. Park & Sims were given more questions than answers after Adler's sudden change of attitute towards Bell. Everything she said was something that the two weren't aware at all and hearing this was reawakening some memories to Sims.

"I'll talk with Adler, I want to know what's going on." Park said

"Don't worry, I'll take care of what he asked and then I'll come too." He responded "I have also questions for him."

Park started to walk out away to join Adler as Sims decided to clean up everything Bell has threw up. That wasn't pleasing him but after what he heard, he couldn't complain about this. Park was giving herself a lot of questions : Why did I agree to this ? What's going on with Bell ? And how that memory found itself in Bell's mind ? After she got out of the safehouse, she look around to find Adler, he was just at her right, smoking a cigarette and he was looking not even troubled by the events like it was normal. After she saw him, she started to face him.

"Adler, I need explanations." She started

"Don't continue, Park." He was sounding exhausted

"You better give me answers or I'm doing what she was going to do with you." She clenches her fist just in case, looking angry

"What do you want to know ?" He breathed, desasperated of the situation

"You said that you only gave her primordial memories for the mission." She crossed her arms, not throwing away her angry face "And she's having nightmares of memories that shouldn't be hers."

"I gave her a life, that's the thing." He protested "She needed to have full memories of Vietnam to have this brothers-in-arms connection with me and Sims."

"You could have gave her everything except your experience in Vietnam." She pointed inside the safehouse, meaning Bell "But you decided to fuck up her mind by giving her that troubling memory."

"In fact...." They turned around to see Sims who arrived, it was him who talked. "That memory was mine." He was right, that memory of seeing someone get burned to death was from Sims himself "Why did you do that ?" He asked to Adler

"Sims, I can explain." Adler tried to say, having troubles to say the truth to his old buddy

"So explain." Sims crossed his arms "Why did you gave her the memory where I saw Walkins get burned to death ?

"Wait." Park intervened "Who's Walkins ?"

"Park, Julie doesn't exist at all, she was invented by me. I just replaced Walkins by that Julie." Adler justified himself, smoking his cigarette and keeping a straight face.

"But why did you do this ?" Sims asked again causing Adler to put his head down

"I did this because I wanted her to be disguted by having a personal connection to anyone." He said and after hearing this, Park looked away in disgust. He just saw her as a robot. "I did this for good."

"You're just fucking sick, that's all you are, Adler." Park exclaimed, not wanting to look him in the eyes "We could have avoided her to be like that if you weren't troubled in your mind."

"Julie was based on you, Park." Adler added "I did this because I saw you getting affection on her and I had to avoid this to happens."

"I was right : you're just a monster !" Park replied to him, holding back her tears

"How could you do this, Adler ?" Sims said, shocked by what he has heard "I didn't want to hear that memory again."

"Oh my god, you're not going to start too." Adler rolled his eyes, it was two against one here but then, Park has a sudden realization : she heard Bell said that she was hearing Adler's voice at each nightmares, making her realize that Adler knew well about Bell's state.

"You knew it ! " Park spoke, half-looking at Adler "She heard your voice before each nightmare." She couldn't resist anymore and had to do what Bell was going to do : in an instant, she faced Adler again and gave him the biggest punch she ever had. After the punch, she grabbed him against the wall, he just received a bloody nose. "You told her your fucking key-phrase each night to make sure she will not sleep."

"You better release me or-" Adler started to say before another punch landed on his face, another from her. Sims didn't do a thing to help, also up against him

"Tell me !" She was holding him with all her might

"I did this because I wanted to be sure she was still under my control." He defended

"By giving her nightmares ?" She reinforced her grasp against him "Just like a fucking puppet ?"

"Don't say that I'm the only playing her around." He laughed nervously, making Park's eyes go wide "You're also in with me.....Lazar, Sims, Woods, Mason, Hudson....they're all in !"

"I didn't agree to this and you knew it well." She said

"You're playing a dangerous game, Park. You're loving her and when we all have to tell her, you'll be the one she's gonna hate the most." He was right, loving someone like Bell was too dangerous but she's willing to play that game

"She will hate all of us for what we did, I'm not the only one in that case." She took back his own words but then, she released him because she prefered to not talk with him anymore but as soon he was free that he profited that she was looking at Sims to gave her a punch in retribution, causing her to fall on her back but still conscious. He wanted to to give her more but this time, Sims intervened by grabbing Adler back, he just gave her a black eye but Park knew that if she strike back, there will be more blood. Fucking hell, she thought, passing her hand around her face to see if there weren't any blood and then back inside her hair to redress them. She got up, looking at Adler in disgust holded by Sims.

"I'm ashamed !" She sniffed "I don't want to talk to you until you bring excuses to me....and to Bell." She then walked away, not even looking at Adler "Stupid fuck !" She whispered to herself as she entered back in the safehouse, she wanted to cry too but she couldn't. Because she listened to Adler, she was only feeling guilty for everything the team has done to her and when the truth will come out, she will take the risk to take the blame on herself.

Right now, Park only wanted to go to her room and stay alone but she has promised Bell to see her and she was going to see her anyway. She didn't know what to take but she decided to take a simple glass of water for Bell. As she was making it, she saw her reflection on a mirror, Adler didn't miss his punch at all. Her left eye was completely black, she was angry but it was better to stay calm even she had now a black eye.

After having filled a glass of water, Park decided to go see Bell if she was back at her room after taking a little shower like she ordered to do. She was redoubting that moment but she has to do it. She arrived in front of Bell's room and then, she knocked as she decided to make her hair messy to hide her black eye.

"Bell, you're here ?" She asked as she knocked

"I'm....here." She could heard Bell's voice, muttering, like if she didn't want to get any company. Anyway, Park opened the door to enter the room. Bell was sit on the bed's edge, her hair were wet because of the shower she has taken but her face was still looking sad.

"I took a glass of water for you, if you want." Park closed the door behind her and then walked to face Bell "I'm sorry about Adler's attitude, he's kinda acting strangely this time."

"Like he's always been." He tried to joke but she couldn't but then, her gaze fell on Park's messy hair, she knew something was off "What happened ?"

"Nothing, Bell, don't worry." Park tried to defend herself but Bell moved her hand to removed the hair covering the black eye, Bell discoverered and was literally shocked

"Who did this ?" Bell asked, putting her hand on Park's cheek "Adler ?"

"Bell, don't be angry but...." Park left out some tears "Yes, he did it, we got a little argument but please, don't go see him." She put her hand on Bell's arm, even getting her head more comfortably inside Bell's hand, giving both women a smile

"Don't worry, I will not." Bell said with her smile "I'm too weak to do something right now." She then left out some tears too. "You know, you remind me of Julie."

"Bell, please." Park pleaded to not hear it

"She was kind like you and I loved when she talked to me in French." She sniffed a little "She was always there for me....she's the only one who ever called me Jess, not 'Bell'." She then started to cry "Part of me wished to have die that day with her." She breathed a little, rolling her eyes "Je suis désolée." She said in a perfect French accent

"Bell...." Park's voice was too weak to be heard

"I should have die with her, it's because of me she died." Bell removed her hand from Park's face, looking away

"Jess." Park used for the first time her name "Don't think about that."

"No, don't...." Bell tried to find her words as she was troubled to called like that by Park "Don't call me Jess."

"You're not just 'Bell' for me, you're Jess Blackwell." Park exclaimed "That's your name !"

"Yeah but I'm used to get called 'Bell' and...." Bell was stopped by Park who put a finger in front of her mouth

"Jess, please." Park smiled "I'm with you." She then removed her finger to hug Bell with her arms who was quite surprised by her gesture and could only put her arms around Park as well.

"Uhm...Park ?" Bell asked, not sure of what she was going to ask. "Can....Can you sleep with me ?" She thought that she was going to scare her with that but again, she was surprised when Park landed a little kiss on her right cheek "Does that mean yes ?"

"I just want you to stop having nightmares, Jess." She then withdrawed from Bell as she removed her jacket "I just want you to stop feeling bad. With me, you're gonna be okay." Bell was very surprised to have Park agreeing to sleep with her, thinking that the feelings she had with the beautiful women were reciprocal and that kiss and hug was giving her the truth and she wasn't able to keep it for herself. As she was giving space to Park on her bed as she lied down, she turned around to not face her....fearing her reaction

"Park, I....I want you to know that....I love you, okay ?" She said, not so sure in fact

"Jess....I'm loving you too, that's why I'm still here for you." Park said proudly as she lied down next to Bell and then, give a little kiss at the back on the neck "We better wait tomorrow to have a proper kiss, I think." She laughed, referring to the fact that Bell wasn't ready for it.

"Ok, I agree with you." Bell responded with the same tone as Park wrapped her arms around her.

Bell was finally able to think that she was going to have a proper sleep with Park at her side. With her, her nightmares could stop to appear in her head, maybe stopping her bad memories from Vietnam to come back again. She was smiling because she was feeling safe for the first time to sleep. Park was doing not only because she loved Bell too but she stayed with her because she feared that Adler could restart this mind games at any moment now. She couldn't let him break Bell any further. It was time for both women to finally have a good sleep but before closing her eyes, Bell decided to quote something from Julie.....something that could only make her happy

"Bonne nuit.....mon amour !"

[funknrolll]

Michael Jackson's They Don't Care About Us: The relevancy of the unmatched protest-masterpiece still actual today.

They Don't Care About Us, was perhaps the most monumental and relevant form of audiovisual protest, which force was specifically to draw the attention to social and political issues such as hate, racism, prejudice, police brutality. The form of art is cultivating an ideological allegiance with the greater social plight for minorities. With his art, Michael became the voice of the voiceless, of the oppressed, of the neglected, of the abused. Yes, Michael Jackson was THE voice.

Hi music lovers, today's topic is Michael Jackson's They Don't Care About Us the song and the music video.

It was from September 1994 to March 1995 that Michael recorded and released HIStory, his 5th studio album. The work was one of the artist's most personal artistic outputs, where music turned into a mirror reflecting Michael's deepest sorrows, fears, anger, and frustrations. It was then when Michael let his music speak louder, providing a perfect clap back to all those who questioned and speculated. The album was a double-disc of greatest hits, HIStory Begins, and new material HIStory Continues.

Speaking of They Don't Care About Us, it is the second track on HIStory Continues, following Scream and precedent to Stranger In Moscow. The song is a straightforward response to the ruthless and ubiquitous injustices perpetrated upon him and more in general upon black people by the racist forces of the white cultural hegemony. Extremely compelling is the aura of pure rage and frustration articulated in They Don't Care About Us, both in the record and in the two poignant and groundbreaking music videos (The Prison version and the clip shot in Brazil), released to accompany the track as a single.

Personally, when I began to approach Michael's music, I did not quite understand the real deep meaning and message the song was delivering. However, as I grew up, I developed interest and curiosity regarding the significance of this timeless masterpiece. Particularly the visual interpretation caught my attention. Hence, this article will entail the information I found through my research. The two videoclips released, were, and still are, wildly exhaustive pieces of art, expressly crafted to challenge our very seldom corrupt societies, people's beliefs and mindsets.

Moreover, in these short movies, the artist did not miss the chance to channel his frustrations and rage through his distinct blueprint that turned everything he did into pure gold. There is a broad range of aspects that compose the audiovisual endeavors that are worth discussing. These elements comprehend the lyrics, the human rights violation, racism, and social injustices; all these perspectives are the fulcrum of the whole work. The acute and fierce language contributed to making the artistic output more impactful.

It is now interesting to also analyze They Don't Care About Us from a Post-Colonialism theoretical standpoint. Firstly, for those not familiar with the Post-Colonialism theories, it is a study of all the effects colonialism had on cultures and societies, concerning both European countries, that brutally conquered other nations, and how the lands and populations won responded and most importantly resisted those invasions and trespasses. Furthermore, the study of Post-Colonialism as a body of theory has and is still going through three major stages. The initial one entails the first phase of awareness of the social, psychological, and cultural unjust condition of inequality and exploitation, enforced by being in a colonized state. Secondly, a struggle for ethnic, cultural, political, and economic autonomy begins. As a consequence, there will be a growing awareness of cultural overlap. Eventually, I would say that some of the post-Colonial elements are quite evident in the two music videos.

The song and the two music videos are eloquent protests against racism. Michael speaking in the first person gives a platform to all the voiceless minorities, offering an accurate and poignant depiction of their conditions of merciless oppression, that stripped minorities of their humanity, pride, and most importantly their rights. Related to the concept of racism, with a simple yet efficacious line, Michael addresses the still hugely relevant and actual issue of police abuse and brutality, which is the central theme of the Prison Version short movie. The artistic output was magistrally filmed by the genius Spike Lee, in a real prison in Queens, New York. The opening sequence shows black schoolchildren standing behind a wire fence in the snow, chanting the chorus of the song, providing a visual accompaniment to the introduction we hear on the record. As the beat kicks in, the scene displayed is quite impressive and provocative, because it employs a poignant and immaculate montage of explicit documentary footage.

The clips complementing the short film are retrieved from the footage of the Rodney King beating and subsequent LA riots and the brutal police beatings of African American people. We then witness the swell of an atomic mushroom cloud, followed swiftly by footage of a Japanese child sitting alone and crying amid a devastated Hiroshima. Alongside, we see a close-up image of an African boy face swarming with flies, then the assassination attempt on George Wallace. Subsequently, come on the screen, some pictures of the student rebellion on Tiananmen Square in China, and finally some footage from the Vietnam War. All these footages contribute to making the video so harsh to the point of getting the audience uncomfortable. In the scenes taken in the cell, Michael appears to be haunted by the ghosts of beaten people.

his film stands out for its immediacy and accuracy, yet these clips do not incite destruction nor hatred, but rather the opposite. Indeed, those footages are stressing compassion, a peaceful reaction to a hurtful and horrible situation, and political reunification. Thus, this is another reason why there is not even a trace of violence or sign incitement to hatred or aggressive reactions. Those were not merely television images, but real-life pictures of a horrid reality of human humiliation, abuse, and suffering that sadly surround us everywhere, that break into our everyday lives through television, social media and computer screens. In the video, the tension is palpable yet, the revolt is peaceful and not suppressed by the guards. However, Michael openly expresses his anger with demonstrative insolence. For instance, he sweeps tableware off, hits a guard's baton right in front of his face. Interestingly, the artist is the only prisoner who moves freely and around the dining room, demonstrating against the disregard for human rights and laws by authorities. During the whole short film, Michael tries to convince people to fight for their rights, raising the spirit of protest against oppression and humiliation.

However, in reality, prison riots never end with prisoners slamming fists against the tables or dancing on top of them and, Michael was very well aware of it. The last scene of the video shows the artist free and running up the stairs, glancing back, running away from the penitentiary in a Brazilian favela (might this be the red thread that connects the first short movie with the second video?) while his scream still lingers in the air … Leaving eventually an open question which is asked through ASL American Sign Language: "I don't know what lies ahead… Where will this spirit of struggle lead me, where will it further manifest?" This part honestly gave me chills!

The second version of They Don't Care About Us was shot in Brazil in February 1997, precisely some parts were filmed in the central district of Salvador de Bahia. The footage where Michael is wearing the iconic Olodum t-shirt and dances with Brazilian people was taken in a favela in Rio. However, for the artist, it was quite a struggle to manage to shoot the short movie in Brazil because the local authorities intended to prohibit the filming, expressing their dislike for the project, given that it would have shown the country in an unfavorable light. Yet other authorities approved the project because it would have been an influential means to draw the world's attention to the condition of poverty. Thus, the region might have benefitted from having such a big platform offered by one of the most prominent artists on earth. However, after the Brazilian government allowed to film the video for 20 days, it changed its mind abruptly and reduced, vastly, the filming period to 5 days only. The Brazilian version opens with a girl speaking in Portuguese saying: “Michael, eles nao ligam pra gente.” which means “they don’t care about us.”, then showing the whole favela with an aerial shot. Eventually, Michael gets out of a door and starts performing.

Although this version is still impactful and manages to deliver the message impeccably, I would say that it presents some fundamental differences from the so-called prison version. Indeed, even though some policemen who look stern and indifferent are part of the short movie, in the Brazilian clip, the atmosphere is quite different from the previous one. As a matter of fact, the festive whirlwind of colors, rhythms, and dances are what reminds the audience of the social meaning of the song.

Furthermore, the vivacious and colorful performance is backed by members of the local cultural and musical group: Olodum. The organization was and still is of particular importance as one of its primary purposes was to combat racism and help cultivate a sense of self-pride and affirmed identity among the Afro-Brazilian community in the region. The organization as well provides a springboard for the promotion of civil rights on behalf of all marginalized groups. Hence, it was not a mystery the reason why Michael was aligned with Olodum, to the point that he supported the organization by wearing their merchandise in his short movie. The display of solidarity was reciprocated, through the act of the collective performance of the group’s musicians who contributed with an additional layer of live percussions and vocals, over Michael’s original studio recording.

Moreover, the language as well plays a fundamental role in this creative output. Indeed, the lyrics and the whole message delivered with this piece were not exuding revenge or aggressiveness, which were typically used to fuel accusations and rage. Au contraire, the song is the manifestation of the indignation and the energy of resistance, empowering self-control and fortitude against repressions. Hence, I would say that the song does not contain a single trace of aggressiveness, and its content and energy stay perfectly within boundaries. The language and expressions employed to address the issues are particularly relevant to explain the horrid effects colonialism and post-colonialism have had on the populations affected and thus to protest against the neglect of fundamental human rights.

Furthermore, it is interesting to point out that the element of the language expresses the manifestation of spiritual endurance and disobedience against the oppressors and lying accusers immaculately and, therefore, the dualism between the artist singing in the first person and the "Us" contained in the title and refrain of the song. Although TDCAU is addressing some social and political injustices, it may as well be true that Michael has attempted to convey his frustrations and anger in this piece, turning them into a timeless audiovisual work of art. Arguably, this could as well be the reason why the artist decided to release two variants of the short movie, the prison video featuring a crude and powerful documentary and the flamboyant, colorful Brazilian clip.

Furthermore, another element related to the Post-Colonialism discourse is how the artist and more in general black people and minorities are very seldom victims of unjust and appalling stereotypes that are addressed in the line “Don’t You Black Or White Me". This brief but straightforward segment of the song could be subjected to double interpretation. On the one hand, there is Michael Jackson, a man, a human being, a son, a brother, a father, a friend, who from the day he was born was put under the magnifying lenses of the whole world, his audience and tabloids. Most of the times he was judged, wrongly, bullied I would say, to the point that he could not even enjoy his life anymore without the anxiety of being abused, ridiculed and humiliated by people who did not take a second of their lives to do their research on his works, life, and what he stood for. Therefore, this line, specifically, is how the artist expressed his frustration towards those utterly racist reactions towards him. On the other hand, Michael decided to extend this statement to a broader scale, becoming the brave advocate who gave voice to all the voiceless people who were victims of racism, prejudice, ignorance in all their nuances and degrees.

Moreover, as Michael responded to the critiques received for the straightforward and sharp lyrics during a press release for the New York Times in 1996 " The song, in fact, is about the pain of prejudice and hate and is a way to draw attention to social and political problems. I am the voice of the accused and the attacked. I am the voice of everyone. I am the skinhead, I am the Jew, I am the black man, I am the white man. I am not the one who was attacking. It is about the injustices to young people and how the system can wrongfully accuse them. I am angry and outraged that I could be so misinterpreted." He was the voice of the angry and outraged voiceless.

To conclude, They Don’t Care About Us with its first-person narration, the refrain, and the two iconic music videos, the socially and politically challenging lyrics and message, relates to the problems minorities face every day. They don’t really care about us means they, the society, privileged white people, the governments, do not care about the minorities, about the voiceless who have been abused, oppressed, robbed of their rights. They don’t really care about the people. The challenging lyrics and footages in the prison version offer us a chance to reflect on the importance of these topics. Not to mention the actuality of the song, which is remarkably accurate and relatable to the modern world and times we are living in. This artistic output is the greatest, most compelling and influential statement against every injustice perpetrated against all human mankind, and will forever be part of Michael's and the world's legacy. Therefore, the questions my reflection generated are: is this the world we want to live in? Are these the world and the society we want our children to grow up into? Is this the world without prejudice, ignorance, abuse, oppression, no equality, and equity we want for ourselves? And for the white folks like me: are we using our privilege wisely, to uplift, amplify the voices, the needs and wants of our brothers and sisters who are part of minorities and are facing some serious major struggles and discomforts? As Michael asked at the end of the short movie: “ I don’t know what lies ahead… Where will this spirit of struggle further manifest?”

Reflect deeply.

Thank you for your attention💜 Peace. G✨

[travelcompany]

Unveiling Vietnam’s Best-Kept Secrets: A Journey Beyond Tourist Trails

Discovering Vietnam's Hidden Gems

Vietnam, a country rich in history and culture, goes beyond the well-trodden tourist paths. Venture off the beaten track, and you'll find yourself immersed in a tapestry of hidden delights that truly define the essence of this Southeast Asian gem.

The Charms of Hidden Villages

Embark on a journey to Vietnam's concealed villages, where time seems to stand still. Immerse yourself in the vibrant traditions of these lesser-known communities. From the warm smiles of locals to the centuries-old customs, these villages offer an authentic glimpse into Vietnam's soul.

Culinary Delights Beyond Pho

While Pho may be Vietnam's culinary ambassador, exploring off-the-grid eateries reveals a world of undiscovered flavors. From street-side stalls serving Banh Mi with a twist to quaint family-run establishments, every corner offers a culinary adventure waiting to be savored.

Tranquil Retreats Amid Nature's Embrace

Escape the bustling city life and find tranquility in Vietnam's hidden natural wonders. Secluded waterfalls, untouched beaches, and serene mountain retreats provide a serene backdrop for those seeking a peaceful escape. Discover the untouched beauty that nature has carefully preserved away from the tourist rush.

Connecting with Local Artisans

Vietnam's hidden treasures extend to its talented artisans, crafting traditional wonders away from the tourist spotlight. Dive into local markets and witness skilled hands weaving intricate patterns into textiles or molding clay into timeless masterpieces. Connecting with these artisans unveils the true heartbeat of Vietnamese creativity.

Why Stray from the Usual?

Authentic Experiences Await

Venturing beyond tourist trails in Vietnam isn't just about avoiding crowds; it's about embracing authenticity. Every hidden corner tells a story, and every local encounter becomes a genuine cultural exchange. Step away from the ordinary and into the extraordinary.

A Photographer's Paradise

For photography enthusiasts, exploring Vietnam's hidden gems offers a visual feast. Capture the raw beauty of untamed landscapes, the vibrant colors of local markets, and the soulful expressions of hidden communities. Every click of the camera tells a tale of Vietnam's hidden wonders.

Plan Your Offbeat Adventure

Tips for the Intrepid Traveler

Connect with Locals: Engage with the community for a richer experience. Local insights can lead you to hidden gems.

Ditch the Guidebook: While guidebooks are handy, leave room for spontaneity. Serendipitous discoveries often happen off-script.

Embrace Culinary Adventures: Don't hesitate to try local delicacies from lesser-known eateries. The best meals are often found where locals dine.

Read More: Vietnam Travel: Discover the Hidden Gems of Vietnam