#what always comes to mind is the scene in ep. 7 where the nurse is about to take them

[pixelbumblebee]

I wish I could send some non-typewritten love letters to the music/sound effect department that worked on dead boy detectives. So many of the sudden tonal shifts are carried by carefully placed soundtrack behind the dialogue, without which I don't think they would work as exceptionally as they do.

[starseneyes]

Spock / Nurse Christine Chapel - Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S2 Eps 6 & 7

Folks, the cross-over episode dropped, and I'm so fascinated by how much Spapel we got in it!

So, I'm going to combine these two since we had one very strong scene in 2x06, and several fascinating scenes in 2x07.

SPOILER ALERT: Like Boimler with the Future, I'm no good at keeping my mouth shut about what's going on. If you read this, it's at your own risk!

Ready to dive in? Let's play!

"Lost in Translation" AKA "Your Move"

"Your move." "I know."

Christina fiddles with the piece in her hand, plotting out her move. But Spock's already ahead of her and anxious for her to make a move.

Wow. Everything you need to know about the scene was set up in four spoken words.

Because Spock is now basking in the freedom of being with Christine. It's such a departure from Vulcan relationships where there are rituals and rules and procedures and requirements. But is it too far a departure to last?

And, duh, I understand that they're doomed. But from their perspective, they don't know that.

I also love the body language, here. Spock and Christine are facing off, leaning in toward one another. They are both fully engaged, but the game separates them.

Though they share the table, there are many moving pieces at play.

"Is that not a polite euphemism for 'make your move faster'?"

Now, if we're talking physical moves, Christine's got no problems with moving fast. But, if we're talking emotional? Whole n'other ballgame.

Christine responds to Spock's question by leaning forward, licking her lips, and quipping.

"Am I boring you, Mr. Spock?"

Ooohhh, I love this. I've always associated her use of "Mr. Spock" with her purposeful detachment and separation from Spock—a way to verbalize the space they must give one another.

This single use enriches every interaction going forward.

Using the reference of TOS, I truly thought it was always and only used as a phrase to denote the separation between them. But to hear those two words used in such a seductive manner does my heart good.

There are times those two words may seem innocuous to the outside world, but to these two are painful, beautiful, romantic, sexy... so many things!

"Decidedly not."

Well, I do declare! This Southern gal's gotta fan herself just from the delivery of that line. Seriously. This dude is whipped.

Spock has bedroom eyes. First we got tongue on the Bridge, then snogging in his Quarters, now eye-fucking in the Bar. Yeah, these two are coming along nicely.

Christine's glowing with those words, too. She's always enjoyed his attention and company, but now she knows the fullness of it. And, no, I wasn't going for a phallic reference, there, but now it's got no choice but to stay.

Christine's been fiddling with her piece, taking her time, dealing with her indecision. This scene says so much with so little words spoken.

Because Spock is a relationship guy. We all know that. Christine even knows that, and it's not what she wants. At least, not what she thinks she wants.

Because we've already seen that sometimes Christine doesn't know her own mind or heart.

Look how she's fiddling with the piece while she considers her move, how she's shifting in her seat, rocking back and forth. There's no clear path, here. It's all one step at a time for her, while Spock's got the board and pieces memorized so long as he moves are predictable.

Problem is, Christine's far from predictable.

"Your move."

This time, it's teasing. Christine meets his eyes, but before she can even return to the board, he continues.

"There is a matter I've been meaning to discuss." "Should I get a drink first? You sound serious."

She knows him. Anyone else listening in might've thought it was a casual thing, but Christine knows his inflections and intentions so well that she immediately clocks that he wants to discuss something heavy.

"You wanna tell Starfleet about this."

Watch how Christine deflates. Relationships are sticky. Relationships are messy. They're annoying, but she can handle it.

But throw in structure and formality? Christine's gonna bolt fast if you try to tie her down. That's her M.O. And a part of her knows she's not ready to bolt from Spock.

"If there is anything to tell."

I love this bit. This is such an echo of every time Christine has made space for him. He's learning from her, and finding comfort in more of his humanity through their shared time.

And this trait's a rather beautiful one to pick up, I think. He is speaking without expectation, even though we all know what he'd like to hear. He's making room for her to say whatever she is going to say. And that's important.

Christine makes a move while considering his words or avoiding them. It's hard to say. But, Spock's letting her know he wants an answer.

He counters her move.

"Your move."

He's not letting up, Christine. You gotta tell him something.

She places the piece she took on the table, letting her hand hover over it. The last move, he took a piece of hers. This time, she took a piece of his.

And while I'd argue relationships shouldn't be "taking" pieces of one another, I think that we bleed into one another through clear communication and love. Pieces of us are shared and safe-guarded by the other party.

Let me tell you, I've rarely seen my husband angry. He has a lot of patience. But when he hits his limits, it's usually been when someone was unjustly attacking me. He's a freakin' fierce protector in those moments.

Christine and Spock aren't to the point of "clear communication and love", yet (and may never be, if history holds), but they're definitely more than "friends with benefits", much as Christine might protest.

"Relationships... at least for humans, can be... quantum things."

She looking down, gathering his thoughts, but he's completely leaned in and engaged, focused on her.

And I love the body language, here, because they both have their arms crossed in front of them as protection. Christine's is a harder overlap to shore up her armor, but Spock's is still there. Some part of him recognizes she might break his heart.

"Think about Schrodinger's cat. They exist or they don't, they don't, depending on who's observing them." "That is-" "Not how quantum superposition actually works? *chuckles* Yeah, I know."

I love how evenly matched they are in this conversation. She understands him enough to know where his literal mind might be misinterpreting her signals.

And she doesn't get frustrated with him. She chuckles to herself, and redirects to ensure he understands her meaning.

I spend so much of my life doing this with my Middle son, and I hope someday he meets a partner as patient and understanding as Christine has demonstrated on this show.

"It's a metaphor, Spock. A messy one. Just like... whatever this is."

It's Spock's time to be deflating and suddenly become obsessed with the texture of the table. It's not the answer he'd hoped to hear. Because while he went into the conversation without expectation, he did go in with hope.

"My point is, if we let Starfleet, or anyone else, for that matter, look inside the box then..." "Our quantum... cat might disappear?"

I. Laughed. So. Hard. It's the delivery. The arched eyebrows on "cat" and how seriously he says it. It's so bloody brilliant, but it had me absolutely rolling.

"I'd just as soon let it live. See how big it grows."

And we're back to bedroom eyes. Because while it's not the answer he hoped to hear, she's not rejecting him. She doesn't want to end things. She simply wants to continue on without defining it.

And this has the potential to be so bad for both of them. But, at least she's being honest. That's part of her whole quest with this relationship, right? Be more honest?

"Your move."

She winks at him. Because she just set out the expectations and wants on his side. It's up to him to decide if he wants to continue as they are, or report them to Starfleet and risk losing it all, or whatever third option is likely to occur.

We don't see the pair of them together after this scene, but I think we have a really good idea of where they are—they want different things and they're pretending they don't.

I've been there. My first boyfriend wanted way different things than me. But, I really liked him and I wanted to stay with him. Until he cheated on me and it all spiraled really badly.

We have foreknowledge that Spock and Christine don't, so that filters the lens through which we view the scene.

But if we look strictly at their wants in this scene alone, it's clear they're trying to head in the same direction while not understanding one is looking through a microscope, and the other a telescope. Technically, the same direction... but not the same view.

"Those Old Scientists" AKA "Spock's in a Phase"

Let me say up top that I did not expect that much Spapel in the cross-over episode. I told Matthew as soon as it hit the app, and we made the kids watch with us. My Middle told me it was his favorite episode of Star Trek ever.

Also, I'll admit Spock's experimentation with humanity as seen via's Boimler's perspective was jarring. I was simply not expecting it, and I admit I cringed as much as Boimler.

And while it was super effective, a part of me wishes we could've seen it from Christine and Spock's perspective (or anyone who wasn't seriously weirded out by it).

And, yes, this was all used as an illustrative tool to show that our visions of our heroes often differ greatly from the actuality, especially if we try to capture the whole of their lives based on a single point in time. Star Trek: First Contact investigates this concept extensively.

But in the microcosm of Spapel, it'd be fun to investigate what Christine thinks of Spock's increased leaning into his humanity, and even what Spock thinks of it.

Christine Spots Spock

I love how she spots him from across the room and immediately has to excuse herself.

"I have to go."

As soon as Christine says it, Erica looks over her shoulder to see where her friend's headed.

Spock is beaming when he sees her. Oh my goodness, he's so happy. This time (and I didn't remember this initial shot from my first viewing since I was doing it with a 5-year-old crawling over my lap and two 8-year-olds asking repeated questions), the shot is quite lovely!

Christine's striding over to her man, and she's so bloody happy to see him, too. Of course, it's the setup for the heartache to come, but I kinda wish we could bottle this moment where they both feel so damn content with who they are with one another.

"All I know is where I come from, he is legendary for never smiling, laughing, definitely no joking. And that Spock goes on to do really important things that I very much need to have not messed up."

Oh, Boimler. He's let La'an's words get into his head (because he takes the letter of rule so bloody seriously) and now he's unloading on an unsuspecting Christine.

"I'm worried because I made Spock laugh. And I keep wondering, is that a butterfly effect? 'Cause the Spock I know shouldn't have done that." "Maybe he's just... going through a thing. Like, having fun." "No, but I've read every book about Spock and they-they mention his upbringing on Vulcan, his pet sehlat, his relationship with his mom and dad, but nothing about a happy, smiley, jokey guy, period." "Just stop. Stop, stop, stop."

Boimler has no idea how to keep his mouth shut... or the pain he's inflicting. Because Christine now knows she doesn't make any of the Spock history books. They don't make it.

And. That. Hurts. Much as Christine doesn't see herself as a "relationship" person, she's already crossing so many lines with Spock. Some she may notice and brush off, but others I doubt she's aware of, yet.

Spock is on her ship. We know with Dever the last thing she wanted to do was transfer to his ship. She and Spock actually linger in public together and hang out, play games, chat.

They're not just shacking up and only shacking up. There's a relationship at play, here—a give-and-take.

"None of this is your fault, okay. Spock was acting like this before you arrived."

Excuse me? Excuse me!? He wasn't doing it last episode, so how long has this bloody relationship been going on?!

"Oh, thank God. So this is, what, this is just, like, a phase? And-and, he'll get over it and back to his, like, serious, real self soon?"

I think it's "just a phase" that crushed her. Look at the tears in her eyes. Because, deep down, she doesn't want this to be "just a phase" for either of them.

But, as far as history knows, they never existed. That is what Boimler just told her. Not that she's a footnote in Spock's history. Not that they burned out. They. Never. Existed.

And that's what she wanted last week, right? To keep Starfleet and everyone else out of it? But is that what she really wants? I would argue Christine doesn't know what she wants.

But this hurts like hell.

"Oh. You're the one who's been influencing him, not me. I-I shouldn't have said anything."

He regrets it. He regrets everything. But, it's too late. He can't take it back.

And her realization that he's put two-and-two together is so... her. She's almost embarrassed he knows, because she doesn't want anyone to know.

Although I'm sure all her besties know... they're simply too polite to say anything (most of the time... I'm looking at you, Erica).

"No. It's, it's fine. I never assumed that I would... get to influence him forever, anyway."

She start off fine, but by the end of the sentence, she's tearing up, again. She looks away.

"Don't even want that."

That's right, Christine. Keep telling yourself that. And, I gotta offer mad props to Jess Bush, as usual, because he inflection is everything on this.

Some folks get a line and look at it, and they give one read that's flat without emphasis, or the emphasis is in a predictable spot. From the beginning, I've noted how creative Jess Bush is in her choices, and I'm just so blown away by her.

She took a character that wasn't really my favorite (I was a McCoy gal) and turned her into my favorite character of Strange New Worlds.

And, yes, I fully credit the Writers (go WGA!) with the blueprint presented to her. But, I'm mad impressed with her performance every episode. It's so nuanced and alive.

When Boimler leaves, she's alone with her thoughts. And while she's been telling herself for so long that it's not what she wants, it sucks to feel like the option doesn't even exist anymore.

With Schrodinger's cat, the not knowing is part of it, right? Now, she knows.

And, y'know, I'd like to also point out that history books don't know everything. I'm writing a script based on my grandparents. Trust me, there's a lot that's not going on the page for a variety of reasons.

I once heard the expression, "History is written by the victor". And, it's true. So much of history is omitted from what we know.

A few years ago, one of the books I homeschooled my children with was about Black soldiers during the Revolutionary War who defected to the English side. This is our national history of which I was entirely unaware.

We're still discovering more history all the time that was omitted or hidden. Which feeds into my prediction that, perhaps, there's a logical reason why Spock and Christine erased themselves from each other's lives.

I won't get into my predictions in the middle of the Meta, but skip to the end if you want my (completely uninformed) thoughts.

"Ensign Boimler, Nurse Chapel told me about your exchange."

Oh, shit. But, seriously, I'm so proud of my girl, Christine, for talking to her not-boyfriend.

Go with me, here: What is something Christine sucks at? Communication. She just isn't the best, especially at communicating her own wants and needs. Erica pointed it out to her with Devers, and also tried to help guide her towards trying to be better.

Christine, despite finding out they're doomed, communicated with Spock. I'm so bloody proud.

"She did not go into detail, but it was easy to extrapolate that there was something you told her about my future. Perhaps, I should know." "Nah."

Boimler is trying so hard not to do anymore damage.

But was this always supposed to happen? Look, most time-travel episodes change the past or try not to change the past. But, in this case, I'd argue these events were necessary, in a cyclical manner.

I mean, Pike would've gone in guns blazin' with the Orions if not for Boimler. It might've seemed revisionist, at first, but then it came around at the end to be exactly what needed to happen.

"It does not take an expert observer to recognize that my experiments in human emotion trouble you. Therefore, I must surmise my future state, the one you are familiar with, must be one in which my emotions are minimized." "Must you surmise that?"

Boimler is begging him to stop understanding him. Which is bloody hilarious, because Boimler would honestly prefer for Spock not to be so damn observational and rational and good as suppositions.

"But you did say something to Christine that upset her."

There it is. He hasn't referred to her as Christine on-screen since he was fully human. And I know it's a little thing, but I'm grateful it's here. Because we know, now, without a doubt, that he's truly concerned about her.

He drops the professionalism in that sentence. He's speaking as a concerned not-boyfriend, and it's so heartbreaking knowing it all ends in tears.

Am I hoping at least there's a satisfying reason besides, "You're meant to be something else, so we're doomed, so I'm going to be Korby's research assistant because he personally invited me"? Golly, yes. But, that's up to the writers, and I'm along for the ride.

"Look, all I said was that I'm surprised that you're so... human. Yes, the universe needs Vulcan Spock if everything that I know happens... happens." "And yet I have no choice but to stay true to the path I have chosen in this time. If you sway me, then my future will have been altered. Is that not logical?" "Unfortunately, it is."

That isn't all you said, Boimler. But, I love this peek into Spock's mindset. He's going to see this through. Whereas Christine is now feeling unsteady, Spock is more resolved than ever.

They are such very different people, but that can be sensational relationally, as well. My husband and I intersect in interest and temperament in some ways, and diverge greatly in others. It definitely keeps things interesting.

But until Christine and Spock are clearly communicating, their differences remain possibilities for upheaval.

"Do you feel lucky?"

Well? Do ya, punk? I mean, has Christine introduced Spock to Dirty Harry? Or did he pick that one up at movie night?

SIDE NOTE: I love just how many series of Star Trek have a movie night... as if a subtle reminder that even as technology changes and morphs, we still love to return to a good picture show for entertainment and comfort.

While this isn't Spapel-related, I have to call out that I loved them referencing Enterprise, the show. While neither of my favorite characters got a mention (Trip/T'Pol), it's good to see the acknowledgement and the connection.

That whole scene of turning the current Enterprise crew into super fans talking about their heroes was so well done. A reminder that none of us is immune to a little hero worship and awe... and that it's not a bad thing.

We simply need to remember that these people are still people, and that even if we've read every book available, we still don't know their whole story. Some things don't make the history books.

At the end of the episode, they're all animated, and I have to applaud whoever picked up on the fact that Christine does not know how to sit in a chair normally. I mean, in "Lost in Translation" she had one hand between her legs while swiveling at the table.

It's a small detail, but I immediately cheered when I saw it because the characterization was on point.

Alright, before I talk about Future Spock and Christine, I need to address something that really got me: Boimler and Mariner talking to Pike about his birthday.

My father has already lived past his father's age at death. My mother has lived past her mother's, and next year will live past her father's. It's poignant.

But I also love how Boimler points out that the regret Pike feels might be shared by those who love him.

Now, I don't think anyone should be convinced out of doing something that brings them joy, but I am glad they helped steer him toward community. As we saw last Meta, connection is one of Starfleet's greatest gifts.

And having just lost Cheryl a month ago, I'm thinking about how I really treasure all our little moments, even as she was reaching the end. Connection is such a powerful thing.

Also, I genuinely teared up at the Orion Scientist finding out they'd attribute the discovery to him. There is so much prejudice in this world where one sector of a society does something unsavory, and suddenly anyone belonging to that society is seen as undesirable.

It's bullshit, and it needs to stop. Because assumptions like that can literally get people killed. And to see that Orion watch as a man of Starfleet chose to see them for who they were, and was even willing to help write the history that would tell their truth... that was powerful.

Now, let's talk Future Spock and Chapel.

WARNING: Will contain spoilers for the episode AFTER next based on the promo!!

I think it's going to either completely unravel, or start to badly deteriorate next episode. My prediction is that Christine publishes her paper and Korby is so impressed he invites her to Vulcan not as a student, but as his research assistant.

This allows us to stay very close to canon without making it a creepy teacher/student relationship.

Also, I think she's going to find out she's in and sing a big heart song (thank you Zoey's Extraodinary Playlist) about it, but Spock's going to overhear something she never meant to say.

There might be a sad duet sung by the two of them, either in separate rooms, or together. But, we're heading towards a breakdown, in my opinion.

And while I'm sad to see it, it's inevitable, right? Unless they rewrite canon or give us some sneaky way these two reunited in their old age, we know how this story goes.

Whether we'll see them together in Season 3 remains to be seen, of course, but I really hope so.

Why? Because I like to imagine the reason they stay apart is because they're protecting someone or each other... that it was a shared and conscious decision by both of them to do what was necessary for the greater good.

Not because they didn't love one another (though I don't think Christine will admit it until TOS), but because they had to make a hard sacrifice.

That's so bloody Star Trek—people making sacrifices for the greater good.

Yes, I'd love to see these two crazy kids sort it out... but that's not their story. Are there a million possibilities out there that canon could support? Heck, yeah! It can still be a compelling story, even if it's a tragedy.

Think about Shakespeare. All those folks turning out to see his tragedies as much as his comedies—because the stories he told moved people.

Christine and Spock, you beautiful, doomed dears. I wish you much happiness, though I know it won't be possible the way you might've hoped.

[leverage-ot3]

notable moments from The Lonely Hearts Job

look at nate and eliot being all domestic reading in the pub

- - - - -

eliot will literally use ANYTHING as a weapon,,, last ep he used an umbrella, this time he used the fucking book he was reading

- - - - -

eliot grabbing the guy’s arm as soon as it got anywhere near nate

im soft eliot wants to protect his family at all costs

- - - - -

*guy starts crying*

nate and eliot, visibly distressed: sOpHIE

- - - - -

Sophie: You don’t have a romantic bone in your body.

(Eliot walks up, laughing)

Sophie: Oh.

Nate: Oh, really?

Sophie: And you’re one to laugh. You don’t even bother to learn their names. They’re just waitress, nurse, stewardess.

Eliot: First of all, it’s flight attendant, all right? They don’t like being called stewardess. And, second, I know their names

okay but I love eliot so much for a NUMBER™ of reasons but one of the things I love about him is that he goes completely against the toxic masculinity trope

he cooks, he likes things clean, but in this scene, it’s yet again established that he listens to and cares about his lovers even if it’s just a one night stand

he doesn’t disregard them, he doesn’t ever disrespect them

eliot spencer drinks respect women juice and I stan him SO HARD for that

- - - - -

Parker (walks in): You guys having a three-way?

Sophie: What?

Nate: What?

Parker: Three-way fight

she’s trying her best, your honor

also I LOVE how nobody looked disgusted or outraged by her question,,, like the concept of a three way (or three person relationship *wink wink*) is not scandalous or frowned upon by them

especially since the ot3 becomes canon later, idk this was a nice little tidbit that just supported the idea that none of the members of the team had anything against non mainstream relationships and I love that

- - - - -

Parker: Let’s go steal a sweetheart. (looks at Eliot) No? A widow.

Eliot: Unh-unh.

Parker: No? Spider?

(Parker and Eliot smile at each other)

Parker: Spider

they’re pure, your honor

- - - - -

Parker (taking pictures with her cell phone) : No matches on Hardison’s software yet. (sees jewelry on an older woman and takes picture) Ooh. Sparkly.

Nate: Parker, no burgling.

Parker: But these jewels, they’re just asking to be taken.

she’s so cute- she deserves all the shiny things

- - - - -

San Gui: Then let’s meet Austin, Texas, native Jackson Cooper!

Eliot (to Hardison): Austin, Texas? Did you write that? (walks forward)

hardison is a troll

San Gui: All right. Now, not only is Jackson the founder of Baren Oil, he also led the underwater team that capped the well in the Gulf. (crowd oohs) Oh, yes.

(Eliot glances back at Hardison)

TROLL

- - - - -

San Gui: That’s right, ladies. Let’s give it up for our last eligible bachelor, Mr. Steven Melching. Come on, Steven. Steven comes to us straight from his compound in Silicon Valley.

Parker: Whoa, whoa, whoa!

parker specifically cheering for hardison gave me serotonin

- - - - -

parker punching hardison’s date in the face and then HOLDING HER BACK BY PUTTING HER HAND ON HER FACE BC SHES SO MUCH TALLER LMAO

+ parker looked so proud of herself as she was carried out by security she’s baby

- - - - -

parker setting up the con board (idk what to call it) and nate bringing her in on the plans

MASTERMIND IN TRAINING

- - - - -

sophie in that dress could punch me in the face and I’d thank her

- - - - -

Hardison: Oh, sure, right. Speaking of which, did you ever find that steak place?

Eliot: The bet’s off.

Hardison: What you mean the bet’s off?

Eliot: The second that we found out they were grifters, the bet’s off.

Hardison: That doesn’t count. You didn’t set --

Eliot: Page 189, rule number 7 in the bro handbook.

Hardison: What? There wasn’t no rules. You didn’t set any rules.

Eliot: The bet is off in a situation where --

Hardison: I’ll be damned if it’s off.

Eliot: All right, then! I’ll make you some prime rib when this is over.

Hardison: Bone in, well-done?

Eliot: Well-done, bone in

they’re both idiots I love them

also they both smiled and chuckled after agreeing on the ribs bc they may fight but it’s not real and they actually love each other

- - - - -

Eliot, looking resigned: Do you want me to teach you about the wines again?

Hardison: That’s just hurtful. Just -- just making assumptions and presumptions that I don’t know what I’m -- Yes, I need you to teach me about the wines again, yes.

the fact that they’ve had this conversation BEFORE lmao

- - - - -

the parker being an absolute RECKLESS driver saga continues

- - - - -

Sophie: True love does exist.

Eliot (raises bottle for a toast): May it always prevail

eliot is the biggest fucking softie and no I will not change my mind

- - - - -

bruh I’m C R Y I N G

eliot cares SO MUCH about his family

he bought gifts for parker and sophie so that they’d be happy, but also it would help their relationships with hardison and nate

he knew parker would like a plant that “does something” (see s1 when parker said she got a plant and asked hardison “what does it do”)

he got sophie her favorite flowers

and was SELFLESS and took none of the credit

he just walked away and smiled

- - - - -

also you cannot convince me that he’s not still thinking about parker and hardison ,,, last episode we had the interaction between him and eliot and the whole “that would mean that I’d be thinking about you and parker, which I never do!” debacle

he thinks about them. all the time. just, until that last episode, he never really realized just how much or what it might have meant

and now, here he is, not too long after, working a con where the team is knee-deep in romance

and eliot thrives

he knew what to get sophie. he definitely knew what to get parker. because he listens, he cares. he doesn’t let the little details slide.

when he picks out the fly trap for parker, he smiles to himself because he knows she will like it and it’ll make her happy. and that will make hardison happy.

eliot doesn’t ask for much. he doesn’t think he deserves half of the wonderful life he’s built with his team.

he won’t let himself be happy in the way the couples can, and would never even dream of being with parker and hardison for real, but he can make them happy. and for him, that is enough.

[datleggy]

a list of every anime i love/recommend, accumulated over the last 10+ years

1. NATSUME YUUJINCHOU 

SUMMARY/REVIEW: 

The main character is a teenage boy named Natsume, whose parents died when he was too young to remember them properly. He’s passed around random relatives homes, but because he can see yokai (spirits), he’s ostracized by classmates and his foster families (ALL HIS CHILDHOOD FLASHBACKS ARE SO FUCKING SAD) and eventually very distant relatives (an older couple who never had kids of their own and have so much goddamn love to give D:!!!) take Natsume in, and the story basically starts from there. 

It’s a very heart-warming story following Natsume’s new life in this new town, accepting his ability to see yokai, forging new relationships in the form of friends and family, and even with the yokai themselves. 

This is honestly probably my favorite anime/manga period, because it’s so sad but so cathartic and you watch as the main character grows and learns to trust those around him, and finally gets the unconditional love he’s always deserved, not to MENTION THE FACT THAT THEY DO A WHOLE EP WHERE NATSUME IS TURNED BACK INTO A LITTLE KID AND IT IS SOOOO GOOD OMG

Plus for those of you who enjoy whump, this show has a decent amount of it. Mainly emotional whump, but also some episodes where Natsume is injured or sick--as well as I believe one where his companion (the chubby cat on his shoulder who’s actually a pretty badass yokai) gets shot with an arrow and is down for the count. 

10/10 would and have watched again. 

2. KODOCHA NO OMOCHA 

SUMMARY/REVIEW:  The main character is a sixth grader named Sana. She’s a gifted actress on a t.v. show everyone likes and she’s silly and fun, very intuitive and surprisingly empathetic for a child. 

Her main problem is in school, where Akito, who she deems the leader of her class’ wolf pack of rowdy rude boys, lets them terrorize not just the teacher, but all the girls in class, as well. 

I don’t really want to give a lot away, so I’ll just state the obvious. This anime/manga is shoujo, which means that it does focus on a romantic relationship throughout the series. Mainly the one between Sana and Akito. Sana is absolutely oblivious about her own feelings, while Akito is a stubborn little shit. 

I remember watching this at like, age 12 maybe? And I really enjoyed it because (although I do enjoy your typical silly doesn’t take itself too seriously slice of life shoujo) this particular anime, while super funny and light hearted at times, was also really dramatic and even kinda dark, which was surprising considering the characters ages and the general kid-friendly vibe (especially the opening for the anime). 

3. DETECTIVE CONAN

SUMMARY/REVIEW:  Our main character is initially Shinichi Kudo, teenage detective, who’s on a date with childhood sweetheart Ran (whose father also happens to a detective but like....not a good one lmao), when his nosy ass self decides to go and check out some shady business and gets “poisoned”. 

The poison he’s given is intended to kill him, but what it actually does is turn him back into a child. And now, as Conan Edogawa, (who’s 7 but like....we just supposed to believe all these cops and detectives on the force are cool with a seven year old wee lil babe on these really gruesome ass crime scenes??? lmaoooo) we follow him on his adventures as he solves crimes and tries to solve the biggest mystery of all, his own! 

I absolutely LOVE this anime/manga, even though I’ll be honest, there is SO MUCH FILLER, but I like the characters enough that I really don’t mind. The show is at least 900+ episodes in at this point, and there are a total of 26 movies so far, last time I checked. 

Also, the show is a whump fangirls’ dream come true. The main character is thrown out of windows, balconies, shot at, and in one occasion actually shot, he’s had broken bones, sprains, almost been blown up or drowned/burned, been sick, and oh, his occasional transformations from child to teenager are incredibly painful. 

This show is probably at fault for my love of whump, since it was one of my first animes at like, age 9. smh. 

4. THE DEVIL IS A PART-TIMER!

REVIEW:

I’m not even going to summarize this one. The title does it for me. This is truly one of the funniest animes I’ve ever seen. Motherfuckin Satan works at a McDonalds part time and it is the BEST. 

Technically I would count this show as a kind of harem, but only because there are like three main girl characters after the overlord Satan himself. I usually dislike harem type animes but the way this is done is sooooo good I couldn’t resist. 

I would watch a million filler episodes of Satan trying to solve problems at his minimum wage job tbh. I love every single character, I love the plot, I love everything about this anime! In terms of comedy (with the occasional plot driven serious moments) this is IT bro. 

5. BLACK BUTLER

SUMMARY/REVIEW: 

The main character is Ciel Phantomhive (roughly 14 years old). His parents are killed, his house is burned to ashes, and he’s kidnapped (around age 9 or 10 I believe) and abused. During this abuse Ciel calls upon a demon to free him and help him get revenge on those who harmed the Phantomhive household, which is where Sebastian, one “hell of a good butler” comes in. 

We then follow Ciel and Sebastian on their path of vengeance, and along the way we meet Ciel’s human servants, three very clumsy and seemingly bad at their given tasks characters (i love them all), and some of his extended relatives and connections. 

My favorite thing about Black Butler is the art, both in the anime and manga. Everything is so detailed and pretty! 

The characters are interesting, the plot is dark but they manage to make most of the series overall pretty light-hearted and funny in general. Though of course there are chapters/parts of the series that get really grim (which duh, the whole thing focuses on revenge so...) 

I have to say, the arc I enjoyed the most has to be the movie, Black Butler: Book Of the Atlantic. It is beautifully drawn and sooooooo entertaining. 

6. INUYASHA 

SUMMARY/REVIEW: 

Our main characters are Inuyasha, a half-demon, who’s been in a sort of spiritually binding coma for the last few decades, and fourteen year old Kagome, who falls into an old well in her family’s shrine and finds herself being transported into another time period. 

Together, she and Inuyasha travel across the lands in the feudal era to find the scattered shards of the shikon jewel, a powerful jewel which grants anyone who possesses it ultimate power. 

I was too young to stay up and watch Inuyasha on adult swim, so my mom would tape the show on a VCR for me to watch the next day after school--yes, I’m old old. lmaoooo I ADORE this show. 

It’s so good! It’s got everything! A tortured lil half-demon with a sad past who’s stubborn and rude but got a good heart! A fierce and equally as stubborn main protagonist, who’s whole ass family knows exactly where she goes off to??? and are supportive af????? like???? her mama packs her and her squad of demon/exorcist/demon hunter pals bentos?!?! lmao i love it. 

The characters are awesome and funny and likable as all heck, and of course they all have their sad backstory, but like, unlike some animes (lookin at YOU Naruto) they don’t go mega overboard on it, at least not without some plot behind the episode. 

7. YU YU HAKUSHO 

SUMMARY/REVIEW: 

Before I even start in on the summary, ya’ll should watch this soley bc of the cute ass 90′s style animation alone. LOOK AT ALL THAT SHINY HAIR!

ANYWAY. Main character is teenage hooligan and overall cutie pie Yusuke! He gets struck by a car and fucking DIES in the first episode after shoving a little boy out of the way, only to end up in the spirit world where the head honcho up there (who looks like a wee baby) tells him “Oh shit, didn’t expect you to like, actually do anything self-sacrificing EVER so like, you’re not on our list of people who were supposed to die today...” 

And uh, I don’t wanna give anything away, so I’m just gonna say that if you haven’t seen this anime yet, you definitely should! It’s hilarious and dramatic, the fight scenes are very well done, all the side characters, who eventually become main characters are a blessing (specifically Hiei, who’ve I’ve had a crush on since I was 12) and the ending is a satisfying one, which you can’t really say for a lot of media. 

8. CHRONO CRUSADE 

SUMMARY/REVIEW: 

I still get weepy when I think of this anime, so all I’ll say is it’s about a badass demon slaying nurse and her demon companion and some very tragic shit. 

It’s a great anime overall, especially if you like crying yourself to sleep at night :) 

9. GHOST HUNT

SUMMARY/REVIEW: 

The main character is high school student Mai, who is hired by Naru, the head of a Shibuya psychic research, and together, with a group of questionable exorcists/psychics, they encounter paranormal phenomenons and some outright scary shit. 

I’m not really a fan of the horror genre tbh but I do like mystery, and the series deals with that quite a bit. They deal with each case for several episodes so nothing feels too rushed. 

The series is really fun in a creepy, wtf is that way. I recommend the manga, only because it’s more detailed in terms of plot than the anime. 

10. ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM 

SUMMARY/REVIEW: 

I didn’t really make this list in any particular order but if I had to say, Assassination Classroom and Natsume Yuujinchou probably tie for BEST ANIME PERIOD! 

This anime is about a weird ass “alien” creature, no one knows where it came from or why tf it’s here on earth, all they know is that in one year it’s threatened to blow the world up. 

His only request to the government is that they let him become a teacher for Class E, the worst class of Kunugigaoka Junior High School, and he will stay put, so that they can attempt an assassination on him during this one year period. 

AND LISTEN! I am a shallow hoe, so I literally never would have read this manga or watched the series had I not been roaming Barnes and Noble one day with my S.O. and picked it up to read as a JOKE! 

I was hooked after the first chapter and I am soooooooo glad I picked this manga up, bc it is absolutely not the type I would normally go for, cover art wise. I finally, after many many years, learned not to judge a book by its cover bc LORD this anime is so goddamn good, you don’t understand! Like, I’ve watched it so many times and still laugh at the same parts, cry at the same parts, am proud af at the same parts! like, this anime is an instant classic and should definitely be more popular than it is. 

assassination classroom and natsume yuujinchou????? MASTERPIECES! 

[thethirdwheel404]

Med Rewatch Series (#3)

Let’s see what we have on the slate. this should be the premiere of s3: Speak Your Truth. I am watching this during school, so let’s see how bad my focus is.

-the episode description is “The shooting of Dr. Charles moves to the courtroom and things turn complicated for the doctors and nurses of Chicago Med.” so still on brand for being all sorts of vague.

-all that really says is more sarah angst so big sad

-let’s get started

-god back to classic med, starting things off fast, just how i like it

-how tf kellogg live through the headshot. guy can’t do anything right

-connor running towards charles on the guerney screaming “what the hell happened!?” and sharon just being “he got shot.” is so fucking hilarous to me i have no clue why

-oh god i remember how much it bothered me that connor changed his hair from the end of s2 to the start of s3 lol (bc it’s supposed to be the same night, but yk, nitpicking)

-the time jump is such an interesting choice. i remember it was jarring at first. i’m sure i’ll have more to say as the episode goes on

-aw hey guys look its sarah! adorable

-also stoll

-oh god, nat taking a sabbatical was weird

-WHEN SHE LOOKS AT WILL SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE IS IN PAIN IM SCREAMING

-counting

-oh boy watching s3 means i get to watch noah get thrown through a glass door and also be a disappointment

-the way connor is effortlessly charming here in the beginning is maybe the only reason i tolerate his character (also more of sarah being adorable)

-horney boi. stop it.

-noah following after sarah like a lovesick puppy is funny

-sarah saying ‘he’s the reason i went into psych...’ honey, psych is not good for your mental health please stop giving him credit

-HOLD THE FUCK ON?????

-its the s3 premiere and Sarah talks about her dad and her strained relationship, specifically because noah compares charles getting shot to her dad getting shot. but like, foreshadowing... maybe i should give the med writers a smidge more of credit than I have been in terms of planning things...

-sarah: “don’t compare my dad to dr. charles.”

-long sigh. god... sarah being so supportive. and charles just being ‘No???’

-not to be weird but court room scenes always get me feeling some sorta way

-haha its peter stone! remember him? remember chicago justice?

-THE BETRAYAL ON SARAH’S FACE - she cares so much about him and he’s about to get his own shooter acquitted.

-god sarah is just fucking fantastic. she feels so passionately about caring about people

-god charles fucking hates himself so much? he should Not be ava’s mentor

-charles: “I think the shooting is affecting your objectivity.” sarah: “mY oBjECtiViTy?!”

-also they said ‘the fact he was concealing a weapon shows like fear malicious content’ or what ever. and uh,, sarah? please. please, for my sanity. (bc of what happens later in the season)

-charles- you know how you can help me? fuck off.

-lol this kid is the one who had like a tooth ache, and now his brain is rotting or something. probably will happen to me (@ my parents please let me see the dentist)

-this is where doris is like ethan is playing favorites

-the like background noises of the ed calm me down. they prob really shouldn’t

-they’re gonna fuckkkkk

-something to be said about sarah being gung ho about kellogg being off the streets and a danger to society when... her dad...

- I really like when med does the thing when one character is just standing in the ed and they transition to the next story by having the next character run past

-what is with all of the nurses drama like honestly

-hey guys look its ava! (let see if i have enough brain cells to find anything)

-heyyyy look at that. ava trying usurp some of connor’s cases. while, yeah she is being a tad undermining, connor’s gf was literally just discharged from a psych hold. this is just an interaction to keep in mind for future events.

-ava’s playing full cunning while connor’s busy fucking his girlfriend

-dont hate the player man

-because they’re both under latham, they’re more rivals than hero/villain, bc they have a common guy who is their advisor. but yeah. dont hate the player

-robin calling ava ‘cruella’ is making want to throw hands ngl. god dude chill - bc it means either robin just saw ava interacting with people and thought ‘what a bitch’ or connor was complaining about ava and either way I hate it.

-connor broke up with robin bc she was too horneyyy (ik he didn’t break up w her but yk)

-connor - reese interaction was nice. until he started blaming her bruh wtf chilll

-her arguing with connor is like. peak. (ava + sarah teaming up to bully connor and not take any of his shit?? i think yes)

-this ethan april thing is stupid. i’m just gonna say it.

-ava: “that would have been a really great idea if you were trying to kill him.” SHE TAKES NO. SURVIVORS. i love her so much

-YEAH RHODES GET FUCKED! i think one of the reasons ava was disliked at first was bc latham kind of favored her and... literally everyone else favored connor? so get fucked? but here, ava can obviously hold her own and connor is just whining. I’m glad they put them on equal ground bc connor and ava’s direct superior is on ava’s side, and literally everyone else is with connor. AND CONNORS STILL PLAYED AS AN UNDERDOG BC AVA TOOK HIS SURGERY! HOW. infuriating

-anyway, for the purposes of the theory ava is capable enough to hold her own as a stand alone, and clever enough to be entertaining

-holy shit no i think i just remembered how this storyline goes. connor gets a better surgery, right? he gets glory and stuff. this is too fucking rich, come on. let one thing go wrong for him.

-i miss ava

-GOD SARAH LOOKS GOOD IN HER FUCKING BLAZER. unfair. unmatched

-stop it sarah you have anxiety.

-SARAH NO. BABY IS SCARED.

-okay. Ava is half bickering, half flirting with him, a little annoying but we put up with it bc we love her and its not her fault she’s supposed to be his love interest. but still, it’s playful, it’s not neccesarily flirting. conceivably, she could be talking to anybody. But then, she tells him to relax, to take a day off. SHE’S STILL A GOOD PERSON. SHE’S NOT TRYING TO EXPLICITLY SPITE CONNOR, OR ANYONE. that’s what people tend to forget. she’s not malicious.

-connor thinks she is tho. maybe that’s why some people hated her, bc connor hated her

-charles: “kellogg is not a criminal” BRUH HE SHOT YOU

-HOLY SHIT. SHARON RN IS LIKE YOU WANT KELLOGG TO BE FREE BC YOU DIDN’T CATCH THE SIGNS OF A KILLER AND ITS ABOUT YOUR EGO

-AND??? SARAH’S DAD ANYONE? that was why he was so persistent of sarah’s dad. he wanted to catch the signs.

-OKAY HERE. When latham is like, wait, did ava manipulate me? is she actually sus? he was the one person on her side and then boom he sides with connor. literally do you have any idea how great ava would be without connor?

-this manstead thing is soooo exhausting

Okay so what have we learned?

Ava is getting Connor’s cases. kind of rude but also, they’re surgeons? It’s super competitive. AND CONNOR LITERALLY WON THAT ROUND BC LATHAM SWITCHED SIDES???

AND SHE STILL TOLD CONNOR TO GET SLEEP. LIKE SHE WAS BEING NICE WHILE ALSO BEING SNARKY

ava had less lines in the ep than in s2 and honestly. wtf.

not much content, but if you look at her content, come on she’s still amazing.

thanks for sticking through

read the rest here:

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10 / Part 11 / Part 12 / Extra

[lucindadixon]

holdontohopelove replied to your link: M*A*S*H - Best of Hawkeye/Margaret

Any chance you’d be willing to post the list itself to Tumblr? The link doesn’t work and I would loveeee the list of episodes.

Sure, here it is!

The following is a list of episodes with good HM scenes (or, on occasion, just good Margaret scenes, because I love her sfm) and a brief description of why I'm including it. Some are big important scenes, others are just little tiny things that no one but a die hard shipper would even notice.  I'm doing this primarily for my own reference, but if someone else gets something out of it, all the better.

 Season One

 Ep. 12  Dear Dad - First kiss!  Hawkeye walks up to Frank and Margaret, asks Frank to hold his drink, grabs Margaret, dips her and kisses the bejeezus out of her!  Margaret is speechless and weak-kneed when he's finished. Frank refers to Hawk as an animal and Margaret agrees, but she obviously does not consider that to be a bad thing.

 Ep. 21  Sticky Wicket - Hawkeye is deeply troubled about a patient who isn't getting any better.  Margaret assisted him on the surgery and seeks him to out try and figure out what went wrong.  Hawk is kind of rude to her actually, but when he eventually figures out the problem, it's her he hauls out of bed to operate with him.  While they are still a long way from the friends they end up being, it's obvious in this episode that they respect each other professionally.

Season Two

Ep. 6 Kim - Because it's Hawkeye she clings to when she's scared, not Frank.

Ep. 11  Carry on Hawkeye - Everyone has the flu but Hawkeye and Margaret and they have to work together to keep things running.  There's a great scene where they have to give each other flu shots - Hawkeye, of course, wants his in his tushie.  There are definite shades here of the friendship they eventually develop.  In fact, he even refers to her as 'nurse, friend, and all round good egg', and you can tell she's pleased.  One of my Top 10 HM episodes

Ep. 14  Hot Lips and Empty Arms - Nothing specifically HM (and there's a bit of Margaret/Trapper) but I'm including it anyway because it has some great Margaret scenes and she is just so stinking cute when she's bombed.

Ep. 15  Officers Only - Hawkeye tries to convince Margaret to agree to allowing enlisted men in the new O club.  There is dancing involved.  Frank is jealous.  Unfortunately he fails to convince her, but it's cute while it lasts.

Season Three

Ep. 4  Iron Guts Kelly - A visiting General dies in Margaret's tent and she seeks out Hawk and Trapper to help her cover it up.  Nothing specifically HM, but a really hilarious episode.

Ep. 7  Check-up - I'm torn on this one.  I decided to include it only because Hawkeye giving Margaret her check-up was cute, especially the fact that he shaved before it.  But then he basically calls her fat.  Huh?  It also features Drunk!Margaret which I love, but is kinda heavy on the Trapper/Margaret which I don't.

Ep. 9  Alcoholics Unanimous - Frank outlaws booze, so of course Margaret, Hawk, and Trap get drunk together and then make fun of Frank when he finds them.  Really funny scene.

Ep. 10  There's Nothing Like a Nurse - Because she quite enjoys her goodbye kiss.

Ep. 13  Mad Dogs and Servicemen -  Margaret and Hawk have words several times when she disagrees with the way he treats a soldier with what he believes to be hysterical paralysis. Also, Radar is bitten by a dog and needs rabies shots and there is a wonderful scene where Margaret kindly reads him a letter from a girl wanting to correspond with a serviceman.

Ep. 16  Bulletin Board - Because they're laughing and covered in mud.

Ep. 19  Aid Station - Hawkeye and Margaret (and Klinger) are sent to an Aid Station at the front.  There's a cute scene on the way where Margaret won't let Hawk change a flat tire because his hands are too valuable.  Once there, they work incredibly well together and the professional respect between them is obvious.  She tells a wounded soldier that he's lucky because Hawkeye is the best. He encourages her to start a surgery without him.  There is a sweet scene where they talk at the end of the day and end up going to sleep curled up together.  And when they get back to camp, he kisses her on the cheek.  One of my Top 10 HM episodes.

 Season 4

Ep. 3  It Happened One Night - Hawk and Margaret work the night shift in Post Op together.  When they relieve Frank, he says he's leaving them to "carry on".  The look they give him is priceless.  Later, a can of beans Hawk was heating on the stove explodes and gets all over them.  Margaret laughs as he uses his finger to taste the sauce on her face.  Best exchange of the night:  Patient:  "I hate your guts."  Margaret: "My guts are not here for you to love."  One of my Top Ten HM episodes

Ep. 10  Dear Peggy - Because she gets in the jeep as he admires her best side.

Ep. 11  Of Moose and Men - Hawkeye has to operate on a Colonel he's offended.  Margaret is very impressed with his work and tells him as much.  So naturally, he hits on her and pisses her off.  Just prior, there's a sweet scene when she covers him with a blanket as he sleeps in Post Op.

Season 5

Ep. 1  Bug Out - While the rest of the camp bugs out, Hawkeye, Margaret, and Radar remain behind to look after a patient who can't be moved. There is a nice scene where they talk about being afraid.  Later, as they are about to leave the camp, Margaret tells Hawkeye he should be proud of the lives he's saved.  He tells her she should be as well and kisses her on the cheek.  One of my Top 10 HM Episodes

Ep. 2  Margaret's Engagement - Because he fixes her boo-boo and tells her to knock off the insensitivity.

Ep. 3  Out of Sight, Out of Mind - Because he knows her by her perfume.

Ep. 5  The Nurses - Hawkeye helps a nurse Margaret has confined to quarters have a rendezvous with her husband by "quarantining" him in Margaret's tent.  Margaret's pain at being rejected by the other nurses is heartbreaking.

Ep. 7  Dear Sigmund - Because she's playing poker in the Swamp wearing boxer shorts.

Ep. 11  The Colonel's Horse - Margaret needs an appendectomy and Hawkeye is the only surgeon she wants.  He pays her a tent call for a pre-op exam but she won't let him because he won't lay off the sexual innuendo.  She ends up waking him in the middle of the night to do the operation.  There is a cute scene at the end where he takes his patient for a stroll around the compound.  She thanks him for doing a wonderful job and he offers her a guarantee: every thousand miles he'll probe her chassis.

Ep. 19  Hepatitis - Hawkeye is examining everyone for hepatitis, including Margaret.  Hawkeye: "You're going to get a shot too."  Margaret (shaking her brush at him):  "So are you, kiddo."  She confides in him a problems she's having with her fiance's mother, he admires her caboose, she tells him off.  He tells her she's magnificent, inside and out.  Aww.

Ep. 21  Movie Night - Because he wants to hear her sing.

Season 6

Ep. 1  Fade in, Fade out - Because he was drooling over her bikini picture.  And because he was genuinely interested in why she was upset.

Ep. 7  In Love and War - Included only for the HM scene at the end where they commiserate over Hawkeye's lost love and Margaret's cheating husband.  Otherwise, not at all ship-friendly.

Ep. 9  Images - Margaret becomes upset after hearing that a stray dog she's grown attached to has been killed by a jeep.  Hawkeye sees that she's emotional and tries to get her to talk.  She doesn't want to admit to it and accuses him of always trying to get in her head. Eventually he succeeds in getting her to break down, and he holds her while she cries.

Ep. 12  Comrades in Arms (Pt 1) - Hawkeye and Margaret are stranded alone together in an abandoned hut while on a trip to the 8063.  They find comfort in each other's arms while shelling goes on all around them.  In addition to the kissing (squee!), I love that when she is going to sleep, she says to announce himself if he's coming over to her in the middle of the night so she doesn't brain him with a big stick thinking he's the enemy.  Hint, hint, perhaps?  One of my Top 10 HM episodes.

 Ep. 13  Comrades in Arms (Pt 2) - Margaret is kind of weird and OOC in the first half of the episode and it's a uncomfortable to watch her being all mushy and trying to make Hawkeye into something he's not. The ending scenes though, first with Hawkeye confessing to BJ that he felt something for her, and then the two of them making peace, make up for the bad beginning.  The whole 'who's smiling' bit at very end is adorable.  One of my Top 10 HM episodes.

Ep. 14  The Merchant of Korea - I love the scene in Margaret's tent when Hawkeye goes to invite her to the poker game.  Something about the way she casually picks up his hand and moves it out of her way instead of just commanding him to move it is adorable.

Ep. 15  The Smell of Music - Because of her brilliant three-wave plan to clean the boys and stop the French horn.

Ep. 16  Patient 4077 - Margaret loses her wedding ring and Hawk and BJ buy her a replacement.  She's a bitch about it at first, but after Klinger sets her straight, she says she likes it better than the original.

Ep. 19  What's Up Doc - Margaret confesses to Hawkeye that she fears she may be pregnant.  It's touching how concerned he is for her.  They perform surgery on Radar's rabbit's ovaries to do a pregnancy test. In my Top 10 HM Episodes

Season 7

Ep. 1  Commander Pierce - Because she's beautiful when she's overworked and because since when did he join the army?

Ep. 2  Peace on Us - I could write a book on this one.  I love how the only thing that gets though to Hawkeye when he's ranting about the army's rule change is Margaret's confession that Donald has run out on her.  And later, when they hug at the red party and she puts her hand on the back of his head and pulls him down like she's about to kiss him...swoon... (see icon). She's kind of all over him in this episode, both during the party and the next morning.  In my own personal head-canon, they totally fell off the 'just friends' wagon that night. On of my Top 10 HM episodes.

Ep. 7  They Call the Wind Korea - Because he never let's her get away with 'I'm fine' when she's not.  And because she lays her head on his shoulder.

Ep. 12  Out of Gas - A couple of cute moments.  While they're playing poker he calls her 'toots' and she doesn't even get mad.  When she passes out from the ether, he revives her.   And when she wakes him up to go into surgery, he ask her to help him up, which she does, and get him something to lean against, preferable her, which rates a smile.

Ep. 13  An Eye for a Tooth - Hawkeye's hungover and Margaret's in an incredibly good mood.  She starts tickling him at the breakfast table and then loads his coffee up with sugar, leading to a food fight!  Charles manipulates them into a prank war, but they team up and get him in the end.

Ep. 16  Inga - Even though Hawk spends most of the episode chasing another woman, I have to include this one because Margaret completely pwns him in the scene outside the mess tent, telling him off for being sexist. I find his accusation of jealousy interesting though, in that he seems to mean he thinks Margaret is jealous of Inga professionally, but Margaret takes it to mean being jealous over Hawkeye's attention.  Seems like maybe he unintentionally strikes a bit of a nerve, even if that isn't what prompted the fight..  And then it's just sweet when she makes him go to the movies with her at the end and they walk off with their arms around each other.

Ep. 19  Hot Lips is Back in Town - Because he does his best to make sure she's okay after her divorce papers arrive, at least until he passes out.  And she is absolutely trying not to laugh when he interrupts the triage lesson.

Ep. 20  C*A*V*E - Hawkeye and Margaret help each other work through their phobias (claustrophobia and loud noises, respectively) when the 4077th is forced to evacuate to a cave during an attack and then they have to take a critical patient back to operate on him.  BJ:  "Boy, I can't leave you two in the backseat of anything."  Um, what?  Has he seen things we have not? In my Top 10 HM episodes.

Season 8

Ep. 2  Are You Now, Margaret - A congressional aide is convinced Margaret is a communist sympathizer.  Nothing specifically HM, but it shows how far she's come that every single person was on her side.

Ep. 11  Lifetime - Because she's Hot Streak Houlihan and they work so well together.

Ep. 12  Dear Uncle Abdul - Because her valiant foot locker gave it's life so she might live.  Not HM, just really funny.

Ep. 13  Captains Outrageous - Because they really should own a bar together.

Ep. 14  Stars and Stripes -  After Margaret's date with Scully goes south, Hawkeye tries to give her a pep talk.  She includes Hawk in her list of failed relationships - I think this is the only time the events of CIA are ever referenced, however obliquely.  Later she describes her ideal man as being 20% her father, 10% Scully, 10% Hawkeye, 3% Frank Burns and 1% her ex-husband.  I love that he rates higher than Frank.

Ep. 16  Bottle Fatigue - Because she's the only one defending his cranky arse when he gives up drinking, even though he doesn't appreciate it.

Ep. 25  April Fools - Because she's Margaret the Menace and they steal her tent.

Season 9

Ep. 5  Death Takes a Holiday - Margaret, Hawkeye and BJ struggle to keep a soldier alive until December 26 so his kids don't have to remember Christmas as the day their father died.

Ep. 17  Bless You Hawkeye - Because she checks him for fever and sits by his bedside.

 (Sheesh. What happened, Season 9?  Where be all the HM?)

Season 10

Ep. 3   Rumor at the Top - No HM, but Margaret's attempts at making Col. Potter sound senile are quite amusing.

Ep. 4  Give 'em Hell Hawkeye - Because they sit awfully close together even though there are more chairs.

Ep. 11 The Birthday Girls - No HM, but Margaret and Klinger are really sweet in this one.

Ep. 14  The Tooth Shall Set You Free - Because he refills her coffee cup without her even having to ask.

Ep.  15  Pressure Points - Because she makes a good catch.

Ep  16  Where There's a Will There's a War - Hawkeye writes out a will during a harrowing visit to an aid station.  He leaves Margaret his Groucho glasses to remind her of how much he enjoyed her rarely seen silly side.  There is a flashback of a sleep-deprived Hawk and Margaret making bad puns and cracking up while taking inventory in the supply tent.

Ep.  20  Picture This - Charles, BJ and Hawkeye are fighting and Hawkeye moves out of the Swamp. It's Margaret who goes to trick Hawkeye into going back, while Klinger and Father Mulcahy go to BJ and Charles.

Season 11

Ep. 1  Hey Look Me Over - Because they dance the Lindy Hop. Sadly, off screen.

Ep. 2  Trick or Treat - Because he really likes her sexy costume.

Ep. 7  Settling Debts - Not HM, but included because Margaret does such a bang-up job of stalling Colonel Potter.

Ep. 10  U.N., the Night, and the Music - Margaret takes an interest in a U.N. representative who has suffered an injury that has left him impotent.  He confides in Hawkeye, who tries to run interference.  Included because the U.N. guy originally thinks Hawk and Margaret are more than friends and because Margaret thanks Hawkeye for "trying to be a jerk".

Ep. 15  As Time Goes By - Margaret decides to make a time capsule to commemorate the 4077th.  Hawkeye volunteers to help and they spend the episode arguing over what would be appropriate to include, Margaret wanting a military theme and Hawkeye goes more for the human side of the war.  In the end she is more agreeable to his way of thinking after they hear the story of a chopper pilot's heroism and then when she sees the items he's chosen.

Ep. 16  Goodbye, Farewell and Amen - A couple of little things in this one, and of course, one great big thing.  First, when BJ leaves the first time, it's Margaret he chooses to have explain things to Hawkeye for him.  Then, when he gets back from the psych hospital and goes right into surgery, it's Margaret that helps him through it.  And what can I say about their final scene?  I love that moment of understanding between them where they each know exactly what the other is thinking ("So, ah, listen..."  "Yeah.") and then they just grab onto each other at the same time.  That was one hell of a goodbye kiss.  To me what is happening here is that they are admitting, to themselves and to each other, just how much more there was to their relationship than the friendship they had eventually settled into.  That their reasons for not being together, while valid as far as they went, were no longer important in the face of probably never seeing each other again. Also, all shippiness aside, this is an incredible series finale.  Charles and the musicians make me cry every time, as does BJ's final goodbye note. One of my Top 10 HM Episodes

everytimeyougo 's Top Ten Hawkeye/Margaret Episodes

10.  Carry On Hawkeye

9.   It Happened One Night

8.   C*A*V*E

7.   Bug Out

6.   What's Up Doc?

5.   Comrades in Arms (Pt 2)

4.   Aid Station

3.   Goodbye, Farewell and Amen

2.   Peace on Us

1.   Comrades in Arms (Pt 1)

Honorable mentions:  Sticky Wicket, The Colonel's Horse, Hepatitis, Images, The Merchant of Korea, Where There's A Will, There's A War