#which honestly isn't too hard to do if i just paused the gens for a second

[pencilias]

i did at least 2000 calculations on getting my coal power generators running off of 3 normal, 1 pure, and 1 impure coal nodes, just so i could perfectly relay the right amount of coal to each generator, only to be fucked up by the water system, todays been a long day and i've never been happier

[benayoung]

"i'm concerned about everyone. the competition is difficult." (mentioned: @bexstevie @bejaeyoung @beseira )

new year, new survival show, it would seem. this would technically be her fourth, if she can count it, since she's not a contestant this time.

still, sitting down for an interview, in front of a camera again, feels a little like returning home.

she can't help but think of all of the different people she's been in rooms like this one, from the fake happy-go-lucky girl in her first season to the hardened "ice queen" she is today. she actually smiles a little, then looks to the interviewer expectantly.

"what are your first impressions of the talent this season?"

that's a good question, honestly. "they're probably better than us," she admits with a bark of laughter. "that's how these shows always work, right?" from her experience, somehow, new talent always surges upwards and surpasses its predecessors. it frightens her a little, but she doesn't feel threatened by any of the girls this season – at least not yet. maybe she'll see who her ceo selects for sr media and change her mind.

"none of the ceos said they wanted to sign anyone on day one last season, so i think that already says enough," she points out, but she doesn't take it personally.

"what do you think of initial rankings?"

"my job is to coach, not to judge," she says diplomatically. "thankfully." she smiles, close-lipped. will that stop her from judging people? absolutely not. will it stop her from saying anything judgmental in this moment? yes.

"based on what you've seen, who do you think has center potential?"

nayoung pauses in thought for a moment. "i think stevie could be a good center for the boys. his voice and rapping both still need work, but i think his previous experience on next gen shows in his skill level overall. i'm just afraid he was more..." she pauses again, trying to think of how to explain it, "endearing, last season? he's nervous this season, which is good, because it means he cares now. but it's also bad, because i think it's getting to his head. if he can find a way to shake off his nerves and be himself while still taking the competition seriously, he'll be in contention for a high rank the entire season, in my opinion."

of course, nayoung has paid attention, and has a lot of opinions. "song jaeyoung is incredibly well-rounded. if the judges are searching for a center who's good at singing, rapping, and dancing about equally, he would be a good pick. i find that he's missing a certain spark, though. he isn't very memorable to me when he performs, and i personally feel that's important for a center to have."

"as for the female center, i think my top pick is han yura. she's not the most captivating performer of the season, but she's pretty and has no significant weaknesses that i've seen. she's a good rapper, which is important for the center of this season, but she's a solid singer as well, and she's kept up fine with the choreography."

"are there any contestants you're concerned about?"

"i'm concerned about everyone. the competition is difficult," she laughs, and it's both sincere and not. she isn't that concerned – ultimately what happens to the contestants of this show matters little to her. she knows it can be hard on people, though, and she knows they're all inexperienced.

"it's volatile, too. one week you can be in first and the next you can be at the bottom of the rankings," she speaks from experience. "who is having trouble this week might shine next week. it really just depends."

"if we're only talking about this week?"

"if we're only talking about this week, seira comes to mind. she's a skilled rapper, but she's not confident in her dancing, and her vocals........" nayoung has nothing nice to say there. "i don't think she'll be center. i hope she isn't eliminated, though, because while she isn't center material in my opinion, i think she has other things left to show."

"any final words?"

nayoung bows in her seat. "thank you! i'm grateful i got to coach everyone this week and i hope i'm able to continue." she honestly has no idea what the future holds.

[krakenartificer]

5: Paranormal Hacktivity Oh no Parker - destroyer of plans!

OK, it turns that they didn't even recognize Parker, but I'm still going with this as Parker's reputation in the community

Breanna has a very gen z definition of 'cool politician' and I love it

"Harshing vibe" not a Vine reference, but it's something, anyway.

Parker's Security Money Bundle 😍

"You say human brain like you're an outsider" Look, speaking as a socially awkward neurodivergent, I guarantee that Parker is not the one who decided her brain isn't human. You can't say "WTF is wrong with you? Are you even human? You're such a weirdo. Stop acting like an alien. Why can't you just be a person for once in your life?" and then be surprised when people talk about humanity as if they're not a part of it.

Oh come on, Breana tried to walk away even! She did it right! She followed the rules; you have to let her do it!

"Not a con -- my fault." Could be both! Or neither!

"I take pity on you, newbie con guy."

Sophie did always love a good death scene.

Gloating -it's the best part!

At least Breanna has better taste in soda Sophie did not have very long to recruit the nephew, convey the plan, and coach him in how to play a first-time murderer convincingly. And she did an amazing job. Those years as a director and acting teacher really paid off.

The Card Game Job

Appreciate that we worked Martin Shkreli into this series, given how many of us were thinking "Where's the Leverage crew when you need them?" during that fiasco. "Geek Spiral" 😆 I am honestly enjoying the varied "Let's go ...." statements. I love the ren faire music playing during Breanna's briefing. I assume that isn't just Hollywood mood-setting, but that this music is actually playing in HQ. Through the speakers that Breanna definitely totally kept all over the building. All curmudgeonly reclusive artists, of course, look exactly like George RR Martin. We gotta get the overeager assistant on our side. Would he like to manage a Leverage franchise?

This is a blessing in disguise, honestly; New Guy was never gonna pull off that character.

OK, but I hope the security force does actually join the union. What better way to improve Mr. Wilson's redemption than to leave a sprinkling of healthy, growing labor movements behind him wherever he goes? "~horses~"??? Excuse me, Eliot? Who rode a horse bareback through a traffic jam to save our third case ever? Oh. Fuck. Can I get a gif of Eliot stabbing a sword down and throwing his hair back, for, uh .... reasons? I know you haven't had a lot of mentors, Parker, but that's exactly how mentors work. She can act .... if it's an act.

OK, had to pause the show and sob for five minutes after Breanna's speech. This is maybe my favorite episode ever.

Double-edged Sword Job

Eliot dies in plan N

Disarming the gun didn't do anything to help him; it's just principle at that point.

"What just happened?" "I've stopped asking that question."

I think he might have seen hardware coming.

I didn't think anything could make "3000 tons of maple syrup" better, but she just did. 😂

I suspect this might be one of those really important episodes, around which the entire theme of the series rotates. Gonna have to watch it again.

The Mastermind Job

Honestly, I'm with Parker on this one.

Aw, we damseled the new guy.

Breana's first "well actually" 🤩

So Sophie was the only one Nate bothered to protect.

New Guy's very good at being damseled, on the upside.

New Guy is very good at being damseled.

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I suspect whats-his-name has another superpower. Reciprocity is a strong assumption in human relationships, and people will tend to think that since he bores them to sleep and they never listen to him, that they bore him, and he's not paying attention ... and will be less careful in what they say. It's easy to slip up and say things to him that you shouldn't. Nate found out that the hard way, giving up too much information about Hardison, Eliot, and Parker .... but he never, ever, slipped up with Sophie.

Leverage Redemption Liveblog React

The Too Many Rembrandt Job This method of cheering someone up is incredibly on-brand for the crew.

I love that overhead shot in the graveyard: fantastic call-back to all the times they walked away from each other ... but this time, they refused to walk away.

"It's been 8 years since I've done this!" It's like riding a bike, Sophie; it'll come back to you.

I love (a lot) (a lot a lot) that stealing art didn't perk her up, but a rich asshole did.

"I'm just here for the art." Well that's true.

OK, this method for recruiting a new team member SURPASSES ALL MY EXPECTATIONS.

"Is that my watch?" XD

YES. FUCKING INTIMIDATE HIM ELIOT. Do that thing with your eyes that scares people.

OK, New Guy is winning me over with his calm acceptance of all the weird in-group bullshit of this crew.

Oh, Hardison's moved onto a second (third?) (?fourth?) career in art forgery. Excellent.

So .. a masterpiece in 4 hours as long as you already have the materials.

I am also REALLY delighted that Hardison (like me) has decided that his name is New Guy.

Grief processing via modern performance art. Very Sophie. Love it.

:O It's Lucille!

Eliot's little smile is adorbs. He's so pleased with his reputation. Like this whole thing about how this guy just wants to be famous and admired, and here's Eliot smirking when he's recognized.

Calling his shots. Beautiful and elegant.

Your ergonomics in this van are terrible, Hardison.

"They're wiring me the money right now." .... no they're not. That's not how art insurance works. Did you even watch the original series, Mr. Bad Guy?

<3 <3 <3 Parker's SO EXCITED. <3 <3 New Guy is like "That's impossible" and Parker's just like "ooh pick me pick me pick me"

OK, if New Guy's onboard with gloating, we can keep him.

I'm in love with this vision of redemption. Yes, please.

This is the second time the question of Hardison being Jewish has come up, and while I am so incredibly on-board with Nana running a multi-denominational household (or also with any of a large number of reasons Hardison might be familiar with Jewish tradition), I do kinda wish someone would mention somewhere that Black people can be Jewish. Jewish people can be Black. It is not inherently absurd to think that Hardison might, in fact, actually just be Jewish.

Also, this is no Nigerian Job, but it is also a pretty damn good masterclass in character introductions.