#you know my feelings on his thing with his dad in resolution its Bad.

[quietwingsinthesky]

like okay easy example. s11 is a weird season in that there's practically no references back to anything before it, no reoccuring villains, just the doctor and her tardis to keep the show doctor who. and that's fine, i like that actually, i think it was fun. but! it does mean that when resolution comes around and there's a dalek! that should be a big thing!!!

and i'm not gonna compare it against thee Dalek episode of all time because that would be cruel.

so im gonna compare it against an episode i don't even like to prove i'm not being biased here. power ranger dalek spectacular: victory of the daleks.

victory of the daleks is not a good episode, but it is a good episode for mining out moments about the doctors relationship to the daleks and how their ptsd shapes their interactions with even a seemingly friendly dalek. (<- guy who has. at least twice now. seen that daleks can change.) which is to say: he starts beating the fucking shit out of it when it won't react the way he wants it to. and in the end, fucking himself over by doing so, giving the dalek what it wants.

DOCTOR: You are my enemy! And I am yours. You are everything I despise. The worst thing in all creation. I've defeated you time and time again. I've defeated you. I sent you back into the Void. I saved the whole of reality from you. I am the Doctor. And you are the Daleks.

thirteen doesn't really have an equivalent moment with the dalek. not that im saying she needs to start hitting it with a hammer, that would be weird for her specifically, but it's all very. rote, i suppose. her interactions with it don't really create the sort of unease that characterize the doctor's interactions with daleks in nuwho. there's very little drawing out of her worst sides to face this thing.

she does have one moment, towards the end, that i'm insane about, specifically. but i don't think i was supposed to take it as seriously as i did. this one:

DOCTOR: No, it won't. No matter how many times you try, no matter how long you wait, I'll always be in your way, backed up by the best of humanity. Now, final, final, final warning, cos I'm nice. I really do try my best. Stop the signal, get off this planet. DALEK: You are not my commander. DOCTOR: I tried. You heard me, right? I tried! I gave it a chance. YASMIN: Yeah. RYAN: Yep. GRAHAM: You did.

because this entire exchange is framed as a comedy beat. funny, the doctor turning to her companions and wanting affirmation that her murdering something in cold blood is fine, actually, because she gave it a chance to surrender. that feels like it should be an huge moment for thirteen, who just last episode was threatening to throw graham off the tardis for wanting to kill the guy who killed his wife. it should be off-putting that the doctor not only is going to kill something but wants to be told that she's doing the right thing. but it isn't. we pass over it in a moment. the dalek goes in a supernova (do not get me started on ryan & his dad's thing, do not, i don't have time to talk about how badly that's handled) and we move on.

i'm not saying that thirteen needs to yell at things more. because it makes the moments she really snaps in the timeless child, when she loses her cool and shove the master onto the ground, all the more startling in how uncharacteristic that feels for her and yet, how right. but i'm saying. i don't know. i wish she was given more space to lean into her being the kind of person who genuinely thinks eternal imprisonment is a Good Option. who will kill something herself but wants reassurance that she was right.

(extra side note: but it often feels like the show both wants the benefits of doctor who's legacy of decades of television while also wanting to be detached from it. for as much as i like the timeless child twist, this is it's biggest weakness. it wants to recontextualize everything about the doctor's history and gallifreyan society. but it also burned gallifrey to the ground so that we don't have to reckon with how knowing this would change it. you see it a lot with the master, too. like we can all make conjecture about how you get from missy -> spymaster, and damn good conjecture too! the actual show is not interested in that history or how that's shaped him. again. again. i know i've said this before and thing that appeal only to me alert but! the doctor's not the only child experiment of gallifrey. the master was, too! but nary a mention of that in the whole episode, though you'd think that would color everything about how he perceived the knowledge of the timeless child. (and to be clear, i don't mean 'i think he should have been more sympathetic', if anything i think that you could use his history with gallifrey using and rejecting him to make an even better case than the show does for why he burned gallifrey to the ground.)

okay. i think i've put my finger on what i don't like about thirteen's era. not that i don't like thirteen's era as a whole, mind, i still greatly enjoy it. but the problem is, i think, that there sure is a lot happening! it's all extremely surface level, though!

[azenpal]

The answer to my maybe

– aaron hotchner x neighbor!female reader

summary | being in a new place is weird, but you make it harder for yourself by crushing on your neighbor

warnings | nothing really, just me trying to envision a pervert hotch, cliffhanger

word count | 2055

a/n | hi, i’m just going to drop this one here because i can’t find the inspiration for the smut part of this story<3

Living in a house alone isn’t as fun as the movies made you dream of. Although you enjoy your alone time and doing the things you promised yourself you’d do for years. Somehow, there was still that nudging feeling that something wasn’t in its right place, telling you there’s a factor missing in your life now. The cycle of waking up, going to your job, doing an activity, and picking up a hobby felt mundane when you end the night staring at your ceiling. And it turns out, there were only a few DIY projects in your home you could do until you feel fed up with it. So here you were, laying on your sofa on a Saturday, staring at your window, hoping inspiration hits you to do anything. 

But if you could be honest, the only reason the view looked good was that there’s a chance you’ll see a glimpse of your neighbor– Aaron Hotchner, no— Agent Aaron Hotchner. The neighbor who introduced himself as you were moving the boxes in your home. The guy that told you places to see and restaurants to try as soon as the second time you met him. The father of Jack Hotchner, an adorable bundle of joy dressed as a cute little boy. The man your friends refer to as the hot neighbor when you confess to them how you feel “hot” every time you see him, among the many other confessions you would do and are willing to do for that man.  

But over the weeks, you grew to have a soft spot for the Hotchners each time you saw them playing outside or walking back to their homes with their ice cream. So, of course, bringing them snacks and buying Jack toys that remind you of him became a habit of yours and is certainly not just an excuse to see his dad, although that is a bonus. Yet every time you see Mr. Hotchner, you start to feel that your liking of him is growing too strong. It became so bad that you actually tried not to initiate any conversation with the Hotchner, but Jack is just too damn cute to ignore, and your resolution easily crumbled after two days. Failing to control your feelings and thoughts for Aaron, your mundane days were over but filled with nights imagining how it would feel to be in his arms. 

So, aside from your normal routine, nothing has changed, and you still have a lot of free time. But instead of finding a new hobby or trying to be productive, most of your days are now spent thinking about what you could do to stop your never-ending fantasies with Aaron. Maybe you just have to get out and spend money. Or maybe a shopping haul? Or maybe your period is just nearing, and you’re just horny at a different kind of level. Or maybe you just really need to get laid. Or maybe you need some romance in your life?  

Or maybe, just maybe, you were starting to want the feeling of a thrill? The idea of being careless, having the ability to just do without thinking of the consequences of your actions, or simply, your coworkers’ idea of having fun every time they have a drink. But a one-night stand is just a no-no; you know that you don’t trust people that way and the paranoia that you’ll get murdered if you’re alone with a stranger is just too strong for you to sleep with a stranger. 

But now that you’re thinking about it and you’re hearing your thoughts, maybe you’re just being dramatic about your life.

Then again, your friends have told you to go out more and “explore.” Meet new people and enjoy the different possibilities life has to offer aside from your usual safe and plain routine. So, heeding your friend’s advice, who may either start an adventure or a murder, the temporary answer to your maybes is meeting their friend, whom they all talk kindly of. The truth is, you will never do this on your own. The reason being a mix of anxiety, fear, insecurity, and your strong imagination of how your date would and could dump you on the spot in a hundred ways made you stop your finger every time you want to try a dating application. But knowing that the people you trust know the guy eases your negative emotions. However, while you’re thankful to them for being supportive, a part of you still regrets using the words “bored to death” and “looking for a thrill” when you opened up to them; after all, a delusional part of you wants to be on a date with your neighbor. 

And after weeks of talking with Jake and a side of asking your friends about what to do and if what you’re doing is correct, you actually had the courage to meet him. But behold, now that the meeting place is set and the time is also scheduled, you did not think of the possibility that you will rack your brains configuring countless combinations of your clothes. You want to appear like you put in the effort to look presentable but not overwhelming because maybe he could be someone special and think that your clothes were too much. But all you know is whether he likes you or rejects you, you want to look and feel good tonight and not think of Aaron Hothcner.  

With your bed filled with pants, shirts, skirts, your favorite underwear, and the dress you felt confident in, you step back, trying to think which combination will make you feel good tonight. There’s only a small chance that this date will solve your problems, but you want to try your best; after all, it’s better not to have regrets. So, holding onto your two favorite underwear while still in your towel, you try to imagine which would be better to boost yourself up. 

But then again, the point of this date was for you to feel something new, so maybe wearing the usual wouldn’t be the right way to start- and also in hopes of getting some, as your friends have said. So, looking at the further edge of the bed, you grabbed the caramel nude and periwinkle underwear you have and contemplated between the two. Periwinkle would look good on you, but maybe it’s too much for a first date? Not that you want to impress him with your underwear. But caramel nude feels the safest right now, not too far off your comfort zone, but still different. 

Choosing the caramel nude underwear made you feel as if you’ve taken a big step in getting ready, even if you haven’t chosen what to wear. Although realistically thinking, it would take you hours to decide what to wear, so opting to do your usual make-up, you sent a picture of all the clothes in your bed to your friends for their choice. 

While waiting for your friend’s reply and starting on your make-up, you glimpse the dress you’ve only worn once for a specific purpose-- to deliver cookies to Aaron Hocthner’s door. Stupid? Yes. But do you regret buying it? No. You couldn’t say you regretted buying that dress because he complimented you for wearing it. And it’s not just that he said you looked pretty in it, but the fact that he noticed it was the first time you wore it made you feel hot. You could just combust on the spot. But of course, you didn’t admit it was new when he asked if it was, making a lie that you didn’t realize you still have that dress. 

That day also made you think that, just maybe, you had a chance with him. See, you remember what he wore the first day you saw him. He was wearing a Rangoon green polo; well, it was a well-fitted polo. You’re still unsure about the color, given that you just obsessed about it and searched for hours in the hues and shades of green that day. He also had sunglasses on, but you didn’t get a good look at them because the moment he saw you walking on your pavement, he quickly got rid of it and approached you while smiling. 

And as you see yourself smiling like a fool while remembering that day, you realize maybe that day sealed your fate already. But the buzzing of your phone cut your thoughts as your friends all voted for you to wear a dress. Making you remember the goal of tonight’s plan, stop thinking about Aaron Hotchner. 

Your date is a hot man. If you were in the mood for sex, you might jump his bones to end your dry spell. This is not a denial of the fact that you were in the mood for sex because, technically, you are, just not with the man in front of you. And maybe one more reply of saying what and I’m sorry I didn’t hear that, and your hot date would also know that your mind is floating to someone. Floating to someone serious-looking, big, hot, FBI, and most definitely your neighbor.

At this point, you have given up trying not to think about Aaron. Maybe when the date ends, you could say sorry to your friends and then thank them for doing this for you. You could also ask them to help you make a move on Aaron because, apparently, he’s in your head no matter what distraction you put yourself with. When you entered the place, you tried to imagine what restaurant Aaron would choose. Does he prefer a casual dinner? Would you be riding in his car while talking about your day to each other? Does he like the food you love? Would he wear a suit? Does he talk about his friends or work when on a date? Would he tell Jack about your date? Does he end a date by dropping you home and kissing you goodnight? Or maybe he would invite himself in and stay with you for the night?  

As the minute passes, you answer all your questions by imagining different scenarios of how your date would go. So, with a smile, kiss on the cheek, and goodbye, you entered your home to do the same repetitive way you end your night. But as you take your clothes off, you realize that somehow, what was first to be an evening you looked forward to turned out to be a night you just wanted to end. Wearing only your underwear, you flopped your body in your bed and exhaled loudly. You could not stop thinking of him at all. And no denial method of yours could get you to stop imagining a date with him. So maybe it would be better to just be honest with your feelings? Maybe you could ask your friends for advice. 

Picking up the phone, ready to tell them everything, you got a message from the man you were trying to avoid by all means.

Aaron Hotchner.

Prepare? What does he mean by that? Does he-

About to reply to Aaron that he sent you the wrong message, you look to your right and realize that the window is wide open. The window where you first saw how hot your neighbor is is freaking open. Rushing to close it, you checked if he was still there. How long has he seen you walking around in your room in a towel? 

Did he see you twirling and posing earlier while holding your underwear? 

Did he see everything? 

Mouth opening and mind flooding with questions, you realize what the hell just happened. 

The hot neighbor you’ve been crushing on has seen you posing in front of the mirror while holding your underwear and checking yourself out.

He saw you.

In your underwear.

And if this isn’t the most embarrassing night of your life, maybe finding a new place is the right answer to all your maybe’s. 

Endnote | now that i have dropped this, i will now contemplate how the hell i’m going to continue this but anywhore tysm for reading this!

Masterlist link

[on-leatheredwings]

i've found your account only a few days ago but ever since then I've been STUCK here rereading your fanfics, especially ones with damian. i wasn't even a dc fan (heard about some stuf, watched some films and cartoons, but that's it) but now im reading comics since im Obsessed and need more batboys in my life (rip my productivity😔)

Anyway, after Sleepover i'm curious what will Bruce (and maybe even Thalia) think of batboys strange behaviour towards reader. He's smart, so he definitely notices it early on, but how he'll react....

I can see him being weirded out (like he was by Jason's anger issues, before his death), but he also can be an enabler, since Robin (literaly any of them) had a hard life, so if those relationships can help him why not pretend that everything is normal? you'll be safer in a Wayne's Manor anyway

All in all, thanks for a new hyperfixation 💞💞

P.s. About games:

1. Boyfriend to death 1&2 - since you're into yanderes you might want to check this game out. I prefer the second game, but the first is also fun. But beware the trigger warnings!!

2. Long live the Queen - more of a raising sim than dating sim but you still can romance some guys and girls.

,3. Hatoful Boyfriend - mostly a comedy, but there is a yandere.

4. The Royal Trap - it's been a long time since i played it, but it used to be one of my favorites so i'll just mention it.

5. Higurashi - once again not really a romance sim, but its an interesting horror mixed with a slice of life

;A; AWWWW THANK YOU IM SO HAPPY YOU LIKE MY STUFF.... THAT MAKES ONE OF US GIJSDOFAFGHFOJDSD

and yes yes get into DC!!! (girl who hasnt even read a full run since like. injustice)

damn now you got me thinking and excited. incoming spiel

i agree entirely about bruce just knowing how Bad things can get, so to make things simpler, he's like "yes, your darling(s) can stay in the manor, boys. 🙄"

mmm yes..... when it comes to bruce noticing the batboys are yandere, i think it's always sinfully delightful to just have him be reluctantly okay with it. 😈 it's also easier narratively ngl but i also like the idea that the batfam is all just corrupted.

bruce's thoughts are that they (his sons) fight for vengeance and justice but this is where they could use some leeway.... we all need our vice... they fight so hard for gotham, they deserve a little treat (getting rid of your human rights)... it's very "Dad who wants his sons to have happiness even if its not healthy" of him. in fics where bruce is a yandere, well, he's the exact same way so he can't judge. although if that's the case, i like the idea of bruce just being like "yes what we do isn't right. let's not talk about it. just don't kill <3"

still wondering what i like more. a yan!bruce who's self aware what he's doing is wrong but he just refuses to think about it. or a yan!bruce that justifies it all because of his paranoia, Tower of Babel style (if you don't know, that's when it's revealed batman has plans to subdue/kill the justice league just in case they go rogue.)

for the batboys depends on their personality... for damian, he's so resolute in things that i prefer when he just believes 100% what he's doing is okay, if not actually righteous. ^_^

hmmm talia.... I'M STILL UNSURE HOW I PREFER THAT AS WELL... i think talia being a you-arent-good-enough-for-my-son mom is a little cliche but also. she kinda would say that. you'd have to prove your worth somehow but idk how tf darling would do that LOL. in the end, i think talia is just relieved/comforted that her son indeed feels desire and wants love and will continue the family legacy (regardless if youre afab/can biologically have children.)

no THANK YOU FOR THE ASK!!! AND THANKS FOR RECS!!!! heheh yeah ive checked out btd and im not averse to the warnings its more like im not that most of into the designs ngl. fox guy seems cute? AND LMAO FUNNY BC IM ON A HIGURASHI REWATCH (never played it tho)

[chiisana-sukima]

@aliasl OP's post chain is getting very long and I don't want to clog it up further, but I am actually interested in talking about this further with you if you want, so I've moved to a new post. I thought you were being condescending to OP on a post he made where his point was correct, so I was being condescending in turn. But from your response here it sounds like maybe that wasn't your intent? Which, if that's so, I misread your tone, I apologize, and if you're interested, I'd like to have a do over.

Because, okay, I'm just gonna come out and say it: I hate r*pe. It is a trigger for me in media. If I feel like a piece of media is depicting sexual assault in a disrespectful or careless way - using it as shock value, not having more to say than "wow, that's bad" - I can't stand it, and I block that shit for my mental health. If you honestly think possession is THE metaphor for sexual assault, with the frequency it appears in Supernatural, I'd be appalled.

I think you should be appalled. I think contempt is an appropriate response. I was throwing shade, because I think the writers deserve it.

I do also firmly believe it's possible to be a huge fan of spn while also being appalled at certain aspects of it, and I can respect that if sexual assault is something that's triggering for you, it's perfectly reasonable to avoid that reading for yourself. It is still there though and many of the instances of sexual assault metaphor are central to the text, whether the authors intended it or not. And while I too have read Barthes, and I understand his work was revolutionary for its time, I don't think DotA is adequate to the task of dealing with a text that frequently compares something to rape and then moves right along and ignores the fact that it just did so. I think the authors' motivations, cultural context and intent are worth examining in this kind of case. (I do also understand that Barthes wasn't saying you couldn't examine those things, just that the stated intent of the author wasn't authoritative. Which I agree with. I don't think he was wrong, just that other schools of literary theory are more useful here because it does matter why tptb felt that was a reasonable thing to do).

please show your math

In reference to the family violence reading of spn, it's daunting to show my math because my math is the whole show. It starts in the cold open of 1x01, where we're shown a cozy scene of the suburban dream of family and then dad falls asleep in his marine corp T-shirt watching a war movie, and a demon--played, in this scene, by the same actor as the dad--stands over a baby's crib, drips his body fluid into the baby's mouth, corrupting him forever, and burns the mother and the cozy suburban home to ashes because (we later learn) she sold the baby to him in exchange for her husband. Then the baby's now adult brother breaks into the now adult child's apartment, they have a physical altercation and go off on a case together involving a woman who murdered her two children and killed herself because her husband was unfaithful. The resolution is her ghost is dragged off to hell by the ghosts of her dead children. Then they go back to Stanford and Sam's girlfriend and apartment are burned to ashes by a demon who is later insinuated to be Sam's lover in order to facilitate the plot to have Sam and Lucifer kill their respective brothers in a bizarre prophecy apparently ordained by Lucifer and Michael's father. This is war = family = hunting = ghosts = violence all the way down.

And my math ends in the finale with Sam and Dean shown living a happy domestic life until they go off on a hunt, where Dean is killed while saving two children from a monster they and their father had previously tried to kill but failed. He dies telling Sam he's proud of him for standing up to their father and, for the first time on screen, saying he loves Sam. What issue exactly is he proud that Sam always stood up to John about? Dean doesn't say but we know where the show started: Sam didn't want to be a hunter and their father disowned him for disobedience.

In the middle are too many examples to count. Sam, Dean, Cas, Bobby, Jack, and literally all the angels grew up in abusive families. The entire plots of s4-5, s9-11, and in large part s13-15 turn explicitly on family violence. Amara's brother kills her. Jo is Sam and Dean's found little sister and their father got her father killed. Cas somehow ends up Claire's surrogate found father even though he got her real father killed. Rowena abandoned Crowley as a child. Max turned Alicia into a twig doll over whom he has absolute power. Charlie died as a result of Sam and Dean's family conflict. God himself is the abusive father/monster who Sam, Dean and Jack finally escape the cycle of violence by depowering and not killing. I have never seen any other reading that accounts for the whole of spn anywhere near as well as the family violence reading does. If you have one, I encourage you to offer it to me.

So let's talk about angels. You seem upset that I left them out

I was, yes. I'm going to go under a cut for this one since you said this topic is triggering for you. I know there's limited utility in telling you I don't expect you to read it if you don't want to, because I'm unfortunately well aware of how hard it is to not approach triggering topics once they're broached. I just wanted to say here before the cut that I honestly didn't intend to trigger you, I empathize with how much getting triggered sucks (I've had ptsd for ~50 years), and I wish only health and happiness for you in whatever struggle you are going through in relation to this topic. If you do want to still engage in general but step away from this specific aspect, that's truly fine with me (not that you need a stranger on the internet's permission, obviously).

If you go back and rewatch the series from the beginning, demonic/ghost possession was not sexualized (except in a singular joke Dean cracks at Sam after he was possessed by Meg; a joke Dean feels comfortable making because Sam was NOT sexually assaulted

I swear I am offering this not as confrontation, but gently: the above is not the case. There are two suggestive jokes about possession in that episode alone, and Sam was sexually assaulted by Meg, as was Jo. The scene where Meg!Sam comes onto Jo and then traps Jo when she asks Meg!Sam to leave and bangs Jo's head against the bar is a sexual assault of both Sam and Jo simultaneously.

In Sin City, Ruby tells Sam that demons leave their hosts "rode hard and put up wet". And in s4, Sera Gamble had Ruby inhabit a brain dead vessel precisely because she was too uncomfortable with what would otherwise imply Sam's rape of Ruby's vessel. In Repo Man, the A plot turns on a host who "wanted it" and became romantically attracted to the demon possessing him, while the B plot is about Sam reluctantly asking Hallucifer for help and then being told by Hallucifer that he wanted it too. In Devil May Care, Dean and Abaddon have a whole scene in which they both discuss her threatened possession of him in sexual terms while she forces him to kneel in front of her suggestively. In Road Trip Crowley says he'll leave Sam as soon as he delivers his message because he's "not one for sloppy seconds" and in First Born he says he and Dean are "practically family" because Crowley has "been inside your brother". And these are just the examples I can think of off the top of my head. I'm positive there are others as well.

And yes, I was angry about the exclusion of angels because none of the above are even the most horrifying examples of the text overlapping possession and rape. Those are all about angels.

Here is where I think Barthes fails us in this particular discussion. I actually agree with you that tptb were at the very least pretending that they didn't make this comparison over and over. It's possible they didn't realize they were doing it. And certainly they thought they were indeed talking about "bigger" issues. That's clear from the text.

In s4-5 for example, I have no disagreement with you that their intended reading had to do with free will versus outside manipulation by greater powers. But "free will vs outside manipulation" is not actually a bigger issue than rape. It's just more abstract.

Obviously, abstractions are important, and the ability to move between levels of abstraction is an important skill. But it is not imo in our best interests as human persons to hold a framework in our minds in which an abstraction like free will is more worthy of art, of in depth analysis, of being taken seriously, than a ubiquitous concrete harm like sexual assault. This is especially true for those of us who are rape survivors (I am one, and since you said it was triggering, I'm now assuming either you or someone you know well is probably another), but I would argue it's true for everyone. Nothing trumps the concrete. We are at its mercy. Cartesian dualism is a lie.

I think some of tptb were perhaps going for some shock value but were also taking their metaphor seriously. Edlund, Gamble, Charmelo & Snyder, Glynn, and Jared were among these. Some of the rest though, I think should be ashamed of themselves. The person who wrote this exchange (Adam Glass)

needs--and I mean this in the most academic and analytic way possible--to go fuck himself. There's really nothing more that needs to be said about that dialogue in the way of analysis. Go fuck yourself, Adam Glass is sufficient.

[crystalelemental]

Full tier list is here, breaking down the F-tier. Time to expose my Hater Tendencies.

Red Realistically, Red is not inherently awful, my hate is a byproduct of the franchise itself constantly pushing him as the biggest most importantest trainer ever to live, and I despise that. He exudes nothing to me. I think his challenge in GSC also sucks, the remakes actually made it way worse, and Let's Go's conditions are so annoying I refused to even entertain the idea. I have no respect for him, and think the general fanon perception of selective mutism is giving credit where it's not due. He's just supposed to be strong and silent warrior man archetype, which is boring as sin, and people are out here making him actually interesting. Stop it. I'm trying to be a hater.

Brendan "Your dad's a gym leader so I thought you'd be a guy." "Unlike you, your dad seems tough." Brendan is a piece of shit masquerading as your first "nice" rival and I never got over the bad vibes. Fuck this dude.

Flint He looks stupid, and is in love with Volkner. Atrocious taste.

Thorton He's just kind of a dweeb, and then Masters had a really early event where he's supremely rude to Hilda for literally no reason. His vibes are rancid.

Flannery Every tier has one I look at and go "I am being a little unfair, but I must be true to my feelings." Flannery is that pick. I cannot stand Flannery for entirely unfair reasons, but nothing gets me past it. I'm sorry, it's an ongoing hangup, but I cannot get over how much I hate when they make a female character whose thing is being shy or self conscious, and put her in a revealing outfit. Like come on. I know what this is and I'm mad about it. Consider her my entry point onto some guys being just really skeevy about female character designs.

Volkner "Oh, I'm so bored of battling because no one is a challenge to me, guy who isn't even on the Elite Four." Get over yourself, loser.

Klara/Avery I'm lumping them together. I hate them both equally. Galar is already fighting an uphill battle with its atrocious aesthetic, and these two being petty losers is doing nothing to help their case.

Sordward/Shielbert I mean...do I really need to explain? His head is a penis. Literal dickhead. Worst post-game segment of the series.

Ball Guy Originally omitted, decided to include just to shit on garbage reddit meme culture. Masters, you fucked up putting this thing in here.

Mohn/AZ Okay, these two are the actual, beyond all else, bottom of the barrel losers. Why? Because they are the only inclusions that I think actively harm their games. In the case of Mohn, the only emotional center Gen 7 has is the Aether Fam, and the husband/father is literally just hanging out on an island. We know where he is. He's the bean man. And this angst gets absolutely annihilated over the fact that he's literally just right the fuck here. USUM even has him interact, only to shut down a real resolution with him. Like great Lusamine, glad you've decided to move on, that is a choice, but like. We're all really going to pretend like this wasn't the entire core of the issue and just let it all go in a half-cooked scene? I wish he never showed up.

AZ is much the same. His presence as an eternal entity wandering the earth bothers me, because honestly bro, it's been 3000 years. Do you know how quickly people change who they are? I'll give you a hint, it's fewer years than that. And at no point was there any real attempt to like. Reflect or undo his previous actions? Like you could've dealt with the machine since you knew where it was, man. You could've done literally anything. And his resolution is supposed to be one (1) battle with you where he suddenly feels like he can just let go of the weight of his sins of creating a doomsday weapon that runs on Pokemon life and committing a genocide with it. Hooray. Glad we wrapped that up. He should've just been a cautionary tale that existed in history, not a literal guy who continues to be here. I hate him so much.

[its-no-biggie]

okay so i just finished my first rewatch of soul eater and. sometime after the first time i watched it i heard that the ending was disappointing bc it was different from the manga ending. so i was watching the ending more critically this time and thinking about what it might be lacking so. i wanna talk about it. keep in mind that i havent read the manga, i have no idea what the manga ending is, i dont even know if the manga ending is actually better than the anime ending. im just speculating on what a better ending might look like based on whats in the anime. spoilers ahead!

first of all. extremely odd that black star didnt have a big moment in the kishin fight. kid gets a HUGE power up (which has its own problems- namely it comes out of nowhere, goes largely unexplained, and generally feels a bit rushed) but black star gets NOTHING. kid passes out, black star realizes the kishin is still standing and has a one-liner about surpassing god (classic) and then it cuts to maka and soul. but once maka and soul wake up black star is just already knocked out on the ground. so he got his ass kicked.... off screen???? i know he kinda had his big character moment during the mifune fight, but kid actually had a very similar big character moment, when fetching the final magic tool for his dad, and the kishin fight was an extension of that! kids big conflict was doubting what his dad was up to, and that gets resolved when he finally gets answers. but the kishin fight is a demonstration of that growth - he regrets doubting his dad and wants to live up to his family name by defeating the kishin, so he goes all out. while the arc is technically already complete, this ending scene really ties it up nicely. and it feels like black star should be the same! he makes his definitive declaration about carving his own path, he masters the demon sword, and he defeats mifune, but he doesnt really realize any of that potential the way kid does? he barely even uses the demon sword after apparently mastering it, aside from landing the final blow against mifune. it feels like it should manifest in a big powerup in the final fight, as a demonstration of growth, the same way it did for kid, so i strongly suspect there was originally something there and they cut it for time. maybe they beefed up the mifune fight to make up for it? i really dont know. but either way, having him get defeated off screen during the climax feels like an odd choice.

another thing is maka turning out to be a weapon. i dont think its a bad choice, per se, but the way its implemented just doesnt work very well? it kinda just comes out of nowhere and nothing comes of it. i think it was meant to be a fakeout, but there was already the fakeout with the anti magic wavelength and the way maka just shuts her fear out by going unconscious feels directly contrary to the message of the show. which could be used to reinforce the message, and i suppose having it not work against the kishin does that to a certain extent, but idk it just feels underdeveloped. personally, i would completely remove this bit, but it does have potential! i mean, her dad is a weapon. its not like there isnt a precedent for it. i just wish they explored it more or tied it into the narrative properly

now. in terms of the actual resolution. i think the message itself fits with the rest of the show - it has been well established that makas strength lies in fighting through her fear, and having her face off against someone who is controlled by fear and needs to eliminate everything he fears in order to feel strong is a very strong narrative choice! the bravery vs madness bit is very solid in my opinion. and i like the fakeout with the anti magic wavelength - the concept that madness isnt actually magical, or even evil, is really really cool! especially if you explore the implications of the madness wavelengths or the madness amplifier - something something the kishin being released causes fear and chaos to spread and thats what the madness wavelength represents. however, at this point im doing a lot of the shows work for it. none of this is foreshadowed, or even explored at all until the very end of the show, and it isnt well developed at all. the fakeout itself has potential, but there should be like a full episode of content after that, exploring the actual nature of the kishin and madness and bravery and their opposing relationships to fear. theres some really really good stuff here but none of it is explained well enough to be effective, and as a result the ending feels rushed and the win doesnt feel deserved.

one last thing. i think it was a poor choice for maka to defeat the kishin singlehandedly. i think about the line lord death has about asura, about how back in the day they all wanted to help asura with his anxiety and help give him courage but he couldnt trust them and betrayed his own partner and was consumed by madness etc etc. and asura also kills arachne specifically because he has affection for her and that uncertainty stresses him out. so i think theres a really strong message about, like, the power of friendship here. and yes this is shown by all the people on the sidelines watching maka and believing in her but idk. i think the message would be stronger if she had to rely on them even in the final battle. fighting through the fear is easier when you have a little faith in your friends. that kinda thing. yknow? like maka can still be the key to victory but if her strength is in teamwork and bravery and having the will to keep fighting even when shes scared then like. have her lead her team to victory! have her inspire them to keep fighting! she can land the final blow but emphasize that she couldnt have done it alone by having her NOT do it alone. do you feel me

anyway. i dont hate the ending or anything, i think its pretty good! but i do think its one of the weakest points of the show, so i dont doubt that the manga ending is better. guess now i have to actually read the manga and find out lmao

[good-morning-tucson]

LITTLE BABY THING A WEEK 2 REVIEW

flickr - i think this song is super silly. it sounds very somber and serious but its just images. thank you mr. coulton.

resolutions - everything about this song fills me with dread. just completely unavoidable stress. the fear of a new year combined with the slowed background and robotic voice does something to my head. and the counting. its like. oughhh. i can’t properly describe this songs effects on my psyche but know it Has Them.

you could be her - THIS SONG IS SO FUCKING REAL. i can feel everything the song sets up the main character to feel. all of the awful monotony and stuff. this song just reminds me of winter in the most evil way. somewhere theres a hell that was meant for me and i think ive found it #justgirlythings

i will - the only correct way to listen to the beatles

dance, soterios johnson, dance - he didnt have to go THIS hard. this one also makes me think of my foul best friend/gay lover aspen. i could fuck this song UP at karaoke. literally the most song ever. a never ever skip for me no matter the circumstances

so far so good - this is one of what i call “songs i want to listen to while slowly drifting out to the sea, drink in hand.” fills me with joy and hope but at the same time the deepest, saddest pit you’ve ever felt

curl - i think curl goes crazy despite being full red white and blue blooded american and having no interest in curling or canadians. i love it more when its live with paul and storm

chiron beta prime - my (tied) favorite joco song EVER. my first favorite joco song. chiron beta prime is very straightforward and has little room for interpretation to me but sometimes you NEED a good goofy lil sci fi song. the best. concert. ever. version with joco’s muppet laugh and andy bates is the best thing imaginable its joyous

take care of me - this song makes me really upset. he writes songs so real sometimes. he played that accordion solo for real himself i think

a talk with george - this song absolutely grew on me after hearing it live. made me really really really fucking emotional. the way he introduced it too was. ouuuughh the white man and his emotion provoking tunes. it makes my heart hurt

don’t talk to strangers - i don’t listen to this song enough. thank you dad joco

stroller town - i don’t think this song is real. i think i hallucinated this song entirely. i mean it’s not bad. his voice makes my brain go weird

re: your brains: i have the re: your brains shirt. anyway my best friend/divorced gay lover aspen have had many a conversation about the homosexual legitimacy of crazy dave and dr. zomboss from plants vs. zombies because of this song

thing a week 2 might be my favorite thing a week? i haven’t heard the others in a while so i’ll get back to you. but it does go INSANE. it’s got a ton of just amazing songs and some like. pretty good to okay songs. overall i love thing a week 2 so sweetly

[screametc]

avatar: the way of water initial thoughts & first impressions (as a longtime fan!)

so i saw the advanced screening of avatar: the way of water (shortening to twow for the rest of this post) tonight, and i want to get my initial thoughts out while my brain is still reaping the benefits of this redbull.

this is mostly for personal reference, but feel free to interact w/ this post as much as you like! i'd love to know how other people felt about the film, whether you dis/agree with me, why/why not, etc. this seems obvious and will be tagged, but spoilers ahead!

(just some of) what i liked:

the worldbuilding and the expansion of the pandoran lore/universe was stunning, in particular the culture of the metkayina. i felt that twow did so much justice to the original film in this regard, at least as much as was possible within the framework of the narrative.

in avatar 2009 we obviously had human!jake as a vehicle for learning more about the na'vi and pandora, whereas by now he's fully assimilated into omatikaya society; by having the sully family seek refuge with the metkayina, they were able to fill his previous role collectively, centering the metkayina and showcasing another gorgeous, detailed, rich na'vi culture (which i think bodes well for the future of the franchise, as there's so much untapped potential still on pandora!)

speaking of pandora, how can i not mention the visuals? they were obviously top tier, especially the underwater scenes. the trailers are truly only a taste, and those were already so beautiful

the motion capture was smooth, fight scenes were fun and well choreographed (insofar as choreography is relevant for these kinds of action sequences) - and, take it from a star wars fan, fight choreography is important

the number of callbacks to avatar 2009 made me personally very happy! obviously, references and callbacks do not make or break a film, but they're still fun and very much appreciated. a little gift for OG fans!

all the new characters, but especially the sully children

what i didn't like:

this might be a me-thing, but the scope of twow felt so much smaller than avatar 2009. the finale in 2009 is a battle for all na'vi kind, a battle for pandora, a battle for freedom. the climax of twow is the semi-resolution to something that has, over the course of the film, already happened three times (the sully kids being taken hostage by quaritch).

following on from 1, i think this has to do with a change in theme. it's subtle, considering that twow makes plenty of references to environmental concerns and is in some ways even more explicit in these than its predecessor (instead of mining pandora for resources, the humans are now actively seeking to colonise it as a replacement home), but it's clear that the story has gone from being about freedom generally, to a family legacy narrative - the sully family legacy. this isn't inherently a bad thing, and it might play well to some audiences who feel the stakes are intensified by that more personal/familial angle, but it didn't jive with me.

unanswered questions! are these humans still the RDA, or is this a specific government? their goal is to colonise and settle rather than to mine for resources, which indicates something more than a profit motive and has me leaning towards government (the RDA was an NGO), but it's never explicitly stated (there might have been visual clues that answer this, such a logos, which i'll keep an eye out for in my next viewing). who is kiri's father? (please, for the love of eywa, please let her not be an immaculate conception. i can't handle another anakin)

lack of character arcs for some of the main cast. i can forgive this if these issues are rectified in future installments, but as it stands, there were just so many new characters, it's hard to even give all of them dialogue, let alone meaningful development and fully realised arcs. jake re-learned the lessons he learned in 2009 (he doesn't want to fight for his people/would rather run and hide instead because he's a dad now and family comes first, i guess, but then he learns that he can do both - better later than never?)

to expand on this: kiri has some kind of super connection to eywa, neteyam... dies, which i suppose can loosely be considered an arc, and lo'ak is exactly as impulsive and hot-headed as he was at the beginning of twow (which i actually loved - he's such a perfect reflection of his father, while neteyam takes after their mother), but this time (the climax) it pays off, which is less of an arc and more of a plot necessity.

lack of dialogue for neytiri. i understand it's no longer just her and jake's story, but she felt almost... sidelined in favour of her children, and that was such a shame as she truly carried 2009.

i want to stress that these are my own personal opinions. they're totally subjective, and also subject to change upon future rewatches. the aspects of this movie i had the most critiques about might be some of the parts you like the best!

in fact, i'd love to know if that's how you feel. i'd just love to talk avatar! it feels so special that after 13 years of waiting we finally have this sequel, and i know i'm going to be thinking about it for a long, long time! these are early days yet and i'm sure there's much discussion to come

[nyamadermont]

Year in review (eventually)

Thanks go out to @itsmoonpeaches for suggesting I give this a shot.

1. Number of stories posted to Ao3: 14, total, all LOK-based.

2. Word count in 2022: 96,206

3. Fandoms I wrote for: Avatar: The Legend of Korra

4. Pairings: Lin Beifong/Kya II (3); Lin Beifong/Reader (1); Lin Beifong/Pema/Tenzin (9); Other (1 - shorts with various pairs, if any)

5. Stories with the most:

Kudos: Lin’s Interview, part 4 of Give Us Your Hand (Pemlinzin)

Bookmarks: Two Pairs of Eyes, (Kyalin)

Comment threads:  Elemental Changes, Lin Beifong-centric multi-chapter

Word count: Elemental Changes 

6. Work I’m most proud of (and why):  I’m sure it’s cheating, but I have 3 answers. 

1: Elemental Changes: This started with an image in my mind, and I wrote the whole thing before I published any of it. And the art I commissioned from @slowdissolve kickstarted a whole new experience for us both.

2: The In-Between Years: I managed to take all 30 prompts from Angstpril 2022 and string them into a mostly coherent story, writing no more than 1000 words at a time. Not every day is a gem, but I am happy with the progress of the story from high angst to an amicable resolution.

3. Give Us Your Hand: What started as a 507-word @flashfictionfridayofficial prompt blossomed into a 46K-word, 9-part series (so far).

7.   Work I’m least proud of (and why): This is ‘least’ proud in a set of stories I’m really pretty happy with. I’m going to throw Now Is Not the Time under the bus, because in retrospect, it’s kind of a rewrite of I’m Sorry I Need You.

8.   Share or describe a favorite review you received: This isn’t quite what the question asks, but having @slowdissolve say she would have done my commission for free was right up there in the highlight reel. And those three little hearts from @mjsharizai are always an absolute treat.

9.   A time when writing was really, really hard: I’m still very new on the writing wagon, having just started writing for a hobby in early 2021. Thankfully, I’m old enough that when it’s hard, I just set it aside and come back when the ideas are ready.

10. A scene or character you wrote that surprised you: I just can’t answer the questions the right way tonight. Here, I’m going with the whole Pemlinzin ship. How little goody-goody two-shoes me wound up writing polyamory is something I should think through at some point in my life.

11. A favorite excerpt of your writing:  

This feels very odd to describe as a favorite. It engendered my first negative review which was so mean-spirited that it was, in its own way, the fire that helped me write the next seven entries in the series. From Mistakes (Give Us Your Hand, part 2):

[Tenzin] sighed. “About a week before he died, she came to visit. She was being Toph, trying to pretend it wasn’t that bad, that he wasn’t dying. Mom left them alone to talk and went to lay down for a little while.”

He shivered. “I wasn’t with them. I just heard Mom shouting. When I got to Dad’s room, Mom was healing him, and Toph was crying. She had punched him like always. But this time, her punch knocked him into the wall and he hit his head. It wasn’t terrible, Mom got him comfortable, but Toph didn’t come back after that. I know she and Mom saw each other at the memorial, and I know they basically made up. But then I hurt you.”

He squeezed Lin closer.

“They were best friends for over forty years. But one argument broke their relationship.”

12. How did you grow as a writer this year: This is a question I think will be easier to answer in retrospect. I was able to complete a couple of larger projects, even after I got so far into them that I kinda didn’t know what to do. I’m just so new at this I mostly can only see my weaknesses.

13. How do you hope to grow next year: Differentiating speaking styles and speech patterns between characters is a sore spot for me re-reading my own writing. I also know I’m not great at describing the interiority of characters. And starting fewer sentences with ‘and,’ ‘so,’ or an adverbial phrase {not an English major, I forget what the technical term is}.

14. Who was your greatest positive influence this year as a writer (could be another writer or beta or cheerleader or muse etc etc):

I think that should be obvious by now. I owe @slowdissolvee a lot of credit.

15. Anything from your real life show up in your writing this year: 

I’ve been married for 25 years and have 2 kids. There’s a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and memory in what I write.

16. Any new wisdom you can share with other writers: 

Be where you are. Sure, your readers are interested in seeing your updates, but your life comes first. #YourAudienceAwaits - and the patient ones are worth listening to. 

I’m going to offer a slightly different perspective than @itsmoonpeachessmoonpeaches, who was so kind as to suggest I take on this exercise. All while not disagreeing with her here:

Don’t be afraid to break out of your comfort zone. You will never grow as a writer if you continue to write the same things over and over again. If you have an idea for something very different, go for it! It takes a lot of effort and time to do something you don’t normally do, but you will end up being better after it.

I know I’ve already written the same story at least twice (see above), but it served me to write both of those stories. I clearly had some thinking to do on the topic.

17. Any projects you’re looking forward to starting (or finishing) in the new year: I cannot put into words how much fun I’m having on Red Jade. Between working with Slowdissolve and getting to read the other Linzolt writers’ stories, I have been grinning for months.

18. Tag some writers whose answers you’d like to read:

All in fun, friends. If it’s not fun, leave it be: @slowdissolve @orangepanic @master-sass-blast @pamplemousseparadox @superliz6 @chaoticnerdsstuff @wishingforatypewriter

And anyone else who wants to!

[belabellissima]

F, M and V for the fic ask game!

F: Care to share a favorite hurt/comfort fic?

I've waxed poetic about this fic before (And the author bc all their works are amazing) but Of Death and Resurrection by TheTeaQueen/ @kale-theteaqueen is a go-to reread for me. The beats are timed perfectly, the angst is there the whole time, and the resolution is so so sweet☺️😌 I'm a sucker for Rhys and Nesta figuring their shit out and bonding too and they never disappoint in any fic. The Whole Truth is also amazing for the Rhysta bonding, and I'm so looking forward to it in Lady Death and Her Kingdom after the most recent chapter, especially knowing Nesta has seen/will be seeing his mom, sister, and dad.

M: Got any premises on the back burner that you’d care to share?

I do in fact! One of my many time travel AU's is an Azris story that I'm still working out the ending for. But it's sort of time travelers wife? (i've never read/watched it so not sure how accurate that statement is but I’m still going with it) in the sense that Eris is having a pretty bad day where he keeps getting yanked out of his proper time and dumped in Azriels past for a few hours at a time. Key scenes I'm intending/working on include Eris being dumped in Az's cell with him in the immediate days following his hands being burned, Eris trying to distract Azriel on the night Mor sleeps with Cassian, Eris and Az fighting in the aftermath bc he finally knows who Eris is, and at least one scene during the war where he can see what Azriel had to do for Rhys' dad. Its pretty much vibes right now bc i haven't figured out yet why Eris is being yanked backward in time, or how they're going to solve it, or the consequences for some of the things he inadvertently changes while he's there.

V: A secondary (or underrated) character you want to see more of in fic?

Secondary characters are always my favs tbh bc they have such potential!!! I love the idea of seeing fics from their point of view or what their live are like/how they’re affected by the choices the narrators make, so picking just one is hard! But right now, I'd love more of Lady of Autumn, Eris, Cresseida, Emerie, and Gwyn! Also I'm slightly obsessed with Andras in general - I'd love to see a fic from his pov exploring what he was thinking and feeling when he volunteered to go out and when he was waiting for Feyre to kill him. Boy knew he would die and still did nothing bc he loved his home and high lord so much! That's compelling imo!

[itsfuckinganne]

a better update

it is December 28, 2022 n my year has been a big learning lesson. a lot of it, most of it, really hurt.  I chose myself a lot this year and completed my year’s resolution which is to set boundaries. I honestly dont understand why I took this long to act upon the things I want 4 myself but im not surprised. im a very stubborn person and all I do is deflect by creating a different scenario in my brain. das why ive been in this continuous cycle of getting played by the game and I jus..let it happen. I craved things that were not ready 4 me and it made me realize how I keep repeating it LMAOOO but this year I broke some serious habits and reenforced the comfortability of my space. therapy helped a lot (shout out Tina Merced, you are a very kind woman. u are one of the only people who has figured me out..) and having a positive feedback ab my decisions and how I think helps me understand myself. it felt (past tense/explain later) really good to just focus on what I plan 2 do next year. last year I just really wanted to show up 4 everyone more so I ended up acting upon emotion rather than balancing it out w/ what’s realistic. *I forgot what word 2 use in the last sentence so I went on my phone to change the song and then I remembered. I'm listening 2 defibrillator by smino* 

anyways, yeah this year I showed up for myself even if it hurt a lot to let go and I feel a lil lighter. im guilty of a lot, especially how present I am in my rlsps, and I am still for a bit more, but im doing better and those close 2 me see it. I said this all in past tense because Im a lil hurt right now, but it's just an owie. I allowed myself 2 give someone a benefit of the doubt and I feel as if they abused it a little. I know when I reread this in the future 2 reflect, I'll know exactly what im talking about. rather than feeling sad, im SO disappointed. i was feeling a lil better and I thought that would be okay, but I shouldn't disregard my accomplishments cus they're worthy of celebrating. allowing myself to forgive but just being proven right is horrible. it was a real wake up call to continue my self love journey cus I was getting some where and it was somewhere good. my best friend told me that “I know youre a good person and you do too so u dont have to give people multiple chances to prove that” and it struck hard (but 4 the better). I appreciate the transparency that I have w/ my friendships cus w/o it, I probably wouldn't b able to keep myself accountable, but I have been recently and thats why 2023 is going to be a good year. I wonder what karmic situations im going 2 be in. im not anticipating bad, but I can handle some lessons. im allowing myself 2 learn and thats my true end goal. at the end of the day, im just figuring it out. I dont think im doing that bad, but some reassurance would b amazing. I know I am worthy of everything I desire. to have, to feel, to experience. Im going 2 move forward so I can live better 4 myself. by doing that, taking this time, I can show up better. I want 2 do better, b better, all the things ive imagined myself to b. I cant believe I spent so much time settling 4 what I have cus Im constantly validated. the issues r real. I need 2 tell Tina ab this bcuz it makes so much sense. people pleasing cus nothing I ever did pleased my dad. that shit hurtsss, not gonna lie. but thats what I mean, im learning more and applying what I have 2 in my life and its working. by realizing that the pattern exists bcuz I dont rly speak or ever knew that was an issue. it hurts a bit 2 realize that someone who was a part of my life is now booted out of the next year. in pain bcuz I sat through conversations of him telling me how much he loves me, and how I cld b his polly pocket so he could take me everywhere, and how his family loves me, and all these other things and he STILL ran w/ what he wanted. honesty is the best policy and this lil set up pushed me to let go and let live. I wish I cld cry more, im purging the fuck outta this because I cannot let it repeat anymore. I also learned that some people only last so long in your life bcuz of how you coexist together. cutting ties w/ ppl you used to b family with takes a piece of you that dissipates like the rlsps thats gone. sounds dramatic, but that breakup was horrible. also, my dating life was quite the shit show. had my hinge phase, coworkers phase, toxic situation ship (two of those..at the same time but in my defense I was nvr asked 2 b a gf.), & my celibate phase. I nvr intended 2 dissect but it was rough 4 everyone I know and myself. im blessed enough 2 be surrounded by people who want whats best 4 me cus the goal is something we all agree on. 2022 you helped me show up 4 myself better. 2023 were going 2 show up better for ourselves and those around us. ive realized so much (1:11am , im sry in advance) & Ima share w/ some privacy of course. high school situationships r finally cut and I jus cant believe it but im happy 4 everyone whos living in love. realizing im the problem , speaks for itself. im officially tired. thats an update 4 ya

my fit 2day

goodnight

happy new year

[whataphantasia]

ok it's nighttime where i am which makes it PERFECT to go on about my

✨post-crystallized ninjago brain ramble and non-critical retrospective✨

because. ninjago do be making my brain go !! and i need to yell abt it to myself to my blog void b4 i go onto dragons rising and stuff. i talked abt this on discord but only 2 ppl following me are in that server so wtv (hi btw X3)

i want to preface this by saying i dont interact with the ninjago fandom at all, and i know near nothing about behind-the-scenes things or stuff said by production. this is all my thoughts babeyy (which means im going to sound absolutely clueless and talk abt things that hav probably already been resolved. wtv) none of this is supposed to be critical thinking LOL pls dont attack me. i sound complainey but i dont hate the show, this is how i show love for media <3

really the most pressing thing to me was. being really frustrated about garmadon’s whole arc at the end of tournament of elements. yknow when misako finds out about the letter. i feel like they didn’t really go into depth about RESOLVING that whole thing, like showing the repercussions and thoughts of all parties involved after the fact? how does this affect their family? i suppose misako and lloyd talked about it during day of the departed, kind of? but. my needy ass just goes “IT WASN’T ENOUGH.” really, i don’t really like character death or sacrifice as the resolution to a conflict or arc unless it’s done really well, and. is this supposed to feel unsatisfying?! because it is to me!!

yes. i know it’s a kids show. its super likely something's going over my head right now, but. it really made me think again because misako and garmadon didn’t really even talk after harumi revived his oni side, and especially after all the interactions lloyd and garmadon had during crystallized. seriously, someone rec me fics that explore misako and garmadon talking post tournament of elements please JDKWNFJSND. and really i didn’t hate the resolution of tournament of elements... this is my single major nitpick about it LOL

continuing with that thought, like. lloyd has lost his dad multiple times... this isn’t fair to him!!! give bro a break!!! (silly) (i know its fiction LOL) honestly why doesn’t he have WORSE trust issues after considering his mom and harumi and all the other people who’ve abandoned slash betrayed him?! and yeah misako really is the least terrible offender here, and i’m not blaming her— but ya can’t ignore that it DID affect him. this is why i was really excited for the prospect of a corruption arc for him during crystallized, however brief. he deserves it! let him destroy a few buildings, maybe kill a guy! let him fulfill his rise of the serpentine dreams, but for real this time! again REC ME FICS RAGHH

...though yes. i know he’s developed really far to the point he’d never hurt people like that, and tbh you could say he was never really evil in the first place but. you gotta understand that the corruption arc is one of my FAVORITE tropes. i’ll do anything for em... it’s my fatal flaw...

heck like. this is why i was really excited for the ice emperor because i KNEW that was zane the moment i saw him LMAO. he’s my favorite character how can i not tell. but in the end he just lost his memories and was being manipulated by some other bad guy... same thing goes for possession, lloyd wasn’t the bad guy, it was morro possessing him... its not the same </3 let them be lead astray even WITH their past memories and relationships and feelings... i need the angst... (you can tell im insane because im saying this about a lego show)

anyways point is. i like corruption arcs. and i WILL write fic about the ice emperor gaining more agency no matter how out of character and detached from the original message it is. (even sillier connotation)

okay thats the end of me nitpicking for now, i think. i mean i have a lot of qualms... esp about wu characterization in the new animation studio half, but. thats one thing i know that has been talked abt AT LENGTH. and idk if this is an unpopular opinion but i liked all da seasons for different reasons, they all appeal to my different happy little facets of media i enjoy :) im still fresh off of watching the show again for the first time in forever so this opinion will probably change, who knows.

really im just happy to have gone thru the whole main series! including wu's teas! not including dragons rising tho. ill get around to that after this. and maybe look into more production and behind the scenes stuff, and the games and supplementary content too. i love consuming content 🥰

anyway... uhm. can you tell zane is my favorite. because i said it explicitly some sentences ago. god he is so. ykwhat heres a screenshot bc i dont want to write this all out again

thanks for listening bye :3

ninjago... my favorite piece of inherently kind of problematic but overall very fun and well meaning media (esp in the later seasons compared to the earlier ones)... kisses it

[petrichoraline]

wait stay by my side is good??? and no one told me??? or maybe i keep confusing stay by side and stay with me lol

as someone who is all caught up on both shows - they're both fun 😄

this ask is from three days ago when I talked about how stay by my side (taiwanese show about a boy who can hear ghosts and the guy who gives him a break through touch) had a very fun sixth episode. i wasn't into the show that much but ep.6 gave me some heart-fluttering moments and cute angst that I neither took seriously nor disliked - it was fun for me because of the execution, the fact I don't take anything happening in the show to heart and because the show is short enough so I sensed a resolution was coming very soon 😁

now ive seen episode 7 as well and I can say 6 is definitely my fave. the conflicts are predictable, theres nothing really new but thats what goves you the safe feeling - you dont risk breaking your heart watching it haha. i'd recommend this in case you want a quick sweet watch with "cute silly boy denying his feelings" and "cold rude guy turned passionate suitor". it's the lightest watch i've seen in a while and it's my palette cleanser these days (everything I watch is angsty apparently and the angst supreme™️ trio of loa, of and dr hasn't even reared its ugly head yet lol)

stay with me (the og title of which I find real cute: "gege, don't run") is as far as I know a remake of addicted - a chinese bl that was Very direct in regards to what it's about and therefore got canceled AND banned and the main actors - banned from interacting with each other on tv or at public events for years; I thought swm would be a story set in the same universe or smth but as I watched the first episode I kept getting deja vu until I realised it's the same plot lol

it's about two teens whose dad and mom, respectively, got together - the boys claim to hate each other before they even meet, then fate brings them together without them recognizing each other and shenanigans ensue. it's about found family, finding common ground with parents you can't communicate with, about forgiveness and acceptance. the characters are very lovable <3 the crew is doing their best fighting censorship so it's very clear that the couple are not just bros. they can't, however, do what addicted did so many might prefer the 2016 show. I, personally, was not a fan of the mains in that - wu bi is too possessive for me in this version but his predecessor was Something Else

it's a very standard modern mainland china show. the reason im mentioning this is because of clips on tt and having not seen a cdrama in a while, i had the impression itd be more like a taiwanese or korean bl. the editing, dubbing, bizarrely cut scenes - nothing new in cdrama land. i was wondering if I would recommend it but I think I would, yes. some coincidences and plot points are just so beyond belief that you'd roll your eyes but it's not smth unheard of when it comes to asian dramas haha and I think you'd get so caught up in the angst, domesticity and hunting down hints spread around like easter eggs that you just won't mind the convenient plots (if you would care bout such a thing in the first place)

I'm doing a bad job at promoting this show but I do want more people to see it. the cast is perfect imo (..except for duo duo, I'm sorry but that bby cannot act..her face and aura suit the character though), the sets are all amazing (I like the school, I like su yu's home, I like the shared space later on etc.etc., all decor is very well picked and pleasant to the eye) and the moral of the story is heartwarming, its execution too.

you get passionate hot-headed athletic rich boy who's crazy for his equally smitten furrow-browed genius humble guy - they both value family and each other very much and are willing to do everything for those close to them. it's very endearing and their dynamic is swoonworthy, they're a complete power couple.

(also, spoiler, you get enemies to friends to lovers which is pretty neat)(the spark is there from day 1 tho)

EDIT: i wrote this before the final two episodes were released so disclaimer - POST FINALE SPOILER: if you don't like open endings, esp distressing ones, i don't advise you watch it now - better wait for a secure second season

[canichangemyblogname]

A collection of some of my favorite tags so far:

By @bucksboobs

9-1-1 is usually fairly heavy-handed in its telling of moral lessons. It's not a show that is hard to grasp, but people fall into one of two traps: making the show more complex (see: clothing color theory) than it is or complaining because the show doesn't approach moral resolution like a Disney Channel TV show. Y'know... something like: "Sorry I snapped at you earlier; I'm still upset over Dad leaving and took it out on you." << NO. As the featured poster said, Tommy is not going to come right out and say, "I was rude and insecure because I was closeted, and I utilized the privileges at my disposal, like being a man and white, to shield myself from homophobia." That's not going to happen, partly because it doesn't make good dialogue and partly because even those people who recognize these things don't really speak like that unless it's an academic setting. Like... that'd be something someone would write in an essay about identity in the closet, not say in casual conversation. But Tommy may say some variation of "I was insecure and afraid, and that brought out the worst in me," because he *does* say things like that, see: the conversation about how working under Gerrard did not make him a better person.

By @elizaisthetruehero

500%. I don't know how many times I want to scream from the rooftops, "YOU ARE NOT THE TARGET AUDIENCE." You know who is part of the target audience? My 80-year-old grandfather. He was one of the first coaches for a girl's high school team in the US following the introduction of Title IX. He believed in those girls and he aspired to train them to be able to keep up with any other team out there. I was his eldest granddaughter for most of my childhood, as well as the only grandchild willing to help him around the farm when his back got bad. I did a lot of heavy lifting, carrying, and pulling for him. He's aware that people a-f-a-b are plenty capable. But you know what he said to me about 9-1-1? "It's real cool they've got a lady fireman on the show. I never thought whether there are lady firemen." << That's the GA.

I feel like a lot of people don't remember what it was like in '05. That's not an excuse; it's an explanation. My grandfather was 62 in '05, around the same age Brian Earl Thompson (the man who plays Vincent Gerrard) is now. He was working in '05 when the country was in the midst of several huge cultural shifts, including many regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Even by 2010, things had improved, even if marginally so. The GA lived through these shifts.

So, not only does the GA remember working under those "old" conditions, but they also remember the changes characters like Hen, Athena, and Chim led. They remember the introduction of DEI programs. They remember the reaction their colleagues had to broader inclusion. Hell, maybe they had a less-than-stellar reaction. Some members of the GA have maybe come around, or maybe they've decided to stake everything on the past. I reckon that most members of the GA understand that not everyone is the same person their whole life and that 20 years makes a hell of a difference in who a person is.

Related to this point are the next tags I'm featuring:

By @unfuckablebogtroll

Another 500%. Hen and Chim have undeniably been a positive influence on the 118 and the work culture there. It's almost like... allowing deviation from a "norm" and empathy for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own leads to... conditions that allow people to thrive. A diverse perspective is also crucial when it comes to saving lives. One's upbringing may provide them with more tact and understanding in certain circumstances that may be absent from others. It's important if we want to build an empathetic society.

There's a reason Gerrard is returning NOW, in 2024, as opposed to 2018 when the show aired. 1.) The character probably didn't exist in the writers' and producers' minds in 2018, but 2.) we are in the midst of another political, right-wing pushback to an inclusive and diverse society. There is a reactionary "anti-woke" movement sweeping through the US, led primarily by men like Gerrard who don't like the changes they've witnessed in schools or the workplace. The difference is? The landscape is very different now than nearly 20 YEARS AGO. Black people, immigrants, queer people, people of different religious and cultural backgrounds, etc... are far more common in the general workplace than in '05. These programs have worked, and they have filled every corner of the workplace with incredibly competent, capable people from varying backgrounds. We're now seeing very effective attempts to claw this back.

Stories do not exist in a vacuum. Gerrard doesn't just highlight how conditions and people have changed in the last 20 years, but who hasn't and why. This isn't the same 118, even if it is the same Gerrard.

By @disasterbisafespace

It would! Because you can grow and change, but that doesn't mean the people you hurt have an obligation to forgive you or let you into their lives. It seems Hen and Chim are both willing to break bread with him, so it would be interesting if they brought someone in to provide that example. Maybe an excuse to bring back Gino Anthony Pesi?

That's just fanon hope... nothing tangible.

I do want to add to a separate point about forgiveness:

It is clear who the fandom is willing to forgive and extend grace to and who they aren't. For example, they've been far more willing to extend Shannon grace for "mistakes" as a mother than Athena. They're also far more willing to extend Eddie grace for cheating on Marisol than Hen on Karen. They're more willing to extend Buck grace for his anger than Chim. They're more willing to forgive Bobby for the people he hurts when he's hurting than Tommy.

I've seen fans do a 180 on how they talk about Buck and his anger and rejection sensitivity following his coming out. @evansboyfriend can confirm that I got an anon who claimed that Buck having a crush on a man has made him more violent, re: Basketball game.

By @hiriaeth

Sir, a second "sassy" has hit the fandom.

Actually, no. The shippers in the 911 fandom who primarily complain about Tommy and his past don't actually care about Tommy's past or his actions that contributed to the previous toxic workplace environment and harassment at the 118. Not everything is about a fucking ship, believe it or not, yet the only time they bring up his behavior is in relation to shipping. And because the only time they bring up a valid critique of Tommy's character is during shipping "discourse," I'm convinced it's not brought forth in good faith. Finding a way to tie everything to a ship—especially things like racism and misogyny—is cheap and tasteless. Not everything is about "shipping;" shut up about the shipping.

I don't think they actually want to discuss how white queers contribute to the marginalization of others, including other queer people, by weaponizing the patriarchy and/or white supremacy in their favor because so many of them are fellow white queers themselves. They don't care about how Tommy inadvertently, because of his past, provides a realistic portrayal of how white queers divide or hurt the larger community because of an inability to find solidarity with people of a different background, culture, or race (especially if it would "inconvenience" them or if it does not directly benefit them, like Chim saving Tommy's life). White people would rather choose misery and isolation over standing with or up for non-white people. White people are generally not willing to put in the work to build community; they'd rather contribute to the system or fly under the radar to avoid being shunned by the structures they, and the Ol' Boys Club, benefit from, like white supremacy or the patriarchy. Most white queers would rather be complaisant, complacent, and complicit. It's the white queer's adherence to oppressive systems that divide the community, not people's calls to tear those systems down. And it's only the white queer who can change their perspective on this.

Tommy only has himself to blame for his jealousy and alienation from a supportive and familial community, and only he can take the steps to ameliorate the situation. Tommy was an absolute fucking dick to Chim and Hen, and that has had long-term consequences on his life. Only he can correct for his behavior. He contributed to a toxic work environment, referring to Chim as a Chinese takeout delivery man, actively participating in Chim's hazing, and telling Chim that he did not like the man (mostly because he didn't know him). He would later call Hen "bitchy," and the men of the 118 would leave the "domestic work" to her as they did Chim, actively contributing to her hazing. He did not (verbally) stand up for her, iced her out, and also contributed to a homophobic work culture that made same-sex attraction the butt of jokes. He contributed to this toxic culture to fly under the radar, and that directly hurt people he should have extended a hand to.

Unfortunately for most of the fandom, this is, ultimately, a show that loves stories about redemption and resolution. And there is actual, explicit (meaning, non-subtextual) evidence that Tommy has put in some work to remedy what he did and who he was (including being able to 1.] own up to his past actions, 2.] understand how he hurt others, 3.] recognize why he did what he did and how that it is an explanation, not an excuse, and 4.] begin to make amends or rectify the situation, like reporting Gerrard and changing his mind about Hen and Chim). Hen and Chim would not have invited him for drinks regularly if they thought he was "irredeemable." The 118 would not have thrown him a going away party if they disliked him. Chim would not call in favors from Tommy on more than one occasion or even describe him as "so cool" if they weren't—well—cool. Eddie wouldn't enjoy ring-side fights and basketball games with Tommy if he didn't enjoy the man's company. Tommy also clearly refers to the type of man he was in the past tense, implying change over time. It can be argued that he has not put in enough work, but that's not what's being argued. We're getting bad faith arguments that Hen, Chim, and Eddie hate Tommy or bad faith arguments where Tommy's past actions are only brought forth as some sort of "gotcha" when a fan prefers canon representation over homophobic fan fiction tropes. You don't have to like Tommy, but making up non-textual reasons to dislike him is absurd.

Tommy, as a character in a narrative, provides a lesson for the general audience (GA), the majority of whom are white. It's not just important to see queer people on screen; it's important to see white people learn and change and admit they were wrong. It's also important that the show—well—shows the GA that whiteness and man-ness affect people's perception, position, and treatment. Tommy isn't just a gay man; he is a white gay man, and this has had a direct impact on how he navigates the world and how the world interacts with him. Gerrard treats men like Sal and Tommy differently than men like Chim or women like Hen, and staying in Gerrard's good graces—like the good graces of oppressive power structures—requires one to conform to a very narrow definition of a "real man," like being straight, white, palatable (like... not kinky, not risqué, not queer, all the things the fandom seems to actually hate Tommy for), and not helping oust regressive figures from positions of authority for the way they treat your coworkers. The audience got to see how Tommy went from being the prodigal son to being openly mocked by men like Gerrard. And it's important to show the GA that someone can and will be happier if they go against the grain and that admiration from men like Gerrard means very little in the grand scheme. Tommy is happier now after having been "rebuked" by men like Gerrard than he was when he strove for their praise and acceptance.

It's also important to show that men like Gerrard and his beliefs belong in the past, even though they exist in the present. This is a network TV show. A non-zero number of men like Gerrard catch this show weekly. It is still important to show that Gerrard is not the "type" of man anyone should aspire to be. His beliefs and actions are not commendable, and the show is very heavy-handed about this. The show is going to once again compare Gerrard ("bad captain") and Bobby ("good captain") to show how Bobby has created a good legacy at the 118. It began this parallel with Bobby Begins Again, continued to reinforce Bobby's good legacy in Buck's coma arc, and then revisited how Bobby has had a positive influence on the lives of the 118 in his season 7 montage. Now, the show is going to compare and contrast him and Gerrard to reinforce how important Bobby is to those around him. The show will also continue its inadvertent parallels between Buck and Tommy, showing how Buck is a different man under similar circumstances because he has had good influences (re: Bobby, Hen, and Chim) in his life. Buck and Eddie's relationship was shaping up to be very similar to Tommy and Chim's relationship: oppositional because of one-sided disregard and dislike, but it didn't because they had a good influence: Bobby (given the rather... fucked timeline, Tommy was likely newer to the 118 when Chim joined and, like Buck, his hostility and posturing were also likely influenced by insecurity and a desire to secure his position at the table).

Most unfortunately for many, the show is also going to show how Tommy has changed due to the same influences (re: Bobby, Hen, and Chim). They wouldn't have re-introduced both Tommy and Gerrard and mentioned their dynamic on more than one occasion if they weren't going to do something with that. Season 7 set up Tommy's upcoming arc very nicely. He knows the man he was, he knows the man who shaped him into that, and he knows how and why that was wrong. We'll get Tommy confronting his obvious daddy issues, jealousy, and desire for community (and why he didn't get a family-like dynamic at the 118, re: Gerrard *and* Tommy's own behavior). Tommy has been explicit about this, literally telling Buck that he envies the relationship the people at the 118 have and mentioning that he was not a good person, and this played a part in why he didn't have the same rapport.

9-1-1 is not a perfect show, but it does reflect some of the positive changes of our time. It's important to see representations of comp-het—like Buck, Tommy, and Michael—and how it negatively impacts people's character or relationships, and then how they—the character—can amend that. It's important to see stories that depict how silence is complicity and how refusing to be silent—as Hen refused to be—makes change and changes minds. It's important that the show reminds the audience that Hen is a black lesbian and that this has impacted how people see her and treat her, but that she is just as capable, if not more so. This includes men like Chim. Because I see nearly none of the people who "critique" Tommy in the name of "shipping" ever bring up how Chim has leaned on the patriarchy for support and a position at the table. He may have been the kindest to Hen, but he was by no means normal about women. And it is important to see how non-white men benefit from the patriarchy even as they are victimized by white supremacy. It's also important that the show shows the GA that non-white men are not affected by white supremacy equally, as Michael and Harry have had discussions about blackness and police brutality, a conversation that Chim is never going to have to have with his children, but that doesn't mean that Chim won't have to one day have a discussion with Jee-Yun about how and why some people treat her differently.

But the fandom approaches everything in a very... Catholic way. They don't approach this from the view that people can change and should be pushed to change; rather, they shun people like they've been marked by original sin. The structures we live under have deeply affected each and every one of our worldviews. "You are not immune to the propaganda" includes your personal philosophies and ideologies as well as the things you were taught since you were a child, consciously and "subconsciously." But, people would rather condemn everyone else as "irredeemable" than look critically at their own behavior out of fear of being "one of the bad ones." They'd rather *not* accept the fact that everyone has learning and changing to do as that would reflect upon them, too. This leads to being very resistant to being told that you're mistaken, you've hurt others, or that your behavior and beliefs contribute to repressive, dangerous, or toxic ideas (and we've seen a lot of that; y'all do not create safe online spaces). This leads to a lack of personal change as well as a lack of change at the interpersonal level because rather than teach or challenge, they stick up their nose and turn the other way. "Their barbaric bigotry; my enlightened neglect."

So, really, they've learned nothing from a character like Tommy.

[kdrama-movies-more]

Hii, I hope it's ok to message you. I just read your tags in my post about jihwan taking a hit for his dad and I agree 100% with Ko Yang Hee should've done it. The built up was perfect and like the prosecution said 'it's the kind of thing that only ends with one of them dead.' Ko Yang Hee should have had finished the job imo.

Chief Oh was kinda wrong about the 'one of the two...'

There is no way- no way the laws of their world would have allowed Yang-hee to actually succeed in his stabdeavor even if he had stabbed the correct guy...

It only ends with Yang-hee dead...(It might be my extreme grudge over Mapi but I fully believe if this was going to have a bad ending exactly two people were destined to die: Jae-soo and Yang-hee)

Also the poetic way Yang-hee should try to kill his boss should be pufferfish poison...

Sorry life got lifing and I forgot about completing this ask 😔

Another reason the Kitty boss can't have killed him for a neat and clean and definite ending is because then he'd be breaking Ji-hwan even more than he already pushed him and things go to where theres no turning back. Also because oddly enough everyone did want him to kill the dad... Also...I got perplexed by that implic...like, the prosecution anticipated this whole internal strife leading to murder scenario? While their prev observation was supposed to be exposition, the dynamic of Seo Tae-pyeong and Yang-hee seems different than it is another thing.

The whole build-up part of it is where things stand. For Yang-hee, he delivers on every count even if his attempts are foiled and I'm still in the mindset rooting his right to crime. Gang-gils is in being done with Yang-hee. But the dad...

The purpose was served- its a very simple drama and they went with everyone's got at least one thing that keeps them redeemable and human and bid they get a chance even if they currently lack the will to change kind of ending. Instead of the usual drama psychopaths...

Its just...the dad ended up...underwhelming? I don't know how to put it but it ends up a shonen manga in a way, made too powerful a final villain and incidentally defeated in spirit. Dad was some mirror to Seo Ji-hwan but the final storyline just didn't land because there wasn't...enough? (More of it is dad and Yang-hee's strife) They should have used either flashbacks or something more than kites, debts and minor clues set up in the previous episodes I feel. I didn't like the dad and I figure the why was because of how he got depicted via his underlings(even when gang bosses are psychopaths the underlings don't seem so frightened nor so done with them. Theres zero respect other than the weasel who also resents him in the same breath). And also I didn't like him because he nerfed Ji-hwan. Ji-hwan was active against Yang-hee but with dad he turned...flaky?

And while theres something about Ji-hwan overcoming his dad's hold on him thats just...that*. From the beginning Ji-hwan gave me Batman vibes so Yang-hee is Joker if Joker were Buggy the Clown or Spandam... Yang-hee otherwise is very much Ted Chang and Lee Mu-bae combined while Gang-gil is his Sun-hee and much of the drug part of the drama follows things similar to Extreme Job. Basically Ji-hwan and Yang-hee have this deep toxic undefined dynamic that never ends. Deep down Ji-hwan can't really get rid of that dark side of him. It comes out whenever he and Yang-hee cross paths and nothing is actually resolved because the father is overall irrelevant aside from being a bogeyman and Yang-hee too, even if in prison doesn't mean there won't be another trigger that'll test Ji-hwan's steel resolve. Its normally that one expects characters to grow or change or resolve by the end but most of them are already in the ongoing journey or fully 'grown' so its different but some of what I consider Ji-hwan's flaws are lauded or overlooked instead of seen as requiring change...felt a bit, unresolved.

Even for Gang-gil his resolution was a tad underwhelming. Maybe some scenes were cut because I'm a bit confused. Overall too I usually make timelines from the background stuff but here I'm thoroughly confused because some things aren't real and some don't add up and I don't know if that is deliberate or oversight and much of what I am puzzled by turns out to be modified to go a different direction from the source LN(even LN Go Yang-hee makes more sense being more serious about ganglife and the loss of it). Anyway, maybe Gang-gil is just passive. As are the non-housemate Thirsty Deer board members... in the LN Yang-hee is supposedly this vile career criminal but here he and Gang-gil divvied up the gang crimes between them... And nobody even of the older Bulldogs showed any active will or want to change...

*I'd been looking up the light novel and manhwa and the one consistent statement regarding the ending is "Ji-hwan and Eun-ha who faced a lot of issues from their families cut ties with their families, get married and have their own happiness in the end"

I don't know if the one in prison is orig Yang-hee or the dad (description makes Yang-hee sound like the sole irascible villain; some prosecutor equivalent is apparently the other crazy one). Ji-hwan's maternal grandfather is talked of but nothing much is mentioned of his father than him having had Ji-hwan kidnapped at 13 and being obsessed with turning him into his successor. In anycase the bad guys get punished in the end so they'd both either be in prison or dead either way.

[coulsonlives]

Now that I got the vfx thing out of my system, I want to cry about ATSV a bit because I left the movie feeling kinda.. disappointed I guess?

I miss the focus of the first movie. It was nice to see more focus on Gwen, but there was wayy too much stretching between Gwen and Miles and like, drip-feeding of the other character's backgrounds and I ended up not really investing in any storyline, Gwen's resonated the most but aside from that I'm like?? Okay I guess.

In the first movie I was rooting for all the characters because I actually got a bit of their motivations/backstory/reason for being there. Here it was like.. okay, they're agents with different quirks from their own universes? But that's not new, we saw that in the first movie, it's not interesting anymore. It just felt like checking off boxes and it took time away from the main characters, where there could've been more foreshadowing about what was really going on with them and Miles. In that way: it felt like an MCU movie. Which isn't a good thing in my book.

I watched ITSV for Marvel, not the MCU. I watched ATSV for the same reason, but I didn't feel like I got that.

The story seemed super flabby, it wasn't anywhere near as tight as the first movie. ATSV lacked the 'charm' of ITSV for most of the movie. Also about the Spot, I could get behind him being in the movie because obviously he's a precipitating event for the movie, but tbh, I got Spider-Man 3 vibes near the end and I'm wondering if they just filled the third movie with too much.. stuff?

Because now you gotta deal with Spot, Spidey 2099, Mile's arc which includes saving his dad, his relationship with Gwen, his relationship with Peter, etc etc. I'm scared. And if some of this is also happening from Gwen's POV.. Or if Gwen also has an arc of her own.. That feels like a lot? There are gonna be two 'big bads' in the third movie, and I feel like they should've downed one of them in ATSV, so the third movie could narrow its focus more.

Gwen's dad's development all happened offscreen. Like, oh, Gwen is gone, now she's back, surprise I miss you <3 and I've missed you this whole time, hugsy time. It felt like a very contrived way to add some kind of resolution to the movie, because otherwise, nothing was gonna be resolved. The payoff just didn't feel earned at all. In ITSV, half the reason the 'What's up Danger' scene hit so hard is because it culminated Mile's development up to that point, we saw him working hard, we saw him struggling before it happened! There was nothing here though, Gwen's dad was in the beginning of the movie, then the end. He kinda just popped back in for an FYI lol, then Gwen was gone again.

That ending, too. I don't mind cliffhangers, but I went in not knowing about that, and wow was the presentation bad. It was like watching five mini endings and not knowing which fcking ending was actually going to cut to the credits, and I was getting whiplash. Cut to Gwen, I thought the movie was gonna end on her, then it cut to Miles thinking well duh the movie will end on him, then cut to Gwen or her dad again, then back to Miles, and omg the amount of face shots of Miles I thought the movie would end on lmfao idk, it didn't work for me at all. LOTR did way better of a job with this because you could tell the movie obviously wasn't gonna end yet because certain things hadn't been addressed yet.

Some of the animation was hard to follow too because there is so so much happening and no real point of focus in some of those shots. If you look away for a moment during certain scenes, you can't really follow what's going on anymore and it takes a few shots to catch up again. Spider-Punk was cool but his shots really suffered from this imo? Just too much janky, pieces-jumping-around shit going on.

Like okay, some parts were cool, I liked some of the shots and Spider-Puss/Cat/Feline had me howling when it hairballed the spiderweb in his face, and the Spideys were characterized pretty good, but idk.