#Liv my doomed beloved | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ceridwyn2 · 6 months

Text

Me and a discussion with ChatGPT on the worlds of Doctor Who and Big Finish audios.

Chat with ChatGPT re: Doctor Who

ChatGPT: It's always great to discuss and delve into the intricacies of the Doctor Who universe. If you have any more questions or topics you'd like to explore, feel free to share!

Me: Still getting into the worlds of the Doctor Who Universe with the Gallifrey series. I have some of the newer ones (Gallifrey: Time War, Vol. 1 and 3, and Gallifrey: War Room, Vol. 1 and 2. Looking forward to getting my hands on the early BF audio Gallifrey series with Leela and Romana II.

ChatGPT: Ah, the "Gallifrey" series by Big Finish is a real treat for fans of the Time Lords and the deeper political and cultural aspects of the Doctor Who universe. Here's a brief overview and what to expect:

### Early Gallifrey Series:

The early Gallifrey series focuses on the political intrigue, conspiracies, and power struggles on the Doctor's home planet. It's set after the events of the classic series and primarily follows two beloved companions:

1. **Romana II (played by Lalla Ward)**: After her time with the Fourth Doctor, Romana becomes the President of Gallifrey. Her reign, however, is fraught with challenges, both internal and external.

2. **Leela (played by Louise Jameson)**: Leela, having been left on Gallifrey after the events of "The Invasion of Time," provides a contrasting, grounded perspective amidst the high Time Lord politics. Her relationship with the Time Lords, especially given her non-Gallifreyan origin, adds depth to the narrative.

### Gallifrey: Time War:

This series delves into the Time War, a temporal conflict between the Time Lords and the Daleks. It's a darker, more intense narrative that explores the ethical dilemmas, sacrifices, and heavy toll the war has on Gallifrey and its inhabitants.

**Gallifrey: War Room** volumes further explore the strategies, decisions, and behind-the-scenes machinations of the Time War.

### Why it's Worth Listening:

1. **Depth and Intrigue**: The series delves deep into Time Lord society, showcasing the complexities, ethics, and politics of Gallifrey. It's a departure from the usual "monster-of-the-week" format of many Doctor Who episodes.

2. **Character Development**: Both Romana and Leela get significant character development. It's delightful to see these companions in roles of power and influence, shaping the fate of Gallifrey.

3. **Connections**: The series has numerous nods, references, and tie-ins to both classic and modern Doctor Who episodes, making it a rewarding listen for longtime fans.

4. **Stellar Performances**: The cast, especially Lalla Ward and Louise Jameson, deliver powerful performances. The chemistry between the characters, the dialogue, and the sound design make it an immersive experience.

If you're delving into the Gallifrey series, you're in for a rich, layered narrative that expands on the lore of the Doctor Who universe. Enjoy the journey through the corridors of power on Gallifrey!

Me: I got interested in the Gallifrey aspect after listening to the Eighth Doctor Adventures of the “Doom Coalition” box sets, the political backstabbing and machinations- and Liv Chenka’s sarcastic disdain for the Time Lords

ChatGPT: “Doom Coalition” is a fantastic entry point into the deeper workings of Gallifrey and the Time Lords. It showcases the vast scope of the Doctor Who universe beyond the typical adventures of the Doctor and their companions. The Eighth Doctor’s era, especially in the Big Finish audios, delves deep into the lore and provides some of the most compelling story arcs.

Liv Chenka’s character is a particular highlight. As a human companion, her perspective on Time Lord society is both refreshing and relatable. Her sarcastic disdain for the pomp and ceremony of the Time Lords, juxtaposed with the grave events unfolding, adds a layer of humor and realism to the narrative. Liv’s interactions with the Doctor, Helen Sinclair, and the various Time Lords they encounter provide some of the best moments in the series.

The political intrigue, machinations, and backstabbing on Gallifrey provide a Game of Thrones-esque twist to the Doctor Who universe. The Time Lords, with all their power and knowledge, are shown to be just as prone to ambition, betrayal, and power struggles as any other society. This portrayal humanizes them and makes the narrative more grounded and engaging.

If “Doom Coalition” piqued your interest in Gallifreyan politics, the “Gallifrey” series will be a deep dive into that world. It’s a rich tapestry of characters, plots, and subplots that showcases the best of what Big Finish and the expanded Doctor Who universe have to offer. Enjoy the ride!

@riversofmars @meluisart @pers-books @calunalilly @bigfinishdaily

#conversations with ChatGPT #ChatGPT #Doctor Who #Classic Who #Current Who #The Worlds of the Doctor Who Universe #Gallifrey #Eighth Doctor Adventures #Liv Chenka #Helen Sinclair #Eighth Doctor #Romana II #Leela #Gallifrey Politics #Cardinal Ollistra #Commander Veklin #Big Finish Audios

2 notes · View notes

sasorikigai · 2 years

Note

“ happy that i’m alive at the same time as you . ” liv @ hanzo in modern verse <3

𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 . || @somniaxperdita || accepting

💥 || Through a wind that winds around his bones, Hanzo Hasashi bleeds in blossoms; barely breathing a dream of chrysanthemums curling the end of the warmth. Strident may be the unfurling night sky, as shrouding clouds translate the indefinable complexity of his subconscious, as his visage becomes the window to his unadulterated emotions and sentiments. He could never be left aching in the marrow of empty bones and hollowed heart, lest his life sometimes unfolds like the final chapter stretched out to occupy the whole span of his trauma, an echo that reaches all the way back to the beginning. But Commander Hasashi can lose himself in the wicked, gruesome beauty of the details and how he would spin, like a helpless marionette, as his subconscious relentlessly and resiliently pushed through the numerous darkest hours and countless darkest nights.

Two paths merged, like nightmares and fantasies coalescing to become one. How Hanzo Hasashi transformed himself from the unpaved dirt road to the road paved with dangerous liaisons and wicked nightshade. Lest the impending doom threatens to sever his mortal existence, he would strive diligently on his chosen path day after day, with his heart and soul in accord, in synchronization. Lingering grief may be a river he wades in until he gets to the other side, but Hanzo Hasashi finds himself still here, stuck in the middle, water parting around his ankles, moving downstream over the flat rocks.

The proverbial sorrow may no longer swallow and consume him, but as the October sunlight wraps him, the stronghold of his arms around his beloved’s voluptuous figure, and their coalesced forms in its yellow shawl, the air remains sweet as golden aromatic wine. It may still leave the hangover of flashbacks, upon memories that plunge him towards the melancholic tenebrous darkness, but in this struggles, he digests tribulations in order to taste the triumphs as he continues to demolish the prospects of injustice and wickedness of the world.

“If I had not met you, I would have carried my sorrow like a stone, becoming boulder as I would sink to the bottom of the lake, soundless in my solitude. There would have been no salvation, for I would have stayed stagnant in my grief and despair,” over time and time again, would Commander Hasashi recognize and acknowledge Olivia Winter’s strength; no longer asunder and burned in constricting self-damnation as the heavenly aria and blues rapturously surrounded his entirety. The susurrus winds of her intonated words etch a radiant, authentic smile on his lips. “Loneliness used to be so difficult to confess; too difficult to categorize, for it became a state with which it often intersected with my depression, running deep in the fabric of my person. Perhaps words alone could never be maneuvered nor fathomed to express the complexity of how I feel, but it has given me ineffable strength to stand against anything coming in my way.” 💥 ||

#✗ the ineffable testimony of spawned hellfire (scorpion)#✗ ugly syllables of conjured vindictive crimson (modern au)#✗ successions of binding music (olivia winter || somniaxperdita)#somniaxperdita

1 note · View note

riversofmars · 3 years

Text

Liv Chenka is everything.

Send post.

#I'm sorry but I'm listening to DC again and I can't even #My beloved #Absent friends was just too much #My heart #doctor who #big finish #Liv chenka #doom coalition

12 notes · View notes

ladythespera · 3 years

Text

a never ending saga (from Doom Coalition 1.3: The Galileo Trap)

#more old sketches from back when i was listening to doom coalition for the first time #doctor who #doom coalition #doom coalition 1 #the galileo trap #doom coalition my absolute beloved <3 #dw art #big finish art #eighth doctor #liv chenka #helen sinclair #tag: liv chenka & the nonsense she has to deal with part ? of ?#also eight you do realize you gave up almost immediately on that spaceship later right (:#big finish

19 notes · View notes

addictedtojmanga · 3 years

Text

Shoujo manga recommendations - otome game isekai

So, after 10+ years reading shoujo manga, I’ve read over 1k titles, admittedly, a reasonable amount is one-shot (or at least a collection of), but nonetheless, over time I had to expand my interests.

Lately, I’ve started reading the otome game isekai genre, and decided it’d be nice to share the ones I thought were best.

Most of them are pretty much the same, but the best ones usually have a twist, so...

! Warning: You’ll most likely want to beat up 1 or 2 characters from each one, but worry not, so do I and the other characters

1. Fiancée's Observation Log of the Self-proclaimed Villainess

Crown prince Cecil was so brilliant that everything in life was easy to the point of boring him, then one day, his fiancée Bertia suddenly said "Prince Cecil, I am a villainess!" Claiming that this world is the same as that of an "otome game" from her past life and that she is playing the role of the "villainess" in it, she aims to play her part well and have their engagement annulled. With that goal in mind, she sets about causing turmoil in Cecil's daily life.

This one definitely takes the gold for me. Super sweet and pretty funny.

2. My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!

Most people would prefer being the protagonist of a world full of adventure, be it in a game or in another world. But, unfortunately, a certain girl is not so lucky. Regaining the memories of her past life, she realizes that she was reborn in the world of Fortune Lover—one of the games she used to play. Unfortunately, the character she was reincarnated into—Katarina Claes—is the game's main antagonist, who faces utter doom in every ending. Using her extensive knowledge of the game, she takes it upon herself to escape from the chains of this accursed destiny. However, this will not be an easy feat, especially since she needs to be cautious as to not set off death flags that may speed up the impending doom she is trying to avoid. Even so, to make a change that will affect the lives of everyone around her, she strives—not as the heroine—but as the villainess.

This one takes 2nd place! It has a different result than others, and the FL is great - everyone is, to be fair.

3. Of Course I’ll Claim Palimony

"I'll annul our engagement!" My fiancé suddenly declared?! Apparently he's in love with the recently transferred count's daughter and is planning on making me the villain in order to annul the engagement. Although I have no lingering attachments about the engagement, I do have to claim a hefty consolation fee don't I?

This is sooo good. The FL is spectacular and manages to stand out - even if just a bit - from the rest of the genre.

4. I’m a Villainous Daughter, so I’m going to keep the Last Boss

Avoid the BAD END! That's the goal of the villainess in this plot-twisting story!! She has been reborn into the world of an otome game as the villainess, Irene. Using her memories of her former life, she recognizes flags indicating she's en-route to the bad end, so she makes a plan to conquer the last boss (the evil king Claude), make him her lover, and see if she can open up a new route!

Pretty funny, and the FL is bold. Also, the ML is a bishounen.

It’s one of the few mangas from this genre that has been completely translated, and since it only has 13 chapters, it’s a good way to start out.

5. The Plain & Unnoticeable Me is No More

Elaine Lana Norris, who was born at the top of the aristocratic daughter, was declared abandoned by her second fiancé at the school's founding party. Lana, who has been made a villain daughter, is driven out of her home by a strict grandfather. But there is a secret in Lana that everyone doesn't know about?

I don’t want to give out any spoilers, however, it suffices to say that she accepts her role as the villainess.

Ok, I think these 5 are my favorite, but the ones below have been selected as well, so they’re still pretty good and worth reading.

6. The Villiainess Is Adored by the Crown Prince of the Neighboring Kingdom

Tiararose was supposed to be disengaged and exiled from the country. “This was the Otome game I had played!” She realized on the day before the story’s ending??……. Shall I wait for the judgment? But, I did not do anything too cruel……. Thinking so, the ending continues. But, during the judgement??something that was not possible in the game happened. The neighboring crown prince courted the villainous daughter Tiararose.

ML: 10/10 FL: 8/10 (too insecure for my taste)

7. Endo and Kobayashi’s Live Commentary on the Villainess

She’s always putting on that grumpy face even though she’s not actually that upset! Oh, why can’t she just be honest with herself…!??? She is a tsundere, after all? When her embarrassment levels exceed a certain limit, she will explode into anger. However, the point that she’s suppressing under the surface is that she wouldn’t mind that sort of thing if it were in a less public place.? As Endo-kun passionately reacts to the antics of Lady Liselotte, the villainess of an otome game, Kobayashi-san provides a painstaking breakdown of her tsundere behaviour. Suddenly, one person could hear their voices; Liselotte’s fiancée, Prince Siegward. That is where this story begins.

8. I’m the Villainess, but the Capture Targets are too Abnormal

The villainess, Mystia, remembered her past life on her 10th birthday and has unwittingly turned the characters in the otome game "Kyun Kyun Love School" into yanderes! In order to avoid becoming the love rival of the "heroine" who will lead her to her downfall, she starts making every effort to break off her engagement with her "prince-like classmate"! That’s was what supposed to happen...But, because of her kind personality, her favorability increased instead!

It’s still in its beginning stages, but seems pretty solid.

9. Though I May Be a Villainess, I'll Show You I Can Obtain Happiness!

A collection of one shots.

Great way to start out, it has quite a few options, so if you don’t like one, give another one a try!

10. The Villainess, Cecilia Silvie, Doesn't Want to Die, So She Decided to Cross-dress!

I was reincarnated into the body Cecilia Silvie, the villainess of an otome game. According to the plot, what awaits me in the normal route is either a slow, painful death or an instantaneous one... Essentially, every route leads to my demise. Then I'll change my fate! And that's why I decided to become a man. However, I made a mistake during a certain event, and the story began to head down an unexpected path...?

I haven’t seen any other like this, and if you like gender bender, this one’s for you!

11. I’ll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History ― The More of a Villainess I Become, the More the Prince will Dote on Me

Alicia is the eldest daughter of the noble Williams family—a bloodline that excels in dark magic. Her jet-black hair and golden eyes command a powerful presence, but her most unique features are, without a doubt, her sharp tongue and malevolent nature. By all means, she is a villainess, but also a fictional character from an otome game!

12. I’m Not a Villainess!! Just Because I Can Control Darkness Doesn’t Mean I’m a Bad Person!

The novel The Saint Beloved by the Prince is set in the land of Lacia, where spirits control the elements, each of which is overseen by a "Spirit King." On rare occasions, these Spirit Kings may bless a single human, granting them immense magical control over their respective element. The heroine, Amelia Logan, and the villainess, Claudia Leitzya, are two sides of the same coin, blessed by the Light and Dark Spirit Kings respectively. However, while Amelia is beloved, Claudia is hated and rejected due to her dark skin, ebony locks, and aptitude for dark magic. After dying in modern-day Japan, Sakura is reborn as an infant Claudia. While difficult at first, Claudia tries to adjust to this new life, all the while accompanied by the Dark Spirit King Gerald. But even this task is far from easy; people fear her at first glance, no matter how she acts toward them. Still, Claudia is set on changing her fate from the novel, proving she is a good person and breaking free from the shackles of a "villainess."

13. Rebirth of the Villainess: The Life of Letizia after the Engagement Annulment

For some reason, the duke's daughter, Letizia, was plotting to break her engagement with the prince. Her plan succeeded and the prince, none the wiser. But shortly after the engagement was terminated... The King collapsed! In that moment, she recalled her memories of her past life as a nurse and she fully utilised her knowledge & experience as a nurse, to save the King's life. Thinking she had achieved what she wanted, she thought she could finally relax, drinking her favourite beverage and leisurely spend her time, she instead somehow keeps getting involved in incident after incident. The slow and peaceful life is now nothing but a dream!? Lazy daughter, busy seeking freedom and laziness!

14. I Won't Become a Villainess. I'm Just a "Normal" Duke's Daughter!

A Japanese person reincarnated into an otome game chock full of death flags for the villainess, Rosalind. "I'm going to live an enjoyable life in this world!" Making full use of the game knowledge to avoid death flags, for some reason events keep happening one after another?! Contracting with spirits, helping her father (the prime minister) with his work using her modern day knowledge, taking a walk with the holy beast... and on top of all that, even starting up the heroine's event...? Will Rosalind be able to smash through every unknown death flag that comes her way...?! And will she be able to be fluffy lovey-dovey with the supporting beastkin character she liked from her previous life?!

Cute. Has beasts.

15. Milady Just Wants to Relax

She worked herself to death in her past life, but then she was reborn in another world as the villainess Ronia! As expected, her engagement is broken and she's expelled from society, but now she takes that chance to live peacefully, and even opens a cafe with the help of her fairy comrades, which is becoming unexpectedly popular with beast-kin...?

Also cute. Also has beasts.

16. I Swear I Won’t Bother You Again!

Violette, a proud and beautiful daughter of a duke, commits a crime out of jealousy towards her half-sister. Convicted, Violet faces her own heart with sincerity in a prison cell and regrets her sin. Then time rewinds to a turning point—to her first meeting with Maryjun one year ago. Violette makes a decision. She will not make mistakes this time. Without committing a crime and bothering anyone, she will live an ordinary, plain and inconspicuous life...! However, incidents contrary to Violette's expectations occur one after another...?!

17. I Became a Villain Daughter

On her 15th birthday, Hinase Kaede, a young girl who was working as a part-timer, perished in a traffic accident. Upon her death, a self-proclaimed “God” appeared, declaring that Kaede would be brought back to life. However, Kaede’s happiness was short-lived and her soul was thrown into Erika, the villainess of an otome game! In the original game, Erika became a saint candidate alongside the heroine, committed evil deeds over the course of the candidacy, and ultimately faced condemnation. Thus, Kaede decides that she will not get close to the main characters of the game so as to avoid the bad end, but yet——?

#manga #shoujo #shojo #shoujo manga #shojo manga #manga cap #romance #otome game #isekai #mangacap #shoujo recommendation #bakarina #bertia #endo and kobayashi’s live commentary on the villainess #fiancée's observation log of the self-proclaimed villainess #villainess

100 notes · View notes

jasonfry · 3 years

Photo

Winter rolls along! No baseball! That means catching up with more classic movies everybody’s seen but me!

The Sugarland Express (1974)

This is Steven Spielberg’s first big-screen feature (1971′s Duel was made for TV), and it’s amazing to think it arrived just a year before Jaws, which would change American movies forever.

It’s impossible to watch The Sugarland Express without analyzing it in terms of Spielberg style, which is too bad, because it can be enjoyed perfectly well if you don’t know who the director is. Yes, there are some trademark long takes and inventive camerawork -- the most famous bit is a tricky 360-degree shot inside the getaway car that’s particularly impressive because it’s so easy not to notice -- but this is also a great character movie.

Goldie Hawn’s Lou Jean is simultaneously conniving and childlike, ruthless and clueless, and Hawn brings a frantic intensity to the part. Her husband Clovis is doomed the moment Lou Jean puts her half-assed plan in motion, and William Atherton (of Die Hard fame) does a superb job with an understated role, in which Clovis’s real tragedy is how timidly he navigates the constrained possibilities of his life. They’re joined by Michael Sacks as a kidnapped state trooper, and the three make for a compelling ensemble -- people who understand each other and grasp that their circumstances could easily have been switched around by a chance here or there.

The movie’s ambitious and thoroughly modern -- it’s a chase movie and a marital comedy and a slice of social commentary, and it switches lanes with skill and self-confidence. Maybe it doesn’t quite stick the landing -- there’s a little too much movie blood and the sun-soaked last shot feels like a stylistic departure -- but the ending is gripping even though it unfolds the only way it could, and that’s a hard trick to pull off.

Extra credit because even a relatively uninformed movie fan like me will have a blast moving both forward and backward from The Sugarland Express -- it wouldn’t exist without Bonnie & Clyde, but Raising Arizona wouldn’t exist without it, to identify just two beads on an intriguing string.

Rio Bravo (1959)

Westerns are my comfort food -- give me the right proportions of dusty streets and swinging doors and cacti against sunsets and I’ll overlook a fair number of cinematic/narrative sins. And Howard Hawks’ Rio Bravo whips up the classic ingredients with the nonchalant skill of a veteran short-order cook in a beloved diner -- a tumbleweed even rolls into one of the leads in the first reel, as if to say, “What? It’s a western!”

Rio Bravo is usually framed as a rebuke to High Noon and 3:10 to Yuma, which Hawks and John Wayne despised because those movies dared to depart from the western tropes of flinty-eyed, self-reliant sheriffs and frontier folk banding together. The film Hawks and Wayne made in response is rock-ribbed in its values, unfolds at a languorous pace, and is often mawkish. (It also jerks to a halt for back-to-back duets with Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson, while Wayne stands there and smiles.) It shouldn’t work -- and, to be clear, I don’t think it’s nearly as interesting as the movies it’s arguing with -- but it does.

For one thing, there’s immense skill brought to the storytelling and filmmaking. There’s a self-confidence behind that languor that draws you in, and while the characters are hoary stock figures, their interactions rarely if ever ring false. The actors are solid, too: Martin is a lot better than you might guess as Dude, the deputy with an alcohol problem; Nelson holds his own as a young gunslinger who doesn’t want to get involved but of course eventually does; Walter Brennan has a grand time bouncing off Martin and Wayne in their shared scenes; Angie Dickinson brings some shade and nuance to the role of a gambler’s widow trying to extricate herself from a checkered past; and the bit players are all threatening, comedic, hapless and helpful in the proportions you expect and want.

But unsurprisingly, Wayne is the secret weapon -- the story treatment for Rio Bravo didn’t bother giving his character a name, just calling him “John Wayne.” Imitations of Wayne focus on the swagger and the tough-guy talk but miss that his performances turn on the moments when his characters’ weaknesses undermine their strengths. Wayne’s Sheriff John T. Chance is gentle with Dude’s struggles, knowing well-chosen nudges are the best way to keep his troubled deputy on the right path, and he’s utterly at sea navigating his feelings for Feathers, Dickinson’s character. The Wayne-Dickinson pairing is yet another of those May-December romances that movies of the era were always foisting on actresses, but Wayne wisely leans into the problem, letting Chance be tongue-tied and awkward as the more confident Feathers steers him through uncharted emotional terrain.

Wayne became more cranky and reactionary as he aged, but he never lost the insight that strength is only interesting if paired with weakness. That dynamic sells Chance and Rio Bravo wonderfully. And hey, the Martin-Nelson duets are actually pretty good.

Hawks and Wayne would essentially remake Rio Bravo two more times, first as El Dorado and then as Rio Lobo, and while I’ll tell you now that I don’t feel the need to see either one, jump ahead a couple of years to a late night where I think, “a western would be fun right now,” and I’ll probably wind up watching one of them. Because I bet they’ll work.

That Thing You Do! (1996)

The story of a one-hit wonder band, written and directed by Tom Hanks. The cast is terrific, particularly the luminous Liv Tyler; the title song (written by Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne) is not only good but also pitch-perfect for its era; and the giddy whoosh of the Wonders’ sudden rise to fame carries the movie along effortlessly for quite a while.

There are only two problems -- but unfortunately, they’re pretty big ones.

First of all, the movie jumps the track completely in its last 20 minutes or so. Tyler’s big speech to her self-obsessed boyfriend feels completely out of character; Tom Everett Scott’s drummer hangs around the most accommodating studio in music history and has a miraculous chance meeting with the jazz musician he idolizes; the hotel’s magical concierge uses the same gag twice and then breaks the fourth wall ... and all of this happens in such rapid succession that I thought I’d hit my head. The movie’s humming along pleasantly enough and then WHAM! everything stops making sense and it never regains its footing.

Second, after a couple of hours it’s already fading from memory, leaving behind the title song, the fun of life on the road and Tyler. I think that’s because while That Thing You Do! is invariably pleasant, it’s also utterly bloodless.

Nothing is played for any stakes. Giovanni Ribsi breaks his arm and loses his spot in the band to Scott, but never seems bothered that he missed out on his friends’ rocket ride. The Wonders’ first manager excuses himself with nary a peep once Hanks arrives to take over. The veteran bands on tour with the Wonders brush the newcomers off at first, but pretty soon they’re all friends. The Wonders’ bassist is infatuated with a Black singer, which would have raised eyebrows in 1964, but the relationship barely makes a ripple. Despite ample warnings that it’s coming, the conflict in the band is mild at worst. Even the love triangle involving Tyler is resolved simply and with no particular fuss -- the Wonders’ lead singer breaks up with her, the drummer takes up with her, and all is well.

The movie presents an attractive surface -- despite all of the above, when I heard there was an extended cut I thought, “I’d hang around with these characters for 40 more minutes” -- but there’s absolutely nothing underneath it. Given the talent on both sides of the camera and the obvious care with which it was made, that’s a shame.

#movies

2 notes · View notes

svudrabbles · 5 years

Text

Imagine you’re Olivia’s daughter, and you get caught in a school shooting TRIGGER WARNING: MENTION OF SCHOOL SHOOTING (SOMEWHAT GRAPHIC), AND RAPE

It was a day like any other, or at least it was supposed to be. You woke up with your mother at six in the morning, got showered, got dressed in your uniform, packed your dance bag, ate a rushed lunch, and your mom drove you to school. You kissed your moms cheek quickly before hopping out of the car, and racing into the school.

Olivia went her way to the precinct.

Everything was normal, until around twelve in the afternoon.

You were in fourth period, Math. The teacher was out, and you had a substitute which meant the class was pretty much partying the entire time. You had music on blast. You and your two best friends, Dina and Ezra, were dancing along to the song. Dina had her phone on recording you three on a livestream on Twitter.

Everything was pretty much normal. The only thing out of the ordinary was the gun shots you heard in the distance.

“What the fuck was that?” Dina’s voice wavered.

The teacher began shouting. “Turn off the lights, and hide behind the wall.”

Ezra turned the lights off, another student shut off the music, and the class huddled up against the wall. The screams and the gunshots progressively got closer. Everyone was absolutely horrified. Your classroom was at the end of the hall, and when you heard footsteps approaching, you felt a dark sense of impending doom come over you.

The door opened, the light from the hallway pooling over the floor. The kid with the AK-47 entered the room, and flipped on the light. He looked at the group in the room, and started shooting. First, the teacher, then a couple of classmates.

That was, until you jumped in front of the gun, and you noticed who was behind the trigger.

Peter McCane. A ninth grader in your dance class outside of school stood in front of you, his pale face splattered with the blood of your fellow students. Tears pooled down his cheeks. “Y/N…”

“Peter, what are you doing?” You asked softly.

He lowered his gun a bit, gulping. “I had to. I had to.”

***

The precinct was relatively slow today. Everyone was sitting around doing paperwork from their previous case. That was until Captain Cragen ran into the precinct from his office.

“Liv.” He looked at her, his eyes full of worry.

She looked up, eyebrows knit in confusion. “Captain…what’s wrong?”

“There’s a shooting.” He stated. “A school shooting.”

She nodded slowly. “Okay…what’s that got to do with SVU?”

“It’s Y/N’s school.” He stated, flipping the television on.

Fox News was showing a live video feed. Olivia turned toward the screen, and sure enough, Y/N Benson was in the crooked frame standing next to the shooter.

***

“Peter, come on. Tell me why you had to.”

He started sobbing, kicking the door shut but kept a tight grip on the gun. “Ricky Cummings.” He screamed, looking behind you. “Fucking beloved Ricky Cummings.”

Your thumping heart beat so fast against your chest you thought it was going to explode, but you kept calm outwardly. You looked behind yourself, and a terrified Ricky was backed against the wall, tears pooling down his cheeks. “Is it okay if I stand, Peter?”

He nodded. “Whatever.”

So you did, shoving your hands into your skirt pockets. “What did Ricky do?”

“Doesn’t matter.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t fucking matter, Y/N!”

“Well.” You inhaled deeply. “Clearly it does to you. So tell me, Peter. Tell me what happened.”

He sniffled, rubbing his eyes with his forearm. All of a sudden, he looked like the child he was. “Stormy Marks asked me to prom. She’s a senior…I’m just a nerdy freshman. I thought…I thought she liked me. That night, I went to her house to pick her up. We took prom pictures…my mom was so happy for me. It was supposed to be the greatest night of my life.”

You nodded sympathetically. “Okay. Go on, Pete.”

“When we got to the dance…I was so excited. All her friends were treating me really well. Stormy asked if I wanted to go with her to the supplies closet…”

“And everyone knows that’s where hookups go down during prom.” You sighed.

“Yeah.” He muttered. “When we got there, Stormy shoved me in and locked the door. When I turned around, Ricky was there. He laughed, told me I was an idiot if I really thought Stormy wanted to go out with me. That I was just a submissive little cunt that needed some pity…that he’d show me what a submissive cunt I was.”

You knew exactly where this was going. You took a slow breath.

“He ripped off my pants, and raped me.” He screamed. “He fucking raped me, Y/N, and I couldn’t do anything about it! For weeks everyone laughed at me, everyone mocked me, called me a pussy. They didn’t care. They didn’t care, they didn’t care, they didn’t care! But they’re going to care. They’re going to fucking care!”

***

At this point, SWAT was on the premises, a plethora of ambulances, the fire department. The entire SVU squad sat outside of the school, watching the feed on their phones.

“She’s keeping him talking.” Nick said to Olivia. “Y/N is a smart girl, Liv. She’s going to be okay.”

“I should be in there!” She shouted. “I should be in there protecting my baby!”

“Look, Liv.” Amanda nudged her shoulder. “She’s just like you. She’s protecting her friends, and she’s going to get out safely. Okay?”

***

“So…you wanted revenge.” You stood slowly, walking toward him. “You wanted them to feel pain just like you did.”

“I shot everyone…everyone.”

“Who is dead, Pete?”

“Most of the 12th grade classes. There were some stragglers…” He responded. “They evacuated 9th, 10th, and 11th…”

You took a deep breath. “Peter, I get it. I understand your pa-“

“You don’t understand a god damn thing!” He screamed, pointing the gun at your head.

Your hands flew up. “Peter. Listen, okay? Can you listen to me?”

His eyes glowed with anger now, his hands shaking on the trigger.

You exhaled slowly. “When I was in ninth grade I was raped too. By a senior, who I was dating for awhile. When I said I didn’t want to have sex with him, he raped me, and he broke up with me. Then, he told all of his friends, and they mocked me until the day they graduated. I never told anyone either, Peter. I was scared. I was so scared of the humiliation, I was scared he’d hurt me again. I was so, so scared. I wanted nothing more than to make them pay, but…”

Peter’s face softened again. “But what?”

“Peter, this isn’t the way. This wasn’t the way.”

“I want him to pay for what he did to me!” Peter screamed something fierce, his entire face red. He pushed passed you, and walked over to the terrified teen that huddled against the wall.

“P-Please.” Ricky pleaded. “Please d-don’t shoot.”

“I asked you to stop too.” Peter growled. “You just kept going.”

You touched the boys shoulder, squeezing tightly. “Peter. Listen to me. Killing him isn’t going to do anything, you know that?”

“Of course it will! He can never hurt anyone again!” Peter spun on his heels, the gun against your abdomen.

“So, what? You kill him, and that’s it? He doesn’t suffer? He doesn’t think about his choices, day in and day out, in a prison where he will be raped day in and day out?” You asked softly. “And you? You rot in a prison cell too?”

“No, because I’ll be dead.” He spat. “As soon as this fucker dies, just like Stormy, I will kill myself.”

You shook your head. “Peter. Listen to me, okay? Ricky can pay for what he did to you. He can pay, justly, and rightly, but you have to do this the right way. I never got to. I was never brave enough. But you can’t kill him. You can’t kill anyone else. Not even yourself.”

Peter began wretching, and vomited all over the floor. Then, he began sobbing again. “After all of this…I never even got that dance…never got a dance with a beautiful girl.” He sat on a chair to the desk beside him, gun still clutched in his hands.

“Pete. Here are your choices.” You said softly, sitting on the table of the desk. “You kill everyone in this room, and then you die, and no one pays for anything, and you cause everyone else pain and anguish…or you drop your weapon, I can give you one last dance, and we can walk out of here together. Alive.”

“They won’t let me out of here alive.” Peter shook his head. “I’m a school shooter…they wouldn’t…”

“I’ll sit right in front of you, Pete. My mom? She’s a detective. She’s probably out there right now.” You smiled at the thought of your mother, who was probably terrified out of her mind. “She won’t let anyone shoot me. I’ll be your body guard. I’ll be your bullet proof vest. I promise, you’ll get out of here alive. Just let everyone go…let everyone leave.”

Peter sniffled, and looked over to Ricky. “W-What about him?”

“Let me call my mom.” You said softly. “He will be arrested as soon as he hits the grass of the front lawn. Okay? Is it okay if my mom comes up here and takes him away?”

“No…not your mom.” He shook his head. “Someone who works with her, fine, but…not your mom.”

“Okay.” You said, very disappointed but trying to hide it. “Fine. Her partner, Nick. He’ll come in.”

“F-Fine.” Peter mumbled. “But no games!”

You slid your phone out of your pocket and into your shaking hands. You clicked on Nick’s contact. It hardly rang before he answered.

“Y/N, are you okay?” He asked, clearly panicked.

“I’m okay. There are three dead, but everyone else is safe and unharmed. Peter says he’s going to let everyone go now, except for me. You have to come up here and take them out, okay?”

“Okay, sweetie…okay. You’re doing amazing, Y/N, you’re doing incredible.”

“Nick?”

“Yes, baby?”

“There’s a student here. Ricky Cummings. You’re going to arrest him for the rape of Peter McCane.”

“Y/N…”

“Nick.”

“Okay. Okay.”

You hung up, and slid your phone back into your pocket.

Only moments later, and Nick entered the room. You sent him a tearful smile.

“Okay kids. Come on, run, get out.” Nick said, and the students started piling out.

Dina, unnoticed, rested her phone against the wall so the livestream could continue.

Everyone ran out, except for Ricky, who had pissed himself.

“Ricky Cummings.” Nick grabbed his forearm, and hoisted him up. “You are under arrest for the rape of Peter McCane…” He continued to mirandize him as they exited the classroom.

Peter began to sob mercilessly, dropping the gun beside him. You brought the small boy into your arms, holding him against yourself.

“Okay, okay.” You cooed. “He’s gone. He’s gone, Pete.”

“I’m sorry.” He sobbed into your chest. “I’m so sorry..they’re all dead because of me…b-because of me…”

“Shhh.” You shushed. “Come on, Pete. Let me give you that dance.”

You stood, and helped him onto his feet. You took out her phone, and went to Spotify, playing “Baby It’s Cold Outside”

“I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside

I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside

This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in

So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice”

Peter let out his hand for you, and you took it. He wrapped his shaking arms around your waist, you wrapped your arms around his neck. You could smell the blood on him, and you began silently crying.

***

The dance felt like it had gone on for hours, but the song ended. He sniffled, pulling away from you. “Thank you…Y/N. I’m ready to go now.”

You grabbed his hand, crying as well. “Come on, Pete. Let’s go.”

You lead him down the bloodied halls, almost tripping over the dead students and teachers that cluttered the floor. Down the stairs, the front doors. You pushed open the double doors, and Peter stayed up against your back.

“It’s okay!” You shouted. “He’s unarmed!”

One of the swat men ran over to the two, and grabbed you, running away with you toward the SVU squad.

Another SWAT guy grabbed Peter roughly, and cuffed him.

The man dropped you in front of your mother, who brought you into a bear hug that had the two of you on the ground weeping.

“Oh, my baby. My sweet, sweet baby.” Olivia sobbed into your neck. “Oh my sweet girl.”

“I’m okay, mommy.” You weeped. “I’m okay.”

Olivia sat on the grass, holding you in her lap tightly. You was too big for this, but Olivia couldn’t help but be brought back to when you were just a little girl. So small, always wanting to be curled around your mommy.

“Liv.” Amanda knelt down to the two of you. “We have to get her to the hospital.”

Olivia looked up, sniffling.

“I’m okay. He didn’t hurt me.” You stated.

“We still have to go.” Amanda said sadly.

You nodded, going to get up. Olivia held on tighter.

“Mommy.” You smiled softly. “I’m okay. I’m safe. We’ve gotta go…I’m not leaving.”

The older woman nodded. The two of you sat up, Olivia’s hand never leaving yours.

***

After the long, horrible day you’d had, you went back to your apartment. The squad was there, all too worried for the Bensons to be anywhere else.

You had taken a very, very long shower. You dressed in black leggings, and an oversized hoodie. You walked out of the bathroom, and everyone stared at you with pity.

You burst into sobs, hot tears running down your cheeks.

Nick leapt forward, grabbing you in his arms, hoisting you up into his grasp. You wrapped your legs around his waist, crying loudly into his shoulder. “I’m sorry.” You wept. “I’m so, so, so, sorry.”

“For what, my love?” Olivia asked, rubbing your back gently.

“I didn’t tell you about my assault.” You sniffled. “I didn’t tell you, and you had to find out during a tragedy like that!”

“It wasn’t your fault.” Amanda spoke. “You had to do it. You had to talk him down, get to his level. You got out of there alive.”

“I should’ve said something earlier.” You cried desperately. “I was so scared you’d hate me, mommy.”

Nick let you down to your feet. Olivia grabbed you, leading you to the couch, where she placed you in her lap once more that day. She wrapped you up tightly in her arms. “I could never hate you, lovey. You’re my miracle. The best thing to ever happen to me, understand?”

You nodded.

“It’s okay. You’re safe. No one can ever hurt you again, do you understand me? I love you so much.”

“We all love you.” Captain Cragen spoke.

“We’re your family, baby doll.” Amanda squeezed your leg. “You’re safe, and loved.”

You nodded. “I love you guys too…”

#olivia benson #olivia benson imagine #olivia benson daughter #svu #law and order svu

107 notes · View notes

jonmoxleygivesmelife · 5 years

Text

I have decided to write out and publish my personal predictions for Wrestlemania 35 this Sunday. Feel free to comment and discuss with me cuz I’m fuckin PUMPED FOR THIS SHIT! But like also don’t be an ass about it, these are my personal predictions and opinions for Sunday. (All this is subject to change)

Wrestlemania 35 Predictions:

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal (Kickoff Show): Confirmed entrants -- Braun Strowman, Michael Che, Colin Jost, Andrade, Apollo Crews, Titus O'Neil, Tyler Breeze, Jinder Mahal, No Way Jose, Bobby Roode, Chad Gable, Lucha House Party, Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel, Heath Slater, Rhyno, Viktor, Konnor, Mustafa Ali, Shelton Benjamin, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Otis, Tucker, EC3:

I honestly have no pony in this race. I’m still very bitter that the Hardy Boyz are being wasted in this match and not doing a singles tag match with The Usos. If I had to pick a winner, I’d say Jeff Hardy or Mustafa Ali, tho it will most likely be Braun Strowman. Winner: Braun Strowman (Personal Choice: Jeff Hardy)

Women's Battle Royal (Kickoff Show): Confirmed entrants -- Asuka, Carmella, Naomi, Lana, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Nikki Cross, Dana Brooke, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, Mickie James, Zelina Vega, TBA

This battle royal is such a waste of talent ohmygod. Every single one of these women has the potential to win, although I believe it will go to Asuka as sort of a payback (if such a thing even exists in this business) for the bullshit title run she was given as well as being dicked out of a Wrestlemania match. I would love to see Ruby Riott or Sonya DeVille win as well. Winner: Asuka

Cruiserweight Championship -- Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Tony Nese (Kickoff Show): I honestly have no idea who’s going to win since this is so underhyped and I haven’t been paying attention to the cruiserweights at all lately. I think there were much better options that creative could have gone with here, and I don’t see them stopping a long reigning title run for just anyone. Winner: Buddy Murphy

Raw Tag Team Championship -- The Revival (c) vs. Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins: When the fuck did this match become a thing??? I promise you all that if the Revival lose their titles, I will fucking riot. I will burn the establishment down to the ground. We’ve had to watch the Revival lose how many weeks in a row to Ricochet and Aleister Black? And then THIS is what we get for Mania??? I don’t think so. This is a filler to have on the card. Revival will win. Next. Winner: The Revival

SmackDown Tag Team Championship -- The Usos (c) vs. Ricochet & Aleister Black vs. The Bar vs. Rusev & Shinsuke Nakamura: Once again, what the fuck?? This is a horrible lineup. We could have had The Usos vs. The Hardy Boyz, but no, we get this piece of garbage match instead. WWE creative clearly has no idea what to do with their tag divisions at this current time. I’d prefer the Usos to retain their titles, but I still haven’t seen much about whether they have signed a new contract with WWE since their current one is up in May. I honestly believe the outcome of the match will depend on that. If they have signed a new contract, I would say the Usos will retain. However, if they haven’t, it will go to Ricochet & Aleister Black since they have been dominating both Raw and Smackdown since they were called up from NXT. Maybe a unification of the tag titles in all three divisions, like with the womens titles, if they do?? Food for thought. Winner: The Usos

Women's Tag Team Championship -- Sasha Banks & Bayley (c) vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs. Nia Jax & Tamina Snuka vs. The IIconics: I hate that this is another fatal 4 way for tag titles. As it stands, I wish they never involved Nia Jax & Tamina. They had their shot at Fastlane, they lost, let’s move along now please. I feel that Nia Jax & Tamina vs. Divas of Doom in their own singles match would have been a much better use of story and talent. The IIconics, on the other hand, are a natural tag team. They have the potential to have a great rivalry with Boss n’ Hug Connection, especially with both teams’ promo and in ring skills. I wish they had been focusing more on this part of the storyline without the added mud of the other two teams going into WM35. However, I believe Sasha & Bayley will retain and go on to have a feud with the IIconics post-Mania, and perhaps an NXT tag team will get involved. Winner: Sasha Banks & Bayley (Personal choice: The IIconics)

Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin (Farewell Match): Kurt Angle is about to whoop Baron Corbin’s ass and we all know it. Maybe WWE will swerve us with Cena and have him vs. Kurt but who fucking knows at this point? This whole damn show is a hot mess. Kurt wins no matter what though. Let the man retire with some goddamn dignity. Winner: Kurt Angle

The Miz vs. Shane McMahon (Falls Count Anywhere): I’m really excited for this match simply because it’s going to be mayhem. Shane McMahon will jump off lots of stuff, Miz will take some good spots, it’ll be great. With The Miz dominating the way he has been the past few weeks and becoming a beloved babyface, he has to win. I think with Shane attacking his father and the return of Miz’s reality show, they won't do Miz dirty here and his father may even intervene. Winner: The Miz

Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre: I’m so excited for this match ohmygoodness. I love both of them so much and they will give us a great match. After Drew McIntyre brutalizing all of The Shield continuously for the past month, it naturally makes sense that Roman’s first single match since returning from hiatus will be McIntyre. This is going to be the beginning of a beautiful feud, but I don’t think Roman is going to win just yet. They’re introducing a new version of Roman that isn’t invincible like he’s always been in the past. He has a layer of humanity to him now and it would develop his new storyline much more to lose. I think Drew winning will rocket him to being the top heel of the company and it will spark great storylines for the future. Winner: Drew McIntyre

Triple H vs. Batista (No Holds Barred; Triple H's career on the line): I’ll tell you what I want, what I really really want, and that’s for Batista to win this match. However, with Triple H’s career on the line (once again) I don’t see him having much of a chance. Triple H will take this one, but at least we’re getting a blast to the past of ruthless aggression, yeah! Winner: Triple H (Personal Choice: Batista)

AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton: So, I originally HATED the idea of this match. Like, I fucking hate Randall with every fiber of my being. I have my whole life and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. However, the latest episode of smackdown left me excited to see what these two will do in a ring together. What I really mean is that AJ Styles is about to make Randall look the best he has in almost a decade. This one goes to the good ole Georgia boy. Winner: AJ Styles

United States Championship -- Samoa Joe (c) vs. Rey Mysterio: This match is still up for debate on whether it’s going to happen or not. On the go-home SmackDown, it was announced that Mysterio had suffered an ankle injury during his match on Raw against Baron Corbin. He's set to be evaluated up until Sunday so who the fuck knows? I certainly don’t. However, Joe will retain. He deserves to win his first Mania match. ily Joe bby. Winner: Samoa Joe

Intercontinental Championship -- Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Finn Balor: The Demon King is showing up. There’s no question that Bobby will get the shit kicked out of him and Balor will take the title and move on from Buff Wayne Brady to bigger and better things. Winner: Finn Balor

WWE Championship -- Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Kofi Kingston: KOFIMANIA BABY! It’s time! I think this will be match of the night and we deserve it. So does Kofi. It’s going to be an amazing moment for everyone when our new WWE Champion is crowned. I think I might cry y’all. Winner: Kofi Kingston

Universal Championship -- Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Seth Rollins: At least someone actually gets their promised Royal Rumble match (I’m bitter about a lot of things but that’s another matter). I think this will be the biggest disappointment of the night. Everyone hates Brock. We’re tired of him. We want him to go away. Fuck Brock Lesner. Although, I don’t think Seth will win this match. Not after him standing tall over Brock on the latest episode of Raw. I think this is going to be a major let down, but we can’t always get what we want right? Vince’s obsession with Brock will never end until he fucking dies and we’re stuck with him until then. Unfortunately, Seth will be the sacrificial lamb for Kofi and Becky to win. Winner: Brock Lesnar (Personal Choice: Seth Rollins)

Winner Take All -- Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Becky Lynch: God, what a fucking mess. I just want Becky to win dammit. Fuck Ronda. Fuck Charlotte. GIVE US BECKY. It’s what we deserve. It’s what she deserves. It’s what the world deserves. I know it’s going to be one hell of a match and I think if they pick anyone else to win they will have a riot from the fans and crowd so bad that people will throw drinks and shit into the ring. I wouldn’t be surprised if Charlotte wins, however, since Vince is obsessed with her, but the smart business move is Becky. If Ronda wins, I give up on everything and this show. Thank God we’re finally getting this match over with. Winner: Becky Lynch

See y’all Sunday ✌️

22 notes · View notes

bartsugsy · 6 years

Note

i feel like emmerdale have their new shiny ship that is beloved and receiving praise from fans and critics - they're already getting so much promo and fancy individual episodes. it seems like 'robron whomst' for the foreseeable future D:

i feel like that sounds a bit paranoid lmao

i’m not a fan and i really really wish they’d address the victim blaming stuff so i can stop actively not wanting to support them (like justice for me not being able to enjoy the wlw on my soap) but also like

that’s not accurate tbh?

robron don’t have a monopoly on promotion. even in the slightest

loads of characters on the show have had special episodes and promo. debbie/joe had a massive photo shoot before joe even appeared on the show. rob and aaron literally just had the entire christmas day ep dedicated to them, plus valentine’s day and had a massive reunion ep and they’ve literally actively been in a storyline since summer 2016 - and even then, that was following about a month/2 month break since the last story/series of smaller stories involving them

think of how much story ross or debbie or moira or cain or charity or anyone on this show really have had since then. like - robron have, as a whole, been used so much more than p much anyone

i always say that iain’s faves are tracy and rob because they pretty consistently got both focus and development the entire time he’s been running the show lmao

and like - i understand it, i do, because i always openly say that dryan don’t need holidays and that robron should always have a storyline

but for them to not have a story right now doesn’t mean the show is suddenly anti robron

it’s literally well overdue time for them to be backburnered a little. well overdue. it’s not an omen of doom. it just means that we have to wait a little while for them to have a story.

however luckily they’re still pretty major players in liv’s story and they’re on the fringes of a few others right now and they’re on pretty regularly, even if it’s not story about them specifically, so honestly it could be so much worse.

we could have them onscreen but literallly never together, yk?

like, i’m not saying this is peak robron and i’m not saying that i don’t get the impatience bc i totally get and support it. like - i get missing robron storylines and i’m absolutely not invalidating those feelings because #mood yk! i want them to be in a new sl too!

but i also think it’s good to be realistic and not panic about robron dying bc the show hates them now, just because they (finally) aren’t actively leading a story of their own. which makes sense because that’s literally just how the show is structured and works with its cast. just luckily rob and aaron are always going to be on the more heavily used side than other characters.

i know we’ve gotten used to a certain level of them and i know that it sort of sucks because their massive storyline last year actually by design meant we got very little of robron in the second half of the year, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t being heavily used, particularly rob who was basically just on every day lmao. they just literally need a storyline and maybe that will happen next month or maybe it will happen in 4 months - but just as with literally everything on soaps ever, you just sort of have to wait it out?

literally just think of it as a pause lmao. that’s how i treat it. it’s really nothing to be panicked about.

#🤷🏻‍♀️#answering anons #robron

26 notes · View notes

andakillerqueen · 5 years

Text

21 Questions

thank you so much for tagging me @ivona-books!!! 💛💛💛 (I think I've already done this but it’s been a while? so i’ll do it again cause it’s fun lol)

RULES: answer 21 question and tag 21 people ypu want to know better

Nicknames: Bing, Liv, Livi, and a whole lot of others that get progressively worse and/or more embarrassing

Zodiac sign: scorpio

Height: 5′4″

Hogwarts house: Slytherin

Last thing I googled: Panera near me

Fave musicians: oh gosh there's too many... right now I’ve been listening to a lot of blink-182, bastille, and queen

Song stuck in your head: alligator by of monsters and men

Following: 616

Followers: 144

Do you get asks: sometimes, but not really (I'd love to get some though!! seriously, i’ll answer anything)

Amount of sleep: shout out to summer for making my average more like 8 or 9 hours (and sometimes even longer) :))))))

Lucky number: 19

What are you wearing: Nike shorts and my favorite college t-shirt

Dream job: pediatric neurologist

Dream trip: like three months (or longer) exploring Europe

Instruments: uhhh I played the piano a reeealllyy long time ago lol

Languages: English

10 favourite songs (at the moment and in no particular order!!)

I miss you - blink-182

alligator - of monsters and men

doom days - bastille

your song - taron egerton

sing - my chemical romance

those nights - bastille

humble and kind - tim mcgraw

beloved - mumford & sons

shake it out - Florence & the machine

killer queen - queen

Random fact: I claim to not like shrimp but the truth is I've never actually tried it

My aesthetic: hammocks, overflowing bookshelves, beds full of blankets and pillows, rainy days, fresh peppermint tea, stargazing, walls full of pictures

I know that I've already done this so I'm not gonna tag anyone? I’ll just say if you see this do it (because I DO want to get to know you better, so please tag me too!!!)

#tag game #about me #21 questions #:)

0 notes

musemash · 5 years

Photo

Images from The Return Of The King, courtesy of New Line Cinema

ARWEN’S CHOICE, GRIMA’S TEAR – part 3

Temptation & Forgiveness

The many Christian elements clearly present in Jackson’s Rings have been noted by some critics, including the power of sin, service to others, sharing, conversion, overcoming evil, pilgrimage, good will, salvation, vocation, love, compassion and redemption. One theme would be obvious even to a biblically illiterate viewer: susceptibility to temptation, as embodied by the One Ring’s effect on Bilbo, Smeagol, Deagol, Saruman, Boromir, Denethor and Faramir. This motif is presented at its most complex in the various stages of temptation Frodo goes through.

Forgiveness is especially apparent in several places: Frodo’s treatment of Gollum; Gimli’s change of heart regarding elves; Aragorn’s acceptance of Legolas’ apology; and Theoden’s kindness to the repentant Grima. The self-sacrifice, loyalty, servant nature and unconditional friendship of Samwise are a beacon throughout the film. Christ’s devotion to his mother Mary is echoed when Aragorn honors his own deceased mother’s statue (which is itself an obvious reference to Catholic veneration of the Virgin).

Providence

Divine providence rears its majestic head in several places. Gandalf tells Frodo: “Bilbo was meant to find the Ring; and you also were meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.” As Aragorn lies grievously wounded, Arwen’s spirit hovers over his body. Deep in Mordor, Sam looks up and sees a star through a break in Sauron’s poisonous cloud, and says: “There is light and beauty up there, Mr. Frodo, that no shadow can touch.” The White Tree finally blossoms, a none-too-subtle reference to the Tree of Life. Frodo and Sam are rescued by Gandalf and the eagles, as if by angels.

The filmmakers also add a surprisingly biblical twist to Theoden’s release from mental and spiritual subjugation: the king is literally exorcised, freeing him from being directly possessed by Saruman. Whether this was done because Jackson knew it was a very Catholic concept, or simply because it was a way cool cinematic device, is a matter of speculation.

Christ Figures

Just as Sauron, Saruman and the Witch King are clearly symbolic of Satan, and the Black Riders represent demons, the film also presents several obvious Christ figures: Gandalf, Aragorn and Frodo. Gandalf is explicitly called The White Rider – invoking the horseman of Revelation 19:11. As Gandalf the Grey, he falls at Khazad-dum, his arms spreading out to form a cross; he wrestles the Balrog of Morgoth (Satan) into the abyss (hell); he is later reborn as Gandalf the White, a more powerful Istari than he has ever been. In his new form, he is able to drive the fearsome Nazgul away with the white light issuing from his staff.

In the book, after the battle of Pelennor Fields, Aragorn demonstrates his gentler skills in the Houses of Healing. Tolkien writes: “The hands of the king are the hands of a healer – and so shall the rightful king be known.” While Jackson doesn’t overly emphasize this, he shows Eowyn being nursed by Aragorn – accompanied by a peaceful and lyrical song by Liv Tyler. Early in the film, Aragorn also uses his healing skills to help Frodo. There is also a very touching moment near the end, when Aragorn tells the hobbits: “You bow to no one.” He bows his knee to them, echoing an aspect of Christ: “He humbled himself.” His humility is also demonstrated by his earlier willingness to serve another king, Theoden, even though he is a monarch waiting to ascend to his own throne.

Mercy & Sacrifice

Frodo repeatedly shows mercy to Gollum, hoping to somehow help reverse the effect of the One Ring and start the pathetic creature on the road to regeneration. Frodo also embodies the punishment Christ endured when He was “wounded for our transgressions.” By the time the hobbit gets to Mount Doom, he is a devastated shadow of his Shire self.

The crucial moment, where he is stricken by the poison of evil, comes in act one – when he is wounded by the Witch King on Weathertop. Jackson reminds us of this moment several times, through flashbacks and other references. Toward the end, Frodo tells Sam: “It’s never really healed.” The price he pays in gaining the victory over Sauron’s evil, through his sacrifice, echoes the price paid by Jesus on the Cross.

Rebirth & Eternity

Resurrection is also very much evident throughout the film. Gandalf is literally raised from the dead. The injured Aragorn is restored by a mystical kiss from Arwen’s spirit; and the future king symbolically conquers death by walking the Paths of the Dead. At the Grey Havens, the last elves in Middle-Earth board a ship to the Undying Lands (also referred to by Tolkien as the Blessed Realm, the home of the Valar).

Frodo tastes death symbolically several times: getting stabbed by the morgul blade, whose poison could turn him into a wraith; succumbing to the Ring’s power on several occasions; falling into a swamp filled with demonic ghosts; and being struck down by Shelob’s sting. But all of these are overthrown by the Grey Havens scene, which represents his resurrection. “We set out to save the Shire,” he says, “and it has been saved – but not for me.” The only way out for him is to pass from Middle-Earth to the elves’ paradise across the sea. Thereby, “death is swallowed up in victory.”

The film only briefly alludes to the Undying Lands, with no detailed explanation of the term; but the concept of eternal life is touchingly enunciated by Gandalf, in a wonderful passage taken almost verbatim from the climax of the book (describing Frodo approaching the Undying Lands). As they sit barricaded in Minas Tirith, with enemy forces closing in, the wizard says to Pippin: “No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass. And then you see it … white shores – and beyond them a far green country, under a swift sunrise.”

Arwen’s Importance

Many critics and purists have complained about the increased role given to Arwen. Initially, the perception was that the filmmakers were simply tacking on a gratuitous romance to appeal to ‘the female demographic.’ But such talk died down when it became known that most of the Arwen scenes were taken directly from material in Appendix A of the book. Curiously, most Christian commentators don’t seem to have picked up on the Christian elements that virtually saturate the Aragorn/Arwen subplot.

In my view, this subplot was the most significant script decision taken by Jackson and company; indeed, it was a stroke of genius. By expanding Arwen’s role, based faithfully on the back story outlined in the Appendices, the scripters greatly increased the Christian content; they added a strong metaphorical element which was only implied in Tolkien’s actual narrative. It makes me wish Tolkien had woven the details into the narrative instead of relegating them to the appendix.

Arwen’s Grace

A summary of the Arwen/Aragorn story arc will help clarify my thesis. The first hint of the subplot occurs in act one, before Arwen appears in the film. Beside a campfire, Aragorn softly sings a song about the legendary elfmaiden Luthien, who gave her love to the human Beren, thus relinquishing her immortality. Frodo asks whom the song is referring to; Aragorn’s response subtly indicates he is thinking of his own immortal lover. Arwen is introduced soon after, and rescues Frodo from the Black Riders; as his wound overcomes him, she prays: “What grace is given me, let it pass to him; let him be spared.” In Rivendell, Arwen gives Aragorn encouragement, renews her vow to ‘bind herself’ to him, and bestows her Evenstar jewel upon him. He goes off on the quest, after a somber parting.

In act two, there is a flashback to Rivendell. The lovers share a tender moment; then Elrond exhorts Aragorn to give Arwen up, thereby allowing her to leave Middle-Earth and keep her immortality in the Undying Lands. Reluctantly, Aragorn breaks off the relationship; but she insists that he keep the Evenstar. Later, he is severely wounded in the warg attack. As he lies stricken, she materializes above him, conferring a blessing and a phantom kiss upon him. We hear her voice: “May the grace of the Valar protect you”; the Valar are the Ainur, the Holy Ones, the first creations of Tolkien’s Creator, Iluvatar – in other words, angels.

Arwen’s Destiny

The scene switches to Rivendell. Arwen refuses to leave Imladris with the other elves, determined to be reunited with her lover. Elrond then tells her what will become of her after Aragorn meets his inevitable mortal end; in a vision of her future, Arwen sees herself mourning the passing of her beloved, as her father paints a devastating picture of the black-clad widow wandering desolate, alone in a barren forest. Arwen capitulates, and leaves Rivendell with the other elves.

In act three, Arwen is heading through the forest with her elvish escort. She sees a vision of an older Aragorn embracing his young son, who is wearing her Evenstar jewel. She returns to Rivendell, and confronts Elrond about this alternate future; she chooses to stay in Middle-Earth, to bring her son into the world – and exhorts her father to reforge Narsil, the shattered blade that cut the Ring from Sauron’s hand 3,000 years before. Elrond sadly accepts her choice, comforts her and laments: “The life of the Eldar is leaving you.” Meanwhile, in his tent, Aragorn has a dream of the Evenstar being shattered.

Elrond gives Aragorn a gift: Anduril, the reforged Sword of the King. He also gives him the sad tidings that Arwen is dying – her destiny now mysteriously tied to the fate of the One Ring. Aragorn later uses a palantir to confront Sauron – who shows him a vision of his dying lover; the Evenstar shatters, this time for real. Aragorn takes up Anduril, and goes to confront Sauron’s army at the Black Gate; the Ring, and Sauron, are destroyed. At Aragorn’s coronation, he is reunited with his lover. The reunion, while joyous, is rendered even more poignant by the bittersweet implications of Arwen’s new mortal status.

Love & Hope

In total, Arwen is onscreen a fairly small amount of time; but it feels much more substantial. Her appearances are paced just right, and her importance to Aragorn resonates throughout the film. Their story is heavily imbued with Christian meaning, as web critic Abercius has eloquently pointed out at CatholicQandA.com. Aragorn is willing to sacrifice Arwen’s companionship to save her from a life of war and despair – loving her “as Christ loved the church, and gave Himself up for her.” Yet, he never totally gives up on his love for her, continuing to wear the Evenstar.

Indeed, he is the very embodiment of Christian hope, in Tolkien’s view; the author names him Elessar, which means ‘the Renewer’, and Estel, meaning ‘hope’. While the film doesn’t clarify these ideas, Aragorn still embodies them. At Helm’s Deep, facing overwhelming odds, he tells a boy soldier: “There is always hope”; when all seems lost, he motivates Theoden to ride out and meet the enemy regardless; and his short rallying speech to the troops at the Black Gate is truly inspiring.

Ultimate Sacrifice

In her own way, Arwen is also a true Christ figure. She, too, humbles herself; and she also makes the ultimate sacrifice. She is free to go to the Undying Lands, but chooses not to – partly motivated by the vision of the child she could only have if she stays with Aragorn. She sacrifices her immortality to bring the child into existence. While her motivation is a combination of romantic love, and love for the child, the fact is that she lays her life down to save another’s life. What could be more quintessentially Christ-like?

In some respects, Arwen is the purest element in the entire film, an embodiment of nobility, grace, loyalty and love. Her story adds extraordinary emotional and spiritual power to the film. By increasing her role, Jackson and his co-scripters actually improved on Tolkien in a profound way – and that is no mean feat.

For Fanatics Only?

Finally, here’s where we separate the elves from the dwarves. At the risk of being dismissed as a hopeless fanatic, I have to say that The Lord Of The Rings is best appreciated when it is watched in an all-day marathon; the story has greater immediacy, momentum and accumulative emotional impact. Some key elements resonate more intensely throughout the saga. Indeed, watching the complete film in one sitting (with breaks for second breakfast and afternoon tea, of course!) greatly enhances one’s appreciation of some of the most important elements of this sprawling narrative.

These include: the evolution of the relationship between Frodo and Sam; Smeagol’s struggle against his alter-ego, Gollum, and his ultimate capitulation to evil; the growth of Merry and Pippin, from juvenile clowns to seasoned warriors; the dire significance of Frodo’s wound; the relationships between Denethor and his sons; Aragorn’s progress from uncertain exile to confident monarch; the weight of Arwen’s acceptance of mortality; Theoden’s evolution from slave of Saruman to courageous champion; Gandalf’s progression from lovable Grey bungler to imperious White commander; Frodo’s view of Smeagol, going from hatred to pity to mercy; the importance of the Shire as the hobbits’ idyllic refuge from the world; Eowyn’s progression from sheltered royal to shieldmaiden; and Frodo’s evolution from carefree and complacent hobbit to haunted, battle-scarred outsider.

The shorter version is probably best for a day-long marathon, of course, simply because of the daunting length of the extended edition; but the latter is well worth devoting a day to, for the maximum experience. For the less venturesome, the film can also be split very nicely into two parts and viewed on consecutive days. In my opinion, it’s best to end part one after Saruman sends his army of Uruk-hai off to Helm’s Deep; and to begin part two with Merry and Pippin seeing Saruman’s army in the distance. A Galadriel monologue soon after that scene effectively encapsulates the key points of the story’s first half.

Missed Opportunity

After all is said and done, there’s only one thing Jackson could do to improve upon his work: release the full extended film worldwide as a big-screen special event – preferably in Imax theatres. The extended editions of Fellowship and Towers were given a brief theatrical run in 2003; but as far as I know, aside from a few limited presentations, the extended finale has never been widely shown to the public on the big screen internationally. Surely, this is a missed opportunity.

Now that he has gotten his King Kong remake, The Lovely Bones and The Adventures of Tintin out of his system, and especially since The Hobbit has finally become a reality, I hope Jackson may consider doing a big-screen edition of the complete Rings saga (maybe even a 3D version, if it is done properly). New Line Cinema would be wise to do it now that the complete Hobbit trilogy has run its course; indeed, I would love to see a special presentation of both trilogies in the theatres.

Supreme Masterpiece

Speaking of The Hobbit, much has been written about the supposed failure of Jackson to remain faithful to the book. I have to disagree with that assessment, and have done so at great length in my review (see link below). Personally, I think the Hobbit series is surpassed only by the Rings Trilogy, as a supreme work of fantasy. I can't think of any production unit that could have done a better job than Peter Jackson and his colleagues, and I am greatly looking forward to further flights of fancy from those quarters. It's fun to ponder how the Kiwi Wizard could possibly top himself.

We might dare hope that he and his team could someday tackle The Silmarillion. It is a rather unwieldy book, but a great film could be made by focusing on the creation myth of Iluvatar and the Ainur; the theft of the Silmarils; the villainy of Sauron’s mentor, Morgoth; the tragedy of Beren and Luthien; the cataclysmic destruction of Numenor; and Sauron’s defeat in the War of the Last Alliance. Tolkien’s Children Of Hurin would also make a fine film – albeit a rather gloomy one, but powerful nonetheless. However, considering the intransigence of the Tolkien Estate, it is highly unlikely Jackson would ever get the movie rights.

In conclusion: It is indeed no exaggeration to call The Lord Of The Rings a supreme masterpiece. While it has a few miniscule flaws, it is nevertheless one of the very greatest accomplishments in the history of film. It is highly doubtful that it could ever be surpassed as a spectacle. In my mind, the only thing that could conceivably trump it would be a faithful adaptation of the Book Of Revelation – done with the same state-of-the-art technology, craftsmanship and imagination, by someone with money willing to invest it. Is George Lucas listening? Just kidding! How about Spielberg?

For an archive of outstanding Rings-related videos, click here for the APPENDICES:

http://musemash.tumblr.com/post/181194210475/the-rings-trilogy-multi-facet-appendices-in

VINDICATING A SPLENDID HOBBIT'S TALE

https://www.facebook.com/fugue999/photos/a.337095876312460/1040775709277803/

1 note · View note

sasorikigai · 2 years

Note

❝ do you smell that? it’s about to rain. ❞ liv @ hanzo! Any verse ❤

THE CLASSIC ROMANCE OF A GOOD RAINSTORM || @somniaxperdita || accepting

▬▬ι═══════ﺤ 🔥 || The night becomes longer, and chill is becoming stronger. The unfamiliarity of the white trickster, of the hospital ward’s ambiance has no mercy when it comes to Hanzo Hasashi’s unsteady being; he is forlorn and painfully undistinguished in his own body, and paradoxically, too distinct to be alive in the midst of obfuscated, thickened haze. He has long made a commitment to himself to let life wreak havoc and tear him asunder. The breathing, wanting, hungry life. The simple and the intense, and the way it will throw Grandmaster Hasashi onto the acrid, desiccated earth and split his veins open, in order for rapid surge of hellfire tendrils to ravage his vulnerable, tender viscera and suffocate his resilient will and passion to live, survive, and thrive. The fathomless absence of life, amidst his unlife as a tangible specter continues to yearn for thrumming threads of severed life.

How proverbial embers burn into thin murmurs of recriminations fold, lest his subconscious threatens to reduce his entirety into this gradual deterioration. Scorpion can see annihilation and massacre everywhere he looks; in a dizzying collage of colors, feelings, memories, and his severed love, before what was once memorialized became a tangible reality, without the distorted image of burning inferno consuming Hanzo Hasashi’s unconquerable body and spirits. How he would search for light even amongst the darkest, impervious nights like this; the way he listens to his intuition and follow the compass of his heart; which always leads him back to the proverbial love bestowed upon his beloved Goddess.

The way he raises his standards to match his worth, the way he alters his boundaries in any given moment to honor his highest good, instead of sinking into the abysmal, vicious depth of wrath and vengeance. This is what he deserves; this is what they both deserve, after dealing with all the torrential waves crashing against the unforgiving shore of having to witness many innocents perish, while the roaring paralyzation of limitless despair induced by the metaphorical cleansing of sanguine spectacle, awashed beneath the torrential rain further reminds of Scorpion of his untimely death.

“The approaching rain reminds me of proverbial loneliness I harbor in the depth of my heart and soul, echoing through the walls. Each time, growing louder than before. The eerie silence, the harrowing screams in my head are getting louder, and I wonder when it will stop.” And in the distance, he hears a familiar voice of doom, and the eternally stoic, erect, and broad posture of Scorpion’s being slouch, as if a herculean weight cursed upon his shoulders and back amplified its unbearable burden. And right here and now, his nightmares come back to haunt him, as their rhymeless rhymes seep through the cracks of a darkness, kept from the light for an eternity. “It’s as if I can smell the unmistakable stench of ferrous iron, forever rusted and bitter, in my lungs and filling already crumbled walls of my scorched heart.” ▬▬ι═══════ﺤ 🔥 ||

#✗ the ineffable testimony of spawned hellfire (scorpion)#✗ hellfire fibrillating beneath his skin (iv)#✗ successions of binding music (olivia winter || somniaxperdita)#(have a melodramatic sad specter)#somniaxperdita

1 note · View note