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unproduciblesmackdown · 2 years

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really a mystery how billions writers approach winston’s material (or really, anyone’s, but as a tertiary character there’s simply less info to work with) and of course all this through a lens of seeing what’s Probably not meant to be there, like finding winston a delight already in season 3 when that three episode arc was going from “taylor can’t stand to work with him” to “taylor can tolerate him probably,” detecting the incredible sexual tension in winston & taylor’s kompenso scene/s which was probably not intended as written, the fact of [winston billions autistic character]’s incredible power when it’s surely one of those cases of writing “ha ha we all know these people who are just weird like this” characters

like as soon as they knew they wanted more scenes for quant kid 2, i wonder how they reconfigured their idea of his personality, or actually, even before that, as they were watching the quant kid 2 scene being acted, what was such a Surprise about the material in its performance that then turned into “oh we gotta have more of it”....i mean obviously will roland is the x factor there, but like, in what particular way lmfao, was it just the joie de vivre Liveliness for the character, was it the [oops, grounded human pathos] arc he has there lol which i suppose could’ve been acted as Disappointment without seeming like yes, this guy is gonna walk out and go be depressed for months until taylor calls him up....of course they had to write recurring winston differently than one & done quant kid 2, but wonder what the specific ideas in mind were besides “not liable to do exactly the kind of thing he tried in 3x03 again;” certainly 3x09 is in strong contrast to it to balance it out, but even when we see a throwback in 5x05 with his feet up on his desk, it’s hardly the same as even seeming to approach 3x03, rather than that being like, The Winston Epitome.....kept his theatrical flair, but now all his [trying to win something] is like, very spontaneously done, he might have a monologue in mind but he’ll be more straightforward about it, to taylor at least, and he’s liable to back down easily when someone’s trying to put him through the shredder or just dunk on him enough

anyways just kind of Saying Things but speaking of the [what does anyone ever have in mind when writing winston] this loose theory that he’s kind of got elements of both how team ben is handled And spyros, tragically, the Most [guy everyone hates b/c he sucks] lmao.....like re: the latter of course it’s like oh this person who could do things the right normal way but doesn’t, possible weird overlap of like physiognomy time like well for one thing if this guy was Likable he’d be sexier, or that if he was likable/sympathetic he would be Personable, a distinction from likability that i’m mostly thinking of in terms of like, say the audience or individual characters Can Like Them = likable, vs. how personable they are as like, a reaction to demeanor / more superficial assessment of Their Vibe based of any given interaction whether or not there’s actual personal info about them involved, like, are they charming or what have you, Personable....if winston deserved to be liked, he’d Seem Personable.....but where also interestingly you know that say, ben kim is judged by coworkers (more so previously) to be doing things wrong b/c he is clearly Trying to get along with people / when he would be trying to behave the supposedly normal axe cap way & get references & etc, again this would involve too much obvious Effort....team ben as members of the supposedly Too Nice people at axe cap, to quote mafee about it while spyros was doing that mensa thing. whereas winston doesn’t really ever do much to anyone & keeps being spontaneously glad to (try to) connect with people (and we do see his Trying To Be Winsome / Friendly / Appealing efforts at least with rian there in 5x07) but he isn’t “nice".....and it’s impossible to tell sometimes what one might be expected to pick up when idk you can’t count on rando audience members / viewers to not find winston either someone they’re not really willing to engage with unless it’s to dunk on him, like oops can’t remember he exists if i can help it, and/or they just have this je ne hate quoi lens going like yeah idk winston? his character is also just being the guy who we all hate b/c he sucks......like clearly that’s not exactly the approach the writing takes even if it Is mostly taking that approach when it comes to spyros over there, who’s still different (and who winston didn’t particularly vibe with in the one witnessed crossing of paths, when he also Crossed taylor which can’t have helped, & winston was aligned with rian there / they both react like :/ :[ about it....probably not meant as kindred spirits actually) but anyways, other randos are useless about it, and it sure is Interesting to me that winston and tuk were written to have this completely cooperative, constructive, brilliantly Pleasant casual exchange with each other in 5x08 there, and where possibly hanging out before wandering onscreen....winston being Some Nerd is more aligned with tuk as well. aaaand he’s also aligned with rian, as stated, where they are certainly a duo, and a duo who can work together perfectly fine it seems, and be perfectly matter of fact, and maybe even also perfectly friendly sometimes, but rian is also a more serious / more prominent character and maybe we are seeing Supposed Objective Reactions to him when she maybe is annoyed by him / disdainful (like, willing to dunk on him over nothing, even if it’s also not completely earnestly seriously done) towards him....difficult to say, rian’s been busy having serious, prominent character exchanges w/taylor, and that dynamic is hardly crystal clear either atm. anyways just kind of pondering about it, do the writers expect a [the way randos can react to any given wrole] reaction from people and incorporate that into the character, seems some level of Haha Nerd disdain is an “objective” thing that winston’s existence warrants, as seen from omniscient magic text in burn rate, but there also seems to Always be this room for him actually being taken seriously by anyone at all for five seconds / even having a mutually amicable exchange......again tl;dr mystery of winston’s material lol

#just putting words into text posts as some nocturnal musings like a mysterious wizard myself lol #winston billions #and we may never know.....#but also have to keep in mind it's billions and even when you Think you know it pitches something out of left field like sorry what #keeps ya guessing lol

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where-theres-smoak-2 · 3 years

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Fandom Thoughts

First thing I want to say is this post is just me speculating and expressing my thought on things. I’m sure many people will disagree with me or have a different interpretation and that’s ok. I could be totally way off base with everything I say but like I said this is just my interpretation of and my thoughts on things, also just want to say that I mean no disrespect to anyone or anyone’s fandom so yeah.

So we all know that B*ghead is the largest fandom and the most popular ship. There’s no lying about that. I think it became so popular out of a combination of things, I think Cole’s popularity from his time on the Disney channel did bring across a lot of fans. I mean I could be totally wrong about this but I do feel like alot of the B*ghead fans were originally Cole fans. I’ll be honest, I didn’t watch Riverdale when it first aired, it was about 6 episodes in when my sister told me it was a good show about a murder mystery and that I’d never guess who was on it? Cody from suite life. I myself originally started watching the show because I was curious about the fact that Cole was on it and then stuck around because I got invested in the mystery and because from that very first episode I was hooked by Barchie and saw so much potential with them. I do think another contributing factor to the B*ghead ship’s popularity was the fact that the actors themselves became a couple and so people weren’t just invested in the ship but in the actors’ relationship too. I also do think that the fandom was very ‘loud’ on social media and there was alot of engagement. All of that combined with the fact that they did have some cute scenes together I think was the perfect storm to creating a popular ship.

However V*rchie doesn’t actually seem that popular to me. In fact from what I can tell its a much smaller fandom and I would argue that after B*ghead the most popular ship out of the three is Barchie. Barchie has always won out in fan polls against v*rchie and I feel like I see more comments from the Barchie fandom than I do the V*rchie fandom. To me it has always been more of a B*ghead vs Barchie thing than a V*rchie vs Barchie thing. It always felt more like V*rchie got support because it kept Archie out of the way of B*ghead. In fact I see quite alot of support for Veggie and for Archosie and alot of people admit that they liked those parings over V*rchie. I myself loved Veggie together far more than V*rchie and I didn’t mind Archosie I thought they were cute, I didn’t like them as much as I did Veggie but I still thought they had some really nice moments together. I think after Betty, I liked Archie with Josie best.

But here’s another thing to bear in mind. Whilst Riverdale and its ships are popular online and get alot of chatter on social media and has its fandoms which are very vocal on social media, there is also the general audience. These are the people who just watch the show every week, they don’t talk about it on social media, they don’t look up interviews and obsess over every little crumb of info the writers put out trying to figure out what might happen in the next episode. They are the silent part of the audience, I suppose you could call them. And I would say that this part of the audience far outnumbers the part that are involved in the fandom side of the show. Of course its very difficult to really know what this side of the audience really thinks of the show because they aren’t out on social media telling people what they think. The best way is to know what they think is to look at the ratings and the netflix streams.

I mean I know that the ratings don’t really matter a whole lot when it comes to whether or not the network will renew a show and that streams mean more nowadays anyway. But in my opinion I do think the ratings can still give you an idea on how interested the audience is in the show. The way I see it is that if I am really excited by a show, I spend all week looking forward to the next episode and you can bet your ass that when that show’s next episode airs I am sitting down in front of that tv and watching it live if I can, because I don’t want to wait a second longer than I have to when I want to see it. With this season all the Barchies know that the most live viewed episodes of the season were 5x05 and 5x06, the two episodes that were promoted with Barchie. The lowest two episodes not just for this season but in the shows history were 5x08 and 5x09. These were the two episodes that had the V*rchie and B*ghead content.

I also discovered this website flixpatrol that tracks the top tens on Netflix in various countries each day of the week. You can also look up specific shows to see where in the top ten they come each day of the week and I think I found something interesting. Now obviously because its week by week I could only really get information for episode 9.

So what can this information tell us. Well episode 9 aired on the 24th and appeared on Netflix in alot of countries on the 25th. This chart shows where in the top 10 Riverdale fell this week, I’ve outlined those two dates in red. A dash indicates that it didn’t appear in the top ten that day. Now we can see that Riverdale most definitely does better on Netflix than it does in the live views and is consistently in the top ten in most countries. However, as I said, I did notice something. On the days it appears on Netflix we can see that in most countries it doesn’t appear in the top ten and in the countries it does it is very low on the list coming in at mostly, 8,9 or 10. To me this suggests, like with the live ratings, that people just aren’t rushing to watch it. Some of this can be explained by the fact that it airs on a week night and it does fall high on the list on the Saturday after it airs on Netflix which could suggest that people are waiting until the weekend to watch it. But again, maybe its just me, but when I really want to watch a show, when I am really excited by a show, I will stay up late or I will get up early to watch it. I mean when 5x05 and 5x06 aired I was up early on the Thursday morning refreshing my Netflix page over and over waiting for the episode to become available because I was that excited to watch the episode.

*Edit: I’ve learnt that I have read this chart completely wrong as there is a one day lag, so the ratings on the 26th show that people were tuning in on the 25th which is the day it becomes available on Netflix in those countries. So ignore everything I just said in the paragraph above. I am going to keep the chart in for those who are interested in those numbers though. But yeah apologies for that.*

To me this doesn’t really line up with the whole B*ghead is the most popular ship. I mean with B*ghead being the most popular ship then this last episode should be the most watched and I’ll admit I was a little surprised that it didn’t have more views. So why is that, we know B*ghead is popular so why aren’t we seeing it in the views. Well I think the answer is whilst they are popular, whilst it has a large fandom, its not popular or big enough to save the show by itself. And to be clear this is just my opinion which I’ve based on what I’ve seen people saying on social media and in YouTube reactions and reviews and from this data from the amount of people tuning into the show. But I think as much as many people like B*ghead, more people dislike/ are bored of V*rchie, are bored of the repetitive plotlines, are getting frustrated with the nonsensical plots. I think it has just gotten to the point where the things they don’t like about the show, or the things they’ve become bored with, far outweigh any appeal one ship might have. Basically I just get this overwhelming sense that people have lost any excitement they felt at this show. And this goes beyond any ships, whilst I do think alot of people tune in because of ships, there is more factoring into it than just that. I feel like all the excitement that came with the time jump and with seeing something new with Barchie and seeing something new with them being adults and dealing with adult themes, has worn off. It happened so fast too. I mean after episode 8 aired it was like a dementor had come along and sucked all the happiness out of the fandom. All of that energy that had existed before was just gone in the space of 45 mins.

But here’s my question. I did notice a little bit of that energy come back when the promo for ep 10 was released and it showed that shot of Jabitha together. Again I do think that alot of people like this idea of Jabitha together or at least are intrigued by it. Although I know there are quite a few B*ghead fans who think the romance is unnecessary. But again I think this interest in Jabitha is because it is something new and therefore it is something interesting. I’ve also seen some Veggie fans creeping out of the woodwork over the last few weeks. So what I am wondering is if the show decided to go the route of Barchie, Veggie, Jabitha, Choni and Kangs would that generate enough buzz and would all those smaller fandoms together be enough to revive the show a bit. Especially if they couple those ships with some interesting new storylines to go with them as well as keeping the interactions between characters varied. I mean I am not expecting the views to suddenly jump up massively back to what they used to be in like season 2 but I do wonder if it would be enough to breathe life back into the fandom again.

#barchie #jabitha #anti bughead #anti varchie #anti v*rchie #anti b*ghead #riverdale

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thatiranianphantom · 3 years

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ZZZZ Season 5 what a snoozefest! They really need to get it together soon, like Betty and Jughead soon lol!! And btw what is the deal going on with both of them right now? Does Jughead even know Betty exists anymore, it seems he doesn't. And her to him! Don't like this at all! Wake me up when it's over (or they are back together again lol! How much longer do we have to wait?)

Okay, thank you for sending me this message to allow me to rant about Season 5, under the cut for negativity reasons.

I think I can sum it up in saying “I am so very bored by Season 5.” I don’t think I’ve ever been this bored by a season before. And before you assume it is 100% because of the Bughead of it all, let me clarify.

It is absolutely possible to do a time jump well. I’m also giving them some leeway for Covid, and for the shortened season.

However, Riverdale has a formula that makes it work. I don’t know who it was (maybe @bettycooper? It sounds smart enough to be a Cat thing to say) but someone described it as “chaos in the streets, monogamy in the sheets.” That describes Riverdale well. It’s crazy plots, some that are followed through, some that aren’t but it’s insanity and it knows it. It keeps you on your toes. And backing that are the tried and true couplings, namely, BugVarChoni. They are the backbone of Riverdale, particularly Bughead. It’s made Riverdale work for 4 seasons. Some of my personal fave episodes are ones like 2x14, 4x03, 3x05-3x07, 1x13, 2x21-22, 4x16, 4x19. Relationship-based episodes with more plots than in a full season of another show.

Season 5 exploded all that. It’s a core betrayal to the very things that make Riverdale work. I honestly liked 5x01 and 5x02, which were still in the universe of the Riverdale I liked. 5x03 leaned heavily on the relationships and the plot suffered. That mix is so important. And then...the time jump. The giant disappointment that is the time jump. The thing is, I was good with 5x04. It put the characters in an interesting place, and I was keen to know more. The problem is, in the following six episodes, nothing happened. We sat through 6 episodes of entirely plot. And I could summarize the important events from those six episodes in two sentences. The very reason 5x10 stood out so much is because it was more like a true Riverdale episode. Absolutely nuts and backed by relationships. I could cobble together the important scenes from 5x05-5x09 and it’d fill half an episode, max. It’s what Riverdale should never be, it’s boring.

And then there’s the bughead. Yes, at the end of the day, I’m here for Bughead, and to say it’s been slow going is quite the understatement. I get it, I do. Season 5A is set up, Season 5B is presumably knockdown. But wow, I shouldn’t have to sit through half an entire season and the only thing I have to show for it is half an episode of scenes and one hallucination. Don’t misunderstand, I loved the scenes we got, and there will likely be payoff in 5B. But that was all we got.

And another thing! For episodes so full of exposition, we should know more about the characters that the show has explicity showed us, not just implied for us. We got a lot through exposition, Betty and Jughead’s state of mind is clear, but we’ve had SO MUCH plot exposition and SO LITTLE character exposition. I get that Betty’s using sex to stifle her trauma. SHOW US WHY. TELL US WHY. WHAT CAUSED THIS?

Before you say it - I know we will find out. I get that. But it’s been six post time jump episodes and we still know so little. We shouldn’t be at half-season and know this little.

So yes, so far, Season 5 has been a giant disappointment.

#Riverdale #answered #Bughead #Anonymous

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sanoiro · 3 years

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Lucifer Meta Post - Tether Me

I have seen and read many meta flying around regarding this song but none seemed to satisfy me. On the contrary this is a song that downright confused me since I watched the episode, therefore the circulating explanations or meta given were not enough for me. I’ll not say they are without merit, they are just not clicking the right way with my mindset of all things Lucifer.

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Since August I’ve wondered why they didn’t reverse the songs between 5x05 and 5x06 meaning why they didn’t use ‘This Year’s Love’ for the ending of 5x06? It would have made sense I thought albeit it would also be cheesy. On the other hand, the commitment that was expressed and the step taken in 5x05 while Chloe comes to her realisation that they chose each other makes that song quite perfect. Especially as it echoes the 3x23 scene and kiss.

In 5x05 Chloe manages to take down the killer on her own - albeit with Amenadiel’s help - in the same way she uncovered the killer in 3x23 with Charlotte’s aid. Both episodes then end with the party who comes to a groundbreaking realisation to seek the other. In 3x23 Lucifer comes to Chloe while in 5x05 Chloe goes to the Penthouse to find Lucifer.

“If you do not need me you are working with me all this time because you want to. Because you choose to. You did choose me.” - Lucifer 3x23

Then Lucifer goes on, that he was procrastinating to face the present as he was afraid of his feelings, that Chloe wanted him because she had seen only certain sides of him and if she knew all of him she would run. Yes, Chloe did ran but from Season 4 we see that the same issue happens with Chloe and it also manifests spectacularly in 5x03 and in 5x05.

Is she a mere human that one day Lucifer will realise she is not worth it? The fact she is a miracle is that the only thing of value she has? Is the rest of her that insignificant that her existence and her relationship with Lucifer is based on the grounds she was designed for him, meaning that there will be another toy or distraction in the near or far future for him? Toys after all are meant to be played, used to promote growth and knowledge and sooner than later are disposed in storage or a bin. Learning experiences are not meant to be revisited when sucessful and as a parent Chloe knows that.

All the above are relevant believe me.

And now back in 5x05.

“His theory is that you choose to be vulnerable around me.[...] If you choose to be vulnerable around me then I chose to be vulnerable around you.” - Chloe 5x05

Now this is what leads us to the use of “Tether Me” as the chosen song in the sex scene of 5x06.

As a form of habit I always go back to AGN a fic, not really worth your time, but since day one I knew how it would end. Lucifer in the comics #75 (last one) - of the first and original series - says that “Perhaps this is the ultimate freedom, eh Dream Lord? The freedom to leave.”

In a twist of words and due to life experiences I thought to turn the tables a bit there and say that the ultimate freedom sometimes is the freedom to stay.

Lucifer as a series has explored free will and freedom a lot and we were always so fixated with the concept that freedom is a synonym of breaking free, of getting away, running. But since S2 when Lucifer in 2x14 came back to Chloe despite knowing she was a miracle and directly connected to him, in his opinion, we see that freedom in the end was not of him being liberated by this manipulation but setting his own terms into the situation by deciding to stay.

The same thing happened with Chloe in S4. She stayed in Lucifer’s life despite his relationship with Eve and his internal and external Devilness and as we saw guilt manifestation. So now we can take the concept of “Tether Me” on a whole new level. Shall we?

First of all. Tether Me.

The definition here is to practically bind someone. But they are bound out of will and so the freedom they seek is through the commitment they make on their own terms, time and ways to express it.

The physical connection as has been said before surely, is not just about sex. Many opt to forget or disregard the fact that Lucifer stayed celibate for thousands of years in Hell and then when he came on Earth he never sought a companion as he had done every time he visited Earth for millennia. Not even when he believed his time on Earth was limited and his relationship with Chloe impossible to progress.

The fact the above is always brushed aside bothers me as it shows not just Lucifer’s emotional state but also his maturity and commitment on an ‘idea’ and a person. For the first time his coping mechanism for an emotional attachment through carnal gratification is rejected because the alternative is more fulfilling even though the consummation on any level up to 5x05, is deemed improbable.

Lucifer emotionally and spiritually, as we may say, like Chloe since the end of Season 4 have, on a basic level, bound themselves to the person they love. They willingly surrendered not the option of being with someone else but their whole entity to the one they loved.

But many poets have praised love stories that were never consummated or were led to tragic endings like Romeo and Juliet as they brought forward a commitment that lacked the difficulties and grind of what may come next. It is why such love stories, see the Titanic one, are viewed as pure and everlasting. That was Deckerstar before 5x06.

In 5x06 the bounding each character experienced as an individual on the mode of surviving external pressures and grief, now turns to a new entity of two joined parts.

As Lucifer and Chloe decide to take the leap we listen to the singer singing “Tether Me”.

On a very simple way we can say that at that moment both characters stake their claim and on a cognitive BDMS level they allow the other to vine them. Do not mistake it as surrendering. They both equally maintain their identity but they commit to something that started since Season 1.

In Season 1, Lucifer asked if Chloe trusted him and she said yes. Now in 5x06 we see that trust blooming.

As characters, Chloe and Lucifer could never commit. Chloe in Season 1 lamented over the fact that Dan was not committed to his family as he was too preoccupied with his job but throughout the seasons we see that her commitment had to do with loosing her ground and allowing to be patronised in many ways. She believed that allowing her partners to take control over some aspects of her life, like with Dan in 3x11 where he was an authoritative/mentoring figure and then Marcus in the same way she was committing to that relationship. It is also interesting how she stopped doing that once Lucifer entered her life.

Lucifer told her to trust her gut, he didn’t question her authority although he did go his way when he wanted to. When Chloe was backsteping for him he didn’t walk over that space albeit for several reasons. Her silly attitude in 2x12 was met with mistrust while in 4x08 he was truthful on how he was tired of being placed in a pedestal or be expected to act a certain way.

So from Chloe’s side, her relationship with Lucifer in 5x05 finally reaches the point where as a person she does not back down to accommodate him and that is cherished because there is a difference between settling things as couple and letting others degrade you for a relationship to work. It is also why Deckerstar in a way it’s a healthy relationship despite all its ups and downs.

Lucifer on the other hand as we have seen since Season 1 he has been very assertive to his sexual relationships but in the kisses of 2x11 and 3x23 he let Chloe set the pace. The only time he initiated a kiss due to the circumstances it was in 4x10. Now in 5x05 we see both of them start their decision to progress their relationship to a sexual one.

For a being that constantly fled any form of commitment and abhorred notions of surrendering power and control it is interesting to see his choices in 5x06. First of all if we go back to his sexual history we shall see for example how his lovers in 2x14, were all describing a person who took control in the bedroom as he knew their desires and became a tool to fulfill them. You cannot have an emotional connection to a tool as you may very well know hence why none of Lucifer’s lovers ever looked back or would ever be willing to kill for him. Additionally in 3x13, it’s interesting of how Lucifer exhibits himself as a giver to the Korean mob boss. A tragic self-awareness if we want to be honest.

We can say that Lucifer is mainly a pleaser but at the same time he rebels when he is enforced or constricted by something. It is why like the song describes (Pull me back, out of my body I'm tied to my limbs They're spinning me out of control) being bound to yourself gives out this sense of vibration, where you want to be set free but also cocooned into a blanket of security. Because sometimes it’s not about setting a person open like a starfish but making sure to sooth their violent tremors and let them rest than be painfully rigid.

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Now let’s follow the rest of the lyrics.

In the corners of my mind Long forgotten, lost in time Turning stones to look for light It's dark out here in the dead night

Always in my perception of things, the theory of relativity is prominent here in my opinion. It’s about time and how when we are alone time seems unclear, passing but it creates a still numbness, overthinking and we are getting lost in a self-constructed mind maze. Basically what has happened to our characters througout the seasons. While they doubt themselves, trying to find a meaning behind each other’s reactions and decisions and even the world they live in.

The ‘light’ part, for me at least, it’s a synonym of time. Of change and change often brings hope and progress. I mean progress is based on the concept that time exists and is passing so everything can only move forward whether they like it or not, but where can you find light and thus time when you are in a state of self-isolation from your wants and feelings?

So in 5x06 we see Lucifer and Chloe stretching out only to let the other in. Their awareness of freedom is having the other in their arms, to emotionally and physically consume them until there is no clear indication they were once two separate beings, but careful we are talking about their emotional connection. As I have aforementioned, they retain their attributes as individuals and as we see in 5x07 they word and respect each other for that. About what is shared and how a relationship is not the end of ones self but neither the surrendering of everything that makes you unique.

Change is never easy and never slowly paced and it is why the line of the lyrics:

For a moment, I was gone. Speed of light right to the red dawn.

For me it’s when the clock starts ticking from both ends without that meaning it’s a countdown. Mornings are set to be the set of new beginnings after all but they all require a sacrifice, a red one in preference. Hence the:

In this space, do I belong?

Breaking insecurities is hard as one set of them is replaced by yet another and it is a great song if we get it under that scope. That a relationship and particularly sex is not the resolving of everything but the transcription of yet another set of adventures down the road.

And the:

It's dark out here in my own thoughts.

Will remain a part of Lucifer’s theme in P2 but also in Season 6 so no idea if they went that far in the meta level but knowing your partner needs helps and there will be dark spells, after all bad spells it’s part of life. There is no easy fix as you will see. No matter what will be resolved, a troubled mind will remain one. The question is how you will tackle the difficulties and the bad days or moments. That is all. And the difficult moments will also be the good moments. Weird thinking for some I know but we cannot expect life, even a made up one to be perfect or even easy.

So Tether Me.

Bind me in a safe place alongside you, without the possibility to harm you or myself, to be free because I’m with you and the perception of how grand a world is, it’s but a matter of debate and time.

#lucifer meta #tether me #lucifer 5x05 #lucifer 5x06 #deckerstar #lucifer season 5 #lucifer season 5 part 2 #lucifer s5p2

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myfandomrambles · 4 years

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Adora, Catra & Trauma (Pt2)

(Part 1) (Part 3) (Part 4)

Full Show

An Analysis of the way Catra & Adora are affected by their respective traumatic experiences.

Relationships With Others:

Adora:

Adora works to be of use to other people and to be liked. She wants to impress people and to be “good enough”. Her sense of self and self-worth is completely tied up in how others view her; this is based on the identity destabilization and unhealthy schemas from disorganized attachment style. Disorganized attachment is born from Shadow Weaver, her mother figure and primary attachment, was psychologically abusive and formed a person who was not always safe to return to. Adora while didn’t form a complete distrust or others in a fight way but truly flees or fawns to the person she wants to attach to. Her attunement is strong for the most part but it is easily broken.

Princess Alliance

Adora doesn’t have distinct relationships to most of the princess alliance. She regards them with loyalty and affection but doesn’t seem to have attachments past the need to be the ideal of She Ra. Adora’s interactions with most of the other princesses are filtered through her identity issues.

Adora's interaction with Entrapta stands out the most because they have more one on one interactions and spend time on the same and on opposing sides. There are periods of stronger emotion like guilt, then a mostly apathetic confrontation to being able to work together.

Light Hope & Queen Angella

Light hope and Angella both fill the void left by Shadow Weaver who is her commander and mother respectively.

Light Hope starts being a person Adora searches out to give her some sort of answer and then continues to look to her for orders. Adora falls into a state of objectification due Light Hope treating Adora as mostly a weapon to act out her programming. Adora is generally willing to follow her and even starts to be casual with her, seen in Protocol (4x05). Adora wants to do well and be better than what she understands Mara to be starting in Light Hope (1x12). Adora goes to her for answers most notably when in The Coronation (4x01) Shadow Weaver reveals Adora is a First One.

Adora feels betrayed when in Hero (4x09) she learns that being She Ra in the way Light Hope pushed her was harmful. Not only does this sever her relationship it also causes more identity issues and is a re-traumatization of betrayal trauma.

They have a confrontation in Destiny pt 2 (4x13) were Adora stands up and tries to assert her identity, and the part of Light Hope that did care for her shine through and tell Adora to shatter the sword. All of these experiences leave Adora feeling more objectified, guilty and with another betrayal wound.

Angella stands in for the mother part of Shadow Weaver and is a healthier version. Angella starts off holding Adora not becoming emotionally close or trusting. Adora doesn’t try to get emotionally close but does search for trust. We see this in Adora’s open willingness to lose everything to rescue Glimmer (No Princess Left Behind 1x09)

They don’t interact much but during season 3 Adora offers respect and Angella tends to return it. In The Price of Power (3x01) we see Angella protect Adora. Understanding the pain and trauma Adora went through enough to try and stop Shadow Weaver from getting to talk to Adora.

During The Portal (3x06) Angella tells Adora how brave she has been and gives her life up to protect everyone and in Adora's place saving her life. Angella gives the parting comfort of holding Adora's face a similar action to one Shadow Weaver uses but there is compassion behind it. She also gives the parting advice of “take care of each other” one Adora fully misunderstands. The reason they never fully attached was partially Angella’s preoccupation with her own daughter and also Adora’s internalized need to be a hero and objectification. They never gain a healthy motherly nor mentor ability to attune. These are why Adora reads her “take care of each other” wording to be Adora must take care of Glimmer.

Bow

Bow and Adora generally have stable relationships, never having a moment of severe rupture in their relationships. Bow generally is friendly and supportive to Adora and most people in both their group dynamics and one-on-one bonds. In the final few episodes of season 4 and beginning of season 5, we see that Bow and Adora get along well acting as a duo. One of the main ways this dynamic show is how Bow cared for Adora when she was failing to take care of herself in Horde Prime (5x01) and Launch (5x02). Bow doesn’t always understand but cares greatly and is the primary partner when it comes to dealing with First One's technology.

They have different ways of handling situations and people like in season 4 when Adora’s is focused solely in solving her own destiny and stopping the heart whereas Bow is searching for Entrapta because he doesn’t believe in leaving “friends” behind. Seen in Beast Island (4x11) when Bow attempted to get Entrapta with a sappy speech and Adora is pragmatic. Adora also comments of Bow’s social intelligence is different from hers in Stranded (5x4)

Overall, Bow while not always understanding is generally supportive and able to give Adora strength via his pep talks.

Glimmer

Adora and Glimmer’s relationship is generally strong and displays healthy dynamics in season 1-3 and again in season 5. During season 4 they experience an episode of relational rupture. The main issues underlying this rupture are the loss of queen Angella’s and the disparate ways they believe they ought to be leading.

Adora was told to “take care of each other” by Angella in The Portal (3x06) but interpreted this as “take care of you [Glimmer]” (The Coronation, 4x01). Adora takes this seriously having spent her whole life as a protector and leader. Being a protector is a core belief of Adora's along with being compelled to honor a woman she respected. Glimmer is deeply affected by the loss of her mother and pushed herself to properly fill her shoes as queen and be a proper general. They are both absorbed in their respective grief.

The other layer shows up in what they do when it comes to the war against the Horde. Adora is working to be the concept of She-Ra this can sometimes lead to blind spots on what others are doing. Glimmer on the other hand often misunderstands Adora’s need to be She Ra and sometimes forgets how to explain her needs. Glimmer is also more willing to play real war where Adora is in the magic realm.

These issues cause strife up until Glimmer angrily pushes Adora too far in Boys' Night Out (4x08) blaming her for the loss of Angella. Adora is understandably hurt and then tries to hyper-focus on having to save the day. She falls back on the pattern of implicit memories of being the martyr and hero.

Glimmer’s angry words mirror Catra's from their past. Centering on needing to be the hero. With both of them, it’s a slight misread of what Adora actually needs to do. She does need to be the hero, the leader, and save the day but not because she is self-important but because that is what she has built her entire identity on from when she was a child. She has experienced objectification her entire life and changing from this perspective isn’t something easily done. Glimmer and Adora both feel the need to prove something and carry weight too big for them and Glimmer lashes out while Adora lashes in making Adora obsessed with saving everyone

Glimmer tries hard to support Adora in season 5 and is willing to do repair work from her mistreatment in Boys Night Out (4x08) and her mistakes in Destiny pt 1/2 (4x12-13). Adora is willing to let Glimmer back in easily, some of that might be Adora not focusing on her own hurt but was also healing.

Glimmer and Adora went through a deep time of grief and strife and came out with a strong bond and maintained their care for each other.

Catra

Adora’s relationship with Catra is the most defining one. This relationship depicts a romance torn apart by war as well as showing two children in an abusive family. This dynamic is part of the complexity of their attachments.

Catra was Adora's primary attachment following Shadow Weaver, being her mother. From being a baby Catra was her primary relationship and her only source of love. In conjunction with their attachments they fill roles in an abusive family, Adora plays the golden child and Catra is the scapegoat. Shadow Weaver and The Horde pushed Adora to feel responsible for protecting Catra. Another layer to this is how Shadow Weaver set up Catra as essentially belonging to Adora (Promise 1x11).

Adora and Catra's disparate views on Shadow Weaver and the Horde system caused strife between them as Adora wanted to be the leader, hero and was often given this title which forced to Catra feel sidelined. Adora is not always aware of what she is doing or how she is affecting Catra emotionally as well as struggling to understand Catra (Sword Pt 1 1x01, Promise 1x11, Corridors 5x03). But the intention isn’t to be upsetting to Catra but to fulfill her duty and show her love.

Adora has attachment trauma caused by her upbringing, and she heavily shares this with Cata to be inherently disorganized and breeds traumatic bonding, neither is at fault. After their relational rupture in the start of season 1, Adora continuously wants to be with Catra still as she is her primary attachment and someone she loves deeply.

However, even with the attachment trauma related to each other, we see Adora be willing to maintain some boundaries making Catra open up to her in the end. Putting her needs first after The Portal incident. (Remember & Portal 3x05-6).

We see the relationship’s strength in Save The Cat (5x05) Adora being able to break through the effects of the medical and psychological abuse and showing both strength and vulnerability. In Taking Control (5x06) we get some of the strongest relationships scenes of Adora meeting Catra halfway but requiring Catra offering back the strength and vulnerability Adora gave. (Save The Cat & Taking Control 5x05-6)

In the next few episodes, we see them bond and Adora fall back into a mostly easy connection with her closest friend. In Failsafe (5x11) we see Adora being willing to admit she needs Catra and tries to rebuff Shadow Weaver’s attempted manipulation of their connection. We see Adora lose so much strength when Catra leaves again. Their relationships deep connection and Catra's ability to remind Adora she has something to live for ends up saving the day in Heart pt 2(5x13)

While I deeply enjoy their relationship there are some risks in it. Traumatic bonding and enmeshment are the base of their relationship and this has a higher probability to cause relational rupture down the line. Of the two Adora’s side is a bit healthier as Adora has some degree of identity without Catra and has formed attachments to Bow and Glimmer that are more stable. If Adora continues to heal from her need to suffer from others and maintains healthy connections outside I don't think it will be inherently traumatic.

Catra

General

Catra has a disorganized attachment style. Her ability to attach was compromised due to her primary attachment object being Shadow Weaver as her Mother. Her approach and avoid messages came from the same place, and any adults she would have tried to connect with would have been cold and militaristic. Children have to have a safe place and person to return to as they explore but Catra never had this, and this broken trust and attunement ability she struggles to attune to almost anyone else. Another layer is like many disorganized people she can experience enmeshment where identity and core ideas become overlapped with another person.

Cadets

The other cadets treated Catra poorly growing up, shown when Adora leaves Lonnie Says “Adora’s not here to protect you anymore” (Razz 1x03.) At first, Catra generally distances herself from them but as she sits in her place of relative power she starts to turn the bullying and abuse back to them. This is an abusive turnaround and not common from nowhere even if Kyle tried to say so telling her they “used to be friends” (Destiny pt 1 4x12) this isn’t what happened. In flashbacks in Promise (1x11) Catra was excluded from the group and catra often got in fights with them (Corridors 5x03)

Next to Scorpia, Lonnie is the person who suffers from Catra’s abusive behavior. We see this especially in Protocol (4x05) & Fractures-Destiny pt1 (4x10-12) as Catra ends up putting her paranoid thoughts, anger and fear on her after the loss of Scorpia. As mentioned above this is a bit of a turnaround but more prevalently the pathway of abuse from Hordak above Catra to Catra on Scorpia and Lonnie.

Bow & Glimmer

We see them interact to some degree in Princess Prom (1x08) & No Princess Left Behind (1x09) and it’s mostly in passing. Their first proper interaction comes in Ties That Bind (2x02) where Catra holds most of the power and only becomes dysregulated when Glimmer mentions Adora. But in the end, we see Catra at her most in control and manipulative and Glimmer’s is willing to act out. Catra wins the interaction through her manipulation with Entrapta.

In Destiny pt 2 (4x13) we see Glimmer and Adora both fall apart at the end. Glimmer is the one who sees Catra in a state of completely giving up in a fold state showing willingness to die. Catra is willing to save Glimmer when attacked by Horde Prime.

During episodes, Horde Prime - Corridors (5x01-3) Glimmer and Catra both deals with isolation and are working for pure survival. They handle it in disparate ways Glimmer tries to be the archetypal queen needing to stay strong for her own perception of self. While Catra uses her implicit need to protect herself through playing the game of the person in power. Catra and Glimmer share a few pleasant moments where they discuss what they would do on Etheria offering a level of support. Catra is willing to save Glimmer to prove she has some good in her and for Adora.

At the end of Taking Control 5x06 and Shot in The Dark 5x08, we see Bow and Glimmer being generally positive and making jokes with Catra. They offer positivity only picking fun in good faith. Catra struggles with this due to her own hypervigilance but is willing to return this kindness. In An Ill Wind (5x09) they work together in a fine way to get what they want. They all share the love for Adora that will drive them to the ends of their own strength showing the main thing they have in common. (Save The Cat-Heart pt 2 5x05-13).

Entrapta

Entrapta is an interesting case. From The Beacon-Signals (1x10-2x03) Catra and Entrapta share a relationship that starts with manipulation from Catra in saying that the princess would abandon her to get her on her side, this is also based on Catra's pain (The Beacon 1x10). They work decently together but Catra continues to struggle to form a healthy friendship finding Entrapta a bit grating and her generalized trust deficits. Catra can be mean to her but still offers some protection to Entrapta. (Signals 2x03). Their relationship totally breaks down from Catra’s perspective as of Light Spinner (2x06) as she feels replaced in Hordak’s eyes, replaying her base trauma from her attachment to Shadow Weaver.

Entrapta is unaware of Catra’s trauma or her pattern of harming others to handle her own pain. This leaves Entrapta vulnerable, and she is only fully aware when she is banished to Beast Island by Catra in Moment of Truth (3x04).

They interact fully again in Taking Control (5x06) where Catra’s hypervigilance and recent medical trauma has her fearful of what Entrapta’s will do to her when removing the chip. After Entrapta is able to remove Catra is willing to apologize and Entrapta easily accepts it.

Double Trouble

Double Trouble and Catra have a relationship built-in transactional stating in their first meeting in The Valley of the Lost (4x02). This continuous but Double Trouble is also able to make Catra laugh and Catra finds her easy to communicate with as there isn't a need for the same attachment patterns as normal relationships. (Flutterina-Princess Scorpia 4x03-6).

Double Trouble then is captured and Catra becomes worried about being abandoned by them as part of an episode of depression and panic episode after having been left by Scorpia (Fractures 4x10). Catra is surprised to see Double Trouble and Double Trouble notices how broken up catra was and is happy to point out Catra's fears of abandonment. (Destiny pt 1) Double Troubles transactional nature turns against Catra in the same episode as they sell out Catra for their own safety.

Double Trouble can't help but get in a final scene pointing out to Catra how she has driven everyone [Adora, Scorpia, Shadow Weaver & Hordak] away and that she has been wearing a mask this whole time.

Scorpia

Scorpia suffers from the fall out of Catra’s symptoms dealing with Catra’s tendency to replay her abuse. Catra is never fully able to let Scorpia in, while Scorpia desperately wants Catra to like her. Scorpia has an intense crush on Catra and becomes blind to the abusive behavior due to her self perception as a good friend. Catra is also blinded to the kindness being offered to her due to a warped perception of others and her leaning into the abusive programming of her childhood.

Throughout season 1 we see Catra generally keep Scorpia at an arm's length but Scorpia becomes attached when Catra shows her any attention like in Princess Prom (1x08), though Catra is upset about Adora and is default supportive of Scorpia. In season 2 we see Scorpia be very helpful to Catra and Catra does start to lean on her in Signals (2x03) and Catra even starts to recognize the affection in White Out (2x05). But fear and repeating abusive behaviors damage her relationships to a more abusive footing as Catra lashes out due to Shadow Weaver and Hordak's behavior.

We have two important moments in season 3’s episode Once Upon A Time in the Crimson Waste (3x03) and Moment of Truth (3x04). In Once Upon A Time in the Crimson Waste (3x03) we see how their relationship could be, Scorpia noting that this is the first time she’s seen Catra even be happy and that she could leave. Any chance of comfort is broken when Catra suffers a breakdown and lashes out. In a Moment of Truth (3x04) Catra hurts Entrapta deeply and threatens Catra followed by almost killing everyone in a moment of suicidality and homicidal tendencies. This fractures their relationships irrevocably.

Season 4 Catra spirals into only focusing on winning the war and being willing to use every one. She lashes out insulting Catra and putting her as her stress relief demeaning her. Scorpio recognized this finally in Princess Scorpia (4x06) telling Catra’s she’s a bad friend, a deep insult from Scorpia. This is one of the final straws that breaks Catra's fragile hold on functionality in Boys' Night Out (4x08).

Catra realizes the harm she’s done in season five though the relationship is less active in the finale season. But it was formative in moving Catra to a place where she could be better.

Hordak

Hordak and Catra’s relationship changes extremely throughout the show. In season one and presumably throughout their childhood he is a powerful influence that guides their actions but is more of a force than a person. He takes Catra into the higher sections of the power structure seeing her promise in being a force captain which is hugely important to Catra as it validates her need for attention and recognition.

Throughout season 2 he acts as a secondary abuser to Shadow Weaver, she seeks out his approval wanting to be able to be on the same level with him protecting herself from the insinuation she lacks his trust. (2x01-3, White Out 3x05 & Light Spinner 3x06) Catra shows fear to him and even tries to protect Entrapta from him originally in Signals (2x03). We see her also be very hurt by Hordak choosing Entrapta over her throughout season two.

Due to Catra still being very attached to Shadow Weaver we see Catra attempt to protect Shadow Weaver but at this point, she is still acting in fear of Hordak trying to avoid his anger at her culminating in him catching, assaulting and imprisoning her in Reunion (2x07).

After this we see Catra be apathetic towards anything going on with him being in a state of depression and anger. She is reckless and is willing to call him out for being a coward and risk whatever he will do, breaking through the programmed fear. (The Price of Power 3x01 Once Upon A Time in The Crimson Waste 3x03)

Catra lies to Hordak during her break down to be able to pull the lever (Moment of truth 3x04).

When they regroup after The Portal incident Hordak tries to continue using fear of Catra, but she overcomes the past fear almost completely and takes him on breaking his suit and partially disabling him. (The Coronation 4x01) She uses her knowledge of her own power and puts them on a more equal footing. Catra is the right hand but equal from his perspective until Destiny pt1 (4x12) where Hordak Says “we will control all of Etheria” and “victory is ours”. However, even this equality is partially a facade due to Hordak being an abuser to Catra for years and treating her as under him up until the last few episodes and Catra using the lie about Entrapta to claw back power after he rejected her before.

Catra starts to identify with Hordak telling him “you and me we don’t need anyone” (Princess Scorpia 4x06). She is trying to get him to finish their mission and has rejected any connection to others but in her rant, she is also still trying to prove herself saying “they’ll all see ''. This is similar to how Hordak wants to not be seen as defective. This identification also extends to her tendencies of following patterns of abusive behavior, at the height of identification her abusive behavior is at its worst.

The identification and manipulation come to a head when they fight in Destiny pt 2 (4x12) after Double Trouble reveals Catra’s lies. The fight is both a power struggle and a depressive and anger-fueled breakdown. At least on Catra’s part, the outcome is similar to what happened after the portal (Once Upon a Time in the Waste-The Portal 3x03-6). Hordak’s anger was comes from him placing some a level of trust in Catra and her rejecting that.

This fight is reckless and leaves Catra mentally and physically battered, an important moment that sets up her actions in season 5.

During her imprisonment with Horde Prime, they connect over her being able to tell him from the other Horde clones. They also both suffer similar religious and medical assaults from Horde Prime. They have little interaction after their plotlines diverge. Though both deal with ideas of autonomy.

Adora

Cat's entire world is centered around Adora. Her continued existence was tied to her relationship to Adora from Shadow Weaver’s perspective (Promise 1x11). As a child, Adora was her entire world and the only person to ever show her kindness. This leads her to experience an extreme enmeshment and traumatic bonding that leads to identity and relational struggles.

An early difference between them is the way Catra never had an ideological commitment to the Horde vs Adora who had a belief system to break. This difference is one of the first cracks in their relationship to Catra viewing the betrayal of Adora in personal terms. Due to the fact, Catra finds the idea that the Horde was hurting people obvious due to horrendous abuse she suffered as a child so Adora left her and downplayed their trauma in one go. (The Sword pt 1/2 1x01-2)

Catra spends much of the first season splitting on Adora going between wanting her back, protecting her, shoving her away and eventually proclaiming false independence. This is a trait of her symptom pattern due to her developmental trauma. A slightly less extreme splitting episode happens after they became close again (Return to the Fright Zone-Heart pt 1 5x10-12)

In her most violence breakdown in Remember (3x05) & The Portal (3x06) where Catra’s locus of control has broken down to being all about Adora’s actions. Adora rejects the blame and this forms another form of rupture in their connection.

Catra never fully stops being dependent on Adora for her sense of self and actions. She heavily places weight on what Adora did, what Adora would think, how to get Adora’s attention and ways to prove she’s better. Even when angry at her Catra has a need to base decisions off showing Adora her worth and strength (Princess Prom 1x08 & Princess Scorpia 4x06).

In the final arc of the show Catra has positive changes in her behavior and emotions. However, she still hasn’t fully learned boundaries; her decision to change was spurred on by flashbacks to her co-dependence on Adora in her childhood (Corridors 5x03). Their relationship starts to heal through Adora keeping up a level of boundaries and Catra being willing to admit she needs Adora (Taking Control 5x06). Throughout the rest of the season, Catra’s behavior is still centered around how Adora views Catra in their ability to work together and then the rupture after fearing Adora would choose her duty over Catra again and the misperception Adora lacked as strong feelings for Catra as she did for her. (Failsafe & Heart pt 1 5x11-12)

We see their relationship mature over this last season and the romantic aspect taking centre stage ending with their kissing help both of them maintain a connection reality in The Heart pt 2 (5x13)

Her love for Adora is important and something that kept her strong and can be healing. However, the relationship is still subject to dysfunction due to Adora the key to Catra’s core beliefs and schemas. Learning to have their strong connection be a strength while maintaining boundaries will be the key to this relationship being healing.

[Will cover Shadow Weaver and the girls in pt 3]

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barchie-fanfiction · 3 years

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in case you missed it...

hello from your barchie-fanfiction admins! thanks for following us - over the next few days we’ll be posting some author masterlists of some heavy hitters in the fandom (think 5+ fics!), but until then... we thought everyone needed some more season five in their lives.

so, in case you missed them... a collection of completed fics (as of march 5th) that take place somewhere in season five canon (or not canon)!

pre time jump

(stop fighting) and know our love is real Author: Littlebarchie07 Rating: General Length: 2,019 Summary: 3 times Archie starts coming to terms with potentially losing Betty and the 1 time he realises they will always be connected. Notes: Part 2/2 of The Truth series.

(stop pretending) and let our love begin Author: Littlebarchie07 Rating: General Length: 1,244 Summary: 3 times Betty lies, and the 1 time she finally admits the truth. Notes: Part 1/2 of The Truth series.

but we were something, don’t you think so? Author: societysgot Rating: General Length: 1,718 Summary: "Why didn't you tell me?" She tries to look him in the eye but finds that she can't, "That you were leaving." "Well I—" "Why Arch?" Notes: An alternate take on the bus scene, and before.

closing walls and ticking clocks Author: inthehallway Rating: Teen Length: 3,365 Summary: Maybe you need to consider why you’re really so terrified of him finding out. Is it only because you know you’ll lose him? Or is it also because you’re scared of the feelings you’ll be forced to face once he’s gone? After prom, Betty can't hide from the truth anymore. Notes: An alternate take on prom. AKA, everyone finds out.

Dancing is a dangerous game Author: Littlebarchie07 Rating: General Length: 1,081 Summary: Based on the lyrics from “you’re a cowboy like me”. Betty-Barchie centric of an AU prom scene. Notes: AKA Archie and Betty actually dance like they should have.

for what it’s worth it was worth all the while Author: bettycooopers Rating: General Length: 1,030 Summary: Betty slips into the back door of the Andrews house the way she has a thousand times before, but this morning it feels different...despite the fact that it still, somehow, feels like the most natural thing in the world. Notes: Takes place the last day of school. Aaaaand we’re sad again.

i’ve been looking sad in all the nicest places Author: societysgot Rating: Teen Length: 1,399 Summary: "It's not that simple," She went to place a hand on his arm, but he felt himself pulling away before she made contact. His voice was hoarse when he spoke. "Well, it shouldn't be this hard." Notes: They talk!! They discuss things!! Betty actually knows that Veronica knows!! A gift.

If This Was A Movie Author: booksnshows Rating: General Length: 3,228 Summary: Betty Cooper has been dreaming of prom since she was a little girl. The truth is...she always pictured going with Archie Andrews. Notes: An alternate take on prom. Written early post S4.

so give me tonight Author: bettycooopers Rating: General Length: 2,392 Summary: They (whoever they are, exactly,) say that prom night is supposed to be one of the best nights of your life. Archie Andrews would like to go on record saying that is absolute bullshit. Notes: Did someone say prom porch parallel?

there’s no warning when everything changes Author: bettycooopers Rating: General Length: 1,525 Summary: The song sounds different coming from Veronica, so it doesn’t occur to Betty until she hears it: he’s not made for this world, and neither am I. Notes: A look is worth a thousand words. Sometimes, 1500 of them.

valentine Author: spideychoni Rating: Not Rated Length: 2,333 Summary: when things fall apart in archie and betty’s relationships, will they find each other again? a graduation after party changes everything for the blonde haired girl and the redheaded boy. Noted: A graduation after party?? Eyes emoji.

You Were The Someone Waiting For Me Author: darlingfilms Rating: Teen Length: 1,123 Summary: Picture this, it’s the senior prom in Riverdale and Betty and Archie go with their partners, but it’s clear who they’d rather be with. Notes: The author mentions there’s another chapter, but it’s marked as completed, so! Enjoy!

time jump

'tis the damn season Author: bettycooopers Rating: Mature Length: 13,878 Summary: you could call me babe for the weekend 'tis the damn season A Taylor Swift inspired "we're dating, but only during the holidays" AU told in five parts. Notes: Liberties taken - namely, they do talk within those years, and Archie doesn’t get deployed - but otherwise follows canon. Also, it’s epic.

all i want for christmas Author: bettycooopers Rating: General Length: 3,527 Summary: Archie’s heard of an orphan Christmas before, but he didn’t actually think he’d have one...at least, not yet. Notes: Written pre-S5, so FP doesn’t leave!

come home to my heart Author: inthehallway Rating: Mature Length: 9,248 Summary: He’s only been here for a few hours, and she already feels like a piece of her that’s been missing for too long is shifting back into place. But he's going to leave in a few days, and they'll have to say goodbye to each other all over again. She wonders if this will even be worth the pain it's going to cause them both in the end. Two years after graduation, Archie visits Betty at Yale. Notes: Sequel to didn’t know you were golden ‘til i tore your heart open. Written after S4, so Archie goes to the navy, not the army!

post time jump

all the bad dreams that you hide Author: bettycooopers Rating: General Length: 2,708 Summary: Betty has control of the nightmares. At least, that's what she tells herself. Notes: Based off of that Roommates Theory we all fell prey to. What happened in Albany, Cher?! Tell us!!!

Honey Author: JemmaLynn13 Rating: Mature Length: 6,755 Summary: A post shower fic where Betty finds herself wearing Archie's bathrobe with no other clothes to change into. Notes: Seriously, how did this girl get home? Alice is gonna find out by 5x07, at this rate.

Hush, I’m Here Author: NewObsessed Rating: Teen Length: 1,350 Summary: He stares up at the ceiling. Everytime he closes his eyes, all he sees is the battlefield and his fellow soldiers laying motionless across the grounds. Still he tries to let sleep come. After what feels like mere seconds, his eyes pop open again. Only this time, it isn’t because of his nightmare. It's because of someone else’s. Her scream slices through the silence of the house. Notes: We may have lost roommates in canon, but not in fic!!! The potential, friends.

i am your secret, baby, watch me unfold Author: bettycooopers Rating: Explicit Length: 3,151 Summary: Betty turns on her stereo and pours herself a drink, smiling – the idea of parading around her empty house in lingerie with her makeup done and a highball glass of gin while she waits for Archie is appealing, to say the least. Notes: You know what we didn’t lose, though? Friends with benefits. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

“If I kissed you right now, what would you do?” Author: bettycooopers Rating: Not Rated Length: 765 Summary: It’s past midnight when Betty texts him and tells him to meet her outside the auto shop. He shrugs on a sweatshirt and texts her back (for any particular reason, betts?) as he’s making his way out of the house, not bothering to wait for her to answer. He knows he’s going to end up there, anyway. Notes: A fun mini ‘verse where Betty pretends for all of five seconds that 5x05 was a one time thing. Whatever you say, Cooper!

jump into the heat Author: MaiaSpeedster Rating: Teen Length: 444 Summary: As they kissed and undressed each other, Betty couldn’t help but to think how dumb she had been to waste all of these years. She already knew how good Archie was at kissing, but the way he ran his hands over her figure and pressed his body to hers… God, she had never felt anything like it. Notes: Betty’s thoughts during 5x05. Y’know. About that scene. We think you know the one.

just for now Author: staryu Rating: General Length: 713 Summary: where Betty leaves but Archie is sad and really wants her to stay. Notes: Everyone, including Archie, wanted him to ask Betty to stay during 5x06, right? It’s okay, Arch, fic’s got you covered.

let’s go somewhere they might discover us Author: bettycooopers Rating: Explicit Length: 3,670 Summary: Archie’s synapses are clearly slower than usual, but he manages to look over at her subtly enough and raise his brow in a want to get out of here sort of way and Betty smiles, looking over to Kevin. “I think I’m going to let,” she pats Archie on the shoulder and raises her brows, “Sergeant Andrews here walk me home.” Notes: Based off of 5x06 stills. Drunk Archie! Exhibionist Barchie! A Betty who is terrible at friends with benefits! Yeah!

light my fire Author: bettycooopers Rating: Explicit Length: 2,797 Summary: Betty wakes up frustrated. She goes to bed frustrated. Riverdale is frustrating, in general – but the fact that she’s living in her childhood bedroom with Archie Andrews only a few hundred yards away, looking frustrating all the time is making it worse. Much worse. Notes: Based off of that still Roberto posted of Archie in firefighter gear. Yeah, you know the one.

lock the door (and throw out the key) Author: bettycooopers Rating: Explicit Length: 8,269 Summary: Cheryl’s always been one for chaos, and this key party seems like the kind of thing that will cause it no matter who winds up together. Notes: What’s going to be more chaotic, the actual key party (if it happens), or the events of this fic? Place your bets!

Love’s under a lock and key Author: creative_soul Rating: Mature Length: 3,306 Summary: Seven years have past since Betty left Riverdale behind. Seven years have passed since she last saw Jughead, Veronica and Archie... but now here she is seven years later on the steps of Thistle House. Notes: So... you’ve heard about the key party theory by now, right?

Our place, we make the rules Author: Littlebarchie07 Rating: Teen Length: 1,816 Summary: Betty goes over to Archie’s house for a *not* midnight hookup the night of the shower scene but is surprised when Jughead answers the door. Post 5x05. Notes: Betty is the least subtle she’s ever been, and also made us laugh out loud with one line in particular.

tell me you love me on the bathroom floor Author: soldierwitch Rating: Mature Length: 804 Summary: It’s been seven years since Betty’s had Archie. Though in hindsight she realizes that what she had back then was just a taste. A chaste kiss on the lips, a slip of the tongue. Underneath the stream of water coming from his shower head, she wonders what she really knew of him physically. Notes: Set during the shower scene.

That Shower Scene Author: ThisCalmsMe Rating: Explicit Length: 3,420 Summary: Barchie shower scene, that's it. That's the summary. NOT for underage viewing. Notes: The author said it themselves, but you know what scene this is. Can you believe we get to tag this as canon? Us neither!

The Small Hours Author: network_connectivity_issues Rating: Teen Length: 2,632 Summary: Just a little angsty bonding between Betty and Archie based on some of the snippets and speculation coming out of the Time Jump trailer. Notes: This fic is god tier. End of.

Through Fire and Rain Author: Littlebarchie07 Rating: Teen Length: 1,218 Summary: The aftermath of the fire at Archie’s house, Betty asks him to stay with her. Takes place after 5x06 Notes: The 5x07 subplot we deserve!

Who’s That at the Door? Author: CanaryWidow Rating: Teen Length: 1,853 Summary: A 5x07 speculation fic where Betty and Archie are tiptoeing around their true feelings for each other in a FWB relationship. Reality, in the form of Glen, comes knocking at their door--literally. Notes: Give us jealous Archie, we’re here for jealous Archie!

“You didn’t have to do this, you know.” Author: staryu Rating: Not Rated Length: 473 Summary: here have jealous betty at a bar! Notes: Give us jealous Betty, we want jealous Betty!

“You didn’t have to scare me like that.” Author: bettycooopers Rating: Not Rated Length: 485 Summary: Betty wakes from the nightmare (the nightmare, the one she always has) gasping for air and presses her hand to her face. She sucks in a long breath, the way Dr. Starling had instructed – why she had even mentioned the nightmares to her mandatory therapist, she’s not sure, but the only thing that’s even come close to useful from their sessions has been the deep breathing. Notes: Okay, but we all had at least considered that Betty could’ve been pointing that gun at Archie, right?

you ought to keep me concealed just like i was a weapon Author: bettycooopers Rating: Explicit Length: 4,037 Summary: “We’re getting that fucking house back,” Betty says, her voice low. “There’s no other option.” Notes: We’re still yelling about this one.

#type: masterlist #setting: canon #setting: s5 au #status: complete

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a-clockwork-justice · 4 years

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It’s pretty evident that Winston is incredibly lonely (and by evident, I mean that most this is speculation based on the vaguest of implications with a dash of projection because … I can). Yeah, other people have talked out how he’s often ostracised by the other Mase Cappers and severely underappreciated for the work he puts in, but it’s clear in many ways that this gets to him.

For one, he’s unfailingly loyal to Taylor, a.k.a the one person (that we see) to show him appreciation and kindness - to show him that he’s valued.

(Which just goes to show the length to which he was hurt by their plan not to pay compensation for a year - his rant boils down to I’ve stayed loyal and worked my ass off for you and now you're putting your revenge jag over the work we’ve done for you. Just saying, that + Mafee’s instant personal attack must’ve been a huge freaking slap to the face).

Speaking of huge freaking slaps to the face, I'm sure I don't need to say how and why 5x05 was Stupid Bad Stupid. However, initially Winston seems to recognise that him potentially being fired was the work of Wendy axing (heh) Mase Cappers rather than him specifically being targeted (though it's telling that he was the first on the chopping block - or, I should say, the first one smothered). Taylor seems to be trying to covertly defend him in front of Wendy without outright antagonising her.

However, this flips on its head when Winston and Mafee try to talk to Lauren about this. Winston states outright that unlike Mafee, he does have reason worry about being fired, and Lauren doesn’t contradict this, and Winston is left to fight for himself again.

Regardless, Winston has latched onto Taylor and probably feels closer to them than most other people in his life and certainly closer than anyone at Mase Cap (apart from MAYBE Rian but that's a pretty recent development and hopefully signals things looking up for him in terms of his social standing with the other Mase Cappers).

To segue nicely into Rian, we see something pretty similar in Winston’s last scene of 5x05, where he ostensibly suggests that they spend more time together after she says one thing that aligns with his own school of thought. He clearly just wants someone on his wavelength, someone who thinks like him and/or likes him for how he thinks, like Taylor, or like Rian when she said his way of thinking could benefit Mase Cap earlier in the episode. It makes sense that he would try to latch onto her in some way or other.

I know that the Winstan king @unproduciblesmackdown has already made a post about this next point, but it’s established that Winston is so appreciation/friendship starved that it spills over into his interactions re: being perceived as “needy” by his colleagues and his girlfriend(s). So naturally, this comes out again when he’s high on uppers and literally giddy about being noticed by Bobby Axelrod of all people (@nothingunrealistic made this fantastic addition to my last Winston post that sums it up pretty well).

Needy ... or just lonely?

#billions #winston billions #taylor mason #rian bliions #dudley mafee #wendy rhodes #once again #not my most cohesive analysis #remember that hashtag #i wasn't here while it was relevant but i heard about #give winston his money #i think now it needs to be #give winston his appreciation #give winston his right to be treated like a freaking person #also thank you milo for those winston compilations #i cba watching the rest of the show #so thanks for compiling the 2-5 minutes of every episode that matter #winston are you okay

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twdmusicboxmystery · 4 years

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TWD 10x06: Bonds - Details

Okay, let's talk details.

***As always, spoilers abound below for 10x06. Don’t read until you’ve watched!!!***

Carol and Daryl:

We see Carol get up and get ready in the morning. I thought it was interesting that we saw her make coffee. We actually saw them making coffee in 10x03, right after meeting Alpha at the border, too.

Remember in 6×13, Paula gave the analogy of the three things that went into the water: the egg, the carrot, and the coffee beans. The coffee beans change the letter itself. Now we’re seeing coffee around Carol.

I'm not sure exactly what it means, but the very least, I think you could argue that her actions are changing things. Maybe the coffee shows that it won't necessarily be a bad thing for her to start the war. I'm sure people die, but maybe what she's doing will end up changing the world somehow. Just some random thoughts.

She leaves the community, presumably to look for Negan. When they sit down to watch, we do see binoculars.

Carol shows Daryl her Map, and he asks why she wasn't straight with him. After she explains, he says, "I get it." The first thing I would always say is that this is a bEth thing. But I thought about it a little deeper than that. He said the exact same thing to Connie when Connie said she was sorry she asked him to lie for Magna. So, both times, he said this when he understood why they did something, even if he didn't agree with it. And that was actually true of Beth saying it to Dawn as well.

Then Daryl says that if she finds anything, he can track it for her. Carol implies that she can track things herself. I'm not entirely sure what to make of that. Is she just being flippant? Is this suppose to be some sort of parallel to Beth because Daryl taught her to track? I'm not sure, but I thought it was kind of weird.

I think I covered the acorn scene pretty well yesterday. Again, I'll do a post about acorns and oaks later in the week. Stay tuned for that.

As the horde gets bigger, Carol admits she wants to cross the border. Daryl says that if they're going to do it, they have to be smart. None of this running off the night. Does he know her well, or what? He agrees to cross the border with her, but lays out some rules. They can't be seen, they can't make tracks, they can’t kill walkers conventionally, because Alpha will know they’ve been there. They also agree to meet back at the border if they get separated.

Daryl said if they left a bunch of walkers in their wake with holes in their heads, they might as well “leave a note saying we were here." It just reminded me of Beth’s thank you note in Alone.

I do think Carol was being pretty reckless here. I'm not someone who usually bashes on Carol. I actually like her character and think she's interesting. That doesn't mean that I condone everything she does. Our biggest problem with her fan base is that she's doing things that are super toxic, and they seem to think these things are okay to do. They not only condone but even glorify some of the really despicable things she's done. Obviously, I don't that way. I think her character is interesting specifically because she's so flawed. But that doesn't mean I agree with all her actions. But I generally don't go around bashing her either.

In this case, I do think her actions were pretty reckless. She's kind of got a one track mind to get her own agenda accomplished, and doesn't seem to care that she could get other people killed.

I said yesterday that if it turns out she really is telling the truth about everything, then maybe that doesn't hold up. Maybe the Whisperer really did see her, through no fault of her own. But then Gimple did kind of confirm on TTD that she’d done it on purpose and had a different plan all along.

Another parallel I noticed was Daryl coming out of the brush. It reminded me of when he did the same thing at Father Gabriel's church and 5x03. Michonne went to see who was in the bushes and it was Daryl returning with Noah. But the way he came up, and Carol wondered if he was a walker or an enemy at first, and you see the brush wiggling, and then he sort of stumbles out of it. That reminded me of 5x03. And that had to do with Beth. Daryl had come back from finding her.

When I told @wdway about this, she pointed something else out. She said just reading about my description reminded her of the beginning of Still, where Beth and Daryl do the same thing. They come stumbling out of the brush. And obviously that had to do with Beth. So I really like this visual parallel.

That was a bit about it for Daryl and Carol. You can definitely tell Daryl thinks she’s lying. We’re developing a bit of a pattern here of people either lying to Daryl or asking him to lie for them, and he really doesn't like it. We’re seeing a bit of a rift here between Daryl and Carol. And that hasn't really happened before.

Siddiq and the Sickness:

It's been said that maybe the people are getting sick because Gamma poisoned the water. Here, we specifically hear Dante and Siddiq talk about how all they can really do is keep the sick hydrated and wait for it to pass. If the water is what's making them sick, that's why the virus is spreading so quickly. Again, there are lots of parallels to the virus at the prison. There, they also brought water to the sick because they kept getting dehydrated due to the fever.

I noticed that at the beginning, Siddiq said seven people had it now. By the end of the episode, it was much more than that, but they specifically emphasized the number seven. It’s something I’m keeping an eye on recently, since Emily posted that tarot card with the seven stars.

We also found out where Father Gabriel is. We wondered where he went last episode. Rosita says he's out on an overnight patrol. I also noticed that she called him The Good Shepherd at one point. Kind of interesting.

When Siddiq takes her hopes are to the infirmary, he helps her in a similar way to how Daryl helped Beth after she heard her ankle.

We also heard talk of luck and an “I get it” from Dante, which I think is interesting. Not sure what role Dante will play going forward. Since he and Siddiq shared moonshine last episode, that did sort of make them Bethyl proxies.

The old woman, Cheryl, said something to Siddiq about him looking like the grim reaper. “It’s like I’m napping next to the Grim Reaper.” My first response to that is that she's probably going to die, which isn’t a stretch, given her age and the severity of the illness.

On the other hand, she was referring to Siddiq as the Grim Reaper so maybe it’s a death omen for him. I don't know.

**Uh, yeah. I wrote this when I watched the episode over the weekend. Just last night, new spoilers came out that answer who the reference is about. I won’t post them here, but if you’ve read them, you know what i mean. ☹**

Lastly, during Siddiq’s PTSD episode, he hears Alpha say over and over again, "Open your eyes, open your eyes." And we hear a clock ticking very loudly, which is probably significant.

It zoomed in on his eyes in a similar way they did with Beth at Grady. Then, of course, we see his eyes open. So, the theme is there. I mean, we’re talking watching someone’s eyes open with a clock ticking in the background. Grady anyone?

It’s also a lot like the walker we saw outside the school at the end of 10x03. Again, not sure exactly where it’s going yet, but it’s interesting.

Oh, one other detail I forgot: Rosita has a fever of 102 degrees. Remember the 102 near the firetruck in 5x05? Just saying.

Negan:

As I’m sure we all kind of figured, there was some mild hilarity between Negan and Beta. To say they don't like each other is an understatement. When they first walk through the woods, Negan tells Beta he will spill all of his secrets. He also says he's been in prison for eight years.

Now, of course, we already knew that, but I think it's interesting that they emphasize the number years. Remember, there was an 8 beside Beth in 5x09. But they’ve always been really vague about time passing before. Now, we’re being told very specifically it's been exactly 8 years since the end of AOW (when Negan began a prisoner). And around the end of AOW, they confirmed on TTD that it had been between four and six months since Coda. So, it's really only been a little over 8 years since Beth was shot.

Beta says Negan can't be trusted but Alpha wants him to be tested. She says, if he’s worthy, she’ll “hear” him. So another ear reference.

She also gets angry at Beta for questioning her judgment and he kneels to her. I thought it was hilarious that Negan thought him kneeling was funny. If anyone understands making people kneel, it's him.

So, this kind of opens up an interesting dynamic. Even though he was a different kind of “bad guy” than Alpha is, he does understand her in a way that most people wouldn't. Even Rick and Michonne wouldn't understand her in the same way Negan does because they've never been dictators who’ve forced others to kneel to them. Negan will be able to anticipate her moods and actions better than others can. He may be able to get inside her head and be the only one who can truly defeat her. I think this is really interesting.

Negan did make an Omega reference while goading Beta. Basically, Negan asked in his always-classy way if Alpha and Beta even are together. He asked Beta if he gave her a little “omega” on the side, which is obviously a sex reference. I think Negan is purposely making play on words because Alpha’s name is, well, Alpha. So it’s like, are you the “omega” to her “Alpha.”

On the other hand, you could argue that the alpha/omega reference just became romantic. Even sexual. And we’ve heard that reference tangled up with Beth symbolism a lot.

Then we have the part where Negan digs holes. Actually, that was part really interesting. I don’t think what Negan was doing specifically was the test. They were more testing his obedience and trying to push him to a place of exhaustion and anger to see if he would crack. He nearly did a few times, but overall, didn’t.

Meanwhile, they were burying walkers. They would dig a hole, line it with rocks, and then bury walkers in it. I don't know why they were doing that, but it probably has something to do with their belief about walkers as guardians.

More to the point, the up-tempo song that played during this part was about a yo-yo. Perhaps another sign Beth will be here soon?

They also had Negan kill a pig they hunted. Recently, I said I think pigs always represent a sacrifice in order to keep others alive. So, it's interesting that they had Negan kill the pig. In the comic books, Negan kills Alpha. I don't know if this points to that, but honestly, I don't think Alpha qualifies as a sacrifice. She’s not exactly innocent. Besides, I tend to think Carol will kill her in the show rather than Negan. But I think this foreshadows Negan sacrificing someone else for the greater good. Those are just rambling thoughts for now.

In terms of the psychology, it's also very telling what Negan was about to put up a fight with Beta. When he saw Alpha, that's when he backed down. He knows very well who’s in charge and who he needs to impress.

Later on, Beta got angry and said Negan will never be one of them. Negan says, "Cards on the table, I'm not here for you.” Interesting poker card reference there. He also uses the phrase, "five and dime Frankenstein." Actually, several interesting references there. Five and dime is the same as 5 and 10. Kind of connecting S5 and S10, perhaps? (I mean, what could that connection possibly be? 😉) And of course, Frankenstein is a creature that was brought back from the dead.

Beta kills a walker and basically sicks the horde on Negan. Interestingly, Negan actually had tiny death fake out sequence.

Granted, I doubt anyone actually thought Negan was dead, even for a couple of minutes, but the events were similar. He was surrounded by walkers and presumed dead by Beth. He went and told Alpha that Negan was weak and had died. But then Negan showed up alive and well.

Notice how they never do death fake outs, even small ones, by pushing people off cliffs or anything. Think about the others we've seen. Glenn, Rick, what we think happened with Beth. Every time it's them being surrounded by walkers with no obvious way out, but somehow, they make it and turn up alive. Just thought that was interesting.

At the end, Negan kneels to Alpha. It's an interesting way to bring his character full circle. He used to make everyone kneel before him before and was the evil dictator. Now, he's kneeling to someone else.

More than that, he's basically giving everything to help overthrow Alpha, which makes it a very unselfish act. So in that way, he's become a completely different character. I thought the end where she said, “Shh,” and he smiled was a pretty ingenious way to end the episode. Definitely makes me look forward to the next one.

Eugene and Radio Voice:

As I said yesterday, I won't say much about his overall art. We don't know where this is going with this woman, and it's very intriguing. But we just don't know enough about it to really draw any conclusions yet. However, some of the dialogue he has while talking with her is very interesting.

First, at Hilltop, we learn that he souped up the transmitter with stuff from satellite. Some of the technology took from satellite will actually help improve the reach of the transmitter. I'm sure that's important.

Eugene tries to call Rosita back after the transmitter malfunctions, but at that point, she's already gone to the infirmary. This just leads to him calling out across all channels, trying to reach anybody who might hear him.

His call sign is “tater bug.” Don’t know if we should be reading into that, but but/insect references always catch my attention, now. He also had an ear reference. Just before the woman first answered him, he says something about “ear holes.” So maybe part of the hear no evil theme?

They talk about him being from Texas. The reason that’s important is because FTWD is currently set in Texas. Also, Carol and Daryl keep making New Mexico references. New Mexico is right next to Texas. They also talk about where she's from, Strausburg, Pennsylvania.

They talk about Coventry blue, the foamer phase, and an ice cream shop. I don’t want to go into what these mean in great detail, but I think they’re significant. Coventry blue comes from a certain way to dye fabric and then weave it that dates back to the middle ages. I know there was a basket weaving reference last episode, and we think these may be cloaked New Mexico references. Like making this kind of dye and basket weaving was practiced by Native Americans in New Mexico or something. We’re really not entirely sure yet.

The foamer thing is slang for “an obsessive railfan.” This is when Eugene is talking about how he loved trains and visited a train museum. So more of the train theme. They’ve been major symbols throughout the series. The train tracks a terminus, at the train. Symbolism 5×9 during Tyra's recent death, hallucination, and a few others.

Two reasons the ice cream reference is important. It reminds me of Daryl’s “I never” about frozen yogurt from Still. Anyone who reads @frangipanilove’s theories knows that Frosty Cola and ice cream are also part of the Sirius/return symbolism, which might be why had Daryl reference frozen yogurt in Still to begin with.

Eugene also makes a roller skate reference. That’s not specifically a Bethyl thing, but it reminded me of Enid and Carl rollerblading together. They were not only a soulmate couple, intertwining their fingers, but there were a lot of Bethyl symbols around them.

At one point, Eugene says he's a good judge of character and believes she's in the "good" column. So, more of the “good people” theme. They agree to keep talking, but she wants to keep it between them. I'm not sure if it's a good thing or bad thing. Like I said, just kind of waiting to see how this unfolds.

Okay, that’s it for today. Thoughts?

#beth greene #beth greene lives #beth is alive #beth is coming #td theory #td theories #team delusional #team defiance #beth is almost here #bethyl

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