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initforthelolzz · 11 months

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I know that this discussion has been made countless times at this point, but I might as well make it again.

Anyone who calls Yamato a woman doesn’t understand his character, there, I said it.

I recently stumbled across that side of the one piece fandom. As in, the side that gets violent over Yamato’s gender identity. I recently had the unfortunate privilege of stumbling across an entire YouTube comment section ranting and unanimously agreeing that Yamato is a woman and cussing out all the people who “head-cannon” him as a man.

Whelp. It’s rant time again.

For starters, I accept Yamato as a man. A trans man that doesn’t necessarily pass, but has a respected gender identity by all he associates with (as far as I’ve watched).

I have multiple trans friends and family members in my life, and as an LGBT individual myself any and all representation is a breath of fresh air. Especially in shonen anime, which is the sole form of media that I consume at this point.

I’ve already made my rant about the queer rep in Impel Down, and it’s about time I spun my spiel about the upsetting discourse over Yamato and his gender identity. Because that’s exactly what it is, upsetting.

When Yamato was first introduced he wore a mask and baggy clothing, he didn’t speak and was mysteriously called nothing other than “Kaido’s son.” He was hyped up for episodes on end before he finally joined the plot, and finally spoke. In the distinct voice of a woman.

Clearly, any and all gender norms have been obliterated at this point.

When Yamato finally took his mask off and declared himself Kozuki Oden, Luffy reacted how all of us did:

It’s exactly what all of us were thinking, right? How can that be Kaido’s son?

Then of course Yamato responds with this:

And we have our answer. Yamato is a trans man, and the entire Beast Pirates crew respects that. It’s incredible, isn’t it? I was blown away, you should have heard me squealing, it was ridiculous.

Luffy was a dick about it initially, but from the moment Yamato declared himself a man Luffy referred to him by his preferred pronouns for the rest of the arc.

“You can trust him.” “He’s going to help you.”

(Paraphrased. Didn’t dig up a screen shot cause I’m lazy. Took place when Luffy left Yamato with Momo and Shinobu on his way to the roof.)

Conversation over, right?! Wrong!!

Cause some people don’t like that. They see huge tits and refuse to accept this character as anything but a woman.

It doesn’t matter that Yamato is referred to using he/him pronouns by literally everyone, it doesn’t matter that Kaido consistently calls him his son, and it certainly doesn’t matter that Yamato personally declares himself a man.

They say that Yamato is biologically female; “it says it on the vivre card!” “A manga panel calls her Kaido’s daughter!” All things I found in that comment section, repeated again and again. Of course there’s the color spread covered in big boobs and bikinis, and that’s obviously proof that Yamato is a woman like all the rest. Because all of the color spreads happened in the cannon story and must be taken as hard fact.

I mean clearly.

Canon, 100%.

No question.

“Cause Oda literally said it himself…” right? Yeah. Sure. I’ll believe it when I see an SBS or a quote from the man himself.

I understand where they’re coming from, I really do. Yeah, Yamato looks like a woman. Yeah, boobs exist. Yeah, both voice actors are female.

But all of this evidence is strictly surface level, and these people ignore the personality of the character they claim to defend on top of the way they interact with other characters in the series.

They say that Yamato only looks up to Oden, that he’s not really a trans man, he’s just “larping.” Playing pretend.

They claim to be defending Yamato’s identity. They claim that those who call him a man are trying to “steal” the character and “gender her.” Yet… doesn’t their entire argument revolve around gendering that exact character?

By that logic, who gendered the character in the first place? I dunno, maybe the guy who’s wrote the dialogue? I mean maybe???

At the end of the day I can get ticked off all I want, but people will think what that think and all I can do is try not to let it affect me. However…I know transphobia when I see it. I see transphobic discourse within my own family. I know what that shit looks like. Refusal to respect pronouns. “Well you don’t look male.” “You were born female.” “It’s all just a phase, they’re confused.”

Sound familiar?

People can believe what that like, but it doesn’t mean that what they believe is right. It’s upsetting to see this argument so often. It’s all over the fandom, there’s no way to avoid it.

People claim to be defending the gender of this character, they act as if Yamato is being attacked by the evil gays who will stop at nothing to turn everyone trans. I’m not joking, that’s literally how they worded in that battlefield of a comment section.

Yamato’s gender expression is confusing, we know. That’s the point! Oda said fuck gender conformity all the way back in Alabasta, and he isn’t stopping now. What we see in Yamato is trans representation, but not a clean rep like Kiku, we have a man who doesn’t pass. Guess what? Not all trans people pass! That doesn’t make them any less trans, and your black and white perception of their gender doesn’t debunk their identity.

I genuinely don’t understand why there has to be so much discourse over this topic. Like you’re literally arguing with Luffy himself at this point. 😔🙄

#and like why do they care so much if people take Yamato as trans rep?#they get so offended about it #but why the fuck do you care so much?#you have hundreds of cis/het characters in this series already #let us have this like god #you’re not the cannon police calm tf down #so many people have said it and I’ve gotta say it again #one piece is a leftist anime and if you haven’t noticed it by now then you’re fucking stupid #one piece #ranting #rant into the void #back at it again #one piece analysis #one piece wano #yamato #yamato one piece #monkey d. luffy #trans REP yall

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fluentmoviequoter · 4 months

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20-David on a Plane

Pairing: David 'Deacon' Kay x fem!SWAT!reader

Summary: 20-David flies to Washington DC, and along the way, you learn why Deacon can comfort you so easily.

Warnings: fluff, brief mention/description of nervousness, hints of anxiety, meddling and teasing, quick TSA-related terrorist joke

Word Count: 3.2k+ words

A/N: We are once again pretending Annie doesn't exist. This idea came to me while watching The Middle episode 2x16 ("Hecks on a Plane") during my recent trip! I hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think!

Picture from Pinterest

“It’s about me,” Luca taunts. “I know I should have told you, but I’m getting promoted.”

Street snorts as he closes his locker. “Sure. And Deacon’s got a hot date.”

You try not to laugh at the comment, but it slips out before you can stop it. Slapping a hand over your mouth, you see Deacon shake his head in your peripheral. His smile is still present, so he can’t be too mad.

“Luca, if you’re the reason we’re all getting called into Hicks’ office, I doubt it’s a promotion,” Hondo points out, slapping his shoulder. “I just hope the lecture is enjoyable.”

You sit on the bench behind your locker, leaning over toward Deacon.

“Ten bucks it’s none of the things they’ve said,” you whisper.

“You don’t think I’ve got a hot date?”

Turning your head quickly, you ask, “Do you?”

“I don’t appreciate the implication that it’s impossible.”

“No, no, I didn’t mean it like that,” you rush to say. Deacon presses his lips together to suppress his smile, and you lower your brows to glare at him. “I think Deacon’s getting moved to Rocker’s team,” you announce, “I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.”

Deacon shakes his head, throwing a jacket toward you as you walk away, taking cover behind Hondo.

“Guys!” Hondo yells with a chuckle. “We really do need to go, he’s been waiting.”

“As long as he’s not as impatient as Molly,” Street says under his breath.

“Dude, you’re so whipped!” Luca replies.

“What do you think it is? He doesn’t call all of us for a private meeting very often,” you ask Deacon as you walk out behind your team.

“Probably a congratulations from City Hall, or something equally rehearsed.”

You nod, unconsciously matching your steps to Deacon’s as you stay by his side.

“Close the door, Deacon,” Hicks requests once you’re inside. “I know you’re busy, but this should be quick. This team has done some incredible work in the last year, and the people of Los Angeles are lucky to have you protecting them.”

“Thank you, Commander,” Hondo offers.

“We can drop the formalities; this is good news. 20-David is being awarded a Medal of Valor.”

Street and Luca cheer, silencing when Hicks raises his hand.

“Not from the L.A.P.D. though. This one is coming from Congress by the President.”

Your jaw slackens, and your mouth falls open in shock. The rest of your team is similarly surprised, silent for once while taking in the good news.

“And, because of the mission last month, the President wants to award the medal himself. You’re flying to Washington DC to participate in the ceremony in the Rose Garden.”

“We’re going to DC!” Street cheers. Luca adds, “We can explore the DC food truck map!”

“Free trip,” Hondo says happily, looking toward you and Deacon. “But I need first class, I got long legs.”

“Yeah, about that,” Hicks interrupts. “We had some scheduling and budgeting issues, so you’re all flying coach.”

“No!” Hondo groans, tossing his head back as Street, Tan, and Luca continue talking about the food trucks in DC. “Can’t I pay the difference?”

“You’d have to leave the day before, the flight you’re on is booked.”

“What’s so bad about coach, Hondo?” Deacon inquires. “Too sophisticated for economy?”

“Yes,” Hondo says as if it’s obvious. You shake your head, and he points at you to argue, “You don’t want to either.”

“I could be duct-taped to the wing of the plane, Hondo. It’s an all-expense paid trip to receive a once in a lifetime award,” you point out.

“Which deserves once in a lifetime treatment.”

“Then fly out the day before,” Hicks says again. “Just let us know what you’re doing. We’re doing our best to get the return flight upgraded.”

“Coach,” Hondo mutters to himself, “like a normal person.”

“You’re certainly not normal, Hondo,” Deacon says, winking at you when you turn around to hide your smile.

✯✯✯✯✯

You walk into the terminal at Los Angeles International, LAX, expecting to meet your team on the other side of security.

“Good morning,” Deacon says as he walks to your side.

“Morning,” you reply, glad he’s the first one you run into. “How long have you been here?”

“Couple minutes. Hondo just texted that he, Street, Luca, and Tan are almost here.”

You nod, your fingers fiddling with your backpack straps. A few people look at you and Deacon, dressed in your uniforms and carrying tactical backpacks.

“You alright?” he asks quietly, concern in his brown eyes.

“Yeah, I’m good. Just tired, a little nervous.”

“Well, as soon as you’re sitting in a row between Street and Hondo with no escape, you’ll feel worse.”

You laugh, and Deacon smiles, glad he was able to distract you if only for a moment.

“Nervous about the flight?” he asks.

“No,” you begin.

“Deac!” Luca yells, cutting you off as he says your name and tosses his arm over you. “Morning, guys.”

Deacon’s eyes stay on you, but you send him a small smile and a nod to let him know you’re alright. Luca drags you and Street along as he talks and walks simultaneously, one arm over each of you until he reaches the security line.

“IDs,” the TSA agent says, holding a hand toward your team.

You let Street, Luca, and Tan go first, hanging back with Deacon and Hondo until your turn. As you walk through the metal detector, the female TSA agent on the other side asks you to step to the side for additional screening.

“Ooh, someone’s been bad,” Hondo taunts as he walks past.

Deacon keeps his eyes on you as he grabs his backpack from the conveyor belt, pulling yours to his side as he waits for you.

“Never fails,” you tell him, smiling as you take your bag. “Apparently I look like a terrorist.”

Deacon rolls his eyes, gesturing for you to walk by. When you turn the corner, Hondo puts his hands up in surrender.

“Do you feel violated?” Street asks dramatically.

“Should we tell Hicks about how a government official had to search you for…” Luca lowers his voice to finish, “weapons.”

“Right now, you’re the only people who should be afraid of me,” you answer with a cheerful smile.

They look at Deacon for help, but he shrugs and mutters, “You started it.”

“Dad,” Tan and Street groan together.

Deacon shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. He looks at you as if asking, ‘Can you believe what I have to deal with?’

“Who has the boarding passes?” Tan asks.

Hondo raises his hand, digging into his backpack before pulling an envelope out. He looks at the names one each before handing them out. Deacon looks over at yours with furrowed brows.

“What row you on, Hondo?” he asks.

“Six,” Hondo replies. “Exit row with extra leg room. Hicks pulled through.”

“Me too,” Street, Luca, and Tan answer.

Deacon looks over at you with his head tilted.

“What?” you ask.

“Did you ask to be that far away from us?” His eyebrows raise as he chuckles.

“Where are you?” Street asks, pointing toward you with his chin.

“Seventeen.”

Hondo’s eyes widen, shocked at the idea of sitting so far back in the plane.

“We can ask someone to switch,” Deacon tells you.

“No, it’s completely fine. You guys can… enjoy yourselves.”

Deacon starts to argue, but he’s cut short by an announcement.

“Flight 1239 with service to Washington DC has been delayed. Remain at the gate for further updates,” someone says over the speaker.

Hondo nods as if he expected as much before falling back into a seat. Luca, Street, and Tan follow his lead and get comfortable.

You remain standing, tapping your foot to dispel some nervous energy. After thirty minutes with no updates, you sit beside Deacon and lean toward him, pushing your shoulder against his. He doesn’t mind; he invites your presence at his side.

“Flight 1239 to Washington DC will begin boarding in ten minutes.”

Several people cheer, and Hondo stretches before standing. He sees how close you are to Deacon but only raises his eyebrows, a knowing look in his eye even as you shake your head.

Because you’re sitting further back, you board after the guys and have to ignore their comments as you walk past them on the plane. When you’re in your seat, you settle in and start reading, hoping to distract yourself from your racing thoughts.

✯✯✯✯✯

“Good morning, folks, this is your pilot speaking. Sorry about that boarding delay, but we’re going to get you in the air and to DC in just about four and a half hours,” the pilot announces. “Now, I do hear that we have some of LA’s finest on board. A soon to be decorated S.W.A.T. team, so on behalf of Los Angeles, thank you for keeping us safe on the ground, and let us return the favor in the air.”

Several passengers clap, and you smile as one of the flight attendants speaks to you on his way down the aisle. The man across the aisle introduces himself, thanking you for your service as he shakes your hand. You nod and return to your book, grateful for the sound of takeoff drowning out the voices of people talking about the cops on board.

✯✯✯✯✯

“No way, DC would be the first to go,” Street argues.

“Los Angeles always gets taken out first,” Tan adds. “Haven’t you watched a movie?”

“DC is just a bigger target. It’s not first, but it’s more important,” Luca says, leaning forward to join the conversation about the argument.

“In Independence Day, LA is gone long before they even think of DC.”

Deacon closes his eyes, tilting his head back against the headrest. He’s been listening to a different version of the same argument since boarding. They started talking about fighter jets, which turned to fighting aliens. Now, the argument is about which cities aliens would take out first to dominate the world.

“First class,” Hondo says wistfully before putting his earbuds in.

When Tan starts ranting about how aliens don’t have to come from the sky, Deacon decides he’s had enough. He stands, stepping around Luca before walking down the centre aisle. Several people nod at him, while others keep their heads down. When he reaches your row, he stops beside you until you look up at him, your finger holding your place in your book.

“Hey,” you greet.

“Is that seat empty?” Deacon asks, pointing to the one between you and the woman in the window seat. You nod, and Deacon mutters, “Not anymore.”

He steps over your legs and sits beside you, taking a deep breath as he revels in the quiet away from Street, Tan, and Luca.

“Tired of alien invasion debates?” you ask quietly, turning your attention to the cover of your book.

“You can hear it back here?” he asks incredulously.

“No, but word travels fast when tactically trained police officers are discussing alien movies.”

Deacon nods, looking out the window. You start reading again, sitting upright in your own space, despite Deacon’s arm on the armrest between you. Initiating contact with Deacon has never been a problem for you, and he likes that you trust him enough to be vulnerable and comfortable with him. Your attention is easily drawn away from what you’re doing, which is another unusual thing for you.

“Are you okay?” he whispers, leaning toward you.

You nod, but your harsh swallow tells a different story.

“You can talk to me, you know that.”

“I’m really nervous,” you admit.

“Flying?”

You shake your head, leaning forward to put your book in your backpack. When you sit back up, Deacon takes your hand between his.

“Then what’s going on?”

“The award,” you begin, looking at his hands. “I don’t deserve it. That raid was successful because of you guys, not me.”

“Hey,” Deacon says, using a kind hand to direct your face toward his. “We’re a team, and we did that as a team. Together. Every one of us, including you, deserves this award because we saved lives.”

“You saved lives. That little girl would have died without you.”

“And I couldn't have saved her without you,” Deacon reminds you. “We were under attack, and you kept us out of harm’s way. You deserve this, just as much if not more, than the rest of us.”

You nod, turning your head away from Deacon to rest against his shoulder. He pulls your arm over him, encouraging you to get comfortable. Deacon is a comforting person to be around, but being this close provides a feeling that you can’t get anywhere else.

“Thank you,” you whisper, gently holding his wrist.

“In an alien movie, they’d kiss after she saved his life,” Street says, sitting on his knees to watch you and Deacon.

Luca and Tan nod their agreement before turning back in their seats. They’ve witnessed several quiet, tender moments between you and Deacon, but don’t know where they lead. Hondo has advised them to mind their business, but that isn’t as much fun.

✯✯✯✯✯

The flight attendant who spoke to you right after learning you are a police officer seems to enjoy visiting your row. Every time he walks down the middle aisle, he stops to ask if you need anything or talk to you about your job. Since Deacon moved to your side, it has happened several times. He’s just as tired of it as you are.

Still comfortable in Deacon’s arms, you sigh against his shoulder when you hear him walk by again.

“Can I get you two anything?” he asks.

“No, we’re good, thanks,” Deacon answers, polite but firm.

You tighten your grip on his arm in thanks, glad to not have to speak or move. Your nervousness is seeping out as if Deacon is absorbing it and pumping comfort and peace back into you. It seems impossible to be upset around Deacon, especially when your source of discomfort is of your own making.

“I think he likes you,” Deacon whispers against your hair. “Which should be enough evidence that you don’t look like a terrorist.”

You laugh against Deacon, not expecting him to bring that up again. His shoulder shakes under you as he laughs too.

“The seatbelt sign has been turned on for your final descent into Washington DC. Flight attendants prepare for landing," the pilot says.

“Oh no, now your friend can’t visit,” Deacon says, smiling as you sit up.

“You’re my friend,” you reply, matching his smile. “Thank you for everything, Deacon. Seriously, I couldn’t do all of this without you.”

“I love to do it.”

✯✯✯✯✯

Once you land in Washington, someone hands Hondo an envelope with your return tickets. He opens them quickly, crossing his fingers that they’re first class.

“Two. Two of them are first class and the others are the first exit row again,” he says.

“Give ‘em to the lovebirds!” Luca yells.

Street and Tan nod before clapping in your direction. You turn toward Deacon and press your face against his shoulder.

“How am I going to survive this weekend?” you mumble.

“With me,” Deacon answers, a gentle hand on your lower back.

✯✯✯✯✯

Being the only woman on the trip, Hicks reserved a room just for you. Someone knocks once you’re dressed, ready, and growing nervous again. Deacon’s eyes widen as you open the door.

“You look beautiful,” he says, walking in. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Thank you. You look just as handsome as always. And, mostly; I’m a little nervous but I’ll be alright.”

“We’re with you the whole time,” Deacon reminds you. “Do you want to do anything specific when we’re finished?”

You shrug. “Some sightseeing, I guess. I don’t really have anything specific I have to see.”

“There’s one place I think you’d really like. If you’re interested, we could go together. Then do some sightseeing.”

Without hesitation, you agree to spend the remainder of your time with Deacon. He’s been at your side through the good and bad, and you’re happiest when he’s there.

✯✯✯✯✯

“We’re going food truck hunting, want to join?” Luca asks, loosening his tie.

“Maybe later. I’ll call when we’re done and we can meet somewhere,” Deacon answers, slipping his hand into yours.

“I see,” Luca says, smiling at your joined hands. “It is the city of love.”

“That’s Paris,” Tan says.

“It can be anywhere,” Street says through his teeth, gesturing toward you and Deacon.

“Oh! Yeah, love… it’s everywhere,” Tan corrects.

Deacon fights an eye roll, waving as he leads you away from 20-David.

“Where’s Hondo?” you ask.

Deacon shrugs. “Who knows. Nichelle probably gave him a list of things to see.”

“And what are we seeing?”

“You’ll find out.”

✯✯✯✯✯

The Georgetown Historical District is beautiful, and as you explore the cobblestone roads hand-in-hand with Deacon, there’s an overwhelming sense of home. At the end of a particularly appealing garden, Deacon pulls you to a stop, turning you against his chest.

“Thank you,” he whispers.

“For what?” you ask, raising your free hand to rest on his shoulder.

“Reminding me what it’s like to feel this.”

You know what he means, or you hope you do. Nodding, you lean closer to him.

“This is what you make me feel. You’re home, even in the middle of the desert or the beginning of a shootout. Wherever you are, there’s calm, there’s peace, and there’s a beautiful woman who’s impossible not to love.”

Your smile grows with each word, and you duck your head under Deacon’s chin when he finishes. Looking back up, you see the reflection of the street behind you in his eyes, but there’s also so much more.

“I love you, Deacon. You’ve been my comfort since joining 20-David, and any minute spent away from you feels like an eternity.”

Deacon smiles, his eyes shining like a porch light leading you home after a long time away. He releases your hand to grip your waist, pulling you closer as his lips meet yours. Moving with Deacon, you hold his shoulders as you keep him close, letting his kiss and presence speak to you like they always have. Pulling away, you cup Deacon’s jaw.

“Thank you,” you whisper.

“I love you. I didn’t say it back before.”

“You didn’t have to,” you point out, pulling him close again.

✯✯✯✯✯

“You kissed,” Hondo accuses as soon as you reach his side.

“Is that a problem?” Deacon asks.

“It is a huge relief, brother. Congratulations.”

He taps Deacon’s back before pulling you into a quick hug.

“I’ll expect to be the best man, right?”

Deacon presses his lips together and looks at you, smiling when you laugh.

“Hey, sorry we’re late, got caught up at this amazing custard truck,” Luca apologizes as he arrives.

Street looks at you, then Deacon, then your joined hands. He closes his eyes and raises a fist in victory. Tan smiles as he nods at you. Luca remains oblivious as he talks about Wisconsin-style custard and chicken sandwiches.

“But what did you guys do?” he finishes.

“Something we should have done before,” Deacon answers.

Luca furrows his brows, and Street claps his back before saying, “You were right. We’re gonna give the first-class tickets to the lovebirds.”

Luca’s eyes widen in surprise, but before he can congratulate you Hondo exclaims, “Whoa, now, they were good in coach.”

Bonus (because I love Deacon and Hicks' friendship):

"Commander, we wanted to discuss inter-team relationships," you begin.

Hicks raises a hand to silence you, looking toward Deacon.

"You finally did something?" he asks.

Deacon nods and Hicks smiles, bringing him into a hug and extending an arm to let you join them.

"About time!" Hicks cheers with a pleased chuckle.

#david deacon kay x reader #david kay x reader #deacon kay x reader #david deacon kay #deacon kay #swat cbs #fem!reader

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whoblewboobear · 23 days

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They’re not children, they’re Teenagers that live in a world and go to a school where violence and death are highly normalized.

However, underaged doesn’t excuse you from killing your fellow party member to sabotage other students. Being a “kid” doesn’t excuse you from pulling up to your teacher’s grave with a bulldozer to A. Force her hand to find you or B. Cease to exist if she doesn’t reward you for trying to disturb your final resting place. (IMO this is the most chilling and cruel thing KipCop has done that we know of. I paused the episode to breathe and calm down from this bc holy shit?) Kipperlily is old enough to understand right and wrong. She saw the rogue teacher loop hole as a badge of honor to be proud of. She is a teenager, she is not a baby or an infant or a child. She knew exactly what she was doing.

If we’re applying real logic to these fictional teenagers, real teenagers that commit horrific acts of violence or crimes get tried as adults because they were (usually) old enough and coherent enough to understand what they were doing. They were not babies that didn’t realize what they were doing.

If you are a minor and you do something violent and awful to another person or group of people, you don’t just automatically get to go “oh boy- b-but I’m just a child!” You have to face the consequences of your actions, it’s a massive part of growing up. That’s not something that just doesn’t kick in until you’re 18.

The bad kids are pretty much the same age as the rat grinders. They probably went to the same middle and elementary schools, were taught the same things when they /were/ children. In game, they were thrown in jail for their crimes in season 1. Aelwyn was taken to high elven prison. If Penelope or Dane weren’t killed, they sure as fuck would’ve been tried or worse too.

Like- I cannot tell, nor do I care enough to start checking accounts to see if adults or teenagers are making the “they’re just kids!!!!!!!!” Posts but I feel like I know where it skews. Either way, doesn’t matter. Do better. There’s a reason why children and teenagers are not lumped under the same age and developmental umbrella. There are differences.

Pretending that they’re innocent little babies so you can continue to love your villains guilt free or dumbing them down so it’s easier to defend them is a skill issue. Love your villains and all their nasty evil behavior with your whole chest.

#we have been told MULTIPLE TIMES that Kipperlily made a calculated move or intentionally chose her wording a specific way #children don’t do that shit they will say whatever comes to mind #they’re not babies #they’re not children #they are minors yes #but they also know wtf they did/are doing #someone said the thing about not infantilizing sch**l sh***ers and yeah #like to me this is the same as babygirl-ifying serial k*llers #that rogue teacher stuff firmly put 4dogs in the rotten category like that’s so fcked #d20 fhjy #dimension 20 #fantasy high junior year #fhjy

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anxresi · 1 year

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…Isn’t it a bit late for April Fools Day?! 🤡🤣

I was going to just write a few snarky remarks in the tags, but fuck it… I have a bit of time on my hands right now, so let’s tackle these somewhat disingenuous statements one at a time shall we? Starting from the one in the top left hand corner, and working our way anti-clockwise around… *Cracks knuckles*

1. Yep. SO nice in fact, she doesn’t have any other noticeable character trait. ‘Niceness’ by itself doesn’t make you an interesting, intriguing or compelling character… it just makes you boring. In fact, I’m gonna have to work pretty damn hard to finish this off before I nod off just thinking about her… 🥱

2. …And this is a GOOD thing? It just proves how much the writers were DESPERATE to make her Chloe’s replacement they rushed virtually everything to do with her, including her rapid induction to ‘Hero’. Most of the other Miraculous users had to wait AGES to get their chance, and Lil Miss Perfect just turns up in Paris and gets her chance virtually the first day. It wasn’t earned, it wasn’t believable… it was just handed to her on a silver platter because… reasons. 😩

3. So what? This is just yet more evidence that this girl, a TOTAL STRANGER up to S4 is all of a sudden being treated like the queen of all Mary Sues. Just listen to all the endless shilling about her from the rest of the cast (especially Marinette and, more depressingly Plagg) Now imagine them said in Thomas Astruc’s voice as he lays his case against Chloe… and everything should become clear.

4. This means virtually nothing. Everyone gets their Miraculous permanently at the end of S5, so the fact she gets her’s 5th is just down to a quirk in sequence. If anything, I’m surprised she didn’t get it sooner… in another gratuitous ‘Take That’ to diehard Chloe fans… 😬

5. I don’t even have anything to say about this.. it calculates the precise sum of 0.00% in terms of her worth of a character. You got anything better?

6. Oh, you mean the same acting ‘skills’ that she used to manipulate her sister into pretending she ‘loved’ her and to carry that useless charm about?The thing is, everyone might’ve SAID her talent was great in that AWFUL Queen Banana episode… but it actually wasn’t. Just because the other characters say she’s the next Sophia Loren, doesn’t mean the viewers don’t have eyes and ears. But I guess if they’re stupid enough to fall for Lila’s incredibly obvious lies when the plot demands it, anything’s possible…

7. What, you like her colorful shoes? This is possible the only one I’ll grant you (they ARE pretty snazzy) but at the end of the day, they’re just pointless aesthetics. Anyone else could be wearing them, and the garish colors can’t blind us to her all-conquering mediocrity. Moving on…

8. Here’s a hint: NEVER use the word ‘objectively’ when the opposite is clearly true. She’s not just ‘sweet’, spending time with her is akin to being pinned down in Wonka’s chocolate factory being force-fed candy by all the Oompa-Lumpas until you literally explode. Not a pleasant experience in other words, thanks to the writers laying this sole facet on with a literal trowel and shovel.

As for the ‘sass’ part… nope, not seeing it. Unless you mean the occasional scene when she ‘deals’ with her sister�� these parts were obviously only put in to throw red meat for the Chloe-hating sheep out there could hoot and holler at the screen (probably waking their parents up in the process) whilst screaming “SEE? THAT’S WHAT YOU GET!!” Well, I hope you’re happy now. You hapless lame-o’s.

9. Mary Sues don’t get ‘character assassinated’. They get bigged-up, cheered, given every resource in the show to be Da Best… but NEVER wrecked in that manner. Her sister, on the other hand… 😢

I would argue though, that what she is, is WORSE than character assassination… she’s an individual that never should’ve existed in the first place. In fact, I’d barely even describe her as a character. A plot device, a waste of space, a product of Thomas Astruc’s inexplicable raging hatred against Chloe maybe, but not a serious character. As the popular meme goes, Change My Mind (you won’t).

10. …You’re REALLY scraping the bottom of the barrel now, aren’t you?

Besides, this hasn't even been confirmed yet. We don't even know anything about the elusive Mr Lee, or even what he might think about his daughter being forcibly adopted by the Mayor. Something which I'm sure a show of such grandiosity and ambition will go into at great length.. Nah, just kidding!

Next, you’ll be telling me that somehow her sexuality is another reason to think she’s the best thing since sliced bread…

11. And there we have it (sigh). How terribly predictable. 🙄

I’ve already done a whole post thingie about how her being a lesbian and having a short-lived crush on Marinette was just imposed to get unearned brownie points from underrepresented communities when they won’t actually do anything with said revelation, so I’ll keep this short. Sufficed to say though, I feel like starting a hashtag… #TheGaysDeserveBetterThanZoe. Get it trending, peeps! 😎

12. Whatever you’re smoking, can I have some of it? This is crossing the line from ‘delusional’ to ‘crazy’ now. She’s remained as static as a statue since her opening episode, has NO room for change and growth due to the fact she was only brought in to replace Chloe and in that uncomfortably dull niche she’ll stay. Sorry, but just because you wish that she’d had any kind of interesting development doesn’t mean she has. Facts have a funny habit of getting in the way of the truth.

13. In turns of ticking boxes for diversity, French-Americans aren’t exactly a high priority IMHO. But sure if you think that makes her the bees knees (pun intended), you go ahead and celebrate it. 👍

14. So in conclusion, I do agree that Zoe Lee is indeed ‘Best’ character… (hears sharp intake of breathes all round) oops, I’m sorry. What I meant was ‘Pest’ character… in that just having her buzzing about in all her flawless Mary-Sue glory makes you just wanna reach for the bug spray.

You know, like you would for a pesky wasp during a delicious picnic. Because she’s Vesperia, get it? 🤪

The only upside to this sad situation is, from what I can tell (being strictly a non-watcher these days, you figure out why) the writers half-agree with me.

After all for such an 'amazing' character who's apparently achieved so much in her short time in the show... why is she barely featured? They must know, somewhere down deep in their artistic brains, she's a narrative dead zone.

A collection of tiresome off-the-shelf quirks, traits and spare parts (someone here said she was like a bad fanfiction self-insert... ABSOLUTELY RIGHT), loosely held together with visible stitching and hastily assembled together like Frankenstein's Monster for the most cynical of reasons.

She has no arguable reason to be in the show, apart from being a far inferior replacement to the potential mine of character development that someone like Chloe could've represented.

I guess Thomas really does hate complex characters who may overshadow his precious Marinette... or school bullies who traumatized him so much as a lil kid he specifically wrote someone into his show he could subsequently and systematically destroy (as the rumors go... but it wouldn't surprise me with THAT guy).

Now I’m off to bed, but let me end on at least ONE positive note for this much-maligned individual: She’s EXACTLY the kind of character a show like Miraculous Ladybug deserves… and if you like her, you deserve her too.

Now, good night. 🌝 🛌

#miraculous ladybug #miraculous #ladybug #chloe bourgeois #ml salt #ml #marinette dupain-cheng #disney #Zoe #zoe lee

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jamespotterismydaddy · 10 months

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Thicker Than Blood (Aemond x OC) Chapter 6

AN: I hate doing chapters based off of episodes lol. That’s why this took so long

word count: 1,652 words

Last part, next part

He sent the dress back to me and along with it, sapphire earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet.

Does he think he can win me over so easily with flattery? I don’t wish to think it but he likely can.

I put the jewellery and dress into a drawer so I can pretend it doesn’t exist and I make sure i’m all prepared for supper. Though, I hardly believe a ‘family’ meal will go very well. I can see how Aemond still holds hostility towards my brothers. I make my way down the halls in a black dress this time. Red and black, black and red; it’s all that had been packed for such an occasion. Aemond looks at me when I enter the dining room, disturbing his own conversation with his brother or rather disturbing the scolding he was giving about Aegon’s wine consumption. I take my seat next to Jacaerys and to my utter disappointment, I can see that my least favourite uncle will be sitting to my left.

It isn’t very long before the King arrives. We all stand in silence to watch him be brought in. It is the most awkward kind of quiet that you can imagine as he is placed down between my mother and the Queen. We all sit once again, shuffling into place uncomfortably.

“How good it is… to see you all tonight… together.” My grandsire starts before seeming to lose his train of thought.

“Prayer before we begin?” Alicent offers so that her husband need not exert himself anymore.

“Yes.” He breathes out.

The prayer begins normally with the words that any pious woman would speak. The part that catches my attention is when she says, “And to Vaemond Velaryon, may the gods give him rest.” I glance up to my stepfather who looks ever so amused.

The King goes on to speak about how it is an occasion for celebration. When he mentions the betrothals, I bite my lip and can’t help but look at Aemond whose eyes are already on me. We all toast to my siblings and I control the urge to glare as Aegon leans across me.

“Well done, Jace. You’ll finally get to lie with a woman.” He smirks at his own comment and I scoff. Jacaerys clenches his jaw and takes a sip of his wine to stifle his anger.

Grandsire toasts to Lucerys as Lord of the Tides and I smile softly as Rhaena whispers words of encouragement to him.

“You do know how the act is done, I assume? At least in principle? Where to put your cock and all that.” Aegon whispers across to me to my brother once again.

“You ought to watch your mouth, Aegon.” I speak and he looks at me now.

“You can play the jester if you wish, but hold your tongue before my sister and my betrothed.” Jace retorts but Aegon ignores him and smirks at me.

“Sad you’re not the one he’s putting his cock in?” He says quietly enough so only I hear.I feel myself fill with anger and I open my mouth to speak but the King stands to make a speech.

“It both gladdens my heart and fills me with sorrow to see these faces around the table. The faces most dear to me in all the world… yet grown so distant from each other… in years past.” He stops to remove his golden mask and I try not to gasp at the sight of his missing eye.

Like father, like son.

“My own face… is no longer a handsome one… if indeed it ever was. But tonight… I wish you to see me… as I am. Not just a king… but your father.” I am slightly surprised when his eyes fall to Aegon over his firstborn. “Your brother. Your husband… and your grandsire. Who may not, it seems… walk for much longer among you.” He drops the mask. “Let us no longer hold ill feelings in our hearts. The crown cannot stand strong if the House of the Dragon remains divided. But set aside your grievances, if not for the sake of the crown… then for the sake of this old man who loves you all so dearly.” I can see the gears turning in my mother’s head as she hears the end of the speech. She finally decides to stand.

“I wish to raise my cup to her grace, the Queen. I love my father. But I must admit that no one has stood… more loyally by his side than his good wife. She had tended to him with unfailing devotion, love, and honour. And for that, she has my gratitude… and my apology.” She finishes her toast and sits once again and we all wait for a response from my good grandmother. I watch as Alicent thinks through her response.

“Your graciousness moves me deeply, Princess. We are both mothers… and we love our children. We have more in common than we sometimes allow.” Alicent stands. “I raise my cup to you… and to your house. You will make a fine queen.” And with that it is like a veil is lifted. 20 years of anger almost seem to be forgiven in a moment. We all raise our cups to each other. I look over as Aemond only raises his to me. I suppose some wounds take longer to heal.

Things seem to all be going well until Aegon speaks again. He is talking to me but I know his words are to anger my brother.

“He never would have pleased you anyway, niece. If you wish to know true satisfaction then all you have to do is ask.” I don’t let his words get to me but they get to Jacaerys, who stands and slams his hands down on the table.

“Jace.” Baela says softly all it takes is one word from her to calm him. He stands awkwardly for a moment before clearing his throat and I roll my eyes as Aemond stands as well.

Stupid cock fight.

I glare at Aemond. If he’s disheartened then he doesn’t show it. Jacaerys gives Aegon a playful punch on the shoulder and begins a halfhearted speech about fond childhood memories which makes me chuckle lightly at the uncomfortable situation.

“... To you and your family’s good health, dear uncles.” He grabs Aegon’s shoulder again and gives another friendly punch and the look on my uncle's face is priceless.

“To you as well.” Aegon mumbles out and Helaena mumbles something about beasts from next to him.

“Well done, my boy.” Our grandsire compliments.

“I would like to toast to Baela and Rhaena.” Helaena says as she stands. “They’ll be married soon. It isn’t so bad. Mostly he just ignores you… except sometimes when he’s drunk.” I hear my stepfather laugh but I mostly just feel pity for her situation, though Aegon's embarrassment is amusing.

“Good.” Otto says something nice for once.

In an attempt to move the conversation elsewhere, the King says, “Let us have some music.”

Jacaerys clearly isn’t over the situation as he whispers “Excuse me.” to Baela and walks over to our aunt, asking her to dance. I don’t miss the look Aegon and Aemond share.

For a few moments, everything is at peace. We are all jovial and joking with each other like we never hated one another. Aemond makes no such jests. Things are almost perfect then the King seems to feel the pain of his ailments and has to be lifted out of the room. My family stands as he is taken away but the Queen assures us that it is fine to sit. Things are uncomfortable once again.

I don’t notice the roast pig until it is placed on the table. I try to ignore it and Jace is busy dancing but Luke is attentive. He smirks at the sight and I give him a warning look but I don’t catch his eye. Though, my expression does catch the eye of Aemond, who looks furious. The music stops when Aemond slams his fist down on the table as he stands.

“Final tribute.” I feel nervous as he raises his cup. “To the health of my nephews, Jace… Luke… and Joffery.” Everyone notices the lack of mention of me and our littlest brothers. “Each of them handsome, wise… strong.”

“Aemond.” His mother scolds as I fight the urge to smack him.

“Come… let us drain our cups to these three Strong boys.”

“I dare you to say that again.” Jacaerys interjects.

“Why? ‘Twas only a compliment. Do you not think yourself Strong?” I rise to my feet and walk slightly away from the table. Jace swiftly punches Aemond in the face and Lucerys walks over to help, Aegon slamming him into the table before he gets the chance. I see Aemond push Jacaerys to the floor as Baela and I pull Aegon off Luke. The guards finally get over to break up the fight and hold Jace and Luke back the first chance they get. I back off as Rhaena holds onto Baela who’s fighting for a chance to sink her teeth into Aegon.

“I was merely expressing how proud I am of my family, Mother. Mm, though it seems my nephews aren’t quite as proud of theirs.” Aemond speaks the last part loud enough for all of us to hear it. Jace breaks free of the guard’s hold on him and lunges at Aemond again but all it takes is Daemon holding a finger up to stop his stepson in his tracks.

“Go to your quarters. All of you go, now.” Mother commands and this isn’t the time to disobey. I walk off slowly enough that I can see the silent face off between Aemond and Daemon. I’m not surprised when Aemond withdraws, following us out of the room. The evening ends up a disaster.

taglist (comment to be added):

General: @valeskafics @urmomsgirlfriend1 @girlwith-thepearlearring @darylandbethfanforever9 @lovellies

Thicker than blood: @bellameshipper @g-cf2020 @lady-of-winterfell @s-we-e-t-t-ea

#aemond #aemond targaryen #aemond fic #hotd #hotd x reader #aemond x oc #aemond targaryen x oc

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blaithnne · 3 months

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Actually I think one of my (minor) gripes with Season 3 of Hilda is that I wish it committed to being a… serial? Is that the right word? Let me explain-

One of the reasons previous seasons of Hilda are so good because they’re episodic - each adventure works as a great standalone episode that (outside of finales and the like) you don’t need much context for - but still follow an overarching storyline.

The Tide Mice, for example, is a fun standalone adventure about Hilda accidentally stealing some souls. But it also foreshadows Frida becoming a witch in Season 2, why Hilda herself wouldn’t have made a good witch, and the jorts episode in Season 2, among other things. It also builds on things we already know - Johanna struggling to find work was foreshadowed in previous episodes, David was already established to be an anxious and worrisome character, etc! So the story works perfectly well as a standalone adventure, but all these little details mean that within the context of the rest of the series it’s even BETTER!

The thing with Season 3 is that I don’t really think it had time to do that in the same way prior seasons did. In S1-2, it felt like we were seeing little snippets into one of Hilda’s many adventures. In Season 3, the events feel much more consecutive, like less time has passed between them?

Where S1-2 subtly set up plot lines and then zoomed in on them later, it feels like S3 said hey look at this cool plot line! And then they zoomed out to have an adventure with a talking fish, and then zoomed back in a few episodes later. The Laughing Merman and The Giantslayer feel a bit like interruptions to the main storyline, which sucks bc they’re great episodes.

As much as I love Louise, with the episode count being so limited I think I’d have preferred if The Laughing Merman and The Giantslayer were replaced with adventures that had more to do with the pre established plot, or characters from previous seasons like Kaisa or The Bellkeeper. It feels like those episodes were included as a return to format, a last hurrah for the monster of the week style stand alone adventures, but they just didn’t sit as right for Season 3.

Honestly? This isn’t a gripe with the show as much as it is with Netflix - but I don’t even think Season 3 should’ve even been Season 3 — I think it should’ve been a seperate series.

For one thing, the way Netflix has the series set up rn means that the movie is in a totally different section, so if you’re watching without knowing it exists beforehand, you could end up autoplaying from The Stone Forest to The Train to Tofoten and be left VERY confused. It’s weird to me that you have to click off the series to go watch the movie and then come back for Season 3 if that makes sense ??

I think it would’ve been better formatted if Season 3 was an epilogue series listed separately from S1-2, and under a different title (like “Hilda and The Fairies” or something). That way it feels less clunky going from S2 -> MK -> S3. It also makes it easier for ppl who dislike S3 to pretend it doesn’t exist, so there’s a win for that crowd too.

I also think under those circumstances it would’ve made more sense for the series to be much more story focused, without stopping midway through to do a last monster of the week couple of episodes.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved those episodes! But they were just slightly off from what I’d come to expect from precious seasons, and kind of just reminded me of what we were missing out on. I think if the show had committed to doing things differently for S3 - which would likely have been easier if this was a separate epilogue series, as the expectation for it to follow the previous seasons formula would’ve been lessoned - it would’ve felt a little less… uncanny?

TLDR - Season 3 is undeniably different in tone and overall vibe from the previous seasons, and I think the show would’ve benefited from leaning into that.

(I don’t even know if this is a critique of the show tbh, or if it’s a critique of Netflix? A lot of this could’ve been solved or at least improved by changes in formatting, or not cutting half the planned episodes, and I don’t know who’s responsible for that lmao ?? So yeah this is just me getting these unproofread unqualified opinions out on paper and is not me trying to bash anyone cause idk jack shit about how shows get made, it’s easy for me to sit here and go “oh they should’ve done this—“, but there was likely chaos behind the scenes that would’ve made that impossible, or hell, maybe it just wasn’t what they were going for! Idk! Idk what I’m saying or if any of this makes sense but thank you for reading hope you enjoyed anyways I still love s3 bless you all and goodnight <3)

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kinnsporsche · 2 years

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✨ a comprehensive guide on why daemi is literally the worst ✨

if y’all missed whats currently happening with daemi on twitter here we go.

context: daemi are the writers of the kp novels made up of two people. poi (a cishet female) and yok (a cis gay man)

1. barcode

poi admitted to essentially grooming barcode whilst they filmed the series. she claimed she “taught barcode how to be a good actor” by teaching him how to give her and yok massages. barcode was 16 at the time of kp filming. jeff calls them out for abusing and misusing their privileges as authors. jeff also emphasises that they’re not joking, he’s the second actor with mile to confrm that the harassment from the actors isn’t something they joke around with. (source x)

a couple people started digging through their old interactions with barcode and found him looking super uncomfortable around them to the point that jeff comes and intervenes, even perth looks uncomfortable with their interaction in the background. barcode also, whether jokingly or not, says that he’s scared of yok. (sources x and x)

2. apo

a video from what i assume is a live came out recently where yok and poi basically get apo to do some fanservice which he does pretty playfully in his usual apo style. poi seemed to think it wasn’t enough and got up and started trying to unbutton his shirt to make him take it off whilst he’s literally trying to fight her off and saying “don't do this to me, enough poi, please bring back the old poi.” she then slaps him on the arm and apo playfully starts pretending to hit her back for it but you can clearly see how uncomfortable and distressed he is when he leaves the room (sources x and x)

a few months back daemi decided to republish the novel with a picture of the cast as the book cover. they only booked bible, build, and mile, because they said apo was busy on a retreat and didn’t bother rescheduling the shoot despite the fact that he’s one of the, if not the, mains. fans started a campaign on twitter in support of apo and apo liked some of the tweets and yok started arguing with him on twitter. the conversations and screenshots are all buried and deleted so i dont have many sources for this but (source: x)

someone associated with the two of them (wannggjinn852 on twitter) accused apo of sexually harassing mile because he was teasing and joke-flirting with him the way he does in a live. a few days later daemi did a twitter space and invited the person who accused him into their audio call with them (sources x and x)

basically daemi really dislike apo and bully him a lot because of it. my guess is that they’re jealous of the friendship he has with mile because they both have a creepy obsession and infatuation with him which brings me onto

3. mile

he has openly come out and said that they sexually harass him, and he’s made it clear that it’s not a joke, that when he talks about what they do to him he’s not messing around, and they just laugh it off because they think they can get away with it all. (source x)

he’s also genuinley uncomfortable around them and they just don’t care and keep touching him and harassing him. when mile sees yok recording his exist post episode 7 underwater kiss he literally tries to hide himself and looks so uncomfortable. (source x and x)

yok is, by his own words, a digital content creator for be on cloud. today a pretty sensitive and jarring picture was posted on be on cloud’s instagram story that doesn’t fit with the rest of the content that they’ve posted over the last few days. it’s from an awkward and weird angle, has nothing to do with the tour, so there’s been speculation that yok was the one who took and posted it because of his obsession with mile. tw, the source includes the picture. (source: x)

4. bible

more harassment towards bible from yok. he asks bible to call him ‘mom’ or ‘mommy’ or something and bible refuses and says he already has a mom and keeps touching him and holding him when he tries to get up and leave. (source x and x)

5. pond

a video has surfaced that poi seems to have taken of her at a gathering with some other people. she pans the camera to pond (the screenwriter and director of kinnporsche the series) who smiles at it and then she leans in and kisses him without his consent. the discomfort is pretty clear in his eyes (source: x)

6. misc

made, and fully intended to sell, merch of vegas’ don’t worry i’m not gonna hurt you line before he assaults porsche in the show and only got rid of it when they faced backlash for proffiting off of sa (source x)

be on cloud had to tell them to stop hosting events around content for kinnporsche the series because they kept giving things away and people were getting mad at pond, mile, and apo, when it didn’t happen or when things were spoiled. (source x)

they’ve always been super disrespectful and rude to fans when they’re criticised and recently yok told international fans to fuck off in an instagram live (source: x and x)

tldr: everybody listen to bas

#daemi #kinnporsche #kinnporsche the series #man i hope boc can get them out but i know the chances are slim bcs the writers are protected by law #i just want our boys to be safe and happy esp bcs boc is such a safe environment for apo after everything he went through #god i hope they dont ruin it for him!!!!#anyway if more things happen ill try to update this #daemi masterpost

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redwidow18 · 2 years

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Okay bear with me, I know how I met your mother ended ages ago but I’ll never get over the ending, it bothers me to no end because I love the show. Recently I had a discussion with a friend about the ending regarding Ted and Robin and we couldn’t agree so now I need to rant here as well.

So here’s my ted talk on Ted Mosby:

Robin and Ted shouldn’t have ended up together, they were zero compatible. Barney and Robin should have, not only for their great storyline but because he gets her. He accepts her for who she truly is. He knows she needs to be independent, she’s her own boss, her own person and he’s okay with it. The show was very specific that one of the many reasons Ted and Robin didn’t work out besides wanting different things in life, was that Ted wanted a princess. There’s a whole episode dedicated to showcasing how Ted wants a woman to need him but Robin doesn’t need him, in fact she doesn’t need anybody. That was the thing that made their relationship fail, Ted hated that she didn’t need him as much as he needed her, she didn’t love him as much as he loved her. Their love was unidirectional. Ted is the kind of guy who just needs to be part of a couple he doesn’t like being alone, we all know someone like that and Robin is not it.

I don’t dislike Ted, I think he is a great super relatable character just not right for Robin. Also he has a bit of a “nice guy complex” and that is one of his flaws as a person. He doesn’t get why he can’t get the committed relationship he wants if he’s a nice guy, with a decent job, who wants to settle down and a have a family. Which on paper is every girls dream, or what people think girls dream about. Despite claiming this, he was never genuinely interested in his partners, most of the times he dated some girl just because he didn’t want to be alone. I’m sorry but that bothers me. You can’t be romantically involved with someone just because you’re desperate to fulfill what you thinks is “the check-list of life” aka “the white picket fence, suburban family dream”, and what is even worse you can’t force someone like Robin that has different goals for her life to do it with you. That’s incredibly selfish.

There’s different guys for everything, there are the guys like Marshall and Ted that are the stereotype of the kind of guys you would take home and introduce to your parents, the one you have a serious relationship with or at least that’s what the show tries to tell us. In the other hand we have guys like Barney, that are the guys you fuck with once in a while because you want it kinky. But the guy spectrum shouldn’t be reduced to just that two extremes.

Now that we are getting to Barney, I know he was far from perfect, he made a lot of mistakes. But the one thing I have to defend him for is that he had very few serious committed relationships but he always gave his 100% in every one of them. Whereas Ted had a lot of serious relationships but he put at least 10% in each one. He was obsessed with finding the perfect girl, the one that accomplished all of his requirements and he had no problem in tossing aside the girls that he didn’t consider to be ideal partners.

He never understood (and the show never made him) the fact that a person perfectly designed for you doesn’t exist. You can find the ideal person for you but it’s never going to be perfect because the truth is that relationships requiere work and compromise and a bit of sacrifice. There will be things that your partner will do that you might dislike and that’s completely normal. The Netflix rom-com Set It Up has an amazing quote that fits this: “We like because and we love in spite of”. That’s it, that’s what relationships are all about and Ted failed to understand this. All of this is a perfectly reasonable explanation of why Ted and Robin shouldn’t have been together. Robin and Barney is my real endgame and I’ll pretend they are happily traveling the world for the rest of my life.

#ted mosby #robin scherbatsky #barney stinson #marshall eriksen #lily aldrin #how i met your mother #himym #himym robin #marshall himym #source: himym #himymedit #himym spoilers #himym au #himym quotes #robin x barney #robin x ted

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maskyartist · 1 year

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Okay I’m making this it’s own post cause I’m fucking losing my mind, but mostly over one thing and that’s Roman Torchwick and how he’s characterized in this single moment

Now keep in mind I haven’t watched the full episode, nor have I gotten the chance to read Roman Holiday (a damn shame I know), but I don’t think I need to rn to ramble about this point cause it just hit me like a train.

CRWBY never forgot about Roman. They didn’t just kill him off and make Neo go solo.

They set this up from the start.

The fact that Neo is silent means we can never truly know what’s going on in her head. We don’t know her thoughts. We don’t know her feelings. All we knew was she was mad for Roman and went to get Cinder for it, then Ruby herself. But never the full extent of it all.

Neo’s muteness made US, the audience, almost forget about Roman to watch her perform as a side piece to a lot of the villains. Never truly forgetting, but assuming he wouldn’t be brought up again. The hat and scarf would be reminders but never would they actually mention Roman because they killed him off in such an unceremonious way.

So to actually see THIS

To see just how deep these two went, to get full in show confirmation that they were partners in every sense of the word (romantic or platonic take it how u will but I love some Gelato so this fed me well), only to have him SPEAK? It throws you off.

Not only is it confirmation that Roman was never forgotten, but it also proves one thing about Neo that I think is so important.

She had nothing beyond Roman. “One Thing” was right. She had Roman, and he was taken away from her. And for the rest of the series, through every adventure, every appearance, every moment she was and wasn’t on screen-

She was thinking of him. Remembering him. Keeping him in her thoughts.

I understand that Neo talking through Roman makes sense and that’s why he’s got the most speaking lines, but I do find it interesting that everyone else from the “dead people lineup” is so quiet. Such a caricature of themselves.

Neo never met them personally, she doesn’t even know Leo or Clover, and Penny, Pyrrha, Ironwood, and Ozpin are all based on Ruby’s own memories Wonderland is probably pulling from her. But even they’re barebones. The only ones who have speaking lines are Penny, Pyrrha, and Ozpin and they are extremely generic.

Meanwhile, Roman is fully fleshed out. A whole person. He has his attitude, his emotions, his reactions, Neo never forgot him. She never forgot his exact self.

She uses him as her mic because he was always her voice. He was the one who made things make sense.

The line “That’s what I offered her back on Remnant.” just proves how long Neo’s thought of him. Never forgetting their promises, never forgetting his words, never forgetting him.

How many nights did Neo stay up thinking of him? How many times did she create his illusion just to play pretend for a little longer?

Everyone forgot Roman. After his death, he practically never existed. Left everyone’s minds. He wasn’t important by that point because he wasn’t an immediate threat.

But Neo never forgot.

And somehow that’s more terrifying then I thought it would be… The idea of her constantly thinking about him, trying to keep him alive in her mind. It’s no longer just about Ruby killing Roman, it’s that she forgot. That’s what ticked Neo off even more, that Ruby didn’t even view what she did as important enough to remember.

“That’s what this is about?! You still blame me for What happened to Torchwick!”

As if to say “Really? That’s all this is? Just him?”

To her, it’s mockery. As if he wasn’t even worth her time when Roman meant everything to Neo. He was her whole world, judging by, once again-

“Always loved the idea of a place to run away from it all… Do whatever you want! I offered that to her back on Remnant.”

Roman took care of reality, while Neo was able to live in her fantasy world. He handled the world. She just had to live in it, perform for it, and enjoy whatever popped up next. He brought her the escape she’s always wanted. A world where no one could hurt her, no one could catch her… Just Roman and Neo. Partners in crime. In everything.

Roman was Neo’s whole world, her One Thing…and that was stolen from her.

She didn’t have the power to make that known before. But with Wonderland…she can do anything she wants.

#rwby #rwby v9 #rwby v9 spoilers #neo politan #roman torchwick #JUST SOME THOUGHTS AFTER REWATCHING THAT CLIP OVER N OVER AGAIN #BUT HOLY SHIT YALL #I’m gonna be the most annoying bitch today #y’all gonna see me YALL GONNA SEE ME

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gothra · 9 months

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Please spill more tea on The Boys season 3 shitting the bed, too few people on here only give flack to the finale being shit and not enough on how they screwed up the whole thing.

I want to get my attempt to answer the question out of the way before I continue with my apology for not answering. This reply is going to be bare, and the rest of my post will explain why, but after I get the question out of the way.

I’m going to operate under the belief that, because you’re asking me for more complaining, you already understand the basic issues that I have with Season 3, the biggest being the Toxic Masculinity Bullshit. Not only have I grown to love Hughie Campbell very deeply, but I’ve come to appreciate his flaws and story more. His new arc as some sort of ego monster is so ill-fitting that it’s disrespectful. It’s disrespectful to Hughie, it’s disrespectful to the people who love his character, and it’s disrespectful to Robin, which leads me to The Robin Problem.

Fundamentally, I don’t believe that this issue I have with Hughie’s new arc would have merit if they respected Robin enough as a character to connect her to Hughie’s problems in the third season. They have effectively excluded and ignored Robin from the narrative. It’s one thing for Hughie to fall in love with another woman, it’s another thing to suddenly pretend that his first girlfriend’s violent death wasn’t traumatizing enough to shape his identity and flaws in the later season. Instead, he’s made out to be the guy who wants to reign over his new girlfriend and lock her up in a tower to protect her, ignoring her Ra-Ra Girl Power Rhetoric and stepping on her twinkly toes. He has to grovel to her, let her have her moment, and he doesn’t get any empathy, which means that Robin doesn’t either. She’s not special enough for Hughie to use as a starting point for his trauma. All she is is the catalyst for the entire story, not anything special (sarcasm).

Circling back to Annie, in what I call The Annie Issue. I don’t like Annie as a character. I’ve come to understand that more and more with the 3rd season. I thought she was a bit boring, sure, but I never write off a female character for being boring. I’m never quick to express dislike of female characters, but let me say, as quickly as possible, that I don’t like Annie. I don’t like what she does or what she represents, which seems to be a very infuriatingly middling stance at every important moment. There’s a sort of Midwestern flavor to everything she does, and it’s sour. She gives Hughie grief about wanting to protect her while she simultaneously complains about not feeling safe. She bags him for taking super drugs, and never once acknowledges that the reason he might be taking them is because he’s feeling unsafe, which is a valid thing to feel (I didn’t expect her to do that when the story won’t even do it, but it still sucks). She bites back at Victoria’s attempt to bribe her with a very manufactured millennial white feminist tagline about doing things her own way. Here’s the thing: she doesn’t do anything. There’s a moment in the last few episodes where she says something so stupid that it’s still a source of entertainment for me: she tells the rest of the gang that she’s is going to “save Hughie” (from the V, from Butcher, from Toxic Masculinity, from himself) whether he wants her to or not. The next time we see her, she’s in the car picking Hughie up from a gas station, alone, after Butcher punches him in the face to keep him from taking any more V, effectively saving him. Hughie even comes to that realization in the car, that Butcher saved his life by punching him in the face. Butcher was his savior, Annie was his ride home. She does basically nothing else for Hughie the rest of the season.

As far as the story goes, she’s useless as anything other than a narrative pull for Hughie to return to his former self and shut up about his personal trauma. She exists only to make Hughie look cool for dating her, and I’m bored of it and I’m bored of her. I’m tired of the neo-liberal gymnastics S3 was doing. I found her point of view pathetic and inefficient and I found the attempts of the writing to discredit Butcher’s successful work in her favor to be ridiculous. The guy is a piece of shit. He’s horrible. But he gets shit done. That’s the whole point of the story. Sometimes bad people have to do bad things to make good things happen. Annie just wants to be a good girl all the time, and I don’t like that her good girl status is what the writing wants us to prefer. I’m not stupid enough to fall for it.

The rest of it is a handful of related things that I haven’t thought as hard about. I don’t like Soldier Boy, I think that his presence really made the fandom even more unbearable on every front. It brought a bunch of Jensen stannies into the fold, and Soldier Boy was all they cared about, to the point where their engagement drowned out content about other characters. And the way the men immediately did a Patrick Bateman and began to woobify and lust after him. That, combined with the fact that The Deep still isn’t dead like he should be, further exacerbated my frustration with the way they chose to progress with Hughie’s character. So Hughie has to be a lesson about toxic masculinity to a fandom that inherently revels in toxic masculinity (to the point where they had to be asked to stop harassing Erin about her cosmetic surgery) and clings to one of the most toxic characters ever to appear in the show, a show that keeps a rapist around as comedic relief? It’s patently unfair.

Anyway, that’s the best that I could do. I’m not good at being broad, so if there’s something specific you’d still like to know, feel free to come back and ask about it. I would 100% be fine if you brought up stuff in the comments or reblogged with whatever you want to talk about. I think I would be able to give you that tea you want on smaller scales. That being said, I have something else to say.

(I wrote the following part before I wrote the part above)

I’ve thought about this ask every day since you sent it. If you thought that I wasn’t answering it because I forgot, and that I forgot because I was on a tumblr hiatus, I want you to know that I was on a tumblr hiatus BECAUSE I didn’t want to do anything else until I could muster up a reply to this ask because I respected it so much. I have what is probably autism, and that means that I have a very strong attachment to tasks and projects. I don’t like to quit or abandon things, so I sat with this ask in my inbox for about 4 months. I wanted to do it justice and type up an essay, and really lash out at the writing like I’d done before, but I think two things were wrong with that desire: one, I’ve never conjured up a long form essay for the sake of media review before, so the task is a huge, exhausting, foreign undertaking and two, the ask came at the wrong time.

Now, that’s not an indictment on you or the question. It just came at an inconvenient time, because immediately before you asked it, I had already worn myself out discussing the flaws of Season 3 with other people. I have a bit of a battery when it comes to these things (that’s the best comparison I can make right now, I’m kind of tired) because I get so worked up and passionate about what I’m arguing about, that when I’m finished making the argument, I often get worn out and can immediately forget the argument or the focus of my frustration in the first place. It can take a long time to recharge that battery, and I still haven’t recharged it. It’s not that I’m not longer frustrated with Season 3, it’s that, before you even sent the ask, I ranted so thoroughly that I essentially burnt myself out. I essentially ranted the thoughts out of my brain.

But I wanted to answer the ask. I wanted to answer it so badly, that I just avoided tumblr altogether, because I didn’t want you to see my internet presence and think I was ignoring you. I even stopped playing TS4 because I knew I’d end up on tumblr, and you might see it and feel neglected. None of that is your fault, of course. That’s just me, and I’m apologizing now. I’m so sorry I left you hanging for so long.

I set aside a document to jot down the thoughts whenever they came to me, but I didn’t get much. If you’d like, I can definitely send you the outline and the bits and pieces that I had gotten to write, but there isn’t as much there as I really wanted to present to you.

#oh my god #I finally did it #the boys #hughie campbell #billy butcher #jack quaid #asks #gothra #IM BACK B WORDS

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variousqueerthings · 5 months

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Personally, I think that's a hell of a bird.

Heaven Sent! (we'll do Hell Bent separately!) it's an episode! that is going to be difficult to talk about! because yes it is good, but I am. I have mixed feelings about it, because I think parts of it rest on everything leading to this point and as we know, looking back at M*ffat's era, everything Did Not lead us to this point. however, if we pretend that it did and do some creative reading of narrative, that is how we'll try to engage with this story

luckily I have a system! otherwise this would become totally incomprehensible (although, this could still happen... watch out)

sexism rank objectification (female character is ogled/harassed/turned into a sex joke by the doctor and/or a lead we’re supposed to root for and/or the camera): 10/10

sexism rank plot-point (lead female character is only there to serve plot, not to have her emotional interiority explored, or given agency to her emotional interiority): 1/10

interesting complex or pointlessly complex (does the complexity serve the narrative or does it just serve to be confusing as a stand-in for smart, this includes visually): 7/10

furthers character and/or lore and/or plot development (broader question that ties into the previous ones, at least two of these, ideally three should be fulfilled): 5/10

companion matters (the companion doesn’t always have to be there, but if the companion is there, can they function without the doctor– and overall per season how often is the companion the focus or POV of the story): 5/10

the doctor is more than just “godlike” (examines the doctor’s flaws and limitations, doesn’t solve a plot by having it revolve entirely around the doctor’s existence): 9/10

doesn’t look down on previous doctor who (by erasing or mocking its importance, by redoing and “bettering” previous beloved plotpoints or characters, etc.): 8/10

isn’t trying to insert hamfisted sexiness (m*ffat famously talked a lot about how dw should be sexier multiple times, he sucks at writing it): 10/10

internal world has consistency (characters have backgrounds, feel rooted in a place with other people, generally feel like they have Lives): 6/10

Politics (how conservative is the story): 6/10

FULL RATING: 67/100 (if I can count….)

according to this rating's system this episode is worse than Face The Raven, which is patently untrue on a quality level, but we're looking at some very Specific criteria, so what canya do

OBJECTIFICATION: Clara is a figment of the Doctor's hallucination and he's not weird about her. I mean, also why would he be, because this Doctor has not been categorised as a lech (I have a theory that it was very much Capaldi's influence that lead to lechery going down basically 100% by this point -- I mean, he did say he didn't want to have any will-they-won't-they with JLC because she's just way younger than he is, and that is incredibly fair, if kind of funny, because of course, regardless of the age of the actor, the Doctor-as-character is usually always much much older than all the Companions. BUT THAT ASIDE LECHERY IS OUT! SCHOOLTEACHER COMPANION IS IN!)

PLOT-POINT: that being said... I know Clara is "dead," and that this episode isn't about her in the slightest, but I get this feeling... you know that one Twitter thread that comes around on this site sometimes about someone who was at a funeral and the dead woman's husband gave eulogy and spoke entirely about himself/what his wife gave to him, and not a single thing about who she was as a person. that's... that sums up Clara to me, and this episode really hammers it home

the Doctor is out for revenge for Clara, but this episode gives us a Doctor who's so sad she's dead, and yet not a single thing in this episode explores that particular sadness. Instead, that sadness is a catalyst for an exploration of the Doctor, with Clara's ghost doing exactly the same as Clara did throughout her run as his Companion -- asking him questions that only he had the answers to. Clara is dead, and yet this barely feels different to her presence, in *spins the wheel* under the lake/before the flood or idk, the caretaker or listen

and the thing is, that Clara wasn't originally categorised like this, and there are still episodes where she has emotional reactions to things (cold war my beloved), it's something that I think actually got worse throughout her run, rather than better, which is a shame, because for the most part everything generally was getting better throughout Twelve's era

COMPLEXITY: this is both quite simple and quite complicated, but it's complicatedness comes from things around the episode, rather than the format of the episode itself, so. divide it into two

in the episode itself, the Doctor wakes up in a transporter, explores a weird cog-like castle, eventually discovers that there's a massive wall of stuff that'd take, ooh 4 billion or so years to punch through that could be the escape, and proceeds to punch, while a mysterious creature stalks him, kills him, and he manages to send himself back through the transporter to start again

this is super cool and brings up a bunch of questions about various things -- the nature of life and linear time (after all, the Doctor doesn't remember being killed over and over and over again, but also kind of lives for 4 billion years), the Doctor's relationship to dumb, stubborn perseverance in the face of complete hopelessness, but also to avoiding their own pain by continuing on and on and on, there's the oddness of the castle itself and the creature within it which is surprisingly toned down for a M*ffat-written thing, allowing Capaldi to take the centre without distractions, and then there's also the Doctor's monologue, because this is almost entirely Peter Capaldi, and so a neat little insight into ways the Doctor interacts with situations

there's even stuff that I usually dislike with M*ffat that I enjoy here -- the idea of monologuing genius who does some seemingly random shit that turns out to be Very Clever And Necessary is such a M*ffat hallmark, but in this one it works because the Doctor is working through problems with themself. yes, one could say there's a meta-look-at-me-I'm-so-clever element to it, since there is an audience (us) but because there's no internal audience, we get to see how this technique functions not to show off, but to do a multitude of things, like stave off fear in a tense situation, make a distraction, resist loneliness, simply help the Doctor understand a situation by verbalising it, etc

so yes, woo to this plot, woo especially to Peter Capaldi and to Murray Gold for supporting the narrative so well, the music really is part of what Makes this episode

2. the second, wider plot concerns itself with "why is the Doctor here," "what is this place," who set in motion the events that killed Clara," "who the fuck cares about the Hybrid plot" (pedantic, I apologise), "what is the Hybrid," things along those lines. they are. technically important questions. and some of them are well-answered -- what is this place? it's the Confession Dial, and the Doctor got stuck in there by being teleported from the end of the last episode (genuinely had forgotten until I reread the transcript of Face The Raven, woops, but we remembered again!) and the people who hired Me, as it turns out, are Gallifreyans, because at the end of the episode, the Doctor returns to Gallifrey

and that... is next episode fuckery, but I will say that I did scratch my head about it at the end of this one. how'd they hire Me from wherever the Time Lords are stuck? did we miss an episode that explained that actually the Doctor did find the Time Lords?

for that matter, there's this short before the season starts where the Doctor is chatting with The Sisterhood Of Karn, and we last saw them back in s7 in the Eighth Doctor short -- they're the ones that made the War Doctor. And they turn up in the first episode of this season as well, and again, I'm like. wait did I miss something here?

I think that this season has a lot of that for me, there's a lot of questions I have that I will make a separate post on. things that may very well have been properly built up and explained and I just missed, but genuinely at the moment I'm going... huh?

and for this purpose, end of this episode, it's... wait how'd you just get back to Gallifrey??? I thought you were still looking for it, how'd the Confession Dial get there?

while the s5-7 arc certainly had a lot of things that went "eh trust me, this'll aaaaall lead somewhere" and then... I mean, kinda did but badly and last-minute, s8 didn't really lead into the events of s9, so the whole Hybrid and Confession Dial was this season's... mystery I guess? except idk why it suddenly matters, why did Davros bring it up?

maybe I need to rewatch that episode. but also seriously where did Gallifrey come from???

I also question the plan to put the Doctor in there -- so he's in there in order to interrogate him on the Hybrid but... is that.... really the best way to do that??? I don't think that makes a whole lotta sense unless I missed something there as well. I mean, this creature kills the Doctor, it doesn't really set out to torture for information, even though the Doctor interprets it as such. the intent is lacking in logic I think

point is, if we ignore the wider plot happening around Heaven Sent, it's thematically strong. ignore why the Doctor is there and the episodes around it for a second, have a good time (well, the Doctor isn't having a good time!)

also wtf was with that creature in there. I mean, it was cool and all and it made the plot go, but... why was it there again? maybe I'll add that to my questions post

CHARACTERS/LORE/PLOT: we learn bits and bobs about the Doctor in this one, like for example that they didn't run from Gallifrey because they were bored but because they were "scared" (which I'm sure surprised nobody, but the point is hearing the Doctor admit it outright -- therapy under pain of death, literally), and generally that they're afraid of dying

technically this episode is the least lore and plot heavy of the three at the end, when you think about it. it's very much there to make you read into the Doctor, because there's no one else there

I think. if there was one thing. I would have really really wanted from it, in terms of this point. it's an understanding of why the Doctor was travelling with Clara, beyond "she's my friend." I feel like on sooome level I can suss out why Clara travels with the Doctor (she is emotionally all over the damn place and seeking those thrills without thinking about consequences), but I never did understand the Doctor travelling with Clara in s9. it feels like they're together in that season because... well, they were together before. and there's this "duty of care" line that comes up a few times this season, which is kind of a new one from the Doctor at Clara, considering their last two seasons together, and I kind of wish there'd been a bit on that

I get it, this is an episode All About The Doctor, but it's set nearly immediately after Clara dies. even as the Doctor is essentially resurrected over and over again for billions of years, to them Clara died a few minutes ago every single time. there's something slightly jarring to me about making this relatively quiet, contemplative, philosophical episode all about the Doctor, with Clara functioning as a crutch to the Doctor's emotions and explorations... but she's dead. it goes back to what I was saying about the eulogy. this episode tells me nothing about Clara and the Doctor, other than that he's sad she's dead and she asked questions (but even then, these questions aren't actually being asked by Clara, he's just imagining it's her)

COMPANIONS MATTER: see I put this one at a five, because I acknowledge that the Companion doesn't always have to be there and that is true, AND although she's not there she does help out about as much as she usually does

“GODLIKE” DOCTOR: I've scored this one quite highly, despite it literally being "all about the Doctor," but it's only "all about the Doctor" because it's the Doctor's Confession Dial -- the next episode may score somewhat lower on this point, because then we really do get a fair bit of Doctor is centre of all important events and we all just orbit around them, but in this case it is fair

and if we actually look at what the episode is saying about the Doctor, it really does follow a fallible, questioning person who needs time to figure out what's happening, and then is like "the answer is to really painfully punch for 4 billion years" which... yeah that tracks

PREVIOUS DOCTOR WHO: this episode isn't very classic lore heavy. idk if it should be, considering it's about the Doctor, but it might have taken up too much space in a relatively stripped back character study. it does interact with the "ran away because I was bored" line which goes as far back as Two, so there is that less in-your-face reference, that also adds to the Doctor as we've gotten to know them in especially nu!who

“SEXINESS”: C U R E D of bad sexy talk (at least, until Husbands of River Song, but even that is shockingly parred back)

INTERNAL WORLD: we're in a Confession Dial, specifically the Doctors. maybe the Confession Dial should've gone up in lore, but I'm going for it as a world for now. the Doctor's confession dial is a turning castle with an endless ocean beyond it. I don't know if all Confession Dials are the same, or if it's just this one

I do actually have questions about how it's meant to work, because in the next episode (yes, cheating) the Doctor says it's meant to be this meditative, important process, and it was abused in order to "interrogate" them about the Hybrid, so is big clockwork creature always there? or is that a the Doctor must suffer special or???

idk what the consensus on the inside of the Confession Dial is. do we like this design? does it make sense for the Doctor? is it the Doctor's own mind that supplies the imagery? lot of questions I have there, add those to the question-pile

I like the Confession Dial as Vibes, but I don't know what the imagery of this place has to do with the Doctor as character, is basically my summary of this point

POLITICS: there's not really politics in this episode, which means.... let's look for the politics that's not in here. No, in many ways it doesn't need to be politically focused. it leaves us with the writing of female characters, which wasn't greaaaat but not technically the point eitherrrrr but also it Culminates in this one, so I do have to mention it on this particular point.

As a general, if there were political undertones in this episode, what do we think they could have been on? the ethics of Gallifreyan society prompting the Doctor to run away? the philosophical nature of the Doctor's tendency to run? ideas around trying despite it being all-but-hopeless as something one could relate to real-world causes? I'm spitballing, I'm not saying this episode needed that. I'm just musing

FULL RATING: 68/100 (if I can count….)

the more I think about this episode, the more questions arise -- most of them in connection with what happens next, but I do think it's flawed to not think about what happens next if one is trying to do a deeper dive into the story, as I'm doing. one can enjoy it as its own thing for its strong themes, Capaldi's acting, the music, the Vibes, but I do think it still suffers from aaaalmost every M*ffat limitation (minus the outright sexism) in that it sets up questions that will never be answered and goes more for Vibe than... idk what to call it, this is Doctor Who, but... realism? wider internal world consistency?

this is a good episode, and I think I'd enjoy it a heck of a lot more if it was a standalone, a la God Complex (which did some similar things to this episode, and personally is still my favourite of the M*ffat era), but all the questions keep bursting in

still, that's a hell of a bird (do we ever apply this story to Doctor Who gifsets/fanfics and the like? I'm sure we do, I just haven't engaged with Twelve-era much because this is only my second watch of it)

actually another question: why is it called heaven sent?

#im watching nu!who #im watching capaldi who #episode heaven sent #the measurement

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jjtheresidentbaby · 2 years

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hey I’m the anon who sent in the ask about jj’s guilt and anxiety with Morgan and Reid, the one you ended up writing and titled it ‘mess up’

I’m back with another request — hotch and Emily taking care of a really young regressed jj after her kidnapping from the 200 episode. she keeps crying and barely eats, having major separation anxiety when it comes to Emily bc she hallucinated Emily saving her over anybody else (ahem her own husband).

in the show, they all went out for drinks after they rescued her and it was one of the most unrealistic things I’ve ever seen. no one goes to a bar after saving their friend from kidnappers who tortured their friend but cm writers think it’s perfectly fine. we deserve to see jj being taken care of instead of having her say “I’m fine” all the time. they seem to forget she’s not only the youngest in her family but also one of the youngest on the team, youngest girl even. But they reduce her to a maternal figure role just bc she had a child in the show. she’s literally baby.

also if I could go by ⚽️ since jj was a soccer star in the show?

Here | Jennifer Jareau x Emily Prentiss x Aaron Hotchner

a/n: we’re going to pretend Will and Jj’s kids don’t exist in this, for plot purposes (also new favorite trio? New favorite trio.)

a/n.2: oh ⚽️ anon we are best friends now, you are just the smartest person <3 I agree with you on all points and yes Jj is baby and deserves to be cared for properly unlike how the show has failed her, the only instance I can think of Jj getting the care I think she needs is in that one episode where Will makes her breakfast while she talks him through how rough a certain case was for her (one of my fav episodes)

warnings: referenced torture/kidnapping, crying, Jj having struggles with eating, pacifiers, finger sucking

───°˖✧✿✧˖° ───

“Come on baby, just one bite?” Hotch pleads, holding out a spoonful of oatmeal to Jj, usually one of her comfort food, it doesn’t seem to be working today, his brow knits together in worry when Jj shakes her head with a huff of disapproval.

She fell into a deep regression the second Emily and Aaron were able to get the blonde home, it’s been a struggle to get her to be inches away from Emily, she’s yet to disclose if there’s a real reason to her clingy-ness to Prentiss aside from the normal comfort reasons but Hotch has a hunch there’s something more to it.

“Has she eaten anything?” Aaron shakes his head up to Emily, her lips purse, eyes tracking over to how Jj’s sat on the couch with a blanket wrapped around herself as tight as possible and two of her fingers resting in her mouth.

She had complained about being cold, which is what Emily would suspect as the girls hair was wet when they found her, but that was hours ago. She’s showered fresh and clean, her hairs been blow dried by Aaron, it’s tied back into a low ponytail, the heats even switched on, Prentiss can’t think of anything that’s making Jj cold yet she huddles into the blanket like she’s freezing.

“Sweet girl, aren’t you hungry?” Prentiss crouches in front of the couch -trying to ignore the urge to check Jj’s temperature for the umpteenth time even though it’s been normal every time- Emily glances worriedly over to Hotch when Jj shuffles back on the sofa with a soft whine.

“Okay. Can we at least get you a pacifier? Your fingers are yucky.” That gets nod which Emily is very thankful for as Jj keeps clinging to her hair and she’d rather not have slobber stuck in it.

“There we go sweetheart, better now.” Aaron settles a pastel blue pacifier into Jj’s mouth easily, her not spit covered hand reaching out for both of her caregivers before Emily shuffles the girl up to her hip.

“Do you wanna talk about it or just sit on the couch?” A muzzle of Jj’s head into Prentiss’s neck is the only response they get, Hotch flips a movie on quickly, silently hoping it’ll calm how teary eyed Jj’s looked since they got home.

Eventually Jj ends up shuffled between Hotch and Emily, her head resting on Prentiss’s shoulder while her legs bend to fall atop Hotchs, she’s shifted quite a few times but always ends up pressed against Emily. Hotch doesn’t take offense, it’s been hard for all three of them to know what Jj’s gone through, he can only imagine what Jj’s mind has been running with, so he’s willing to offer any comfort she needs.

“I- I saw Em when I was there.” The first words Jj’s spoken since they got her out of those chains, she doesn’t look to either caregiver, instead she takes the pacifier out of her mouth to fiddle with the holder on the back.

“You saw me?” Prentiss has to make sure she’s understanding correctly, she thinks she is, Aaron seems to be too, they make split concerned eye contact.

“Mm. You were there, you put- put your hand on my face and told me it’d be okay but- but it hurt really bad and- and you disappeared. You were there but then you weren’t, I don’t want to be alone again.” Tears slowly drop from the blondes eyes, her chin trembling and chest heaving harshly with a suck in of air.

“Oh baby, I am right here. We are both right here, we’re not going anywhere and you are not going to be alone.” Emily’s hand cradles the side of Jj’s jaw, her thumb brushing the stray tears away. Hotch takes to tucking the fleece blanket up around Jj even tighter, his own tears built and ready to fall, only to pause his action when Jj’s careful hand takes Hotchs.

“I don’t wanna go back there.” Jennifer stutters the words out, a shake prominent in her voice and hands that she grips over her caregivers.

“You never will, you are staying right here with us, safe and sound.” Aaron cuts in, his voice wobbles slightly but he hopes Jj doesn’t hear it, he squeezes the girls hand before reaching his other for Prentiss, they all cling to each other.

“We’re all right here, it’s okay.”

#jj writes #criminal minds agere #little!jj #caregiver!hotch #caregiver!emily #jennifer jareau #aaron hotchner #emily prentiss #jj x emily x hotch #⚽️ anon

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rewatching-sam-and-dean · 1 year

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The Pilot (Part 2 of 3)

Thanks so much to everyone who checked out my Part 1 post!

To see Part 1, if you missed it and are interested, you can check it out here. Now, on to the next section of SPN S01-E01, and the grown up brothers reuniting. This is probably my favorite aspect of the episode (update: I actually talk about this more in part 3 than 2).

Reunited and It Feels So … Awkward

(But, in a good way)

If you’re interested in my more detailed commentary, check it out under the cut

JARED, JENSEN, and EXPOSITION: Jared and Jensen had a tall order to fill with the Pilot, needing to both give the audience an idea of their relationship as brothers, as well as delivering a good deal of exposition without bogging down the episode's momentum. They do an amazing job with the former and a very decent job with the latter. Their acting choices and chemistry paint a very full picture of who these guys are and what they mean to each other, which I’ll go into more chronologically as examples come up. The exposition of filling us in on the family situation, their dad in particular, and the fact that they are monster hunters is done quite well for the most part. However, while a good deal of it comes across quite naturally, some moments do stand out to me as a bit too rehearsed (the scene with "… Dad gave me a forty-five." "What was he supposed to do?") and can feel a little too expositiony to me now, but that's probably partly because I’ve seen them so much now. However, the scenes are necessary, and as far as the telling vs showing ratio goes, the Pilot does a lot more showing, so overall even this aspect is handled quite well regardless of some moments scratching for me now.

JESSICA: So … where to start on this introduction to the adult Sam and Dean. Actually, let’s start with Jess. She seems great: responsible, punctual, loving, supportive, encouraging, funny, and beautiful. And Sam looks at her like he can’t believe how lucky he is to be with her. Generally, I like her, though we don’t get to see a lot of her. However, I wonder if she would be as supportive if she knew who Sam really was and what he did. The fact that Sam never told her about his past could just be because he wants to put it aside and pretend that part of him doesn’t exist, but given how quickly he givens in when Dean asks for help, he must have known he couldn’t avoid it forever. Denial is not just a river in Egypt…or whatever. Maybe, he’s just trying to protect her, but something could come for him whether she knows about the danger or not (and it does, sadly….damn you, Brady!). On the other hand, maybe he didn’t tell her because he didn’t believe she would have been okay with it. And as Dean sarcastically points out, "That’s healthy." The irony of Dean commenting on healthy relationships, and withholding important information, is just too much knowing what’s coming for the guys. Anyway, regardless of Sam's motivations, Jess does seem great, but she’s so great that it was pretty obvious to me that she, the relationship, or both, were doomed. Sam may as well have jinxed them when he asked what he would do without her, and her "Crash and burn" response … well, sadly, the boy does burn. How much she could have helped him avoid his Season 5 fate is not possible to know, but it certainly didn’t help him. I’ve commented on my previous Post, The Pilot (Part 1), on how this episode sets up so many things that run well into later seasons and Jess is no exception. Sam still thinks of her, misses her, loves her years later. I can’t remember right now just how late his last mention of her is…is it all the way into Seasons 14 or 15? Regardless, I love, and it makes me sad, to see her in the Pilot and know that she and her tragedy will pretty much impact Sam for the rest of the show, if not his whole life. Talk about building strong foundations in this episode.

SAM: So, Sam is the first of our main characters to show up on screen, signaling that Supernatural is going to be about Sam's journey, and while it’s also clearly Dean's as well, Sam is the character who goes through the biggest transformation. It starts with Sam and ends with Sam in the audience's "current time," while it starts with the brothers and ends with the brothers if we include the past and the future/heaven (or what amounts to the prologue and epilogue). Anyway, Sam popping into the scene through that doorframe is pretty cute. It’s a very definite shift in tone. Sam playfully whining about going to a Halloween party is a huge contrast to where we left off before the title card. This scene with Sam looking adorable and so happy is downright wholesome after the scene we just left with the three Winchester males huddled together in misery over the loss of wife and mother, while their home burns. The Sam we see today appears to be very well adjusted (though he doesn’t like Halloween … interesting …) despite the tragedy his younger self lived through: he is tall, handsome, in university, in an a seemingly fairly serious relationship as he appears to live with his girlfriend, and as we find out at the party, he’s smart and ambitious. Sam, in short, is thriving. The first hint that things aren’t great for him is when we find out that his family, John and Dean, don’t even know how well he is doing in school, and with the way Jessica comforts him, this is clearly something that upsets him despite the casual attitude he tries to project about it.

At this point in the episode, my first impression of Sam was that he was cute (I didn’t really find him sexy until later in the series because in Season 1 he feels like a boy), loyal, smart, and maybe a little bit of a stick in the mud. Jared, at this point, is starting to give off his puppy energy, especially with his devoted heart eyes for Jess, but I feel like it takes him a minute to give Sam more nuance; but once he gets there, he kills it. When we meet Dean, more aspects of Sam, a fuller picture, starts to become more clear. He is the one who chose to leave his family. He grew up fighting monsters, but clearly just wanted a normal life. He was clearly out of sync with his dad and brother. With these bits of new information, when I first watched the show (this has changed since then) it originally made me feel like maybe Sam was a little bit selfish or maybe he didn’t care that much about his family. For me, him being so dismissive of John being missing (or "going overtime on a Miller Time shift") pointed either to Sam being a bit of an uncaring dick, or to their dad being a bit of a careless drunk. Neither, as it turns out is exactly the case, but the Pilot definitely drops info bombs on us, and some of the debris is left for us to sort through for now. We see Sam go from flippant to to concerned real quick when Dean rephrases his message to, "Dad's on a hunting trip. And he hasn’t been home in a few days."

Visually, this scene is set up very well. Particularly from just before Jess turns on the light to Sam’s reaction to Dean’s words above, we see Sam struggle to fit into the world he chose. First, we have Sam and Dean appear as a joint silhouette, all in shadow (the dark hunting world, their traumatic past). When Jess flips on the light, we see her wearing a Smurfs pj top (in the lighter, more care-free normal world). There is a clear contrast between the brothers on one side in the dark and Jess on the other in her cartoon jammies. Sam hastens to leave Dean's side and ally himself with Jess when Dean says he has to tell him something. Sam literally joins the other side as he crosses the room and gives off the vibes or building a brick wall between them and Dean. Two college kids in their jammies vs a rough adult in street clothes. But as soon as Dean clarifies that dad is on a hunting trip, the camera tightens in on Sam, effectively cutting Jess out of the picture altogether. Sam compounds this by asking her to excuse him and Dean. The scene ends on a visually isolated Sam, who has just verbally allied himself with Dean. Anyway, I just really like how this scene uses the blocking, lighting and language illustrate Sam's conflict. As much as he’s tried, it already seems clear that Sam can’t escape his old life, and he’s even complicit in it because he won’t fully abandon Dean.

DEAN: Minutes ago in the episode, we got Sam's entrance with him popping around the door frame, happy, domestic, practically wholesome (and cute as heck). In contrast, Dean enters the scene as a mysterious figure who we can’t see clearly, at first. This is apt given how Dean puts up walls and uses humor to deflect when we first meet him, and for a long time to come, actually. So, it’s hard to know exactly who he is. Just like in the fight we see glimpses of his and Sam’s faces, we can’t see either of them fully or consistently, and they can’t see each other, until the lights are switched on. I like the symbolism or metaphor of the way the fight is shot; we don't have a full idea of who either brother is yet, and they don’t fully know each other anymore either, after years apart.

Anyway, Dean enters the scene cloaked in shadows and literally brings chaos and violence into Sam's previously cozy, domestic, and structured life. It’s a pretty iconic introduction to a character and the brother dynamic, and a reunion all rolled into one. Dean comes in hot, and I don’t mean physically (though, yeah), he’s practically buzzing with manic energy. He wrestles with his brother, asks for a beer and hits on his brother’s girlfriend all in the matter of a couple of minutes, before dropping his info bomb on Sam.

My first impression of Dean was that he was hot, lacked boundaries, really cared about his dad, and was a bit of a dick. I really don’t like him telling Jess that she’s out of Sam's league while he gives her the eye because, come on, Sam is adorable, and it shows a lack of respect for both of them. I get it’s a short hand for showing Dean is a "ladies man" but it just makes him seem a bit gross, to me. Really, I think this is supposed to just be a healthy dose of screwing with his brother, but it’s not for me.

Also, Dean showing up at night is totally weird, and he never gives a real answer for this (besides beer). We find out in the final episode of the show that he waited outside for hours because he was scared Sam would tell him to "get lost or get dead," and it truly gives me all the feels when I watch this part of the episode now, and it makes absolute sense given some hints we see of Dean's feelings later in the episode. I just wonder if that was always the intended reason for Dean showing up in the middle of the night, him being afraid and breaking in so he could tell himself Sam blew him off because of the way he showed up, if that happened. Or was it more for the horror, bump in the night, aesthetic and to simply add to Dean's cool persona. Also, I find Dean's energy almost manic in this scene, but this also makes sense if he’s worried and just trying to brazen out the situation, pour on the careless bravado to avoid this worry and nerves.

At this point in the episode, I think Dean is fun, but kind of a jerk. Jensen is definitely a scene stealer, though, and he’s lively and compelling to watch. Dean is exciting. When I start to genuinely like him more though is when he lowers the walls a little and admits to Sam that he doesn’t want to look for their dad alone. It’s clear that he just wants Sam with him. We can see his vulnerability as he avoids making eye contact as he admits this truth to Sam. And Dean being honest works on Sam immediately, when suggesting it was his duty to help or that his dad was really in trouble this time didn’t. This moment is pretty quick, but it starts to show us that the brothers do have definite soft spots for each other despite the issues they clearly have.

(The Pilot Part 3 coming soonish … this one took me a while …)

#sam and dean #sam winchester #dean winchester #jared padalecki #jensen ackles #jessica moore #supernatural #Rewatching S&D #my thoughts #The Pilot #my edits

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monstersinthecosmos · 2 years

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VAMPTEMBER DAY 1: DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS

One of my favorite things to do, like one of my small pleasures in life, is to pair music with books so that like, I can listen to an album (or song or playlist or whatever works) while I read a book because I know that my brain will form vivid memories and then every time I hear those songs for the rest of my life I can have like this fun moment of remembering a story or a character or a scene or whatever. And it’s become this ritualistic thing I do to try on different albums with a book to find the best fit, and then I’m making an intentional commitment to that album for the rest of my life.

Since today’s prompt is “Devil’s in the Details” it reminded me of how I listened to the album Battle for the Sun by Placebo on loop last time I reread The Tale of the Body Thief so I want to share how some of the songs connect with the book because it’s left a lasting impression on me!!! I recall making a playlist of like the gloomier half of the album that felt more thematically appropriate. =P

Just as a CW I wanna mention that there's a lot of suicide on this album just like there is in the book, please proceed with caution!

Battle for the Sun

Like obviously “battle for the SUN” herp derp feels like a vampire reference LOL but I think it also sets the scene for this book in particular which is about Lestat trying to see the sun again. But the album in general has a lot of messaging about suicide and survival. A lot of the songs (including this one) also talk about being alienated or facing adversity, as well, like not just the idea of survival but having to do it alone.

So it just feels like, even LITERALLY this song feels like it’s about Lestat’s suicide attempt and setting the scene for him to do this ridiculous stunt that NO ONE is supporting him on lol.

I will battle for the sun And I won't stop until I'm done You are getting in the way And I have nothing left to say I will brush off all the dirt And I will pretend it didn't hurt You are a black and heavy weight And I will not participate Dream brother, my killer, my lover

(also as a bonus, calling someone brother/killer/lover is SO Ricey lol and I love it bc it shows up on other Placebo albums as the concept of someone being EVERYTHING to you!)

For What It’s Worth

This one is so funny because it’s like perfect for Lestat in that it’s kinda bitchy/cynical and also so catchy and fun? LOL But it’s about someone just at the end of their rope, burnt out from helping everyone else when on one wants to help THEM.

It’s funny in that Lestat context because like, I think he’s a character that struggles with his own self worth. Like he sits down at book writing time and he’s able to hype himself up and everything but we also see him go through these dark times and depressive episodes as well. TOBT is a great example because he starts the book with a suicide attempt and then he’s on this high to like DO A COOL ADVENTURE and literally NO ONE is supporting him.

And like the extra layer is I think, despite struggling with his self worth, it’s like he has this split thinking where he has to contend with his own ego. He is sensitive to rejection and at the same time has an inflated sense of self. The concept of helping everyone else or the idea that being part of their lives makes them happier is such a funny idea because he exists like on his own island where no one else agrees with him or sees it the way he does. But it means he can mistreat people all he wants, without realizing it, and doesn’t take accountability for it until he realizes no one has his back anymore.

The end of the century I said my goodbyes For what it's worth, I always aim to please But I nearly died For what it's worth Come on, lay with me 'Cause I'm on fire For what it's worth, I'd tear the sun in three To light up your eyes

And also this part of the song is so funny to me like I FEEL BRIAN MOLKO IS PERHAPS MORE SINCERE AND I’M NOT LAUGHING AT HIM but in vampire land it feels fitting to pair these extremely dramatic words with the song POPPING.

No one cares when you're out on the street Picking up the pieces to make ends meet No one cares when you're down in the gutter Got no friends, got no lover

Devil in the Details

I love this song so much AND IT’S THE PROMPT TODAY and it’s just so beautiful and really hits that PLACEBO THING, you know the thing I mean like you can enjoy Placebo all day and then certain songs they just really hit their stride and it’s so good.

All of my wrongs No more wicked ways Come back to haunt me, come what may He wrote the songs That I hoped to write someday Looks like the devil's here to stay Let me take you for a ride With the devil in the details We'll kiss and tremble with the light Everything is fine With the devil in the details We're gonna dance with him tonight

Just off the repetition of “looks like the devil’s here to stay” makes me so emotional LOL.

ANYWAY so this concept really resonates with me for this book because Lestat’s entire story here is that we open with Lestat trying to kill himself, then has this chance to be human again, then realizes he’s still a monster even when he’s human. And the thing is like, he gets his body back, wins the game, it’s back to normal, and instead of changing his ways he doubles down and decides to continues to be evil. THE DEVIL’S HERE TO STAY, GUYS.

I love this in line with like the entire reason I find villains to be compelling; we create a super hyperbolic situation to play with the idea of love and forgiveness and identity– in this situation it’s also an act of SELF LOVE for Lestat. Like the idea of him embracing himself as a flawed, sometimes evil, person is an act of unconditional self acceptance and I love that!!!!

The Never‐Ending Why

Sdhjgkffffffff the entire concept of this song is the contradiction that time heals and yet there’s not ENOUGH time to answer all the questions we have about the unknowable.

I bring this up a lot when I talk about VC because I think about how we have to reframe the vampires’ psychology as immortals and what it means for things like forgiveness. Like some of these characters have done truly atrocious things to each other and IRL if someone did something like this it’s just OKAY, BANISHED IMMEDIATELY GOODBYE because we do not have the TIME to get through such a serious emotional wound. Vampires have nothing BUT time.

But I love it in regards to the suicide theme on the album of like, the acceptance that you don’t have enough time anyway, being okay with that. It’s something the vampires all struggle with. Being immortal seems to make them even more afraid of death.

Julien

This is one of my fav songs on the album, I lose my mind every time I hear it. ALSO REMEMBER WHEN LESTAT MET JULIEN MAYFAIR AND YOU’D THINK THEY’D BE SO COMPATIBLE WITH EACH OTHER BUT THEY WERE JUST CATTY BITCHES THE WHOLE TIME LOL

Placebo had said this song is named after Julian from Less Than Zero (lol) and the song is about slowly killing yourself with drugs; references to “Julien” I think you could swap out for “cocaine” or whatever you want.

Anyway since I’m still talking about Lestat it really can fit so much of his bullshit haha like he’s a person who never has enough and often behaves selfishly because of it. Like in this book he winds up isolating himself from everyone bc they go LESTAT NO and he’s like LESTAT YES! And it’s not just them like denying him having this beautiful experience, like there’s a very real danger to having his POWERFUL BODY on the loose.

Fallen angels in the night And everyone is barred from Heaven Just one more hit to make it right But every one turns into seven Now that it's snowing in your brain Another ten will not placate you This ain't no killer for the pain This avalanche will suffocate you

You can run but you can't hide Because no one here gets out alive Find a friend in whom you can rely Julien, you're being taken for a ride You can run but you can't hide Because no one here gets out alive Find a friend in whom you can confide Julien, you're a slow motion suicide

I like the image of “slow motion suicide” too again in reference to a vampire’s relationship with time. It feels like it loses meaning for them, or can feel relative. And it’s sad because like whatever context you hear in a song like this it’s still about all the small ways we hurt ourselves and how it adds up. Like Lestat is a person who desperately needs companionship and wants to be loved and he constantly makes it harder for people to love him lol.

Breathe Underwater

This! Song! Is! So! Good!

It brings us back to a theme of survival after all the other stuff we just went through on this album haha.

It's hard to reconcile What I've become With the wounded child Hiding deep inside

(This part always makes me think of Armand bc lol but anyway)

So back to that thing about how Lestat becomes human only to learn he’s still a monster lol. I FEEL LIKE, AND DON’T LET ME GO DOWN A RABBIT HOLE NOW, but like there’s a therapy thing about reparenting or protecting the wounded inner child, and learning to reframe your instincts as an adult who is not a wounded child. And it’s that old saying hurt people hurt people; sometimes we become a version of ourselves that we really dislike because we’re reacting to our trauma way past the threat of danger.

And there’s a conflicting message in this song about like, breathing underwater (maybe the method to kill yourself) but then also saying “I’m coming up for air, I want to see another dawn.” It’s like he’s finally sick of it and got the survival instinct at the last moment.

Take my ego for a ride 'Cause there's nobody by my side It's getting hard to justify And it won't be long till I collide My weakness is laid bare As people stop and stare But it's the last time I swear

But to bring it back up one more time; the whole arc of this book is how he becomes human selfishly, risks his relationships for it, puts people in danger, and the whole time he's nearly dying and trying to reconcile with the idea of what he did to Claudia, only to come to the conclusion he'd do it again. It reads like the song; I can't take this anymore, I must drown myself, but I want to live. Lestat gets to the bottom in this book and really faces his mortality, comes up for air, and does it again.

Whew.

SO ANYWAY I DONT HAVE A GRACEFUL EXIT FOR ALL OF THIS just wanna repeat that I really love these songs and they remind me of Lestat LOL and the back and forth of despair to optimism/survival sounds so much like him! HE’S SO MOODY OKAY?

#vamptember #vampire chronicles #lestat de lioncourt #placebo #tale of the body thief

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