"You've always been my favorite, Seven. In spite of their obvious imperfections. I know how much you care for the Voyager crew. So I've left them alone."

Star Trek Picard 2x09 - Hide and Seek | Star Trek Voyager - Dark Frontier, Endgame

Who fumbled the trope better: The Rise of Skywalker or Picard Season 3? (long post by a hater)

1. Everyone's Related

- TRoS: retcons the story to make the protag someone's kid; it's a big reveal with little time to process; odd things are apparently genetic (like shooting lightning and being evil and goth); she rejects her heritage and chooses a different family, who are all dead; the emotional peak is a father ('s ghost) redeeming his wayward son; nepo kids get together, sorta; a claustrophobic sense of being trapped in the past and made intentionally inferior to the famous

- PIC S3: protag has had a secret kid this whole time; it's a big reveal with little time to process; odd things are apparently genetic (like bravery and accent); inconsistent with other legacy character's parental experiences (Geordi's daughters are second-tier characters who parallel Jack's rejection-acceptance-nepotism arc; Riker and Troi's kids are briefly but emotionally discussed; one emotional line about Wesley; one unemotional line about Lal; utter absence of Alexander); the emotional peak is a father redeeming his wayward son; as Picard's unqualified son and Geordi's qualified daughter get jobs on the bridge of Starfleet's flagship, Picard says, "Names mean almost nothing," and his son responds, "Names mean almost everything;" nepo kids get together, sorta; a mind-numbing sense of conservative family values and reassuring some very insecure people

2. Lesbian Queerbaiting

- TRoS: in the final celebration homage to RotJ, two minor characters kiss in the background; this spawned the "live slug reaction" meme that has now manifested as a homophobic inside joke in Jedi: Survivor

- PIC S3: Seven and Raffi got together in S2 and became Trek's first lesbian couple between two major characters (DISCO already gave us Trek's first major gay couple), but they broke up before the events of S3; they are coworkers in the end of S3, but are not back together because of...

3. Fear of Shippers

- TRoS: Finn is clearly into Rey, but it's unclear if she likes him back; Rey and Kylo kiss sans romantic music, but then he dies and she does not see his ghost; two more women are introduced to pair with Finn and Poe, but none of them get together either; it's unconfirmed, but the vibe is that they didn't want to commit to anything to try to please everyone

- PIC S3: the vibe is the same and it is confirmed:

(by "that scene," he means Picard returning to Laris)

Both franchises also had a focus on an interracial relationship (Finnrey and Saffi), then have the Black person hang out mostly with another Black character (Jannah and Worf) while the white person hangs out with mostly white characters.

4. Bad Boy Braincontrol

- TRoS: somehow Palpatine returned, and he's been in Kylo's mind this whole time; that's why he's evil, not anything of his own free will, just the old story impressing itself upon him (he still has to die though); you know this villain, just defeat him with the power of love like you did last time

- PIC S3: somehow the Borg Queen returned, and she's been in Jack's mind this whole time; that's why he has intrusive thoughts, not because that's a thing that happens to people, just the old story impressing itself upon him; you know this villain, just defeat her with the power of love like you did last time

The visual similarities of Zombie Palpatine and Zombie Borg Queen are remarkable -- physically trapped in dusty corners by creepy machines -- and would be even more interesting if I could actually see them in these dark rooms. This design, which suggests an elderly person immobile in a hospital, actually makes me feel a lot of pity and affection for them. It certainly would have felt far more heroic to help these poor creatures than to rather easily defeat them.

5. We Love Objects

- TRoS: Kylo's private room is literally a museum with curated displays of old props; fetch quest video game-y plot; lots of attention paid to whose lightsaber does what and goes where

- PIC S3: let's break into the museum of old props; kitschy oil paintings of the Enterprise and Picard on the walls; the most unearned and half-hearted "long shots of beloved ship leaving space dock" sequence in a franchise full of such sequences

ALL WIRED UP - a playlist

assimilate this! (exquisite technological mix)

WELL WELL WELL. I haven’t put together a playlist for a month or so, and it’s time. Also haven’t shared many of them here, I don’t think. We will be welcoming Virgo season in with a focus on robot rock, Borg perfection, wired up to the max, a playlist for all you machines and machine-lovers out there.

The Man Machine - Live

Kraftwerk

I was fortunate enough to see Kraftwerk twice in 2014; it was a religious experience. I saw them perform this album, 1978’s The Man Machine in its full entirety. Despite being a huge fan, I wasn’t expecting much. “How cool could it possibly be?” I, a fool, asked myself as I walked into Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA. I knew they were going to be standing in front of their trademark podiums pressing buttons. What I didn’t know was how that was going to make me feel. I love the crowd coming in at 0:26 when the beat starts, and again at 0:59, which is when I must assume that the curtain fell to reveal The Robots. If you don’t know this entire album, you haven’t yet lived. Please listen to all of it.

Electricity

Midnight Star

“You got my head all wired up”

This was the start of this mix; it was the root my working Data/Geordi fan mix for forever, aka the “DaForge” mix to those of us with excellent taste. You may recognize Midnight Star from “No Parking On The Dance Floor,” their entire catalog is full of funky computer hits.

Human Being

Jane Inc.

“Accentuate my structure”

A quite hard synth and light drums anchor this track, which came across as a lovely surprise in some of my explorations for this playlist.

Get A Little

Patrick Cowley

Yes, this song has been on a few of my past mixes, including last month’s. To that I say, mind your business and get your ass on the dance floor. Patrick Cowley may be most known for his production work with San Francisco dance legend Sylvester (You Make Me Feel, etc.), but his solo work stands on its own as manual/physical synth excellence. Cowley died of AIDS in 1982, another bright light stolen from us.

Faster Than The Speed Of Love

Georgio Moroder

No synth-heavy mix is complete without the Italian stallion of synth, the techno-grandfather himself. Sorry about the poor transition but this entire album is a flow worth experiencing in full.

Desire

Future World Orchestra

If you’ve ever wanted to see a 1980’s track suit dripped out cartoon-looking white guy from the Netherlands playing about $70,000 worth of synthesizers, look this video up on YouTube. Big thanks to the Pop Overbite TikTok account for helping me discover this duo.

10 Out Of 10 (feat. Kylie Minogue)

Oliver Heldens, Kylie Minogue

Continuum music lovers and long time Kylie fans rejoice; we have less than a month before we get an entire new record. Biting my hands waiting for TENSION, which is out on September 22nd. Love the timeless-yet-90’s feel of this soon to be classic.

Get On Up And Do It Again

Suzy Q

No clue the story of this band (I believe they’re Canadian?) but this one’s been on my “get it going” playlist for a while

Lovelife

Phoenix

Always been a fan of Phoenix, especially when they get back to their synth roots. I don’t think this album (Ti Amo) had a major hit off it, certainly nothing like 2009’s ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix,’ which is unfortunate as there are some fantastic sounds on here.

I’ve Got Your Image

Cameo

This was sampled by Queen Latifah’s 2003 ‘Better Than The Rest.’ The titular line made me think of Seven’s eidetic memory, and it was time for a slow jam.

She Blinded Me With Science

Thomas Dolby

No relation to Dolby sound systems, but there may as well be with this 1982 classic that remains unlike anything else. Check out the video if you’re not familiar.

Data

Shook

I’m not terribly familiar with this artist, who’s based in the Netherlands, but the way he handles a synth works for me.

The Robots - 2009 Remaster

Kraftwerk

Again, I will point out that this album was released in 1978. The live version of this song also hits hard, if you’re so inclined to check out any of Kraftwerk’s live work.

You Are In My System

The System

Smooth techno robot funk, just the way I like it. No recollection of how I came across this hit other than the algorithm recognizing my exquisite taste.

Phantom

Justice

If Daft Punk is the robot rock dressed up on the dance floor, Justice is what you get at 3am after everyone is either wasted or high out of their mind, finding a way (any way!) to keep the party going. Never before or since have I encountered a record that scratched this particular sonic itch for dirtied up, fuzzed out synths continuing to deliver danceable, on the beat hits. If Daft Punk’s “Discovery” plugged us in, 2007’s “Justice” stripped our wires and started sparking them together. Ugh. I could go on about how much I love this record for a very long time.

Work Out Tonight

Ultraflex

I don’t have much to say about this Norwegian/Icelandic duo, other than keep party rocking, y’all.

Gettin’ To The Good Part

Herbie Hancock

What do you say about a legend whose work spans multiple genres, executed flawlessly? Not much, but 1980’s Herbie Hancock showcases his ability to seamlessly fit in with any and all new trends. You know more of his work than you think you do through samples and film, but you can always get to know him better.

Start Computer

Shook

It’s not very often that I hear a song that takes me back to the ebullient joy I felt in 2001 upon hearing Daft Punk’s ‘Discovery’ in full for the first time, but this song touches the vocoder-loving places within me.

Luminescent

Poppy Baskcomb

Baskcomb hails from the UK and I look forward to digging more into her work. Always a fan when a pop song chooses to anchor itself around an uncommon word.

Night Cruiser

Deodato

There seem to be a few different Deodatos but I’m assuming this is the Brazilian musical artist, as I hear those influences present here. Unsurprisingly, a great tune to jam around in your car at night, pretending you’re in a cyberpunk movie.

Master Rocker

Bernard Wright

This album is an instant classic, funky in all the right ways, with a touch of technological that anchors it firmly in time and place.

Sometimes

Les Rythmes Digitales

Don’t have much information about this 1999 album, but I would believe if you told me it was either from much earlier or much later. Always been a fan of music that is both faithful enough and innovative enough to be placed in any time period.

One More Time / Aerodynamic (live)

Daft Punk

My robot boys. If they ever return from retirement, bet that I will be spending my life savings and then some to see Daft Punk live. I have been a Daft Punk fan since 2001, and I am so grateful to exist at the same time as this duo. Listening to Discovery when it came out is an experience in time that I will never forget. I had tried to listen to this album when it came out, but I wasn’t yet advanced enough in my music appreciation to enjoy them live. The first time I heard the transition between songs, every hair on my body stood on end. I want few things more than a Daft Punk reunion tour, but this and bootlegs will have to suffice for now.

Messages From The Stars - Sped Up

The Rah Band

First encountered this song in a twitter exchange about DaForge; it’s not often that a song sounds just as good sped up as it does in the original speed.

Nobody But You

The Apples In Stereo

The first time I heard this song, I was working at Nordstrom, where you could call the operator (even as an employee) and ask for them to tell you the song. The swooping ‘you’s’ at the end are what spurred me into action. I wrote down the name of this song on a pastry bag, and this album has not left me since. It is a warm hug from outer space.

Translight

Breakbot

Eagerly awaiting a new album from Breakbot like any day now. The instrumentals remain undefeated.

Chaos - Laura van Dam Remix

Andrew Bayer, Run Rivers, Laura van Dam

I’m not terribly familiar with anyone here, but this song is a great way to draw me in to a lovely, sonically spacious and danceable remix.

Spotlight

Kylie Minogue

Heartbroken that there isn’t an extended mix of this yet (the DISCO extended mixes are still worth checking out), as it remains one of my favorite tracks from 2020’s incredible DISCO. Only the queen of pop could record an album like this in quarantine. Legends only!!!!

You Put A Charge In My Life

Brainstorm

Whoever makes me a fan vid of Geordi and Data being ‘very close friends’ to this is gonna eventually get a giant hug and possibly (okay, definitely) dinner. No clue what’s happening on the cover, but who doesn’t want to love an alien? Please be for real.

One Hot Love - 2018 Remaster

Makoto Matsushita

I knew nothing of Japanese City Pop until my Spotify started feeding it to me, and I’ve become obsessed with these oh-so-smooth tracks that remain danceable and sharp. A true mood, a vibe, a way to turn around any bad day.

Messages From The Stars

The Rah Band

And to close out the mix, enjoy the song in all its 1980s synthed out, original speed glory, still grooving and moving, a hit in either tempo.

That’s the mix, enjoy! Keep robot rocking and technological trancing🤖

STAR TREK: PICARD: 3x05: "Imposters": What's up with Jack?

Beware: Season 3 spoilers! If you have not watched the first five episodes of STAR TREK: PICARD season 3, get thee to your streaming device and watch! Then come back for some crazytalk 23-and-me speculating. =)

So! I have some kooky thoughts and theories about Jack Crusher's heritage…

1. PART BORG.

Jean-Loc passed his residual connection to the Borg collective on to his son. When he was a child, he had terrifying nightmares, which were actually visions of disoriented, perhaps crazed & dying Borg, as the Collective disassembled in the years after alternate Janeway's infection of the Borg Queen. Dr. Mom was able to come up with a treatment that rid him of the visions so that he could sleep. Whether she somehow only treated the nightmare symptom or actually learned of and addressed the Borg-y root of the issue, there's no telling yet. Years later, Jack is once again receiving messages and information via this psychic link, originating from a Borg, ex-Borg, or Borg-adjacent entity.

2. PART PAH WRAITH.

At some point before JL's visit to Casperia Prime w BC, a Bajoran tablet came into his possession and was accidentally broken (seen in JL's home in season 2). This released a Pah Wraith which had been imprisoned within. The Pah Wraith possessed JL, but did not assume full conscious control. Instead, realizing that his host was already taking steps toward the PW's own goal, it rode shotgun in JL's mind and body, and let nature take its course. Together with Beverly, JL and the PW conceived the Pah Wraith version of the Prophets' Emissary, a mortal who can commune with the Pah Wraiths and serve as their autonomous agent in the mortal realm.

Red eyes have been seen to be a sign of possession by a Pah Wraith.

Ben Sisko's mother Sarah was fully possessed by a Prophet when she met and married Ben's father Joseph and gave birth to Ben. In Jack's case, the PW possessed JL after he and BC were involved, so the PW did not need to exert active control of JL to bring its progeny into the world.

If Sisko is the Emissary, what is Jack? I have a feeling that he may be the Eschaton or perhaps the Sacrifice or Offering, a being fated to bring about a cataclysm (freeing the PWs and/or trapping/killing the Prophets?), possibly killing himself in the process.

When Seven shot the Changeling wearing Sidney La Forge's form, the Changeling's eyes went red on its death. Not quite the same effect as with Jack's eyes, but I'm gonna say it's close enough for now. To me, that means that at some point a Changeling visited the Fire Caves of Bajor and left with a Pah Wraith passenger, maybe possessor, maybe partner. I haven't decided if PWs would be controlling rogue Changelings (and other non-Changeling hosts?) or are partnered with them. In either case, would every Changeling be partnered with a PW or carry a fraction of a single PW (I don't remember seeing that in PWs or Prophets before), or Sideeye/Sidney was the only or one of only a few Changeling's possessed by a PW.

PWs and Prophets appear to their faithful and agents as familiar faces and voices. We are hearing the PWs call to Jack in his visions in the voices of people he knows. Perhaps JL has translated enough of the tablet's inscription to know or say the right thing to free his son from a dark destiny. Or—Beverly's influence, guidance, and love will prove that nurture can overcome nature, and JC will throw off the fate the PWs planned for him, Hellboy-style.

3. PART 8472.

While pregnant with JC, BC used the genetic modification techniques of Species 8472 to eliminate the genes responsible for Irumodic Syndrome, inherited from JL. These techniques were acquired in an exchange of information between Voyager and the 8472 humanoid mimics in the Delta Quadrant. BC employed 8472's techniques without adjustment, and in doing so—knowingly or not—boosted some of JC's baseline physiological characteristics because the mods included and assumed some of 8472's natural attributes, including a powerful immune system, a very resilient healing factor, and telepathy. JC does not have these attributes at the level of an 8472, but at a high level for a human.

8472s in humanoid form had to learn to sleep, as their original bodies do not need it. This is how JC, as a child and now as an adult, can go for days without sleeping. His visions are a consequence of some entity or entities tuning into his latent telepathy. His BOURNE IDENTITY-like fighting prowess is also enabled via telepathy, either by remote control or a psychic "download" of skills.

If this crazytalk turns out to be even close to accurate, I really hope that his vision experiences connect to a conspiracy of warhawk 8472s who are masquerading as (meatier) Changelings in order to frame the Founders for a series of terrorist attacks and plunge Starfleet and perhaps the Alpha Quadrant back into war with the Dominion.

NB. The genetic modification of JC makes him an augment, forbidden and outlawed in the Federation. This is another reason that BC cut herself off from her friends and Starfleet.

4. PART CHANGELING.

While pregnant with JC, BC used the genetic modification techniques of the Founders to eliminate the genes responsible for Irumodic Syndrome, inherited from JL. These techniques were reverse engineered from studies of Founder, Vorta, and Gamma and Alpha Jem'hadar biology. The Founders engineered their follower species and could dial specific physical and mental qualities up and down as desired. Embedded, but perhaps not recognized by Starfleet or BC herself, in the Founders' mod processes are traces of Changeling genetic sequences, the creators' signature on their work. Combined in human DNA, these sequences express themselves in an enhanced immune system and healing factor as well as a psychic connection compatible with Changeling linking.

The psychic connection resulted in JC's childhood nightmares, which BC treated. There's no telling yet if she only treated the nightmare symptom or learned the root cause of the issue, but she is recognizing its return now.

NB. The genetic modification of JC makes him an augment, forbidden and outlawed in the Federation. This is another reason that BC cut herself off from her friends and Starfleet.

5. MIX AND MATCH.

Take some or all of 1 thru 4 and mash them up good. Like, he's part Borg—maybe thanks to Jean-Loc's nanoprobed sex cells, or maybe thanks to actual Borg-rewritten DNA—and an Irumodic Syndrome-free augment! Or—he's part Borg, which is where his visions come from, but also playing host to a Pah Wraith, which is where the voices and ninja skills come from. Try one of your own!

I've had several more notions that I couldn't quite extrapolate into meaningful theories, but maybe some new pieces will fall into place for them in episode 6. If they do, I'll try to work them out in another post.

LLAP…aka…

Keep on keepin' on~

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Beverly Crusher/Jean-Luc Picard, Raffi Musiker/Seven of Nine, Jack Crusher (Star Trek: Picard)/Narissa | Lieutenant Rizzo Characters: Jack Crusher (Star Trek: Picard), Jean-Luc Picard, Beverly Crusher, Seven of Nine, Raffi Musiker, Cristóbal Rios, Agnes Jurati, Soji Asha, Elnor (Star Trek), Narissa | Lieutenant Rizzo, Narek (Star Trek), Laris (Star Trek), Zhaban (Star Trek), Liam Shaw, Original Romulan Character(s), Borg Queen (Star Trek), Q (Star Trek), Data (Star Trek), Guinan (Star Trek), Adam Soong, Kore Soong Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Family Drama, Unconventional Families, Families of Choice, Team as Family, Romulan Culture (Star Trek), Tal Shiar (Star Trek), Zhat Vash (Star Trek), The Borg, Time Travel, Complicated Relationships, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Domestic Violence, Childhood Trauma, Psychological Trauma, Neurodiversity, Slow Burn, Idiots in Love, Enemies to Lovers, Other Additional Tags to Be Added Series: Part 3 of Chateau Picard Summary:

"Time offers many opportunities, but it rarely offers second chances."

[a retelling of S2 with elements of S3]

Vines

Chapter three is up! Beverly and Jean-Luc catch up an old friend, Raffi and Soji discover the limitations of historic data, and everyone else bickers and/or bonds.

The Exegesis

I've been doing a big think about ST: Picard.

Spoilers ahead, obviously.

Firstly, I want to say the series had a lot of cool ideas. Seven temporary making herself queen in S1 was very cool visually, I loved the concept of the La Sirena; it was interesting to see the logical fallout of the EMH program and what that could allow. I didn't entirely mind the way Q stepped out at the end of S2, and learning more about Guinan and her people was super cool. Heck, it was nice to see that Wesley's Space Jesus gig was going well.

But despite having a lot of cool ideas it never felt fully coherent. S1 was fun and interesting but the reveal felt a little stale in a post Mass Effect world. S2 ended up feeling like a way-too-stretched-out time travel episode that DS9 did a lot more elegantly with the Bell Riots. I enjoyed it, Trek is at its' strongest when it's making strong political statements, but again the ending didn't entirely make sense. S3 was the shortest on cool moments and ideas. I love a good battle at the center of the mind, and 7 of 9's whole kinda-deadname plot was sort of nice to see.

I get that S1 is about the consciousness of death making us human but they never really do the groundwork to justify that a human lifespan of 100 or so years is the most just and ethical lifespan. Picard is saved from one terminal illness only for organ failure to get him one day. The show never sits down and explains why the Federation isn't struggling against death in all its' incarnations - they have the tech for radical life extension but they just never do it, and the show never touches on that rather glaring oversight. People don't need to be immortal but what ethical imperative is there to only get a century in a galaxy full of wonders?

S2 is largely fine, it's a bit thin in places but it comes out to a pretty okay un-fucking the past and Q plotline. Can't complain about most of it. I even sort of liked the idea of the Jurati collective! The trouble is it was never explored in depth or even given screen time. I would have loved to see a radical reimagining of the Borg and what they could be and mean. My only two nitpicks are where the hell was she in S3 and how did an entire parallel collective go undetected? Like, they've been around for centuries and the normal Borg never got a stick up their ass about those 'defects'? Even a sentence or two would have assuaged my curiosity.

S3 is inarguably the weakest of the series. It's a lot of set pieces and a lot of hammy moments that ultimately don't cohere beyond a vague sense of nostalgia. Dr. Crusher's loss of Westley was sad, and I did think that was a good angle to develop the character along. However as we saw in S2, Westley is still out there and fine; he's not lost he's just refusing to take a minute to visit his mother ever. Dick move, Westley. The whole thing with the new breed of changelings barely made sense, and while I did love the big creepy flesh monster Borg queen I can't for a moment understand why her anger was directed solely at Picard. Picard isn't the one who took the collective down, Picard isn't the one who consistently outfoxed her and did real damage at the heart of Borg territory. That was Janeway. Like, okay if she wanted both of them dead that would make sense, but Janeway's name is mentioned only three or four times in the whole series and it's only to say she's busy.

Honestly I think it's because Janeway would've stopped the series two episodes short by just showing up with a gun and shooting the queen. And I do mean a good old fashioned slug thrower like an M1911 or something.

So, in the end seasons 1 and 2 are thoroughly okay Stars Trek, Season 3 is in my lower quartile. It still beats Enterprise but I'm not willing to say it beats the Animated Series.

Star Trek Picard: S2E9 Reaction (spoilers!)

the gods have bestowed me with a download link, so here i am! one day early! completely wrecked!

AGNES BOARDING THE SHIP IN THAT RED DRESS IS SO HOT OF HER

OMG THATS HOW BORGATI GETS THE BODY???????????? SHES SO COOL?????????????

La Sirena... ASSEMBLE <3

*chuckles* i am in fear

Agnes' monologue 😳🤌

"I'm not an idiot and I didn't memorise the code" ME PROMISING MY FRIENDS I'LL KEEP THEIR SECRET BY SIMPLY NOT REMEMBERING IT

EMERGENCY COMMAND HOLOGRAM??????? THE DOCTOR IS SO SO PROUD RN

ELNOR ❤️😭❤️😭❤️😭❤️😭❤️😭❤️

okay that grenade to dream transition is so fucken lame. 0/10

smh not the "You're doing better" to *clams up and regresses* pipeline

Seven with her phaser so hot so true <3

Raffi and Seven being together in every shot so true so true 😭🙏🏻

Picard using his British Loud Voice lmfaooo

"You will die running" as if Picard can run............

HOLD ON SEVEN LOOKING TO RAFFI TO CHECK IF SHES OK AND RAFFI NODDING HELLO THEYRE SUCH LESBIANS

HOLY FUCK THAT SHOT OF THEM KILLING HIM... TOGETHER. TOGETHER?????? HOLY FUCK HOLY BJDHDNSNSB AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

why do we have haunted house elements in a star trek show i-🧍‍♀️

can... we move on... from the hide and seek... thing...

RAFFI BANDAGING SEVEN?????????? YALL ARE KILLING ME

RAFFIS HAND ON HER WAIST HELLO OKAY YOU USELESS LESBIANS

WAIT A MINUTE EXPOSITION????????? SEVENS BACKSTORY???????? JANEWAY MENTION?????????????? HOLY FUCK STARFLEET BORGPHOBIA????????? HOLY FUCK.

okay janeway you didn't fight harder because??????????? fuck you ❤️

that just roundhouse kicked me out of nowhere

YOU WILL MAKE A GREAT CAPTAIN??????????????????? SO TRUE SEVEN OF NINE CAPTAIN OF RAFFIS HEART

"WE'RE NOT GETTING OUT OF THIS????" THAT *LOOK* BETWEEN THEM??????? THAT MOMENT??????? THAT *B E A T*?????? F C K FKC FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUUUUUUUCK

Elnor's sword 🥺

If Yvette Picard is the borg queen i'm downing my drink*

*drink: is starbucks

Gun: runs out of bullets

Picard: grunts and puts it away

IVE MISSED YOU SPACE LEGOLAS GO LITTLE ROCKSTAR APPLE OF MY EYE 😭

COOL! ELNOR AND RAFFI HAVE A MOMENT! -sipppppp-

Seven having an idea?????? i am Scared

ELNOR AND RAFFI HAVING ANOTHER MOMENT??????? SIP.

SPACE MOMS AND THEIR SON WORKING TOGETHER SO TRUE

BORGATI AND ELNOR FIGHT NOOOOO NOT MY BABIES FIGHTING

the babies are fightingggggggg

SEVEN AND RAFFI WORK SO WELL TOGETHER. FUCK. LIKE THEY ARE LITERALLY A POWER COUPLE AND THIS DIRECTOR FRAMES IT SO WELL

SEVEN NO

SEVEN NO NO NO NO NO

NO NO NO NO NO O NO NO NO NO MO NO NO

SO BQ CAN JUST WHACK RAFFI WITH HER TENTACLES BUT SHE NEEDS TO IMPALE SEVEN THROUGH THE CHEST????? FUCK

LOVE????????????? BQ TALKS TO RAFFI ABOUT SEVEN AND THE FIRST THING SHE TALKS ABOUT IS LOVE?????????

STOP MAKING SEVEN DIE. FUCK OFF ALL OF YOU

Agnes becomes benevolent!BQ? sip!

LETS BUILD A UNIVERSE OF SEVENS????????????????????? OHHHH MY HOD OHBH MY HKFB FIFHDBDBJDJSNN OHGHFHFHGHFBFB

ummmm why are we having another rios and teresa kiss before... you know

SEVEN BECOMING REASSIMILATED??? SHOT 🤠

SEVENS IMPLANTS BEING BACK. FUCK ME.

REMEMBER WHEN I SAID I WANTED THEM BACK. UM SHE LOOKS DEVASTATED. I DONT WANT THEM BACK ANYMORE LEAVE HER ALONE LET HER BE HAPPY JUST LET HER BE HAPPY JUST LET HER B

are we sort of romanticising s*icide. i don't like this. can we not do this.

where is q in all of this by the way

star trek picard saying love is a gift and not letting seven and raffi kiss? fuck off ❤️

oh god.

YES RAFFI YES YES YES YES YES YES YES SAY IT SAY IT SAY IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS FUCK

CTYING IN THE CLUB CRYING IN YHE CLUB CRINY IN THR CLUB

CRYING CRYING CRYING CRYING CRYING IN YHR CLUB CRYINY DOBBING SCREAMING THROWING UP

rios being like "oh man. thats my ship" same bestie

"MY SHIP" "MY SHIP" DYING

"IM MYSELF" 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

I AM SOBBING I AM CHOKING I AM NOT OKAY

in conclusion, if you haven't figured it out, i made a drinking game bingo thing for this episode. also, no one talk to me for 3-7 business days.

I just had a realization about why Agnes Jurati’s story in Star Trek: Picard season 2 feels so wrong to me, and I am going to inflict it on all of you!

Spoilers for the entirety of season 2 ahead! CW: Mention of depression, PTSD, anxiety, and emotional manipulation

Also: CW long post

(NB: I’m going to completely disregard the discrepancy in Agnes’s character between seasons 1 and 2. I think when you take Agnes’s story and development from the first season into account, her “arc” in season 2 falls apart completely. But for the sake of this argument, I’m going to meet the season 2 writers on their terms. I’m going to ignore the character of season 1 Agnes, and instead will simply look at season 2′s Jurati to explain why I think the story the writers gave her falls flat.)

I was taking notes for a way-too-long essay about my problems with PIC season 2 (which I may or may not write eventually), and I was trying to put into words why it always irks me when people say merging with the Borg Queen was a satisfying end to Jurati’s arc.

What I was never able to put my finger on until now is that when the Borg Queen and Jurati merge at the end of episode 9, that’s not actually the culmination of Jurati’s arc. It’s the Queen’s. All of the things that have frustrated me throughout season 2 about Jurati’s development are resolved for the Queen.

The writers tell us that Jurati is lonely, but they show us that she is surrounded by people who love her. This discrepancy is never addressed, neither in dialogue nor action nor thematic parallel. At no point does Jurati (or anyone else for that matter) acknowledge that this discrepancy exists. Because of this, we don’t really get to understand Jurati’s loneliness.

We don’t know if it was caused by anxiety, depression, and PTSD (very likely) or if it was caused by something else. We don’t know if she has tried to address it in some fashion and failed, or if she is convinced there can never be a way to feel less lonely. We never have an opportunity to think about different possible solutions to Jurati’s loneliness, because it’s never acknowledged that there could be solutions. At least none other than the one offered by the (manipulative, abusive) Borg Queen.

By contrast, we discuss the Borg Queen’s loneliness in some detail. Jurati points out that the Queen assimilates people because she feels lonely and needs connection. This longing and need for connection is part of her being, as it is for everyone else. Only the way the Borg Queen has gone about trying to mitigate her loneliness and fill the void at the core of her being is destructive and will never bring her the connection she craves.

We clearly know what is driving the Queen, what she has done to address this drive, why she failed, and what alternatives she could choose.

One advice you get over and over when writing stories is that a good, layered character has a Want and a Need. Picard wants to get everyone home and outwit Q, thus saving the universe. He needs to learn that he is not responsible for other people’s choices and deaths, so he can learn to love again. Seven wants to be human. She needs to learn that her unique way of existing is good enough.

To have a truly satisfying arc, your character has to engage with their Need and figure out what to do about it.

Jurati and the Queen both want roughly the same thing: They want connection and not to feel lonely anymore. (With a side of “wanting to save her friends” for Jurati.) The Borg Queen tries to accomplish this by assimilating people until she finally doesn’t feel lonely anymore. What she needs is to learn mercy, and understand that creating a mindless collective will never fill the void inside her.

But what does Jurati need? Throughout the season, I thought her arc might be about realizing that she is surrounded by people who love her and to accept their help. Except the writers never acknowledge that this is a thing she needs. A lot of people say what she needed was to accept the Transhumanist Solution to her loneliness: joining the Borg collective. Except that doesn’t really work, either, because Jurati never has a real choice about the matter.

Jurati allows the Borg Queen into her brain, first to get information from her, and then to save the French cop and make sure her friends still have a way to get home. She chooses this as the least worst of a number of very bad options. Then the Borg Queen takes control and Jurati occasionally manages to wrestle some of it back. Finally, when the Borg Queen has taken over Jurati’s body completely and is trying to use it to kill her friends, Jurati tries one last desperate move: With Seven dying at her feet and the rest of her friends soon to follow, she talks the Borg Queen into showing mercy. She convinces the Queen that they can build a better collective - and she sacrifices herself for it.

You can read this as Jurati choosing the Borg freely, but we get no indication that that’s the case. Nobody, at any point, offers an alternative for her. The option of de-assimilation doesn’t really come up so she could reject it and chose to stay Borg instead. The option of killing the Queen and herself is definitely never presented.

For the New Collective to feel like the culmination of Jurati’s arc, she would have had to make a choice. A real choice. And for her to make a choice, there would have had to be options. But we are never shown any options for Jurati.

The one who does have a choice is the Borg Queen. She has the option to kill Seven, take over Sirena, excise Jurati from her consciousness, and build a collective the same way she has done in countless other timelines. Or she can choose mercy. Save Seven, accept Jurati as a part of herself, let go of her idea of “strength” and embrace this new consensual(???) collective Jurati is offering her.

Jurati doesn’t really change or learn anything throughout season 2. She doesn’t learn to trust herself, she doesn’t learn how to deal with her loneliness, she doesn’t have some profound insight about the benefits of joining the Queen’s consensual Borg collective. She finds a way to convince the Borg Queen to stop killing her friends. The Queen is the one who grows and changes.

Out of all the characters this season, the Borg Queen might actually have the most clearly defined, straightforward arc with the most satisfying ending. Maybe Tallinn comes close, but my current impression is that the Queen takes the cake.

Jurati, on the other hand, doesn’t have a clear arc, let alone a fitting ending to it. We never find out which lesson she was supposed to take away from the events this season, she never gets to a place of self-actualization. Her role in season 2 is to prop up the Borg Queen’s (legacy) character arc.

There is a lot more to be said about this (while writing this, I realized that one of the reason’s Picard’s arc falls completely flat for me might be that his Want and Need are so utterly disconnected!). @curator-on-ao3 has pointed out that Raffi and Laris have the same problem as Agnes, where they are reduced to helping facilitate a legacy character’s development. And I would argue that even Seven falls into this category, because the season 1 version of Seven is overshadowed by legacy!Seven, i.e. instead of focusing on any of the aspects that constitute her character as we meet her in 2399, the story focuses on the same issue that was her defining characteristic throughout her tenure on Voyager.

But all that will have to wait until another time, this post is long enough as is.

I’d love to hear what all of you think about this! Is this a fair assessment of Jurati (i.e. season 2!Agnes) and the Borg Queen? Am I missing something crucial? I’ve only seen the season twice, and a few scenes more often to check what I’m ranting about is actually accurate, so there’s a chance some important bit of development did not register fully. Or does your reading of these two differ completely?

DID THEY SERIOUSLY HAVE GO MARRY SEVEN TO A DUDE? WHYYYYYYYYYY

Raffi is a protective mama bear and I love it.

Agnes is a big mood😂

Oh shit THE BORG QUEEN?

The AUDACITY of that Queen

Agnes is an even bigger mood now😂

Why hello Picard

RAFFI

Ouch, poor Elnor

FUCK YEAH PICARD GIVE THEM THE CLEARANCE!

"Oh. Oh she's gonna wear that gracefully." - Raffi when Picard informs her Seven is president.

Raffi 's reaction to learning Seven has a husband 😂

Elnor is my favorite character and he must be protected at all costs

*later on* NO FUCK NO THEY SHOT ELNOR!

*end of episode*

J/C, C/7, and Me

Disclaimer: I am not necessarily a J/C shipper. I just have eyeballs and enjoy the show. Long ass post. 

In the Beginning

Was a Janeway/Chakotay romantic plot baked in? I tend to think not. At least not at the very start. But this is pure speculation on my part.

If romance is your goal, then it’s much more interesting to have Chakotay not immediately being 100% supportive. (An AU where they never get lost and it’s just Janeway pursuing this Maquis leader and maybe eventually being persuaded and helping him, please.) 

I think initially they were flirting with the idea of Janeway/Paris. The character of Tom was described as being a potential love interest for Janeway. That idea doesn’t seem to have made it past the character sketches, but you can see a trace element of it in the very beginning. 

The writers played with a number of character combinations. A pretty natural chemistry was cropping up between Captain and First Officer. Little things were dropped into scripts. Performances certainly came across as interested, whether intended or not, who knows. 

Ramping Up

Where before there were hints and moments, Resolutions kicks off a series of flashing red sirens.

From this episode on there would be declarations of... ‘you bring me true peace’, and ‘I’m frickin jealous, okay?’ and bawling declarations of ‘you can’t die!’ These developments are not in the shipper’s imagination. They’re building toward something. Clearly. Obviously. Said all the people with eyes. 

For the first couple seasons, Janeway being engaged kind of kept this at bay. But now they’re fully playing with it. 

Road Block

However, Kate Mulgrew (and maybe others, I dunno) was like, ‘sure. develop the relationship. but no sex. the first female captain isn’t going to be having booty calls in the ready room. not gonna happen. people are going to take this captain seriously.’

So they played with it here and there, but it could only go so far. Kate seemed to want the best of both worlds. A deep, complicated, growing relationship, that never tipped over into the sexual. Her focus was on getting the crew home. 

Beltran flat out says (in one of the books I own that I don’t feel like digging out) that Chakotay was in love with her. But Beltran was getting frustrated. When Year of Hell came around, he apparently called up the writers and said, ‘how long is this guy gonna keep throwing himself at a woman who never reciprocates? it’s getting pathetic. either do something with these two or don’t.’ 

Loner Janeway

Along the way, I think Kate became enamored with the idea of the loneliness of command, the sacrifices it entails. Fell in love with the poignancy of it all.

This is not something that’s out of character for Janeway. Beyond the fact that in the beginning she was engaged, pairing off was a luxury she didn’t think the captain had. So any kind of romantic relationship she might pursue would have to start with her being broken out of that mindset. 

That’s basically what Resolutions did. Once they finally pried Voyager out of her fingers, you could see a burgeoning love very clearly. But then Voyager came back. And with it her... resolutions. 

Coulda Woulda Shoulda

If they had wanted to snip it and move on, they should have had that conflict between Janeway and Chakotay at some point. Perhaps after Beltran called them up and said, ‘hey. Make up your minds.’ 

Have the characters actually talk about it and reach a conclusion and there ya go. But maybe the writers just didn’t know wtf they wanted to do with it and wanted to leave their options open. And then did nothing at all. 

Me, a Non-Shipper

Personally, I tend to agree with the Mulgrew side of things (and can also see why Beltran would be bored with the eternal holding pattern and not mind when they said ‘hey, you can kiss Jeri Ryan.’)

They developed the Tom/B’Elanna romance, which was great. We didn’t need non-stop romantic plots. I think the shippers could understand Kate’s reasoning and were willing to go with the slow burn...if the writers had actually sat down and decided that’s what they were doing. If only they hadn’t dropped the ball at the very end.

Here’s the thing: if you build up a relationship like that, you can’t be upset when people notice. And you can’t give up on it behind the scenes without telling the audience on screen. ‘There are some lines we never cross’ might have been an attempt, but was too late. And was certainly not closure. The audience deserved better. 

C/7? WTF!?

Well, if you thought there was no build up for it, it’s because there wasn’t. If you felt like it was whirlwind and came out of nowhere, it’s because it was, and it did. Apparently even in the writer’s room. 

Brannon Braga wanted Seven to die in the finale. He was writing her episodes to gear up for that. Human Error, the episode where Seven experiments with romantic ideas with a holographic Chakotay (with a kiss that was apparently the result of a dare Beltran made to Jeri), was written with Seven’s death in mind. It wasn’t supposed to be the opening salvo of an actual relationship. 

I think Seven of Nine should have bit the dust. I think there had to be a real sacrifice for this crew getting home, a real blood sacrifice. Seven of Nine was, for me, designed to be a character that was gonna die tragically. I planned that.... There’s an episode called Human Error that I wrote...she's trying to feel emotions. She actually succeeds and then almost dies. She learns there’s a Borg implant, that if she becomes too human, it will kill her. And it was that moment in my mind that would set up the finale, where she realized she can’t live here, she can’t live there. And she dies getting her family home. - Brannon Braga

I’m glad they didn’t go that way for various reasons. I love Endgame as it is. But it’s interesting to know the thought process. They weren’t gearing up for romance, they were aiming for tragedy. At least Braga was. 

Human Error was only about six episodes from the end. At the time of that writing, that's what was in at least his head. 

Human Error was not written with an eye toward a C/7 future. Without that episode I doubt highly C/7 would have been a thing. And it wasn’t even written to make it a thing.

Endgame obviously didn't go that way. Janeway-palooza instead. So. What do we do now? What to do with Seven? And from here on, all I have is speculation.

Retooling

'Well, we've got this holodeck scenario from the episode we wrote when we were planning to kill her off that hints that she might like Chakotay. So. I guess we'll go with that.' 

It appears to me that they retooled recently written story elements to fit their ending, to provide more motivation for that ending.

They picked the three people it would kill Janeway most to lose. Tuvok, obviously. An ongoing torment, visiting him every week. Seven dies (a remnant of plan A) and in a sense takes Chakotay with her. 

This is all fuel for Admiral Janeway without making it about saving her lover (unless you’re a J/7 shipper, in which case, hog heaven).

When you think of it only in terms of ‘what can we do to make the finale work’, it’s not terrible. When you think of it in terms of seven preceding years, it doesn’t work at all. They got myopic. 

In hindsight I think the writers could probably admit it was a mistake in terms of the show, and they should have resisted the urge to do something that was thrown together and jarring rather than nothing at all with Seven.

Gossip

Apparently neither Mulgrew or Beltran were opposed to C7 in the end. Maybe because they had at points been a bit frustrated with each other behind the scenes. Whether those frustrations were forefront in anyone’s mind at the time, idk. 

I tend to think Kate really was over the idea of Janeway’s destiny having much to do with romance at all.

It is interesting that when Seven first arrived on the show, Kate specifically mentioned not wanting the writers to throw her with Chakotay. At that point perhaps feeling a tad possessive. Perhaps didn’t want him ‘sullied’ by the busty blonde.

But this was seasons in the past by the time the finale rolled around, and I doubt highly it had anything to do with anything. Who knows. 

Me on Endgame

Personally, I'm glad Endgame was a Janeway palooza. I love 99% of Endgame. I’m glad it was about Janeway vs.Janeway vs. Borg Queen. I wouldn’t have wanted it to be about J/C either.

But if you’re not willing to go there, leave it then to the imagination. It's cruel to basically tell your audience that these two would be together if not for their delta quadrant circumstances, and then rip the rug from under them the second they get to the quadrant where this romance is supposed to be possible. Not cool, man. Not cool. 

When I first saw Endgame (as a non-shipper with eyes) C/7 was jarring and weird. But I thought the scene where Seven was distancing herself was well acted and stirred up an emotion or two (even if it was a little histrionic, considering they'd just started dating). So I wasn’t throwing things at my television. Just confused.

I also basically dismissed their future relationship. They got home after like one date, not ten years of marriage. And now their lives will completely change. So I just kind of hand-waved it away. "It did its job for the episode, but the future's changed and they won't last. So whatever."

Headanons on Janeway’s romantic reasoning and original timeline reaction to C/7

Captain Janeway had no idea how long it would take to get back home. Obviously you hope for tomorrow, but it could be twenty years from now. She resigned herself to not pursue romance. Her sole purpose in life was to get the crew safely home.

So I speculate her reaction to C/7 would be quite stoic. She would recognize it’s not fair for him to just pine away, possibly forever. That she has made this choice and he shouldn't have to be alone because of it. Her being alone is just part of the price she must pay, the burden she must bear. Her own wants and needs must take a backseat. She has greater responsibilities.

In fact, I can see her encouraging C/7. She would see it as a form of selfless love. ‘It doesn’t matter that he’s with me; it matters that he’s happy.’ Of course feelings would rear their heads from time to time, but she would quickly corral them into that channel.

Lots of lovely internal martyrdom. She would make it her mission to make sure they were both okay and happy. A bit of a masochistic streak that she buries under a sense of nobility and sacrifice.

This is the kind of angle I think Mulgrew came to prefer. That lovely little tragic pang. She loves drama, if nothing else.

“It’s a lonely thing, but I’m gonna get this crew home.” - Kate Mulgrew

“You always made it hard for yourself. If there was a rocky path and a smooth one, you chose the rocky one every time.” - Coda

This is a woman with a lot of love to give. But finds herself, or perhaps unnecessarily forces herself, depending on your view, in a place where that’s not a possible life choice. So those instincts expand outward, enveloping them all. She finds fulfillment in the well-being of the crew and the ship as a whole. 

Post Endgame

Their trip was shortened by a lot because of Endgame. The future is no longer written in stone. So the possibilities are endless, the sky’s the limit. And apparently Seven’s a lesbian (I haven’t seen it, but I hear tell). So. There ya go. 

(She is crying here, btw. I never noticed before I did that episode and feel the need to point it out once again. Lest anyone else still not have noticed.) 

If you actually read this whole thing, congratulations. Hopefully it made sense. I now continue with my rewatch and probably won’t talk much about this in the future. Unless something new comes up, I’ll just continue to be a non-shipper with eyeballs, enjoying whatever’s around. 

LOVESICK LOVEDOLL by Yuya Sakurai

Lovesick Lovedoll by Takuya Angel is artificial roses which love to hate #DontBeSilent BLACKPINK is pigeon blood and Russian Blue narcissus I'm fed up with too many shitstorms in SNS Claustrophobia

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"The floor could disappear at this very moment, no one knows, and the laws of physics could change at any moment."

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GOD...PILL

I feel dizzy while cracking ghosts without the ice blue raison d'êtres with my boosted brain OS

[Are you Guilty?]

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Cult Trash

text by Yuya Sakurai Twitter @yuyasakurai illustration by ame Twitter @amello_rain

Finally watching The Wrath of Khan, I can see why it’s such a good stiry because it’s such a personal story for Kirk.

Huh. I can see how this movie is a core influence for Terry Matalas. Matalas is very much into parent and child relationships, and children lost to time and the parents meeting their children as adults.

In 12 Monkeys this is such a big thing that it’s happened 3– no, 4 times. (Each reveal I was surprised and loved, because Time Travel). In Picard season 3, TWoK is really an inspiration.

I am glad though that I watched Space Seed last year because this movie wouldn’t have resonated so much because this is a direct sequel to Wrath of Khan.

Khan’s made his vendetta towards Kirk, and Kirk hasn’t even thought of him in 15 years.

I kind of want Janeway to have this kind of villain, but other than the Borg Queen I can’t think of anyone who would pursue Janeway with this passion.

No, that is a lie. I can actually think of a few:

- Seska (Surprise! She’s alive and made it to the Alpha Quadrant!)

- Annorak from Year of Hell

Honestly though most of Janeway’s enemies are dead.

Kirk’s mistake was he didn’t check back on Khan when he left them marooned on a planet.

Also, I really like Kirk and Carol Marcus’s talking with each other.

If Star Trek Legacy goes to series, I have a feeling Matalas will also want to explore parent-child relationships.

Raffi has hers built in. Her son has to be more interesting though.

Seven has several parents to choose from: The Borg Queen/s, her (maybe not dead) parents.

And kids who she fostered, Mezoti especially.

Janeway is her own special place.

Sweden playlist

Goodness! The Swedish Chef is deliriously pleased with this Sweden playlist. Det här är otroligt! It’s not far off 350 songs. Can we get there? I think so. (I tried to get songs by Retaliation and 10,000 years, but maybe later when someone puts up those songs on Youtube). This is epic!

What songs and bands have I overlooked for this? I bet there’s plenty. Sweden is just oozing with so much talent and so many great bands. Listen to the playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-iHPcxymC1-HqTl9SJKkER2dKbR2NWkE Add your songs and suggestions. Tack! SWEDEN

001 The Muppet Show - Swedish Chef goes bezerk in the kitchen 002 Grand Magus -  Fear Is The Key 003 In Flames -  Pinball Map 004 Entombed - Like This With The Devil 005 Soilwork - Figure Number Five 006 The Divine Comedy - Sweden 007 Bathory - Reaper 008 ABBA - Take a Chance On Me 009 Therion - Gothic Kabbalah 010 Moloko - Indigo 011 Katatonia - I Break 012 Opeth - The Baying Of The Hounds 013 Sabaton -  Carolus Rex 014 Europe - Scream Of Anger 015 Jean-Louis Aubert - Stockholm 016 Blues Pills -  Jupiter 017 Amon Amarth  - The Pursuit of Vikings 018 Triakel - Alla Gossar (Swedish folk music ) 019 Arcana - As the End Draws Near 020 Kenta  Guldkorn  - Stockholm 021 Tiamat - Whatever That Hurts   022 AVATARIUM - The Starless Sleep 023 Spiritual Beggars  -  Star Born 024 Dismember - Dreaming In Red 025 Lasse Berghagen - Pomperipossa 026 In Solitude - Sister 027 Sahg III - Baptism of Fire 028 Ebba Grön - Mona Tumbas Slim Club 029 Nightingale -  The Dreamreader 030 Roxette - Dressed For Success 031 Ghost - Rats 032 Yngwie J. Malmsteen – Far Beyond The Sun 033 Candlemass - Crystal Ball 034 Bathory - Under The Runes 035 Orup - Stockholm 036 Katla - Embryo 037 Pugh Rogefeldt - hog farm 038 Trees of Eternity - Gallows Bird (feat. Nick Holmes) 039 Paatos - Shame 040 THE STRANGLERS  - SWEDEN 041 Katatonia - Brave   042 Brighter Death Now - No Salvation 043 Nationalteatern - Livet är en fest 044 Meshuggah -  Bleed 045 Sir Douglas Quintet  - Meet Me In Stockholm   046 Ulf Lundell - Stockholm City 047 In Mourning - Fire & Ocean 048 Dark Tranquillity - The Science Of Noise 049 Blue Swede - Hooked On a Feeling 050 Clawfinger - The Truth 051 John Coltrane - Dear Old Stockholm 052 The Hellacopters - In The Sign Of The Octopus 053 Hypocrisy -  a coming race 054 Carola - Mig Var Du Står 055 Bloodbath - Let The Stillborn Come To Me 056 Vapnet - Stockholm sett snett uppifran 057 Mercy - Im Your Pervert Priest 058 The Spotnicks - Hava Nagila 059 Vanhelgd - Allt Hopp ar Fobi 060 Mammoth Storm - Fornjot 061 Vomitory - redemption 062 Entrails - No Cross Left Unturned 063 Virna Lindt - Attention Stockholm 064 Night - Fire Across the Sky 065 Dungen dar -  Har du vart i Stockholm 066 The Hives - Hate To Say I Told You So 067 Sabaton - Gott Mit Uns 068 Svante Thuresson Och Totta Näslund - Stockholm Sweetnin' 069 Lake of Tears -  To Blossom Blue 070 Scott Walker - The Seventh Seal 071 Garmarna - Vänner och fränder   072 Stockholms Negrer - Det förlovade landet 073 Thåström - Ballad om en gammal knarkare 074 The Haunted - Godpuppet 075 Ordo Equilibrio - The First Harvest 076 Therion -  The Dreams Of Swedenborg 077 VINTERSORG - Fjällets mäktiga mur   078 Aeon - Aeons Black 079 Arckanum - Trulmælder 080 Edge of Sanity - Enigma   081 Scar Symmetry - The Illusionist 082 Tribulation -  Melancholia 083 Witchcraft - It's Not Because Of You 084 At The Gates - At The Gates 085 Unleashed - The One Insane 086 Candlemass - ancient dreams 087 Hasse Andersson - Guld och grona skogar   088 Crucified Barbara -  Electric Sky 089 Evergrey -  The Grand Collapse 090 Lord Belial - Bleed on the Cross 091 Hedningarna - Räven 092 Dismember - Pieces (with intro) 093 Entombed  - Sinners Bleed 094 MUSE - Stockholm Syndrome 095 Bathory - Valhalla 096 Gösta Berlings Saga - The Shortcomings Of Efficiency 097 Tiamat - The Ar 098 Oz - Turn the cross upside down 099 Grand Magus - I Am The North 100 Soilwork -  Light The Torch 101 Spiritual Beggars - Fools Gold 102 Stuck In Motion - Moon 103 Cult of Luna - Receiver 104 Arcana - A Cage 105 Memento Mori - The Seeds of Hatred 106 Wolfbrigade - Barren Dreams 107 Dr Zeke - Jag Ska Aldrig Dö 108 Yngwie Malmsteen - gimme gimme gimme (your lust after midnight) 109 Arch Enemy - Pilgrim 110 Torch - Watcher Of The Night 111 Magic - Vi drar på disco 112 Refused -  Elektra 113 Grave - Into The Grave 114 Lädernunnan - Ensam I Natt 115 The Orchard Enterprises - Fear Might Harm Self 116 Suma - Swordlord 117 Kulning - Ancient Swedish herdingcall 118 Bob Hund - Ska du hanga med Na 119 Dark Funeral - As One We Shall Conquer 120 Disfear - Get it off   121 Ghost -  From The Pinnacle To The Pit 122 Morbus Chron - Chains 123 Heavy Load - Traveller 124 Therion - Tuna 1613 125 Entombed -  Left Hand Path 126 Hearse - Mountain of the Solar Eclipse 127 Monolord - The Last Leaf 128 Night Viper - The Wolverine 129 Agrimonia - A World Unseen 130 Jonathan Hultén - Nightly sun 131 Diabolical Masquerade - Blackheim's Quest To Bring Back The Stolen Autumn 132 Army Of Lovers - Crucified 133 Dissection - Where Dead Angels Lie   134 Noctum _Liberty in Death 135 Europe - Open Your Heart 136 Darkane  - Secondary Effects 137 Candlemass - Codex Gigas 138 Bathory - Enter Your Mountain 139 ABBA - Ring Ring (Bara du slog en signal) Swedish Version 140 Watain - Malfeitor 141 Louise Lemón - Devil 142 Cult Of Luna - Vague Illusions 143 Diablo Swing Orchestra -  Black Box Messiah 144 Opeth - Nectar 145 Hills - Milarepa 146 Ceremonial Oath - The Book Of Truth 147 Dark Tranquillity - Silence And the Firmament Withdrew 148 Göteborg Sound - Björn Borg 149 In Flames -  Reflect The Storm 150 MESHUGGAH - Demiurge   151 Expiremental Pop Band - Gothenburg 152 Millencolin - polar bears 153 Hedningarna - Pornopolka 154 Ratata - Ogon Av Is Liv Utan Spanning   155 OBSCURITY - Roses With Thorns 156 Nifelheim - Sodomizer 157 Soilwork - One With The Flies 158 Gardenian - Netherworld 159 Cemetary - Sundown 160 Månegarm - Hemfärd 161 Garmarna - Herr Mannelig 162 YE BANISHED PRIVATEERS - First Night Back In Port   163 VINTERSORG - Svältvinter 164 SNOWY SHAW - Nachtgeist 165 Moloken - The Titan Above Us 166 BEWITCHED - HARD AS STEEL (HOT AS HELL) 167 The Night Flight Orchestra - Green Hills Of Glumslov 168 Vanhelgd - Gravens Lovsång 169 Marduk - Christraping Black Metal 170 Garbochock - Streberbarn 171 Negative Self - Back On Track 172 Nightingale - Sleep 173 Iggy Pop - Five Foot One 174 Owe Thörnqvist - Varm korv boogie 175 Candlemass - Elephant Star 176 Tiamat - Cold Seed 177 Dismember - Shadowlands 178 Hypocrisy - Penetralia 179 Therion - Melez 180 Yngwie Malmsteen - You Dont Remember Ill Never Forget 181 Woven Hand -  Swedish Purse 182 Roxette - Joyride 183 Wolf -  Skeleton Woman 184 Europe - Seven doors hotel 185 ABBA - Me Knowing Knowing Youse   186 Opeth - Ghost Of Perdition 187 Katatonia - I Am Nothing 188 Sabaton - Uprising 189 Bathory - Total destruction 190 Cult Of Luna - Owlwood 191 Cortex - Warrior Night 192 Trettioåriga Kriget - Krigssång 193 Lee Hazlewood A House Safe for Tigers 194 Dead Sleep - Back to black 195 Greenleaf  - Tides 196 The Crimson Shadows - When I'm Going Away 197 The Night Flight Orchestra - Transmissions 198 Anekdoten - Nucleus 199 Enhet För Fri Musik - Det Finns Ett Hjärta 200 In Flames - Jotun 201 Dungen - Ta det lugnt 202 Ghost - Ritual 203 Witchery - A Paler Shade of Death 204 Landberk - Tell 205 At The Gates - Blinded By Fear   206 Anna von Hausswolff - Epitaph of Theodor 207 Uran - Mr Piggy 208 Runemagick  Remnants of the Old 209 SKÁLD - Flúga 210 Sacramentum - Far Away from the Sun 211 Dawn - Malediction Murder 212 Nifelheim - No more life 213 Craft - The Cosmic Sphere Falls 214 Solitude Aeturnus -  Waiting for the Light 215 ARCH ENEMY - War Eternal 216 Nasum - Worldcraft 217 Insision - No Belief 218 The Oath - silk road 219 Shining - Förtvivlan Min Arvedel 220 Burst - I Exterminate The I 221 Bloodbound - Stormborn 222 Puissance - Love Incinerate 223 Electric Boys - All Lips 'n Hips 224 Exgenisis - Embers 225 Don Cherry - GamlaStan - The Old Town By Night 226 Raison D'etre -  Sub Specie Aeternitatis 227 Bloodbath  - Weak aside 228 Therion -  Opus Eclipse 229 Cult of Luna - I: The Weapon 230 Marduk - The Sun Turns Black as Night 231 Ragnar Grippe - Symphonic Songs: Part 1 232 Unanimated - From a Throne Below 233 Entombed - Hollowman 234 Grande Royale - Royale 235 PAGANIZER  - Soulless Feeding Machine 236 Bathory - Woman of Dark Desires 237 Paranorm - Critical Mass 238 Refused - The Deadly Rhythm 239 Golgata - Med din kyss kom mörkret 240 Ett Dödens Maskineri – ‘Låsta dörrar 241 MÖRK GRYNING - Fältherren   242 Daughter Chaos - The space born 243 BLUES PILLS - Rhythm In The Blood 244 LUCIFER - Ghosts 245 November - Mount Everest 246 Dissection - Night's Blood 247 Tøronto - Lights Out At Bedlam 248 ICE AGE - Breaking The Ice 249 Sweven - By Virtue of a Promise 250 Ghost-  Year Zero 251 TRIBULATION - Strange Gateways Beckon 252 Drain S.T.H. - Crack the Liar´s Smile 253 Horisont - Odyssey 254 Witchcraft - Snake 255 Kirstie Sarboe - Ein Student Aus Uppsala 256 Sodomisery - Reapers Key 257 Opeth - Under The Weeping Moon 258 Olle Adolphson - Gustav Lindströms visa 259 Therion - The Wild Hunt 260 Bloodbath - Bloodicide 261 Bathory - The Golden Walls of Heaven 262 Soilwork - Follow the Hollow 263 Magnus Härenstam - Huddinge, Tullinge, Tumba 264 OBSTRUKTION - Hopeless Path 265 Amon Amarth - The Way Of Vikings 266 Anguish - When the Ancients Dare to Walk 267 Palme sköt först - Spiders 268 Totalitär - Allt Är Inom Dig 269 Vassago - Sign of Vassago 270 Larma - Elitens Eskapism 271 ENSNARED - Anti-Prophet 272 Third Storm - Forgotten Deity 273 Chronic Decay - Ecstasy In Pain 274 Transport League - Man Sized Drain 275 Nasum - mass hypnosis 276 Inevitable End - Memento 277 Candlemass - Dancing in the Temple (Of the Mad Queen Bee) 278 Gadget - Remote 279 Sayyadina - Nothing 280 Coldworker - The Contaminated Void 281 Katatonia - Teargas 282 In Flames - Dead God in Me 283 Trial - Motherless 284 Watain - Satan's Hunger 285 Bewitched - Rise Of The Antichrist 286 Shining - Jag Är Din Fiende 287 In Solitude - Witches Sabbath 288 Comecon - The House That Man Built 289 Marduk - The Black Tormentor of Satan 290 Lifelover - M/s salmonella 291 Naglfar - Enslave the Astral Fortress 292 Sacrilege - Sweet Moment of Triumph   293 Spiritual Beggars - Monster Astronauts 294 Massgrav - Det Här Är Stockholm 295 IRON LAMB - Backstabbers 296 The Hives - Tick Tick Boom 297 Candlemass - Dark Reflections 298 Megatomb - Forbidden Altar 299 Entrails - Condemned to the Grave 300 Katatonia - Gateways of Bereavement 301 Träd, Gräs och Stenar - Sanningens Silverflod (Djungelns Lag) 302 Hammerfall - Let the Hammer Fall 303 Obnoxious Youth - Mouths Sewn Shut 304 GRAND MAGUS - Wolf God 305 Dark Funeral - Unchain my soul 306 Entombed - Say it in slugs 307 Amon Amarth - Runes to My Memory 308 Ghost - Absolution 309 Hypocrisy  - Dominion 310 Edge of Sanity - Darkday 311 Orbit Culture - North Star of Nija 312 Cemetary - Caress the Damned 313 DOZER - Through The Eyes Of Heathens 314 Grave - Now and Forever 315 ARCH ENEMY - Bury Me An Angel 316 Skraeckoedlan - Universam 317 Cult of Luna - I remember 318 Doris  Svensson - Did You Give The World Some Love Today, Baby 319 Svard - A Rift in the Green 320 Evergrey - Monday Morning Apocalypse 321 Lightbringer - Lightbringer in Sweden 322 Bastard Priest - ghouls of the endless night 323 Westkust - Cotton Skies 324 Maggot Heart - sex breath 325 Abruptum - De Profundis Mors Vas Consumet 325 Raised Fist - Flow 326 Makthaverskan - Antabus 327 Eternal of Sweden - Heaven's gate 328 Wolfbrigade - Fire Untamed 329 Fyfan - Intrangd Och Instangd 330 Opeth - Svekets prins 331 Martyrdöd - Hexhammeren 332 The Haunted - Liquid Burns 333 Dismember - Override of the Overture 444 Bathory - Under the Runes 666 Dark tranquillity - A Bolt of Blazing Gold

Play the songs here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-iHPcxymC1-HqTl9SJKkER2dKbR2NWkE

Next edition of Sweden playlist will have tracks from: God Macabre, Deutsch Nepal , Retaliation, In Slaughter Natives and 10,000 Years.

Some things my mother and I agree on about Seven of Nine in Picard

We were both super excited about Seven being a part of it cause we both love her character.

We weren't mentally prepared for watching her with Icheb and seeing her have to pull that trigger.

We agree that it makes sense that it was enviable she would leave Star Fleet. Her becoming a ranger is fucking awesome.

We both were super okay with her getting revenge justice on the bitch that caused Icheb's death... and we are not sorry about it.

Watching her kick ass in general is pretty much what we live for.

We both were hyped for her Borg Queen moment and loved every second of it. We love the Borg so much.

We both want to see her meet up with Janeway at some point, it just needs to happen okay!

She needs to be a permanent member of Picard's crew so we are hoping for it.

Now the ONE thing we don't agree on about Seven ...

Queer.

Queer Moment.

THAT IS A QUEER MOMENT!!!!!!

She insists that they are just good friends...

More like God damn Girlfriends mom.

9, 12, and 25 for any Star Trek of your choosing

9. Most disliked character(s)? Why?

Honestly, not into the Borg Queen. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE “First Contact” and Alice Krige killed it, but making the Borg ~sexy~ is... eh. The first time I saw the movie (11/22!!! Happy 24th birthday First Contact, now let me rag on you), I came away from it thinking the Borg Queen was metaphorical and only Data and Picard could see her because of the connection to the Borg -- like she was a kind of siren voice in the head of new drones luring them into giving themselves up. Which is cool! But that didn’t hold up to a second viewing, and certainly not to how she plays out in Voyager. Having her be an Actual Entity changed the nature of the Borg from this terrifying faceless, emotionless, reason-less entity without individuality into... well, a mindless army serving a single individual. Meh.

12. Is there an unpopular arc that you like that the fandom doesn’t? Why?

Hmmm... it’s hard to tell sometimes what’s an unpopular arc and what’s just “a lot of people hate this series,” but I like both the Xindi arc of Enterprise and the first season of Discovery. There’s actually some similarity to the reasons why people don’t like them, too -- Starfleet flagrantly sacrificing its principles for military reasons, the captain doing Morally Dubious Shit, and the biggest issue with mainstream Trek fans: iT’s NoT cAnOn!!1

However my single most unpopular take in my family is that I like the Klingon redesign in Discovery. I subscribe to the “Lord, give me canon or something better” prayer of hey, if we have more money to throw at this, let’s definitely make them look more alien and hire a dialogue coach. 

25. How would you end XXX/Would you change the ending of XXX?

Oooooh okay. So. Obvs, the series finales to change are Voyager and Enterprise, right?

Enterprise is easy! Sure, skip ahead to the start of the Federation -- that’s basically the finale we would’ve gotten if we’d had a full series run, cool cool cool. But framing it as a holodeck program wrecked it, and somehow managed managed to travel back to the mid-90s and ruin a perfectly good TNG episode in the process. So like... just make the plot of it the plot, let Trip live, and center it on the actual Enterprise characters. Dishes are done. 

The Voyager finale should just be like, a whole new thing, but I was thinking about the recent discussion of how the stakes are too small to justify Admiral Janeway’s actions. They’re especially too small for us, because we haven’t seen this tragic future for ourselves -- I mean, they could have shown us a Federation largely overrun by the Borg, but they gave us a cocktail party missing 3 people. And if Admiral Janeway shows up like “here check out this picture of THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE ASSIMILATED” we get to skip the 35 minutes of Janeway arguing with herself and we can rock and roll. 

But!! If we’re going to do a “Janeway gets the chance to change the past” thing... and let’s assume they for fuck’s sake knew how the series would end at the beginning of the season so could set this up... why not create an episode that centers the actual point of the series. I want to see Janeway look in the face of the positive impact this ship has had on the Delta Quadrant and make the choice a second time, knowing everything, with her crew united behind her, to destroy the array and strand the ship. And then get them home, even if it time-skips forward a few years, and show! us! the damn! parade!! Let me see Harry Kim’s parents hug him PLEASE, show us Tom Paris proudly showing his kid off to his dad, fucking go FULL ON end of Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey and give me Janeway reuniting with her old dog. 

And? Don’t stone me, but I don’t actually want a romantic resolution for Janeway, because both J/C and J/7 fans should get to go on living. But I want some scenes man, give me the SCENES. Seven should thank her, and I demand one warmly reciprocated hug. And as Voyager flies toward Earth, give me J/C giving each other a Meaningful, She’s Kind Of Teary-Eyed, He’s Kind Of Star-Eyed Look on the Bridge, and they hold hands with a smile that speaks of The Future Is Now. The whole thing ends with a pop of champagne, the whole team raising their glasses together, and toasting “To the journey.”

It’s a work in progress, but like. Yeah. Change that Voyager finale please.

(salty asks)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Beverly Crusher/Jean-Luc Picard, Raffi Musiker/Seven of Nine, Jack Crusher (Star Trek: Picard)/Narissa | Lieutenant Rizzo Characters: Jack Crusher (Star Trek: Picard), Jean-Luc Picard, Beverly Crusher, Seven of Nine, Raffi Musiker, Cristóbal Rios, Agnes Jurati, Soji Asha, Elnor (Star Trek), Narissa | Lieutenant Rizzo, Narek (Star Trek), Laris (Star Trek), Zhaban (Star Trek), Liam Shaw, Original Romulan Character(s), Borg Queen (Star Trek), Q (Star Trek), Data (Star Trek) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Family Drama, Unconventional Families, Families of Choice, Team as Family, Romulan Culture (Star Trek), Tal Shiar (Star Trek), Zhat Vash (Star Trek), The Borg, Time Travel, Complicated Relationships, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Domestic Violence, Childhood Trauma, Psychological Trauma, Neurodiversity, Slow Burn, Idiots in Love, Enemies to Lovers, Other Additional Tags to Be Added Series: Part 3 of Chateau Picard Summary:

"Time offers many opportunities, but it rarely offers second chances."

[a retelling of S2 with elements of S3]

Vines

Chapter two is up: Welcome to 2024! Jack and Narissa settle into Los Angeles while the rest of the crew makes plans in La Barre.

The Drop