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emmabirb8 · 9 months

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Ok ok, crazy batshit s5 finale prediction time:

What if they pull a Romeo and Juliet?

Like, the Reveal is made to Nandor and, true to his word, he reluctantly battles Guillermo with the intent to kill him. (And GOD, gifting us with yet another Nandermo physical fight would just be sooo *chef's kiss* but with a potential added layer of angst? DELICIOUS) Anyway, during this fight something Dramatic happens where maybe Nandor actually gets in a good hit and Guillermo is passed out and seemingly dead, so Nandor goes to stake himself (or kill himself in some other vampire-y way).

At this point, I think it could go one of two ways:

Either Guillermo wakes up just in time to stop Nandor (and he subsequently decides to leave the house and live somewhere else to avoid this complicated mess and spare them both the heartache tho obv that won't last)

OR - and this is where the truly batshit part comes in -

Nandor actually succeeds in killing himself. He is dead dead. Like, a pile of dust dead. And Guillermo wakes up and fucking PANICS and the rest of the household starts freaking out too, and just when it seems like all hope of reviving him is lost-

the Djinn suddenly decides to reappear.

Only there's a problem: his most recent "master" is now dead. Nandor did have one wish left, but technically speaking, the Djinn has no obligation to grant it to anyone else left standing in the room. (And in fact, he might be forbidden to grant the wish to anyone but Nandor depending on how Djinn magic rules work.)

The episode then of course cuts off just before we find out whether a wish is made or not.

And Nandor's undecided fate is therefore our cliffhanger of the season. 😈

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ryuuaka713 · 3 years

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Soukoku & The Red Camellias

Ok, I have been thinking a lot of this lately, so I am just gonna let this all out.

You guys know this official art, right? Right?

This is literally one of my most favorite SKK official art. Like I legit thought that this is a fan-art until I saw an entire comment section in pinterest basically summarizing: “I can’t believe this is NOT a fanart”. I literally lost my shit that day because MY GOD this is so CLOSE! I’ve been in the BSD fandom since January, and I have been obsessing over Soukoku since Dead Apple.

But anyway, this official art--I showed this to my sister who has no idea what the anime is about, and I wanted an opinion from an outsider in regards of this official art just for the fun of it. And guess what she said: Apart from being GAY, she thinks that their relationship is almost similar to Romeo and Juliet (YEP! HER EXACT WORDS!). It is interesting, not just because these two act more like an aggressive version of R&J (or the anti-thesis of it), it is also the fact that the more I looked into this pic, the more I can see the whole bitter-sweetness to it.

So I decided to look up the meaning of Camellia flowers in which these two have been associated with by the fandom.

(OK, the next thing I am going to say will be something that not everyone will like. But please, hear me out)

I notice a lot of people (shippers to be precise), say that the Camellias represent love, desire, and longing. This meaning is based on WESTERN interpretation. But what about the JAPANESE symbolism of it?

In the Wikipedia version for the Hanakotoba (Japanese Floriography) the (Red) Tsubaki (the Japanese name for the Camellia) is indeed associated with “Love” (not far from the Western interpretation), but what’s interesting is that it also says: “Perishing with Grace”. Ok, Wikipedia is not entirely reliable, so I decided to do more research, and from what I’ve gathered, the Camellias are associated with Love (Again, derived from Western influence or the source is not that reliable), Divinity, and finally--Death.

So technically speaking, the reason why Tsubaki is associated with the divine is that it is used in tea ceremonies because it does not interfere with the scent of tea. Furthermore, it somehow evokes a sense of sacredness (whether directly to a Kami or not) to it, and you can see why this is almost in the same threshold as the Cherry Blossoms in terms of Japanese associations. Indeed, the Tsubaki is called the “Japanese Rose”, and very much like the Cherry Blossoms, these flowers carry a heavy meaning--Death.

Brutal as this may sound, I think the subject of Death behind the flowers is something that connects the most to Soukoku.

But before I go over that, it should be known that the Tsubaki is associated with “Noble Death”--this comes from the imagery of how the buds of the flower, when wilted, falls as a whole immediately instead of petal by petal. And many called this blossom as a form of “bad luck” because it resembles Decapitation. With that being said, the Tsubaki can be related as a symbolic imagery of a Samurai’s death (since the process of their execution involves having their heads cut off). And thus, it should emphasize the unwavering loyalty of the warrior (it makes sense as to why the petals are intact with the bud--but this is just my interpretation), and why the flower symbolizes a “noble death”.

Now what does got to do with Soukoku?

This applies more to Chuuya as the whole “sacredness”/”divinity” of the Tsubaki can be easily associated with the fact that he possessed the God of Calamity. And because Corruption means total destruction, Chuuya’s fate is literally death like what the Tsubaki implies. However, what I find even more interesting is that after reading how these flowers are associated with the samurai, this is very similar to Chuuya’s case. Chuuya in BSD is the personification of loyalty, specifically to the PM.

With his relationship with Dazai, it is a little bit different since Chuuya never wants to be his Dog (the most common symbol of loyalty). But what’s interesting enough is that he remains--CONSTANTLY trusts Dazai. In other words, he knows his motivations, trusts him, and would immediately jump into action. Chuuya would go as far as using the very thing that will kill him while keeping in mind that Dazai has a plan (e.g. Dead Apple). With that being said, this is exactly why Chuuya is the one who seems to be watching over Dazai while the latter is sleeping in the official art above. And the fact that the flower just rests on his open palm is well-connected to the aesthetic and “grace” of the Tsubaki. Chuuya’s corruption is brutally horrible, but the concept of his loyalty and trust is something that we can at least admire about him.

What about Dazai? Well, this is the part where things get a little complicated. One thing for sure, the whole death symbolism can be easily associated to his suicidal tendencies. But even so, this is still tied up (literally and figuratively speaking) to his relationship with Chuuya. Dazai said that his ideal suicide should be “clean and proper”--in other words, without burdening anyone. And yet, his death will always be tethered to Chuuya’s. This is seen when they are 15 when Rimbaud proposed that he must kill both Chuuya and Dazai to protect his crimes. This is again brought up in (SPOILERS!!!) Stormbringer when Mori brings up that if Dazai decides to give up and die, no one would save Chuuya (END SPOILERS!!!). In short they are inseparable.

And because of that, Dazai can see how he can easily influence the fate of his partner-- the very same person who is prone to death despite his desire to live. Thus, one of the reasons why he fights side by side with Chuuya. it is not just Chuuya’s complete trust in him that makes their partnership effective, but it is also his recognition of the boy’s desire to live. And that’s why we have this official art:

In this official art, it is not as delicate as the first one, but we see the Camellias again. This time, it is Dazai holding the flowers, and he is clutching them in his fists. Personally, I see this as him grasping to that life-line while Chuuya is using corruption. While Chuuya, his corruption and the camellias are about the concept of potential death, in Dazai’s case--the camellia serves as a “reminder of death” (not the actual death). Thus, why he is clutching them. After all, he recognizes that Chuuya doesn’t want to die (unlike him). Not to mention, Chuuya would willingly lay down his life to him (and vise versa). In other words, it just shows that with the symbolism of the Tsubaki, both characters--despite the “hate” they have for each other--are always connected, and it is through Death. Death because of their circumstances, or because of their characterizations.

Furthermore, the complexity of Tsubaki being this beautiful flower that is considered as sacred, a love token, and a symbolic imagery of death--parallels so much with the complexity of their relationship. I am not going to dive in further with the analysis of their relationship since I know a handful of people who are excellent in doing that. But what I’m saying here: the Camellias are not only a love token, the same way you can’t say that Dazai and Chuuya’s relationship is like a love-hate relationship (it is way more complicated than that).

With that being said, there is bittersweet connotation in their relationship. It is Romeo and Juliet in a sense that they are connected by tragedy, regardless whether they are in the same organization or not.

And that’s it, thanks for reading my ted-talk!

#soukoku #dazai osamu #nakahara chuuya #dazai x chuuya #bsd #bungou stray dogs #bsd analysis #skk

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alleyskywalker · 3 years

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Ok for the ship pros and cons, completely random: Tyvolio, Romercutio, Rombalt and R/J <3

Tyvolio

Pros:

Enemies to lovers and this version is compatible with Romercutio ;)

I’ve enjoyed your commentary on like how they’re kinda parallels and foils at the same time - their personalities make them opposites and the feud fuels that, but there are similarities in like...their position relative to their families and stuff. I think those can be interesting dynamics to explore in a ship on the meta side.

Ok so Benvolio canonically has/had a dog, so we can assume he’s a dog person. And it’s pretty accepted that Tybalt is a cat person...can you imagine them moving in together with their respective pets and the pets do...the stereotypical cats-and-dogs thing? xD IDK this is really stupid but I find it funny.

Cons:

Subjective con, but basically neither of them are characters I’m very invested in in their individual capacity.

I like...really struggle to imagine how this would actually work? Like the emotional logic? How would they even go about falling in love? I’m cool with the ship like in theory, but I have a really hard time to imagining how the getting together/falling in love part would work.

Rombalt

Pros:

Enemies to lovers with a character I care about lol. Also a true Opposites Attract (TM).

I mean, if we’re gonna have an R/J type story, we just as might make it gay.

This one is a lot easier for me to imagine that Tyvolio bc... Well, Romeo is just Soft and is canonically willing to give Tybalt the benefit of the doubt (and frankly, probably would even without the Juliet thing). And because it’s a true opposites attract type thing, I can see Romeo winning Tybalt over by just being a sweetheart, even if it would take time and some external circumstances. I feel like Romeo is smol in a way Benvolio isn’t and that would trigger Tybalt’s protective instincts, etc.

(Ok also...Tybalt knows Romeo at the party by the sound of his voice. Who knows people they don’t regularly hang out/talk with by how their voice sounds unless they’re some obsession going on there?)

I kinda like a tropey slash ship of Dark Cynical and Dangerous/Sweet Smol Boi from time to time. (Even better that there’s a Twist because Romeo can actually be hella snarky. I mean he keeps up with Mercutio no problem.) I mean is it a bit Beauty and the Beast? Yea... Do I still enjoy it now and again with the right ship? Unfortunately, also yes.

The potential for this to become Romtycutio, which to me, is an OT3 inferior only to the Montacrew OT3.

Cons:

Given that Tybalt’s reaction to Romeo in canon is Murder makes the whole thing a little suspect? Like I can see this going/being very dark very easily. And I respect the dark!fic crowd but it’s not really my thing for ships.

Romeo Deserves Better

Romeo/Juliet

Pros:

It can be cute? Like I can certainly imagine that if they got to know each other and had a relationship it could have worked out very well.

A het ship where the guy is very specifically coded as having more feminine feelings/reactions about it.

Cons:

I’m sorry but Love At First Sight is a trope I gag at (and find entirely unrealistic and, frankly, boring).

We don’t really get to see their relationship? We don’t get to see how/why they work together? We get little glimpses, but I always feel like the “understand each other immediately” is more headcanons than canon. (Granted, they vibe well with banter at the party and stuff.)

Related to everything above, it just feels like it’s about lust. Like we’re TOLD it’s about love but Romeo constantly sighing over how beautiful she is and Juliet being explicitly horny as she waits for Romeo...Like, you two just really wanna fuck. And yea that’s normal, they’re teenagers. But like...I don’t care.

Romercutio

Pros:

Best friends to lovers!

Loyalty kink!

I’m not saying that one person has to die for the other for it to be romantic or anything...but self-sacrifice can easily hit an id sweet spot for me.

Opposites Attract in a lot of ways but like...in a somewhat more normal/realistic way than Rombalt.

Banter! Their banter is so cute!

And they are so clearly on each other’s wavelength and know each other and each other’s boundaries so well. I have no idea how people read the banter in Act 2 Scene 4 and interpret it as...a legitimate argument or something? It’s so clearly banter and banter they’re both delighted with. It’s nearly incomprehensible and I’ve seen different interpretations in different editions’ line notes, which is likely just a factor of reliance on slang and cultural references which have to some extent been lost, but I like to think (headcanon?) it also being a matter of them having way too many inside jokes. But it definitely that connection where the two people say ostensibly mean or offensive things to each other but they’re actually not mean or offensive because they’re so tuned into each other that none of it crosses a line or is interpreted as anything other than joking around.

They just generally feel very compatible to me, all things considered. AND their chemistry on the page is through the roof.

This dynamic has similar vibes to the whole Prince and His Knight thing I talked about with Danatole, even if technically it isn’t, since they’re likely social equals more or less.

There’s a lot of potential for BOTH softness and fluff and adoration AND drama and interpersonal conflict and stuff. This ship is so versatile.

While this is also a con, as we will see below, there is a certain high romantic potential to the story of the faithful unrequited love for a friend, who is too oblivious to Realize, that ends in sacrifice and tragedy. it’s sad but...it’s very emotionally compelling to me.

The UST could be so delicious.

And honestly, I don’t see a case for a reading of the play as having Mercutio-is-gay subtext without also reading it as having Mercutio-is-pining-for-Romeo subtext.

Cons:

Oof the canon...it does come off very one-sided. Like at absolute best, Romeo’s feelings would have to be very suppressed. And while I’m not one of those assholes who’s out here implying that unrequited love is somehow less love than requited love, it’s just so terribly sad :( And you have to work around the canon het and stuff to get them together in fic, basically needing an AU. Unless, I guess, it’s a were-together-then-broke-up situation which is EVEN SADDER NO. And they don’t really come off as exes to me (while Tycutio does).

#romeo and juliet #tyvolio #rombalt #romercutio #romeo x juliet #shipping #asked and answered #op

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natman1924 · 6 years

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AU Masterpost

here’s a shit ton of hetalia AUs, they’re mostly Spamano with fem Romano cause I just frickin love her

So first there’s Some Hero/Villain AUs...I have four variations

1) The most expansive is definitely my hero au centered around a huge organization that’s definitely a combo of the x men and the justice league. it’s introduced through the training process for some up and coming teens with powers that show potential, including Alfred, Mattie, Feli, Ludwig, Natalya (Belarus), and Emil (Iceland). they’re trained and recruited mainly by Antonio who’s kind of a big deal plus Gilbert and Francis, but is mostly supported by his partner (NOT sidekick) Lovina. There’s a lot of angst and drama, Lovi has a sad backstory with some scandal and romance with a bunch of pairings thrown in. I really, really want to take time to really develop it and write/blog about it!

2) Basically the next three are just kind of mixes and matches of each other. first, Antonio has taken up vigilante justice for shits and gigs and is patrolling one night when he stumbles across two guys creeping on Lovina after her shift at a nightclub. But surprise surprise, Lovina is a feisty little fucker and takes them down herself, and then accidentally pepper sprays Antonio when he still comes over to make sure she’s ok. and thus a friendship blossoms. basically things happen and when Antonio is getting famous, Lovina is seen with him and associated with him, which leads to her being constantly harassed over a man whose name she doesn’t even know. Drama.

3) Next, Antonio is once again our hero, but sadly Lovina has taken up a life of crime. forced to take out loans from a mob boss (either Turkey or Russia; leaning toward Turkey) to pay her for her brother’s medical bills, Lovina is forced to repay her debts by stealing for her boss, becoming an infamous jewel thief. think Batman and Catwoman dynamic, but Antonio is just a much happier person.

4) Last, same back story with Lovina, but instead, Antonio is the lead detective trying to catch her. Basically, Lovi and Feli are downsizing and moving into a new apartment, Antonio offers to help being the gentleman he is, asks Lovi out, and Feli basically accepts for her (not knowing just who Antonio is). Lovina goes on some dates to “throw off her scent” but really is catching feelings and doesn’t want to admit. basically Lovi trying to find a way out of her situation without hurting the first person she’s ever cared about besides her brother

Ok wow moving onto some historical fiction stuff

1) So one of my favorites is my speakeasy AU. Here, Alfred and his half brother Matthew own and run a speakeasy in New York City during the 1920s. They’re helped by italian siblings Feliciano and Lovina, who Al and Matt met on the streets of Italy during a vacation. Love propositioned herself to them because she and Feli lost everything and feeling bad for them (and in need of some Italians to get on the good side of their suppliers back home), Matt and Al take the two back to the states with them. Gilbert and Ludwig are two cops that don’t get stupid American laws, so they help the speakeasy out by helping keep everything covered up. Lots of Prucan, Arthur featured as a bartender, and Lovi’s got a secret she left behind in Italy. it’s great.

2) Another pretty expansive AU is this neat 60s/supernatural AU I have. So Alfred is looking for his brother Matthew and accidentally stumbles upon this underground, supernatural world where all sorts mystical creatures and people live. Gilbert (Vampire) and Francis (Demon) take the poor guy in and try to help him figure things out/hide him because NO NON MAGICAL HUMANS ALLOWED. Eli’s a siren along with Lovina, who is with Antonio, who is a recently turned werewolf (it’s been less than 2 years). other guests in crude wizard (or maybe fairy, I haven’t decided yet) Arthur, genie Sadiq (Turkey), Witch Liz (Hungary) and a couple more I haven’t quite nailed down yet. also great.

3) I also have a Mafia AU set in the late 60s. pretty basic, Lovina is the prodigy granddaughter of a mob boss, Antonio works for their rival, essentially another Romeo and Juliet. Lots of bantering and real character development. parallels to West side story. good stuff.

And then some other random ones

1) frick yeah zombie AU. Antonio, Gilbert, Francis, and Ludwig against the world. Throw in the italians, Alfred and Mattie on a farm, and a brit with kids and you get one wild ride.

2) This isn’t an AU, but I’ve mulled over Gilbert’s transition from cold war to post Berlin Wall. I have an arch imagined for him that brings Prucan in in a really nice and natural way. just thought I’d throw that out there.

Lastly, this isn’t an AU so much as a love project for fem Lovi. I’ve pretty much got a giant character arch for her as a woman and a nation. yes there are other female nations, but I feel developing the story of a nation like south Italy that has been used and passed around is only more interesting, heartbreaking, and inspiring from the perspective of a woman. blast me for that if you want, but I just want more strong woman written about and represented. sorry not sorry.

there’s more underdeveloped ones that I want to get into later. like so many more. thnx for listening.

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misscrawfords · 6 years

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The Force Awakens Rewatch: Part 2

See Part 1.

So I actually have less to say about the second half of the film, perhaps because a lot of it is following on from themes and characters already introduced and discussed in the first half and not much happens that is surprising. Perhaps also because I’ve had two glasses of reeeeeally nice wine and my head is buzzing and I’m listening to Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella and they’re telling me that it’s impossible for a country bumpkin and a prince to join in marriage. (”But the world is full of zanies and fools who don’t believe in sensible rules”…)

I’m sorry, where was I? Ah yes, Takodama…

- Hux. Already mentioned him separately, but, like, literally, what is the appeal? He is coded as a Nazi with no redeemable features whatsoever. I mean, by all means like him if you want. Fans can like who they want! But I see nothing to like. I mean, the First Order needs people like Hux, but fan favourite? I don’t get it at all.

- OK, I’m now listening to The Pursuit (”I just know I will find you, you’re the girl of my dreams and the thrill is more than I can bear”) and it’s making me think about Kylo going after Rey. I mean, this bit on Takodama (as others have said before and in much more detail) is another example of Kylo Ren the Dark Side Fail. He goes off on his own, abandons his mission when it would be so easy for him to take the droid and the girl and then drops his guard down to sweep Rey up into his arms. I mean, wtf? Again, we have an example of Kylo being just as young and earnest and naive as Finn and Rey. Also, what is up with what his attitude to her? That famous shot of him standing behind her with his lightsaber pointed over her shoulder? It’s such a weird position to take unless you’re meant to think of phallic symbolism tbh. Not wholly convinced by the Romeo and Juliet theme when he’s carrying her onto the ship - maybe for one bar. But the music when they leave is an epic version of Rey’s theme and that’s nice.

- Sticking with Kylo and Rey for now, the interrogation scene. I mean, so much has been written on this I’m not going to attempt anything detailed. Kylo’s removal of his helmet is shocking and deliberate and honestly, if they didn’t want people to think he was a dark prince and a Byronic antihero they probably should have cast somebody different. This isn’t being superficial, it’s being realistic. And that scene is not some massive scene of horrific abuse. I mean, COME ON. Stop saying everything is abuse! Yes, he tries to get in her mind, a fascinating experience for him and his emotions are so clear on his face. And then she stops him! This moment is all about Rey coming to terms with the Force. She blocks him out and then turns the tables. This is a fantasy. Mind reading is a fantasy thing. If they wanted to show this as a metaphor for rape, they would have presented this very differently. What we are clearly meant to take from this scene is that Rey is Kylo’s equal, that she is able to turn the tables on him, that she is awakening to her Force potential, and that he is not at all the monster he appears and is deeply affected by what he sees in her. Remember, the next time we see Rey, she manages to Force control two guards. Is Rey acting like someone who has just been brutally violated or as someone who has awoken to her own power? I’ll leave the answer to that with you. Anyway, it’s an incredibly compelling scene; I remember barely breathing through it when I first saw it in the cinema.

- The Han/Leia scenes are so beautiful and it’s lovely to even have these brief scenes of a mature couple and a little insight into the complexity of their relationship. And how can anyone think that this trilogy isn’t about the soul of Ben Solo/Kylo Ren? I mean, literally every character exists in relation to him and his decisions. I’m not trying to lessen the importance of Rey and Finn as heroes but Kylo and the possibility that he could be brought back to the light is the glue that holds the entire plot together.

- Starkiller base. Han’s death is so predictable. I mean, not predictable exactly, but it is not a twist - it’s set up very well so there’s not much to say about it. But Kylo is weakened immediately. The physical weakening from the bolt from Chewie and then Finn and eventually Rey are a symbol of his mental and emotional weakness. Making him stronger, my foot!

- The fight in the woods… I mean, everyone goes on about the interrogation scene and I do get that, but this is the sequence that does it for me. I really think the moment when the lightsaber nearly whacks Kylo in the face and Rey catches it is THE most important moment in the film. This is the moment Rey accepts her destiny for the second time. The first is when she uses the Force on the guards. Both times are inextricably linked to Kylo. But anyway, yes, this is Rey accepting the call to adventure properly. The look on her face as she glances between the lightsaber and Kylo as the music swells with the Force theme is just so beautiful and full of wonder and Kylo’s face is absolutely amazing. It’s not a look of “oh crap, she’s got a lightsaber” it’s a look of “oh wow, she has my lightsaber and it’s the best thing that’s happened all day”. Then they both ignite their sabers and you just think that this is where they have met their match and everything in their lives so far has led towards them facing each other like this. I could watch this 30 seconds or so of film over and over again (AND GUESS WHAT, I JUST HAVE). Then the fight starts in earnest and it’s interesting to look at it in contrast to Kylo and Finn’s fight. In both fights, they get right up and close to each other but Kylo and Finn seem to be just struggling together, Kylo and Rey take the opportunity for Kylo to offer to train her - he’s not trying to attack her properly - she’s the one on the offensive. And in fact, he actually starts teaching her here. He is the one mentions the Force and that is the catalyst for her to close her eyes and centre herself in the Force and gain enough control to actually push him back and control the fight. And that leads them to them being locked together, not with lightsabers but actually clutching each others’ arms like an embrace, with their lightsabers stretching one from the other and both facing the same way. It’s a really, really interesting few seconds because you could almost be mistaken for thinking they are working together. Yes, they are opposite each other, but they’re not pushing against each other. They struggle and then their lightsabers align with each other - red to the bottom, blue pointing upwards, and their faces are pointing in the same direction and they’re grabbing the other’s arms. All I’m saying is, this is a really different fight scene, especially compared to the Kylo and Finn fight and filled with a different kind of tension. I mean, there are several seconds where Rey has her eyes closed and everything goes completely calm and he’s just staring at her.

- Just to reiterate, in case you didn’t read that massive paragraph, it’s really interesting how both of the occasions when Rey uses the Force are enabled by Kylo. In other words, he is not responsible for her awakening (or is he?) but he is already teaching her to an extent. He invades her mind which allows her to fend him off, block him and invade his mind in turn. This then somehow gives her the understanding that she can manipulate the guards using the Force. He also reminds her that she can fight with the Force using the lightsaber. Thanks, Kylo! Rey’s use of the Force is intimately linked to Kylo Ren.

- Finn and Poe belong together. FIGHT ME ON THIS. What else is the purpose of the jacket line, Finn’s admiration of “one hell of a pilot” and the beautiful Regency dancing twirling camera work. Seriously. I’m torn because Rose looks like a great character but if she erases the potential of Finn/Poe then that will be such a lost opportunity. There is no way Poe is not gay and I headcanon Finn as bi because he does kind of have a crush on Rey. It’s all so beautiful.

- Rey and Leia’s hug makes me so emotional. Women comforting women! Unspoken understanding! Rey gets a mother figure from a woman who has lost her child! It’s so beautiful and sad.

- Finn and Rey remain an absolutely glorious relationship and I ship them platonically to the ends of the earth. And I really don’t think that is somehow lesser than shipping them romantically. For Finn and Rey to have a friend whom they love is the most amazing and important thing. A real friend > a romantic partner any day. I mean, come on. They’ve had nobody and now they have each other. It makes me so happy.

- I’m coming round increasingly to Rey Kenobi. Considering this is a SW trilogy, it makes sense that we should have a Kenobi in there somewhere and Rey’s use of the Force on those guards is extremely suggestive of Obi-Wan’s abilities. It really seems like a massive hint. It would be a great revelation, would link her in to the Skywalker saga, provide opportunities for even more parallels and contrasts, but also not force a relationship between her and the Skywalkers and Solos that would mean Han, Luke and Leia have conveniently forgot they had a child and never talk about it which is just stupid.

Anyway, that was my TFA re-watch and it was tremendous fun! It’s a great film and reading all the meta I’ve been reading recently has only enhanced it. My impressions are slightly different to when I saw it first in the cinema and overall slightly more positive because I’m seeing clever things in, for instance, the parallels with ANH, rather than being irritated by them. And considering how it sets up for TLJ adds a layer to what is going on and being suggested in this film.

Things that still confuse/annoy me:

- The relationship between Hux and Kylo and Snoke and the First Order and the Knights of Ren. How do they all fit together? I do not know. I am confused.

- Rey’s background???????? Lor San Tekka???????

- How did the First Order even arise and become so powerful in the relatively short period of time following the defeat of the Empire? It’s basically an Empire clone and I’m still a bit annoyed they went down that route for the sequel trilogy rather than do something original and deal with the fallout from the defeat of the Empire in a different way. Like, if the Empire was meant to imply the Nazis, then surely the sequel could do a metaphorical Cold War and that could be really interesting. This is where the parallels with ANH do still annoy me.

#star wars #reylo #kylo ren #rey #okay apparently I did have a lot to say #I mention rape and Nazis in this post #so maybe avoid if that's a trigger #meta

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tinkdw · 7 years

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The future - and it is showing us this loud and clear

This episode was amazing. After flailing and basically shouting all day I am so happy and so excited that I joined tumblr - the quality of posts today has been excellent, both humorous and inciteful and I LOVE YOU ALL :)

I hope its ok I’m going to tag a few great posts in this to reference as I don't want to go over stuff other people have already meta-d about so excellently!

This episode, titled the future, seems to me to be Dabb basically telling us what he wants for the next part of the show, the “better way” that he wants to take it.

So here are my main bullet points that I will expand on a little below and link those excellent posts to where relevant:

A. Sam

Sam is clearly portrayed again, recurrently as the researcher, the “brains” of the operation (before you say ‘Dean is so clever though!’ I’m just pointing out Sam’s love of the scholarly side of things and how this is where he fits). Sam’s endgame must now be to head up the MoL/hunter network in this respect.

B. Sam and Dean

They work so well as a team here, Sam putting a tracker in Cas’s phone while he’s distracted by Dean, researching v whatever Dean was doing (maybe making a pining mixtape along the lines of “all by myself” and “I miss you” “please come home”, BUT they are shown as different people, with different interests, skills and relationships - with Cas for example, & not codependent. Again hammering this home in this episode. THANK YOU DABB, GLYNN & BERENS.

C. THE RECURRING AND CONSISTENT NARRATIVE OF DESTIEL.

This whole episode is one big love fest. We went from one ‘wow I can't believe they just did that!’ to the next to the next with hardly enough time for us to catch out breath! WHAT WAS THIS EPISODE?!

OK, so we have :

1. My Romeo & Juliet / Gaze up Trope Balcony Meta.

2. The Mixtape Meta, another EXPLICIT romantic trope by @drsilverfish.

3. The Dean “keep it” parallels, the first one that came to my mind was Arwen (another human+ / eternal being who decided to relinquish immortality couple):

Aragon: this belongs to you. Arwen: keep it, it was a gift… it is mine to give to whom I will, like my heart.

But also all the other ‘gift’ tropes, the standard romantic trope that when a couple breaks up you return the gifts.... I think Cas wasn’t sure he was going to be forgiven, after Dean’s outburst in the war room, so he goes to return the cassette, but Dean does forgive him nearly instantaneously, which actually makes it even worse that he has to steal the colt straight after...

5. The difference between Sastiel and Destiel again emphasised, more and more this season. I don't think I even have to detail this, just, basically the whole episode shows this.

6. This magnificent gifset by @magnificent-winged-beast which shows the difference between Dean’s angst at actually watching the colt get destroyed and the potential killing of Cas...

Slight aside - Performing!Dean.

This magnificent gifset that shows Dean’s facade coming down, he doesn't even attempt to make it sound less ‘gay’ when he tells Sam that Cas came to his room, played him and took the colt from his secret hiding place under his pillow, he even looks down before he says it like he KNOWS how it is going to sound but says it anyway.

source: @yourfavoritedirector.

And Sam doesn't even flinch. YES THANK YOU DABB, GLYNN & BERENS!

4. SO...WHY is Dean still doing everything he did for Cas during this episode and still defending him to Sam even though he appeared pissed and Cas repeatedly betrayed him?

Well, in 12x12 Cas said “I love you”, clearly understood by Dean (and Sam to be directed at Dean). There was no real reciprocation though from Dean, other than Dean family-zoning him and Sam’s fantastic “we are doing this for you, Cas”.

So regarding Dean, Cas is hurt and believes it isn't reciprocated. Now Dean is pissed and still using the WE card at every turn, so what is a celestial being to do? Cas assumes this is the end, that there is no hope, he returns the mixed tape. BUT Dean says no keep it, this is NOT the end.

Cas understands that this is therefore not the end, but it is complicated. He explains that he wanted to “come back with a win for you.... for myself”. He wants this for Dean and for himself, this is very important, everything he is doing now and in the future is NOT all about Dean, there is his own agency and morality involved here too.

For Cas, when it comes to it, he wants this reciprocation of his love of course, but right now he has bigger fish to fry and really he wants to protect Sam and Dean and save the world.

Now, going back to the “what the hell is wrong with you man?” followed by an awkward silence.... and where Cas then goes to return the gift. Yes, Cas feels that he has said his piece in 12x12 and is rebuffed, but meanwhile Dean is struggling with what Cas has said and everything else that is going on. He has a lot on his plate, not only Cas but his own personal history, his deep seated issues that he is clearly working on this season (see all the performing!Dean facade crumbling meta going around), his issues around his mother, the BMoL, Lucifer, the nephilim.... I mean that is a lot for an emotionally healthy person let a lone DEAN WINCHESTER.

Dean is trying to say / show how he feels he’s just rubbish at it, but he's getting better!

“We?” “Yes dumbass, WE.” This is his forgiveness. And it is betrayed just moments later. But does this stop him trusting Cas again? NO.

THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. For their dynamic, to show that they still do ultimately trust each other.

EVEN AFTER EVERYTHING DEAN STILL DEFENDS CAS TO SAM!

Oh, and I just need to add how desperate I am for Sam to turn to Dean soon and just say “No, Dean, this is between you and Cas, stop bringing me into this”. PLEASE I SWEAR I WILL BE GOOD! I mean, how repeated, consistent and out of place it was (I mean, not only to shippers, I think anyone would think it was out of place the way it was portrayed in their personal conversation in Dean’s room) - this has got to be addressed, no?!

5. A better way

So. What does this mean moving forwards?

Well, firstly, I have moved from being 85% sure Destiel would be endgame to about 95% sure. Lets be real. This episode cements this. Whether you like it or not, it’s happening.

So, what is the better way?

Overall, it seems that Dabb wants to move things forwards. And his key points all season are Free Will, breaking from past repressions and negative influences, moving forwards with what the characters choose and want for their endgame and for sure now endgame Destiel.

I have in the past speculated about quite a lot of stuff, some right and some... still to be seen and some not right, but the overall arc speculation that I saw foreshadowed since early season 12 is RIGHT ON TRACK.

Now, the question is will Dabb go backwards and go to the old, standard SPN ways where probably Dean and Cas will be separated, Cas will be wrong again in his trust in the nephilim - it WILL be evil (rehash of s6 and s8) and he will need to be ‘broken’ from the mind control by Dean in a stronger crypt scene etc etc etc.

Or will he move forwards, onto a “better way”? Will we get another s11 ‘happy ending’? Where it appears all good but there is still stuff going on behind the scenes for s13... Or maybe a not so happy ending but that ultimately will be resolved happily?

Maybe the baby has it’s grace removed (so glad this is an option it was driving me insane that they hadn't mentioned it by now!) OR it’s not evil at all! it’s the ANTI-anti-Christ, it chose Cas because he is Lucifer’s mirror in that he LOVES Humanity. I mean, the whole point of the show is agency, free will and not being forced to follow the result of your parentage / past ....especially this season with Sam and Dean’s arcs....

Maybe human!Cas, potential hunter Daddies, Cas staying at home calling Dean while he's out on MOTW hunts with Sam being all “Dean there’s poop everywhere, I’m sorry it got on your favourite shirt, but please please come home this is so hard!” “OK babe, don't worry, we’ll be back tomorrow, the case was a milk run!” when actually Dean nearly died and Sammy saved the day and.... etc because really? what are we supposed to think from that motel scene? With Cas smiling all cute and using the world “righteous” when talking about the kids future guardian?! (and Kelly survives if we are going to be extra nice).

Maybe Lucifer will die / be dealt with and it is the MoL that are the big bad next year.....aiding the overall future arc of TFW as leaders of the MoL/Hunter collaboration (Chuck I hope so).

Or will it be a mix of the two?

Well my money is on that it will be a mix....

DABB IS SHOWING US THE FUTURE Y’ALL. AND THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT.

#spn 12x19 #destiel #the future #supernatural speculation #supernatural meta #episode review #you're killing me 12x19

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