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beevean · 1 year

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While I like Steven Universe and all of it's misgivings (even though I feel some parts of it could be written a bit more realistically, like Kevin and Steven's weird animosity angle), I always felt that the Movie adding Spinel was kind of a lazy and thoughtless decision just to make Pink Diamond more cruddy than she really is. I get that as part of the regime that considered castes wouldn't treat their lower halves with such kindess as they would the parts they belonged to, but it just seemed rather out of character for Pink to discard Spinel and make her stay in her garden for so damn long, if we were to assume Pink actually did shatter her Pearl accidentally. If there was more instances of Pink Diamond being that volatile in the show and not a lot of heresay (The Crystal Gems talking about Pink like she's an spoilt brat, for example), I'd probably would buy it more. As it stands, there's too little information thanks to the nature of the show, and it really just feels like after the revelation of Pink and Rose Quartz being one and the same, they forgot to give more humanizing qualities to Rose, especially sinc she's such a trigger for Steven in Future.

Spinel, to me, only exists to make Pink Diamond more cruel than she actually is, and I don't actually like Spinel because of that.

I agree with you in part. I don't think Spinel exists only to make Pink look more cruel, but I think the show started villainizing her a little too much in general, culminating in Future.

The idea is sound on paper. Present a character as a paragon of unreachable goodness, to the point that Steven feels like everyone expects him to measure up to his dead mom, and then start showing the cracks in her shining armor: she looked down on the same humans she swore to protect, she bubbled Bismuth, she shattered Pink Diamond and is the reason Homeworld hates everything to do with Earth, she was Pink Diamond and lied to all of the CGs and forced Pearl to keep her secret. We see her at her best, and slowly we go backwards to see at her worst. The idea is that we're supposed to put together the events in reverse order and appreciate her character development... but in practice, it means that Steven just starts to resent Rose and have an attitude of "yes mom sucks, must be a day ending in Y"

Future is what irked me the most. The last time Rose is plot relevant, we discover that she literally traumatized Pink Pearl through a temper tantrum. The last time we see Rose, it's her painting stuffed inside Lion's mane, out of sight and out of mind. The last time we hear her name, Steven is angrily comparing Greg to her. Everyone has moved on from her, but not in a healthy way, but in an almost... cancelled way? The narrative put too much focus on her bad actions, and seemingly forgot that Pink did a massive work on herself to do the closest thing a Gem can to grow up.

Spinel is just one of those examples. As an antagonist, she works, she's out of her mind with emotional pain, Pink and not Rose hurt her (so Steven can't just tell her the truth, like she did with Jasper and the Diamonds), and her inner conflict is abandonment issues, which how in the hell is Steven supposed to solve? He doesn't, the Diamonds do. But... yeah. Since Rose isn't around to defend herself, a recurring theme in SU, we never learn why she never came back for Spinel. Maybe because the portals were broken! But the narrative just leaves us with "Pink was a jerk and abandoned her friend because she was annoying" (or because she was meant to replace Pink Pearl in a shallow, insulting way, but still).

This is a big flaw of trying to paint the complexities of a dead character. We have to rely on hearsay, different opinions, and so does the titular character. Steven decided that Rose was a liar, and that's where the show stopped. It sucks, because Rose is my favorite character in the show and back in the day I swear that she was more hated than the Diamonds :<

#steven universe #rose quartz #pink diamond

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hollowed-theory-hall · 15 hours

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What do you think about Hermione? Love her? Hate her? Any thoughts about her being given the time Turner? Because that's what made me dislike her. There's literally no way it makes sense for her to have that other than favouritism from Dumbledore. Because if they were really willing to give out time turners to any smart kid, Barty Crouch Jr. and Tom Riddle should also have gotten time turners.

Okay, there are two parts for this answer. The first part is that I got to defend Hermione on the Time Turner bit because it's not her fault Dumbledore plays favorites.

I'm pretty sure Dumbledore knew Sirius was innocent all along (or at least suspected it) and intended Harry and Hermione to have all the means to help him at their disposal.

“Dumbledore just said — just said we could save more than one innocent life. . . .” And then it hit him. “Hermione, we’re going to save Buckbeak!” “But — how will that help Sirius?” “Dumbledore said — he just told us where the window is — the window of Flitwick’s office! Where they’ve got Sirius locked up! We’ve got to fly Buckbeak up to the window and rescue Sirius! Sirius can escape on Buckbeak — they can escape together!”

(PoA, page 395)

They were still ten feet away from the forest, in plain view of Hagrid’s back door. “One moment, please, Macnair,” came Dumbledore’s voice. “You need to sign too.” The footsteps stopped.

(PoA, page 401)

The back in time Dumbledore, before he sent Harry and Hermione back in time, seems almost too aware of what's going on. Even though he hasn't sent them back in time yet. So, I'm suspicious he had a plan there.

“Where is it?” said the reedy voice of the Committee member. “Where is the beast?” “It was tied here!” said the executioner furiously. “I saw it! Just here!” “How extraordinary,” said Dumbledore. There was a note of amusement in his voice.

(PoA, page 402)

But even if Dumbledore didn't plan Sirius' escape and the Time Turner shenanigans, it's not Hermione's fault Dumbledore wanted her to have a Time Turner. Honestly, it's good she had it for Sirius' sake, but Dumbledore's favoritism isn't on her. I feel it's wrong to blame her for a decision that wasn't hers. It was Dumbledore's and McGonagall's decision to give Hermione a Time Turner and not to other students. We don't even know how common Time Turners are for students (my guess is not at all, and Hermione wasn't supposed to have one, but that's a different post), but it was still a decision completely out of Hermione's hands.

As for the second part, which is my opinion on Hermione:

I like Hermione, she isn't in my top favorite characters, but I do like her. She's interesting, adds contrast to Ron and Harry and I related to her a lot when I was younger.

I hate what the movies did to her. They stripped her of everything that made her interesting and made her this perfect figure who always knew what to do which Hermione just isn't. Hermione tends to panic and stress out in the books often. It's often Harry who comes up with last-minute plans under pressure.

And yes, she's smart, but she isn't always the cleverest or wisest (I'll say Ron has the most common sense in the Trio), and a lot of times she doesn't think her plans through (like with Umbridge, the centaurs, and Gwamp. She didn't plan anything other than not wanting to see Harry in pain). And that's an interesting character flaw for her to have. And she knows this about herself. I mean, she says herself there's more to magic than just reading books.

And book Hermione really loves Harry and Ron and appreciates their cleverness compared to movie Hermione who's just done with both of them and their idiocy constantly. Which is a disservice to the Golden Trio's friendship. All three are really smart in different ways. and the three of them know this (sorta, Harry has really low self-esteem so he doesn't think he's smart).

My biggest grief with Hermione's character in the books was always her complete faith in authority she trusts. Throughout the series, Hermione is the one of the Trio who always speaks up that they should trust Dumbledore and do what Dumbledore says because she respects him. Hermione, once she respects an authority figure, she tends to just have full faith in them and their judgment. And that really got on my nerves sometimes. But again, that's an interesting character flaw that contrasts Harry and Ron and creates an interesting dynamic. It's a character flaw that is an extension of Hermione's loyalty. I think her loyalty is a trait that is often downplayed too, but she is so loyal. Like, once she decides you have her loyalty you could do pretty much anything and she'll try to justify you. She'll make excuses and justifications so people she's loyal to are in the right.

And she does this justification with her own actions too. I like Hermione's ruthlessness that is so often ignored. She:

Set Snape on fire as a 1st year (but, yeah she loves all authority *sarcasm*)

Kept Rita Skeeter in a jar

Marietta Edgcomb (the curse on the DA parchment in general)

Came up with the DA coins and told Harry she got inspiration from the Dark Mark:

Harry looked sideways at Hermione. “You know what these remind me of?” “No, what’s that?” “The Death Eaters’ scars. Voldemort touches one of them, and all their scars burn, and they know they’ve got to join him.” “Well . . . yes,” said Hermione quietly. “That is where I got the idea . . . but you’ll notice I decided to engrave the date on bits of metal rather than on our members’ skin. . . .”

(OotP, 399)

6. Confounded Cormac McLaggen so Ron would get the Keeper position.

7. Basically everything she did in Deathly Hollows, I'm not listing all of it.

And there are more I'm probably forgetting!

The point is, Hermione is ruthless when she wants to be. She's not to be trifled with.

I think her loyalty, as I mentioned above, is a very distinctive trait of her character. She didn't have friends before Hogwarts (she was probably bullied for being a know-it-all. Like, it shows in her behavior) and she latched onto Harry and Ron and has been incredibly devoted to their friendship since. She's not only devoted to her friends but invested in keeping Harry and Ron as her friends (and each other's freinds).

And she actually is really smart. Yes, book smart, she can memorize books like a pro, but she's also a really good puzzle solver. From the riddle in the obstacle course in 1st year, figuring out the basilisk, finding out Lupin's a werewolf, figuring out Rita's Animagus form, etc... Hermione is really good at organizing information and putting the puzzle pieces together. And that's before I mentioned her magical talent, from brewing Pulyjuice Potion (a complex and advanced potion) in 2nd year in the girls' bathroom to usually being the first in class to get spells right.

Hermione's desire to know everything, as I mentioned in another post, I think is an extension of her desire to belong. She arrives in a new world as a muggleborn, and she takes each and every chance she gets to learn about the Wizarding World. To appear as if she was always there. Because she wants to be a witch so badly she doesn't mind Obliviating her parents and sending them to Australia.

I have more thoughts, but I'm just blabbering...

So, Hermione, while not in my top five, is an interesting and flawed character that I like a lot.

#harry potter #hp #hermione granger analysis #hermione granger #hp meta #harry potter meta #asks #anon asks #anonymous

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ishipallthings · 9 months

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Cap-IM Rec Week 2023 (Thurs)

Golden Oldies Thursday, July 20 for @cap-ironman Rec Week!

This is a day late, but here are some of my favorite older Steve/Tony classics!

Remember to show some love for your hard-working creators!

The Twice-Told Tale by arysteia

For someone he'd hero-worshipped for so long, Steve Rogers in the flesh is a pretty big disappointment. For one thing, he keeps looking at Tony as though he reminds him of someone else, and even if he never says anything, Tony's pretty sure it's his father. A lifetime of not measuring up to Howard's expectations is more than enough, thank you very much, and he's certainly not going to make an effort to live up to any of Steve's. Steve's pretty clearly failed to live up to his expectations, in any case, and that's not hypocritical at all.

(First Impressions Are) A Work in Progress by ras_elased

Tony has a point system for the times he can get Steve to be less than perfect.

i stole the keys to this guy by kellifer_fic:

Where it was Nick Fury's idea, but he didn't mean it like that.

many names in history, none of them are ours by aubkae

Steve's not sure if he'll ever understand Tony Stark, but it's good, living here. If he still wakes up sometimes convinced this was all a dream, well, it's better than it was before, and that's something, isn't it? The Avengers live in a world that both glorifies and fears them, but they know each other now behind the scenes.

bedrock and brick by lyra_wing

Immediate sequel to the movie, wherein Tony builds Avengers Tower. Or plays interior designer, take your pick.

Four (Or Five) Reasons for Kidnapping Tony Stark by scifigrl47 @scifigrl47

There are four reasons for kidnapping Tony Stark. Tony's sick of all of them. Well, there's potentially a fifth, but it's highly unlikely that Captain America will suddenly fulfill THAT fantasy. Tony's deeply disappointed about that. Steve Rogers, as always, is oblivious. At least, that is, until someone who isn't him kidnaps Tony. Then he's just pissed.

Honey, I Can See The Stars by twentysomething:

"The most he'd ever cared about anything remotely related was his uniform, which, beyond the stylistic, was pretty necessary. But now his suit comes from a lab far more advanced than the basement of a Brooklyn antique shop, and the only decision he really gets to make is if his pants are too tight. (They were, but he doesn't really think they changed them. He doesn't know why, but he thinks that might have been on purpose.) That being said, he doesn't know what he's done to deserve the double take Tony gives him as he walks in the room."

Mr. July by jibrailis

Tony is the only one who can defend Steve's virtue. Tony hates his life.

The Best Policy by starknjarvis

Tony Stark breezes through life on bluster and bullshit. When he gets hit by a truth spell, he locks himself away in his workshop so he can find a way to reverse it without anyone finding out. So why can't he say no when Steve keeps asking to spend time with him?

The Most Amazing Things (Some Terrible Lie) by copperbadge @copperbadge

Tony's decision not to reveal his identity as Iron Man to the world was shrewd and calculated. Too bad it's about to backfire on him like a Jericho missile.

the reason you ruminate the shadowy past by Mizzy

So, Captain America effectively manages to cockblock Tony for a year.

It's not Steve's fault. Well, actually, it is. But he was just proving a point - that if a superhero is gay, how can it be wrong? Steve just picked the wrong superhero to make the point with. Now America will think they're dating - and Tony's not going to be the guy to break Captain America's heart.

There's only one way out. To save face, Steve and Tony have to become fake boyfriends. Steve thinks the "boyfriends" bit will be the hardest to act... but maybe it's the "fake" part that will be the hardest act of all.

Even the Light is an Illusion by Mizzy

Death threats are an unfortunate side-effect of being Tony Stark, so he's learned to ignore them. The problem is, when someone really wants you dead, hiding your head in the sand just kinda exposes your ass. But it's not just Tony's behind on the line. Whoever wants him dead wants him to suffer first, and they're willing to do anything to make that happen. Tony knows there's only one way out. To save Steve, the Avengers, and the general public, Tony has to die. Of course, death isn't always the end, and Tony does what any other self-disrespecting scientist would do: he finds a way to fake his death and avenge his own murder. The trouble is, terrible decisions usually have a terrible price, and this one is no different. Tony has a chance to save the day, but the cost may be more than Tony was ever expecting to pay…

Tony Stark and the Super Sleeper, or actually, Soldier by RurouniHime (@thegertie)

The one where Steve keeps falling asleep on Tony.

Two Out of Three (Ain't Bad) by plingo_kat

It blindsides him one morning in the middle of his customary third cup of coffee; Steve walks through the door in loose cotton pants, shirt pulled up to wipe the sweat off his face from his usual morning workout, and Tony thinks: adorable.

and of course, the one that started it all:

Resurrection, Reconstruction & Redemption by Elspethdixon, Seanchai (616)

Doom brings Steve back from the dead. Hijinks ensue, some of which might vaugely be considered plot.

Hope you guys enjoy the recs, and stay tuned for more! Please mind the tags before reading. Check out my tag for previous years’ rec lists :)

#stevetony #capimrecweek #stony #superhusbands #steve x tony #my rec lists

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iwashie · 8 months

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˜”°•. Noel Noa as your S/O (18+).•°”˜ (gn!reader)

thinking about how he would be the perfect boyfriend.

The calm and understanding boyfriend would do anything for you.

The boyfriend who keeps the relationship private for your protection, but if you want to, he talks openly about you, eyes shining and a calm smile when telling that the relationship with you is the best he has ever had.

The boyfriend with few photos on social networks and gossip online about you two, but a lot of demonstration of his love for you.

Words of affirmation and quality of time are his love languages, but every once in a while, physical touch is appreciated.

Pet names like “sweetheart”, “honey”, “love”.

The boyfriend who isn’t clingy but is always around, subtle ways to remind you he loves you.

Boyfriend who always looks/ is tired but always has time for you.

Boyfriend who tries to do the things you like or makes you happy, because your smile is the most beautiful thing for him.

The boyfriend “daddy issues”.

The calm boyfriend x agitated partner; He prefers to listen to you talk about the most varied thing, to listen to your laughter. The black cat x golden retriever duo.

The boyfriend who is more homely and prefers dates made by you two; candlelit dinner, movie night, wine and cheese and deep conversations about whatever you want.

But he also likes to date in places that add something to the two of you; museums, theaters, book clubs. He would close the Louvre if he wanted to enjoy the arts, just the two of you, also book the whole restaurant to celebrate your birthday.

Romantic old-fashioned: various dates, expensive gifts, slow dances in the kitchen while cooking with you, introducing family and people important to him.

The boyfriend who loves you very much, but also understands that you need some alone time.

Always respect your time and your decisions!

Boyfriend who smiles when he sees you in the stands, wearing his shirt and at the end of the game, always calls you to the field, hugging you and kissing you as if you two haven’t done it in a long time.

Boyfriend who knows he can’t spend as much time with you so always sends gifts or makes up for it when he’s on vacation.

“My girlfriend this,” or “my boyfriend that,” and always “my partner.”

Boyfriend who makes a point of encouraging you to have independence. If you need him to pay for your studies,he pays, or, he would help you look for a job.

Boyfriend that “You can’t make all your life about me, love.” and “I need to be an addition and not the main part of your life.”

Boyfriend who is neither jealous nor possessive. He trusts you and has self-confidence. He is the best of the best.

Boyfriend who “wears whatever clothes you want”, “doesn’t need to change anything”.

Boyfriend who is not quarrelsome and solves things with conversation and always defends you.

“That person will answer in court, so don’t worry, dear.”

The boyfriend “Love in Portofino”.

Boyfriend who encourages your well-being and goes into couples therapy because he wants the best for both of you, always aiming to improve by your side.

Boyfriend who loves you with his whole body; tight hugs (an arm around your waist and a hand holding your head), calm and deep kisses, holding hands and head resting on top of yours.

Boyfriend who always makes calm and passionate sex. Hands entwined, sweaty bodies glued together, kisses to muffle the moans.

Boyfriend who has no favorite position, but loves you on top, prone bone and any position you two may be glued to.

Slow, seductive sex, deep thrusts, making you see stars and grab his body.

Boyfriend who is traditional, would like to have children, but respects your opinion on it.

Boyfriend who prefers cats to dogs and has adopted one with you, says that he is your son and would take care of all the animals you like with you.

Boyfriend who always looks for you in the crowd and smiles when he meets your gaze.

Boyfriend who would marry you in church, beach, notary’s office, heaven, hell, anywhere you wanted.

Boyfriend who “say yes to heaven”, “say yes to me”.

Boyfriend who would run away anywhere as long as you’re with him.

#blue lock #blue lock x reader #blue lock x you #bllk x you #blue lock headcanons #bllk imagines #blue lock noel noa #noel noa x reader #noel noa x you

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strawberryamanita · 10 months

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Alright, I gotta head this off at the pass. If you are feeling uneasy because of the new outrage directed at Mark, please consider giving this a read. I'm just one single schlub, but I know a thing or two about reacting on impulse because of my triggers, and I gotta throw my hat into the ring.

Okay.

I know about the Hospital game video. Very unsettling stuff, I can well imagine. As someone who can't handle graphic depictions of real-life events myself, I'm not going anywhere near the video. I also know now that the TikTok angry mob is looking to cancel him because he hasn't taken the video down as of the publishing of this post(July 11th, 2023, 10:52AM EST).

Y'all, I'm asking you, as a concerned fandom member, to please give Mark the benefit of the doubt. [He uploaded a video literally yesterday] talking about how busy and stressful things have been for him: he just lost his grandmother, he got sick, he gets injured frequently, he's in the middle of filming a movie that he had to take a break from because he was putting himself at risk for damaging his eyes, it just keeps going.

If you're outside the fandom and just having fun sending stray shots everywhere, please know that Mark is not gonna ignore all this when he's able to address it -- but that when is not right now. Mark and his editing team do a good job warning his viewers about common things like flashing lights and exceptionally gross imagery; this other video is a long way from the improvements the channel has made. 7 years ago feels less relevant than 1 day ago.

I'm pretty confident that Mark's not gonna refuse to delete the video because "Oh don't censor art" or whatever he's gonna get accused of. He, like I'm imagining a good deal of people were, was not aware of how real those images were, and it's probably not at the front of his mind because that video is buried under literally thousands of others on the channel. Mark's deleted videos before, he probably doesn't have a special attachment to this video or anything.

And, real quick, before you question why his editors won't just do it for him -- it's still his channel, I don't think he'd be cool with his editors making decisions about deleting things without running it by him.

All of this stemming from TikTok makes perfect sense, seeing how the fandom on tumblr was completely calm before the news was brought in from the outside. TikTok runs entirely on sensationalism and hype and clicks, and the eternal engine of Needing To Cancel Someone comes for us all one day. But I am asking you -- you, the person reading this, not the algorithm on TikTok -- to step back and think about this situation for yourself. No, I'm not just "defending a celebrity" and all that -- I'm trying to say that this uproar is being driven by very intense emotions drummed up by graphic content, and your nerves are probably shot by thinking about it all and I hear all of that. I've done impulsive things while triggered myself, you have all of my sympathy, none of this is to downplay the shockwave hitting you and others right now.

But Mark made a mistake.

Making a mistake does not make someone a bad person. It doesn't make you a bad person, it doesn't make me a bad person, and it doesn't make Mark a bad person.

Please don't keep yourself on constant duty to watch his every move and time how long he's been "ignoring" this on a stopwatch. Mark is known for pushing himself more than he should; the fact that he hasn't addressed this yet is a good sign that he has hit capacity levels of stress.

Let yourself breathe. Distance yourself from the video. Ask around on tumblr for their favorite lighthearted Markiplier videos, or just watch another YT'er if you need to get even further away from this. Prioritize your mental health today. You are going to be okay. This is all going to be okay.

Please let yourself believe that.

#markiplier

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nequittezpaswrites · 10 months

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Will Turner is not smart

Okay, so. I like Will. I enjoy him a lot. He’s got a good sense of humor, he’s brave, he’s pretty, he has excellent taste in women—he’s got a lot of good qualities.

Brains are not one of those qualities.

I never realized this when first watching the movies, but, uh. Will makes a lot of… questionable choices. And sure, from a Doylist perspective there are good reasons for Will to do what he does in a lot of cases. But from a Watsonian perspective he can be a little… unhinged.

Let’s look at Curse of the Black Pearl, shall we?

Unhinged Decision #1: Crossing blades with a pirate

This is a bad choice. First of all, I don’t care how many hours a day Will practices swordplay—he’s not going to be able to win in a fight if he’s never faced a real opponent. And since it seems like this is just Will practicing alone in the smithy while his master drunkenly sleeps, we have to assume that this is Baby’s First Sword Fight. Jack literally questions the wisdom of this decision in the movie, and he is right to do so, because it is a bonkers move.

It is an especially bonkers move because there are dozens of Navy officers running through the streets right outside looking for Jack. All Will has to do is shout and they’ll come running. They do come running, in fact, when they hear the commotion of the sword fight! There is no good reason for Will to engage in a sword fight with Jack Sparrow.

It’s great from a movie perspective, don’t get me wrong. This is my favorite sword fight scene literally ever. But in-universe, this is a weird and irrational decision to make. Even if Jack did “threaten Miss Swann”. Unhinged.

Unhinged Decision #2: Springing Jack from jail

This refers both to the decision and the execution of that decision.

So, in the sword fight above, Will makes it very clear that he does not like pirates. So clear, in fact, that he says, “I practice three hours a day so that when I meet a pirate, I can kill it!” Not him, it.

But Elizabeth has been kidnapped and Will is desperate. The Navy doesn’t think Jack knows where the Pearl makes berth, therefore won’t consult him, but Will goes to talk to Jack and finds out that he does know where it makes berth.

A reasonable person might share this information with the Navy. Hey, Norrington, Jack Sparrow here says he’ll lead you there if you promise you won’t hang him. Norrington might resist at first, but he doesn’t exactly have any other leads. He can probably be convinced.

But let’s say that Will does tell Norrington, and Norrington says no, because Jack Sparrow is a dirty liar who lies and will lead them on a wild goose chase, wasting time that could be spent looking for Elizabeth. Okay, Will—it is now a reasonable decision to spring Jack from jail.

Will makes a bargain: he will break Jack out, and Jack will lead him to the Pearl and help him get Elizabeth back. Will fulfills his end of the bargain, and then waits as Jack collects his sword and pistol.

This is how you get murdered, Will! This is a pirate! He literally held you at gunpoint hours ago. What if he lied, like pirates are wont to do? What if you free him and he just murders you and goes on his merry way? What’s stopping him?

None of this occurs to Will. Unhinged.

Semi-unhinged Decision: Stealing the Interceptor

Note that I did not say stealing a boat. If reason fails and the Navy won’t let Jack lead them to Isla de Muerta, then procuring transportation does become necessary. Will and Jack are going to need a boat.

Thing is, Port Royal is… a port. There are lots of boats around. All shapes and sizes. Most of those boats aren’t defended by Navy soldiers, and probably some of them could be reasonably manned by two people. Jack, after all, made it from Tortuga to Port Royal in Anamaria’s little one-mast boat. There are surely similar vessels docked in Port Royal, and I can’t imagine that it would be harder to commandeer one of those than it would be to steal a ship from the Navy.

Sure, they couldn’t pick up a crew in Tortuga in a smaller vessel, but they wouldn’t need a big crew if they stole a smaller vessel. Jack’s plan seems to be negotiating with Barbossa for the return of the Pearl, so there’s no real reason that he needs a crew for that, either. Yes, he’ll need a crew to sail the Pearl again, but surely if he can negotiate for the ship then he could negotiate some sort of transfer.

This gets a pass on being totally unhinged because time is of the essence. They need to get to Isla de Muerta before Barbossa and his crew spill Elizabeth’s blood, realize she’s the wrong person, and murder her in retaliation. They have to get there quickly, so they need the “fastest ship in the Caribbean.” I don’t know enough about sailing to say whether the detour in Tortuga to pick up a crew undermines the speed of the Interceptor, so… semi-unhinged.

Unhinged Decision #3: Promising the Interceptor to Anamaria

What are you doing, Will? That’s not your boat. That’s the Navy’s boat! Even if you bring Elizabeth back, they’re going to be very upset about you giving their ship to a pirate! You have a much better chance of being pardoned for the capital offense you’ve just committed if you return their ship along with Elizabeth. Unhinged.

Unhinged Decision #4: Knocking Jack out

Why, Will? Why did you trust Jack all this way only to betray him now? It appears, from the movie, that Will overheard that he is “leverage” and believes that Jack is going to trade his life for the Pearl. But he doesn’t realize until later that his blood is needed to break the curse, because he’s still in denial about his father being a pirate.

Will, if the pirates didn’t need your blood, why would they give a shit about you? They certainly wouldn’t trade away an entire ship just to, what, kill you? Just what sort of bargain do you think Jack is trying to strike, here? Unhinged.

Unhinged Decision #5: Rescuing Jack in the most dramatic way possible

We’re skipping to the end here. Will putting a gun to his own head is a good call in context, and him failing to smartly word his bargain with Barbossa is a forgivable mistake. Decent to good decisions the rest of the way through. Jack’s rescue, though…

Will has already demonstrated that he can break Jack out of prison easily. I doubt the Navy has had time to change the structure of the cells—the doors can still be lifted free with leverage. Can’t you just… spring him from jail the same way? Or maybe take whatever Isla de Muerta gold you used to buy your fancy outfit and showy hat, and instead use it to bribe someone else to do it so you have plausible deniability?

There are so many people at the hanging, Will. So many soldiers with guns. So many witnesses to you doing crime. (This will come back to haunt you in future films, Will!)

Will explicitly states “If all I have achieved here is that the hangman earns two pairs of boots instead of one, so be it. My conscience will be clear.” Oh yeah? Well I’m pretty sure Jack would prefer that the hangman earned zero pairs of boots, and that you’d planned a better rescue.

Will gets lucky because Elizabeth loves him back and convinces her father not to hang him and to let Jack get away, but Will couldn’t count on any of that and seemed 100% prepared to die. Unhinged.

#potc meta #potc #pirates of the caribbean #will turner #curse of the black pearl #cotbp #potc cotbp

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hetapeep41 · 9 months

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Why Esca Mac Cunoval is my absolute favorite character of all time:

How to describe why I adore him... He is more than you think. He starts of kinda shut off and you don't get him, until somewhat halfway trough the movie. I think I have to summarize his story so you might understand why I adore him, and have not shut up about him since 2020. So sorry for the whole movie summary:

We first meet Esca at the gladiator arena, he is a slave. During the fight of the dead he just let's himself get punched so he can die. He is tired of being a slave and wants his dead the way he wants it.

One guy in the tribune however doesn't like that idea and saves him. The guys uncle then buys him for Marcus, as his personal body slave.

When they meet, he comes of as a unreadable person. He absolutely hates the Romans, I mean son of a dead clans chief... powerfull fighter.

He is however never mean toward his master, or anyone.

When Marcus decides to go look for the eagle he takes Esca with him. A foolish decision according to many, including his uncle who say that he will kill him the moment he crosses the border, Marcus is but spooked but defends Esca and takes him with him. This shows Marcus' loyalty towards Esca (still his slave)

When they get attacked by warriors (childeren) Esca can't kill the young child. This shows compassion and kindness, something we hadn't seen from him earlier. Marcus does kill the child tho and berates Esca for not killing him.

He made up a whole different route so that they wouldn't find the place of 'heros' because he has more respect for them, than his master.

When they get caught by the Seal People, he devices a whole plan so they would survive the trip. He didn't let Marcus know, wich made the other worried and Marcus thinks Esca betrayed him. That's until Esca comes in at the right time to help Marcus get the Eagle and get out of there. This shows loyalty and bravery.

(Esca again befriendend a child. Only for that one to get killed by his own father during the last battle, wich hurts Esca.)

When Esca doesn't translate the harmful sentences about Marcus father to Marcus, this shows kindness and maybe a need to protect.

When Esca refuses to leave Marcus (wounded) behind. He tells him to set him free before he gives up on him, wich Marcus does. Esca then gets the other former Eagles and they fight together against the seal people. Again bravery and loyalty, even when he isn't Marcus slave anymore. During the fight the prince of the Seal People almost kills Esca, but he gets saved by Marcus.

Remember how I said that Esca hates Romans? Well I think, no I know he likes one Roman. The Roman who took a chance on him, showed him compassion, loyalty and kindness, wich allowed Esca to be himself aswell. A kind but troubled guy with a horrible past (family got killed by Romans, he got taken and branded as a slave...) who is kinder than you think, you just gotta earn his trust, loyalty and friendship.

#enis rambles #the eagle #the eagle of the ninth #the eagle 2011 #jamie bell #esca mac cunoval #Jamie bell is the best Esca Mac Cunoval #if you dont think Jamie did a great job #get out

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aprilblossomgirl · 2 years

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Through Wat's Lenses

Originally, I kept this in my personal notes, but as I'm processing episode 11, I found these to be a little helpful in putting my perspective. So, I'm just going to make this a full text post. These are my favorite lines of dialogue from Wat. I specifically made this note on his lines because, oh, I think they're wise words, no, because his lines made a good caption of each episode's things-learned-about-the-plot, in my opinion. So, I'm not lying if I said my viewing experience of the Eclipse is very much shaped, mostly, by the way Wat see-through his lenses.

===================================

Episode 1

"In every movie I watched, each character has a goal and motive to do something."

This was basically a set-up of almost everything. I started to mildly question everyone's motive because of this line. And by motive, I mean knowing the context, knowing where they're coming from for each decision and/or act they did.

Episode 2

"Akk was helping me. He was making Teacher Waree think she had a backup. You know people her age hate to lose faces. It's a big deal. He was trying to help, and so was Ayan. But they chose different methods. Come to think of it. Aye was pretty cool. He was totally talking back to Aunt Waree."

I think this is where I officially became very fond of Wat. Here, he did many things at once. First, he gave a narrative about the old generation (represented by Teacher Waree) as viewed by the younger generation (represented by himself). Second, he tried to put some understanding to Kan on how Akk had helped him through that narrative. Third, when he mentioned Aye, he might have unknowingly put some understanding to Akk as well. When Akk tried to stop Aye from talking back to Waree, I see it as Akk didn't want Aye to get into trouble. But only after hearing what Wat said, he started to see Aye a bit differently. And, lastly, with all that talks, Wat managed to reconcile both Kan and Akk. He could make Kan listen to him, he defended Akk the way Akk hesitated to do so by himself. How is it that Wat's not a peacemaker, the one standing on the middle ground, doing the job of being neutral, not taking sides but not staying silent either. How is it that he didn't speak his mind at the right time and the right place for his words to be contextual. You can't tell me not to have respect for this boy.

Episode 3

"Hey! What's wrong with you guys? Why making a grumpy face? Don't tell me you're jealous of Thua and Aye. / What? If you don't have a crush on him, why are you making that face? / Are you sure? / If you two want to know, why don't we go ask them? / What? You want to know but don't want to ask. And you think it all in your heads."

When I rewatched this episode and listened to this part of the conversation using subtitles in my native language, I realized something that should be obvious, but I misunderstood anyway when I watched it the first time using the English subtitle. It didn't help that I was also distracted by the focus on Kan's heavy reaction. So, when Wat said this line, don't tell me you're jealous of Thua and Aye, by you, he meant both Kan and Akk, also referring to his previous line, what's wrong with you guys? So, I think it's pretty safe to think that Wat knows there's something between Kan and Thua, as well as between Akk and Aye. He's not oblivious, just being (too) practical, and can't see what's the problem with bringing the topic up, only when there's only the three of them.

Episode 4

"The teachers were so harsh on Aye today. / Do you think someone is behind this hardship on Aye?"

Another line that gave a narrative about the situation with Aye. After this scene, Akk was seen looking for Chadok in his office. Perhaps, he knows that he was someone behind all those tests from the teachers to Aye. He might have guessed someone was behind the attacks, and after Wat voiced it out, he considered confirming it to the only person he has in mind.

Episode 5

"But I agree with you. We can't just judge people without hearing their reasons."

Another simple line as a middleman of the three friends. He validated the change in Akk, and made Kan understand the change is good.

Episode 6

"Akk is bonkers when he's surrounded by close friends. / He's a good leader. He always put others before himself. But he can be a little weak-minded sometimes."

"Thua seems soft but he's not stupid. He can surely survive. Don't worry about him."

"You seem so worried about Thua these days. It's weird. / You didn't even want to walk past him back then. You were so afraid people would say you two are the legendary boyfriends."

Nobody could ever convince me that Wat is not observant. He understands his closest friends well and knows things that happened to them. He has no problem explaining it to others or saying it directly to the said friends. Now, after episode 11, I gave closer attention to what he said about Thua. While not explicitly stated, his description of Thua's character implied that you shouldn't worry about the outward impression he gave. Who knows this line, he can surely survive, implies surviving a based-on-lies, that is the Suppalo curse, oppression.

Episode 7

"No, we aren't. Think about it carefully. Those who think differently read different books, watch different movies, or appreciate different types of art than us. / You are what you eat. What you take builds who you are."

Personally, I think these are the most significant lines from Wat throughout this series. It gave the narrative that underlies the show, as well as the motive of the World Remembers group for doing the protests over the old strict rules in general and the uniform rule in particular, which we know, is only a metaphor for a broader political movement at the scale of a country. There are layers of takes from these lines. If you want to change something, think differently. To think differently, have diverse and out-of-your-comfort-bubble references. Read with context. Be mindful of what you consume.

Episode 8

"Kan. I think this is so weird. Before this, Akk was the one chasing Aye. Now Aye is chasing Akk Instead.”

I might be wrong about my interpretation here. I think these are the only lines that highlight Akk and Aye's relationship shift in the romance term. Akk was the first to like Aye, unbeknownst to himself, and Aye fell with Akk later, fully conscious of the matter.

Episode 9

"I like a screenplay that someone wrote. His name is Nut. He writes indie film screenplays. / He likes to play around with the grey area between tales and reality. / I'm interested in what's happening in our school. The protest and the Suppalo curse."

This time, no lines were indicative of other characters or the story. It was the episode where Wat started to take pictures/videos at the school. Also, in this episode, he stated his intention of what story he wanted to tell by referring to a screenplay he liked. I guess this line, "...to play around with the grey area between tales and reality," should have somewhat prepared us for the not-so-beautiful chaos, but, whether we like it or not, a part of that grey area (edited; previously I wrote reality), that was episode 11. But that is another discussion.

Episode 10

Kan: "So the Suppalo curse is back?" | Wat: "I don't think it is."

In this episode, Wat continued taking pictures/videos at the school. That only important line he said, answering Kan, briefly but firmly implied he doesn't believe there was even the Suppalo curse to begin with.

Episode 11

"About what? I don't care who you like. What I do care is what you did."

And finally, my beloved boy exploded. He was angry that Akk lied to them about the curse, and for a reason, I believe, that's not attached to himself personally. He was mad because he realized Akk had inflicted danger on others, even to a life-threatening level. He focused his anger on Akk for doing what he had done and did not extend it to Aye for hiding the fact. And, while he was angry and disappointed and had every right to be, he still knew his boundaries. He still knew he needed to prevent Kan from fighting Akk. Even when he got irritated with Thua, he was the one ready to put himself between Kan and Thua. The boy had his rage and emotional complaint but was a peacemaker still, a middleman, the one to be neutral and take only the side of the truth.

===================================

After this brief revisit of Wat's lines of dialogue, I might have come to my terms with the feel-like chaos that is episode 11. Of course, people are free to interpret as they see fit since the series is, after all, an already published work of everyone involved, open for any receipt. And, here I am, finding my way to process and understand the intense information poured at once in the episode. Now, I am beyond happy the show gave us Wat because of whom I think I could appreciate the Eclipse for what it is and what it wished to represent.

#the eclipse the series #the eclipse #just thoughts 📝#wasuwat #the conversation #i think this is my only text post that i would consider as a meta #if it's not clear enough yes i am very much biased toward Wat #i love him Wasuwat my true best boy #💛#nobody underestimates wat #not even the show #*if anything happened to him i'll riot*#*this includes unnecessary last episode character twist*#*was thinking to make similar notes of the other characters but no no this is for wat and wat only*

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detectivehole · 6 months

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hey i finally watched the evil dead. it was pretty good. b (the b is a thumbs up because i dont have emojis on my keyboard)

which evil dead movie is your favourite and why (you can say multiple if you like)

i like the use of b as a thumbs up im stealing that

im glad you liked the evil dead! it's a funny series

my favorite movie is no question the very first evil dead movie from 1981. you asked why so i put a massive set of paragraphs of incoherent rambling below

it's a very impressive and influential project for its haphazard budget and production (even if its sequel, which used the same shooting methods, is what popularized them) which is admirable. visually is just nice to look at imo- im no film buff or even the biggest movie fan overall so i can't say why it looks as good as it does to me, but it just does. it's gross and strange and erie and i enjoy that in its visuals.

what certainly shoots it to the number one spot for me though is the characterization, most especially of ash but really of everyone. i found the way everyone behaved and interacted especially realistic, and uniquely compelling for me. for horror, which is a genre that usually takes liberties with behavior for dramatic effect (not criticizing that), that's not particularly common

they don't always get along, but they're all clearly friends. characters are hesitant to resort to violence but simultaneously totally willing to defend themselves. panic drives people to make dumb decisions but no one ever makes decisions i would call totally senseless. it's all very much believable. all the characters display this but ash (understandably) depicts it all the best. i wish i could articulate it better than this but i can't lol

two particular scenes i like;

- ash is finally the last one left, and he's just in the house, surrounded on all sides by the dead and dying and demonic, and it's a charged scene, but it's not tense, because it's not supposed to be. you understand in that moment- both because of the structure of a film but also just bc it does a good job communicating it- that ash is physically safe from attack for a bit. no one's gonna pounce yet. that is because the demons are focusing on mentally attacking him. it's the demonic mocking scene, where all of these things puppeting his dead friends and family are just teasing him over and over like children while he takes the time to freak the fuck out, and they laugh and jeer. and idk i just really love that scene it's very VERY compelling to me. i think it's the strange sense of inexplicably physical safety (however short) combined with the childish demonic taunting; a lot of demons in media taunt but they tend to do so in more "ohhhh so scary" or overtly violent ways. the demons in this scene aren't not doing that exactly, it's just that it's way more deliberately annoying and childish in its execution rather than super spooky, subtle, or esoteric

- the walls bleed scene (it's my pinned post rn). ash goes to get amo in the Evil Basement and the demons make a bunch of weird shit happen. why i like this scene is way less deep- it's a deliberately funny scene; goofy music is playing, it's got a lot of visually appealing shots, a comical amount of blood, and it does stuff that ties back into the "childish, goofy, but effective ways the demons torture ash" thing. also 21yo bruce campbell absolutely covered in bright red fake blood is hot i will not deny that

#mine #ask #evil dead #i love when he wanders in front of the projector sputtering covered in blood and just looks wetly up like an idiot

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fridatheflower · 2 years

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What I think dating eddie munson would be like (actually accurate)

female version! let me know if u want a male version!

Hope you enjoy this btw!

my eddie playlist!

he would definitely call you like "idiot" or "stupid" in a good way when you are dating. he wouldn't call you "sweetheart" because he doesn't seem the type to do that and it's probably only reserved for his guitar.

But would call you "love", "darling", or " honey" because he would try his best to put on a british accent to say it just to make you laugh at his horrible accent.

he would 100 % brag about you during hellfire telling Mike and Dustin that you are so much better then their girlfriends.

If you don't like smoking or doing drugs he would 100% he would get at least 10 feet away from you, because he knows you hate it when he does any of that kid of stuff.

If you do like smoking or doing drugs he would definitely do it with you.

when planning dates, he would definitely say if you want to go to a metal concert with him and after that go to a horror movie showing and going to get junk food.

If you you're in hellfire and enter the room he would say "how's my idiot lover" then kiss you in front of the club. (he knows youre smarter than him tho)

The only reason he calls you idiot is because he loves teasing you and also because you both suck at math.

You would call him sweet pet names but he would laugh when you would call him like that then you would be saying sorry and he'd be teasing you saying "it's okay sweetheart" then you blushing and him laughing again so from then on you would call him "my idiot" or anything like that.

You would say something dumb and he would be like "that's why you're such an idiot" you would act offended and he would see you and quickly say "did I hurt your feelings... oh my god I'm sorry love I fucking love you so much I would never mean it" and you would laugh at him and he would be staring at you dumbfounded and you would say "I know Eddie I know. I love you too"

if you are ever mad at him it's because he said something sarcastic but it didn't sound like it or he said something "bad" about you. (bad meaning he was trying to defend you but he said " she is oblivious at times... "

He would bring you flowers and mixtapes of his and your favorite songs and explains the context to apologize and you immediately forgive him.

Would he get comfy with you quickly? Answer: for him I feel like he would warm up to you in like 1 month of dating he wants to get to know you so much so he knows what makes you comfy so he can be the best boyfriend ever.

NSFW warning!

Would he be like in the mood around you? Answer: At times yes. He would ask you "um (y/n) I kinda want to you know." You immediately see his face when he gets in the mood and if you are in the mood you would say "are you sure eddie?" Just for consent. And if you aren't in the mood you say "I'm sorry Eddie I don't feel like it at the moment" and he would reply saying "you don't have to be sorry love. It's your decision too."

Would he be rough? Answer: if you ask him too be rough definitely yes.

Any kinks you enjoy doing with him but you didn't think you would like? Answer: a lot of them.

Anyway that's all I can think of currently :)

#eddie munson #stranger things #eddie stranger things #fluff #imagine #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x reader #stranger things imagine #dating

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celestemagnoliathewriter · 4 months

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hello! 🧙🏽‍♂️🪄 this is the sorting hat ask! please share with the class what you think you'd be like if you were at hogwarts! what kind of student and friend are you? would you play quidditch, be in a club? what would your favorite class be? how would you feel about the ghosts? favorite places in the castle? tell us how you'd wear your fucking tie, whatever comes to mind! then pass this along to 3 new students 🔮

hello @merlinsbudgiesmugglers! sorting hat party!

Let's start with house - I'm a Slytherin.

As a student: I'd be a good student. Not the very top of the class, but probably in the top 10-15%. I realize that by saying this, it sounds almost silly that I don't consider top 10-15% to be the top, but that's more reflective of my ambition and perfectionism.

As a friend: tight with a few people, friendly enough to several more, and apathetic towards most others.

Quidditch: NOPE.

Clubs: possibly? I was in a lot of clubs in school, drama, choir, quiz bowl (aka scholastic bowl), urrrrrrr other stuff? IDK what clubs Hogwarts would have but I'd probably be involved in something academic. Maybe Charms Enthusiasts Club or something like that.

Favorite class: Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions. IMO they're the most versatile and useful subjects. I wouldn't be a dueler at all, but I would try to defend myself by charming and transfiguring stuff to my heart's content. That would be good enough for me.

Ghosts: I need to know everything about death, the decision to become a ghost, and what they know about the afterlife. Also please don't watch me shower.

Favorite places in the castle: the kitchens! I would be in there with the elves, buttering them up to make my favorite dishes. British food is fine but Latin American food is WAY better. They also need to know how to make classic country American cuisine. Fight me, I want mac and cheese. Next, probably the library. I'd spend a lot of time there for sure. Lastly, the Slytherin common room and dormitory. I'd have a cat as my pet/familiar and she'd be my little shadow wherever I went.

How I'd wear my tie: isn't this a movie thing? IDK about ties. If I had to, I guess I'd do whatever knot was easiest?

This inspires me to finish writing that unhinged self-insert fic. Hmm. I have too many writing projects.

#asks #send asks #if I were a hogwarts student

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waluigis-biggest-fan · 2 years

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I'm so disconnected from canon that I almost forgot the actual movies portray Malfoy as an unapologetically classist, elitist, blood purist bully who is so incompetent he can't draw stink lines on someone's photo without reality bending to humble him and not the tall intelligent intellectual who grew past his childhood vices and found love with the very person he bullied out of a sense of conflicted affection and learned hatred.

I wanna see a story where Malfoy starts to grow around the 2nd or 3rd movie, his vices falling to the side as he becomes a member of the main group, still having a social life outside of them, but growing to enjoy their company more than the old friends he made when he still held his old beliefs, yet still only being able to enjoy their company in private or away from prying eyes because he fears his father's reaction. Imagine a universe where Malfoy and Harry become the kind of friends who constantly jab at each other but nevertheless respect each other.

I want a story where Malfoy and Harry's quidditch rivalry goes from staunch opposition to friendly applause when the other wins and talking about how they could improve for next time.

I want a story where Malfoy and Hermione slowly grow to appreciate the other. Hermione learning that he is intelligent and well learned despite his obtuse exterior, eventually rooting for him more than Harry during Quidditch matches; Malfoy learning that there is literal centuries of Muggle literature he's missed out on and the books Hermione lent him are only enough to whet his appetite.

I want a story where Malfoy learns that sometimes rugged adventuring and the occasional broken rule can be as fun as reading a good book, despite Ron still being his least favorite.

All of this culminating in the final part of the story with Malfoy becoming distant during the 5th book when he's expected to build the cabinet and let the Death Eaters into the castle. In the end, his fear overpowers his newfound sense of comradery and he rebuilds the cabinet. They don't see each other again until the escapade in Malfoy manner where, beyond just pretending not to recognize them, his guilt overpowers his fear and he fights back against his family, sustaining severe wounds and falling unconscious but escaping with the gang. Cue Malfoy not defending his actions and just taking all of the verbal assaults one by one until Harry sits down with him and actually says that he understands. He understands what its like to just go along with what your parental guardian says because you're scared of them. He understands what its like to live in fear of what your decisions and choices will bring. Malfoy actually relaxes his self hatred a bit and says to the group that he's sorry, he wouldn't do the things he's done again, and that he'll carry the guilt he feels over Dumbledore's death forever but he's still on their side and whether they like it or not, he's helping. At the ending, when Voldemort offers for people to join him, Malfoy doesn't step forwards until he sees that Harry is coming back to life and when he does, he lies in wait to throw Harry his wand. Malfoy joins Dumbledore's army in the battle of Hogwarts. When all is said and done, he has a moment rescuing Hermione where he can say something like "I betrayed my friends once, I won't do it again," Hermione can have a moment saving him from an unexpected attack, and they reconcile. When we walk through the great hall, seeing the heroes, Draco isn't sitting with his family, he's sitting with Hermione. At the end when Harry breaks the Elder Wand and throws it away, Malfoy has returned to the fold, reaccepted by his friends.

This has gotten away from me but in conclusion, fuk JK; stan Dramione.

#dramione #fuck jkr #fanfiction #shipping

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djservo · 1 year

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sending this to you early before i forget (and i will forget), april is OVER. the year really starts zooming past march it's scary! april reads, were there many of them? what did you think? other media interests also what's the spring/summer reading vibe?

april summary

you could probably tell by my lack of goodreads updates but my ass was NOT reading this month omg. 2 books but Barely since the first I started in February and the latter and I only just finished on the 30th WAHHH it's been stupid busy and stressful at work these past few weeks to the point where my free time could only consist of simply hanging out and watching movies/survivor and other thoughtless little things like that 4 my own sanity. in hindsight, absolutely not the best time to take up two meaty theory/cultural criticism books smh!! I was too ambitious, and while I could've just called it quits and picked up a more manageable/digestable read, I thought I'd be able to brave it out eventually... meanwhile my pdf of Man's Rage For Chaos sits abandoned + bookmarked at a measly 50 pages in amongst dozens of survivor screenshots LOL Sigh! it may just have to be another DNF because I don't think I have it in me to absorb another 300+ page long pdf just yet (it was a feat getting thru Little Boy: The Arts of Japan's Exploding Subculture at times)

but OK, onward!

Comfort Me with Apples: More Adventures at the Table by Ruth Reichl — a juicy romantic drama masquerading as just another foodie book. I would've been perfectly satisfied if it'd been the latter (I really loved Tender at the Bone) but when I TELL U I was gasping and clutching my pearls every other chapter, scandalized at every corner!! the book follows her foray into the world of being a food critic, during which she finds herself in two different affairs while married to her longtime husband/companion (who is revealed to have also been cheating on her at the time rip). Somehow she managed not to make herself come off as a victim, so clearheaded and honest with her actions and mistakes, but part of you also can't help but root for her a little -- to flourish in her career, to grow a backbone, to come to the harsh realization that sometimes people just grow apart no matter how much history there is. So much wisdom and heartbreak!!! And, as she was about 30 during this period, my favorite reminder that the intrigue and possibility of Life(tm) isn't nearly over after your mid 20's--it's hardly even begun at all. and then of course all the food descriptions, glorious and sensual as always. Tampopo (1985) instantly came to mind: food + sex + woman's quest for the Meaning of it all, you simply gotta love it

Theatre of the Oppressed by Augusto Boal — I don't think I can add anything substantial to this even if I tried LOL I'll say I'm always tickled by any critiques and callouts of western civilization, and his connection of US presidents defending "reactionary imperialist interests" regardless of "character" (or political party) = the enactment of terror that's natural when it comes to the succession (hah) of oppressive forces... floored babes!! tell it like it is!! ok I lied, one more point -- a lot of this book discusses this radical methodology of theatre that involves the audience, allows them to interact, adjust, implement meanings as a means of revolution and there's this big brained review I read on goodreads that connected it to TWITCH STREAMS of all things, specifically gamers who allow the chat to vote on/make the decisions while the gamer performs these choices. I feel like there's so much Meat there... an analysis of the interactive nature of the internet/contemporary popular media and its influence on the way we perceive free will... anyway.

I started a saucy short story collection that'll hopefully keep me titillated, and I think I'll also treat myself to a fun graphic novel moment after my failed lil scholarly attempts hehe movie-wise I got sucked into this awful franchise The Brotherhood by David Decoteau which is basically college fratboys/hunks who have to fight some killer and/or mystical force of evil in the most homoerotic way possible (the filmic equivalent to trashy little convenience store pulpy softcore erotica methinks).... 6 full films of regurgitated storylines and gratuitous shower scenes and I must admit I had a blast !!! it morphed into a sorority-slasher theme, which then morphed into a broader theme of Tormented Women(tm). It's been a loose goal of mine to keep my letterboxd watchlist number lower than the amount of films I've logged for the sake of staying manageable/realistic, but there's now a scarily small difference of 5 films between the two 😢 so i think I'll try to stick to my watchlist as best I can this month 🫡 and ofc watching survivor as always, nothin new there yeah yeah I'm predictable

#cheesehair #asks #reads

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alexstudyjapanese · 3 months

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Seven Samurai

Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, although having a runtime of three and a half hours, was engaging for me from front to finish. The film takes place in 16th century Japan, covering a small farming village’s conflict with raiding bandits. The village elder decides to fight back, and a small group of men are sent to find samurai to fight for the village. The first hour of so is spent assembling the titular crew of seven samurai who devote themselves to defending the village from the bandits.

My favorite part of the film is the attention to each characters’ personality, struggle, and motives. When the samurai are introduced, you get a sense of why the character chooses to join the crew or not. A huge influence is the caste system that influenced Japan in this era, with samurai not finding the same honor in defending a village as defending a clan with a castle. Kikuchiyo interested me the most, as he was clearly overcompensating for some aspect he felt he internally lacked, as seen in his attempt to deceive the samurai into believing he was from a line of samurai. This attention to the individual also adds weight to the fight scenes for me, as the impact of the character’s decisions and immediate objectives, as well as the consequences suffered, are clearly portrayed.

The caste conflict rises in two main subplots. Firstly, when it’s revealed the villagers are harboring samurai armor, meaning they have killed samurai in a past conflict. This adds immense tension, as the samurai question why they are even fighting for deceitful villagers. A powerful character moment followed when Kikuchiyo argued for the villagers, despite their nature to lie, because the samurai have caused them to live in fear. This moment revealed why Kikuchiyo has acted in the way he did, as he was born a farmer and moved through the caste system to become a samurai.

The other subplot involves a love story between Shino, the daughter of one of the villagers, and Katsushiro, a young samurai. On the eve of the decisive battle, Shino’s father discovers the pair’s entanglement, lashing out in anger and calling Shino damaged goods. This further displays the fact that farmers and samurai simply should not mix. Although this subplot was less crucial to the story, I think that Kurosawa was trying to fight against this strict system, with villagers saying “it’s just two people in love”.

People are driven by societal expectations of how they must act. Farmers and samurai do not mix. Samurai have the drive to prove their strength and honor in defending a village, even if they have nothing but rice to gain. The bandits continue their offensive, even once it’s clear the village’s defenses are too much for them. The outcome of this thinking is summed up nicely in the final scene, with Kambei saying “In the end, we’ve lost this battle too” before the camera pans up to the graves of the four fallen samurai. The peasant farmers are the victors, not the samurai who fought for them.

The filming techniques in this movie very pleasantly surprised me. I found myself entranced by the fighting scenes with shots such as the women’s point of view of the fighting from behind the wooden bars of their shelter. With almost exclusively practical effects, I was interested in the filming process of this movie. Turns out it wasn’t all that smooth, with the movie being delayed twice due to Kurosawa going overbudget and the final cost being $500,000 USD, the most of any Japanese film at the time. I think this speaks to the grand scale of the film, perhaps more than any other Japanese film up until that point.

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