#<- was a significant part of the problem

[mumblesplash]

i feel like the thing that's hardest to fully get across about the hgcz is that this monstrosity was NOT ORIGINALLY SUPPOSED TO BE A COHESIVE STORY. CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME. GUYS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A NORMAL ZINE WHAT IS GOING ON

[local-limebug]

adhd is an emotional storm and NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT !!! like... executive dysfunction and forgetfulness and time blindness and all are a huge part of it and i see those being talked about all the time but no one fucking talks about the depression, the risk seeking, the hyperactive thinking, the things understimulation can lead to, like?? ADHD IS HELL. AND ALL ANYONE FUCKING TALKS ABOUT IS HYPERFIXATIONS.

[i-dreamed-i-had-a-son]

Broke (2016): BBC Sherlock is a phenomenal piece of media and anything that seems like a flaw just hasn't been fully explored yet

Woke (2020): BBC Sherlock is an incredibly flawed series run by an egotistical writer, it never deserved the hype and is actively bad on so many fronts (especially representation)

Bespoke (2024): BBC Sherlock is flawed and bogged down by increasingly poor writing, which many fans refused to see while it was airing, leading to hugely misplaced expectations (particularly for the final series), AND it has the seeds of some compelling characterizations and portrayals, some genuinely solid performances, and touches--albeit imperfectly--on complexities that are still being discussed today (particularly as it relates to the relationship between Sherlock and John). The huge cultural impact of the show has created a massive pendulum effect in its public perception, leading to most people today remembering a caricature of the show (whether positive or negative) rather than appreciating its nuanced merits and failings...that being said Season 4 sucked

[wesavegotham]

I'm only 26 and I already feel like an embittered old person when I look at the state of the world right now.

[beatcroc]

[notmoreflippingelves]

So in the middle of my rewatch, I suddenly got really distracted by Francisco's black-with-gold-accents "formal" court attire, specifically in regards to the leaf accents on the sleeves. And I could help but think of the *other* black-with-gold-leaf accents look that we see on a Flores family member--Esteban's in "Elena and the Secret of Avalor." Although the designs between the two suits are distinctly different, there is enough of a similarity to make me want to think about them as a set and how the differences actually reflect the differences in the characters/their roles as well.

Although the silhouettes are similar overall, I would go far as to say that Francisco's look creates more of the classic "storybook prince" vibe than his grandson's. His costume is ornate and grand without seeming ostentatious. Think of how Prince Charming is costumed in pretty much any Cinderella adaptation. He must look striking and appropriately heroic--but specifically in a way that enhances our heroine without overshadowing her. And in nearly every adaptation, Prince Charming is more than okay with this, and the same is true of Francisco. He is at some level aware that he is on a show called "Elena of Avalor"--not "Francisco Flores of Avalor" and has no desire to pull the spotlight away from where it rightfully must be. In fact, he is far prouder to be the grandfather of Elena (and of Esteban and Isabel as well) than he would hypothetically be as the protagonist of his own story.

(Esteban meanwhile exudes "main character energy" and I mean that in both the complimentary and derogatory sense. In his mind, he is on a show titled "Chancellor Esteban of Avalor and His 41-Year-Old Guilt Complex That Not Even Tres Leches Cake Can Heal." But like if I had four decades of trauma to process and no one else seemed to notice, I would probably feel uncomfortable when we are not about me as well. And fittingly, his black-and-gold outfit is much more attention-grabbing than Francisco's, but much more on that later).

Two big parts of what leads to the "fairy tale hero" look in Francisco's outfit (and also to his "default" blue version) are: 1) the two medals pinned to his chest and 2) the epaulettes at the shoulder (I believe this is still the correct term even if they lack the tassels we normally associate w/the term, but like fashion historians can feel free to correct me).

Either epaulettes or medals of honor --or both-- are often seen on characters of his type. (Pick any Disney prince and you have a 50% chance of seeing one of these. Heck, King Roland's main outfit in SoA has both as well). A large part of what leads us to associate these particular sartorial touches as "hero-coded" are their association as part of typical military dress uniforms throughout history. (And yes, I recognize the problematic nature of such a trope, but just bear with me and accept it for now).

By including these as part of Francisco's costume (and its original blue equivalent), the animators are implying that he has a long, proud of history of serving his country and that at least some of this service came as a soldier and/or commander on the battlefield. And that he won honor--military and practical alike--in doing so.

Esteban's ensemble, obviously lacks the military touches (the epaulettes and medals) of his grandfather's. Because for all that he too served Avalor for decades, his service was of the bureaucratic rather than the military variety. (Shuriki obviously won't let Esteban wear a sword with his uniform--even he wanted to. Hardly surprising considering the whole "I killed your aunt and uncle. Doesn't that make you want to go apeshit?" thing they've got going.) But I digress.

The arms (esp the shoulders) and trousers of Esteban's ensemble are also much more form-fitted than Francisco's,as befitting a younger, more athletic man who wants to better show off his physique. (The real "secret of Avalor" is how Esteban singlehandedly managed a country for 41 years and somehow did so without skipping "Leg Day"--am I right, folks?")

Compared to Francisco's much plainer jacket, the design of Esteban's coat is also more ornate (the leaf accents are larger and more detailed) and colorful with the red collar, cuffs, and lining. This makes sense given that Esteban is established as much vainer and more flamboyant than his grandfather and that he has as mentioned, a much stronger need to grab attention.

However, the elaborateness of Esteban's jacket makes even more sense we consider it in the context of his role in Shuriki's court. He is a skilled diplomat, yes, and a capable administrator. But like every courtier, his primary function is to be ornamental first and everything else second. His looks, his charm, his attentions are expected to always be in service to the Queen first and foremost--not even in service to his duty or his country but specifically to the Queen herself. Certainly not (!) in service to his own will. (And damn, that must sting extra hard for someone who has only ever wanted to be seen and listened to and valued for himself.)

As such, Esteban is treated as an extension of the Queen--yet another pretty-if-powerful tool in her Almighty hands and fundamentally little different from her pretty crystal wand.

And yet, we see little tiny little hints in Esteban's SoA costume that he remains more than just Shuriki's shiny little Avaloran ornament. Let's go back to the red accents--shall we? Obviously, the show as a whole establishes red as Esteban's "signature color"--an honor he shares with Elena (and Mateo..but like he's less relevant tbh). Moreover, red, along with yellow/gold (and blue but again less relevant here), is one of the official colors of Avalor. Indeed the jaquins on the royal flag are red against a gold backdrop. So we can see an subtle wardrobe-related foreshadowing of where Esteban's loyalties truly lie and of the decision that he will make at the end of the episode.

And finally, as the artists among you will attest, red's complementary opposite on the color wheel is green. As in Shuriki's signature color, and this is reflected in nearly everything about her--from her eyes and eyeshadow to her dress and earrings to her green magical smoke, to her Emerald City-core dressing room to the teal background on her little silhouetted flag redesign. And complementary colors are often paired together so that the unique, striking shade of each is shown off to its full potential--and such is the case here. (Often, the effect is even achieved by using the "opposite" color as a key part of adding "shading" to the object).

A string of red lights wrapped around a Christmas tree may be overshadowed at first by the massive green boughs that it is entangled around. But nevertheless, it is because of the contrasting green that we are fully able to grasp just how bright and red those lights are able to glisten in the light. And so it is with Esteban's red collar shining forth like a beacon through Shuriki's haze of green smoke.

But when it comes down to it, red is still green's perfect, natural opposite. Red is a primary color, a true chromatic original unlike the artificially-created secondary shade of green. Moreover, red is Avalor, red is Esteban. The little dab of invading, interloping Shuriki green that has been added to the red paint only serves to heighten its fiery, crimson hue all the more.

[buried-l0cket]

I love millymeryl and I love vashwood I just wish y’all let the four of them actually hang out and be important to each other instead of segregating them into couples who occasionally reference the other pairs existence

[birb--birb]

I am physically incapable of packing my room up at normal hours it's always 1-3am that I'm most productive I swear

[flying-cat]

Anyway on another note I cannot explain to you just how Severely disappointed I will be if bnha ends with a confession ending. I hate confession endings outside of romance manga 😀

+big ass rant in the tags

[musical-chick-13]

.

[the-dragon-hearted]

YOU KNOW WHAT: HATE COMMENTS

I wasn't gonna make a post about it, but I'm gonna make a post about it.

Writers, when/if you get hate comments. Delete them. Don't even answer. Who's this clown coming into my house, rustling around my trash, and questioning what I've done? YOU'RE IN MY DOMAIN!? -

Long story short I got a comment on one of my rougher works. I started it four years ago -I was four years younger than I am now. That's four years of writing experience under my belt AND -

MORE IMPORTANTLY

I STILL LOVE THAT WORK.

Who tf do you think you are? I'm a confident adult writer now. I know I write cringe and enjoy it, I also know I write good shit sometimes. So when some chucklefuck comes into my house like: "I can do better"

Excuse you??

Writers, there will always be improvements you can make to your writing and you will always look back at your old works and recognize their flaws. That's just part of writing - the important part is valuing those old works because they got you to where you are today. Don't hate the cringy you, you once were. They were important and they helped you become who you are now. Similarly, chucklefuck, if you go into someone's inbox to insult a writer's work you are the worst person to exist in creative spaces.

I am a confident writer. I know I write cringe and I know I can write good shit. I know I do both regularly because it's fun. But you come into my house and spit on a younger me's work. Nah.

Because if you can do that, then you'll do it to someone's first fanfic. You'll do it to new writers just dipping their toe in the water. You'll do it to some starry-eyed kid excited by their first comment. And Motherfucker that fills me with rage.

Never, and I mean never feel like you have the right to insult someone's writing. Everyone who posts their work is brave and deserves to interact with people who appreciate it, and people will appreciate it. It doesn't have to be you. Art is not made to be enjoyed by everyone, it is made to be enjoyed by those who resonate with it. Everyone deserves to improve their writing by being supported - by wanting to improve, not forcing themselves to because some loser under a guest profile decided to be an asshole.

So, if you're a writer. Keep on writing. Be proud of what you've done -of everything you've done, including the stuff you think is "cringe" because that got you to where you are now. You wouldn't want someone hating on a random 13-year-old's first work, so don't hate on the work you wrote when you were 13. Or 16. Or 18. Or 25. Or literally ever -

And if you're that chucklefuck, keep your opinions out of writer's inboxes lest you meet me in the back of a Denny's parking lot.

[mumblingsage]

I like how Rebecca doesn’t have an unreliable narrator in terms of “straight up lies to you” or “narrates functions or what’s happening incorrectly”, but instead exclusively when she’s trying to puzzle out others’ intentions or what they think of her, and even then it mostly checks out! It’s just with Faville and Mrs. D that she’s like “I think they were doing xyz” and she’s completely wrong. Only 2 instances tho that I can count. So far.

I'll be honest, you're on to parts of the book I don't have a very good memory of, but it's still interesting to watch you undertake this journey!

And yeah, 2nd Mrs de Winter is basically honest, and not even *that* naive, she's just in over her head. (Maxim, meanwhile...)

[infinitisms]

of all his techniques, gojo finds hollow purple to be one of the most draining. he still highly associates the move with the notion of desperation and losing control, as well as with the image of toji fushiguro, a spectral embodiment of his mortality which continues to haunt him. 

he’s only ever used it a handful of times. there’s something about such a ridiculously destructive ability why intrinsically alienates him from the world and his peers, a stark contradiction to the conscious effort he makes to try and bring himself ‘back down to earth’ in his everyday life.

satoru’s entire encounter with toji was definitely a turning point in his life and I wouldn’t hesitate to state that the brazen overconfidence of his youth was a manifestation of uncertainty. at that point in time, he’d been raised to abide by a certain set of strict rules dictated by his clan and had been practically shaped into their idea of a clan head and weapon.

attending school definitely challenged this disillusioned worldview by providing a radical contrast that affirmed his inner desire for independence and began to plant within him the seed of opposition against the very hierarchy that he was thus far being groomed into bolstering. 

gojo being gojo, coped with this blatant confusion by refusing to acknowledge it, instead bringing to the forefront the title of his birthright- being the strongest, and by extension, being infallible.

his ‘death’ during the star plasma vessel arc completely shatters this belief. it’s a rude awakening which forces him to reckon with everything he’s held dear and true, and it culminates into a rebirth that is both metaphorical and figurative. 

he subsequently experiences a moment of true clarity where he refines his thus far imperfect technique (and arguably, also reconciles the fragments of himself- which I feel can be somewhat linked to the honoured one statement), which ultimately allows him to unleash hollow purple on toji.

[i-am-a-meat-popcicle]

Honestly the only thing Hanneman had to say to me was "Lore" and suddenly I was all over that old man.

[emiliosandozsequence]

my parents better hope and pray i die soon because otherwise i'm going to be alive long enough for things to get better and once they do, i'm going to chew them out like they've never been chewed out before.

[thetruearchmagos]

Having a moderate worldbuilding naming crisis now that I'm trying to figure out how old the first use of the word 'track' to refer to continuous tracks is