#‘multi-layered’ motivation for why i made these

[sunlightfeeling]

Engine: Episode 1 (2005)

[writing-with-sophia]

How to develop the enemies to lovers trope effectively

I wonder why I didn't write this post sooner. The enemies to lovers trope is so fascinating! I think I love it from now!

Establish Strong Conflict: Create a compelling and believable conflict between the characters that sets them up as enemies. This conflict can be based on opposing goals, ideologies, or personal histories. The more intense and fundamental the conflict, the more satisfying the resolution will be.

Show Layers and Complexity: Develop multi-dimensional characters with depth and complexity. Avoid one-dimensional stereotypes and explore the reasons behind their animosity. Give each character strengths, vulnerabilities, and compelling motivations that contribute to their dynamic.

Gradual Shift in Dynamics: Allow the transition from enemies to lovers to happen gradually. Start by depicting intense clashes and heated interactions, gradually revealing glimpses of vulnerability or shared experiences that challenge their initial perceptions of each other. Show subtle shifts in their interactions and emotions over time.

Moments of Connection: Create opportunities for the characters to have genuine moments of connection or understanding, even amidst their conflicts. These moments can be brief and subtle, such as a shared joke or a moment of empathy. These small sparks of connection build the foundation for their evolving relationship.

Forced Proximity or Collaboration: Place the characters in situations that force them to spend time together or collaborate on a common goal. This could be a mission, a project, or a circumstance that necessitates their cooperation. Develop shared goals or a common cause that forces the characters to work together despite their differences. As they face obstacles and make sacrifices for the greater good, their bond strengthens, blurring the lines between enemies and allies. Proximity also allows them to see beyond their initial prejudices and discover shared values or unexpected qualities in each other.

Natural Development of Chemistry: Develop a slow burn in the characters' romantic feelings. Craft witty and engaging dialogue between the characters. Use banter, verbal sparring, and playful teasing to create chemistry and showcase their evolving relationship. Allow their emotions to evolve naturally. The chemistry between them should build gradually, fueled by their changing perceptions and shared experiences.

Internal Conflict: Explore the characters' internal conflict as they navigate their shifting feelings. They may struggle with their attraction, question their loyalties, or wrestle with the fear of vulnerability. Internal conflicts add depth to their journey and make the resolution more satisfying.

Growth and Change: Show personal growth and development in both characters as they navigate their shifting relationship. They should evolve beyond their initial roles as enemies, confronting their flaws, and challenging their beliefs. This growth is crucial for a believable and satisfying transition from enemies to lovers.

Mutual Influence: Demonstrate how the characters influence each other positively. Through their interactions, they should inspire growth, self-reflection, and change. Each character should have a transformative impact on the other.

Authentic Resolution: Ensure that the resolution of their conflict feels authentic and earned. The characters should confront and address the issues that initially made them enemies, finding common ground and genuine understanding. Their resolution should be based on mutual respect, trust, and a genuine emotional connection.

Vulnerability and Emotional Depth: Explore the characters' vulnerabilities and emotional depth as their relationship evolves. Allow them to gradually open up to each other, sharing their fears, dreams, and past traumas. This vulnerability creates an emotional bond and deepens their connection.

Conflicting Loyalties: Introduce conflicts of loyalty that challenge the characters' evolving relationship. They may have allegiances to different groups or individuals that complicate their feelings. This internal struggle adds complexity and raises the stakes for their choices.

Remember, the enemies to lovers trope is most effective when it is supported by strong character development, realistic conflicts, and a gradual evolution of emotions. And don't forget to maintain a balance between conflict and romance, allowing the characters to evolve while staying true to their unique personalities and circumstances.

If you want to read more posts about writing, please click here and give me a follow!

[doodler16]

Even when I didn't watch Hazbin Hotel ot Helluva Boss fully, i have some words to say regarding worldbuilding and design, i think...

The idea of multi-layered Hell may sound 'neat', but with writing plot holes and all, it wouldn't work when other souls going straight to Pride Ring and cutting off the opportunity to see other type of sinners besides Pride ones (if i did miss something...meh), so, why not just make Hell a flat disk (akin to Flat Earth or Discworld, or something similar concept of flatness) or - turn Seven Rings of Hell into Seven Sinful Moons that spin around Heaven (i could imagine this planet would've been outta clouds, floating plates with growing plants on it, and mash it up in solarpunk magitek aesthetic, besides whatever angelic tech they're using, cuz why not?)

We have only introduced to Biblical Hell's and Heaven's inhabitants (like succubus, hellhounds, imps, angels, cheerubs etc.), it's not hard to make some research (if you don't have enough energy or motivation) to add more than just Biblical Hell and Heaven, with precision take, so we could get more diverse Hell and Heaven (and not ending in worldbuilding dump situation. Also, why not expand eldritch beings a bit bigger here since we have vok Eldrich)

Why make Stolas as a baby and Paimon as a daddy to him, if you could've made them immortal ex-archangels that rebelled against heaven before they were banished (like in the book), so they could be related as 'cousins' by technically speaking (and imo, Emily and Charlie could've been a cousins too?

There are certain designs i may have liked (looks up at Sera's and Emily's grey skin as black, Alastor's twig like body and Bee's design. Coughs), but I won't deny that most designs are so bad, they could hurt your eyes, too hard to animate and just questioning, how do they even exist? Maybe I'll sound harsh or something, but Spindle Horse and Vivz had a chance to make a proper design (for instance give Hellhounds more diverse eye designs than just red sclera and red eyes - yellow and brown, bright pink, etc. Make some proper research of demons, angels and overall animals and clothing), but did she even listen? Nah! She thought she could do better designs than fan-arts (and certainly she made a slip here and crashed HARD by saying such arrogant and stupid words)

If HH and HB are happening in the same universe - at least there should be moments, scenes, even smallest details and hints to show some ongoing events in each show of the same universe (mayhaps I may have said tight or wrong, meh)

And I think that's all i had to say (tho it won't be last posts i may write down), tho you can point out or make a comment of what I've said or missed. And until next time, I'm out

Lazybones Anon

I dislike how Helluva Boss and Hazbin Hotel are in the same universe. I even forgot that too. Like how Flaze said in his video how will it affect each universe.

[bilboyagathechickenfootedhobbit]

Been seeing a lot of posts going around talking about the way kids are being taught to read these days and, as a mother to a 1st grader, I have some thoughts.

It should go without saying that the best way to ensure your kid can read, and not just read, but comprehend and be able to apply critical thought to what they’ve read, is to build a strong foundation at home before they ever even set foot in a classroom. Don’t rely on overworked and underpaid teachers to give your child the specific attention they need; that is your job. It is your job to regularly read to your child and be seen reading by them to normalize reading and instill a love for it in them. If you make reading a burden and a chore, it will always seem like a burden and a chore to them. If you struggle with reading for any reason, there are countless videos online of people reading kids books. Watch Sesame Street with them, stream old Reading Rainbows, ask a friend or family member to set up reading dates with your child, take them to the library for story hour; there are any number of ways to ensure your child gets read to and sees others reading during their formative years.

And more than just reading to them, TALK TO THEM about what you read. Go over things, discuss your feelings about what you just read even if it’s just The Giving Tree (we have LOTS of differing thoughts on the giving tree in this household), you would be surprised and delighted at what your child takes from a book. Give them the gift of not just reading, but of COMPREHENSION. The thing that scares me is you have all these kids guessing at what words they’re reading and guessing at their meaning. How can you really comprehend a text if you don’t know what half the words are? I used to have a friend who spelled just….atrociously. But he wrote sentences well enough that you could extrapolate what he meant most of the time. Now you have kids who can’t spell and they’re reading and writing incomprehensible sentences. What’s going to happen in high school when they’re given a book to read and analyze? How are they going to understand the actual messages being told? It’s not a real albatross, it’s metaphorical, but most of the kids won’t be able to even read the word albatross or they won’t know what one is and they won’t understand metaphors, so you’ll have some freshman teacher trying to teach something that requires multiple elements of knowledge, none of which these kids have.

Even when you watch movies with your kid, talk about them afterwards. Discuss the characters and their motives, talk about why certain characters chose certain things and what you may have done differently. We would read Roald Dahl books with our kid and then watch the movie adaptation and compare the two. We do that with any kids book we find that has a movie adaptation, and he delights in recognizing things from the books in the movie, seeing where things are different, why they might have made that directorial choice, why that character was left out or melded into one. Take any chance you can to help your kid exercise their brain; it helps make learning easier. Let them make decisions, let them be involved, encourage them to be active participants in life and your family. All of this will make it so that they’re more eager to learn, more driven to succeed, and better able to adapt. So much of education is this many layered, multi-pronged approach and you can’t really neglect any aspect of it too much.

You can’t just send your kid to school with no support at home and then blame the teachers who are teaching 24 kids alongside your one. You can’t just never read and always be on your phone and expect your kid to love reading. You can’t ignore your kid and their opinions and expect them to form good opinions. You can’t make all the decisions for your kid and then expect them to develop critical thinking skills. You can’t ignore all these aspects and then act surprised when you have an adult child who can’t read and if they can they don’t know what it means and if they do know what it means they can’t critically analyze it and develop an opinion on it and they just repeat buzzwords from stuff that they recognize, call it an “informed opinion” and go on making the world a worse place to be.

Read to your kids. Read with them. Read in front of them. Talk to your kids. Ask their opinion. Compare and contrast things. Build their brains up so that they crave knowledge and not just empty stimulation.

[lemonhemlock]

Hi Lemon! It's always a pleasure to read your thoughts on hotd so I just want to share mine and ask for your opinion :)

First of all, I completely agree with one of the recent anons about helaemond and how it would have made the story better and more logical, the characters involved more engaging and human and ofc, the motivations more clear. And yes, it's ridiculous how my fellow greenies have been screeching about it making the greens look bad and hypocritical when in reality it would have only endeared them more to the GA (if done right, of course). Aemond would have been a multi layered character, Helaena would have had more relevance and Aegon and Aemond's fallout would have been more convincing. Oh well, a missed opportunity, unfortunately. But the greens are the ones who were damaged.

Second of all, Helaena is such a mystery to me and not in a good way. She has the same gift as Daenys the dreamer and yet she won't do anything with it? Why? To make her a constantly doomed and tragic figure who can't avoid her destiny? Because that's not the best explanation and just seems lazy. She is completely detached from the narrative. I thought at first that she couldn't interpret her dreams and visions, but after the balcony scene with Aemond it's obvious she can. Also, the way she apathetically talked to Aemond abut him dying and (sort of ) no one caring rubbed me the wrong way and I actually felt bad for him in that scene, not her, even though it obviously wasn't the writers' intention (and I agree with you, %his request wasn't unreasonable at all).

Finally, them using Helaena in Daemon's vision made my blood boil. Apparently, she can be Bran like toward her own brother because he "deserves" it, but it's OK to use her to "light the way" for Daemon in his "redemption" arc. It's unbelievable and straight up offensive . What is actually the point of her character and her ability then? Anyway, I would love to read your thoughts on this. Thanks.

first of all, anon, hello & thank you & i hope you enjoy your stay on my blog! 💚

PREFACING this by saying that the full helaena-aemond scenes might offer a bit more context than we already have, but, basically, here are my takes, as of now, the friday before the season finale. subject to change!

i guess my thesis statement is that this whole season kind of destroys helaena's character, as well.

let's look at her relationship with aegon:

from what i understand, she says she was "happy" before the war. a helaegon win perhaps? if she was "happy", then she must have been content enough with her position as aegon's wife, no? that doesn't seem like a huge logical leap to make. so, whatever aegon did or didn't do, it must just not have bothered her that much to impinge on her "happiness", even if perhaps she wouldn't necessarily rate him very highly as a husband either.

but, then again, she never mentions him. he just suffered a traumatic injury and is in constant pain. helaena is not besieged by grief this season, she is not catatonic with her own trauma, she is very lucid and calm and acting normally, yet she doesn't once ask about him or visit him or offer SOME kind of condolences or feel any kind of way about him being a cripple. he is still her brother, though? and apparently she has no particular beef with him? she shares a daughter with him, yet never even considers how it will be difficult for jaehaera to see her father like that. she just doesn't give a shit. and, i have to say, this makes her look rather sociopathic.

now let's look at her relationship with aemond. she is apparently so dismissive and gives zero fucks about the concept of aemond's death. like with aegon, there is a version in which helaena could have real grievances with aemond that could lead her to act like this. does she, though?

she doesn't give a shit that aemond burned aegon

she doesn't give a shit that aemond instigated the blacks into assassinating her son

she doesn't give a shit that aemond dismissed alicent from the council

what other reason could there possibly be? does she disagree with his war strategy? does she care that he burned a village? is she a secret rhaenyra stan? did he step on her favourite cockroach when they were kids and now it's payback time?

so, to be so indifferent and apathetic and downright heartless towards her brothers for no reason, again, paints her like a sociopath. what does she even care about? just her bugs? what in the seven hells? i'm not even sure that was the writers' intention anyway, they just truly have no idea what to do with her character. she is there so her interlocutor might exhibit some of their own character traits, but it's like talking to an android.

there are also ways in which one could show helaena's reluctance regarding flying dreamfyre to war, not just "lol i don't want to be bothered" when her family's lives are at stake. at the very least show her terrified of dying or squeamish about violence or something.

and her assisting daemon's redemption arc is downright nauseating. she gives zero fucks about her brothers, but DAEMON is the one she elects to help??

from a watsonian POV, she is not likeable or understandable at all, they are basically turning her into a selfish coward infantilising herself and not bothering to take the slightest initiative to change or influence the things she disagrees with, who just wants to sit on her arse all day waiting to die. but can she truly be analysed through a watsonian POV? was this the intention of the writers? (death of the author and all - what other in-universe characterisation could you give her based on her inaction on all fronts?)

like with alicent, i, for one, cannot apply watsonian analysis to helaena, because that's not how a human person would believably act in those situations. that's not how neuro-divergent people act! they cannot keep using this as an excuse. i don't want to hear the "everyone grieves in different ways" pretext. controversial opinion, but it's downright offensive to neuro-divergent people to claim they are so soulless and don't care about anything other than their hyper-fixations and would not blink if their family were in mortal danger or lift a finger to help in any kind of way

[theheirofthesharingan]

In defense of my pov and maybe I wasn't very clear in the ask... I do think the point of Itachi in the earlier arcs is that he is meant to come across as one dimensional (of course to writers and those who read a lot this actually should equal something potentially being incredibly fishy), so when we get the conspiracy reveal after his death I mean that I wasn't surprised there was more to it and I love how it threw every interpretation of his actions from beginning to end into a new light. (And I realize I forgot to fix a sentence and I love Itachi now, but when I first encountered naruto in my early teens, he honestly didn't scare me that much 😅, he comes into town, doesn't kill any of the main characters because that point in the story wouldn't have made sense for such a thing, and then he leaves, seemingly on a tactically considered whim which fits his characterization at that time)

I also think it's actually incredibly important that Orochimaru and Itachi are both meddling in Sasuke's lives at the same time, which is why I brought them up as a "comparison" even though their motives are never even remotely the same! Orochimaru is horrific as an individual and a villain, but from a narrative standpoint serves as an incredibly effective smokescreen. Orochimaru is an immediate threat from the moment he is introduced, he's a constant and threatening presence and Sasuke goes and exposes himself to that for years which leaves him very little time to introspect on the circumstances around his family's death.

Itachi on the other hand is more of a goal than a threat. He's dangerous, we see enough of him vs other cast members like Jiraiya and Kakashi for that, and he very badly wants Sasuke to pursue him (seen as early as the hotsprings town attack and later made abundantly clear to be because he wants Sasuke to spend his vengeance on him, although even that reasoning is multi layered). He's one of Sasuke's primary enemies, but he functions so differently from Orochimaru that the audience just sees him as a different kind of big bad is all.

(Sorry for the long explanation, I just don't want you to think I'm stupid 😅 but I also might be coming at my interpretations from a different place than you and that's fine too! I appreciate your first answer regardless and thank you for those panels! The manga is so long that I definitely forget things.)

For the purposes of my own work, I often think of how information is compartmentalized in the village... because other members of the konoha 11 also come to the conclusion Sasuke should be killed, but the tactical ones have different justifications than Sakura if I'm remembering correctly? I think they're mostly meant to parrot the village policies, esp since they're secondary characters at best, just cementing the way that villages sacrifice individual members for the sake of less war (which is different than real peace!), but it still makes for some interesting considerations of how much/what other characters know and where they get their information from.

Anyways, sorry again for the long ask but thank you for so much uchiha content!

Oh, of course. Initially, he is meant to be a one dimensional villain, and there are hints dropped to give him more nuance, which make sense after the truth reveal. When we move towards the chapters/episodes leading to his death, the story starts to explore his fragility while he's still a villain.

His reveal didn't surprise me. It devastated me. I've been one of those who had some gist of him not being evil, but the tragedy was entirely unexpected.

If you love Itachi too, then welcome to our hell because we suffer forever here, loving both the brothers.

Don't worry, I loved reading your interpretation of both Itachi and Orochimaru and their influence on Sasuke. Itachi is a big deal because even though Sasuke faces an actual threat from Orochimaru, he isn't scared of him. But whenever he sees Itachi, his reactions are always intense. And even after their battle, he was completely shaking, even if he knew Itachi would have exhausted his chakra too. The only person Sasuke was really scared of was probably Itachi. Other than Itachi being invincible, there were a lot of feelings. Itachi had been cruel to him. Not only physically or psychologically but also emotionally. The only one who could dismantle him was Itachi. And Sasuke had all the unanswered questions in his mind because from his POV, his beloved brother one day stopped loving him when he'd always been so supportive of him.

I think other Konoha Shinobi wanting to kill Sasuke is different from her wanting to kill Sasuke. They didn't love him, they didn't care about him, and that also includes Kakashi. She claimed to love him, and concluded that he needed to die for his own sake. I have no expectations from Konoha 11 and I don't care about their opinions on Sasuke either. But she married Sasuke and never bothered to know why he changed so suddenly and why he would want his brother back. Does she even know anything about the Uchiha clan and its history? And what happened with Itachi and all? Probably not.

Don't worry about the long ask. It's totally fine. Thank you. :)

[miki-13]

Revolutionary girl Utena Characters with DND Classes

Beware: personal opinions and slight RGU spoilers below

Utena is Oath of Devotion/Heroism Paladin.

The easiest class for me to decide. How Utena and her relationship with others clashing with her ideals, and how she defined being a "prince" vs. what a "prince" really was.

In the end, she truly embodies being a Paladin outside the constructs of patriarchy and the manipulation of others.

Anthy is either Trickery Domain Cleric, Circle of the Shepard Druid, Alchemist Artificer, Swarm Keeper Ranger, or a blend of all four.

The fact Anthy could fit so many builds is a testament of her multi-layered character. Frankly, I can see her multiclassing all four and somehow getting beyond level 20.

Dios is Path of Devotion/Heroism-> Oathbreaker Paladin, and Akio is Hexblade Patron.

Self-explanatory here and drawing parallels between Dios and Utena. Paladins and Warlocks are often seen as foils and opposites, so Dios the Paladin becoming Akio the Warlock Patron makes for delicious irony and symbolism.

Everyone who has the Rose Seal is part Warlock Hexblade.

Student Council:

Touga is Mastermind Rogue.

Sneaky and manipulative, with high charisma and underhanded sneak attacks, Touga definitely embodies the rogue archtype.

Saiyonji is Samurai Fighter.

This is mainly from him using Kendo, but Saiyonji would eventually prove himself more honorable than the asshole he started the series out as.

Juri is Battle Master Fighter.

The strongest of the Duelists with a background of fencing, it was a no brainer for Juri. Especially considering Utena never truly defeated her in-series.

Miki is College of Glamor Bard.

While Miki does fit Wizard as well, bards having half-proficiency in everything both shows his studious nature and prodigal mindset.

But the main reason I chose Bard of Glamor is Miki's obsession with re-finding his inspiration AKA his "shinning thing" his tendency towards projection+ Nostalgia Filter+ Madonna Whore Complexing girls.

Nanami is Swashbuckler Rogue+ Path of the Berserker Barbarian.

Barbarian and Rogue have... interesting synergy, while also contradicting one another. Same as Nanami.

Her fighting style and devious nature made me consider Swashbuckler for her first, as well as being something she shared with Touga.

Add in her over-the-top nature and I quickly realized she gives Barbarian vibes as well. Both synergize well in some ways, while clashing in others.

Much like Nanami herself!

Ruka is Echo Knight Fighter.

Originally, he was going to be a Battle Master Fighter like Juri. Then I got an idea: Ruka using his echo to go in his place to Ohtori due to his illness.

Black Rose Duelists:

Everyone who was given a Black Rose becomes part Order of the Profane Soul Blood Hunterincluding Mikage.

Originally, Mikage was going to be a Hexblade Warlock Patron like Akio. But going over his motivations being to kill Anthy and replace her, along with making duelists in his past, I realized he also fit the Blood Hunter Archtype.

Wakaba is Way of Open Hand Monk.

This is mainly from her and Utena's fight (which she all but ripped her friend apart with her bare hands), but Wakaba is a very physical person. Glomping, hugging, piggy-back riding, and she gets in a Get A Hold Of Yourself, Man! Slap on Utena even before their fight.

Kanae is Champion Fighter.

This might seem a strange choice, but hear me out.

I recently read upon a fic (https://archiveofourown.org/works/34018852) and attached meta (http://web.archive.org/web/20200218193829/https://palaceperspective.tumblr.com/post/177107626881/part-three-deer-in-the-works)

that gave the idea and implication of Kanae being the previous Champion Duelist who reached Revolution. She put down her sword and chose to be Akio's Princess... which is why she has her own sword when dueling Utena, and why her strained relationship with Anthy grated on her so badly.

Kozue is College of Satire/Tragedy Bard.

We know Kozue is not as good at piano as Miki, but most of her aspects fit the bard archtype to a t, including the sleeping around.

Both possible colleges are on how she was affected by her brother loving her shadow rather than herself and projecting the person he thought she used to be on others. Her whole situation can be read as satire and/or tragedy.

Shiori is Abberant Mind Sorcerer.

Shiori's sticking point is her massive inferiority complex+ self-loathing which causes her to lash out at others she perceives as pitying her, which is why she is the way she is around Juri.

Sorcerers are born with innate magic, and this represents (to me at least) Shiori's own potential if she were to not define herself by comparison to others, or look down on herself.

Her mind is what is keeping her down... but it could be what eventually frees her.

Keiko is Genie Warlock.

Keiko has the desire to be with Touga and free of Nanami. Two wishes that she wants to be granted, and she can potentially get by being one of Nanami's lackies.

Tsuwabuki is Bladesong Wizard.

Wizards are characterized by studying, and Tsuwabuki spends most of his time studying the "adult" world and Nanami.

If I missed any characters you'd be interested in seeing a dnd class with, let me know!

[culttvblog]

Dead Head: Anything for England

The second episode of Dead Head takes us into the show's depiction of the upper circle of hell, as depicted in the upper classes of England. This takes the form of Hugo, the MI5 man, taking Eddie into the dreaded countryside and rubbing up against the upper classes.

Something I'm only noticing on repeated viewings of this show is that it is very heavily culturally coded, and I think possibly one of the things some viewers may miss is that what is depicted here is not actually the upper classes at all. This is explicitly stated in the DVD commentary when the writer, Howard Brenton, states that the show was intended to depict the decline of the upper classes into Hooray Henrys, a decline which I suppose has culminated in people like Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak. However this decline is visible in the show without the need for the commentary or me to tell you, because Britain is such a highly stratified society where slight changes of pronunciation and taste can indicate huge social differences. At one point Hugo (Simon Callow) tells Eddie (Denis Lawson) that he is 'top drawer'. This is how we all know that he isn't top drawer at all, and this isn't made explicit at all. If you're actually out of the top drawer you would never feel the need to tell anyone; far from sheer wealth or status, the actual top drawer has something else, and you can tell it immediately. It also doesn't need to announce itself.

So there is a theme in this circle of hell that the ruling classes are well into their decline, and the sheer corruption of the powerful echelons of society is much of the theme of this episode, including that the brutal murder of a girl (by someone very high up ) must be covered up at the expense of a Tory-voting commoner.

The show takes an interesting approach to the murder, which may or may not be a criticism, which is that most of the show is spent on the other themes of city vs country, poor vs rich, and only abou ten minutes is spent actually explaining the point of the 'Jack the Ripper' theme of the show at all. Hugo explains the whole thing to Eddie over dinner between the 10 and 20 minute points of this episode, and now I put it like that I think this is a valid criticism, that the Jack the Ripper theme is too easily forgotten in the show. So here it is in case you missed it: someone very high up has committed a whole lot of sexual offences and murdered a young woman, and that this death is being elaborately covered up by the establishment, using Eddie as their Patsy. Eddie has been chosen because the perpetrator of the crima also happens to be sleeping with Eddie's ex-wife, which is intended to give him a motivation for this. (Of course this picks up on the ongoing conspiracy theories that a member of the royal family was Jack the Ripper and sets Eddie up to be betrayed by the one thing he holds most dear). This is why the disembodied head of the woman was planted on him by MI5. As I say this paragraph is the entire essential plot of this show shorn of all the other themes, and you could be forgiven for missing it completely.

Otherwise the show accurately portrays the Yuppie/Hooray Henry culture of the 1980s. It then cleverly gives us yet another inexplicable event right at the end.

Once again, I'm really appreciating this show with the more effort I spend on it, as it's multi-layered and some of the more intelligent television from any time.

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[ithisatanytime]

Silver Fins - Waiting So Long [Berserk Animation]

 i know im constantly repeating myself, even this post ive made some variation of numerous times, but review is important and necessary, no sooner do i get lax in telling people what i know than do they start undoing the hard work ive done brick by brick with lies, every day relentlessly. heres the three layers of understanding the world, starting from the most surface level and least harmful towards their aims, to the most obscured and the most harmful to their aims.

level one: jews might be up to no good

level two: the holocaust was a complete lie

level three final level: the so called jews are not the hebrews of the old testament, they are not of abraham or of adam, and this deception of theres was EXPLICITLY called out numorous times by christ himself in plain language, and repeated by his apostles in the new testament, this warning against these people, a warning that they were not who they say they are.

when i was on level one, and i was just starting to think maybe there is something to this whole JQ thing, the holocaust did not interest me much, its in the past, it didnt seem relevant to what needed to be done, but i had but to watch as they scurried and writhed and gnashed their teeth in defense of this holocaust whenever it was challenged, and then i began to understand the practicality of the holocaust myth what all it was useful for against us. and when i accepted the holocaust was a myth, then i started thinking about christian identity of passages id read in the bible etc, and again i saw how constantly they labored to maintain this lie, like sailors bailing water from a sinking ship and again slowly i realized the practicality of this ancient and abominable lie. all that to say, it might not seem like it matters to you right now but i assure you its what matters most.

lets see what else... nukes are unironically fake, theres no such thing as nuclear bombs im late as fuck to the party on that one but i just hadnt thought about nukes in like fifteen years, which is telling because i was terrified of nuclear war as an adolescent, but as i grew up i literally couldnt give a shit (because my mature mind subconsciously didnt believe it was an actual threat perhaps) but hiroshima and nagasaki were firebombed by napalm just like tokyo and dresden, the A bomb is a propaganda bomb, is a psychological weapon that does not exist. isnt it funny how nuclear war was sure to lead to nuclear winter and thousands of years of FALLOUT you know the world depicted in that multi billion dollar video game franchise? yeah now they are saying that wouldnt happen, and the same thing for nuclear winter, and do you know why they are saying that? because we dropped hundreds of fucking a bombs in the desert, which is like smoking in the smoking section of a restaurant in terms of how they had described the behavior of nuclear fallout not to mention nuclear winter. and also there is the disconcerting fact that literally within a week of getting nuked the japanese were already back in nagasaki and hiroshima at ground zero rebuilding and cleaning up and its still flourishing to this day with NO discernable differences in cancer levels depending on the study (literally no alterior motive for doing a study on cancer in hiroshima and nagasaki and finding none or negligable increase in cancer rate, but perhaps there would be for the contradictory findings) think about those shadows supposedly burned into the concrete, shadows of old japanese men carrying canes etched forever into the sides of buildings or steps just the shadow, forever marking where they stood as THE BOMB dropped. its a striking image (go ahead look the images up, please i beg you!) and nothing more, just think about it for a while i read the explanation that it was the material around the various victims silhouette burnt around him but its fucking cartoon bullshit, just like hitler, and the holocaust. there was a ten to twenty year period where they started telling BIG LIES in america, all around the same time, suddenly we have magic doomsday weapons, hitler has magic crematoriums, and we landed on the moon (ill get into that later, late to the party again) it reminds me of gaytheists when they remark that its convenient all these biblical miracles happened before their were phones and cameras to document it, i wont get into why thats wrong right now, but i feel much the same way about the 1940′s to sixties where all of these impossible things started happening and then seemingly never again. the whole world agreed to stop testing nuclear arms in the late sixties, WOW, cant believe the whole world agreed on anything, especially not testing a powerful weapon! and we at around the same time decided to stop going to the moon, i mean we still want the trillion dollar annual budget but americans are bored with the moon, they want nothing instead (this is the official stated reason for not going to the moon im not fucking with you) i have a more elegant explanation why the whole world stopped nuclear testing at least above ground filmed testing and why we stopped going to the moon at the same time, because in the late sixties with scifi really taking off, americans were becoming savvy! thats it, they were becoming media savvy, they were more accustomed to special effects and it took more to wow them. all the nuke test footage is out in the desert where there is conveniently little or NO frame of reference for the real size of the blast, could be HUGE and really far away or just BIG and not that far away theres no way to tell even if you are there observing it. and on the rare occasion there is something for scale like the boat in the castle bravo footage, it STRONGLY resembles the way hollywood would frame a shot for a forced perspective angle using a miniature. but most of all, watch all the test footage for yourself, but watch it with the audio off because the music will trick you, does it not look like not just special effects, but SPECIFICALLY sixties era special effects from b movies? and the moon landing too. you will NEVER see that shit in HD. isnt it bizarre that modern hollywood which is turning out nothing but super hero movies and reboots because they are the safe bet when only the lowest common denominator movies will make money, lets spend millions on a fucking historical BIOPIC about oppenheimer and promote it as a fucking summer blockbuster! the kids will love it were gonna be rich! lmfao what happened how did the american movie goer suddenly get so cultured? or the studios so brazen? they cant do the tests anymore because they wont be convincing to modern audiences, oppenheimer was made and promoted to keep the bomb fresh in your mind because thats the only power it has, the power to frighten, and thats why children were drilled to hide under their desks even though NO ONE had any idea what good it was meant to do in the event of a nuclear war, but it wasnt meant to do any good it was meant to scare the shit out of children. i know there are questions, yes atomic energy is real, i know but russia was in on it too? i know, look how long this shit is already, ill come back to it, but i had said so in a way that wasnt commital that nukes were fake, i did a lot of research hand i wanted to come back and say it emphatically when i was sure and i am.

[author-a-holmes]

I'm on desktop, but the falling leaves emoji for the october ask game! <3

Thank you for the ask, lovely ^_^

🍂 Leaves Part One: How does your wip typically change as you work on it?

The way a WIP changes depends on the story, but It usually doesn't deviate a huge amount from my outline. The only time I tend to make huge structural changes to the story is if I find I'm missing an element I need to tie the whole thing together. For example, Nameer Khatri didn't exist in the first outline for Changeling. I found I needed someone for Andric to bounce off in scenes without Lizzy, so that's why I added him, but once I began adding him in, I realised his character was integral to the plot.

Then I went back to my outline to see where else I could use him and realised that if I hadn't added this character, I wouldn't have been able to get Lizzy where she needs to go in the third book.

So I don't often change huge structural things after the outlining stage, but sometimes I'll add a smaller thing that becomes a new support beam, for lack of a better word, that I didn't previously realise I needed. 🍂 Leaves Part Two: What does your editing process look like?

My editing process is multi-layered, and takes me aproximately twice the time as it takes to write the book...

1) I write my drafts in 4thewords, a website that Gameify's writing, as this keeps me motivated. So my first step is I copy/paste the completed draft into a Googledoc and run it's basic spellchecker across the whole document.

2) Then I edit ONE chapter at a time. So I'll take Chapter One and I'll copy it into the HemmingwayApp. While the chapter is still in the HemmingwayApp I'll do a CTRL+F and search for each of my own personally "overused" words, and also a common list of "overused" words. (Common words: Suddenly/Then/Very/Really/Is/Was/Started/Start to/Just/Somewhat/Slightly/Somehow/Seem/Definitely) (My personal list of overused words; That/Own/Quickly/Though/Eyes) Then I check their context I decide whether I want to leave them in or rewrite the sentence to remove them.

3)Once I've finished with Overused words, I check the highlighted sections that the HemmingwayApp is showing. The HemmingwayApp highlights passages of passive voice, complex sentences and adverbs. I have a blindspot for adverbs and passive voice so having it highlighted helps me decide if I want to keep it or if I want to rewrite these sections as well.

4) Once I've finished going over all the instances of Adverbs, Complex Sentences, and Passive Voice, I'll copy/paste the Chapter into Grammarly. I don't have GrammarlyPro, I bought 1-months worth but didn't find the premium version worth the cost. Like the other stages, I look over each suggestion and make a decision based on context of the scene.

5) After I'm finished in Grammarly, I'll then Copy/Paste it into Natural Voices. This website has "natural" sounding voices that will read text aloud. Natural Voices offers 20 minutes of their plus voices for free a day, and 10 minutes of their premium voices, but I do purchase a 1 month subscription every time I'm working on editing, because it's worth it to me.

Hearing the writing read aloud helps me determine flow, natural sounding speech, and I pick up on echoed words easier when I hear it spoken too. This could be a skipped step if I was able to read my own work aloud, but I live with other people and can't quite bring myself to do that :D

Natural Readers does make it difficult to edit the words in-app, if you make changes then it will have to re-render the audio, so I tend to listen to it in Natural Readers, and make edites/changes in the Grammarly screen.

6) Once I've run the chapter through Natural Readers, made all the changes I can hear are needed, and then run the tweaked chapter BACK through natural readers, I'll copy the final version from Grammarly, and put it into a fresh, new, Googledoc. Then I'll run the spellchecker from the Googledoc again.

7) Once I've done ALL that for Chapter One, then I do the same process on Chapter Two. This process takes anywhere from 2-6 hours per chapter.

8) When I get to the end of the manuscript, I have a final version in a Fresh Googledoc, and that's the version that I'll then send off to my paid, professional, editor for a Copy/Line Edit. She usually takes a week or two to edit the googledoc, and once I get the go-ahead from her I'll go back into the googledoc and either accept the changes she's made, or I'll discuss the changes she's made over email if I'm not sure about the why, or if it's the right change for the manuscript. (Bless my editor to the sky, she actually spotted a little plothole in Changeling that I'd entirely overlooked! She's a godsend, and I adore her)

9) Once the Copy/Line edit is completed, I move onto formatting. (Ideally, in the future, I'd like to pay for a final Proofread after the formatting section is done, but for the moment my mum and ARC team act as my Proofreaders!)

[lutawolf]

Kinnporsche Notes and thoughts Episode 12

This started out as a way for me to keep notes. Something to look back on when writing my posts. One day I was going to skip writing them and I got messages. I realized that this was something personal and special that we bonded over. Thank you for your friendship and support 💜💜💜

We start off with Porsche dropping Chay off at school. It's a beautiful moment. I am surprised that Porsche is missing something is wrong. Though likely putting it down to a new school.

Chay is every break up MOOD. Have we not all been there at least once. Okay maybe not all of us but a majority. Emotional over load, run away, and change hair. There is a check list I'm sure.

I love how Pol still treats Porsche like Porsche but the new guy treats him like he is the boss.

Where is Kinn? Kinn didn't take bodyguards? Then he is up to something he doesn't want the to know about. I do think some of this is motivated by concern.

"Arm, code red" Arm immediately stands up and goes away. Remember when I said that the main bodyguards started treating Porsche more as a boss long ago. They are completely loyal to him. Kinn knows it too. That's why he trusts these guards the most too.

"Kinn, Are you cheating on me" Kinn would cut a nut before he cheated on Porsche. It's sad that Tawan has caused these insecurities. Though, I truly believe the big motivation is more concern.

His button has a mic. Hahaha. I put money on that being Porsche's doing.

Look at the dude flirting with Kinn. Kinn immediately looks uncomfortable and his eyes shift quickly. He knows either Porsche is listening or that someone who will report to Porsche is!

Smart man Kinn. He's like, we just not gonna say shit.

I love the coconuts. They have codes and their not afraid to use them!

Look at Kinn's face when Porsche is brought up. He has made sure its blank, with only a little anger showing through.

But then he inhales through his nose and swallows. This is the moment he has to deal with this and book it home.

Kinn made a half ass excuse backed with authority and booked it.

First thing to notice is that Pete searched the room to find that book. So he had to see those bolt cutters right? I sent the picture to the electrician who verified that it does in fact look like a bolt cutter.. The only reason he gave me for why Pete wouldn't use them "hell, he is a glutton for punishment, clearly"

We are about to deep dive into some multi-layers. "Where did you get that" and Pete replies with sass "I went to buy it." Once Vegas lost his anger, Pete once again became himself. What's more Vegas is amused and plays back "That book doesn't suit an idiot like you"

Look at Pete though, he is not appreciative of this comment at all. "Idiot, that's you" Again Pete is just being himself with Vegas. Back to their normal selves.

I am not going to go too deep into the blood types here. As @biochemjess has pointed out here. It's just sugar on the blood. I do think what's important to the conversation to know that Pete is O and Vegas is AB. One can give and the other can receive. The other can't receive what the other can give.

Vegas is staring at the hedgehog. When Pete calls his name, Vegas immediately shifts his body to face Pete. "What's your blood type" "AB" and Pete smiles and goes, "that's so cool, I wish I were AB" why? He hasn't yet read about AB but he wants to be it? Because he wished that could be the same? That they could equally give and receive?

Vegas finds Pete amusing because he doesn't get it yet. Then he asks Pete what his blood type is and it's O.

We find out that AB is peculiar, he looks open on the outside but is actually closed on the inside. Also difficult to understand emotionally. Volatile. And Pete says "this is so accurate" which amuses Vegas.

Pete knows Vegas. Do you really think he would know him so well, in such a short period of time, if not paying attention?

After Pete points out the book is Vegas' we see Vegas staring at the hedgehog. This is when we can see a change in his body language.

He leans forward to look closer in the cage. Vegas gets pissed at sensitive. Why? He has been calm and humorous up to this point. He says "whose weak" He is worried about his pet and is afraid to show it. Pete says "sensitive not weak, you are in need of love"

Vegas says "fucking leave it alone" and kicks the book. Why the mood change? Several reasons. His pet, one of only a few things he loves is not well. The other is Pete and Pete is simply on vacation.

Vegas has left bolt cutters you guys. He is simultaneously waiting 9n Pete's escape at the same time he is dreading it.

Pete is confused. He's looking around to see where the change is coming from. We see Vegas looking at the hedgehog. Pete looks at Vegas then the hedgehog, narrows his eyes and tilts his head as if thinking.

Porsche waiting at the window in his bodyguard uniform. Kinn is approaching hesitantly. His face already showing concern. He is unsurprised to be pushed away. He is clearly upset when he asks what's wrong. He already knows. Otherwise he would react with confusion and anger but instead he is trying to give off calm.

He's a man walking a tight rope and knows it. "Do I look like a fool" "What are you thinking" are you seeing it. He's being calm and soothing cause Porsche is a ticking Bomb he can't let go off.

Let me just say that Kinn IS nailing the Dominant right here. He is in the wrong and he is owning it. He is letting Porsche vent and communicate but he is walking him back, enclosing him. While keeping his tone controlled and moderate. It says, I am confident. I fucked up but I'm still here, I still have you, and I'm confident I can fix this.

Chan only addresses Mr. Kinn. And blocks Porsche. This makes me nervous guys. Something about this seems not right.

Tricking Porsche to work there and he knows about the car crash. Kinn is nervous.

The story doesn't add up. You put Porsche in a dangerous job to care for him and his brother? He might make more money but how are they having a better life... Doesn't add up daddy.

Kinn puts a hand on Porsche to remind him who he is talking to. Porsche pushes back, saying he knows but he will say his peace.

Kin sees how angry Porsche is. "I think you went to far" also reminder I'm on your side Porsche. Korn "Yes, I think so too" code for I didn't know my son's would get so attached.

Porsche tells daddy to shove it. Kinn tries to stop him. Daddy tells Kinn to go.

Once again when hurting Vegas heads to Pete. Pete though hurt doesn't hesitate to sit up and help. He isn't surprised the hedgehog is sick.

There have been so many guards but now there are none? Why? Vegas could be lying but he hasn't been lying to Pete since everything changed.

Now follow me. Last time Vegas was really upset he left a belt but he was waiting for Pete because he realized he left the belt. So do you really think he doesn't know he left a key. He also told Pete there are no guards. Who he probably sent somewhere so that Pete could escape. He's familiar with Hedgehogs and knows a vet isn't going to help at this point. Probably realized it earlier in the day. He is giving Pete the opportunity to escape. Maybe he thought he hadn't used the cutters because of the guards?

And maybe he was right because why else has Pete not used the cutters but now uses the keys?

Reminder. Again. Pete is not a super sweet nice guy. He only gives a shit about the select people he cares about. If you keep making him sweet, you are going to miss the real significance if Pete. He loves Vegas.

Vegas is not surprised that Pete is free. Only that Pete is coming to his side. "He is dead"

Pete inches closer and then puts his hand on Vegas' leg. Offering support and it breaks Vegas. I swear that I think that night when Vegas removed his last mask , that he well and truly removed them. Vegas is just him with Pete. Again, being vulnerable does not strip Vegas of his Dom status. I am vulnerable with my subs and none of them have ever thought less of me. That is not what makes me a Dom.

I love that when Vegas cries, Pete tears up. Their pain is shared. Then Vegas looks at Pete, really soul deep looks. For a moment everything is quiet like the pain is forgotten and then suddenly Vegas' face is etched with intense pain. Like he just realized something.

When Pete hands Vegas the flower. We can see they are sitting much closer together.

Vegas stands and waits on Pete. When he walks away, he has no doubt Pete will follow... Pete is on vacation. He isn't here forever but in this moment he chose to be there.

"Why didn't you run away" and Pete lies "I don't even know"

My dad had me take care of the Hedgehogs since little. One by one they all died until one left. "He still left me too" "I didn't even get to name him" why? He should have had time. This is a statement of regret. He thought by not naming him he would be less attached and he realizes he was wrong. He tried not to get close but he did anyway. Are you guys catching the double meanings here???

Pete says "If you're feeling sad, that means it's important" Vegas cries more and then says, "Everything I've loved, leaves me"

There is a very fine line between sadomastic and self harm. The difference should be the pursuit of endorphins versus a desire to be punished. For us though; feelings, emotions, and pain are all tied together. And a break the camels back situation can lead to blurred lines. Usually there is a support system to guide you back. Or lead you to safer, saner ways. What support system does Vegas have though?

Vegas proves that he sees Pete too. "But you like me like this, when I'm moody" you see the real me and it excites you. Just admit it.

Vegas "I know exactly what I want" he's had regrets. He knows hiding from it won't fix it. "How about you, Pete" "How do you like it" admit you want me as badly as I want you. "You're Psycho" to which Vegas only smiles and doesn't deny.

"But a guy like you, it's no fun if you don't give in" It isn't worth it if you don't choose me. This is honestly explained so well by my dear friend @ellaspore here

And Pete realizes what Vegas is saying and takes this moment for himself. Vegas surprised quickly slides into so fucking happy.

I love the fucking hair grab. Pete started it but Vegas has control.

Pete licking his own arm. Is a classic sign of being gone gone. You're so high in the endorphins that everything is pinging and instinct is telling you to savor it all. Everything is heightened. Smell, taste, sound and it's just driving you higher.

Fuckkkkkkk. Vegas and that ass.

Make know bones about what Pete is saying by handing over the rope. He is absolutely and unquvically submitting.

Okay that knot is gorgeous. You are seeing the tighten but that type of not has you initially tye with two fingers within the rope then you tighten after lapping. It's secure enough to not have touch give for too much wiggle but lax enough to have longer before nerve concerns. That particular rope is damn good rope, it's not rough and it's thick which will distribute better.

The kiss of the hands. He is recognizing and appreciating the submission.

Honestly I'm more worried about how his ankles are bound. That could cut off circulation. You got about twenty minutes give or take before we have issues.

Omg.. how passive Pete is. Sgfggfh

Vegas is treating him good. Damnn. Those little kiss. This is love making not fucking.

This is the real Pete. That smile. Their smile.

Sweet brother moment.

Bread product placement.

I love how we've come full circle of you live is mine to your life means the most.

I love this talk. Omg. How much they love each other. Kinn just wants Porsche. And Porsche just wants Kinn happy.

So domestic. How comfortable are we saying that Kinn knows he walked away from the life???

Daddy Dearest. I don't trust you. What are you trying to cover up by giving that picture.

Mafia boyfriends. I'll support you if you want to kill him. Do you want me to help you kill him. I'm glad you didn't kill him because it would have hurt you.

I l9ve how Porsche doesn't hesitate to ask for support. He just pulls him in.

Back where it started! Refresh and renew! I love yous!

All that green around the uncle. The question is who sent him?? Otherwise how did he know shit.

And what is daddy trying to cover up?

There you have it. My thoughts. You don't have to agree with me, but know this took hours not minutes. I don't watch the whole thing and give my opinion. I freeze frame and detail. I rewind over and over. Which is a labor of love for myself and my friends. I hope you enjoy 💜💜💜

Before you reblog my post or send an ASK talking about Stockholm Syndrome. Please take the time to read this by someone who actually knows what the fuck they are talking about. Thank you @akitbeast

[doomednarrative]

I do resent the assertion that Jacket is a protag who loves destruction and violence and does what he does because he likes it.

Jacket is a war vet who never received any help after coming home, and who had his prejudice against the Russians (both for his friend Beard’s death in the San Fran nuking and due to almost killing him in the war too) manipulated and used by 50 Blessings for their own agenda. Like that other post I reblogged before said, if Jacket really liked everything that he was doing, would Richard and Don Juan and Rasmus even exist and be questioning him? They’re all figments made of Jacket’s coma addled mind while he tries to reckon with everything that’s happened to him. If Jacket really liked the violence and death he caused, rather than feeling like it’s a way to get revenge for his dead friend and deal with that grief, why would his mind be questioning him on his actions, telling him he’s done terrible things and that he’s a bad person?

Hell, you can see from the way he deals with other people outside of the mafia that he really doesnt like hurting and killing people! The homeless guy he kills in the beginning of the game makes him vomit right after committing the act, and he’s clearly upset with/sickened by what he’s done if that’s anything to go off of. When given a chance to kill Girlfriend, he doesn’t! She’s entirely in a vulnerable position and if he was really doing everything because he enjoys the violence, he would have just killed her straight off. Instead, he helps her. He brings her home, lets her live with him and get herself back together, and eventually they have a relationship. Richter of course is the biggest example of this whole sentiment though, seeing as he’s the one responsible for Girlfriend’s death. Jacket went to the station with the intent to get info out of him, and seemingly Did go to kill him! But he had a change of heart in the end, maybe feeling bad considering what Richter said about them being similar (being forced to do things by 50 Blessings) and lets him go.

If Jacket really was a guy who Enjoyed all of the violence and the killing, I don’t think he’d have done Any of that. He’s not like Martin, who easily expresses that he has a desire to hurt and kill people, or like Jake, who revels in his deeper prejudice and hatred and takes it to extreme levels. And that’s not to say Jacket is a Good person either, he’s clearly very morally complicated and does a lot of horrible things!! He signs up for 50 Blessings himself, he clearly has issues with his own hatred of the Russians and doesn’t mind the violence when it’s against them specifically.

But the thing that sets him apart from other main characters of this narrative is that his motivations and drive to commit those acts are Focused, rather than being broad all encompassing hatred. His goal was to get revenge for the death of a dear friend that he lost due to a Russian nuke, and because he himself had almost died in the war from them, and would have if Beard hadn’t saved him. Jacket’s Whole motivation for what he does, despite the ripple effects it does cause, were Very very focused and due to his grief and war trauma and he had those feelings manipulated further by 50 Blessings so that he could be a pawn in their long spanning agenda of political unrest. That’s why Jacket ending HLM 1 with tossing the photo of he and Beard off the balcony is so significant: it represents an end to his fight. He’s achieved what he considered his goal in revenge, and he’s done with trying to keep enacting out violence or killing people. That’s why he doesn’t participate in the prison riot like Richter does either; he’s done and he’s given up.

Jacket’s such a multi layered character, and it feels like such a disservice to other parts of his narrative, particularly that he’s a war vet with clear trauma, to reduce him to a guy who did Any of this because he liked it. Every single step in his story points to the answer of the question “Do you like hurting people” to not be so clear cut as to say just Yes or No. It’s more than that, and that answer deserves nuance in order to clearly understand Jacket and the effect his actions have on the story at large.

[lemonhemlock]

It's so hilarious that some people desperately want Aegon to be Daemon's parallel and foil despite it's doesn't make any sense in terms of characterization , narrative and in terms of themes as well. Just because you know they happen to like Aemond and don't want him to be associated with daemon in any possible way. Despite the fact that Aemond was literally created in the first place to be Daemon's foil and therefore Aemond's whole characterization, his arc and even his death all of it have been made in the way they are in the book based on this simple fact , that Aemond (and none else beside him) is Daemon's foil. Aemond will never be Jon snow or jaime lannister type of a character no matter of how many times the showrunners try to whitewash him . His arc will still be the same despite everything else. That's fine to like Aemond and appreciate him for the villain he is without trying to make him this pure good-hearted person because none in the dance of dragons are . And Rhaenyra is the Matilda of this story and Aegon ii is Stephen ii , so yes Rhaenyra's true foil and parallel is her little brother who was the person who took the throne away from her and ended up killing her like Daemon ended up killing his foil. The only reason why this corny dialogue exited in the first place "tis i who studied the blade and philosophy" is because ryan got a boner for Aemond of all the other characters, while calling Alicent a woman for trump at the same time when she was a charismatic political shrewd and strong woman in the book (mix of margary and Cersei) this is woke misogyny at it's finest

I agree with Daemon/Aemond being foils and Rhaenyra/Aegon being foils, highlighted by the fact that they die by the hand of their narrative counterparts.

That being said, I'm not gonna lie to you, I really love and much prefer what they did to Aemond in the show. It proves that they can take what was basically an anime villain and properly build him up and humanize him. Generally speaking, I much prefer it when characters receive the multi-layered treatment, because it's better for the story overall to have complex characters than one-note NPCs. So I don't take issue with show!Aemond and wouldn't change him. And, yes, that goes even for team black - I don't have a problem with Rhaenyra being more sympathetic as I have with the unbalanced way the factions are presented.

But I must wonder, from a story telling perspective, when they all sat down thinking how to adapt FB into HOTD, how did they look at the text and decide that Aegon is the awful one (taking Mushroom at his word), whereas Aemond is the one who should undergo a rehabilitation?

Because, at the same time, you have this weird situation where Olivia doesn't know how to apologise more for Alicent in interviews and makes concession after concession to Rhaenyra-sympathizers, like how clearly Alicent is in the wrong to prioritize her own son's ascension over Rhaenyra's (?) or how her two sons are terrible people and she just ends up upholding the patriarchy for her male children.

But, then again, how is Aemond so terrible judging by the way he has been written so far? He hasn't done anything other than do his homework and brood. I find it very hard to believe that Olivia looked at Aemond's characterization in S1 alone and came to that conclusion, so IMO it's more possible someone briefed her to say that. But whether it was Miguel Sapochnik's idea to push for this narrative of terrible Aemond (though he directed the Driftmark episode) or it was Ryan Condal's idea, I cannot say, but something is happening, because they are not on the same page.

Someone in the creative team must really like Alicent to push for her humanization, but someone else must really have it out for her, hence this inconsistent messaging and the flip-floping in her motivations from episode to episode. And it's funny because, by targeting Alicent's capabilities as a mother, they also end up damaging Aemond's pristine reputation. So, which is it? Is Alicent a bad mother and Aemond a psychopath (although you took great pains on screen to show him differently) or is Aegon just an outlier and she has 3/4 lovely children who are just doomed to be irreversibly changed by massive trauma?

It's extra strange because Aemond's characterization is very straightforward and consistent, he doesn't flip-flop in his motivations and desires, so the writers must have decided on a clear thread with him and are seeing it through. Whereas for Alicent, they tell Olivia that both her sons are awful (?) and that she deep down thinks Rhaenyra would make a better monarch than her children.

I know there is a possibility that, when she was making those statements, Olivia was just influenced by the character work she is doing for S2, in which Aemond's character will get darker post-Storm's End. But she was still referring to Alicent in The Green Council, when she's actively making preparations to crown Aegon at Rhaenyra's "expense". Before Aemond has had any opportunity to go berserk. There have been way too many instances in which the people involved in the show, whether they be actors, writers or producers (or even GRRM with Daeron) came out and publicly said one thing, while the actual media text doesn't hold that up at all.

[lady-phasma]

for some reason I can’t bring myself to dislike Alicent Hightower, I see so much of myself in her, and I just want to put her in my pocket tbh

Hi anon. I'm going to combine your ask with another about Alicent. I didn't have a very good answer for the opinion question honestly. But your ask gives me a prompt to work with, thank you!

I don't see anything of myself in her and it is perfectly okay that you do (or that anyone does with any character). I am right there with you: I don't dislike her. In fact, I've never tried. So it's not that "I can't bring myself to dislike" her, it's: why struggle to? If a character doesn't do something to make me dislike them I don't search for something. I think Alicent is fierce and flawed like every character in Hotd. I think she is as disenfranchised by the patriarchy as any female character in the series. I think she has motives we haven't been shown clearly (yet) just like most of the characters.

Alicent is probably, in my humble opinion, one of the most realistic characters we have see so far. She isn't a caricature. I didn't say the most, one of the most. And perhaps that's why she is relatable for some viewers. I find some of her actions admirable just as I find others confusing. She is very complex and I think she has been written well so that complexity creates ambiguity.

Ambiguity is often needed in a character to create drama. That's a source of conflict for fans of Aemond or Daemon: that they either are or are not ambiguous characters. I want ambiguity in a character. It keeps me interested. Regardless of what one thinks of the writing of the series overall, her interpretation of Viserys’s last words contributes to that complexity. She made a decision that surprised me more than it should have because she was set up as a character who was difficult to read, multi-layered, and opaque.

[militantinremission]

Ukraine- GeoPolitics in Black & White

Ukraine has dominated the News Cycle over the recent weeks, & it has been a multi-layered narrative. On the surface, We have Ukrainian Citizens forced out of their daily routines & into a war w/ Russia (i.e. Vladimir Putin). We see the millions of women & children fleeing for the Polish Border, the men & women staying behind to fight for their Cities, & those stuck in the middle of an aerial bombing onslaught. This is the narrative Mainstream Media feeds Us daily, complete w/ daily sightings of Volodymyr Zelenskyy displaying courage & resilience in the face of Russia's 'Special Military Operation'. He is being framed as a Hero. His tone has gotten more aggressive in his plea for support & a No Fly Zone over Ukraine.

Below the surface, is the narrative of 'The Other Ukraine'.

This Ukraine instigated a Civil War w/ Russian speaking Ukrainians in the southeastern Donbas Region; a War that has been ongoing since April 2014.

This Ukraine has violated a 2015 Cease Fire Agreement literally at will, leading to more than 14,000 deaths of Russian speaking Ukrainians.

This Ukraine is downplaying incidents of Anti- Black Racism against Afrikan Families trying to cross Ukraine's border into Poland, & ignoring pleas from Afrikan Nations. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin is offering Safe Haven to Tanzanian Students.

This Ukraine doesn't hide the fact that it has incorporated the Neo Nazi 'Azov Battalion' into their National Guard.

Former Ukrainian President, Petro Poroshenko called them 'Ukraine's Best Soldiers' during his Presidency. Ukraine's '1st Jewish President', Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has been noticeably silent about the Azov Battalion... All's fair in Love & War I guess- as long as they dish out punishment to The Russian Army, no harm, no foul(?) Over the last 8Yrs, members of The Azov Battalion have been accused of terrorist like attacks against Russian speaking Ukrainians, People of Color, The LGTBQ..., Roma, & Tatar Communities in Ukraine. The General Population have been mostly silent.

The Ukrainian Government has a historical reputation of corruption; so much so, that Ukraine's (current) likelihood of inclusion into NATO is far-fetched @ best. The ongoing death & destruction in Ukrainian Cities could have been avoided. NATO could have made this public knowledge. Why did The West instigate Vladimir Putin? A lot of Media Space is being used to paint Putin as a monster. None of the Mainstream Outlets look into what is motivating The Russian Leader. They scoff @ Putin's notion of 'denazifying' Ukraine, but are silent about the activities of Neo Nazi groups in Kyiv, & in Southeastern Ukraine.

The contradictions are stark. Russia is being accused of restricting Free Speech, but The Ukrainian Government has restricted the Rights of Southern Ukrainians throughout the Civil War. Jimmy Dore & Aaron Mate' spoke about how Volodymyr Zelenskyy shut down 3 Russian Speaking TV Stations, as a Goodwill Gesture to Joe Biden. Now, for some reason, Donald Trump is being framed as a catalyst of the War in Ukraine- for attempting to extort an investigation of Hunter Biden; but it was the Obama- Biden Administration that were catalysts, when They supported a coup that forced Viktor Yanukovych into exile. For his part, the Former President was playing both sides against the middle, & got burned.

Yanukovych was courting inclusion into the EU- a concept that was rejected for years. At the end of The Cold War, NATO promised Russia that while Germany would be reunited, NATO would not expand '1 inch' into Eastern Europe. This would afford Russia a measure of security & peace of mind, knowing there were a Bloc of 'Buffer States' between them & NATO Nations. Over the last 30Yrs, 14 Eastern European Countries have joined NATO- So much for Good Will & Keeping Promises. For The Record, Mikhail Gorbachev didn't get this promise in writing, so it was declared 'open to interpretation'... Georgia's recent attempt to join The EU & possibly NATO should be a clear message of what Vladimir Putin is willing to do for Russia's National Security.

Viktor Yanukovych mulled over an offer from The EU, & Russia countered w/ a more attractive proposal; some allege: 'an Offer that he couldn't refuse'. Yanukovych declined The EU's Offer, & Pro- Western Ukrainians took to the Streets. The Maidan Revolution, or Revolution of Dignity was born. The result led to Yanukovych's ouster, & the eventual election of Petro Poroshenko. Then Vice President Biden convinced the IMF to extend an $18B loan to Ukraine, to stabilize their economy. It's alleged that the money quickly found its way into the hands of Ukrainian Oligarchs. Around this time, Hunter Biden begins his tenure @ Burisma, earning $80,000/ month. Recent postings of emails from Hunter's 'lost laptop' allege that he may have received as much as $100M, w/ 10% put aside for 'The Big Guy'.

Poroshenko is an Ultra Nationalist. His mantra is: 'Army Language Faith'. The Russian speaking Ukrainians in the Donbas Region protested his philosophy of National Socialism'. The protest intensified to talks of secession, & the worst kept secret was made apparent- Ukraine has 2 philosophies, Pro- Western, & Pro- Russian. Civil War breaks out in Southeastern Ukraine, & the Ukrainian Military cannot contain the uprising. Militia Groups, financed by Oligarchs (Neo Barons) enter the battle, & Turn the Tide in favor of the Ukrainian Government. Poroshenko, impressed by their battle prowess, incorporates the Azov Battalion into the Ukrainian National Guard. They are included in Training Exercises conducted by the U.S. & NATO countries. Controversy over Azov's involvement in these trainings has staggered, but not stopped their inclusion.

Geopolitical Commentators- Noam Chomsky, John Mearsheimer, Vijay Prashad, & Max Blumenthal have All pointed to a Western Policy of 'poking' The Russian Bear. Despite warnings of an inevitable Russian reprisal, NATO & The EU continued their 'Membership Drive' into Eastern Europe. Ukraine & Georgia, both sharing borders w/ Russia, have become a Red Line. The above commentators have All said that the best case scenario for Ukraine, is to stay neutral. They could be a Real Buffer State, w/ influence in both Russia & The EU. They also All agree that NATO is an Anti- Russian Organization that should've been dissolved @ the end of The Cold War.

Former U.S. Ambassador to The U.S.S.R., Jack Matlock described NATO's 3 main purposes as:

To keep The Russians out

To keep The Germans down

To keep The Americans in

The issue of Sanctions on Russia is tricky. Western Europe depends on Russia for Oil, & about 40% of their Natural Gas. OPEC Nations haven t been quick to increase production, & while American Competitors may see an opportunity to expand in this Market, the needs of American Consumers, & the Logistics of filling this European Need have to be considered. On top of this, Vladimir Putin allegedly Sanction Proofed Russia. Putting Sanctions on Russian Oligarchs appears to be an obvious ploy to instigate an assassination attempt on Putin- Good luck w/ that. People forget that the Russian Masses are No Strangers to hardship. Meanwhile, forcing Russian expatriates to denounce Russia & Vladimir Putin comes across as mean spirited & more than a little authoritative. We will have to see how long the Russian Masses will stand w/ Putin.

Mainstream Media shows Us the carnage in Ukrainian Cities to substantiate the narrative of Vladimir Putin as a War Criminal. If we're using the Same Model, doesn't that make Obama, Netanyahu, Macron, MBS, Erdogan, & Sarkozy War Criminals as well? For The Record, I don't have a Horse in This Race. From a Black/ ADOS perspective, This is a White On White Event. Neither Side has shown any regard for Blackfolk. Historically speaking, we're talking about The Rus/ Vikings versus The Kazars & Cossacks... This is an Ancient Beef! Joy Reid & Black Cable Television Personalities try to frame Ukraine as a Multicultural Nation, but Mainstream Media's emphasis is on White, blonde hair, blue eyed individuals being 'murdered by Putin's Missiles'. News Commentators lament over 'Middle classed individuals who could be your neighbors' fleeing from 'Civilized European Cities'- a far cry from the description of Syrian, Palestinian, Yemeni, Libyian, Sudanese, & Haitian 'Refugees'.

The outpouring of support for Ukrainians is heart warming. Most of Us wish them well, & hope for a timely end to hostilities there. Tens of Millions of Ukrainians have been uprooted from their daily life. Russia & Ukraine are the 'bread basket' of Europe- this Special Military Operation WILL affect the Global Food Market. That said, I noticed how Europe literally opened their Borders & Wallets wide to accept Ukrainian Refugees, & to arm their effort to resist The Russian Army. Where was the outpouring of support for Muammar Khaddafi? He was the VP of the A.U., & a valuable ally in the War On Terror... What about The Kurds? Recent memory recalls how the European response to Syrian Refugees was less than hospitable.

The American Government was swift in their removal of 5,000- 10,000 Haitian Refugees; but They're just as quick to accept 100,000 Afghans, & now 100,000 Ukrainians into the U.S... The emphasis on 'European Refugees' is almost as curious as NATO & The EU's refusal to put 'boots on the ground' (or planes in the sky). Volodomyr Zelenskyy is not a stupid man, he has to see that Ukraine is being used as a Western/ American Proxy against Russia... It looks like The Ukrainian Government is sacrificing their Citizens & their Cities, in return for inclusion into the E.U. Aside from all the imagery of Ukrainian suffrage, the Real Focus appears to be on reducing Vladimir Putin's Power & Global Influence.

Some of the soldiers in the Azov Battalion that were interviewed have said as much. They bragged that they love to fight, & have no problem being The Vanguard for a New Europe- for The European. Before the Russian attack, Ukraine was being called a Focal Point of White Supremacist & Neo Nazi activity. Men were coming to Ukraine for training & battle experience. A number of Americans w/ ties to various White Supremacist Groups made their way to Ukraine. These people are Anti Russian, & like it or not, Russia has a Right to protect its Border. The attacks on Russian speaking Ukrainians is what sparked this War. Vladimir Putin would not have an excuse for entering Ukraine, if the Neo Nazi sentiment in the Southeastern Region wasn't so prevalent.

Instead of addressing this, The West, led by The U.S., is proceeding w/ an agenda to lock Russia out of The World Order. Maybe it's just me, but I think that Putin anticipated this move. Russia has historically craved acceptance from The West, but has never gotten more than a 2nd Class European Status; despite their rich Culture, History, & Resources. The 'Thrill' may be gone. Joe Biden & his NATO Partners, are acting like banishment from World Politics will do some measure of damage to Russia & Vladimir Putin. They All ignore the fact that Russia has geopolitical options outside of Western Europe. Nations of 'The Global South' have been slow to condemn Putin's actions. Instigating more involvement w/ Brazil, India, China, & South Afrika should concern NATO, The EU, & The IMF. Germany & France in particular are playing a dangerous game. They both rely pretty heavily on Russian Gas, Oil, & Wheat. Any hardship placed on Russia, could come back to haunt them both.

NATO, is an extension of The Anglo- Atlantic Alliance set up by King Edward VII & Teddy Roosevelt 120Yrs ago. The World was changing, & Great Britain was being squeezed out. King Edward created a series of alliances w/ European Powers, America, & Japan to stall a plan to create a network of Railroads that would extend from Turkey to Germany, Germany to Russia, & from Russia across the Bering Sea to North America, & down to Argentina. In essence, this plan would bypass the global network of British Ports that afforded & maintained British Naval dominance. King Edward instigated a series of Wars to drain resources set aside for this network; the fallout from those skirmishes lead to WW1. Joe Biden appears to be using a similar tactic, to forestall attempts to replace the American Dollar as the dominant Global Currency.

Joe Biden has taken the role of Leader in negotiations between NATO & The Russian Government. He sounds pretty tough, but I'm sure that Vladimir Putin remembers Biden's Exit Strategy in Afghanistan. From this angle, Biden looks toothless. No Nation is willing to chance setting off a Nuclear Attack (WW III), so the issue of what to do about Putin's devastation in Ukraine ends in a large question mark. Joe Biden is trying to force China's hand, but President Xi Jinping has a better perspective than We do. I find myself agreeing w/ Chinese Ambassador to The U.S., Qin Gang. The Ambassador recently spoke on 'Face The Nation', where he explained to Margaret Brennan that The whole narrative is not being told. Her strong arm tactics couldn't change his mind about the role that NATO & The EU played in instigating Putin.

I also agree w/ Ambassador Qin Gang that China's relationship w/ Russia & The West puts them in a unique position. Condemning Vladimir Putin's actions is fruitless, if the goal is Negotiations. What is needed, is real diplomacy. The Ambassador spoke on having the 'courage' to do this. Throughout this ordeal, Putin has repeatedly asked for an end to the bombing in the Donbas Region, denazification of Donbas, & assurances from NATO & The EU that Ukraine & Georgia would remain Neutral Countries in that Region. According to Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is being unrealistic @ the Negotiation Table. Like Viktor Yanukovych, he appears to be working both sides.

Talking Heads continue to speculate on Putin's likelihood of using Chemical Weapons, but it looks like he's comfortable w/ simply laying waste to Ukrainian Cities that NATO & The EU will be obliged to rebuild. His recent declaration- which basically lays claim to the Donbas Region for Russia, appears to be how Vladimir Putin intends to save face over suffering noticeable losses to the Ukrainian Army. The Black Sea has strategic significance to Russia, & everyone In The Know speaks on Putin's desire for a land bridge between Crimea & Donbas; but I doubt that he ever intended to encroach on NATO Territory. Vijay Prashad talked about 'Historical Chauvinism' & how it plays into Geo Politics. I see Vladimir Putin asserting himself as The 'dominant' Alpha Male in The World (The Uber Mensch), & daring anyone to challenge his position. Theodor Herzl would probably be very proud.

-I guess we will have to see how this plays out.

[maxwell-grant]

I'm curious: thoughts on Ra's Al Ghul? Moreso even than Hugo Strange or Bane among Batman's guys - maybe first and foremost among the major supervillains period - he's surely the biggest, most obvious "HEY, THIS IS KINDA LIKE AN OLD PULP VILLAIN SHOWING UP TO FIGHT THE SUPERHEROES" player out there.

As the above image by Dermott Power helpfully illustrates, any bad guy who sits on an H.R Giger demon throne dressed like Ming the Merciless is definitely trying very, very hard to channel a pulp supervillain vibe.

It’s interesting to think of why exactly does Ra’s give off that pulp supervillain vibe, past the superficial trappings. Because although he is Denny O’Neil’s baby and O’Neil famously penned the 70s Shadow run and was credited with bringing Batman back to his gritty pulp roots (which are a bit overstated), O’Neil’s stated that he’s actually never read any of the old Fu Manchu novels, but instead read all of the Ian Fleming Bond novels, and it shows because Ra’s is Batman’s Bond Supervillain first and foremost.

But you take a guy who’s bringing these pulp influences at the forefront, and you have him create the biggest baddest and most exotic supervillain ever, meant to be the focus of a multi-issue saga instead of a single story, who has to be completely different from the Dick Tracy cartoon gangsters that fill up the majority of Batman’s rogues, but still be recognizably part of a Batman who’s trying to shed the Adam West camp but is still far away from the 80s stardom, and who’s gonna be having Batman wrestle with jaguars and doomed romances and mountain bases and shirtless sword fights, and inevitably you’re going to end up with a pulp supervillain so overblown and grandiose to border on caricature. 

Which may be part of the reason why Ra’s has never really been my favorite and I’m of very mixed opinions about him.  

The major appeal of Ra’s al Ghul is that he’s supposed to be this huge, eternal, ultra badass supervillain who stars in these sweeping and operatic sagas, like he’s the kind of character whose stories are meant to be shot on widescreen and projected on a huge old-timey movie screen, with interludes and cliffhangers where Batman is dangling over a pit of crocodiles as the narrator describes his mortal peril that is surely unescapable this time. I’m always in favor of characters having storytelling variety and villains who bring with them a distinct feel and tone to a story, and while variety is hardly a word I’d use for Ra’s al Ghul when so many of his stories are samey, he definitely brings the latter.

And the fact that he has this kind of mystique, that he’s meant to be this awe-inspiring megavillain of ideals and ambitions and codes and whatnot, already gives him a niche that most of the other Batman villains largely do not have, especially considering he is (or was) one of the few villains who makes Batman into the underdog when they fight. I’m definitely not arguing that Ra’s is a bad character, or that he doesn’t fit in Batman or the DCU, or even that I don’t like him (there are very few Batman villains I genuinely dislike). I definitely have ideas I think could be interesting to explore with his character. 

My big problem with Ra’s is that I find him unconvincing. 

I don’t buy into the mystique that Denny O’Neil fosters onto the character the minute he’s introduced. I don’t care for Bond or his villains, and putting one of them in Batman doesn’t really change that. I don’t buy that he’s supposed to be this unmatched genius physically and mentally and who is both a nasty warmongering crimelord but also a guy who’s supposed to have a point you agree with. He has similar motivation problems as Poison Ivy and not even his greatest story managed to really address why Ra’s wants to save the planet by killing everyone. I don’t buy into Batman’s supposed temptation into going along with Talia and by extension Ra’s, and I don’t buy the supposed respect between the two either. 

The original Ra’s stories try and set up a mystery as to whether or not Ra’s is truly evil as if it wasn’t painfully obvious, with Batman unarguably considering the Al Ghuls allies until Ra’s harvests a brain and suddenly Batman’s going on about how Ra’s is “MY MOST DANGEROUS ARCHENEMY” and "THE MODERN DAY HITLER” and he’s gonna keep using that term a lot because comparing your bad guy to Hitler is what you do when you’ve exhausted all other ideas. When Ra’s shows up, I tend to tune out.

It’s really obvious how much they wanted to drill it through your head that this guy is the villain to end all villains without doing much groundwork to establish what even makes him such an ultimate villain other than he’s got Bond villain resources and also figured Batman’s secret identity, and I am aggressively indifferent to editorial-mandated ultimate villains. I understand why The Demon saga is viewed as a classic and it does improve as it ends but there is so, so much hokey bullshit in those stories that’s stayed with the character ever since. 

And that’s kind of a major problem that shows up a lot when modern stories try to do “pulp”. They ignore everything that actually defined the pulps across the world, every bit of cultural or social context or history that goes far, far beyond 30s American pulp heroes, and come at it from this idea that “pulp” has to be deep fried in ten layers of shlocky retro garbage, with square-jawed bodybuilders tackling comically racist stereotypes off zeppelins to rescue half-naked damsels and it’s, so tiresome. It’s an approach I despise and find incredibly obnoxious and limiting and counterproductive. I’ve never actually read a Ra’s al Ghul story that gave me that vibe, because I hardly go out of my way to read Ra’s al Ghul stories outside of the more essential ones, but I can see where that comes across. I guess it’s ultimately a matter of just how much you can tolerate ridiculous retro-trappings before they become too much. 

I guess ultimately Ra’s is one of those characters that I appreciate, tend to like more on adaptations, but don’t really go out of my way to read about and have enough hang-ups with that prevent them from really becoming dear to me. His presence in the DCU seems to have been largely diminished in more recent years and more recent stories I’ve read with him tend to emphasize more of his personality and troubled relationships with other characters, which I appreciate. I appreciate him more as a general DCU villain than Batman’s Biggest Arch-Enemy (a title he hasn’t really kept at all past the 70s) and I would actually be interested in a Ra’s al Ghul story that’s about him as a protagonist. 

The pulps were the medium where the supervillain and the supervillain protagonist really took off as a concept, so if Ra’s is ultimately going to be the DCU’s premier Pulp Supervillain, it may be a good idea to try and have him benefit from the same strengths that made those guys popular enough to briefly supplant the common adventure hero in pop culture stardom. Additionally, I think having Ra’s star in similar kinds of stories could be interesting as a vehicle to explore some of the DCU’s worldbuilding which he’s been involved with for so long, as well as test whether the character can really survive when demystified, stripped of the hokey foreign supervillain trappings and resources and forced to stand as the center of a narrative, see if what’s left standing is either the unsung hero of mankind he claims to be or the old coward afraid of death, or something else no one’s ever gotten close enough to see.