#It's why Ed dislikes Bruce so much

[riddlesnap]

Although he doesn't remember much about her, Edward takes after his mother a lot and is very much her son which only provided more reasons as to why his father disliked him so. He was convinced for a number of years that Eddie wasn't even his, that his mother had to have cheated on him since he did multiple times in their relationship which was what led to them finally splitting up. It was easy for him to resent this scrawny brown-haired boy who didn't even look like him, a strapping big man who'd once worked hard at Gotham's Steel Mill and later hauling heavy cargo down at the docks.

[turtleshelf]

I need more fics about the batkids school lives and from the perspective of their teachers and I need them now. Fuck it, put some of them on IEPs, I think that shit would be so good.

Give me Damian where when putting him in school, Dick and Babs have to fudge some (not completely inaccurate) diagnosis' to get him put on an IEP and in the behavior classroom so he can have social skills education literally built into his day. So that he has a small classroom setting of other kids with their own problems so he doesn't feel so singled out by his own like he would in gen ed classes. Him slowly integrating into not just American society but also into interacting with kids his own age with the safety net of the behavior classroom and teachers that are literally designed and trained for kids who lose their composure and lash out to fall back on. He's disliked or written off by most teachers as a behavior case, but there's are a few who hold a soft spot for him, he likes to gift them art.

Give me Jason on an IEP because of how much school he missed when he was homeless, being given the tools and resources to catch back up to where he should be. Show him being quiet and keeping his head down trying to catch up. The first time he gets in a fight he was defending a younger student, he cries in the office afterwards, and privately none of the staff can really blame him even if they do have to follow through with a consequence for the fight. Show him reserved and jumpy when health class moves into their unit about drugs, he comes in with Bruce the next day to talk to the principal and is excused to the office with a alternative assignments until they move onto their next unit. Teachers tend to like him, and they're always a little surprise when he gets into fights.

Give me Dick in an ELL (English Learn Language, program for students learning English) program that allows him to slow down and get a grip on the basics of the English language. Give him accommodations that translate his assignments into a language he already knows, so he doesn't have to spend hours attempting to translate his homework and then translate his answers. Show him being reserved at first, then popular and smiley and kind until something ignites his short fuse. Show his growth of the short fuse getting longer as he gets better control of his emotions and learns time and place. Teachers don't know what to make of him, sometimes it's like he's a completely different person day to day. He's got this little troublemaker smile that tilts dangerously on his lips before a fight, his teachers think he's either going to run the world or destroy it one day.

Give me Steph whose school has to go on lock out because her father who doesn't have custody shows up and attempts to check her out for the day. Give her fidget toys and break passes. Show her spitefully doing assignments for teachers that don't like her so well that they have to give her an A: "Oh you think The Great Gatsby is the best book ever written? Here's my essay on why it's the worst book ever written and should stop being taught in schools." The arguments are sound, her writing is flawless, her sources are bulletproof. Most teachers don't have much of an opinion on her, she just another popular girl to them, but there are a few that are with her during the father debacle, who saw are angry and sad and scared, who hold a soft spot for her.

Give me Tim who keeps his head down and turns his work in late on crumpled and stained papers, but it's all flawless work. He shows up after three days absent with deep circles under his eyes and a shallow smile and explanations for his absence that are just sound enough that they can't poke any real holes in them, even if most don't believe him. He's friends with the rowdy, popular kids but he's always careful to keep just to the sidelines of their trouble so he never gets taken down with them in consequences. His teachers whisper about the disorganized genius who they hope gets himself together, because he could do great things.

Give me Duke who's snarky and quick thinking, but comes in some days quiet and with a far away look on his face. His best grades are in PE and it drives his teachers crazy because he's smart enough to honor roll if he ever put the effort into his work, it just doesn't seem to interest him. Give him accommodations that he can't be cold called on in class and never has to present presentations because he doesn't do well being the center of attention. He's always fidgeting and looking at the clock like he has somewhere better to be, he disappears to the library every lunch.

Give me Cass, who nobody can seem to really pin down. She's so startlingly unobtrusive that her teachers often forget she's there until she's standing right infront of their faces. She doesn't talk and from her writing it's clear that she's not familiar with English even if she can get by. The first time anyone hears her voice, Bruce picked her up from school early and she bounces over to him calling "Dad" before giving him a hug, the office staff feel a ripple of shock travel through them as they realize that it's not that she can't talk it's that she doesn't. She gets pulled out of classes for ASL tutoring, but not speech therapy which causes a few raised eyebrows after the revelation that she is capable of speaking. She looks at people with this intensity that makes them feel like she's looking straight through them and most teachers won't admit it, but it freaks them out.

Give me batkids with preferential seating accommodations so they never have to sit somewhere they feel exposed and unsafe. Give them early transition accommodations so they're not caught in the crowded halls during passing periods. Give them phone accommodations, so they always have a direct line to Bruce/Alfred/their siblings. Give them extended test taking accommodations, because once you've literally defused a bomb or raced across the city to stop a murderous meglomaniac doing things on a time constraint is just, not good.

For angst, give them teachers/subs who "don't believe in accommodations" and put end up putting the batkids in bad situations. Give them panic attacks when their accommodations are violated.

Give me teachers gossiping about the batkids and their odd quirks in the office or during their planning period. Give me first year teachers who flounder trying to figure those kids out and veteran teachers to just can't make heads or tails of them. Teachers marveling about how they can all be so alike while sharing absolutely no DNA. It becomes common knowledge that Bruce Wayne is a little less "Brucie" than he'd like the media to believe, but hell that's his business, and he seems to be doing alright by his kids. Give me haggard parents Bruce and Dick getting called to speak with the principal, or in IEP meetings, or at parent-teacher conferences.

Idk I just feel like this is a really untapped market we could be writing for here and I love outsider pov fics so much.

[tessarionbestgirl]

Actors suggestions are not a problem when a show has strong direction and leadership which HOTD doesn't seem to have. Ryan and Sara go on record saying they are influenced by the actors (Sara said the actors know their characters better) and it's obvious that not just any actors, but just their favourites. Emma and Olivia were joking here but I feel like there's truth to it lmao

OC: And for me, I got to leave the castle and go to Spain.

ED: Which you did ask for, in fairness.

OC: If you don’t ask, you don’t get. They wrote it in and I hope it works for the plot [laughs]. I was in Spain for two weeks and that was nice.

ED: Alicent’s holiday journal.

And then there's TGC who said the writers listen to his ideas, but this fandom always pities him as someone who is constantly mistreated by the writers because they didn't listen when he asked them not to make Aegon a rapist. But then the writers gave him the best arc in s2, made Aegon a victim of his entire family and many people even forgot about his negative introduction. TGC and Phia asked for another scene with Helaena and Aegon and got it. But when Bethany begged for a more book accurate Baela, it seems like Condal didn't listen and Baela on the show is just a bland Rhaenyra supporter. Steve thought Corlys would mourn Lucerys but Corlys barely even mourned his wife and Baela told him to get over it in the same episode. Ewan was only able to add a coin as an indication of Aemond being haunted by the B&C incident but no one really took this into an account, because he had no verbal reaction in the show.

Absolutely. And this happens in so many productions. It always feels there is a level of favouritism playing when is not clear if they have any sort criteria to filter these things.

Matt and Paddy also had some sayings on S1 of how Daemon and Viserys as character and their relationship would play out.

I genuinely think Ryan doesn't like the Velaryons, when I came to thing about it. It does remember me how Bruce Tim adapted Wonder Woman in the DCAU, he was stuck with her so took the basic approach to the character and never developed her character properly in any moment of the show besides being a love interest. And he rumors I know is that he dislikes the character. Reasons why probably the character doesn't have a animated series as well. But this other topic, what I mean by bringing this up.

Is what I think it happens with Corlys and the Velaryons. Because the more you think about it, the less... make any sense how those characters work in the show, it feels so much they are dragged though the plot and they are a reminder of how fucked up Rhaenyra is and Ryan knows that and that hurts his ego and is a flaw on the history he is trying to tell. So he just writes them in the most superficial form. So of course he will not listen Steve or Bethany.

[riddle-me-ri]

helloo! I'm new here. And I don't know how to use this app actually. But if your requests are still open, could you please write something like: Dano!riddler x reader, Edward obsessed with reader and hacked their Instagram, up to you, account and he sees their dms and bam! Bruce Wayne flirting with reader omg!!!

A/N: Aaahhh okay so, first off, hello, welcome to this glorious virtual abyss of fandom and chaos, and for a request you did perfect! Thanks so much! Secondly, sorry this took so long, but I’m still very nervous for writing Dano Riddler rip and I don’t know if I’ll ever be over it lol, also I was stuck brainstorming how to get this scenario to work in my head, lol. Like I couldn’t think of where else Eddie could meet the reader besides the diner rip, but I completely forgot his job…so yeah we’re gonna go with that! Hope you guys enjoy it!

P.S. Just read book 1 of Riddler Year One and it HELPED IMMENSELY there’s no spoilers though, but there’s a mention of Zach cause he’s just the obnoxious prick I need for Eddie and Reader to kinda bond over their dislike of lol, plus he was teased in the sneak peek earlier this month

Trigger Warnings: mentions of violence (very slightly), details of a possible panic attack? (It's Eddie but he works himself through it.

Word Count: 1.8 k

Reevesverse / Dano Riddler x Reader - Hack Into Your Heart

Edward will never truly understand why you were going out of your way to interact with him. 

No one else in the office did, so why did you bother? 

You were attractive, clearly bright, and…friendly. People liked you, normal people, not people like him. 

Yet, here you were…

“Hey, Ed! How are you this morning?”

“Uh…I..er…fine, Y/N. A-and you?” 

“I’m great! Hey, I wanted to ask you some-”

"Hey Rain Man! Hey, you got that Loeb case file ready?” 

Well, at least Zach wasn’t just rude to Edward.

“Yeah, here.” Ed flicked the manilla folder to the clean-cut man in front of him. 

“Ah, perfect! Thanks, buddy! We’ll make a killin’ with this one!” 

Zach turned to look at you and gave you a cheesy full-teeth grin. “Hey, Y/N.” He winked and went off back to his office. 

Edward shrunk within himself back into his cubicle. You were no doubt fawning over Zach’s flirty gesture and you’ve completely ignored weird ol’ Eddie–

“Ugh, rude dick.”

Wait, what?

“What?” Ed lifted his head back up. 

“Oh, sorry, geez. I just can't stand people like him. Pompous and arrogant.” 

Oh…well this is an interesting development.

Edward would never fully admit it to himself, but there was a nagging notion in his brain that identified the early signs of a growing crush. He thought he was beyond that emotion, he would be incapable to ever act upon it like a normal person. No one would ever reciprocate whatever motions he took to even try and court a partner, so he tossed the idea out of his mind. 

However, you’ve proven to make the emotion start to gnaw and fester in his gut. Made what he deemed impossible to seem somewhat possible. He couldn’t tell if he wanted to bash your head in or embrace you. 

I-I couldn’t hurt them, not when they’ve been nothing but kind to me…but it is infuriating.

“Uh…y-yeah, me neither.” Ed mumbled, after a minute of realizing he never responded to you while lost in his inner turmoil. 

You shook your head. “And why does he call you that, Rain Man? It isn’t some weird passive-aggressive thing is it? Cause you shouldn’t have to put up with that, Eddie.”

Eddie. “Oh-uh..n-no nothing like that, I just…I help us-him…make a lot of money.” 

Your eyes widened, before you gritted your teeth. “See, ugh…I don’t know how you put up with him. I sure couldn’t, and I feel bad. You shouldn’t have to–”

“Hey Y/N! Do you have those invoices?” A co-worker hollered over from their cubicle. 

“Oh, shit!” You said under your breath, but Ed heard and it made him chuckle softly. “Yeah, I’m coming!” 

You looked back down to Ed before walking away, “come see me when you get a chance. I still gotta ask you something.” 

“O-Okay.” 

Just like that you were gone, drifted away back into the hustle and bustle of work. Edward was perplexed by you, but given who he is…and how he is, he knew he couldn’t go down this venture without proper knowledge beforehand. 

For once, he actually felt sort of bad about invading someone else’s privacy. Even if he somewhat did so on a legal basis and got paid for just that. Albeit, he knew this was the only way he could get to know you, the true you, without having to ask outright and risk being disappointed when it turned out to be some sort of façade. 

Edward knew he had to take social media with a grain of salt, but he knew it was a good place to start, and it wasn’t his first time hacking into Instagram’s databases. Using your full name and a picture of you available on the company’s website he was able to find your account with ease. 

He didn’t get far into your account. He found himself stricken with a small sting to his chest. He just realized out of the several months you have been here…

Edward’s never seen you smile, a true genuine happy smile. 

Not those minuscule lopsided ones that sufficed lighthearted work discussions. He entertained the idea of possibly, maybe just maybe, one day he could be the reason you smiled like that. 

It took Edward sometime to break from the hypnotizing spell your smile bewitched upon him. When he finally did, he found himself endlessly scrolling. He would get enraptured every now and again by another photo of you smiling. 

You loved animals, often had pictures of you with your pet(s) or just the pet(s). You were also very proactive against issues Ed felt strongly about. There were pictures of you volunteering at the new orphanage…the way you smiled and embraced the children. Your smile infected the children around you. 

You were different. You were different, just like Edward suspected. God, if someone just smiled down at him when he was an orphan, embraced him. Perhaps he wouldn’t be so…estranged from the rest of society. 

Nearly an hour and a half went by and he noticed a little red icon near the upper right corner of his screen. This must be the direct messaging interface–

What the hell? BRUCE WAYNE?

Bruce: Hi there, I just wanted to say I’m very impressed with your volunteer work. I admire your dedication to our fair city. I wished many more Gothamites shared your tenacity. 

Y/N: Is this some kind of prank?

Bruce: Ahh, I can see how you may think that, but nope it isn’t! 

Y/N: Hmm…your account is verified and your photos seem legit…

Apparently, Bruce sent a compelling photo that was no longer available, because your tone immediately changed. 

Y/N: Oh wow! I guess it really is you! I…um…sorry about not believing you. Can’t be too careful lol, but I appreciate your comments. I know this city has its faults but it is home. 

Bruce: It’s quite all right. It’s pretty smart of you to be on your toes. And I know what you mean, about Gotham.

Threads and threads of conversing. You told him about your volunteering ventures, what you did for work. The two of you bonded over your stories and the obvious comfortability between the two of you. 

Bruce: You’re truly a beautiful person, you know? As cheesy as that sounds, but you are, inside and out. 

Edward’s vision started slowly slipping into the vignette of red around his perception. He had to put aside his personal computer and breathe. He opened up the daily crossword and started focusing on the words, the clues and their answers. The red slowly started fading away. 

No, no, no! He stole the public eye from me– from us at the Orphanage. I won’t let him get away with this, too! Not when I can still do something about it. 

As much as Bruce slid in some compliments, they didn’t seem to move you. You thanked him for them, but never reciprocated or focused on them for too long. 

Maybe they’ll reciprocate mine? 

Now armed with the appropriate knowledge and even with an excuse to actually see you. Edward decided to make way to your cubicle. 

It seemed sort of surreal for him to interact with you in a workplace setting. Now knowing who you were when you were free and yourself. He was going to have to act aloof to that version of you, until you revealed it to him. 

He was so determined and heated at your exchange with Bruce Wayne, he didn’t actually plan out how he was going to get your attention. He especially didn’t know since you were busy on the phone. 

Edward waved his hands when he noticed your peripheral was close to where he stood. You immediately took notice and smiled at him. 

That’s close to the one in the pictures…

You held up your hand and made a mouthing motion with it, indicating the person on the phone was chatting your life away. Ed couldn’t help but slightly chuckle.

“Yes-Yes, I understand. Okay, I-I’m sorry I’ve gotta get going, I’ve got another important phone call coming in. I will update you whenever I learn anything new…okay, thank you!” 

You groaned after you hung up the phone. “You’re a lifesaver, Eddie. I didn’t think she’d ever stop talking…” 

Eddie…Eddie…he loathed when Zach called him that, but…he could get used to you saying it. 

“Oh, uh, no problem. You handled it pretty well…”

“That’s what years of customer service will do for you.” You scoffed. 

“Um-uh, y-you wanted to ask me something? I-I finally got some free time…”

“Oh my God, I totally forgot. Yes! Um, so, this is going to sound very strange and extremely forward. But…I’m hosting a Game Night at the Gotham City Library with some school kids and a few of the orphans from the new orphanage. And I’ve noticed you doing the newspaper crosswords and code breakers, I thought you might want to join.”

You were inviting him? You were going to include Edward Nashton in a local outgoing function? For the first time since he’s been alive, Ed’s brain was slightly misfiring. 

“I-I-um…I-I don’t really go out much.” Edward found himself balling up the fabric of his rain jacket. 

“O-Oh, I see, it’s okay. I know it’s a lot and kind of sudden. But maybe we could do something less…crowded? I’d love to try and come up with some puzzles for the kids to solve and actually get them to use their brains.” You giggled. “Does that sound more...manageable? You can still absolutely say no, no hard feelings!” 

“N-No…I-I um…that sounds like fun.” 

Fun? When was the last time Edward had ever said that word out loud to anyone about anything. 

Edward’s eyes widened at your reaction.

There it is. That smile…I did it…I can do this. 

“Yay! Awesome! Thank you so much, Eddie! I really appreciate it! And even if you’re not there, I promise I won’t take the credit. Unlike a certain individual.” You shot daggers at the office door right above your cubicle. Edward had no idea you were right below Zach. You poor thing. 

Edward found himself smiling back, genuinely for the first time in a long time. “I know you won’t. I believe you–trust you.” 

You got up from your chair with some files piled into one arm. You walked by him and placed your hand on his shoulder. “I’m glad, I want you too. You don’t have to be alone in this world, Eddie.” You pat his shoulder and then make your way upstairs. 

“I’ll message you with more details, ok?” You smiled at him, waving as you went further up the stairs. 

Edward found himself nodding and waving back. 

You’ll rot in hell one day, Wayne. But I’m not going to let you take them down with you…

[brokentoys]

Speaking of the good comics, which ones are those or what ones do you recommend?

Okie! ✌️ I'll list my absolute favorite ones!

Batman Chronicles #3 (1995) / Riddle of the Jinxed Sphinx.

This one is actually a mini-story in a comic filled with three mini stories. (The other two being about Zsasz, and Croc) - but that doesn't matter. Despite it being a short story, you get a good look in Ed's head. This is actually a take on the "Eddie tries to give up leaving riddles behind". Which there's been at least three of those I can recall. Most people know of the one based on the Animated Series / New Adventures of Batman & Robin. And while that one's good. This one's the best because it focuses on Riddler more rather than Batman and Robin trying to figure out if Eddie's actually giving up riddles or not. It's also more realistic to OCD compared to the other one(s) which does it in a sillier manner. I'd go into depth as to why, but I don't wanna spoil anything.

That being said...

Batman Gotham Adventures #11 (1999) / The Oldest One in the Book!

Even though, imo, it's not as good as above, I still recommend reading it regardless! It has a very emotional ending, and it still has some characterization points I like. (Dealing with Ed's shame regarding his mental illnesses). Which is funny, given that I actually dislike most of the Gotham Adventure comics with Eddie because they also watered down his character to be a money grubby thief and nothing more. (When that goes against everything about Animated Series Eddie from the beginning - who didn't care about money / tried to kill a greedy CEO)

Batman #23.2 (2013) / Solitaire

May be my FAVORITE Eddie comic. Maybe. Also you'll notice it's one of the few recent / post New 52 comics I'll add to this list. It's such a satisfying read.

DC Strange Love Adventures (2022) / Dinner for Two

EDDIE IS CANONICALLY BISEXUAL HELL YEAH. A short story in a comic with many short comics (most of them are Movie Baits) but this one is so so so so fucking good. Probably the best Riddler comic in the last nine years or so (at its time). Which is sad. But it's a comic that truly understands what a lonely person Eddie is. Which I wish more comics would acknowledge that. Amazing read. It's the last one in the book, though.

BATMAN #608-619 (2002) / HUSH

If you read this one expecting Riddler - just know you won't see much of him. But by god, the moments you DO see him? Totally worth it. Jeph gave a new concept for Riddler, and how he could be a WONDERFUL villain. Unfortunately DC discarded all of this.

Batman Confidential #26, #27, #28 (2009)

A Batman and Riddler team up comic! Although there are parts I've felt were contrived, this is a VERY enjoyable one that's three parts. Eddie and Bruce's dynamic is just so fun and hilarious (in a good way!) And Eddie's characterization is also entertaining as hell. It helps show how Bruce and Eddie can help each other, too.

The Brave and the Bold #183 (1982) / The Death of Batman

ANOTHER Batman and Riddler team up comic, though older! This one's also a blast just because, again, Eddie and Bruce's dynamic is so entertaining. But Bruce's patience seems to be much thinner in this one, because he snaps at Riddler A LOT. They also share some pretty hilarious back and forths.

Detective Comics Annual #8 (1995) / Questions Multiple The Mystery

In this one, Eddie finally opens up to an Arkham psychiatrist, and tells his story. Whilst this one, unfortunately, goes with the "Eddie is a cheat and cheated in school" concept - the rest of it makes up for that. I also feel it has some good depictions of his psychosis. May even been the first comic to show him struggling with psychosis? But I can't quite remember that.

Gotham City Sirens #3 (2010)

About a reformed Eddie. And man, he just has some good development in this is all.

Gotham City Sirens #9 and #10 (2010)

This one has many reasons why I love it - like how I love most of these, it's another comic that gets deep into his psychology. And for once, depicts Eddie as beating himself up / talking down on himself rather than the generic "I'm THE GREATEST PERSON ALIVE-" I guess what I'm saying it also feels like a more realistic depiction of NPD.

HONORARY MENTIONS

BATMAN ZERO YEAR (2013) ... YEAH THIS ALSO WENT ON FOR LIKE 12 FUCKING ISSUES

I didn't love this comic. And frankly, it was definitely dragged out waaaay longer than it needed to be. That's because they literally wanted this to go on for a year (as comics release monthly) But imo, it took way too long to start and takes many issues in before it gets actually interesting. But I bother to mention it here just because it's one of the very, very, very few events where Eddie's the main antagonist. (Other than the War of Jokes and Riddles - but you'll never see me recommending a Tom King book) So props to him. And it still has some fine moments.

Batman Legends of the Dark Knight #185-189 (2005) / Riddle Me That

EMO PLASTIC SURGERY RIDDLER. MY BELOATHED. I literally have a love/hate relationship with this one. Riddler's design, and his characterization was just... okay???? And it's way longer than it should be. This was an attempt to rebrand the character to Appeal to the Modern Kids - and kinda spat on Eddie's old design, plus everything Jeph Loeb did with Hush. Which all failed. However, there are still some things I really enjoy in this comic. For one, it MIGHT be the first to retcon the "Eddie's a cheat / Eddie cheated in school" and instead changed it to that he was a victim of gaslighting by jealous parents. I would say it may be the first time Eddie was depicted as an abuse victim - but I don't know if it's credited to this comic, as it seems like that's just an idea DC must've had in general. As Alex Ross' Justice also mentioned him being beaten by his father for "cheating/lying," and Batman 2004 cartoon also depicted Eddie with a bad father (though the abuse was watered down due to being a kid's show) so it seems like that's just something DC told everyone they were doing with Ed's character or something. Anyway, despite having several glaring issues - there are still moments I love in this comic, regardless. Read it with caution, I guess.

JUSTICE #2 (2005)

While part of a short series, I've only ever read this one. It's an enjoyable one! Ed's intelligence is also credited in this one. However, I like it for it also mentions the abuse Eddie went through. It's also where I got my URL from.

Catwoman: Lonely City (2022)

A Catwoman comic? Why? Because Eddie's drug abuse is mentioned (also since it's a future, it's revealed he got clean <3) and he also fucks Catwoman. What more could you want?

There are more I could recommend. But these are, imo, the very best ones. Of course, I will also recommend watching the Animated Series (he was only in three eps </3) as well as checking him out in Arkham City and Arkham Origins - as those are my fav Eddies in those games.

[deadsh33p]

I'm very shy about sending asks but do you wanna talk about your version of the Batman rogues? If you don't is fine.

Decided to not do what you asked for and just tell you my batman universe. Since there are many characters, I'll just give a sad abstract for ya.

-I imagine the Batman universe timeline like how Gotham portrayed it: a mix of multiple different years. In this case I focus more on the 1920s, 40s, 90s and 2000.

-Look I understand why Bruce acts playboyish but I love my men goth and pathetic. He is goth and pathetic.

-Even though there were many conflicts, in the end batfamily becomes CANON. They all love each other very much (yes this includes Jason and Damian) (Damian acts like how the batfamily webtoon portrayed him aka not a piece of shit)

-Hyperempathetic Bruce Wayne my beloved.

-Yes Batman spanks the living shit out of his rogues but he has a list of who he thinks has more chance of reabilitating "sooner". Seeing how Harley is getting better, his hopes for Harvey leaving crime comes back AND STRONG.

-Batman and Harley are friends. In their own way.

-Harley acts similarly on how she acted in TNBA: nicer. Though she swears alot.

-She gets along pretty well with the Batfamily (said prior), but with the rogues too. The majority of them.

-She goes to Oswald's house to escape the cops every now and then.

-Obviously she's incredibly close with Ivy, but she gets along really well with Edward. Before Harley met joker (and became Harley Quinn) she was Ed's therapist, til he broke out of arkham. But she feels alot of sympathy for him. Ed is grateful for meeting Harley but he absolutely HATES that she knows everything about him, for obvious reasons.

-Edward dislikes Ivy alot. She hates him too so no probs.

-He streams on twitch and they can't legally ban him because it helps finding where he is.

-Ed avoids killing now. But in his first years as riddler he would do much horrible things. You can say he's "getting better" (he still commits crimes though)

-Kristen is canon here, though she doesn't die.

-The first years being the riddler, he was in an incredibly bad moment in his life. Batman once found him having a breakdown close to his own traps.

-Has autism, OCD, anxiety and schizophrenia. Though this has nothing to do with his crimes.

-The reason why he loathes attention SO MUCH is because of the extreme neglect he suffered through his entire life. Unconciously he is kind of showing in the face of every abuser/bully that he has power now.

-Works with The penguin.

-Oswald is kind of the dad of the rogues, if you interpret it that way. Everyone goes to him for help, being either advice on their personal life or the "please let me hide in your house Batman is going to break my femur" kind of help.

-Adopted Martin (gotham). Learned ASL to understand him better. Martin is a horrible child to everyone (future arsonist) EXCEPT Oswald (he genuinely loved his dad hell yeaah).

-Oswald used to be more aggressive (like in gotham) but over the years he's become more calm. Though if you push him over the edge he WILL put an UMBRELLA over your THROAT.

-For some goddamn reason he's close friends with Ivy.

-Victor Zsasz works for him.

-All of the rouges hates Joker. Every single one. Joker used to be less extreme but he's pushed too farz even fir the villains.

-Batcat canon idfc

-Selina's literally the most chill out of them all. All of the rouges be commiting terrorism and my girl really be here simply stealing pearls like😭 (/lh because my girl IS TALENTED)

-She doesnt gets along much with the rogues in general.

If you have anything specific pls feel free to ask ;)

[thedreammweaver]

Merry for the First Time (Burton-Schumacherverse au, teenage!riddlebird, angst, hurt/comfort)

Warnings: drug abuse mentions, child abuse/neglect, mention of forced dieting, withholding of food as punishment, planned but not executed filicide

Oswald huffed as he followed after his mother, greatly disliking the fact she’d drug him along to help her with Christmas shopping. She was in the middle of trying to remember something, frazzled as usual from whatever she took to take the edge off when dealing with Oswald. It felt like he was waddling after her forever all across the shopping center but she finally decided to call it a day.

Once they were in the car Esther was anxiously drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. “Can we go home now?” Oswald whined, leaning against the window. Esther cleared her throat “No...you have a doctor’s appointment today.”

Oswald could’ve sworn he felt the world stop turning “No, I don’t.”

Esther was already exasperated “Oswald, please-“

“No!!” Oswald screamed, folding his arms and turning away from his mother. His doctor visits were always tortuous, he got poked and prodded and ridiculed just for the doctor to say he didn’t know what was wrong. Esther gritted her teeth and squeezed the steering wheel before putting on a fake nice voice “If I get you ice cream will you not make my life a living hell for just a few hours?” Oswald pondered what his dignity was worth for a moment before nodding, stubbornly.

Oswald absently fiddled with the hem of his pajamas as he sat in the hallway listening to his parents fight.

“You spoil him too much! That’s why he’s like this!”

“He won’t do anything I say unless I spoil him! You do the same thing!”

“You’re high, Esther.”

“Oh, I’d like to see you try dealing with that thing sober..can barely stand to look at him.”

Unfortunately the all boys school Oswald was forced to attend didn’t let out for winter break. That meant he still had to deal with teasing from his peers over holidays the holiday season. He was sitting by himself in the grass during a break between classes while all of the other boys were together doing whatever ‘normal’ boys did. He was cranky as his father had once again forced him on a diet. Tucker was a little obsessed with trying to ‘correct’ the one thing about Oswald’s appearance that was changeable. He and Esther had looked into surgery for the nose and flippers, much to their dismay there were was seemingly no sum of money that could convince any surgeons in the area to operate on a thirteen year old. Oswald’s mood didn’t improve when he felt a small rock hit his back followed by snickering. It was soon followed by another rock and thenanother. “Hey, lardass!” Oswald recognized the voice as Harvey Dent’s. The boy was an angel in front of teachers but could be quite the bully once out of their eyesight. “Harvey, cut it out.” This voice made Oswald seethe, it was Bruce Wayne. “Shut up, Bruce. You make jokes about him too.”

“I don’t throw rocks at him..”

Oswald knew if he was going to be angry at anyone in the moment it should be Harvey, but there was something about Bruce that infuriated him. The perfect hair, perfect smile, everything about him was too perfect. Everyone had been doting on him since his parents died, if Oswald ever had to hear the words ‘Poor Bruce’ again he thought he might just lose it. He didn’t see the big deal, having parents wasn’t all it was cracked up to be either and Oswald didn’t get any sympathy for that or for anything...everyone was so worried about Bruce. He acted so innocent and good but he treated Oswald just like everyone else did. Without realizing it Oswald had gotten up, something about Bruce made everything in him cry out to rip the other boy to pieces. All Oswald saw was red as he felt himself charging Bruce.

“You put another boy in the hospital, Oswald, do you even care??” Esther asked, exasperated as she tried to focus on driving Oswald home from the lengthy meeting they’d just had with his principal. “It’s just a few broken bones..” Oswald mumbled.

“I really wonder what’s wrong with you sometimes.”

“He was being mean!”

“Oh, trust me, pal. A lot of people are going to be mean to you. You can’t attack everyone for it.”

“Yes, I can...”. Oswald folded his arms.

“Good then you’ll go to jail and I’ll never have to see you again, that’ll be nice.” Esther said spitefully. “Why can’t you just be normal for once???” She sighed “Poor Bruce...” That was it. Oswald didn’t know what came over him but he just started shrieking and kicking the back of Esther’s seat.

Oswald huffed as he laid face down in bed, having been sent there without dinner for his behaviour that day. He was going to try and go to sleep when he heard his window opening and something thumping against the floor. “Ow.” Ed mumbled though he recovered quickly. He giddily came over to Oswald’s bed “Ozzie..” he sing songed softly, pushing on Oswald’s shoulder. Oswald just groaned and moved away. “Oh..you’re in a bad mood, huh?”

Oswald weakly swatted at Ed.

“That’s okay, Ozzie. I still love you.” Ed said, crawling onto the bed to hug the other boy. The kind touch made Oswald’s heart melt. “Oh! I brought you something.” Ed took off the green backpack he had on and rummaged through it for a few seconds before pulling out a tub with a raw fish in it. He slid it over to Oswald who wasted no time in opening the tub and starting to eat it.

Ed looked at him a bit sadly “Your parents didn’t feed you did they?”

“How did you know that?” Oswald asked with his mouth full.

“I heard about you putting Bruce Wayne in the hospital, preppy bastard probably deserved it.”

Oswald shrugged, continuing to eat.

“Did you think about what I said? About running away together?” Ed asked. Oswald paused. “Eddie, I don’t know...”

Ed huffed, and lifted up his sleeve. Oswald’s eyes were immediately drawn to the bruises on Ed’s forearm. “I have them everywhere.” Ed said stoically “I’m leaving no matter what but I’d rather be doing it with you.”

“I-I... okay, I just need some time to think.”

“Please, Ozzie. I don’t wanna spend Christmas by myself...or with my father.” Ed pleaded, laying down in Oswald’s lap.

The next day Oswald was once again listening to his parents bicker, being suspended from school he had little else to do, the sound of them yelling coupled with the feeling of the hard floor under him had become so familiar. The light from the sunset hitting the floor was quite pretty though, so at least he had that to look at. He’d stopped paying attention to what his parents were saying until his father said something that made his blood run cold. “I wish we’d gone through with getting rid of him when he was a baby..”

“Tucker..”

“We were right there on the bridge about to throw him in when you suddenly decided you felt bad for him!”

“You don’t have to yell at me! I wish we’d done it too..”

There was a beat of silence as Oswald listened intently.

“Well...it’s not too late.” Tucker hummed.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Think about it, Essie! We could have the house to ourselves again.. Christmas to ourselves.” Tucker was already daydreaming as he grabbed his wife by the shoulders.

“I- even if we were to do it..I don’t even know how to go about something like that.” Esther mumbled.

“The kid’s a pig, he’ll eat anything, I doubt he’d notice if we slipped something into his supper tonight.”

“We could pay someone to dispose of him and be rid of the body by morning...” Esther was daydreaming as well now.

“I have a better idea. I’ve met with a few ‘collectors’ that would pay a pretty penny to have those flippers in a display case.”

“You’ve been thinking about this a lot, haven’t you, dear?”

“You have no idea.” Oswald’s heart was beating so loud as he snuck back to his room he was almost afraid his parents would hear.

Oswald startled a bit at Ed entering his window. “Hiya, Ozzi-“

“We’re leaving.” Oswald cut the other boy off, he was busily packing a few things into a backpack.

“Why the sudden change of mind?” Ed asked, genuinely curious.

“I heard my parents planning to poison me, they said they would do it tonigh-“

Oswald was cut off by his mother calling him down for dinner, he hurriedly finished his packing. “Do we have to go by your house or are you ready?” He asked, grabbing a coat from his closet and putting it on.

“I’ve been ready for weeks.” Ed answered, gesturing to the backpack he had on his own back everytime he came to visit Oswald. Ed suddenly looked nervous “I haven’t actually thought of where we should go....”

“I have an idea.” Oswald assured, taking Ed’s hand.

Ed shivered as he and Oswald entered the abandoned penguin exhibit in the old zoo. Oswald wrapped his arm around the other boy to share body heat, the cold of the place didn’t phase him too much. “Y-You’ve been here before right?” Ed asked. “Yeah, I was running from those jerks at school when I found it.” Oswald lead Ed deeper into the place. Ed startled when he heard squawking behind them and turned to see a penguin. “Oh, I should’ve mentioned there’s still penguins here.” Oswald chuckled. As Oswald and Ed kept walking the penguin followed curiously for a bit before losing interest. Soon the boys turned a corner and Ed was surprised to see a sort of dwelling in a corner of a long abandoned room. There was a mattress with pillows and blankets on it as well as a lantern and a few books. “I...come here sometimes to get away from everything.” Oswald admitted.

Ed stirred slightly from where he’d been snuggled under Oswald’s arm while the other boy read to him. He could hear bells from a clock in town signaling it was now midnight, Christmas Day. “Merry Christmas, Ozzie.” Ed mumbled, sleepily but happily, sinking back into Oswald. “Merry Christmas, Ed.” Oswald cooed, kissing Ed on the forehead.

[riverrunscold]

Rewatching Gotham during the quarantine because it's been a while since I've seen the earlier seasons. Though I will share with you my rating for each season before I rewatch so I can compare afterwards.

#1 Favorite: Season 2. This season had the most Ed in it and I really liked him from season 1, and, not being a big Batman fan before watching the show, Ed/Riddler was someone I recognized, other than Joker and Penguin. Ed really does a shit ton in the season and I love that. Apparently a lot of people love Into The Woods, and I remember loving it too but I don't remember that much about it sadly. The Mr. Penguin era was just *chef's kiss*. Nygmobblepot being roommates, love that! That scene where Lee tells Oswald to shut up, hell yeah! The acting this season, especially from Cory. Just, yes. Also, Ed in Arkham is and always will be iconic.

#2 Favorite: Season 1. The season that really got me into the show. I don't understand people not wanting to watch more after literally seeing Oswald emerge from the water and kill a man for his sandwich, that was some iconic shit. Baby Bruce makes me emotional as hell. Baby Bruce is my son. The scream after Bruce's parents die, holy shit David. Fetus Ed is thriving and telling riddles and drinking from a mug with a question mark on it and I, for one, couldn't be happier. I think I would've genuinely been friends with season 1 Ed. Harvey is grumpy and I remember not liking him for a while but he grew on me very quick. Selina and Bruce this season, yes! Wholesome and cute.

#3 Favorite Season: Season 3, funnily enough. It was actually pretty good, as far as Nygmobblepot went, at least for a while. Then shit quickly went down hill fast, and not just because I ship those two but because Isabella comes out of fucking nowhere. If anyone has followed me for a while and seen my insanity, I used to post theories about Isabella, thinking that the writers cared enough to explain it. But, nope. I dox a lot of points from this season for Isabella and her very little meaning to the plot. Ivy was amazing. Selina, I love her. I actually think I remember the least from this season even though I enjoy it. Oswald becoming mayor and getting Ed out of Arkham, hell yeah. Them teaming up, cool as hell. Penguins eat fish scene, iconic. A lot of iconic scenes from this season actually. Not enough about the monsters being let out from the previous season. The virus was underutilized and very contrived. Other than that, pretty good.

#4 Favorite: Season 5. Yes, the season most people dislike greatly. I had to put it here because I hated season 4 just that much. Season 5 had a lot I liked too. Ed and Oswald being an iconic duo yet again. Barbara being badass as always. Oswald kinda looks cool as hell after the time jump. They did a good job casting older Selina. Didn't like that Bruce just left, came back, and was immediately Batman after the time jump. Because him becoming Batman happens majorly off screen, which I hate. Bruce leaving Selina like that. Fuck off bro. I was very worried they were going to kill Harvey off this season, but, thankfully they didn't. Didn't like Tabitha being killed off, but it makes sense and she did kill Oswald's mom, who he was closest to than anybody else, so... Listen, I love Tabitha a lot, but, it makes sense. Don't remember too much about this season either. Shit. Loved Ed and Lucius interacting. Came away shipping Lee x Barbara x Jim and I kinda love that. Also Tze Chun is a legend. Loved Edward the dog but he just disappeared so...fuck.

#5 Favorite: Season 4. Okay, this season pissed me the hell off. Bruce pissed me off this season, being mean as hell to Alfie boy. Ed being a little shit and making it really impossible for me to like him. Solomon Grundy ark came the fuck out of nowhere and ended just the same. I did like dumb Ed and Oswald reacting to dumb Ed but after that Ed just kinda falls apart for me. Hated, hated, hated Ed and Lee together. Anyone else with Ed would've been fine. Anyone else with Lee would've been fine. Why oh why did the sometimes dumbass writers have to put them together. I hated the entire thing. Love Lee and her being badass yet caring. The other storylines didn't interest me that much and I barely remember them. All I remember this season is my blinding hot fucking rage for Ed and Bruce. I hated Ed more for sure though. Loved it when Jim punched him unconscious, highlight of the season.

[irisbeacon]

Why a Penguin/Riddler spinoff makes sense (and you know I’m right)

Lots of talk over on the Gotham subreddit regarding potential spinoffs and what form they should take.  The only one so far that’s been given (slight) heft is the possibility of a Catwoman spinoff, mainly because John Stephens mentioned it (take that as you will) and people speculating that the Gotham finale functioned just as much as a pilot for a Catwoman show as a Batman show.  

Another idea doing the rounds on the subreddit is a show focusing on Bruce Wayne’s travels and training around Asia and the rest of the world during the ten years between 5.11 and 5.12.  Although I personally wouldn’t be interested in something like that, there are people who would be.  I still don’t think it would work, though, for a number of reasons.  

First of all, it would cost an absolute fortune to make.  If they wanted to make the settings and atmosphere convincing, they’d have to shoot overseas in different locations – NYC Chinatown won’t cut it.  Failing that, they’d have to invest in some pretty heavy-duty CGI.  I’m just not convinced the budget is there in TV for either situation, except for sure hits like GoT.  If networks are going to put up that kind of money they’d sooner do it for an actual Batman show, which could be shot entirely in the US and would at least have some kind of guaranteed return in terms of viewers.  And CGI isn’t always convincing either.  

Secondly, they might not get David Mazouz back; he may be going to college. Or they might decide to recast if he can’t bulk up sufficiently; Bruce was recast for the Gotham finale, after all.  In any case, a Bruce’s Travels show without David would effectively sever any physical connection with Gotham’s universe. The point of interest for Gotham’s fans would be gone.  

Which is what leads me to my point – the best and most viable continuation of Gotham’s universe would be a show centred around Penguin and Riddler.  I’m biased here.  But it makes sense even from an objective perspective.  Here’s why:

1. Penguin and Riddler were far and away the high point of Gotham for many viewers (I would include J in this, based solely on Cameron Monaghan’s performances, but restrictions on showing the Joker in full led to a somewhat messy trajectory, and in any case, the Joker works best in smaller, high-impact doses).  Even people who disliked the show on the whole, and it did have flaws, could at least admit that Robin and Cory did a fantastic job with Oswald and Ed – arguably the best renditions of both characters to date.  They have the critical acclaim on their side, and I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who’ll quietly admit to watching Gotham just for them, or mostly for them.  It makes sense for producers to focus on what’s already been proven to work.

2. There’s the issue of current trends in comicbook media, and how media companies seem more invested in shining a spotlight on side-characters and villains rather than the better-known heroes. Titans is one example; the upcoming Batwoman show is another.  A Penguin and Riddler show would be a great addition; if you’re going to shine a spotlight on Gotham’s villains, you opt for the most popular as a hook. So a show with Oswald and Ed as the hook - centred primarily on their world of villainy and with a reduced focus on the world of the heroes - would also open doors for other rogues who were underutilised or otherwise served poorly by Gotham.  

3. Marvel is doing a Falcon and Winter Soldier show, indicating that the ‘bickering buddies’ thing has legs.  Penguin and Riddler could be DC’s villainous answer.  

4. Penguin and Riddler are two of the most grounded Batman villains – they don’t have superpowers, but they do possess certain skill sets that allow them to survive and mostly thrive.  Because they are relatively grounded, even realistic to a degree, you can show them in relatable, humanising situations – their everyday lives outside of their ‘work’.  Stuff like this is essential to building a rapport with viewers and creating some measure of empathy for the otherwise-roguish protagonists.  If events post-5.11 are retconned, for example, the show could bring Martin back into the picture.

This ‘relatability factor’ also works as a platform to showcase other, more outrageous and physically powerful rogues as the ‘enemy’. Where Oswald and Ed aren’t the ‘good’ guys, per se (they can’t be – they’re villains who use villainous tactics) but just happen to be the best of a bad bunch, if that makes sense.   

A situation where Penguin and Riddler = bad and Other Rogues = worse would position them as the anti-heroes of the show, and their relative grounded-ness would make it work. Indeed, while Ed seems to embrace his villainy for the most part, it can be argued that Oswald actually views himself as a hero – a guy who has to do terrible things to keep his city safe from even greater perils.  

5. Finally, the show wouldn’t cost an enormous amount to make.  A focus on fewer characters means fewer big salaries and fewer competing arcs, which in turn means tighter, better writing and more money for high-quality sets, guest actors, good writers, and decent effects where necessary.  

Let me know what you think!

[sophiejoedwards]

Reflections

February-March 2020 

After being given our module brief I wasn’t quite sure where to begin, my first instinct is to make, create, explore and experiment with materials to discover my 3D outcomes and context often corresponds to the work retrospectively, however I had to change this way of thinking, and bring myself out of this comfort zone. I started asking myself questions about artwork in general. What am I interested in? What do I want to know more about? 

One of the best galleries we visited in Lisbon has stuck in my mind. For days of looking in galleries I was repeatedly thinking how within a gallery space it’s sometimes difficult for me to connect to intangible art in this sort of setting, there is a separation between you and the artwork. Installations are different, due to the sensory nature of some installations, I feel like it’s sometimes easier to connect to this sort of art.  I often find interactive and playful art more engaging as it removes this distance between the viewer and the artwork and is easier to connect with due to it often having a multi sensory appeal. One of the best galleries we visited in Lisbon (in my opinion) was Modo De Uso. You are handed a playful ‘handbook’ guide to each artwork where Claire de Santa Coloma has written a suggestion guide to how to approach and respond to the artwork with her drawings used as reference “If you made it this far, thank you. The artist is now responsible for your level of satisfaction”. Rather than being a passive onlooker the artist encourages you to connect to the artwork discovering it’s sensory appeal. As humans we like to look at art because it simultaneously affects our senses, our thoughts, and our emotions and ___’s encouragement to embrace the sensory-tactile element of his artwork certainly heightened the overall experience for me and my friends. I’m also intrigued by the ability of this installation to be able to transmit the same message to diverse groups of people through the tangibility of the work. 

To better understand my personal position my research has begun by asking general straightforward questions like  :  

Why do we appreciate art? Where does this appreciation come from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beastly-behavior/201709/why-do-humans-make-art

Is art about beauty? - Connection to the natural world/ connection of a visual stimulus with an inner emotional state - argued that this comes from evolution- and the attraction . 

Appreciation also comes from knowledge and experience that is common between the artist and the audience. Art capitalizes on specific stored memories and associations in the brain of the observer. Further still, the ability to make and use tools, a skill that began in apes and exploded in hominids, requires a great deal of visual and tactile memory. 

Art induces visual recall of past events or emotions - Art capitalizes on specific stored memories and associations in the brain of the observer. Visual memory was important to survival 

Visual representations and expression - memories, life, culture

Art aids in communication and education - evolutionary visual aids - a language of their own 

Some scientists have suggested that art helps us to bond as groups; and that the brain is programmed to notice and enjoy simple patterns PATTERN RECOGNITION. The human brain is constantly looking for familiar patterns, to impose meaning on a complex world. 

Where does this leave contemporary or abstract art? Ability to use visual representations to induce memory recall or visual understanding.

Art invites us to contemplate outside the box, and explore and better understand ideas we weren’t conscious of before? (Salvador Dali) to i.e through depicting bizarre worlds, subconscious states/ unreal and illusory depictions.

: In developing his general theory about how humans decide what they like or dislike, he lines up evidence to show that what people believe about a work of art is crucial to the way they feel about it.  

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2010/jun/20/modern-art-all-in-mind 

The value of art !?  "Traditional art is about what is in the world; more modern works are about the very process of representation," he writes. "An appreciation of much of modern art therefore requires specific expertise. Any dope can marvel at a Rembrandt, but only an elite few can make any sense of a work such as Sherrie Levine's Fountain (After Marcel Duchamp), and so only an elite few are going to enjoy it."

According to Bloom, someone who invests heavily in abstract art and explains that they simply love the shapes and colours is only telling half the story. He believes that the psychological patterns described in "signalling theory" apply to the purchase of modern art. In other words, a rich man or woman tries to distinguish themselves from the pack by spending money on the right thing. "Any schmoe can buy, and appreciate, a pretty painting, while spending millions of dollars on abstract art might display a combination of wealth and discernment," writes Bloom.

I also fully expect that artistic talent would have eventually been transferred from our culture to our genes. After all, during a million or two years of natural selection, artistic ability was likely to confer some advantage on those that had it. This advantage could have come in the form of increased social standing as a leader in the hunt, a prolific teacher of skills, and so on. 

Does appreciation of art- or an artistic eye run in genes ? 

https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2013/sep/19/born-creative-study-brain-hemingway

In highly creative individuals this connectivity is thought to be especially widespread in the brain, which may be down to genes that play a role in the development of pathways between different areas. These genes reduce inhibition of emotions and memory, meaning that more information reaches the level of consciousness.

So, are we born creative or not? While factors such as upbringing play a crucial role in your brain's development, the work done by scientists in Scandinavia, Germany and the US has shown that having the right genetic makeup can make your brain more inclined towards creative thinking. The rest of us have to "learn" to be creative.

Context is key - One study showed that people liked paintings less if they thought they were made by a computer rather than a human artist, even when the pictures were actually identical. 

How our brains process visual information is not the only factor to consider.

Scientific studies indicate that we derive more or less pleasure depending on what we know about the subject. This applies to our enjoyment of, for example, food and drink as well as art. - So when we identify and understand a piece of art we connect to it better 

STIMULATING SENSES

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/how-do-we-understand-abstract-art/zhkvxyc

think of a project and an idea for the theory and context as opposed to a 3D outcome, my initial urges are to create, make and explore materials and see what comes of this, instead I began by asking myself some questions about the artworks that interest me, specifically the type of artwork. Firstly I wanted to create a series of videos using this little plastic toy children’s pottery wheel to throw functional pots in unusual places, like the underground or on the top of a mountain. I liked the idea of a playful performance piece then began thinking about participatory artwork and how members of the public could take part in this piece.  I also liked the idea of filming in the wilderness, responding to ‘site and place’ by throwing vessels using clay collected from a specific place, filming this vessel being created in this specific place, drawing attention to this direct connectivity between the land and the artwork and the maker.  (in a dream land I also imagined it being wood fired at this location and eating food from this  vessel that was gathered/found/ foraged. To go full cycle.                                                                 

Playful nature of Bruce Mclean 

“Art has become very serious, I think it should be something more enjoyable” 

https://olafureliasson.net/archive/artwork/WEK108821/moon

https://library.bathspa.ac.uk/items/eds/edsglr/edsgcl.499406627?query=participatory+art&resultsUri=items%3Fquery%3Dparticipatory%2Bart%26checkbox%3Deverything%26facet%255B0%255D%3DEdsRecordOptions%253A%2522IsFullText%2522%26target%3Deds&facet%5B0%5D=EdsRecordOptions%3A%22IsFullText%22&target=eds

http://www.moonmoonmoonmoon.com/#sphere

https://www.dawsonera.com/readonline/9781137033642

A group of people to be directly engaged in a creative process 

Inspiration | exchange |unknown outcome

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/p/participatory-art

https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=bsuc&id=GALE%7CA544635325&v=2.1&it=r&sid=ebsco JEREMY DELLER 

http://innovacion-soci.webs.upv.es/index.php/social-cartography

[bookdragonlibrary]

Fourth Friday YJ appreciation

1-3 ; 4-6 ; 7-9 ; 10-13 ; 14-16 ; 17 ; 18 ; 19 ; 20 ; 21 ; 22 ; 23 ; 24-26

—————————— Exceptional Human Beings

- Is this... Batman works with Oracle. It’s the same tech than Nightwing! 

- Yes! These is Katana and Metamorpho! I already love Metamorpho facial expressions! The scene from the trailer! Santa Prisca, Bane’s island! They’re so efficient! (Yeah, I have in mind the first time of the Team on the Island...) 

- Is it thanks to Jade’s intel? So they will save Tara? :D

- Victor Stone? So this is Dr Silas Stone! I saw the movie, I know Dr Stone wont have time to go... Oh! The Reach tech is back!

- And it’s Steel or John Irons. (Why every person choosing a English name comes with John?)

- Did... did Metamorpho just turn himself into a fart? Seriously? Katana in the background and the indignated face of Metamorpho xD

- Sex implied, definitely mature content... Is it really the time to talk about Dick? You know what I mean... Wait, was that a joke? Like a subtext joke? 

- Training Time! Forager’s sounds are so funny! 

- Violet fell because she was blushing and Brion uses his powers because he was blushing. They’re cute! :3 

- Nightwing definitely knows Batman is on Santa Prisca already and knows Brion will likely get himself killed with his actual combat skills...

- Deathstroke in the place. Oh she’s Cassandra, Savage’s daughter (yeah a lot of Cassandra this season!) 

- She knows Tara! Now she’s is used by Granny Goodness... And Cassandra seems to... like her? She is a different character than Scandal (who is lesbian) right? Because I don’t want our first rep to be a pedophilic rapist, thank you very much... We already had Slade for that in Judas Contract... 

- “I have observed that.” Definitely thinking about her sister Olympia :(

-  Victor’s team! “I would ask Wonder Woman out!” “Me Black Canary” *Vctor rolls his eyes* Are we wasting screentime for straight idiots? (and I mean it in both ways) Just a question: do you think Victor could be gay with his reactions to the “straights comments”?

- “Cisco, a superhero?!” Well, Francisco Ramon will be a superhero one day (but I don’t know his powers yet.) Don’t worry my dear, a lot of people love Zatanna! He’s a Spanish speaker, from where? 

- Victor don’t appreciate the bullying but not interfere :( But he’s so above their shit! 

- Boo-yah is back! I can’t believe they also gave this easter egg! 

- Batman or how burn someone with only words! xD

- “I always hated that name too!” Why don’t you change for you mother name, Arty? :( 

- Violet Harper, I love how the writers connect the dots between the comics and what happens on the show! 

- JADE! I love how she’s smiling, like she considerates it. We know she would love that. Why could hold her back? How could she think they don’t need her? Because of her father? Football... er I mean soccer is just a lame excuse! She’s crying! She definitely loves them! :’(

- Katana VS Lady Shiva! OMG Katana also uses a wakizashi (a short saber) with her katana like a samouraï :o 

- “Bulletproof. That’s annoying” We already know that line but still funny xD So Metamorpho isn’t fireproof? That’s his true form! 

- Oracle time! 

- “No, no my guns!” Seriously Bane? Metamorpho just blows them a kiss xD

- Booyah! Someone is still using the goggles... Poor Vic :( “I see great things in your future” while showing a FatherBox. I don’t like it... I know the story but still don’t like it...

- Brucely! (Or Bruce Lee?) Such a good boy!

By the way, Katana never talks. She took a vow of silence after her sensei dies.

—————————— Another Freak 

- First, I don’t like the title. I dislike even more the wiring from the Reach tech... 

- There’s a bad father/son relationship (I mean with fights) each season, isn’t there? “Scene/seen. Now you’re boying me?” I love the dialogue! I know I could hate the wiring... The “dad” at the end broke my heart :’(

- “But Brion Markov’s attitude will soon change! :D” Forager knows what’s going on between those two. Forager is a Haloforce shipper! Human Forager is so cute!! “Be careful on the boys! They only have one thing on their mind!” “What one thing?” *embarassed Brion* “If we arrive with the councelor and the principal, all the other kids will love us!” My poor summer child... “No flying at school!” xD

- After gory Halo, here’s gory Victor :( And here comes the Fatherbox so bad news?

- “I’m so happy to be here it makes me sick” Violet is still dealing with human emotions. Stay whelmed! Or could it be the Fatherbox? 

- Is that Terra with blue hair?? And... freckles? (she has the same character design that in the animated movie) Oh she’s Harper Row. My bad. The whole conversation was hilarious and cute!

- Victor’s still alive!

- Of course, access denied. Nightwing knows he would do it. He did it as Robin first! And of course Nightwing appears! And now they’re fighting...but with it Brion could speak his heart out.

- “How they could know us if they don’t interact with us?” I know Forager. Most human are most judgmental at first sight... 

- “Are Violet and Fred freaks?” Oh no sweetie don’t think that :( “But Fred must look like a freak...” He refers to his human form. It’s logical. Would you feel like yourself in an alien form? “Freak is cool.” Exactly! “Two hands only” xD

- Victor is freaking out. Naturally. So... he goes... violet when the fatherbox takes control? Like he calls to be heal.  So the violet color has a reverse meaning for a fatherbow than for a motherbox, logical as they are the two faces of the same coin.

- Harper is so sweet! 

- Whoa new aura: indigo (between blue and violet). So we still don’t know what blue aura does (and black aura, but I’m not sure it exists). What does it do? She opened a Boom tube? 

- “I’m not an abomination. I’m a freak.” That’s the spirit. That’s my girl! 

- Pleasedon’tmurderhalo! pleasedon’tmurderhalo! Yes! She’s okay! 

- She’s healing him! Poor Vic, he’s so confused. “My work here is done.” Violet is so cute! 

- Silas trying to find a common thing with Vic is sweet but yeah.. Vic would feel like a rat lab, ask Ed. “Can I go with you?” His voice was so heartbreaking :( Victor prefers to leave to not hurt his father again :( Yeah he’s angry, it’s understanding. At least, he’s alive right? 

- Kind of ironic they boomed tube in a football field...

- Brion is finally moving forward! :D 

- Lobo’s finger begins to morph. Slobo on the way!

—————————— Nightmare Monkeys

- Tork from Mars, seriously? xD M’Comm should be so pissed... 

Was that the Wilhelm scream? 

- “I have practice” My heart :( 

- it’s Paul who played Conner in Hello Megan! What time had done to you? Gar’s look when they talked about Marie :( Paul is his godfather! And Rita his godmother. Steven is his stepfather? That means he was with Rita, right? He’s Mento? “Thanks God.” I think they both don’t like the situation but still try to play their part... 

- I don’t know if this seashell alien is real or just a costume...

- We were right! Halo IS a Motherbox! What happen to the script? Now we can predict things :( She’s... the reincarnation of the dead Motherbox Doctor X and Psimon studied. So Queen Bee works with Vertigo, since Psimon works for Quee Bee. So Gabrielle Daou consciousness died, murdered by Bedlam’s minions and the Motherbox soul regenerates/resurected in her body because she needed a vessel. But Violet still has some of Gabrielle’s memories via the brain, but maybe not her thoughts or emotions?

- I love the Emerald Crown teasing! Was Gar talking about his mother(s) when he said queen? That needle doesn’t seem good...

- “And now he tells you to be patient...” xD 

Sphere, stay whelmed! And... the Fatherbow is awake again... And... Conner is shirtless again... Halo has clearly no idea what she’s doing. So cute she calms Sphere down :)

- So that doesn”t sound good... Encino, what/where that could be? 

- “He’s dead, Tom.” What that the voice of... WALLY??? And all the dead heroes in the grotto... I mean Watchtower garden.

- Great! Supermartian know how to communicate now :) “Alone time” Weren’t you have a “intimate” time in a bathroom two episodes ago? “Date night/Secret base” Yeah Wolf me too. They got the communication, not the understanding...

- “The Reach... I mean the Klamulons” seriously? 

- Tula, Ted Kord, Jason, was that the chronological order? I thought Ted was the last one. That’s why in season Tim went to Jason’s hologramme. Ted Kord died during the Summer break and they were in February. So Tim was a really young Robin! 

- Wally speaks to casually about their death. “Who’s next? Guess it’s me.” Does that mean he’s not dead yet? But could soon be? Wally’s death scene reminds me how good the previous style was... RIP too! “Cancel the show already?” I heard the 4th wall break down.

- DOOM PATROL GO! WHAT’S THE HECK?The 4th wall is collapsing in a firy explosion. 

- Garfield also collapsed. AAAAAAAAAAAAAH! 

Rita Aka Elasticgirl with Starfire’s voice. Chief with Robin’s voice. Robotman with Cyborg’s voice (more like Cyborg’s father xD), Negative Woman with Raven’s voice. 

- Steve Dayton is indeed Rita’s husband; So Rita adopted Garfield when Marie died? She did! 

- “Sorry your mom(s?) died!” The song. “Just say goodbye to your second mom!” Rita and Marie were together? Was Rita bi/pan? “Let’s die!” 

- Of course M’gann save the day, back with her season 1 appearance. The whole Mento’s speech is how Gar sees the situation right? Not the truth right? “I was 14.” Wait, all of this (except Marie’s death) only happen last year? 

- M’gann is there to save her brother!

“Sure you’re even born yet?” This joke could also work with Bart. Man, if Bart was in that episode... 

- “Queen Bee wants her honey back!” That was a lesbian joke right? The first rep of this season would be Queen Bee? Being Bi? (Why in English bi is pronounced like by and not bee? Do you see the missed joke here?) 

- “Let’s watch the episode you were in.” Season 2. The pieces of the 4th wall break again. 

- “Shut it down.” “I can’t hear a heartbeat.” He meant the channel, not the heart, Wally. Wait, was it a death wish because Gar can’t handle with all the mourning happening in a few minutes? 

- Reminder: Beast Boy’s metagene was activated by Martian transfusion and a bite from a green monkey. 

- Mass conservation? Is it a clue for Wally’s return? Like his mass was conserved somewhere when he was desintegrated? A place where he can save Garfield from the Goggles? How can Gar remember Wally’s death if he wasn’t even there?! But he appears as the green monkey to show a parallel? Between the monkey and blood transfusion saving him and Wally saving him now? 

- Come back as a hero my boy! 

- “Are you real or is this all in my head?” Ask Dumbledore, kid.

- M’gann is in the place! White but with a green aura. 

- Yes, I think it was a distraction to cope with all the trauma. 

- “Ready to get back to reality. Ready to get back to the life.” hero life? It was both litteral and metaphorical. 

- Perdita who don’t understand the Team’s slang :) Gar, did you teach anything to her? 

- Garfield finally understand that Gretchen is a bad guy. But it feels off as we already know it. The Evolution episode should have happen after this I think? 

- Emerald Crown is so cute! Their kiss was ok, but why M’gann are you doing the same in front of your brother?

- Haloforce kiss! After we finally understand who Violet is! But I would like to see the moment which brings to the kiss :(

- Sphere!

- Of course Wally won’t come back until part b or even the end of the season, will he?

—————————— True Heroes

- It’s Halloween! Halo and Forager are adorable as usual. 

- Poor Vic :( Halloween cancel and Violet can’t come :( Forager drives bioship xD (Such a weird sentence...) 

- Tara is 15, same age than Bart and Gar.

- Dr Jace had a little girl. who was taken from her. Was she meta? It’s thay why she started to work with Bedlam? To have intel to find her? Or did Bedlam blackmail her to make her work for him? That’s why she’s is so overprotecting with the kids? 

- “You’re be my little girl for tonight.” That sounds creepy, right? 

- “I know I said pretend I’m not here but I’m.” Yeah, Dr Jace, maybe not the best way to explain where the teenager hormones lead to... 

- “Vulnerable” weaks the Fatherbox up. Great. And it’s because she is vulnerable, Dr Jace tries to be closer?

- Cameron (Icycle Jr) and the Terror Twins grew up so much... And not in a good way. I miss the Twins’ design in season 1. They get uglier each season, bad guy cliche. But Tommy could be the Bad Blue Beetle from Bart’s future, they have quite the same morphology and Queen Bee sold Chimmer to the Reach, why not him too? 

- Holocaust?

- Wolf attacking the Fatherrbox. 

Dr Jace just took a violet ray and if they’re like Halo’s yellow one she should be badly injured... Not just inconscious. 

- Emotions turn off Halo’s powers? They just activated them! 

- Earth VS FIre. Terra lost :( 

- Stay Whelmed, Brion! 

- Psimon out! Wait, did just Devastation called him baby? 

- Tara is free!

- And Holocaust is with a Queen Bee’s minions. 

- Family reunion!

- YJ is now a scary movie. Maybe it’s just panic which shut down Halo’s powers? Fight Vic! “The problem is I had too much.” So it was panic. Now save him!

- Yeah, go save the other kids! 

- The conversation between Junior and SB is so chill (no pun intended) and funny. “She was my girl.” “But I was into her.” Dudes, it’s not a competition or a race, just let the girl decide maybe? 

- “Maybe that means there’s hope for me too!” Redeem arc foreshadowing? 

- “Ow.” Junior plays dead. 

- Can we appreciate SB’s combat style? 

- Princess speech! 

- The Black girl speaks French? Who they could be? Anita?

- League and Team squads were successful” I wish we could have seen them :( 

- Dr Jace activated Tara’s metagene on the blackmailing to kill her :o 

- Princess speech! :D 

- Violet cry of joy is so cute! :) 

- “M’gann’s gonna kill me.” xD 

- Wait, why is Dr Jace taking Violet’s, hair? 

- “They’re ready for the Team!” We’re gonna go our children back! But maybe give Tara some rest?

- “I’m in.” So we go for the Judas Contract storyline? Or that is a mislead?

- Wolf in the Bioship!

5 months to wait now :( 

[sunlitroom]

Gotham – s5e03 – Penguin, Our Hero

As I watched it, and some random observations here and there.

Previously on Gotham:

Selina can walk again. She’s also part cat, thanks to the whole ‘medication may release the darker angels of your true self’ side-effect. Big-eyed orphans flocked to Jim. Tabitha ran into Oswald’s knife. Lots of gangleaders want to kill Jim. Barbara rescued him because she needs his help killing Oswald, because no-one else in interested, because Tabitha was easily one of the most dislikeable people in town. Seriously, Barbara. Have you noticed that Sirens isn’t exactly swamped in floral tributes?  Haven exists in soft focus.  Ed and Tank got rough.  Some very lazy graffiti implicated Oswald in the killing of several gang members.

As always, long post will be long.  There are likely to be rambling digressions. Gobblepot might appear (although I welcome all shippers and non-shippers alike :)).  There will be naked favouritism and naked not-favouritism.  Broader comments at the end on plotlines and parallels and general direction.

Oswald opens what I’m assuming is his bedroom door, or a door to his private rooms. He hears a choir singing a song of praise and smiles beatifically.

(An aside.  This is really dumb and I hate it - I'm not wasting wrist strength on it.  Also - it's really offensive.  Really really offensive)

In summary, Penn gives Oswald good news about production.  The writers feel the need to really hammer home that totalitarian regimes are bad, like we may be somehow unaware of this.  We also learn that people are ‘defecting’ to Haven, and that people love Jim Gordon.  Oswald pitches a hissy fit that’s interrupted when a bunch of bikers break in, looking for revenge for Oswald’s apparent attack.  He explains to the leader exactly how and why he’s stupid, and orders him to be interrogated.

In her hospital bed, Selina dreams about being shot by Jeremiah.  This will be a recurring theme in this episode – Selina has flashbacks later - and I think it’s a good thing that we get to see someone actually dealing with the aftermath of trauma.  I hope they don’t try to attribute this to the nasty seed thing later.

Waking with a start, she gets up and dressed and heads out onto the roof. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she leaps off the side, like she used to do.

At Haven, Harvey is warning about coping with the growth of new arrivals - word spreading like bad case of clap.  He also warns that the gangs will come looking for the slave labour they’ve lost.

Jim seems unconcerned. Let 'em

Harvey says they hardly have any ammo or food to deal with either issue– but Jim still refuses to turn people away.

Harvey then eyes Jim, and asks him when he slept – he’s been going full-tilt for months.  Jim tells him he’s OK – but does seem a little flat as he says this.

They enter a makeshift canteen, where Bruce is working.  They ask him for some good news, and Bruce tells them something about a water purification system that’s small-scale, but still an improvement.

As they’re talking, a fight breaks out over rations.  Jim breaks it up, and then realises people are staring expectantly, and delivers a speech. He tells the new arrivals that they’re all welcome, but they need to leave the fighting outside.  The government thinks they don’t need help, and they need to prove otherwise.  The gangs outside can tear each other apart – but they need to help each other survive.

Harvey is the voice of cynicism – pointing out that Jim’s speech worked now, but that it’s not going to be pretty when they find out that the government has abandoned them.

Bruce tells Jim that he’s holding this place together, and giving everyone hope – but he has more to add to his plate.  Will, the big-eyed orphan, is having nightmares and broke his arm falling from his bed.  Could Jim talk to him?

(An aside.  I get that they’re building up Jim as a more uncomplicated protagonist and father figure.  This is also to emphasise how emotionally invested Jim is in Haven, so that the explosion at the end will have added impact.  However.  It is treacly to the point of becoming sickening.  Maybe it’s setting up another of Jim’s dark paths – where he’ll side with his old army pal over tried and tested allies in Gotham, and have a one night stand with Barbara – but even then, it’s just all felt a little heavy-handed)

In the dormitory, Jim sits down next to Will.  Bruce tells him that they can’t imagine what he’s been through, but that he’s safe now. Jim underlines this by telling him that he’ll never let anyone hurt him again.

(An aside.  Jim, no.  You can’t promise that.  You can promise to do your best – but you can’t promise to keep someone safe like that. Bruce is young enough to have an excuse. You know better.)

Jim offers the boy a treat before he leaves.

I’ve got something for you: pineapple from my rations.  Hang in there – I’ll check on you later

He and Bruce walk away

(An aside – the obvious parallel here is between Jim and Oswald as leaders. Oswald – on an ego-trip, serving himself an elaborate breakfast, literally enjoying hearing his praises sung, slowly leaking followers. Jim – giving his rations away, working himself exhausted for his people, with people endlessly arriving at Haven.

And I suspect that’s how we’re supposed to view it – but, and I know I’m probably overcomplicating, it’s not quite so black and white.  It’s not as nakedly motivated by ego as Oswald’s actions, but there’s no way that this isn’t gratifying for Jim)

Selina shows up in the dormitory. An alarmed Bruce tells her she’s supposed to be resting- but a cocky Selina asks him if she looks like she needs it.  She’s never felt better, and she wants to find the freak who shot me.

Bruce says he’s been looking for Jeremiah, but never found anything.  Selina points out that there’s been an influx of refugees from all over the city – someone must know something.

Bruce says he wants to find him as much as Selina – but he’s had months to fortify, and they need to be careful.  Selina looks askance at him, and asks him if he’s scared.  Bruce replies that of course he is, Jeremiah

Shot you to get to me

He tells her he can’t lose her

Selina tells him she’s not his to lose.  He can’t stop her, but she does want his help.  Bruce stares for a moment, and says that if they’re going to take him down, they’ll do it right.  They’ll bring him back here and he’ll stand trial

(An aside.  Honestly, Bruce?  I don’t see any judges hanging around.  A makeshift court consisting of you, Jim and Harvey isn’t exactly doing it right.  On top of that, do you really want to bring Jeremiah into close proximity with defenceless civilians?)

Selina smiles fondly at Bruce’s naivete.  Reaching up, she touches his face and kisses him.

I was hoping I could count on you

Further in the dormitory, a man sitting on a bed says he heard rumours in dark zone – which is apparently a place of chaos - ruled by those who lost their minds when the bridges went down

(An aside.  Sigh, Gotham.  So the mentally ill are scary again.)

Jeremiah is there, gathering followers.  Selina makes to leave immediately, but the man remonstrates, telling her

You can’t go there: you’ll die!  Jeremiah is the least of your worries.  Everyone there is insane.  Look what they did to my friend

He pulls the cover down, and we can see the man in the bed has had stuff carved into his torso.

Oswald opens his bedroom door, in a snit, clad in underwear this time.  He’s wearing a tight black top and shorts under his white cotton garment. I’m guessing the white thing was possibly a little too see through, and they decided to just let the black underwear show rather than get a headache trying to hide it.

Penn! Where the f…..

His choir is gone, and there’s only Olga singing alone

(An aside – I know it’s not the biggest point in the world: but if people like Olga and Eyepatch Guy consistently come back to work for Oswald, then he’s not as uniformly loathsome as the show likes to paint him)

Oswald interrupts her – asking where his staff and Mr Penn are.  She informs them that they all defected to Haven.  He fulminates before panicking, looking for his dog.

He turns to Olga, teary-eyed

They took my dog?

She looks blandly at him

Rumour say pup went willingly

(An aside – I know Oswald’s scenes are more or less comic relief at points, but I still do get irritated when he takes more of a kicking than any other character in terms of sheer humiliation and being told he’s unlovable.)

He screams in rage and grabs the biker chained to the wall

You're in luck.  Our interests are now aligned – and you may live

He tells him to contact the other deeply irritating petty gangs, and to gather men, vehicles and petrol. He has bullets.  They’re going to pay a visit to Haven.

After he’s dressed, that is.

 At GCPD/Haven, Harvey – accompanied by Alvarez - tells Jim Oswald has made it through the barricade with gangs.

Jim tells them to load up. Harvey points out they’re low on ammo. Jim sends him to someone he hopes with be friendly.

(An aside here.  How much time has passed since last episode? Barbara made clear to Jim when she saved him that this was essentially conditional on him agreeing to plot Oswald’s death with her. Jim said he’d table that for later.  Is she still waiting for this to happen?  Has she just assumed he’s not going to do it? When are we, exactly?  If he’s really just never got back in touch, why assume that she’s going to be willing to help – other than the fact that he has no other options, and Jim has a track record of expecting help from people – no matter whether he’s recently jerked them around.)

Down the tree-lined street where Ivy and Selina once wandered – and which is now the dark zone. Selina cracks a joke about calling it the dull zone, and Bruce gazes at her – telling her he’s glad she seems herself again

Selina says she’s been here before – it’s the posh part of town. Bruce says people with money got out. She points out that he didn’t, and he tells her seriously that he had a reason to stay.

(An aside.  Oh Selina – and it wasn’t staying with you.  Bruce wanted Alfred to evacuate with Selina.  He was going to stay and hunt Jeremiah down.  Does Selina know this?)

A man with a bomb strapped to him runs towards them, frantically asking for help, before the bomb explodes.  We hear laughter and gunshot, as a band of God knows what approaches. Actually.  There was a version of Phantom of the Opera set in a disco in the 70s - called Phantom of the Paradise. They remind me of this, crossed with the slightly naff cenobites from Hellraiser III

Anyway

They turn to run, and collide with a hulking guy who’s not exactly friendly

Selina says they’re looking for Jeremiah

Kill you. Kill Jeremiah

Selina decides the best course of action is to find the schoolyard’s biggest bully and take him down

They all start fighting.

Haven, where Mr Penn is still conducting the choir - who now do hymns instead. We hear the sound of bikes approaching.  Penn nervously asks Jim what’s going on.

It’s Oswald.  Jim tells his men to hold their fire

Oswald gets out of his car – lividly angry.

Well. If it isn’t my old friend Mr Penn, and the Gertrud Kapelput Memorial Choir.  How nice to see some familiar faces!

Jim tells Oswald that he shouldn’t have come to Haven.  Oswald responds angrily that he stole his people and his dog.  

Jim says that the people came here of their own free will.  Oswald ignores him to call on his dog, who doesn’t respond to him

Jim raises his eyebrows at him triumphantly when the dog refuses to come when called.

Oswald reiterates that Jim is to return his people and his dog – and also apologise.  

Jim says no.

Oswald tells him he knows his ammo is used up – he’s bluffing.  

On Jim’s signal – some of his men take down some of the bikers.  Oswald pulls a face, and Jim says his men need some target practice.

Back with Selina and Bruce. The hulking guy tells her that she looks soft – while she tells him he looks 300lbs of ugly.  

Selina gets the man on the ground and starts clawing at his face with her new metal claws – demanding that he tell her where Jeremiah is.

The man protests that they don't mess with him – but then tells her he’s at Hotel North.

Selina’s still going, though, clawing at his face.  Bruce tells her he’s had enough.  She says it’s enough when she says so, and he restrains her.  

He looks at her, troubled, and tells her she won.  It’s over.

Selina blithely replies that it was easy, and strolls off.  Bruce stares after her unhappily.

Back at Haven, an irate Oswald tells the bikers that Jim is bluffing.  The leader asks how he knows.

I know Jim Gordon

Oswald says if they require a demonstration – they should march forward.  The biker says they have guns – Oswald retorts that he does too, and his are loaded.

They march.  As they approach, Jim tells his men to make ‘em count.

They shoot – but run out of bullets, leaving one man standing.

Oswald gloats that Jim is out of ammo, and points out that he doesn’t want his men to die.  

On the count of three, GCPD lower their weapons.

Bruce and Selina head to the church – Selina deftly climbing over cars.  Bruce is not happy at how she handled the big guy earlier, but Selina disagrees – asking whose side he’s on?

Yours. Always

As they approach the church, they see a shrine to Jeremiah.  Selina says she’ll tear his throat out.  They follow some other people up the stairs to the church and enter the building.

A woman in a mask welcomes them to the Church of Jeremiah, where the faithful will become their best selves – after a demonstration of faith.

They’re very oddly dressed. Shirt and tie – and one guy in a kilt (which tends really to be formal wear)

They walk further in. The masked woman stops Selina – and points out she doesn’t look like a worshipper.  Selina insincerely says she witnessed his work first hand, and she’ll never forget it.

She is permitted to pass, and follows the adherents upstairs.  The masked woman whispers in the ear of another guard before removing her mask.  It’s Ecco, in some dilapidated makeup.

Bruce slips away

(An aside - Where are the clean and well-dressed devotees coming from?  I thought the Dark Zone was a terrifying bedlam?  How did they get there without being attacked? Why are they so clean and well-presented?)

Oswald leads Jim to a cage/cell.  Jim tells him he’s going to regret this.  Oswald gloats that those are strong words for someone out of options.  He’s going to have Jim watch while they destroy Haven, and then shoot him and leave him for dead like did to Oswald

(An aside – Oswald – no you’re not.  We both know this.  Jim knows this.  That one-episode biker leader knows this.  Tank knows this.  Those weird English peasants at Ivy’s know this.   Give. It. Up)

Jim tells him when the government finds out what he’s done, he’ll be at the top of the wanted list. Jim – Jeremiah created this whole crisis.  Jonathan is crucifying people.  The government will not share your pigtail-pulling fascination with Oswald.

Oswald tells Jim the only law in Gotham is power.  Jim tells him they have children and families here.  What will happen when the gangs take them back? Oswald blithely says they’ll go back to being slaves.  His people will go back to their lives: bellies full of gruel, with him as their protector.

Jim tells him to take revenge on him – but leave the refugees alone.  Oswald tells him it’s almost tempting – before leaving

(An aside – and here, again, we have the problem with this storyline.  If you can tug on anyone’s heartstrings, it’s Oswald’s.  It’s stupid enough that they have him genuinely believing his people enjoy their life.  The additional notion that he wouldn’t actually care about children and families is stupid.  Let’s not forget – when Oswald was piloting the blimp, the worst outcome he could imagine was the death of thousands of innocent citizens.  It was Jim who felt the need to further incentivise him by appealing to his ambition.  Seriously, now.  It wasn’t that long ago.  I’ve said it several times before – but if your plot demands that the characters are ooc in order to facilitate it, your plot isn’t good)

Outside, Penn is being chained up.  Oswald’s not happy at this, and steps in

Stop - that one belongs to me

He manages to unchain Mr Penn – who smiles happily  - at being rescued, but also maybe at the indication that Oswald actually appreciates him.

One of the annoying bikers grumbles that Oswald sacrificed one of his guys. While Oswald is untying Mr Penn, who’s thanking him all the while – the biker shoots Penn in the gut.  

Penn drops to the floor. Oswald tries to stem the bleeding but it’s no good.  

You should have stayed with me!  Why did you leave?

Penn looks up at him and, without malice, simply tells him

Everyone hated you

Oswald looks down, his face blanched.  

One of the bikers tells him they’ll take everything.  An enraged Oswald says he’ll pay for this, before the biker wallops him hard in the face.

(An aside – sorry, but no. Oswald is cleverer than this. He’s adept at reading other people’s needs and wants.  The notion that he honestly would have no idea of how he was perceived is just silly.

Also – I know there apparently wasn’t time to develop Penn as the Ventriloquist, but I don’t think they had to kill him off.  It feels really unnecessary.  Given that this ‘revelation’ was only needed because they made Oswald temporarily stupid, it’s particularly bitter.  On top of that, if I feel he’s been jettisoned to help make room for the compulsory indigestible lump of Os/Ed interaction we’ve to dutifully swallow later this season, I am going to feel rather cross.)

Oswald is taken to the cage, struggling and protesting.

Let me go, we had a deal!

As he’s shoved in, Jim watches him calmly from the corner.

I take it that didn’t work out like you planned?

Harvey is at Sirens, calling for Barbara.  She sneaks up behind him, puts a knife to his throat and tells him there no men in Sirens past midnight – making it surely a very inconvenient brothel.

She adds that perhaps it’s time golden boy learned to save himself. She asks Harvey if he’s tired of playing sidekick.

Harvey tells her he doesn’t see it that way.  They’re friends fighting for same thing.

Barbara says she remembers when Jim was the idealistic rookie and Harvey was the cynical veteran. Harvey cuts in that she was sane back then.  Barbara snidely says that now Harvey carries Jim’s laundry.

Don’t you wonder what your life would have been like if you never met Jim Gordon?

(An aside - Barbara.  Yes – you have ample cause to deeply resent Jim.  He compartmentalised the bejesus out of his life when he was engaged to you, he moved on indecently fast, and his default facial expression when he’s encountered you since has been a curled lip and a sneer.  You turned to him after your release from Arkham and asked for him simply to recognise you as a person, and he wouldn’t do it.

However, laying the blame at everyone else’s door for your current situation has become tedious. You were placed in horrible situations, but you have also had agency.  Decisions were made.  Paths were taken.  For the actual love of God, stop whining. I’m so bored.)

Harvey replies that he’d be dead, or wishing he was.

(Another aside.  The spectre of Death has hung over Harvey since day one.  I do hope he makes it to the end)

Barbara sneers that he’s delusional – like the saps who expect the government to help.

Harvey tries again – commenting that he knows they’ve had their differences, before mentioning that Oswald has turned up…

Barbara’s tune changes, and she tells him he should have opened with that.

Let’s move

Back in the cell, Jim is trying to cut his bindings.  Oswald is ranting.  Jim’s taken everything from him.  Jim tells him to keep his voice down.  Oswald keeps talking.  His people should have loved him, he kept them safe.  What so special about Haven?

Jim pulls a face at him, and says it’s special because it’s far away from him. Oswald pulls a face of his own

That's rich

People are coming, and Jim hisses at Oswald to be quiet.  We see the head biker and a couple of children come in looking for supplies – one of whom is big-eyed orphan boy, who glances quickly at Jim.  Jim tells Oswald to just act normal, adding

I know it's a stretch

The boy slides a piece of metal under the cage, which Oswald covers with his foot.  The bikers find he booze they were looking for, and leave.

Oswald laughs manically. When they get out – he is going to tear this place to the ground.  He starts to rant – but Jim interrupts him.  That won’t solve the problem.  They need to take the gangs out – right here, right now.

They look down at the piece of metal.  Oswald asks how they pick it up.

They eye each other, and – honestly – the fact that they both wordlessly come to the same impractical solution points to how bizarrely close they are.

They turn back to back and – leaning against each other – lower themselves slowly to the floor, with Jim making some of the best facial expressions ever seen.

(An aside.  OK.  Fair enough, Oswald can’t really pick that up: I don’t think his leg would allow him. But Jim.  Jimothy.  JimJam.  Jimbalaya. I ran a test.  It’s easy to lower down to the ground with your hands behind your back, pick something up, and then stand again.  You saw a chance for some body contact and you took it.  Naughty.)

Bruce creeping about at Jeremiah's lair. He encounters a corridor strewn with the corpses of pilgrims, all with gunshot wounds to the head.

Meanwhile, Selina joins Ecco and the others in an empty swimming pool. Essentially, they play a group game of Russian roulette.  Ecco is very theatrical and Harley Quinn-ish about all this.  Selina scoffs – but, on Ecco implying she’s a coward, places the bullet in the chamber and spins the barrel.

Ecco counts them down – again, slightly aggravating on the quirky preciousness front.  We go quickly back to Bruce, whose head turns sharply when he hears the gunshots.

Ecco strolls round, announcing that she’s disappointed in those who didn’t participate.  Selina says she’s

Just not a mindless idiot willing to get shot in the head for nothing

Ecco glares.  She comments that Curls is here to judge all of us.  She goes on, though, indulging in some wittering about Jeremiah and his methods and how it looks like madness but it’s really liberation, blah blah blah

She then tells them all to leave now – she needs to have a word with Selina. They all got straight ‘As’ and can proceed and be reborn.

Elsewhere, Bruce follows two guards before beating them.  He ascends further up the staircase.

Selina faces off with Ecco. Ecco says she doesn’t want to meet Jeremiah, but Selina insists she does – only she’s not willing to play that psychotic game

Ecco does some more quirky stuff

But baby – it’s so fun!

Selina asks why Ecco doesn’t play.  Ecco tells her she doesn’t get it.  Lifting her hair, she displays a scar at the base of her skull, near her ear.

The bullet’s still inside.  I hear it.  Ping ping ping.  Boy do I feel it when the nights get cold

She pulls the trigger, but there’s no bullet.  She seems to be getting off a little on it.

Selina tells her she’s insane – but she’s indignant at this, saying she was willing to look death in the face and allow the old her to die.  This is the gift Jerome gave Jeremiah – and now it’s the gift he’s giving them

(An aside – interestingly, Jeremiah seems to have rather retconned his past with Jerome again.  The gas wouldn’t have killed Jeremiah – there was no potentially fatal option, as with his gun method)

Ecco smiles

We want you to experience that gift….Selina

Selina’s eyes widen

You know me

Ecco smiles

There’s not a single part of Bruce's life we don’t know about. His joys, his fears, his desires

(An aside.  Wow.  That sounds a like a fun couple activity.)

She adds that Bruce wasn’t ready for Jeremiah’s gift, and nor was Selina.  

Selina grimaces as Ecco points the gun at her face

One thing Jeremiah did teach me.  I hate a gun pointed at my face.

She hisses angrily, and they start to fight.

Oh puddin’.  Aren't you delicious?

(An aside.  I suppose you can’t really blame Ecco for flirting with Selina.  It sounds like most of her evenings with Jeremiah are spent working on the big Bruce scrapbook.)

Ecco says she knew she had it in her – all it took was a kick in the pants.  

Bruce appears.  Ecco sneers that her boyfriend is worried about her.

Selina flashes back to her shooting.  She manages to turn the gun on Ecco – but Bruce yells stop, and Ecco escapes, stabbing Selina in the leg as she goes. Selina screams in rage and makes after her – but Bruce stops her, telling her that she’s bleeding.

Selina cuffs him to the gate.  Bruce protests, but Selina says they’ve done things his way.  Not it’s her turn.  Bruce is left yelling after her as Selina drags herself off after Ecco.

Back at Haven, the bikers eyeing up cops and discussing who might be best for fights.  Jim strolls up

How about this?

He points his gun

The biker says he’s bluffing

I’m afraid not

Oswald appears at the other end of the room

Neither am I

Oswald shoots the gang members.  Jim calls on the cops to come out.  Jim and Oswald face each other across the room.  We hear a whimper, and Oswald’s dog approaches him.  He fusses over him, and reassures him that he killed the bad men.

The crowd behind him overhear this and mutter agreement – he did shoot the bad men.  They start to chant his name.

Oswald smiles gleefully. In many ways, he’s the world's simplest creature.

 Back at Haven, people are arguing both with and about Jim

You promised safety!

He saved us!

Oh boy.  Time for another speech.

It was a hard day - but we won.  

He points out that they’ve got Oswald's guns and ammo now, and that they survived.  Hope survived too – and he thinks that’s worth fighting for.

So do I

It’s the winsome orphan who rescued him

(An aside.   Mercy, Gotham. I can’t take much more of this treacle.)

Jim blinks in response to this support.  He goes on. Now there’s work to be done, wounded to be cared for.

Tomorrow's another day

Jim’s Scarlett O'Hara now.

A cop appears to tell Jim that Oswald is outside.  

Before he heads out, Jim tells the winsome orphan that he did a brave thing, and that they wouldn’t have escaped if not for him.  The boy replies that Jim helped him, so he wanted to reciprocate.  He hands the boy his badge, and tells him he needs deputies. He smiles and thanks him – especially since he’s allergic to pineapple.

 Jim walks towards Oswald, who is fussing over the dog.  He straightens up as Jim approaches, and asks him if the cops are really necessary: after all, he just saved hundreds of people.

Jim adds that he endangered them to start with, so he can be forgiven for wanting to play it safe.  

Oswald looks up at him, his face more sincere

Still - I do hope there’s no hard feelings?

Jim steps closer and looks at him like he’s recently been caught stealing apples, as opposed to putting a bounty on his head and then breaking through the barricade with a gang of bikers.

You did the right thing today, Oswald.  You’re free to go.  Don’t make me regret it.

They stand close and – even with my shipper glasses off, there’s really no other way to describe this – stare at each other fondly, smiles on their faces.

(An aside, before Barbara comes in waving the plot point no-one cares about.

I ship this like crazy. I like writing fic for it. One thing that’s blocked me for ages is how readily Oswald can forgive the worst of behaviour from Jim, and how Jim readily heads back to him for help each time no matter where their relationship has been. But actually seeing this helped me get it.  Oswald thinks he’s capable of doing great things for the city and its people.  Jim also believes this of himself: Jim Gordon, hero of Gotham.  They also both know they are capable of terrible, terrible things.  

To have someone who is not only seemingly willing to forgive you anything, but who also has a seemingly endless capacity to believe in you? That’s about as a big a deal as you can get.  No wonder they keep gravitating towards each other. Who wouldn’t?)  

Harvey hurries in, shouting a Jim in warning.  He’s swiftly followed by Barbara.

Hi Pengy.  Bye Pengy

Wide-eyed, Oswald holds his hands out in front of him, falling back on what he always falls back on in dire straits

Jim!

Jim hurriedly gets in front of him, and faces Barbara down

Barbara, no

Barbara tells him to get out of her way or he’ll get her first bullet.

Jim insists that he’s not moving

We don’t get to see what Barbara does next, because there’s an explosion that knocks everyone to the ground.  Oswald, Barbara and Harvey are unconscious, but Jim stands and looks around to see Haven up in flames.  There’s no scream of rage – just resignation, and weariness.

(An aside - So, I’m guessing that the explosion was Jeremiah’s doing – given that it just so happened to coincide with Bruce not being anywhere near the building?)

 General Observations

A couple of themes here.

The obvious parallel is between Jim and Oswald as leaders.  Jim is the ‘good’ leader, Oswald the ‘bad’ leader.  I don’t think we’re supposed to read more into it – but, as I said, I think you can really dig into a little more.  Barbara comments offhand that Jim wants to be a hero.  They both get emotional gratification from what they’re doing.

Oswald has already been chastened by Mr Penn’s death.  How Jim copes with what has happened remains to be seen.  

There was a little bit of crossover between storylines, if you squint, in the notion of proving yourself under pressure.  Oswald eventually did the right thing.  Oswald and Jim came together when it counted.  On the darker side, Ecco seemed insistent that Selina could step up to the challenge she posed after a kick in the pants.

Given that it lasted a whole two episodes – the Oswald as dictator thing was dumb.  Oswald’s whole thing is his ability to read motivations and needs and exploit those.  He can’t just fall back on a family name, or use brawn to succeed. But suddenly he actually hadn’t realised that people hated him? Really?  Equally – the bit later about him not understanding why people would resent the situation he offered: safety and stability – Oswald’s whole first season is him rejecting the notion of ‘knowing his place’ in favour of clawing his way up, risking his neck repeatedly.

Sorry – but this storyline has been dependent on both ooc-ness and Flanderizing his character.

Hmmm.  See – here’s the thing.  I liked Jeremiah last season – pre and post-gas.  He was different and had his own quirks and complexities.  He simmered icily – a contrast to Jerome’s all-out mayhem.  But I find the whole Cult of Joker thing tiresome – with all the witless, biddable acolytes wittering on about how he’ll open your mind.  It feels even more marked with Jeremiah, who essentially displays almost total contempt to anyone who isn’t Bruce.  I’m guessing part of the reason he stays secluded is that he can barely tolerate them.

I wonder if we’ll ever find out why Ecco was so devoted to Jeremiah.  Because she was – back last season – before all the gas stuff. Fiercely devoted.  It didn’t feel like a romantic thing – and I was curious to find out what it was.  Had he helped her out of a bad situation?  Did his working set-up meet her needs and personality in some particular way?

Thoughts?

[lalaurelia]

Quick Gotham 4x21 thoughts.

First - wow. Love Harvey taking charge, and the way he’s disliked at the precinct is reminiscent to the S1 when they had to coerce other officers into helping Jim out. At least Harvey’s got Lucius and Harper there with him.

The scenes from the preview continue to be bone-chilling, oh, Jeremiah is like a snake, coiling and dancing before you and you’re too afraid to look away.

Then Barbara and Oswald’s proposal - I’m very sad we didn’t see Oswald’s reaction to the news of Jim’s ‘death’, but hey, we can headcanon whatever reaction we want then. And oh. Oswald is pretty and charming and brave, repeatedly going to the people who want him dead and working with them. I do respect his courage a lot.

Then Bruce and his responsibility and his affection for Jim - oh, I really love that. I always loved that they care for each other so much and go out of their ways to help one another, even if they’re at odds. So it was really nice.

And then Jeremiah with his more sinister plans, oh god.

Jim comes to in the Narrows, looking just as crisp and pretty as always. I can’t, in recent episodes Jim’s been really pretty and it’s a little - a lot - distracting XD

Bruce and Selina go out to search for Alfred, creepy maze and creepy videos - ugh! It’s very disturbing to watch, and I just can’t but feel for Bruce.

Then more Ed and Lee flirting. Ugh. They’re still pretty, and more to the point here, but I do keep getting tired of them. I loved when Jim showed up and Ed went out of his way to emphasize how together with Lee they are XD Except that Jim’s being very mature, very clever and very in control of himself this episode, and I just can’t - there are times I could hate Jim, but this isn’t it. I love Jim to pieces here, he shows his best qualities and we finally see him again, as a hero cop he once was/could become once more. Well! More of that! Please!

Oswald’s plan was nice, and I loved it too, especially that his desired outcome was to get hailed as a hero of the city once again - having Jim thank you in the blimp ep really got you hooked on that, right, Oswald? XD

Didn’t like that the plan failed. They just couldn’t have Oswald top Jeremiah here, could they? Not with their plans for the finale... But I’m still kinda sad about it, alright?

What I do like is that Oswald cares enough for the city that even with Jim absent, he still contacts the police to warn them. That’s just... really great for his character, alright? Even if he and Harvey never saw eye to eye and never quite liked each other, he still warns him. You go, bird! And ugh, his sassy and annoyed faces are the best XD

Jim coming back, Bruce and Selina finding Alfred, oh, many feel-good moments XD

Harvey’s being a hero, redeeming himself for the GCPD, - yes! I loved that. I’m not really big on them disliking him so much, it feels inconsistent - why bring up Pyg now, when you’ve been perfectly happy working with Harvey even after? but alright. It gave us a kickass Harvey scene and I loved that.

Jim going on TV and disproving Jeremiah was also rather kickass. I love Jim this ep, he’s been so nice. I just wish he and Oswald shared a scene... but then again, I always wish for that XD

Ugh, Butch turning on Oswald again, that’s getting redundant. And Oswald being still sassy even with Butch’s hands around his throat, yup, that’s my bird XD

But really getting annoyed with everyone turning on him and never a break for him... come on! How much more do you intend to be mean to him, huh?

Jim continues being nice, Ed has his doubts about Lee - again! Jeremiah and Ra’s team up, and ugh, the final scene is really a kick in the feels.

Overall, an enjoyable episode. Mostly thanks to Jim being his best self, and Oswald trying to be his best self.

[thesightofworms]

2, 4, 10, 23 for the salty asks?? <3

Hi!

2: Are there any popular fandom OTPs that you only BroTP? I sure hope I don’t ruffle too many feathers, but Gobblepot. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Gobblepot, and I do think that it’s obvious that Oswald had a huge crush on Jim BUT I think that crush was always one-sided. I love their relationship and I love their interactions, but in my opinion they’re best as friends.

4: Do you have a NoTP in your fandom? Are they a popular OTP? Ehhh I don’t think so, actually. I’m not terribly opposed to really any ship in the Gotham fandom. I guess if I had to say something, I’d say batjokes (both versions) just because of the age difference. I’m all there for Jeremiah acting like he and Bruce are besties though because that shit is hilarious.

10: Most disliked arc? Why? I answered this one :)

23: Unpopular character you love? Hmmm I guess closest I can say is Ed? He gets a lotta hate (and I can’t say it’s all unreasonable). I’m more angry FOR him than AT him though. Like, what the hell kind of bullshit was his 4b plot? I don’t know, man. But I still love him. I just want them to fix him in season 5 and make him like-able again.

Thanks so much for asking!!

[seattlish]

The Seattlish Guide to Your Ballot, August Primary 2017 Edition

GUESS WHO’S BACK, BABES? Well, not really. But we did want to take some time to help out with yet another massively massive ballot.

**real-time footage of Seattlish creating this document**

With conservatively a zillion candidates in a couple of these races, we knew there was no way all three of us could come to a consensus. Instead, we’ve decided to show you how we’re voting, what we think, and what we think you should know. So for each race (Seattle only! We’re humans!), we’re going to tell you a little bit about who we like and why, as well as who we don’t like.

Each of us has been involved with these races in some way or another and has a lot of information to share—which means you may not agree! And that’s fine! To be honest, that’s your right and honestly we don’t care so please don’t bother chiming in to tell us why we’re wrong because it will change exactly nothing. If you want to make your own guide, go for it! Tumblr is free!

So anyway, here’s what we think about each of these races. Below you’ll find a scorecard (which show who we strongly like and who we strongly dislike) and some notes that we left on our Official Google Document™:

Mayor:

Hasegawa: 

“I struggle with Bob’s car-centric approach to city-building and believe we need a mayor with an economic AND planning vision that prioritizes innovation.”

“I think his critiques of transit planning and their impacts on communities of color are valid but his tactics are shitty (cosigning with transit-killing republican bills, etc). Also, vapelord.”

“I agree on the validity if his critiques. If ST built light rail through my community knowing FULL WELL based on their own projections that it would result in dozens of people I’d be furious too.”

“Bob is an extremely good long-time civic leader with lots of reasons to respect him and I’m actually just really pissed he isn’t running against Bruce Harrell because I would love to have Bob on the Council. I have not yet been convinced that he would necessarily be right for Mayor, though.”

Moon:

“Cary Moon as mayor would set Seattle apart on an international level as a City dedicated to smart, equity-driven policies that charge a bold vision for our serious urban and economic issues. She inspires the heck out of me.”

“TBH Moon is my dream pick for mayor and I think she has the smartest, most detailed policy plans and would have the most impactful first 100 days out of any of the candidates.”

“I really like her ideas, but one hesitation I have with Moon is that I’m not 100% sure of her ability to work with existing stakeholders on Day 1. She’s released a lot of statements that are vague and not particularly inspiring (to me) and that sound very unilateral. We already know how that kind of leadership works (it doesn’t).”

Durkan:

“Look, we have a lot of amazing people in this race and none of them are Jenny Durkan so just not Jenny Durkan is really what I think.”

“I will never forgive her for the way she targeted occupy protesters in 2012.”

Jessyn Farrell:

“Jessyn is smart, savvy, and affable. She’d make a great mayor.”

“My only concern with Jessyn is she tends to compromise too much.”

“^^^I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THAT.”

Mike McGinn:

“Mike is fine.”

“I think Mike has spent a ton of time in the last four years listening and learning from people. His tax plan is not only smart, it’s also extremely actionable. I love an income tax as much as the next gal but I also know the single most pressing issue we have is out lack of revenue and all the new ideas in the world won’t mean a damn thing without more money.”

“We like Mike!”

Nikkita Oliver:

“I really wish she was better on density, but I also think that many of her issues that rub folks the wrong way—neighborhood councils, SFZ—come from an intention of rebuilding from the bottom-up instead of the top-down. (Although it hasn’t hurt her in terms of garnering NIMBY support.) Regardless I like her a lot and I think she listens well and listens honestly. I’ll absolutely give her a checkmark. I also think she’s very crucial to holding other electeds accountable on equitable HALA implementation, police reform, etc. She’s also cutting through a ton of political cynicism and making people give a fuck, which I will always support.”

“First and foremost, I give her huge applause for challenging Ed back when that wasn’t the popular thing to do. That takes courage. I’m impressed with her ability to get folks behind her; her supporters are passionate in a way that is really exciting. Unfortunately, the Mayor’s job is kind of a paper-pusher and I don’t know that that is where that passionate is best utilized. I’ve also seen a lot of her messaging as very much targeted toward convincing people that her platform is right, rather than making her platform appealing and relevant to a large number of people. I would actually disagree that she listens—I don’t see a lot of shift in her messaging, and instead, see a lot of defensiveness when it’s challenged. And like, again, we know how that goes.”

Seattle City Council Position 8:

Strong: 

“I’ve seen her speak now several times and she is really a lot more centrist than she’d like you to think. Anti-density, anti-homeless, “pro-business.” She also doesn’t seem super-firm on a lot of the policies her opponents have proposed; she mentioned in one forum that “a head tax would absolutely kill small business,” though the only head tax I’ve heard proposed would be applied to companies over 500. She strikes me as very much of the same that we’ve had on Council for a bazillion years and I’m not into it.”

Goueli:

“Hisam brings a unique perspective and experience informing policy proposals around public health, equity, and community firmly grounded in empathy and compassion. I want to see SO MUCH MORE of him in the future. Also he is very handsome.”

Grant:

“TBH I don’t see what JG is bringing to the table that we don’t already have.” 

“And also is discriminatory in the workplace!”

“Yeah we don’t have to settle for a false ally—JG’s views are mainstream enough in this race that we ESPECIALLY don’t have to settle for a false ally.”

Pantoja:

“This dude is a dangerous and sanctimonious asshole.”

Nelson:

“It is my strongly held opinion that Sara Nelson is temperamentally unfit for office.”

“I haven’t heard any original ideas from Sara. The Seattle Times’s “balanced” is anyone else’s “will do exactly what the Chamber tells her to do.” In addition to just fundamentally disagreeing with most of her positions, I think she’s incredibly uncreative.”

Secrest

“I’ve seen Secrest speak in Chambers many times and she is extremely passionate and smart. I’ve always liked her energy, and her supporters have been pretty great when I’ve run into them at LD things, etc. Unfortunately, I don’t think she’s running a campaign that can keep up with this race.”

Mosqueda

“Teresa is amazing for this role and I want her for it. She has actionable ideas and her background in labor and public health would be a refreshing change on the Council. She also is surrounding herself with some of my favorite people, so I trust that the right folks have her ear.”

“Teresa is going to make an incredible City Council member and I think that all of us will be made better by her leadership on affordability, wealth, and equity. Also FFS can we PLEASE get a renter on the Council?”

Seattle City Council Position 9:

González: Just swear her in already. 

City Attorney:

Holmes: 

“He’s fine, although I hope he has some regrets about the tunnel. He was cool during marijuana reform (opting not to prosecute pending misdemeanors, etc).”

“I wanna see more from our Community Courts, Mental Health Courts,a nd LEAD programs though and expect PH to be pushing HARDER for funding and prioritization of those programs. I also want Pete to come clean and finally admit that he and Rick Steves are the same person.”

“His Facebook photo was of him and a beagle making the same face for a long time so that is kiiiiiiiind of enough to get my vote. JK also he is a p good City Attorney.”

Lindsay:

“Fuck this guy. Scott Lindsay is callous af.”

“Fuck him all the way.”

“SKIN SUIT.”

Port of Seattle Position 1:

Querido-Rico:

“Bea really impressed me when I met with her. A lot of cool ideas, including some really innovative ones about how the Port could be instrumental when the ~Big One~ hits.”

Creighton:

“A fucking dirtbag. On the dole in a big way, rich dad, no work ethic. Ew.”

“Also an alleged stalker.”

Calkins:

“Love this dude.”

“He might come off as mild-mannered but he’s feisty and informed. Also, so yoked.”

Port of Seattle Position 3:

Abdi:

“Dude is amazing and would represent a huge shift on the port.”

“Totally agree. We need Ahmed’s voice and representation.”

“Have met him multiple times IRL and he is great. Can’t wait to vote for him.”

Port of Seattle Position 4:

Persak: “I remember when Persak ran for City Council! Longshoremen do not fuck around. I liked him then and I like him now.”

“I like either of these two; Persak is a former longshoreman and a pretty good candidate. Preeti is also awesome.”

“I’d be fine with John again.”

Steinbrueck:

“Oh my god, Pete, just retire already!”

“Remember when Steinbrueck wore that magician’s outfit for candidate survivor”

“There is a part of me that will always be seduced by the Steinbrueck charm and general wonkiness but I’m still going to vote for Preeti.”

Shridhar:

“Preeti is smart, experienced, and has a dope quity lens for Port issues. She’s done her research and is ready to go.”

School Board Position 4:

“Eden is very intense but I think she’ll be awesome. She’s been doing the work in Oly for years and she knows what needs to happen here.”

“Yeah, she’s got it.”

School Board Position 5:

Helmstetter: 

“Andre is quite dope. Have seen him talk at the LDs and he’s very on-the-ball. Definitely a champion for equity and also just a real nice-seeming dude.”

Vasquez:

“NOT OMAR. The KCYD endorsed him because he lied to them about his charter school shit. He sucks. Not him.”

Pullin DeWolf:

“Can we talk about the fact that the School Board has never had an out LGBTQIA member? ZPD will bring a REALLY important perspective and set of experiences with his know-how of low-income and renter communities and the ways in which schools can/should be supporting their youth. I’m all in on Zach.”

“ZPD is one of my absolute favorite people in the entire state. His empathy floors me every time.”

“Folks are skeptical about the idea of having someone on the school board who doesn’t have kids, but I think that’s kind of ridiculous because it basically says that only people WITH kids should care about schools. Literally no. Schools are part of the economic pipeline that impact all of us, and people from all walks should have buy-in, especially when they have a perspective (queer, Native) that’s so different from the traditional school board membership.”

School Board Position 7:

Byers:

“Chelsea is the only one who’s even really bothered to mount a campaign so I’m going with her. She’s fine.”

“A lot of folks are #teambetty but frankly I think Chelsea is the only one showing up to talk about her platform and I think she’ll be great.”

KC Sheriff: 

Urquhart:

“Boy, bye.”

“What if we threw all alleged rapists and part-of-the-problem dudes out of office in 2017 #matriarchy”

“GTFO, John, I’m over you.”

Johanknecht:

“Mitzi has dope plans for how we can change the police force through training, recruiting, and how they interact with neighborhoods and we NEED to see significant changes in the culture of all law enforcement entities. I’m ALL IN for Mitzi.”

KC Exec: 

Hirt:

“Literally the only reason this dude is running is to find a larger audience for his tears about the East Link and how >_< he is about what’ll do for people trying to drive from Mercer Island. Next.”

“Yeah Mercer Island already managed to get $10 million from ST from East Link tears, let’s not make it any easier for that to happen.”

Constantine:

“Natch.”

“**hearts for eyes emoji**”

“Even if yr not a Dow fan (which to be clear, I am!) he is also literally the only decent candidate in this race.”

Nelson:

“FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS JOKE-VOTE FOR GOODSPACEGUY, AKA BADABOLISHTHEMINIMUMWAGEGUY.”

Lipman:

“lol this guy sucks.”

Ballots should be arriving around July 12; Election Day is August 1st, which means you need to postmark it before that or drop it in a ballot box. 

Go vote! Make sure you put a stamp on it! We love you! 

[kenobiwaned]

7, 9,10, 13 and 16 for the salty meme, please :)

Is there anything you used to like but can’t stand now?

Plot twists and deviation from existing Plot Exposition. Plot twists can be fun and keep your audience on their toes but when you have to twist and bend your characters/continuity into severely OOC forms to do it then you’ve devolved from ‘plot twist’ into ‘meaningless shockvalue’.Gotham (particularly in S1) sometimes does offer a descent plot twist that works within it’s characterization and narrative. The best example, Oswald playing both Falcone and Maroni in the Gang War (as we found out via Penguin’s Umbrella), was brilliant. Harvey Bullock originally aspiring to be a white knight of Gotham early in his career was another. As was Jerome Valeska turning out to be baby!Joker at the end of The Blind Fortuneteller. …And I’ll hand it to S3, Carmine Falcone helping to orchestrate Peter Gordon’s death worked really well (for me at least). As did the twist with Oswald turning Ed into his own personal frozen butterfly. Unfortunately, the bad plot twists have started to far outweigh the good plot twists on the show. Just to name a few:-Jim Gordon secretly wanting to kill (despite all evidence to the contrary).

- Mario’s deep dark secret being jealousy when he’s known Lee for like six months or something. As opposed to, oh I don’t know, struggling to live under (or above) the Falcone name? Honestly, a secret urge to kill had the potential to fit Mario and his family history a hell of a lot better than it fit Jim.

- Butch Gilzean secretly being Cyrus Gold. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled that we get to keep Drew Powell….but there are people who have known Butch since childhood (Jimmy Saviano) and he has family that share his name (his nephew Sonny) who have never mentioned the name change from Gold to Gilzean. I suppose they could make it work but it takes some hand-waving.

- The mess with the Galavan family and the monks and how the Court of Owls would just stand by and let (probable) members of their organization annihilate each other, losing resources the court could have made use of.

- Isabella’s physical appearance, introduction, and death. Honestly, all of Isabella’s plot is one giant, senseless twist.

- The executioner/Barnes being okay with the spread of the Tetch Virus when a bunch of innocent people were bound to get killed by those infected by said virus. Yes, he’s out to punish the guilty but part of his reasoning for doing it is because he wants “the innocents to thank him”. 

-Falcone withdrawing the hit on Jim (the S3 hit) just because Lee asked him to.

- Of course, the worst plot twist of all is Alfred’s apparent love of quiche. I could literally be here all night writing bad plot twists. I’m very aware that I barely made a dent here but you get the picture.

Most disliked character(s)? Why?

Don Falcone. I was having a conversation with @mymycorrhizae about this here and I’m just going to copy and paste my reasoning: “The main reason I can’t hate Jim is because of his family. Or in this case, the lack of family and the way Jim’s image of family has been so abused. We need some flashbacks or exposition about Jim’s life after his father’s death like yesterday (this is one of the many problems that I have with Gotham’s writing). We don’t know much about Jim’s family, other than the fact that he over-idealized the memory of his father, which isn’t surprising given the manner of his death.What we do find is always revealed in a terrible manner. First by Carmine Falcone, who came along in the pilot episode to tarnish Jim’s father in the worst possible way for the most self-serving of reasons. Season One Jim, who hadn’t turned into a complete asshole yet, definitely didn’t deserve that-especially when you consider that Falcone helped orchestrate Peter Gordon’s murder. In retrospect, it’s nauseating to think of the way Carmine called Jim “son” and tried to cozy up to him like a father figure.

As a side note, I feel sorry for Mario but I really can’t dredge up an ounce of sympathy for Falcone for this reason and for Liza (I’m always going to hate Falcone for Liza).” As I said, do think that this is a genuinely good plot twist, one that fits in well with the snake-oil salesman approach that Falcone has always taken with Jim. Going back and watching the S1 scenes between the two of them is a genuinely repugnant, but oddly compelling experience. And Jim…well, I have my issues with Jim but one of the few things that he’s consistently cared about has been his father’s memory and it’s painful to think of how Falcone perverted that memory.

The same way it hurts to think of how Ed abused the corpse of Oswald’s dad, effectively spitting on the genuine devotion that Oswald displayed for his parents. Jim may not be the best person but there are some things that just aren’t okay.

Most disliked arc? Why?

The Dulmacher arc was pretty pointless but at least we got some very solid characterization for Fish, so I suppose it gets a pass. So I’m going to go with the most recent because it ties in to my answer for the next question. The whole Jim secretly wants to kill thing, as we’ve talked about before, it makes no sense. The events of the Red Queen and the trip into his psyche showed us that Jim wasn’t interested in killing. Instead we saw a Jim that was feeling depressed, terribly guilty, and was desperately trying to live up his childhood idealization of his deceased father. 

Unpopular opinion about XXX character?

1. This is more rarely discussed than unpopular but I do think that Jim still struggles with suicidal tendencies. Not as badly as he was at the beginning of this season but I believe that they’re still there. Barbara was right when she told Lee that Jim was “death obsessed” but it’s not other peoples deaths that he obsesses over most.

2. Barabara also called him a “sadist” but actually I think it’s the opposite, sadism requires forethought and intent that doesn’t really fit Jim’s actions. “Masochism” on the other hand…. I think Jim displays a certain level of purposeful masochism. (I’m not really talking about Sadism or Masochism in sexual terms, btw.)

If you could change anything in the show, what would you change?

Tying into the two previous questions: I would have only hinted at Jim’s suicidal tendencies in the earlier Tetch arc and not given it (supposed) resolution so early in the season. Then in the final episode, when Jim was infected with the virus, I would have changed his (ridiculously OOC) desire to kill others into a struggle with his desire to kill himself. It may not have had the exciting fight scenes or all the hoopla that we got in the finale but there would have been a lot more in terms of emotional resonance. Jim coming to terms with his guilt and grief and finding genuine meaning and purpose in his desire to help Gotham City himself with the assistance of others (Harvey, Bruce, Lucius) and maybe a little self-realization that he might always struggle with his demons but the name of the game is progress not perfection. Don’t we all want to see Jim make some genuine progress, rather than the post S1 perpetual plunge that sets him ten steps back for his single step forward?