#anyways it may be bad representation but There He Is. My Guy

[lurking-latinist]

Out of curiosity, reading one of Georgette Heyer's non-romance historical novels, The Great Roxhythe, set at the court of Charles II. I begin to suspect it is going to culminate in the Rye House Plot. It seems I am right, and not only that but she has introduced us to some of the plotters, and Algernon Sydney is there, and he has immediately started a fight with somebody. That's my boy <3

[writingwithcolor]

Representing a Jewish Historical Figure in Fiction

@aaronthe8thdemon asks:

I'm writing a historical fiction around a real-life event (Chernobyl) and am basing the characters around real people rather than using actual names. During the catastrophe, a Jewish American doctor went to Moscow to provide aid to critically irradiated patients, and… concisely, I may be overthinking this, but I'm concerned about "how Jewish" to make the character. In his memoir he admits his Jewishness is kind of lax but I don't want it to look like I've skipped out on research and got lazy representing him because that's a problem in a lot of media. I'm currently converting to Judaism myself. But, AFAIK, he's still alive in real life and I don't want to be insulting by insinuating that he's "not Jewish enough" by making it too visible/going over the top. I haven't begun writing the pertinent parts of the narrative yet because this dilemma is anxiety-provoking, and I'd appreciate any advice/opinions the Jewish mods might have, even if it's just that I'm overthinking it. PS, thank you for running this blog, I know it's a lot of work and I've learned so much by following you.

If you do research and write a historical figure accurately and someone takes issue with your accurate portrayal because it doesn’t fit their needs for representation, that seems misguided of them. We don’t have the same control over reality and history that we do over fiction, where we get to make all of the choices.

I guess the key is to not make this person’s secular Jewishness/lax Jewishness “loaded”, like stop letting it take up space. You know how I’m half German? I’m also a good portion Polish, on the other side, but I never talk about it or think about it because that half of my family turned their backs on Poland entirely because of antisemitic abuse (if you want to get into why the German side didn’t considering they had even worse reasons, that’s a whole separate topic about German Jewish identity but anyway). But I don’t walk around like “oh I am DISCONNECTED from my POLISHKEIT i am SO LAX at being POLISH” it’s just not… relevant?

Him being secular or whatnot is reality (apparently; I don’t know the guy), but the slant of your writing, the way your writing interprets that secularness, is on you and your tone and your approach. So if you are looking at born-Jews who are whatever about Jewishness a certain way because you’re currently doing all that intense study just to join the tent, that might be a good thing to go back and filter out on an editing pass.

–S

It’s true that I’ve called for more representation of Jewish people who fall outside the false dichotomy of Orthodox/Secular, so I think I have a responsibility to clarify that neither of those are inherently bad representation OR bad ways of being Jewish. No single instance of a Jewish character being shown as either Orthodox or nonpracticing is the problem, and a narrative that frames either as being bad is engaging in antisemitism even if Jewish people are involved in the production. The problem isn’t that both of those extremes gets portrayed but that the majority that exists between them never does. That said, you’re portraying a real person, not inventing a fictional character.

If you choose to erase the complexity of his real-life Jewish decisions--and I hope that in the course of this project you’re doing much more research into the realities for Soviet Jewry than I could handily include in this blog post--then that’s not as much better representation of someone like me than it is an implication that there’s something wrong with being someone like him. It denies the dignity of a nonpracticing Jewish identity, and that feels to me like more harm than an accurate and respectful portrayal of a real-life historical figure who did not, in his lifetime, engage in Jewish ritual practice. 

It’s true that you’re fictionalizing the characters, and if your other characters are notably different than their inspirations it does less harm than if he were the only one fundamentally altered, but even so it feels like saying that ritually observant Jews are more “real” than nonpracticing ones. 

Instead, as you research for this project and your upcoming conversion, I encourage you to look for clues to a Jewish outlook in the words and life of the real-life person. This is a doctor, someone who traveled to try to save lives and give comfort, and I defy the idea that because he did not observe ritual practice those choices were without basis in Jewish values. 

-Meir

[jesncin]

Re: the whole Si Spurrier Bi/Pan Johnstantine debacle thing

For context, Spurrier (the writer of the current Hellblazer run) explicitly had John self identify as pansexual in narration despite John being canonically bisexual. The cover of the issue (I believe this was the artist's intention, but can't confirm) also evoked the bi flag colors in its colorscheme. When asked about this on twidder, Spurrier doubled down (paraphrasing: "John shouldn't have any queer label, he's bad representation"), deleted tweets, and just left fans in a mess.

My tldr take: John Constantine is bisexual. Spurrier didn't and doesn't know the difference between bi and pan, mixed them up and spouted respectability nonsense to cover himself. He's an old man who doesn't fyuck with gay people, simply. I don't think he has deep seated hatred for the bi community or anything. He made a mistake (still a bad one) and didn't apologize for it. Shame this is the author spearheading such a prominent queer character.

The long take:

I see a lot of people bringing up modern media that reaffirms John's bisexuality but I believe it's important to look at the historical context.

John Constantine in his original Vertigo Hellblazer run was an inherently counter-culture character. A working class guy growing up in the punk scene, aligning himself with queer people, explicitly ACAB, a rebuttal to the classic Superhero tropes, etc. It's only fitting that Constantine's bisexuality was revealed in a similarly counter-culture manner. Under guest writer John Smith (and artist Sean Phillips and colorist Tom Zuiko), John just casually mentions having "the odd boyfriend" in passing narration about his struggles with commitment. This may not seem like a big deal with today's standards, but it's important to recognize that this issue came out in 1992. Hellblazer already had a handful of queer characters at this point and suddenly after years of queer coding, the main character just reveals his bisexuality in passing.

So that's the historical context in our comics world, how about within the canon of Hellblazer? Well, John was born in 1953 in Liverpool, meaning he was a teen in the 60s, formed and toured with Mucous Membrane all over the UK but mostly London during the 70s (as a young man in his 20s). When we cross reference that with what's going on in the UK queer scene at this time, it's no wonder why John is presumed to be bisexual.

[From Stonewall UK]

In the same article, Stonewall mentions that the term "pansexual" became popular in the 90s. While this aligns with when issue #51 reveals Constantine's "odd boyfriend" comment, it's clear that the term "bisexual" would be the term Constantine grew up with during his formative years. While this distinction might seem unnecessary or even arbitrary to some people, these identities do matter in their nuance and historical context. Identities and histories are not interchangeable after all. With all this context in mind, to me, John Constantine will always be bisexual.

To Spurrier's comment on "John Constantine shouldn't have any label anyway, he's bad representation/role model for any identity" (paraphrasing, I know he probably said this in a defensive moment since if he truly believed this then he wouldn't have explicitly had Constantine refer to himself as pansexual in Dead in America #7), I think using respectability in defense of a character as counter-culture as Constantine is a demonstrable example of Missing The Dang Point.

[from Nerdist article written by Jules Greene]

Spurrier, the gays like John Constantine especially in his og Hellblazer run because he wasn't a walking Pride ad. We like that he's a mess. We like that he's working class. We like that he's messed up and painfully human. If you don't understand that about Constantine, then you fundamentally misunderstand why people find him so appealing to begin with.

[denkilightning]

HIHIHI I REALLY ENJOY ALL THE STUFF YOU SAY AND ANALYZE HERE ABOUT JAY AND SINCE YOU WATCHED S3P2 I REALLY WANNA HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON SOMETHING

DID YOU NOTICE HOW JAY REACTED WHEN LEE WANTED TO SHAKE HANDS???

It's been on my mind all dayyy. At first, I thought that there may be something about not touching Lee, but obviously, that wasn't the case since he probably would have warned the others about not touching him, so he really is refusing to make physical contact with anyone and Im just here screaming and crying like aaaargghhh his hands were shaking SO BAD like even nya was looking so confused GAHHHH who hurt my boy this baaaddd (screw you ras), touch averse jay is real omg😭😭😭

god I really wish the ninja were more patient and empathetic towards jay, the way they all keep pushing "oh that's not the ninja way", "oh you shattered your goodness", "oh you still don't have your memories"😒😒😒 (i can count like 10 instances of this stuff)

Like ik he was mean as hell too, but can you blame him really?? It felt like everyone was attacking him from all sides for every thing he does differently, like ofc he's gonna leave you😭😭

Judging by everyone I've seen talking about the leaks, everyone seems to agree that the ninja aren't treating him right either, so I'm really hoping that this is an intentional setup for them to realize this mistake and apologize to jay and maybe accept that this is who he is now and that despite everything, they still love him and care about him.

God. Those last 2 episodes could go in any direction and I am so scared

YEEEEEES THE HAND SHAKE SCENE YES YES YES ITS ON THE FOREFRONT OF MY MIND AT ALL FUCKING TIMES

The Entire Scene Is Like The Perfect Representation Of Jay Rogue

he says 'follow my lead' but then he watches carefully over lloyd and wyldfire making introductions and only steps in when absolutely necessary AND THEN THERES THE JAYA MOMENT AND THE FUCKING HANDSHAKE

imma go rewatch that scene just to analyse it better brb

REWATCHED THE SCENE AND OH MY GODS HIS HANDS ARE ACTUALLY SHAKING AND HE GENUINELY LOOKS SO SCARED

like you can tell hes forcing himself to accept the handshake until lee actually goes for it AND HE GENUINELY CANT FUCKING HELL

so he lies AND EVERYONE FALLS FOR THE FACADE INCLUDING NYA EVERYONE FALLS FOR THE FUCKING FACADE IM GONNA KILL MYSELF

and the worst part is hes actually okay with nyas touch and you know what she does in that scene??? SHE PUNCHES HIM AND THEN LAYS A HAND ON HIS BACK

and you can tell that shit hurt

and i wanna disclaim im not fucking calling nya abusive what i am saying is how fucking tragic that the only person jay can stand touching is someone whos beaten him and the only way he can accept normal touch is after being punched.

back to the handshake there is SO MUCH genuine fucking panic on his face I NEVER NOTICED BEFORE THAT HIS HANDS SHAKE AND ITS FUCKING BAD

he panics his hands are shaking and he makes up the 'count mccoolguy' on the spot AND GETS HIS HANDS AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT PHYSICALLY STEPPING AWAY

and about the ninja treating him badly YEAH IM GLAD EVERYONE AGREES ON THAT

but the thing is jay is FINE Hes Good The Scene Where Theyre Coming Back After The Painting Lessons And With Arins Parents and yes he can be overly mean and slightly cruel like when wyldifre sounded the alarm but the sentiment was right!! hes pointing out a genuine flaw that can be corrected hes just really fucking mean about it because cmon that guy was raised by ras, the fuck you expect

but the ninja keep on fucking triggering his trauma responses!!! you have a guy that has 'dont talk to me about who i was before the merge because im physically incapable of believing anything about it cus both of my abusers lied about This Exact Thing Before' And! They! Keep! Doing That!!!!!!

anyway im still holding out hope morro and jay are actually friends post merge Because Jay Desperately Needs SOMEONE to not treat him like infected garbage and morro needs a friend who wont see him as his past mistakes

[part-time-zombie]

Y'know, I may have an idea of why Janus hates Roman so much.

(besides the whole name reveal incident of course)

It always seemed that Janus kinda looked down on Roman even from the very start, but didn't make it clear until flattering him didn't give him what he wanted.

So he doesn't like Roman, and likely never really did, but why? They have a lot in common: dramatic flair, love of theater, fashionable and a fan of gossip, i think they'd at least have a friendly rivalry like pre-aa prinxiety did, so why not?

I think it's because their one key difference is too much to ignore (and no, I'm not talking about their hero/villain aesthetics, if anything they'd appreciate the banter they'd get from it).

Roman has an image to maintain. Janus does too, but his is much more based on personality, not perception. People want him to be the bad guy, and since it gets things done he'll play along.

Roman's the ego, his image is much more important to him.

Roman needs to be seen as the good guy, the hero. The only reason he's split from Remus is because Patton wants him to be a representation of everything good and pure about creativity. He's built his entire role around being a prince, knight, and hero, all of which are expected to prioritize honor, integrity, and altruism. He can't allow himself to be selfish, or it'll risk destroying the persona he has built for himself. Patton taught him that the right thing to do is put others before yourself, and he's already learned by now that his arrogance is a flaw that people disapprove of, so of course he'd think that committing to total selflessness would remedy his past mistakes (i.e. focusing on himself).

Janus, however, knows that Roman is holding himself back by doing this, and that if he were to stop caring so much about his image he'd be way better off. He also knows, though, that Roman won't realize that. He's too worried about maintaining his princely role to let himself be selfish, and Janus has no time for that.

What this leads to is Janus wanting Roman to stop caring what everyone else thinks and start caring about himself, and Roman going "you know what? I'm going to start caring about my image even more" and Janus just calling him an idiot for it.

This of course doesn't help, because when Janus is seen as the bad guy/villain to Roman's good guy/hero, it only makes him even more resistant to align himself with those ideals. What kind of hero agrees with a villain, anyway?

TLDR: Janus hates that Roman cares so much about his pride without realizing that he is Pride, and that not caring about it would be like not caring about himself.

[the-one-and-only-duckduckgo]

As I see the word around me turning pink (or, in some cases, purple), I've decided that it's time to make a sequel to that tma post. Yes, I'm at episode 20. No, I'm not okay (I promise). Perhaps, I need therapy. Anyways, enjoy:

The Magnus Archives but I've met the fandom (and am even more confused)

There's an Archivist (you have to use the capital letter if you want to survive), his name is Jon,sometimes Jonathan and sometimes Jalapeño.

He is also somehow the author of the podcast, and the guy speaking. I don't know how. Nothing feels real anymore.

Apparently, he brings the romantic side of the podcast. I'm glad. He should think about bringing the "makes sense" side too.

#JusticeForMartin2024

Get. Sasha. And. Tim. Some. Fucking. Representation.

There's Gerard Keay, who doesn't have anything to do with Gerard Way (I checked), and I love him.

He's also very dead. My point still stands.

WHERE IS THAT FUCKING HOMOPHOBIC VASE WHY DON'T YOU WANT ME TO UNDERSTAND YOUR INSIDE JOKE, WHY?

There's a guy named Evan Lukas, whose name reminds me of another guy. Was it James Lukas? Peter Lukas? George Lukas? Not a single idea.

Five people told me to be scared of the Mikes.

Who are they?

Is that a sect? A typo? A secret level you unlock once you understand what that vase joke refers to?

There's a secret link between everything.

Is it that every one of the stories involves being scared of something, and being alone?

Wait. Nevermind. That's a horror podcast, people are usually scared in these. I'm trying to be logical here.

I miss Gerard Keay.

OH WAIT WAIT SORRY I DIDN'T TELL Y'ALL THAT JALAPENO CAME OUT OF HIS RECORDING CLOSET TO TALK TO A MADAM. THAT REALLY DISTURBED HIM AND HE HAD TO LOCK HIMSELF AGAIN TO RECOVER, BUT I'M PROUD OF THE PROGRESS HE MADE

Michael is not okay. Do they need help?

I don't know their pronouns, and people answered with really disturbing and unhelpful things. Could someone help?

I kinda like Michael. Even if they're blonde.

Unless they're part of the Mikes. I have a bad feeling about the Mikes.

Uhh lots of blood, spiders, worms, death, spooky nights, people being alone, eyes everywhere, insanity, blood sacrifices, the Unknown, and evil books.

Oh, and drugs. Very important, the drugs

Leaving you with that, hope I didn't miss a very important point. May the stars shine in your direction, or whatever.

[midnight1nk]

y'know how I said I had some ideas for the Showgrounds to be more lively? Well, here you go:

HOW I WOULD DESIGN THE SHOWGROUNDS?

After all, the Showgrounds is for the Crew so I thought of things that they would've wanted/have the potential to be used for future arcs. (We already got 3's cafe and 4's Meme Factory, so we can already have them represent our meme guardians, just change a couple of things to make them relevant.)

"Based on the last part of IGBP?" oh yes, absolutely :)

Rides taken from Puzzle Park -> I mean, that should be obvious. Like 4, where did you put those rides anyway? Besides, 4's gotta have a teacup ride that he could use

Make the Ferris Wheel and Rollercoaster Functional -> PLEASE, that's all I ask for. If their lights just glow up, I'll take it!! I just wanna include them

Garden with some of the flowers from the usual Mario games -> I definitely want something to represent the Mario Bros. Obviously, Luigi, but also Mario for how much he cares about his friends, the gentle/tender side of him. Plus, I did say 4 would be a flower guy, so it would be nice for him. That and one other reason....

Performance stage -> just a stage that the Crew can use for whatever they want to do with it. Talent shows, karaoke nights, theatre. And possibly, music arc perhapssss 👀 *cough cough*

Obstacle course -> Definitely was inspired by Meggy and the "3 & 4 forced to hold hands" episode. Meggy has been searching for a coaching gig, and our meme guardian partners REALLY need to train their powers. So, why not have a place just for it? Other than that, the Crew could also use it for night laser tag (yeah, I remembered the short story I did of Tari vs. Marty haha)

Manga stand -> y'know, those typical city newsstands that sell newspapers and magazines, I thought it would be nice if we did one but with manga and anime products in general. Just like the anime room Boopkins wanted for the Castle. Plus, Melony could promote more of the One Piece series

And ig I'll stray away to put my personal hc:

A white lily field past the Showgrounds woods -> I did have this hc that 4 would stumble upon this field after having a bad nightmare, and goes there ever since to clear his head. if you read my concepts, then you already know :) "Beyond the woods, by the cliffside looking over the Mushroom Kingdom sea, he could breathe."

Anyway, add some more streamers and lanterns, here and there. Just have this as lively as it could be. Design-wise, I do want them to look nice but not fully finished, kinda mix-matched. And here's why:

I want all of it to be destroyed for Puzzlevision Plus :)

Time and time again, I said that everything's gonna come back full circle and one of them would be the Grounds itself. And having the Crew building more and more of the Showgrounds, it's an attempt to move on from IGBP and everything they faced. But we all know they haven't forgotten the trauma they went through, trying not to acknowledge it when it's absolutely affecting them. When it eventually falls apart, I want the Showgrounds to also be a visual representation of that too. Everything literally falls apart, broken down. Then, it gives the Crew more motivation to fight back, for their home. But when it's done and the fight's over, they could work together to rebuild it all again. The right way.

Just as 4 said in IGBP, "[They're gonna] make this right... And it may be different but so long as we're all together, I'm sure it's gonna be perfect!"

That's why, for the last addition to the Showgrounds, it would depend on how IGBP 2 would go but regardless:

A marble fountain (in the garden) -> I want this to be a sort-of memorial. Now, Peach isn't technically not dead, and not sure how I want her to be in IGBP 2. On one hand, I do want the SMGs to use their meme powers to turn her somewhat back to her normal self, with some monster elements. The other, she might be gone for good. Personally, I want the first option for reasons, that totally don't involve that door. Anyway, I do want 4 to build the fountain as an apology to Peach. He avoided many things related to IGBP, 4's stuck in the past while thinking he's moving on. But once every wall is broken down and he can finally heal, this would be a step in the right direction. Acknowledgement. Perhaps it won't make up for everything but it's the least 4 could think of to do

It's what I have for now, I'll probably add on to this post if I can think about anything else. (But y'know I had to add for plot and angst reasons, what can I say? /lh)

[crazylittlejester]

Going on anon for this- I just wanna say thank you for your writing and characterisation of your modern au guys. It's so important and validating to see autistic and adhd characters who feel real, not just hyperactive babies who forget things for a punchline and cry when yelled at or criticised even a little. I mean yeah that is some aspects of being neurodivergent, but it isn't everything and you show that well.

You show the parts that a lot of people don't talk about or acknowledge and you do it justice. Not glorifying it, but saying that it's a part of life and that you're not wrong or broken for experiencing life that way, that there are people who love you anyway and that joy and whimsy is still possible despite the horrors.

Not gonna go into detail but as someone who's been through similar shit to War in this au (not to the same extent but still), it's good to see it handled well. It's good to see it presented as what it is, and explained in a way that isn't justifying what happened to him or invalidating his pain. And it's more than amazing to see that he gets help and people who understand him and how to best support him.

I didn't mean for this to get so long sorry- just yeah, thank you. Keep doing what you're doing, because you're doing good and helping in ways you probably didn't intend to /gen

Have a good day, I hope your joints are painless and your pillows cold tonight :]

im glad my writing can help people :) i have adhd and autism myself and i’ve been treated not super wonderfully by teachers in the past, and proper representation of both autism and adhd is something thats incredibly important to me. proper representation of ANY disorder, disability, medical condition is important to me and i do my best to write and portray them as accurately as i can because being able to see characters, even if only in fanfiction, is something thats always made me feel seen and less alone and its an honor to be able to give that feeling to others

there are certain things that just impact life experiences, and while they may have a big effect on how someone interacts with the world, there ARE other parts of a person. EVERYONE has good days and bad days. my warriors and twilight (and some of the others) that i write are ALWAYS autistic, not just in the modern au but in my other fics i write as well :) there’s nothin wrong with being different, and havin a good support system is everything

you have a wonderful day as well anon 💙

(i hope this is coherent and gets across what i meant it to, im fighting a crazy headache rn haha)

[noemilivv]

WHATS GOOD MIO!!! I am now here with my request 😎 if you need more information about this request feel free to DM me! anyways….

Now, May I request Lucifer Morningstar with a GN!Reader whos a Gyaru(O)? Just to explain the lore of Gyaru, If you know, Gyaru originated in Japan in the 90’s as a rebellion against the stereotypical beauty standard of having pale skin and dark hair, these gyarus — Gals or perhaps, Guys — were very flashy and outgoing, now other people except Japanese people wear Gyaru(o) and they are usually called “Gaijin Gyaru(O)” and it means a gyaru who doesn’t reside in Japan, Gyaru(O) has many sub-styles such as Hime, Agejo, Rokku, Manba/Banba, and much more from this wikipedia.

Thank you so much! I hope this isn’t too much and have fun! =)

WHATS GOOD BRAAAHH !?

this concept is crazy cool haha!! i really tried to do my proper research but if this is considered offensive in anyway shape or form, please tell me and i will either rewrite it or take it down!!

also i’m so sorry this took so long jax haha, i was bit nervous going into this because this is something i’m not that educated about, and i have definitely been procrastinating requests lately lol, so my deepest apologies!!

from what i gathered, gyaru seems to be a japanese clothing/makeup style with a bunch of variety and levels, but if i’m wrong please correct me haha

also the gif is from one of my moots so, little shoutout to her !! haha

Warrnings: Possibily inaccurate representation of Gyaru

Lucifer Morningstar x GN!Gyaru!Reader

Lucifer didn’t really know what ‘Gyaru’ was until he met, or started dating, you!

“Oh, yeah, I’m really into Gyaru.” You said to the blonde at the other side of the table whilst on your first date, you were trying to ask questions to get to know eachother, and you asked what he was interested in, and he said rubber ducks, which hey, everyone’s got a weird thing their into, so you don’t judge.

“Oh my golly, I love that band, we have so much in common, we really need to go see them!! With that one Gearoo guy on the drums who just ba-da-duh-bey!—” Lucifer rambled, even though he was very far off, he was just trying to have common interests, and on that note; he pronounced ‘Gyaru’ so wrong…

“Oh, their not a ba—” You began, before Lucifer let out a ‘Ohh’ before beginning again.

“Gee, that’s my bad, I have a bit of an old man brain, with a daughter at home and all, her and her little friends! Heheh! Sometimes I just go coo-coo-coo! Sorry, wow, I’m just crazy..” Lucifer rambled once more, his voice trailing off at the end, as if he had an epiphany, giving an awkward, and slightly cheery chuckle, slapping his knee softly, before making awkward eye contact with you with a nervous but toothy grin. Yep, you loved him already. He has zero idea how you still gave him a chance after that.

Once Luci actually learns what Gyaru is, he genuinely does find it quite interesting.

He would be tempted to try it out, maybe a makeup look or a fit, but nothing too extreme, he’s still dipping his toes in haha

Also, he’s incredibly supportive, he loves admiring you as you get ready and pick out something to wear or do your makeup or whatever and however you get ready!!

If he has a meeting, he will definitely have you style him a sick looking outfit!!

Overall, he’s very supportive, the fact that your supportive of his odd duck obsession, he loves, so he owes it to ya :)

[jason-todd-fangirl-14]

thunderbolts* rant bc I can!

major spoilers ahead for thunderbolts*. If you haven’t seen the film, stop, go watch it, and then come back!!

where do I begin😭

this movie was worth the year long wait, I’ll start with that. The comedy was hilarious, the action was thrilling, Bucky was everything and more, & Bob, need I say more?!

also the moments between Alexei and Yelena were so touching, especially the part just before Void happened. Bro I was tearing up, and I’m pretty sure the guy next to me was too!😭

ugh, this was one of the best recent marvel movies, I think. I loved everything about it. Truthfully, I don’t know too much about the Fantastic 4, or who Bob was going into it, but immediately he became one of my favorite characters in the film (behind Bucky, sorry not sorry lol). I felt absolutely awful for him—he didn’t deserve anything that happened to him. I love that there was depression representation, despite me not personally struggling with that that much, but from what I have experienced, I think they did a great job representing it. The hug they gave him while he was fighting the Void was so moving and powerful, and exactly what all of them needed, not just Bob.

Also side note, when they were traveling through the rooms, my heart felt so sad for all of them, probably going through their own worst regrets/memories to find Yelena and Bob, especially Bucky. Bucky has been through so much, battles nightmares constantly of all the hell Hydra put him through, all the lives on his hands that haunts him every day. My man Bucky needs some peace from all the chaos and relax a little. I truly feel so so bad for him. Still not so sure how I feel about him being a Congressman, but I get it, they need to give him a occupation that still involves heavily with the Avengers and fighting crime and government seems like a decent choice. I still think he deserves to live out on a farm with some goats in peace away from all the noise tho, but that’s just my personal opinion.

anyway, I’m super tired. It’s been a seriously long day, and I need to try and get some rest. I may add some more of my thoughts on the film here later when I’m not nearly falling asleep. If you’ve watched this film, let’s chat about it in the comments. I’d love nothing more than to converse with someone about how awesome this movie was!

until next time :)

~Rosie

[olderthannetfic]

Anti-ish thoughts are bleeding dangerously into real life. I’m at uni doing a Star Wars: the Clone Wars marathon with my friends and out of curiosity we decided to count the episodes that passed the Bechdel test. This got us onto the topic of sexist media, and my friends were complaining so hard about how female characters are sidelined and treats as subordinate by the source, and. while structurally that may be true to some extent, so is a lot of old media. The original Star Wars is also sexist but people enjoy it too! This devolved into such a toxic debate because they think it’s “not progressive enough for it’s time” but this was fifteen years ago. I don’t think it’s fair to hold it up to ultra-modern standards.

Especially because this is the show with AHSOKA TANO in it (one of the characters with the richest and most complex character development arcs). They were basing this impression of sexism on the fact that Anakin and Obi-Wan (Ahsoka’s seniors both literally and in the hierarchy) constantly talk over her in the episode about Ahsoka learning to take orders and not be reckless in a war. Like, sure it looks bad on the surface, but the power dynamics aren’t because Ahsoka’s a woman— Anakin respects the hell out of the other female Jedi Masters— but because Ahsoka is a *child* in a war endangering herself by not listening to authority, and she’s also Anakin’s student. By Jedi standards she has to.

Plus, in Rebels, the exact same power dynamic of Master and Student executed here plays out with Kanan and Ezra: Ezra being frustrated and confused at why he’s constantly on a leash and being reprimanded for his recklessness. It’s the literal same— he’s a student and he needs to listen to what his master says— but it’s two guys. These were shows released nearly contemporary with each other.

Anyway, this ended up with one of them suggesting they slap the historical “this may have socially unacceptable attitudes depicted in it” warning people put on historical movies. Or, even worse: “why don’t they just remove the sexist bits?” (How do you *define* “sexist bits”?) it’s so baffling to me.

Anyway they still watch it with us just to shit on the female representation every episode. We did hate-watch some shows together, like Loki S2, but this time they’re hate-watching something other people are *trying to enjoy*. Idk, I feel like it’s an asshole move— you can have a calm discussion about the structural biases of any show but like, if people enjoy it, can you not shit on it in our faces using that kind of argument? Aaaaaa.

--

Feeling superior by nitpicking is a time-honored tradition, especially among college students, I'm afraid.

[life-love-geekculture]

Dark Winds 3x08: Unhinged Ramblings

Accurate Representation of Me When the Yellow Car Drove in to View:

Finally! Fucking finally!

My babies are together again! Now we just need a wedding episode & all will be right with the world!

For real though, this was Chee & Bern’s episode.

Let’s start with Bern because oh oh oh!

First, Ivan didn’t die! Yay! Not because I give two shits about his character (actor is great, he’s just been given an exceedingly boring type) but because his death would have drew a deeper divide between Jim & Bern. Especially if he died saving her like I thought he might.

I should never have doubted my girl though. And the feather!!!! Best planting & payoff of the whole season! Like, Joe may have made it, but that was Joe Jr. watching out for his adoptive sis. And the bookending of burying the cars! And Bunge doing exactly what he was bitching about everyone he’s murdered doing. Perfection. Pure perfection.

Even better is Bern accomplished what she set out to do and she did it proving crimes were being committed on the ranch. I’m not sure how I feel with the eleventh hour explanation trying to justify everything with the rancher’s dying wife. However, if ASG (the drug company he owns/works with) is slated to be thwarted big bad next season, it makes sense to put this info in now. Especially if they go the route I’m scared they might.

Which brings us to case number 2 & team train.

Someone please explain to me how Jim Chee can’t hit the broadside of a barn with a shotgun on stable ground, but put the man on a moving train and he’s suddenly a crackshot Dirty Harry!

…..it’s the suit isn’t it?

Goddamn it, it’s the suit! That is ridiculous! And also appropriate. He was a fed after all. But seriously…a shotgun at point blank range? I will never be over that ridiculousness.

Anyways, it was nice seeing the team out of uniform. Love how Gordon& Joe are just grandpappying in the most grandpappy outfits in the group. It is hilarious & endearing. And of course, Gordo is trying to keep Joe’s spirits up about Emma.

Speaking of which, I missed her this episode. Part of the tragedy with her & Joe is she can’t see how much he still loves her (which, I think is a mix of both their faults but mostly falls on Joe and his inability to communicate outside random info dumps) while we the audience are front and center witnesses to how much this man simps for his wife. Like Jim could take notes.

And, of course, Joe built her the damn fence! Love the addition of Henry helping and the clue that Joe’s mom had her own issues with being a cop’s wife (be interesting to explore that next season).

Anyway, a few more notes/predictions for next season:

Nice rounding moment with Joe & George at the end there. It felt cathartic especially with George voicing the core of what haunts both of them, “I blame me.”

I really hope we get more of Shorty next year. He’s the Guy to Jim’s Leaphorn. And just all the feelings with him suppressing wanting to hug his son and not wanting to in front of Jim. Also, that man is still a saint for dealing with a drunk Chee and Bern needs somebody to call and check on Jim next season if the pair get in a fight.

I have a bad gut feeling how Emma’s fate in the books is gonna play into her & Joe’s eventual reunion. Because we still, technically, have Spencer & ASG hanging as an unresolved plot thread and we know they were doing something on the reservation. I just worry the writers might try and draw some parallels between Joe & Spencer playing on them being in similar but different situations (which would be interesting considering where Joe is right now but also….no.)

I just want a fun mystery next year with Joe, Bern, & Chee all working together again.

[areus-in-a-little-cave]

If you'll allow me to step up on my soapbox for a moment. I think OCD portrayal in media is actually kind of interesting because for a long time we had nothing but the whole "teehee I'm so organized I'm so clean I'm so OCD" which is. Medically incorrect. But within recent years we see more accurate portrayal of the disorder in shows but they still end up falling into those traditional veins of TV show OCD. The character is neat and organized and likes having things clean.

Like take The Boys for example. Which may be crazy to say but anyway. MM is diagnosed with OCD, and has a theme that is explained clearly and we're given examples of intrusive thoughts. But at the end of the day, his compulsions and intrusive thoughts are kind of like. Disconnected from his obsession. Which I'm sure is many people's experience with OCD but I feel like it's also important to discuss the amount of people who have OCD who have intrusive thoughts where their compulsions are, to an extent, reasonable. Because that's also a common experience.

Like MM fears that someone who hurt his family will come back and hurt his family. He has intrusive thoughts that something bad will happen involving this guy if he doesn't do his compulsions. He's even medicated and it's a point in the show. And I was really happy to see this but still his compulsions are like cleaning germs, turning off burners, organizing stuff. What about compulsions of locking windows, constantly checking on people to make sure they're okay, keep excessive tabs on the guy who hurt his family and finding out everything he can about him? Stuff that could be reasonable to him to protect his family but excessive and obsessive.

Just my rambled thoughts but I kind of hope OCD gets better representation in the future where we can have a character with OCD, with intrusive thoughts, with obsessions, and with compulsions that aren't cleaning or organizing.

[arizona-trash-bag]

I finished meet you at the blossom!! it was so so glorious and may just renew my interest in BL (tbd)

ngl I was soooo depressed after the danmei crackdown a few years ago, im not even gonna get into it bc it still makes me sad.

so honestly I have no idea how this show got made and distributed in china, even with the overseas production loophole it just. defies all reasoning.

I really commend the actors and production team for taking such a huge risk and making history together. I honestly had given up on seeing actual queer wuxia onscreen in my lifetime. as a kid who grew up on louis cha adaptations wuxia is like, religious to me. seeing actual queer representation in a literary cornerstone of my language and culture touched a part of me that I can’t even put into words.

random character-y thoughts:

xiao bao - my beloved. he’s my perfect innocent babygirl and can do no wrong, ever. I want to put him in my pocket and take him everywhere and protect him from everything bad and never let him be cold again. his earnestness is so sweet without being cloying, even his dumb shenanigans are endearing. ugh I just love him ok I want him as a bestie soooo bad. also DIMPLES hello every time he smiles I wanna die. also i’m obsessed w wang yunkai I need him on my screen again asap

huai en - !!! my fairy. the light of my life. my untouchable ethereal princess who also severs limbs without breaking a sweat. my robot assassin boy. ugh my heart breaks for him, his childhood was so terrible and dark and lonely, not to mention the grooming (evil daddy can diaf, normally villains don’t really yank my chain but child abuse is vile). watching him grow and thaw and open his heart was breathtaking, it was like watching a delicate flower bloom from a bud. li le is inhuman btw, how can a man be SO ethereal it’s actually uncanny

su yin - wow I finally remembered his name!! this actor really impressed me, I think he was the best 古装 actor out of the young cast. he really brought the gravitas to all his scenes and made me believe he was super important. I felt so bad for poor su yin tho, man was down baddd for xiao bao (who can blame him really) but duty kept him from sealing the deal. if he weren’t a noble he def would’ve left huai en for dead and wifed up xiao bao himself, society be damned.

zhao cai & jin bao - my lil dumplings. LOVED their comedic scenes, esp the physical comedy. zhao cai’s eye rolls live in my head rent free.

hot doctor - sorry i’m so bad at names on this show for some reason. they all sound the same?? anyways he was fun and provided some much needed levity in the later episodes. I was curious about his mittens and how historically accurate they were? don’t think i’ve seen anything similar in other shows

consort xue - will forever be thinking about consort xue as THEE gothic figure in this tale. we never even see her face, but the trace of her ghost haunts every scene. generations of 恩怨 (karma?? idk how to translate) all stemming from one person’s life and death, and even at the end huai en is still reminded that but for a twist of fate his mother may still be alive… and he’s the spitting image of her. every time he looks in the mirror it’s a bittersweet reminder of a person long gone. hhhhh im not ok

emperor daddy - ngl i’m confused if he was supposed to be a good ruler or not? the actor’s vibe was kinda giving no but the script… idek

evil daddy - I did feel a tiny bit bad for him at the end. it’s hard realizing you’re your own biggest fkup

bratty prince - wasn’t sure how old he was supposed to be, his behavior was giving 15 tho. the actor did a good job as the only person acting in a different language! watching his mouth movements totally not match up to the audio track was a trip

other courtiers - ngl I couldn’t even keep their names straight, let alone their machinations. it took me till like ep 9-10 to realize greasy lord shen was the fourth brother - where did the third brother go?? and one guy was so deep undercover he switched sides like 3 times. idk man

all in all i’m so glad I gave this show a chance (not that looked bad but I didn’t know if my heart could take it after the danmei crackdown), it really gave me hope that things could be different someday🫶

[generalkenobitrash]

spoilers for ep6 of hotd s2

i'm completely confused by the writing at this point, but i do like that we're getting more team green representation because they were too cartoonishly evil and not cool last season. i would've wanted corlys to have an outburst over rhaenys' death last episode, rather than simply going to driftmark for baela to convince him. rhaenyra making him hand of the king would have had more importance then, i think. jace is sitting the council at last lol. knowing what will happen to steffon darklyn, i feel kinda bad for him. it was a bit of a stupid decision, especially considering bastards are perhaps a better bet than a kingsguard (a very needed one, at that) whose relation to house targaryen is pretty distant. but i do admire than he genuinely wanted to help his queen and thus kinda sacrificed himself. okay, my wish for daemon to hallucinate viserys has come to pass at last. though viserys says the same stuff as in season 1, but it's much more...soft. i actually prefer this one to the scene in s1. viserys is more vulnerable and it's always a pleasure to see paddy considine. daemon's storyline is a bit slow but i'm glad to see him being driven to the edge of madness. matt smith is a phenomenal actor, so he carries the sometimes boring writing. simon strong is being an icon as always. i love caraxes so the screen time is much appreciated. i just know alys giggles to herself when daemon has his luigi's mansion moments. i do love that she makes him face his faults when he's trying to run. daemon has always wanted the crown, but it's so clear to see that he's not fit for it. he's right that rhaenyra never wanted it, but she rose up to the occasion. she's being a leader. daemon struggles to raise men by threat of fire. alys and mysaria are the most interesting characters to me this season. by saying that in three days the winds will shift, i think alys meant that grover tully will die and oscar will take his place and therefore secure an army for rhaenyra. i am still sad to lose kermit tully. i understand the muppets association but it's legit a cool name 😂. the scene where ser steffon tries to bond with seasmoke was very interesting. it's pretty neat to get more insight into the dragonbonding process. anyways, rip steffon darklyn. you did your best. i do like sylvi (the brothel madam) and dyana, so i'm curious to see what's next for them, though i think sylvi may not appear again. anyways, the smallfolk have my heart. i like that after suffering yet another loss, rhaenyra feels utterly frustrated and desperate. i love love and love rhaenyra and mysaria. i kind of don't like the "the people will be hungry and will need someone to blame", because yes, the keep has more than enough food for themselves, but it was rhaenyra who initiated the blockade. the blame could easily shift to her. with all the dismissing and whatnot, i don't think otto even managed to reach oldtown before he's being summoned back lol. aegon didn't really listen to his council, but atleast he tried, while aemond's being outright mean to his council. tom glynn carney is amazing. no matter what aegon did, i don't think he deserves to be lowkey tortured by aemond. tgc is seriously too charismatic and too good to make me hate aegon. i truly wonder if they'll make rhaena tame sheepstealer. i love my sweet girl sm. the baby dragons are so cute. i'm sorry jeyne arryn is so beautiful i can't focus whenever she's on-screen. i'm lowkey stressed that the battle of the gullet is coming. i love the rather subtle way they're using to show that addam and alyn are bastards. i like alyn in the show. i love that even rhaenyra is sick of daemon. he truly has to get his act together and recognize that it is rhaenyra's claim he should uphold. how did the fisher guy not see the boat before it was right there at the beach? oh well. food for the smallfolk yay. lyman beesbury haunts the narrative. i write as i watch the episode and i'm already at the limit and the episode is not even over 💀

[jotunvali02]

Playing Ace Attorney, Rise of the Ashes part 6 or "Stop hurting my baby, Taku!!"

"What good it is to dwell on the past?" "He's asking ME?"

At least Feenie is self-aware enough to recognize he's obsessed with the past!

Huh? Ever since Gmushoe became Detective, he wants to throw himself out of a window???

Queen Bitch Fee-Fee back in the competition!

Why are such a cunt with Gumshoe anyway? Yeah, he's not very smart, but you're not really better with your complete and annoying dumbness which is only compensated by teenage girls and ghosts, or with your scary total lack of empathy.

"That guy starts to get on my nerves!" Well, YOU're starting to get on mine, big bitch!!

Bitch, now you're HIDING important evidence?? And you're pissed at Gumshoe bc of his so-called dumbness while you're overly and clealry way more stupid than him today??

Wait wait!! Girl. You've been puking shit over shit about Lana for 2 years and now you say she's the most perfect and kindest angel?? WTF?? You're not only incompetent and stupid, you have a fucked up brain!!🧠🥴

Oh now, Fee-Fee's hiding another piece of evidence?? You're no better than Gant, bitch!

"What are you, my mom??" OMG, FUCK YOU Phoenix! 🤬 What are YOU?? A teenage bitch?? EMA is the one who's 16, not you!

Aaaand Gumshoe is fired.

"It seems Edgeworth was right about you."

gasp!

My baby said «Wright is beautiful» to his Chief too?? 😭💘

«Nothing incriminating her»?? Bitch, there were THOUSANDS of evidence against her!!

And you think you’re cleverer than Gumshoe?? You do worse than forgetting your ID card, you forget about your own evidence and you own trials!!

«Do not forget your place», his place is being YOUR fucking defense attorney!! Again, you’re not Chief Prosecutor anymore, you’re his fucking CLIENT!! WHY do you still talk as if it’s not the case??

"Miss Skye, why did you and Gant hurt my baby boyfriend?"

Demon Gant put a fucking corpse in my baby’s car??

*gasp* Baby! ^^

*accidental glomp*

«We don’t have time to talk!» But you will help me, my sweet, soft sugar baby, right???😍

Eeeeeee!!! 😍😍😍😍 My baby’s "Objection!" saves the day again!! I love you!!!

«Why aren't you a good boy and keep your mouth shut?» «Fuck off, Chief.»

OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH !!!!!

FUCK THE POLICE! FUCK AUTHORITY!! ANARCHIST EDGEY!!!

«Sorry, but I’m no longer the naive little boy you’d have me be.» *Camera on Wright. * Yes, why don’t YOU remember that fact, Fee-Fee ?????

Edgey’s direct superior: «Mr Edgeworth. I am exercising my right to self-representation!»

Edgey: «YOU FUCK OFF TOO!»

"FUCK AUTHORITY! FUCK CHIEFS! FUCK THE POLICE!! FUCK PROSECUTORS! FUCK THE LAW!! AND FUCK ME!!"

«No matter how tragic the truth may be, it’s an even greater tragedy to avoid’s one eyes from it.»

Oh my sweet, wise, too much hurt baby... 😭

«I’m not the bad guy!»   I know! And Fee-Fee knows too! And Ema knows too! 😭

Come here so I hug you and kiss your cheek in front the whole court to show that I know you’re just a sweet baby.

«Poor Ema, I’m glad she wasn’t hurt.»

Mmmmmmph!!! 😡😡😡

You’ve been knowing her for barely 3 DAYS and what she lived was way less monstrous than Edgey, aka someone you’ve been OBSESSING over and stalking for 15 years and someone who wants to quit the only job he’s ever known and loves because of all the pitless amount of traumatic bullshit and hate (including heavy self-hate) he’s been thrown at his face in barely 4 days, then 3 days, and it’s HER you...!!!

Or is she supposed to be a female teen proxy of Edgeworth (since she lived sth similar to what he lived)? So it's her we feel bad for? Personnally I don't need that to feel sad for my baby Edgey!

But it's because it's known adult men don't have feelings and certainly can't have traumas and can't feel fear or sadness! Or else they're just weak and girlies!

Uuuugh!! I love Japan but their heavy & MASSIVE sexism/misogyny/dudebro-ing pisses me off so MUCH!!

«The trauma of the situation understandably caused her to faint.» 😭😭😭I’m genuinely crying now. My baby...💔

«Do you really need to torture that girl any further??»

Baby bitch, it’s YOU who asked for her testimony in the first place!

But I think what he means here is «Did you really have to torture ME like this, Wright? Forcing me to relive my worst traumatic memories?» 😭😭😭

And they’re bickering like a couple now.

«Don’t you remember a litte sth called "falsified evidence"?» «I’m going to murder you, Wright...»

Ah, this isn’t the knife I was thinking about but ok.

Oh my fucking, fucking GOD!!! *hits her forehead 3 times*

HOW ARE YOU SO DUMB PHOENIX??? YOU CAN’T UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN OBJECTIONS AND EXPLANATIONS NOW???

AND GUMSHOE IS THE STUPID ONE??

REALLLYY???

Wait. WHY can’t we go back to when Ema said the victim was stabbed in the chest while the autopsy report says he was stabbed in the back?? That’s pretty important information, isn’t it?

«Miss Skye was almost killed before being a witness for a murder case. A little disorientation is natural.»

My baby. My BABYYYY!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭

«We can’t get dead pople to testify.» Are you SURE about that, Phoenix??

ARE YOU SURE???

You've really instantly forgotten about your OWN fucking trial of 2 months ago!

That explains why you almost don’t give a fuck about Edgey’s heavy distress and why it’s EMA who’s kind and compassionate with him while SHE has just met him and in all logic it should be YOU!

Or is being a man who genuinely cares about the suffering of another man already "TOO GAY"???

Motherfuckin' jeez!!!

«There is only thing we seek: the truth.»  Marry me, baby.💍

«Do you understand what you’ve done now, Worthy? Joe Darke was sentenced to death bc of this final murder. I believe you were the prosecutor back then.» *gaaaaaasp*

You appalling asshole, manipulative douchebag, bastard of my balls!!

SHUT UP!!! YOU SHUT UP ASSHOLE!!!

NO!!! 😭 My baby! My baby Edgey!! 😭😭😭

Yes Fee-Fee! Protect your husband!!

«How can he stand there as if it’s not his fault?!»

SHUT UP YOU BUNCH OF RABID MONKEYS!! What do you expect? What do you want? My baby bursting into tears and yelling?? SHUT UP!!! You have no idea how he’s feeling, how he’s been feeling for the past 3 days, the past two months and the past 15 years!!

Again where’s your fucking senses of memory and empathy, you brainless fucks??

If I was the Judge, I would sentence ALL of you fuckers to death and everyone who pushed my baby Edgey to his wish to kill himself to a fucking slow and painful DEATH!

«We’re not defenders of justice, we're keepers of the law.» Hmmmm....

«I’m sorry, Edgeworth..»

Sorry? "SORRY???"

HUG HIM you stupid bastard!!

«I’ve seen happier ppl at funerals.»

Shut. Up. SHUT!! UP!!!!!!! 😭😭😭

«This case has hurt too many people.» He said while staring at his upset, sweet husband.💕

"The inquiry committee will impose harsh penalties on you."

NO!!! NO!!!

Why won’t you leave my sweet baby ALONE??? 😭😭😭 😭😭😭 😭😭😭

TAKU,  WHAT’S YOUR GODDAMN PROBLEM, HURTING & WHUMPING THE SWEETEST BABY EVER ENDLESSLY LIKE THAT????

«Thank you, your Honor.» OMG he REALLY doesn’t give a shit anymore.

Feenie «Oh, my baby has found to way to carry on the trial!»💙

DON’T YOUR FUCKING TALK POWER OUTAGE IN AN ELEVATOR, YOU MOTHERFUCKER!!

"Moving a body and hiding evidence are inexcusable." Ooooh, you mean what YOU have exactly done??

«Dick will receive his due punishment.» 😆 Why did you have to give him that name in the English version?

«To accuse the Police Chief of blackmail and murder?? That impossible!!»

Bitch, that’s what EVERY Chief of the Police in the world does!

«Wright, there’s no turning back for us now. Let’s marry!»

«The purpose of this trial is to determine the truth!»

Oh I’ll be your truth anytime, baby!

"OBJECTION!"

*pterodactylic screeeeech!!!* My baby is saving his husband again!! 😭

Gant...

Gumshoe... I’d LOVE to see you work with Phoenix! Not sure he would love that tho.

That bitch.

Baby Edgey... I just want to play with your soft hair all day long.🥰

«Everyone who knew Lana said she had changed. But perhaps it was an easier way for her.»

My baby! My baby!😭😭😭 LET ME HUG MY BABY DAMMIT!!!

«She must have shut herself up deep inside.» 😭😭😭😭😭😭

«Must be why she became so cold.» yeaaaah, but doesn’t it remind you of someone ELSE, Phoenix???

Like the person right IN FRONT OF YOU?????

«Blame society, pal!!»

On vit dans une saucisse!! 🌭🌭🌭 Anarchist Gumshoe, yeah bitch!!

Death sentence again?? For one murder and one forgery?? Is it so easily given in that world??

Or is it the ONLY sentence that exists??

Man, that world SUCKS!