#excited for the livestream before and hoping for a reveal of the voiced lines!

[riverrunscold]

OMG????!!! YOU LOVE NEGGIE AND ARE ALSO A DEEBS GAMER??? WANNA BE MY NEW BESTIE??

Yeah, absolutely, I love meeting people with combined interests!! As a neggie fan and dbd player, I'm really excited at the possibility of Negan and Maggie legendary skins for Michonne and Rick. Though I'm sure it'll probably be Glenn and Maggie, which I'm not against either honestly. I'm just super excited that TWD and DBD are collabing! One is my oldest special interest, and the other one my newest!! The end of summer is going to be beautiful <3

[befuddled-calico-whump]

The Revenge Stream: Part One

contains: Vic Shepard, red room setting, whumper turned whumpee, violence, beating, noncon nudity/forced stripping, adult language, third person POV

next

•

Normally it's common sense to avoid random links that pop up in your inbox.

Everything about it screams virus, from the restricted sender, to the jumbled string of letters and symbols that make up the link itself, to the subject line, a simple “gift for you”. Normally, you'd delete it immediately. Maybe report it as spam. But something holds you back. A single line in the message body.

Anyone for vengeance?

You're intrigued. It's not the typical line a scammer might use. After a few minutes spent wrestling with your own common sense, you decide to do the probably stupid thing and click on the hyperlink. The pull of your curiosity is just too strong to be ignored.

The link leads to a simple website with a layout that's almost laughably bad. Any sense of design is nonexistent, and the sole feature of the page appears to be some sort of livestream. Its screen is dark, but the timestamp in the corner is moving. Whatever camera it's attached to, it's rolling.

What is this? You wait a minute, watching the clock tick upwards, but nothing changes. Silence and a dark screen. Definitely not worth the risk of a virus.

Just as you're about to call it quits and close the tab, the screen floods with light.

A gloved hand fills the frame, holding what looks like a lense cap, silhouetted against a background of barren concrete. As the hand moves away, the room comes into focus, revealing a figure at its center.

It appears to be a man, barefoot and tied to a chair. He's slumped forward, graying hair obscuring his face.

You know you should feel dread. Panic, even. But instead, your interest only grows, and you find yourself holding your breath as the camera steadies. There's a small pop, and the audio of the feed crackles to life.

“This thing on?” a voice says, its owner stepping into frame. They're dressed in light grey sweatpants with a matching hoodie, a white mask obscuring their face.  “We've got oh… fifty, fifty-five guests by my count. Seems like a good place to start.” They move to the man in the chair, taking a fistful of his hair and yanking his head back, angling his face towards the camera. He's gagged with a twisted strand of cord, and his face is a bit cut up, but he seems alert. And pissed.

“Ladies and gentlemen, meet Victor Shepard. If you're watching this, it's because he's fucked up your life in some way. Maybe he killed a loved one. Maybe he destroyed your company, or provided blackmail material that ruined your reputation. I dunno. Jack of all trades, this one.” They loosen their grip, and Shepard's head drops. 

“Point is, I'm here to make him pay. For you.” You can almost hear them grin behind the mask.

Your hands clench, eyes glued to the monitor screen. Fuck. This is a red room stream, isn't it? And a personal one at that. While this reveal should have you reaching for your phone and dialing 9-1-1, you almost feel… excited. You want to see more. Even if the link reaching your inbox was a fluke, there's no way you're backing out.

“Well,” the masked figure continues. “Let's get this party started, huh? What's up first?”

In the corner of the screen, a poll appears.

Strip him, reads the first option.

Rough him up, the second one says. A timer is kicking down beneath the buttons. Fifty-nine seconds.

Should you click one? Does it make you complacent if you do? You’d almost feel better if you didn't, like you're just an innocent bystander, watching something you have no real power to stop. And that makes it okay, right?

Before you can finish justifying it to yourself, the poll ends. ‘Strip him’ is the victor, fifty votes to eighteen.

The masked figure moves out of frame again, and you hear them click their tongue. “Hope you're not shy, big guy.”

When they move back into view of the camera, they're holding a knife.

“Gonna have to cut some of the ropes, but I'm not too worried about it.” They grab the camera, rotating it to face the rest of the room, and for the first time you see its other occupants, two figures clad in the same grey as the speaker. They're also masked, and each of them holds an assault rifle at the ready.

“Michael and Uriel over here got me covered if he tries anything. Really hope he doesn't though. I do wanna give you a show.”

As they spin the camera back around, you catch a split second glimpse of the speaker's working area. A slim laptop surrounded by what looks like a bunch of weapons and power tools. If those are all for Shepard, you don't doubt they will indeed be putting on a show.

They re-steady the camera and step back onscreen, closing in on the man in the chair. Their knife slides through the ropes around his chest with ease, and they fall to the ground in a heap. The figure shifts so they're not blocking Shepard from the camera's view, then begins a slice down the middle of his shirt.

They cut away the cloth—chest, shoulders, arms—before moving to his pants, but Shepard doesn't struggle. If anything, his body language seems calm. Placid, even, though when you catch a glimpse of his eyes you can see a sharp anger. You imagine the only thing keeping him in place right now is the gunmen on the other side of the room.

The pile of discarded scraps beside the chair grows, and soon the captive is stark naked. Under his clothes, his body is all lean muscle and old scars, the dark silhouette of some kind of bird tattooed on his chest. You don't doubt what the speaker—the host—said before. This guy seems pretty capable of ruining lives.

The host steps back, admiring their work. “There we go. A canvas at the ready. Shall we move on? What tool should I grab?”

In the corner of your screen, another poll appears.

Electric sander.

Switch.

Seeing an electric sander listed as a potential torture tool makes your stomach twist, but you can't tell if it's disgust or excitement that’s behind the feeling. Again, you only watch as the timer ticks down.

Three…

Two…

One…

To your relief, (or is it disappointment?) the switch comes out ahead.

Behind the mask, the host’s excitement seems to grow.

“Ohoho, we have a winner,” they say, and you hear a light clattering offscreen. When they step back in front of the camera, they're holding the chosen tool; a thick, stiff strip of leather, metal studding one end. They give it a test swish through the air. The sound gets no reaction from Shepard.

“How many do you think he's good for? The metal bits are gonna leave a mark.” The host moves behind the camera, and from their comments, you can guess they're reading through viewer feedback.

“Ten? I'd call that light. Oh, twenty five is more like it— a hundred?” They whistle. “Okay, that might be a bit high. The night is young.”

You scan your monitor screen. In the top corner, there's a little message icon, which you assume is how everyone else is communicating with the host. You briefly consider dropping a request of your own, but then they speak up.

“Let's go with fifty. Happy medium, eh?”

Your eyes dart back down, and you watch as they stroll towards Shepard, smacking the switch lightly against their gloved palm as they move.

“Brace for impact,” they say cheerfully, before cracking the implement across Shepard's chest. His head snaps backwards, a pained noise escaping him.

One. A giddiness is growing in your chest, eager to count down until the man's first scream. The host seems just as energized as you, attacking Shepard’s torso like they're beating dirt out of a rug.

Several seconds pass before they come to a stop, winded. Their arm drops, and they sidestep, letting the camera take in Shepard. His torso is covered in welts, bleeding in some places where the studs broke skin. Aside from a few pained hisses and grunts, he's been silent.

“Fuck,” the host says. “I lost count. What was that? Was that fifty? Forty five?”

They shake their arms, as if to loosen their shoulders.

“We'll call it forty.”

Snap!

The switch comes down, this time cracking across Shepard's face. You wince at the impact. That's gotta hurt. The host continues the attack. Their strokes seem slower now, not as sharp, but they're aiming high, striking him across the nose, cheek, collarbone. Forty eight actually drags a yelp out of the man as metal collides with a welt on his cheekbone, and your heart leaps at the sound.

Forty nine swipes the corner of his mouth, drawing blood, and then…

“Cincuenta,” says the host, letting the switch drop. “Not impressed, hm Vicky? We can change that.” They stroll to their workstation, and you hear the clatter of the switch’s metal tip hitting the table.

A moment later, a third poll appears on the screen.

Whip him, says the first button.

Cut off his tattoo, says the second. 

Holy fuck. That seems a bit extreme, but… fun? Maybe? The guy's a piece of shit, right? He probably deserves much worse. Right?

“Cast your votes,” the host’s voice rings out, and you watch as the poll goes live, the clock suddenly ticking backwards.

“What do you think will make him scream?”

•

[venicebixch]

Faceless part 2 (final part)

fluff, a little anxiety. enjoy!

Y/n was hoping her anxiety surrounding the face reveal would make the day go quicker but it had just the opposite effect, making today dragging on with her apprehensive anticipation of the 7pm hour.

Finally, that hour has almost arrived. With shaky hands, she turns on her computer and connects with the familiar face she’ll be depending on through this process. 

“Hey, Vin,” she says with a hoarse voice. She clears her throat, then takes a sip of water before closing her eyes to soak up these last few moments of peace and anonymity.

“Hey,” he smiles. “How’re you feeling? You nervous? Excited?”

“Try utterly terrified,” she says. “This is by far the worst stage fright I’ve ever felt. I can’t help but think about the fact that thousands of people are about to see me… thousands of real, individual people. I genuinely don’t know how you do this all the time.”

He chuckles. “It can be alot, that’s why I stream without my face cam sometimes. It’s less pressure. Are you having second thoughts?” “No,” she says quickly. “I think it’s time for this. I’m ready, just nervous.” 

“You’ll do great, they’re going to love you,” he says softly. “Do you think you’ll do the whole stream or just part of it?” 

“Uh… I don’t know. I guess I’ll just see how I feel.” 

“Fair enough,” he says, then looks at the time in the corner of his screen. “It’s almost time…”

“Oh god! Ahh, I’m seriously scared, Vinnie,” she laughs nervously. 

“You can do it! Even if it’s just for a second, okay?”

“Okay,” she says with a deep breath. “I think I'm ready. You ready?” 

“As ever,” he smiles. 

“Okay…” she turns on her livestream, keeping her camera off for now. He connects his as well, but his camera is already on, as usual. 

“Hey chat,” he says quickly. The comments roll in and he reads through them, trying his hardest to distract himself from his own feelings. He wouldn’t admit it to her, but he’s nervous too. Nervous for her, nervous for the experience of seeing her for the first time. 

It’s been such an odd thing, developing a crush on someone he’s never seen before. These last 24 hours have left him wondering how he’ll feel after seeing her and what it will be like to not spend so much time wondering what she looks like. What it’ll be like to have all his curiosity finally satisfied.

“Hey guys,” she says to her own chat. “I’ve got a surprise for everyone today. It’s pretty big.” 

The comments pick up, the whole screen fills with new messages nearly every second. She doesn’t have time to pay attention to the usernames, only the messages. 

omg i wonder what it is

What is it? 

guys my brother just punched me in the face wht should i do???

“Your brother punched you? Punch him back,” she says jokingly. 

i bet she has a boyfriend 

She giggles, shaking her head. “Nope, still single.” 

Is it serious? Don't play with us 

Watch it be a face reveal or something crazy 

“Oooh, someone got it,” she teases, getting a small thrill out of their guesses. 

“Oh you didn’t even tell them?” Vinnie chimes in.

“Nope, only the lucky ones here now get to see it live. I didn’t want the added pressure of more people coming in just to see,” she says. The messages keep rolling in, everyone is becoming more and more sure that she’ll be doing a face reveal today.

“Chat we’re doing something a little different for the beginning of the stream. We’re gonna watch y/n’s, she’s got a surprise for all of us,” Vinnie says. 

“Alright, I’m done making you guess. Yeah, I’m doing a face reveal. I’m scared though, so be…” she leans in closer to the microphone. “Fucking. Nice. Be nice to me. Please!” 

Vinnie laughs. “They’ll be nice,” he says cheerfully, before his voice gets deep. “Or I’ll fucking destroy them.” 

She laughs. “Please don’t threaten genocide on my viewers.”

“Do you have a better idea?” He defends himself. 

“I was thinking more along the lines of like… I don’t know!” 

“Exactly!” He says. “Sometimes destruction is the best option.” 

She laughs again, feeling the stress melt away a little. “Alright, whatever. Destroy what you want, you psychopath,” she says. “Alright, I’m gonna do this. Again, be nice guys! Love you.”

“Love you too,” he jokes, though it’s not really a joke.

“Mwah,” she giggles. She switches the camera settings on and gets a good view of herself before hovering over the connect button. “Alright… 3, 2… 2 and half. 2 and three quarters.”

“Oh god, woman,” he rests his head on his chin. “I’m stressed.”

“You’re stressed?”

“Stop procrastinating!” 

“Alright! 1…” she holds her breath as the camera connects. Her stomach drops and she’s half afraid to gauge anyone’s reaction. It’s not that she’s not confident in herself but this is far, far out of her comfort zone.

After a few seconds, she turns her head toward the monitor that her chat is on and breathes a sigh of relief that they’re all kind and flattering. 

OMGGGG

What the fuck, you’re gorgeous?? 

Marry me 

She’s so lost reading the comments, she doesn’t even notice that Vinnie hadn’t said anything until people started to mention him. 

VINNIE’S FACE LOL 

omg he’s in love 

He’s blushingggg

Look at how he’s looking at her, Y/n won

VINNIE ASK HER OUT 

She cautiously turns her head toward the screen where she can see Vinnie’s live and he’s leaned back in his chair with his hand over his mouth, clearly trying to hide his obviously red cheeks and smile. 

Unsure what to do with herself, or whether to take his reaction as a good or a bad sign, she just shrugs with a small smile. “Well… this is me,” she says quietly. 

He quickly adjusts his position to look more casual and clears his throat, trying desperately to hide how flustered he is.

She’s stunning, and he’s suddenly feeling extremely shy. Awkward, even. He lost his breath for a moment and is speechless, but he knows he has to talk. 

Say something, he thinks to himself. 

“You… um,” he pauses for a second. “And…” 

Fuck, he scolds himself. Stop overthinking it. 

Her smile widens with a sudden and massive surge of confidence running through her at everyone’s reaction. “Are you nervous, Vinnie?” 

“What?” He says sarcastically. “Psh, no… yes. NO. God, give me a second,” he stands and walks out of view. A muffled scream can be heard before he returns and she starts to laugh. 

“Can we just… Can we just talk later? I’ll message you,” he says.

“Sure,” she smiles.

__

He was completely distracted all through his stream, weighing his decision to ask her out on a proper date. He can’t miss out on a chance with her, no matter how nervous it makes him to ask her.

He’s been falling for her for months now, and seeing her for the first time took it to the next level, like he’s craving her presence already. He has to ask her out, or he’ll regret not doing it forever. 

He moves from his computer to his phone, opening the Discord app and going straight to talk to her. He locks his bedroom door and plops down on the edge of his bed, taking a moment completely alone to gather his nerves and think about what he wants to say to her.

Being behind the phone makes it a bit easier to communicate without fear as he starts to type his message. 

hey y/n. i know i was a mess on stream tonight but i really wanted to tell you that i think you’re gorgeous. i was just super nervous when i saw you. tbh 

He shakes his head and deleted the ‘tbh’ - he wants this to be proper and heartfelt. No shorthand, no slang. Just him, taking the time to tell her his raw feelings. 

to be honest, i’ve had a crush on you for a while now. i think you’re an amazing person, and seeing you tonight just solidified how i feel, you’re more gorgeous than i could have imagined. 

He pauses, wondering if he should send the message as it or go ahead and add the part now where he actually asks her on a date. After some debate with himself, he decides to add it. Just get it out there. 

i was wondering, since we both live in LA, if you’d like to go out sometime with me? on a date? 

He holds his breath as he presses send. The familiar sound comes through on her end instantly, and she picks up her phone, biting back a smile. She was hoping he’d follow through on his promise to message her. 

She opens the app and begins to read the message. Within seconds, her stomach is full of butterflies and her heart is fluttering as she’s practically squealing walking around her room. She has to take breaks and contain herself to keep her excitement under control. 

“What?” She says under her breath. “He actually likes me like that… I knew it!” She jumps.

She keeps reading with a smile and then stops in her tracks at the last sentence. 

“Oh my god!” She yells, mouth open. A date. With Vinnie. 

She sits down, thinking hard about how to respond. 

thank you! i gotta be honest, i’ve always had a bit of a crush on you too. 

She bites her lip, wondering if she should tell him what she’s thinking, and quickly settles on telling him. 

part of the reason i was so nervous to do the reveal was because you were gonna get to see me for the first time and that made me so nervous lol! but yes!! i would absolutely love to go on a date <3 

Her message makes his heart skip a beat… no, skip 3 beats. Yes. She actually said yes. He can’t contain his smile as he lays back on his bed. 

“Hell yeah,” he says to himself. He better start planning, he’s got to impress her.

[seeksstaronmewni]

Samurai Jack Season 5 in Review: EPISODE XCII

Here is my absolute favorite Samurai Jack episode, because it’s not the end. It’s only the beginning of the end.

I was on the hype train for the return of @cartoonnetwork​’s Samurai Jack after I saw the Season 5 trailer on February 8th, 2017 A.D. (I made a recent post to celebrate it) One reason was that I became obsessed about The Powerpuff Girls during the nostalgically incorrect Season 7 (the first “reboot” season) due to a liking for the Season 5-6 designs and animation, a part of the "Cartoon Cartoons” I grew up watching... and I was right to expect former PPG creatives on it! This post highlights the events of the episode and why it’s one of the best Samurai Jack episodes ever--and how much I binged on it at first! You can check the episode out here (Season 5 reran Sunday mornings at 3:30A on Adult Swim), and soon on HBO Max. Also, if you’re on Twitter, check the links to my tweets in the underlined text! They’re old tweets and need some love!

If you saw not this episode yet, be aware of SPOILERS!

/!\ SAMURAI JACK This Program is rated TV-14-V. Intense Violence.

X

The day of the season’s premiere, March 11th, 2017 A.D., too late found I that [as] was doing a streaming of Season 1-4 (I came in during EPISODE XXXIII’s “Wild Ride”). Following was a Q&A livestream with Genndy Tartakovsky, during which I tried again and again to call, but the line was always busy. Luckily Season 5′s premiere was going to be for free--online--via the stream at 10:40P! I was so there for it! Of course I watched the televised premiere on @adultswim​, but the stream first!

While I began ceasing from trying to get Genndy on the PPGs again, all of a sudden...

...it began, and I was totally there for it.

A view of a distant town (not Townsville) appeared. All quiet.

That is until an explosion or 2 set off (and not with the stereotypical H-B/Universal “powah-wahh” explosion sounds either). There goes the giant windmill.

Partially and slowly revealed is that some aliens are on the run from the town...

...from those “beetle bots”. GIANT beetle bots, I might add.

There is this precious little moment where, being surrounded by the giant beetle bots, the mother and daughter visually--not by speech--exchange “I love you!” to each other with hearts in place of “love”. Oh, and there’s a baby too.

As the beetle bots come to a stop, the sound grows quiet. A motorcycle is heard approaching. When the motorcycle is revealed close-up, Tyler Bates’ bass-filled music is sparked: a warrior with a serious, menacing face is riding on these hot wheels...

...and he aims his machine gun out... only to launch a projectile at these familiar foes...

...resulting in the first explosion Jack caused in this glorious 5th season.

He slowly circles around with his gun. Is he a threat to the aliens?

Nope. Just pwning more evil scrap metal.

Once I heard the Looney Tunes-esq “pshhh...” of smoke from his guns, I became more certain that Joel Valentine was back on the show... unlike the PPG “reboot”.

As the Season 5 sneak revealed late in February 2017 shows, the warrior’s motorcycle is packed with punk tires that can scrap these pests up! All of his guns are just as lethal... with all of those cool action shots and poses and all.

The warrior then reveals another weapon: not a sword, exactly, but some manner of pitchfork on one tip and a taser on the other. Graphically, he destroys one beetle bot by twisting the wires inside, and proceeds to scrap the rest until one of them knocks... the mask off?

That warrior is none other than the samurai called...

“...?”

Just another day in the life of the samurai! Shouting a charging yell, Jack continues smashing the wires out of the beetle bots with a front scruff that fits perfectly with the mane... a look that is very appropriate, new and fitting for Jack.

The daughter gives a symbol of either “Is it dead?” or disgust. Because of the emoticons that are a major part of their visual language, I suppose that these aliens should be called... emoji-fawns?

“50 years have passed, but I do not age.”

As the samurai continues onward into the sunset, a new intro is revealed for Jack to explain how much worse things are become. The former intro started with Aku’s prologue before the theme song, but Season 5′s intro is pretty much a prologue. This feels true to the nature of of The Powerpuff Girls’ former intro which also started with a prologue, but PPG Season 7-9 has a shorter, different intro (although the extended version has an updated version of the prologue with most of its original Tom Kenny narration, “DJ Avalanche” score, and few of Joel’s SFX).

Regarding Jack’s opening statement, creator Genndy Tartakovsky said that 50 years were passed apparently between the events of EPISODE LII, “Jack and the Baby”, and EPISODE XCII. I think, however, that Jack meant that 50 year passed since he ended up in the future in EPISODE II, “The Samurai Called Jack”. There could be more seasons of this show to explore more adventures of Jack, regardless of the time that passed; if anything, turn those comic books into episodes!

Anyway, for some reason, the rip in time Aku created to send Jack into the future caused Jack’s body to supposedly not grow old, though I believe that, slowly, he still aged to a point. Aku’s still the bad guy (with a new voice, but I talk about this in XCIII’s post), and hope seems lost unless Jack can return to the past.

The intro ends with a slow reveal of the shows title, burning red in the dark, sporting an epic, exciting, modernly cinematic feel to the show. What follows, of course, is a scene just as cinematic...

A quiet, eerie chant of the name “Aku” subtly fills the dark, fire-lit room. This reveals the worship of a great evil which reminds us of how dangerous and powerful Aku truly is... given that “Jack vs. Aku” is the previous episode where Aku has a speaking role (you know... “EXTRA THICK!”), though he vocalizes in a following episode “Seasons of Death”.

The episode’s opening credits reveal that Bryan Andrews and Genndy Tartakovsky are the main board artists for this season, still directed by Tartakovsky himself with art direction by Scott Wills. Apparently, character design was very crucial to this season, so the main character designer of the season, Craig Kellman, is listed at the beginning on all of these episodes. This’s rare for cartoon shows, but this isn’t much different from old CN shows of the 1990′s like Dexter’s Laboratory crediting the model/character designers on the episode’s opening credits.

“They will succeed where so many others have failed, and we will find favor in your glory.”

Seven daughters?! Is that kind of physical labor even possible?! That explains all of Grey Delisle-Griffin’s screams, but she’s soon back on her feet... to raise her children to serve pure evil.

BTW, it’s a good thing that the baby vocals that Joel used are not the common Sound Ideas Series 6000 cries, since that recording is far more annoying. Anyway, I find the scene very intriguing and exciting because it’s all really dark, and that’s something that “kids” shows often weren’t in the past. It all just feels so epic that it sucks you in; am I right?

Back to Jack: the score revs up quickly in this montage of Jack riding around the country, wherever he is, as if he’s on some epic quest. Is he looking for a time portal or Aku’s place?

It’s Fall at this point and Jack’s in a pretty forest. The lighting is beautiful, cinematic and very realistic in this shot--one of my favorites from this episode. The paintings are still by art director Scott Wills; they’re just digital.

Such scenes as this are long periods of no dialogue, where music and sound can help to set the mood--sometimes, a very peaceful mood...

...until, slowly but surely, Jack’s mind is hauntingly messed up. This’s where Tyler Bates’ music hits on the slow, hardcore, eerie, electronic percussion that subtly drives the intense situation that’s not like what kid’s action shows used to be. This would be frightening to younger children, but the sheer terror of this scene is awesome, and the music is hardcore hot!

Some days later, we go to another sequence that occurs at night, where we focus first on a cute little owl hooting (and not the cliche, classic H-B/Valentino SFX Library owl hoot that many cartoons use, including past episodes of Samurai Jack). This goes to show just how realistic Joel’s sound design can be, and I admire him greatly for that attention to detail.

Jack endured another vision that night, where his father claims that he never came back, though Jack revealed that “Aku destroyed the way home!”

The way? How many time portals or such were there?

“He destroyed everything! Everything is burning!”

Woah. Was it something that Jack ate? It may be that that rat was under-cooked...

Anyway, every time Jack was haunted by the visions, a mysterious figure appeared afterward. Now Jack was motivated to find the village that he previously noticed was under attack. Time for a commercial break... and a breather for us fans of this nostalgic series!

As we return from commercial, we see the progression of the 7 daughters in training. They kind of remind me of Pokey Oaks Kindergarten’s students... but taller.

Training is tough on these little munchkins, though--but Ashi is distracted by a light that comes from the outdoors... to which her mother slowly objects. Her strength endures some real testing over time with her mother’s harsh treatment!

“Are you weak?!”

I mean... I felt like it was almost all over for Ashi at this point.

Luckily for her, “Aku’s fire stirs inside”. The art direction on the following scene is very interesting in terms of lighting: black, white and some red. It helps for the simply-detailed designs to stand out more. Since I saw very little of Sym-Bionic Titan at this point, Ashi’s hairstyle reminded me somewhat of Ilana (who has the same hairstyle and same voice actress, Tara Strong).

Meanwhile, Jack walked through the village to find whoever caused the destruction. He comes to a shady figure in the smoke, revealed to be a hot-shot assassin robot who goes by many names...

“Scaramouch the merciless! The Pied Piper of Ruination! The Crooner of Carnage! The Ambassador of Annihilation! The Eradicator of All, baby!”

The chipper, upbeat, overly positive attitude of “Aku’s most favorite assassin” made him instantly lovable. I loved this tin man from pretty much the very beginning. I immediately tweeted about this guy during the online premiere. I took a little while to know who voiced this guy (kind of sounded like Jimmy Gourd to me for some reason), but it was certainly familiar. Tom Kenny is the groovin’ voice of Scaramouche--another iconic voice from the man who narrated The Powerpuff Girls and voiced the Mayor of Townsville, Spongebob, Bon Bon the Birthday Clown and so many other great voices!

“Wait. Back off, beardsly. Where... is... your sword?”

You were probably wondering about that... so was I.

“You... lost... your sword!”

Well, the coloring on the handle of the sword is reversed in this shot, and it was just brown for the previous shot of the sword, but... yeah. Flashback to an episode that appeared not in Season 4. Destined to become an episode in the next season if CN makes any to explore the pre-Season 5 events.

Jack’s new pitchfork/taser thingy still makes the same “ching” sounds that his sword makes (and not the cliche Hollywood Edge recordings), though.

Anyway, Scaramouch was about to tell Aku the news (Aku apparently forgot about Scaramouch ‘cause he’s all like “Who is this?” First line since “Jack vs. Aku”!) when Jack and Scaramouch dance in a duel of musical magic.

“Ooh, nice choreography, baby!” Scaramouch replied. In a tweet I made of that line, I was thinking of cinematography instead and noted this to art director Scott Wills. I probably meant to note this to board artists Bryan Andrews & Genndy Tartakovsky.

Oh I just LOVE that “fffwwwhOOMP!” sound there on the ease-in. Joel Valentine packs the perfect punch into the sound of an object’s weight with those big whoosh sounds.

More important, perhaps: how can Scaramouch play the flute when he’s just a robot? He hasn’t any lungs or lips... that I know of... though he apparently has teeth and a tongue, and I can hear breath sounds during his lines... and his voice sounds not at all robotic!

Jack can really throw some real weight around as he battles against a monster made by music and of building parts...

“That samurai has gone beaucoup cuckoo!”

...but his haunting visions distract him from his heroic efforts...

...once again seemingly attributed to that shadowy figure. This is a “CinemaScope” ratio for this shot, while the show is in standard widescreen (1.78:1 “matted”/”flat”). Those ratios can change a lot, kind of like IMAX (in movies in IMAX, one often sees certain shots of a 2.39:1 movie turning into 1.78:1 on a large screen, and the ratio goes back and forth). Still, ultimately the show is not in “letterbox” widescreen / “scope” format, like most Cartoon Network DVDs say; perhaps Warner Bros. Home Entertainment says this because Star Wars: The Clone Wars (the Dave Filoni series, only produced for Turner networks) was in 2.39:1; this caught on to some [as] shows like Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal and Tigtone (the logos are 1.78:1, however), but most CN shows are just in 1.78:1.

Anyway, knocked out of his mentally overwhelmed state, Jack was back into the fight, but, even though he sliced the flute in half, Scaramouch was the real “musical magic”. He just goes all “Scatman John” on Jack and can control wherever his sword goes, striking it right at Jack!

This is definitely one of my favorite shots from the episode... a slow-mo shot.

Jack seems to be fighting the sword itself until he comes closer to Scaramouch, who soon pulls another cold blade out...

“Dig that beautiful sound, baby!”

...a split blade whose very tone of ring when clashed against an object can cause the clashed object to explode!

Luckily, Jack has good aim for his sword... so good, that it just blows Scaramouch away.

“Looks like you’re the headliner now; huh?”

Was...

...is...

...and always will be.

Before the end of the episode, we see the last of the 7 daughters’ training. The music here just rocks. Its long, harsh percussion and bass-blowing beats really drive all of the action in this sequence.

This shot has great animation and angles, where Ashi shows an opponent who’s boss as she grabs the 3rd arrow shot and kills her with it.

For more sensitive viewers, first note that this and the following shot are violent/bloody enough to earn the episode its “TV-14-V” rating “for some intense violence” (I’d think that “TV-PG-V” might fit it, since it’s not as strong as it could be). However, CN aired some “TV-14-V” rated movies on their “Action Flicks” block back in early 2009 (i.e. Batman: Gotham Night). That’s right: CN, not [adult swim]! Since, like, 2007 or 2008, they aired a lot of TV-PG rated cartoons like Teletoon’s edgy Total Drama franchise, Regular Show, MAD, Teen Titans Go!, and even The Tom and Jerry Show (though that one seems overrated). I can understand why they often rated certain programs TV-PG-V: even a kick or punch could be a bad influence if a kid was prone to imitating action (The G-rated Garfield’s Pet Force strangely earned this rating too). The point is that CN needs to air Samurai Jack Season 5 on, even if some of the episodes are bloody (only few deserve the TV-14-V rating IMHO). They might be able to cut EPISODE XCII down to a TV-Y7-FV, perhaps.

It’s nice to see that Darrick Bachman from Paul Rudish’s Mickey Mouse still served on this lovely season. He’s the head writer for the 5th season... and the upcoming video game Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time.

As a devote fan of “Cartoon Cartoons”, I personally point the sheet timers out since CN’s traditionally animated shows have lesser animation these days, namely SMIP-animated shows. I mean, that Robert Alvarez and Randy Myers did the “Sheet Timing” on this episode of Samurai Jack (animated by Digital eMation) and animation direction on Seasons 7-9 of The Powerpuff Girls (the “reboot” episodes, animated by SMIP). Compare the action sequences of both shows, and the animation/timing will stand out; unlike Samurai Jack, the 2016-2019 PPG episodes (like SMIP’s work on Infinity Train & Ben 10) usually lack weight in their rather gentle, slow-paced animation. Those PPG episodes animate not at all like The Powerpuff Girls Movie or any PPG episode where Genndy Tartakovsky directed.

Here’re some of the new people on Genndy’s team for Season 5: Susy Campos, Andy Flexner, Jackie Sheng and Dick Grunert. Production Assistants (or, in this case, maybe production coordinators) can turn into major creatives for the story or art of the show, so watch for those names in future CN Studios projects! Team Cartoon Network Studios rules!

This season’s prop design is in the hands of @heydusty​, who also contributed effects design and some character design / design clean-up. Dustin D’Arnault and others are new talent that live up to the work of Genndy Tartakovsky! The late and great Chris Reccardi returned, starting off with some prop designs as well. The design clean-up artists were also new to the team; these people clean the character, props and effects designs up after the respective designers did their designs, so they’re just as much designers as the designers listed. These “Clean Up” people are not to be confused for animation clean-up, however.

Next up are the background artists: “Layout Keys”/background designer Lou Romano (The Powerpuff Girls, Cats Don’t Dance, Ratatouille) and art director/Background Painter Scott Wills (The Ren & Stimpy Show, Quest for Camelot) bring the beautiful, colorful locations to life. Leticia Lacy, a former Spümcø member like Wills and Reccardi (and many other Cartoon Network Studios creatives), returned as a color stylist, who chooses the specific colors for the character, props and effects designed.

The voice credits are a bit lacking, since lesser characters are only listed as “ADDITIONAL VOICES”, compared to Seasons 1-4. This happened on Seasons 7-9 of The Powerpuff Girls too; i.e. Ms. Keane play supportive or minor roles in an episode, but Jennifer Hale is just credited as “ADDITIONAL VOICES”, though Keane is an important character to that series. Tara Strong is uncredited for voicing young Ashi since she only vocalizes--no lines. Greg Baldwin is in place of Mako as Mako passed away years before Season 5′s dialogue was recorded. Ultimately, though, Jack and his parents are still their respective voices, and it certainly is Phil LaMarr’s best.

Unlike Seasons 1-4, Genndy Tartakovsky himself served as the voice director; previously Colette Sunderman handled the voice direction. Aku may no longer be voiced by Mako, but Genndy was able to direct Greg Baldwin’s “Aku” voice himself. Robert Serda still served for engineering the dialogue recording equipment at CN Studios.

The score composers score with their super awesome hardcore score. Tyler Bates composed music for Genndy’s Sym-Bionic Titan (I can’t believe that I never watched that show when it aired). Joanne Higginbottom co-composes with Tyler on Primal. Dieter Hartman also contributed score on Samurai Jack Season 5. For this episode, no score mixer is listed. Music Editors are uncredited in this season.

The animation company on most episodes of Season 5 is Digital eMation, which looks much smoother than the designs in the digital animation of Rough Draft Studios (lines looks slightly blobby on close-ups). The animation directors credited on the series are generally the overseas animation directors; in Season 5 they’re listed on the end credits since they relate to the animation studio.

Regarding post-production, I was very happy to see Joel Valentine credited for “Sound Editing” (He used to prefer being credited by the name of his company “TWENTY FIRST CENTURY ENTERTAINMENT, INC.” AKA 21st CENTURY SOUND DESIGN CORP.). I was afraid that it would be like Dexter’s Laboratory Seasons 3-4 (or 5-6) and The Powerpuff Girls Seasons 7-9, where mixing studio Hacienda Post/Sabre Media would do the sound design, but luckily Joel was on it. This time, former Supervising Re-Recording Mixer Timothy J. Borquez, CAS is just a Re-Recording Mixer with Alex Borquez (former Hacienda mixer Eric Freeman moved to mixing and editing sound at Disney Television Animation in 2014); both Tim & Alex were Supervising Sound Editors and mixers on PPG’s reboot era. Also credited for the final mix is Taylor Pierce, then a Mix Assistant. Currently, Genndy’s shows credit Hacienda Post’s facility, Sabre Media Studios, Inc., as the “Audio Mixing Facility”, rather than referring to Hacienda/Sabre as Post-Production Sound Services (Joel Valentine/21st Century Entertainment is just as much a sound service, NOT just editing!). I’m not sure if any other editors are involved at Sabre/Hacienda, but someone was recording and performing foley for this show, and, due to time, they get no credit, which is a crime in my opinion since that brings the show to aural life. Paul Douglas remains as the Supervising Editor and Jim Hearn as the Dialogue Editor for CN.

The Cartoon Network Studios logo for this season was visually simple, as it was just the face reveal scene show inside the logo (CN tends to use episode clips more often than animatics these days). Joel Valentine fit the sound effects to this well, though, with the sounds of a sword (not the ones Joel tends to use) and an anime-like accent. As for the “reboot” PPG episodes, they just did something weird... (couldn’t they show, like, the Hanna-Barbera swirling star inside the CN Studios logo instead?! at least for nostalgia?)

The Williams Street logo ([adult swim]’s production company), complete with the Mark VII jingle, follows since it was produced for that often junky block of CN...

...but, on the digital copy prints, the 2016 Cartoon Network ID follows! Nostalgically, though, I prefer the 1999 “Cartoon Cartoons” ripple ID, which Samurai Jack and even PPG Seasons 7-8 used to show. I mind the 2016 ID on the PPG “reboot” episodes, but I mind it not on Samurai Jack because it proves that, while considered “Adult Swim”, the amazing Season 5 still remains a part of the “new new new new” era of Cartoon Network.

Any viewer of Samurai Jack could start with this episode as Jack’s adventures are just beetle bots here and Scaramouch there, occurring over few days. The other side of the episode, the youth of Ashi, occurs over probably years; this only sets the main events of Season 5 into action with the next episode.

As for me, I did all that I could with the streaming marathon of EPISODE XCII. It went on from, like, 10:48P or something until, like, 7:30A that morning. I couldn’t help but observe the episode again and again and again... I binged on it. I update the credits on IMDb. I tweet much about this episode and its team. By the end of over 8 hours of the episode’s stream, I felt that this was an appropriate response:

Before the end of this post, here’re reasons why EPISODE XCII is one of the best Samurai Jack episodes ever:

This “Cartoon Cartoon” returned after 12 years, 14 months and 5 days. According to Genndy’s forward on the Season 4 DVD, “The big question as we neared the end of production was, ‘Should we end the story and send Jack home?’ At the time, I felt that the proper way to end it would be to do a full-length movie - and still do. Hopefully, that movie is somewhere in the near future...” CN Asia-Pacific did this “Sayonara Samurai Jack” marathon for Season 4, but they were hasty, since the return came a dozen of years later, and Season 4 wasn’t the true end of the story. I feel the same about Disney Channel calling Star vs. the Forces of Evil Season 4′s finale “Cleaved!” the “series finale”, and both Daron Nefcy and fans look forward to more episodes in the future.

The nostalgic design and animation of Genndy’s Cartoon Network Studios team was something that the then-current Powerpuff Girls episodes were certainly lacking.

The action is just as intense and detailed as ever, with the right amount and style of music too. Perhaps even more wicked than before, though I miss “DJ Avalanche” James L. Venable, who wasn’t on it because he was busy with Clarence. Paul Rudish wasn’t on this season either, probably due to his hilarious vision of Mickey Mouse of course. Still, the stakes are high and handled well.

The precious moments of our little emoji-fawn family and the haunting fears of Samurai Jack are draaamaaa

The wonderful Scaramouch is our comic relief for the episode. Thanks, Tom Kenny!

“WATCH OUT!” There’s that classic closing to most of the episodes, just like we remembered it. The credits look just as simple as they looked before, too.

Next Episode’s Review

Tweet version here.

Tweet version as a shoutout to Tom Kenny & Greg Baldwin here.

[vidderinserts]

You said to go ahead, so here goes: Searlait is finally old enough for longer trips so the little family goes to PAX together. Boss Baby totally steals the show at Jack's panel and the Markiplier and Friends panel (let's just say Jack was invited to that). 70% of the gifts Jack gets are channel-themed baby stuff and Mark and Ethan compete for the role of best Uncle, not knowing that Searlait's godfather Felix already has that title. Thanks in advance!

Hey babes! I’m back with another installment of ‘Can you tel Kat kinda wants kids?’ Also known as Baby Boss chronicles lol. So… this took forever and I’m so sorry but as fox knows I’ve been going through a lot of stuff in real life. It’s not an excuse for putting this off but I hope you’ll all forgive me.

Oh god. It was happening. Finally happening. Oh fuck. You were horrified. You were nervous, terrified and worried.

Jack was excited.

Searlait was bouncing up and down in front of her father, tiny hands clenching his fingers. She was standing on the hotel bed, a bright green tutu dress adorning her chubby little frame.

“I’m so excited!”

“Yes Jack, I know.” You sighed heavily, rubbing your neck. You had forgone anything heavier than powder foundation, eyeliner and a bright green lipstick. It would help keep you from getting too shiny and your daughter had practically thrown the green lipstick tube at you - which Jack insisted meant that you had to wear it. It matched Sear’s Septic Sam dress.

Your best friend had made it for you when you told her you were headed to Pax.

With your one and a half year old daughter. Almost two, but still.

Why did you let him tell you this was a good idea? It was, in your honest opinion, going to be a disaster. Loud, excited people would be queuing up for the Markiplier and Friends panel hours before sound check would even start, and if any of the boys had their way they’d be riling them up and trying to meet as many of them as they could before.

Fucking Mark and his 'illegal livestream’.

He was lucky you loved him. And lucky that you’d entertain the crowd.

So was Jack. Jack, who was now twirling Sear as best he could without her feet getting tangled up in the bedding.

“It’s time, babe.” He said softly, leaving down to scoop up your daughter. “We’re gonna go see Uncle Mark and Ethan and Tyler and all them.” The little girl giggled, trying to repeat the names and babbling.

Searlait would get there though, you smiled, she was early in some areas but talking was a little tricky. The words she made up were cute though, and you had melted the first time she said 'daddy’.

As expected, a line was already formed of people sitting and talking. It warmed your heart watching people making new friends; someone had even brought a portable projector and was playing one of the Prop Hunt videos against a black curtain.

You briefly wondered if security had let them, or just hadn’t found out yet. You hoped it was the former.

As soon as you were spotted, people started gushing and waving over at you. You smiled, readjusting Searlait on your hip and waving. “Hi everyone! I’m so glad to see all of you!”

People quieted when you stopped before the line, Tyler having come to play bodyguard and standing behind you. His intimidating stature was kinda ruined with him making silly faces at your daughter though. That was remedied quickly when Amy came and collected Sear from you.

You accepted hugs and photos with as many people as you could - an impromptu and not at all authorized meet and greet had transformed everyone’s long wait for the panel into something more interesting. You were glad to provide the entertainment, having missed out on the last Pax while taking care of your daughter and trying to plan a wedding.

“Alright everyone, I’m very sorry but I need to go get mic’d up and Y/N has to get to her seat. We’ll see you soon though,” Tyler announced, wrapping an arm around you and leading you off.

“Sear, baby no.” You watched your fiancé chase around your messy faced child with a baby wipe. Mark had given her a few tiny bites of his Taco Bell and she managed to get sour cream everywhere. Ethan was mocking Mark as he finally caught the little dark haired girl.

“You have sour cream all over you. What a good girl,” the blue boi nuzzled his face into Sear’s curls, kissing her. “I’m so happy to finally meet you, little girl blue.”

“Hey, if she’s gonna have a color, it’s gonna be red! Or pink!” Mark argued, missing the playful look Jack sent you. “You know, the good colors?”

“Mark, you were blue for a while,” your fiancé pointed out as he cleaned Searlait’s face up.

“And blue is the best!”

“Maybe she’ll be green?” Tyler suggested, double checking that all the things the panel needed were ready. “Like her dad?”

“Green sucks, it’s a horrible color. It’s not a creative color!”

“Fuck you, Fischbach, don’t you dare-”

“Ooh, scary green bean!”

The three boys stopped when Searlait giggled shrilly, bouncing hard in Ethan’s grip. “I think she likes the idea of Jack just fuckin taking you out.”

“Well I’ll take her out later cause I’m the best uncle and the best god father-” Jack cleared his throat, scratching at his beard.

“Um, actually Mark…”

God you were nervous.

“It’ll be all good,” you looked up at Wade, who smiled kindly down at you. You had only met him and Bob once at the last convention you’d been to, right before Jack proposed at Disney World. He was a kind and gentle giant much like Tyler, and he was also super nice when you joined the Skype calls between the group of boys.

“I know, I’m just… I don’t know. She’s gonna love he attention and they’re all gonna love her but I’m still worried.”

“Hey, we’re all gonna be up there. Don’t worry, you’ve got this.”

“And I’m really sorry about my Instagram lately. I know it’s absolutely flooded with pictures of Baby Boss and Miss Septiceye but they’re just so cute, ya know?” That got the crowd laughing, and Ethan waved over exaggeratedly at you and Sear.

“Hi mom! Hi baby!” He yelled, making the crowd howl. You laughed quietly, knowing your que would be coming soon. As soon as Mark made a fuss about not seeing her.

“Instagram is about the only way I ever see her anyways. Did you guys know I’m not even the god father?” There was mock cries of outrage and laughter, and you waited until the lights shut off - “Hey, we agreed no Glitch Bitches at my panel!”- before standing and rushing towards the stage.

A couple of hands hoisted you and Searlait up, as people started freaking out about a live Anti appearance. One particularly familiar hand grabbed yours and led you over to the couches. You felt your mic pack being fiddled with, and static filled the room.

“Jacksepticeye!” The crowd screamed when your voice cut through the darkness. “You turn these lights on this instant!”

The lights powered back on, revealing you and your daughter standing on the stage. You silently thanked the crew in charge of lighting and sound, promising yourself you’d personally go and thank them later.

“Heeeey love.” Jack spun you around, making Sear giggle on your hip. “Look who’s joining us today!”

“Stop crashing my paneeeeels!” Mark whined, coming over to wrap his arms around you and your daughter. “You didn’t make me god father and I’m mad at you!”

“You live to far away, Mark, what were we supposed to do?”

The pouting gamer crossed his arms and huffed. “Whatever. Who wants to ask some questions while we got the apparent usurpers of my show up here?”

As expected, you were all bombarded with questions. Everything from Septiplier jokes to you promoting your best friend’s Etsy shop because they lived Sear’s dress so much. But eventually the panel came to a close and you were ushered out with the others.

“Are you coming to my meet up, love?” You looked up at Jack, who was bouncing a giggling Searlait on his hip.

“Everyone’s dying for a picture with the Boss. How could I disappoint them?”

“I knew everything would be fine.”

You took his hand in yours, leaning your head on his shoulder and pressing a bright green lip print into your daughter’s cheek. “Oh hush, you.”

-

When you finally got the shipment of boxes from PAX, you were astounded. Since you weren’t an official guest, you had been able to accept some of the smaller gifts people had given - some mommy and me shirts happened to be some of your favorite things you’d gotten - and now you were doing an in boxing with Jack and Sear.

Jack had just opened a hoodie with glitch appliqués and he was going on about how awesome it was until you squealed and held up a much smaller version. “Anti-Boss squad goals, amIrite?” You asked, interrupting your fiancé. “It’s so fuckin cool!”

“This is happening.” Jack pulled the hoodie over his head while you wiggled your daughter into hers. “This is like the third best day of my life. We are so matching all the time now because of you guys and we love it so so much. You never have to give us anything and so much time goes into these.”

“We are so grateful for all of you guys. You accepted me when I came around and you guys have positively spoiled Baby and us. Thank you guys so much for all the support you give and the gifts and just… I was so scared bringing Baby to PAX to meet everyone but you all made it such a great experience.” You wiped your eyes when you were done, grimacing at the mascara that came with it. “Fuck I’m crying.”

“You’ll cry even more cause there’s a Miss Anti hoodie too!”

“I hope you all know how much of this stuff is gonna get worn through til we can’t physically get away with wearing it anymore.”

“Can you say thank you, Baby?”

“Ank ou!”

[p101recaps]

Broduce 101: Episode 11 (Livestream Recap)

I removed the ‘quick’ in the recap title for the last episode because I saw a comment shading me for that since these are anything but quick lol

This post contains spoilers.

We start off with some old trainee videos from school performances and company auditions (hello lil Samuel!) then move into the first intro vids and interviews. 

This is where we cry about their hardships like Mnet isn’t making billions of won off their dreams and haven’t axed more than half of them on the way here.

Special shoutout to chubby cheeked baby Sewoon!

BoA starts us off with a prelude to the season finale. I’ll miss seeing her on a weekly basis and we’re told to vote for our favourite trainee before last week’s ranks

The live broadcast has the first ever Nayana stage set up too, its beautiful

Last season’s winners, the IOI girls are attending (for the reaction shots ofc) but they all look so pretty!! Look at my girl, solo artist Chungha.

Yes NAYANA LIVE LETS GET HYPE look at these cuties grinning away

Whoa its centre Daniel! He has his babiest baby smile on

Samuel has purple hair for the finale, its a better look than the blond

That hall is full kids. This season has raked in that cash. The CEO can probably buy a small country.

IT’S MY ELIMINATED BOYS! The stage is cramped af 

The group name is Wanna.One 

NOOO RIP BOI

Cut to pre-recorded content for the stage prep, starting off with vocal check in for Super Hot. 

Seokhoon praises Hyungseob’s improvement, Daehwi’s consistency, Byeongari Seonho’s progress.

Centre battle time with the contenders all singing the ‘killing part’. Seonho is unexpectedly not bad, and he says grew taller as his vocal skills did too. Dead.

Sungwoon and Baekho are good, Daehwi takes the key down to hit the notes. Samuel is shaky but fine. Youngmin is also good, and Shin Yumi says he sounds like Jaehwan, prompting Jaehwan to emit a soulless, scornful HA HA before getting up to sing the other team’s song just to show him up

Sewoon is made to sing the line too and he makes up for the little crack in his voice with a funny hand dance

Hands On Me does their check in and then centre competition.

Ong-ssi’s voice wobbles and Jaehwan literally slits his throat because ‘killing part’. Daniel tickles his own chin lol 

Bae Jinyoung is the most surprising because of how clear he is

Jihoon is Centre Jihoon as always (Auntie Jisung is impressed)

Dance check in next! They’ve done their own choreos for the songs for this mission.

Super Hot goes first, and Kahi applauds their effort because its hard to devise formations and choreo 

They all perform the choreo as centre one by one. This looks exhausting, btw but they all do their own little bits to stand out

Hands On Me goes next and their choreo passes muster too.

Next they all try centre choreo. Honestly, all of them have distinct appeals, how do you even pick.

Kahi tells them that centre will be picked based on the vids that were uploaded recently, with every trainee in both groups performing as centre one by one 

They go to pick the centre in the same room that the coaches used for their level evals w/ Nayana performances

Super Hot team goes first, watching every vid. Youngmin’s voice cracks in his vid and Samuel’s eyes widen in response in the background lol

I just realised all of Nu’est but Minhyun is in this group. Baekho falls into a natural leader like role just because he seems to have a lot to say 

They then do an emotional verbal appeal for the centre position, all of them feel like they need it for this last leg of the journey, and then vote.

It comes down to Sungwoon and Samuel, and the live performance reveals who won

IT WAS HA SUNGWOON! Get it, boy!

The actual performance was fine, all of them dressed in red and white. This song is a bit iffy (seriously), but they all perform well. Megaton bomb is the obvious highlight. The choreo is enjoyable, very energetic and gimmicky, the kind that leaves plenty of room for the trainees to insert personal gestures

Lol Cube Chicks do another Troublemaker reference. Jonghyun and Sam do a bit of a dance in between

There’a a bit of choreo that looks vaguely like a Seventeen stage. It’s like a revolving door? I remember seeing it elsewhere. 

Very cute, all in all. The total effect is similar to Oh Little Girl from last mission

They have a lot of cuts to the eliminated kids as the coaches talk to BoA

Sung Hyunwoo’s there, his eyes are glazed over when the camera pans to him lol 

Kwon Hyunbin has dark hair again while Kim Sanggyun has his deep blond slicked back. 

Oh! Kim Taemin is in the stands! He’s lost so much weight!

First reveals are for trainees currently at 11-14. 

This anticipation is the pits. It just drags on and on endlessly. Kenta’s almost crying again

Sewoon, Jisung, Bae Jinyoung, Daehwi are potential trainees. 

I’m losing hope for Auntie.

And then cut to Hands on Me team in the viewing room for centre voting.

Yoon Jisung is jealous of Park Jihoon’s face and expressions lol 

Bae Jinyoung is at peak Sasuke Uchiha levels, coolly and sharply flipping his jacket around. 

Everyone is amazed at how handsome Ong is on screen while Jisung pulls out every bit of his trainee experience in his video. Ong says Jisung’s clever with expressions but expressed it weird lol

Cuts of them working hard and talking about the need to be centre before they vote. It’s down to Ong-ssi and Bae Jinyoung for centre. 

Live performance reveals it to be Bae Jinyoung!

The boys are dressed in sharp suits, which is how you know which one is the stacked team. They all look good, and scrounge up every bit of their charisma for the performance. This song is a lot more enjoyable, and has a choreo that’s more smooth rather than gimmicky, with a lot of jacket flapping. I can hear Minhyun, Ong and Jaehwan’s voices a lot although they all perform well.

There’s a bit of breakdown in between for the rappers’ benefit

Ong-ssi is wearing a pretty choker while Sewoon looks like a boy at his first prom. Bae Jin does the now patent Yoo Hwiseung lip swipe.

There’s a lot of loud yelling for Park Jihoon. It’s so distinct.

THIS ANTICIPATION IS THE FUCKIN WORST

Cut to a large thank you letter the trainees wrote BoA. She’s moved by their sincerity and laughs at the cuteness. It’s really rather sweet, even if it is filler content. She was a phenomenal representative - I watched this season for her, and she was so much more invested in actual training than Jang Keonsuk. That guy annoyed me the most last season.

The trainees also send a video letters to their other coaches, thanking them for their help and for teaching them over the last few months.

Cut to the trainees recording with the composers of the token ballad song this season, called Always 

Check it out if you’re keen, it’s meant to be this season’s Downpour I reckon. The boys perform it under soft white and pink lighting. Minki looks like he’s crying at one point, so does Seonho. Sungwoon, Baekho and Jaehwan hard carry the vocals.

BoA closes live voting. 

That’s of the Seventeen members in the crowd! The leader kid! I might have to confirm this later.

Cut to pre-recorded footage of the trainees all gathering together to talk. 

Ahhh it’s product placement for Naver’s streaming service. They listen to their concept eval songs.

Then they talk about their first appearances on the show, and they play their P101 countdown intro videos to all their embarrassments. Guanlin sings All of Me loudly and increasingly out of tune while Sewoon dances Pick Me. Jaehwan dances Seventeen′s Boom Boom lol. 

...I don’t even know what Emperor Hwang is doing.

Then sad video messages to their families for the tears, with that mournful Nayana intro in the background. Then footage of their families watching the video letters and sending one back.

Yoon Jisung has his mum’s eyes, and Samuel has his mum’s mouth exactly. Youngmin looks startlingly like his dad.

My heart aches, ugh. Mnet, you bastards. 

OH IT’S DAEHWI’S MUM FROM AMERICA! IN PERSON! THEY FLEW HER DOWN!

I wish I could fly down to see my mum too :(

All the ugly tears. Seonho is bawling straight up. 

Haknyeon’s mum is there too! And Guanlin’s dad and sister! 

Aw, his sister knows Ong-slate and Yoonjhumma’s clapping. 

Back at live stage, popular model Kwon Hyunbin gets coerced into filling some air time by BoA, so does Kim Taemin, who had to leave because of his sudden illness. Lee Euiwoong gets some screentime to himself to thank everyone for their support and help.

Dorm footage from their last stay with the kids imitating Hyunbin singing Downpour lol

More of that Nayana piano instrumental as they reminisce about their last few weeks in the dorm with the other trainees. A neat little shot of the set with the chairs, then shots of them practicing. 

Back to live for final rankings.

My heart can’t take this. The eliminated kids are all praying too.

Seriously, how can they waste airtime like this.

Trainee at number 10 is C9 Bae Jinyoung. He looks pale and relieved, thanking his fans, parents, and the Mnet staff. 

Number 9 is Pledis Hwang Minhyun!! 

Pristin Nayoung is thrilled while the Pledis CEO looks unimpressed. Why do they even invite these old bastards. 

It takes Minhyun a bit to start speaking to thank people, his words less smooth than normal because of how overcome (lol) he is. His mum cries constantly, I hope he can buy her something nice soon! 

BoA’s making a lot of tiny mistakes off her script because of the live broadcast burden. It’s cute.

MMO YOON JISUNG MAKES IT AT NUMBER 8 AND I FINALLY START CRYING AS HE WADDLES TO THE CHAIRS

Weird clapping forever! Oh, his dad calls up his family to tell them the good news while the eliminated MMO trainees cry in relief. 

He says in his thank you that he really had given up hope, but he’s so appreciative of all the support he received. It’s so cute that all the trainees are so excited, clapping his weird clap and laughing at him. He starts ugly crying again when he sees his dad, and same tbh. 

Everyone loves him so much!! I love him too! My Auntie! He made it! Yoonjhumma! I’ll actually follow this Wanna.One mess because of you Auntie Jisung! 

CUBE Lai Guanlin makes the final group at number 7!

He and Seonho are going to be able to help Hyuna keep Cube from the shredder!

Sweet Byeongari Lai Guanlin first thanks people in Mandarin (a lot of shots of the Chinese Yuehua kids+Kenta), then in English (it’s so terrible but so cute), and then he thanks everyone in Korean. He keeps saying ‘jinjja’ a lot, and his accented slurring gets worse because of how excited and nervous he is. BoA prompts him to thank his dad, which he does in Mandarin. He also gets to do his awkward audition dance. 

Trainee number 6 is Brand New Music Park Woojin! Good on you my wolf boy! You deserve it!

He starts his thank you with a full waist bow, then thanks his voters, BNM family, Rhymer, the P101 PD-nim (the audience protests this - dead but same tbh) and staff, the teachers and his family. He apologizes for worrying people when he was sick - pls. Like people need to feel more entitled. 

Woojin and Guanlin give each other massive bear hugs when they meet at the chairs. 

Trainee number 5 is Fantagio Ong Sungwoo!!

He’s immediately smothered by hugs, his mum is sobbing and his CEO looks happy. Doyeon gets a solo shot as she claps too.

His voice wavers when he starts his thanks, to the staff, Fantagio people, his parents. He does his really, very hyperbole, dramatic and earnest and promises to work hard before ending it with a waist bow. BoA asks him what position he would like (besides the slate) and he says he’ll try to maintain team balance and spirit and then does his Get Ugly meme face. He’s so excited!!

Ah, with him and Yoonjhumma in, you know the group will do well in variety.

You can see the hope leave Daehwi and Sungwoon’s faces as resignation sinks in :((

Trainee number 4 is Kim Jaehwan!!

He gets body slammed by the trainees and his mum looks visibly relieved. Chaeyeon looks shocked as she claps in genuine appreciation, so clearly surprised that the camera pans to her twice.

Jaehwan mentions that he didn’t have much hope as an independent trainee and thanks his parents for supporting him as he rehearsed alone. He promises to be a hardworking vocal and thanks everyone for their support so he can improve.

At number 3 is Brand New Music Lee Daehwi! 

He instantly collapses in shock, his trainees crowd him. His mum begins to sob, so does Jeon Somi. He jumps up and waves at her as she cries in relief.

Obviously grateful, he thanks his BNM crew, the p101 staff, and the usual, as well as everyone who voted him in as Nayana centre to start with. His mum, who flew in from the USA, gets a personal thank you telling her to not worry and thanking her for his support. 

Sat in his chair, he cries a little. I’m so relieved for him too, he’s so incredibly well rounded and talented for a sixteen year old.

Spots for number 2 and the main centre number 1 are between MMO Kang Daniel and Maroo Park Jihoon.

We’re all surprised, I’m certain. I’m more shook by Nation’s Leader Angel Wartortle GodJonghyun not appearing so far. The vote reset must have shaken his ranking up. 

They walk to centre stage for the announcement, the two issue makers of the season. 

Dead at how SM bought NCT a promo ad slot during P101 airtime

The truly expected yet unknown battle of votes between these two leads brings us MMO Kang Daniel at number 1, with Maroo Park Jihoon behind him at 2.

Daniel takes a while to speak, his throat dry from nervousness, saying he was grateful to be able to be in the top 11, much less be centre . Yoonjhumma is rubbing his arms at the revelation, while Daniel’s mum cries. Little Lee Woojin gets a shot. Daniel can barely speak, satoori slipping out as BoA teases him for becoming GodDaniel. He says he loves his voters in satoori, and even BoA giggles.

Park Jihoon speaks next, poised and polished as ever as he rattles off his list of people to thank. He doesn’t mind losing the spot to Daniel at all, and rounds off by doing his adorable Shugo Chara aegyo with the crowd. 

Daniel does a few full waist bows standing at his number one crown chair before sinking into it, finally.

I suddenly remember the MMO kids sitting on the chair like it was the family couch first episode, just so they could know what it was like. It’s been a whirlwind journey.

Time for final spot number 11, between Baekho, Sungwoon, Sewoon and Jonghyun. 

Sungwoon has no expectations. Baekho isn’t sure what to think. Sewoon is nervous too (not as much as Gwanghyun in the crowds though). Jonghyun thanks everyone and anticipates the results.

BoA looks pained being made to draw this out too. 

Nation’s Leader Angel Wartortle GodJonghyun is 14. Resetting the votes and spooking Pledis voters with Minhyun’s rank probably unsettled him. What a shame, I’d have put my money on him as a sure debut bet what with the edits and his general manga boy personality.

Sungwoon looks like his soul has left his body.

Sexy Bandit Pledis Kang Dongho is number 13. What a shame. The crowd screams in support for him anyway.

Gwanghyun and Taehyun are both increasingly worried in their seats. 

How crazy would it be if it turns out to be Sewoon. It was the same for Yeonjung last season, and they’re both Starship vocal kids.

ARDOR AND ABLE HA SUNGWOON IS NUMBER 11

I cannot believe it but I’M SO HAPPY MY BOYS!! Taehyun is fully ugly sobbing in his seat, the trainees around him are trying to comfort him but he’s truly a softie, poor Scratching Ajhusshi.

Sungwoon thanks everyone after running to the stage in excitement, emotional and grateful for everyone who believed in him, and promising to work hard. 

Sewoon, who was close, gives a very well worded and neat speech at the end, put together even through his disappointment. I look forward to seeing him debut as an idol. He’s going to be great.

Kang Daniel leads the last greeting to the viewers and BoA bows out for the season finale.

Well. This has been emotionally draining and completely unexpected. I never thought I’d have so many of my faves in the final line up, I’m going to have to keep following this group even if they put out crap music because there are so many reliable singers too! They sure showed my pessimism, but I’m not complaining. 

For the final time, below is a comprehensive list of the final ranking for Produce 101 Season’s 2 group, Wanna.One:

Kang Daniel

Park Jihoon 

Lee Daehwi

Kim Jaehwan 

Ong Sungwoo 

Park Woojin

Lai Guan Lin 

Yoon Jisung

Hwang Minhyun 

Bae Jinyoung 

Ha Sungwoon 

It’s been wonderful on this blog with you guys! As always, please let me know you spot in any errors!

[greyknighterotica]

Coming clean

I don’t lie to you often and they haven’t been big ones, well big ones that I don’t think you’d understand and certainly wouldn’t think less of me for after everything I’ve actually already revealed, often.

That’s an ominous opening line...

But really, this is not a scary post and in fact I’m writing it just to, well, be more connected with you. Old Jack would have played this close to the chest, I’m really trying to turn over a new leaf, so here it goes.

I didn’t have internet problems today and tomorrow. I had other sorts of issues. I’m still recovering. I could, I’m convinced, have pushed through today and recorded and have everything be “fine” but instead I’m writing this.

Before concerning anyone any further: 

Things have never been great with me health-wise, but they are getting much better.

Europe was was the start. David Sedaris once traveled to Japan to quit smoking. It worked. His theory was that in a new place, using new parts of your mind, it would be easier to not be so habitual in vices either. I don’t know the science behind it, but it has a certain romantic charm.

Less drinking, no cat hair around (no pets in the building at all, I think), walking to get food every day, better food, less take out. It’s no surprise it was a real boost to the system. Then I’ve talked more about Marijuana elsewhere, so no more of that here. Besides, that story isn’t over yet.

Back to the matter at waist. 

One of my biggest challenges with home recording has been my health in a very specific manner: My tummy talks a lot. Long time fans most surely know it and the pops and whizs appear in those first 50 audios much more than the rest, but audios aren’t so bad. Audio books however? Imagine not only having to get the words, the tones, the characters right without background and then having your stomach just “pop” out of nowhere and then having to delete that line. That paragraph. Over and over again.

Welcome to my world. And my search for solutions. There will be biological stuff coming after this. You have been warned.

So basically since I got my card in February, I’ve declared war on my stomach. Eating good, using the non-fun, no-THC stuff to keep the system going, etc. But then, as I got out of pain something...happened.

I’m not being coy. I’m not being cute. It’s too much to explain here and the facts are still unclear but, basically, since the middle of February I have been playing a game of Jack’s Gi Tract: Total War. Where factions have made alliances and the terrains is ever shifting. Whatever long-form demons took up residence in my stomach? They didn’t want out. 

And to be clear? I’ve tried a lot of stuff in the past. Master Cleanse, without cheating a single calorie, for 8 days straight? Nothing. Intermittent fasting? Nada. Getting into the best shape I possibly could? I mean, seriously amazing vegetarian for two years and going to the gym literally every day (didn’t I ever tell you about this period of my life where I was an Adonis no it never came up yet how weird but I bet no girls out there want to see pictures or hear stories about me from my 20′s when I was super smoking hot and buff anyway so).

This problem had dogged me my whole life in this, and other, ways.

But it’s clearing up. And it’s clearing up, I think, for a lot of factors. The hard, deep cleaning I’ve been doing around the house. The positive attitude. And yes, the THC. Well, the CBD in it, more likely, if I had to guess. Maybe a combo of the two?

None of that answers why you didn’t get your podcast yet. Why, even if it COULD come today, I’ve chosen for it come tomorrow.

And the reason is: I literally shat my guts out to the point that I was full on dehydrated. 

It was an epic battle that the Battle of Five Armies could not hope to recreate. But I can. And I will, for Patrons on this livestream and then, for the rest of you, at another date because what’s the fun in being paid to masturbate and play video games for women if you can’t ALSO tell them a 10-20 minute poop story that makes them laugh, first.

I am okay. I have insurance now. I do not feel bad and I haven’t all week, I just took three days shitting all the electrolytes out of my system and I am drained. 

Before anyone offers any medial advice that was not sought (it has been)...

I have chugged a bottle of gatorade. I have chugged 12 ounces of pedisure. I have 36 remaining, and will drink those. I am drinking water and tea at all time. The tea has lemon and honey, yes real lemon and honey, no it is not green tea, yes I know that a diuretic. I have plenty of food, and I am taking it slow with that as I haven’t eaten much lately. do not worry, there is lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and I am not working out or operating heavy machinery. Good? Good. No one is going to send anything in about me being okay, right? Right. Good.

So.

The bad news is your podcast delayed because I feel like a sack of hammers dropped into a black hole tired and I got shit to do tomorrow besides the podcast. I’m resting up.

There’s your bad news. Here’s your good news to make up for it.

As it became clear to me that this project was going to continue, I decided that I’d have to do something called the “Gastrological Forecast.” Don’t think me too clever, I stole that from a local paper, it was the name of their dining out column. 

The idea was, instead of just saying “Guys, I have some tummy issues” to simply try and tell you when I could and could not do work in advance like some king of smog/terror warning (remember that, when people would TELL YOU what color the terrorism was that day!?) for my stomach.

I am no longer considering those plans. I am curing myself, or making rapid recovery toward treatment, whatever. There’s a cure here somewhere. I’ll find it. 

That means more time recording, less stress doing so, for bigger projects. And that means a happier Jack who can do TGK stuff with less worry.

It also means more improv and ramble stuff. You can see where sudden and unknowable gas pockets escaping may have made a few REALLY GREAT Cowboy Jack audios vanish because they simply became swiss cheese after the blips were edited out. 

But more than that in a way that is not easy to explain here, it meant a lot of thinking. Some of that, sure, was simply because I occupied a porcelain throne instead of my more standard venue.  But it’s also because I’m feeling good, and been thinking, a lot. And I’ve floated pieces of this idea to people who’s opinion and council and respect a great deal. I’m getting the thumbs up. It’s very exciting.

I don’t ever want to do that announcement of an annoucement bullshit, but the simple truth is the proposal is far from done, it’s not even written up, much less amended and edited. And that’s exactly what it is, a proposal, to you gals. Not for money, not for money of it. Not for help or items. But an idea. A basic, “what if we really try and do something with this idea that this community is special.”

Without revealing more the premise is to construct a series of projects, both on my own, with some of you, and collective in order to, well, “reveal” me in August 2018 for my birthday. And to do a live show then. And to stream it everywhere in the world, for free. 

On my part this is going to take a lot of hard work with feeling comfortable. It’s going to take a lot of exercise so I don’t feel totally weird and drained for 2-3 hours on stage (yes stage). It’s going to take rehersal. It’s going to take what I can only call a “fostering of talents, personalities, locals and infrastructural resources that I have no right to summon or use” from the UK. Namely Scotland. So, you know, file that away if you are.

To give you an idea of what a “project” could be, a simple one that nobody has to do anything but me? A “project” to complete is to get a better streaming rig before it happens. See how easy that is? I just need to get a better computer, I know enough about them, I budget, I do some extra work, boom. 

It is my goal to align a few of these projects so that they can come together in the UK in 2018 with me and you so that EVERY FAN, every single one of you, get something you want. All of you. All of you. 

All of you.

That’s not going to be easy, I know. But I’m hoping between a live show and a reveal and surprises and you getting to see me in some form (more on that later) and you know, proving that this is real and all that, I think that does it for most of you. But the goal is to make every last one of you happy for one night with one thing in one place.

This plan is the first plan I’ve made in my life that is 100% me. It’s projects that combine into projects. It’s daring. It’s a bit insane. It’s too much hard work for me, it’s too much to ask others, it stands no chance of working, the benefits are minimal (at least to me personally and financially) anything else would be more surefire and more enriching in the short term and if you think you’ve seen the internet push back against erotic audio so far buckle up because dark days are coming and we’re all going to fail and there will days of doubt and nights of no sleep and fear and that constant voice that says you will fail you will fail you will fail and they never loved you anyway.

So knowing all that?

Let’s do it anyway.

See you tomorrow for the more normal stuff tomorrow and the end of the month for my proposal. 

[smilekraftnagpur-blog]

Social media's effects on patient trends 

  Like it or not, social media and the “selfie” era are here to stay.According to a recent survey released by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), social media’s impact on aesthetics has been enormous, especially in how people perceive and project themselves. The survey results showed that in 2017, 55% of facial plastic surgeons consulted patients that wanted to look better in selfies. This is a 13% increase from 2016.

  This phenomenon has also thrust aesthetic practices into participating on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, to promote and market their services. To resist social media would be to ignore a foremost modern marketing tool.

For better or worse, social media is actually advancing the aesthetic cause, stated Jason Emer, M.D., F.A.A.D., a cosmetic and dermatologic surgeon in Beverly Hills, Calif.

“It’s not just filling a line anymore, it is full facial shaping,” he said. “When we talk about the stomach, it’s not regular liposuction anymore, it is body contouring and shaping because people see what these devices can do, and they talk about it online.”

Social media has also made people more comfortable and interested in visiting aesthetic clinics.

“Patients are more informed than they used to be and are doing more research before they step foot into a practice,” said Mara Shorr, B.S., CAC, vice president of marketing and business development for Shorr Solutions (Winter Park, Fla.).

“They’re learning not only about the procedures offered and what the different providers are doing, they are also getting a feel for the providers’ personalities,” she said.

There are some downsides associated with social media apps, such as so-called “SnapChat dysmorphia,” in which someone requests an outcome that matches their exquisitely Photoshopped, digitally enhanced smartphone-generated image.

“I have seen people bring in a filtered Snapchat photo and say they want their skin to look like that all the time, without makeup,” said Sheila Nazarian, M.D., a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Although using filtered photos can help patients communicate ideas of how they might look, “Some people ask for relatively extreme procedures to achieve unnatural results,” stated Leif Rogers, M.D., F.A.C.S., a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills.

“The most common look today is the ‘JLo Jaw,’” Dr. Rogers continued. “Many female patients are asking for a highly defined, yet feminine jawline. Many people will use various apps to achieve a look that they will present to me as their desired after result, but what they don’t realize is that it could mean major surgery to achieve this look.”

As Ms. Shorr pointed out, one reason for SnapChat dysmorphia is that people are much more critical of themselves because they spend so much time looking at their selfies.

“Even a generation ago, people did not spend this kind of time looking at photos of themselves,” she said. “Selfies have changed social behavior. This may be good for the medical aesthetic business, but may not be good for society, overall.”

Furthermore, amateur photography often overstates the dysmorphia problem, Dr. Nazarian noted

  “Sometimes, in these photos, a person’s nose looks big because the camera is too close to the face, which is a known optical illusion,” she said.

  Patients today tend to be hyper aware of their bodies – sometimes to the point of being falsely aware and unrealistically hopeful,” Dr. Nazarian remarked. “This can put both the physician and patient in a weird spot, because the patient has impossible expectations.”

“There are definitely people who have an altered perception of reality,” Dr. Emer concurred. “Many patients don’t realize they have unrealistic expectations. They look at Kylie Jenner and think, I want her lips. What they don’t realize is that she’s received 10 to 15 syringes of a dermal filler that cost $10,000 to $15,000. They think one syringe is going to work.”

Spotting Problem Patients

In Dr. Nazarian’s experience, people suffering from this syndrome are pretty easy to spot.

“I’ve turned some patients over to therapists,” she admitted. “You definitely want to do surgical procedures for people who are joyous and excited about doing it, not someone that is unsure and emotional.”

To help weed out those with dysmorphia issues, Dr. Nazarian includes specific questions on her intake forms, such as, ‘Are you doing this for anyone else? Is anyone pressuring you to do this? Are you depressed?’

“There comes a point when the physician has to take prudent medical care versus the exacerbation of beauty,” Ms. Shorr maintained. “Physicians should not allow the patient’s will and desires to control their surgical and / or artistic ability.”

Both body dysmorphia and social media addiction have become relatively common in the cosmetic surgery patient population, reported Dr. Rogers.

“It works as a contraindication to a surgical procedure, and the risk of a dissatisfied patient is significantly higher,” he said.

“Another important note is that an addiction to social media does not necessarily indicate unreasonable expectations for a cosmetic procedure,” Dr. Rogers added. “And social media addiction is a problem all of its own and affects all age ranges.”

Social Media Influencers

Increasingly, patients go online to discover the latest aesthetic treatments from social media influencers – YouTube stars, Facebook-based pundits, Instagram celebrities and other online personalities that have developed a strong presence across the most popular online platforms and command hundreds of thousands of followers.

Social media influencers and celebrities that get caught up in the world of aesthetics have enthusiastically tried out new procedures on livestreaming TV, and share their experiences online with information-hungry fans.

.

“It is really funny how patients want to relate,” Dr. Emer added. “They want more than just a before-and-after or an expert. They want someone that is real and reveals all of the treatments they’ve had on social media.”

  “Social media influencers are the true celebrities today,” opined Dr. Nazarian. “I would much rather advertise with a social media influencer or reality TV star than a traditional TV celebrity or actress. These influencers talk about the procedures they are getting done, so they bring awareness to plastic surgery. Yes, they crave attention, but they are the ones influencing the digitally inclined, which is a majority of the population right now,” she continued.

A controversial reality TV star is more likely to livestream her labiaplasty than a mainstream personality or actress, Dr. Nazarian pointed out.

“For example, I recently streamed a labiaplasty on Farrah Abraham, from MTV’s reality show, Teen Mom. While she may not be the person I want my kids to watch, I knew her presence was more likely to bring awareness to a practice or physician. I got 44 inquiries about labiaplasty after I did that event with her. She made it okay to talk about, and that is a public service,” she said.

Then there are the rock star practitioners that end up being social media influencers themselves, as a result of creating recognized digital brands and flooding social media sites with treatment images and videos.

For instance, “Dr. Miami,” a.k.a., Michael Salzhauer, M.D., has over 285,000 fans on social media and around 1.2 million SnapChat views daily. In 2017, he outdid himself with a reality TV series and a Billboard charting dance single.

Control the Conversation

With so many social media voices in play, it is important that the practitioner control the messaging to draw in new patients and keep existing ones happy.

“The online conversation is controlled by the patients, regardless of the age group, and there are positives and negatives,” Ms. Shorr stated.

For example, consider the surgeon who brands himself as specializing in the Brazilian butt lift. A potential patient looking around on social media for a surgeon may see this type of promotion and assume the doctor only specializes in butt enhancements, Ms. Shorr elaborated.

“If I’m interested in a rhinoplasty or facelift, then I am going to rule out that physician because I am unaware that they offer more than just butt lifts,” she said. “So sometimes this type of branding could negatively impact part of your practice.”

Taking control over the online dialogue is important, Ms. Shorr reiterated.

“There are times when you’re not able to control the dialogue in social media. This can be a very good thing when people are going on about how amazing your practice is and how much they love your results,” she said. “But, it can be harmful to your reputation if you lose control and someone suddenly becomes negative. The social media crowd can be swayed easily.”

To better understand how the online world perceives physicians, Dr. Emer shared this insight: “People want to go to someone that they see as an artist, but also one that they can identify with. They watch videos on YouTube to find the leading experts, see what procedures differentiate them from other practitioners, and also to see a personal side of the physician.”

  Patients not only watch for the newest treatment modality, they also look for the physician using that modality in a novel manner.

“It could be the physician who is doing cutting edge combination treatments,” Dr. Emer remarked. “People get really excited and attracted to that, and it brings them in.”

Getting into the Stream

Practitioners that post or stream procedure videos are educating viewers, as well as doing external marketing in the process.

“You don’t even need advertising and marketing as much in the traditional sense if you’re constantly posting on social media,” Dr. Emer reported. “Social media posts catch people’s attention and are easily accessible.”

Ms. Shorr concurred, “Social media is going to continue to be the wave of the future and will get even bigger. The old, archaic advertising methods do not work as well on the demographics of millennials and generations to come. These people are all digital all the time.”

Cracking Assumptions

It is commonly believed that 20- and 30-somethings are easiest to reach via social media platforms. But according to Dr. Emer, if you look at the statistics you will see it is a mixture.

“The growing populations of patients are the 25- to 35-year-olds and those aged 65 and up. Everyone is using social media. If you focus on the millennial only then you’re short-changing yourself,” he said.

In Dr. Rogers experience, “One does get the younger demographic to some degree, but we have also seen an increase in patients aged 40 and older, as well as a rise in the return rate of established patients.”

The younger patient is not as highly influenced as one might think, simply because cosmetic surgery isn’t on their radar,” he added. “And they are not the typical patient that follows a cosmetic medical practice.”

So, how should one assess the modern, digital and social media savvy aesthetic patient?

“Social media tends to create a very self-conscious patient that is overly preoccupied by what others think,” Dr. Rogers commented.

“That being said, I believe there are good things to come from social media,” he stated. “For those that have learned to use social media to create a business or brand, I solute you for being innovative and thinking out of the box, just don’t let it – and the patient attitudes that it has spawned – rule your life.”

[emmaswritingdump]

Internet Friends- Chapter Three

Words: 2011

Pairing: Adrienette, Ladynoir

AO3 // Wattpad

Ch 1 // Ch 2

Masterlist

Summary: In which our favorite dorks get married.

***

Marinette nearly falls out of her seat when Alya suddenly gasps- very loudly.

"What is wrong with you?" Marinette demands in a whisper.

Alya holds up her phone to show her a tumblr post made by chatnoir- a picture of a "Save the Date" wedding invitation inviting all their tumblr followers to watch a live video feed of their "wedding" tomorrow at noon.

"Miss Césaire," Madame Bustier says, walking over to Alya and holding out her hand. "No phones allowed in class."

"Sorry," Alya says meekly, handing the teacher her cell phone.

Alya gets notifications when ladybug and chatnoir post.

Marinette knows for a fact that chat is on the same school schedule as her, so either he scheduled that to post, or he, too, is on his phone during class.

Why would he schedule it to post at 9:54 AM, though?

Thinking it over, Marinette remembers him saying his best friend's girlfriend is like Alya. Maybe he just wanted to see her reaction.

Marinette tries to focus on her work again, but now that she's thinking about the "wedding", she can't stop.

She needs to finish making her dress. She and Chat both agreed that he would wear a tux, and she would wear a pretty dress- not a wedding dress, but a nice dress all the same- and to top it off, they would both wear simple masquerade-style masks to match their outfits.

She's making a dress she designed a few weeks ago. The past couple of days, she's been devoting most of her free time to sewing it, and she's hoping to finish it up tonight. She's also planning on getting her mask and shoes tonight.

Tomorrow, she will meet chatnoir in person.

She couldn't be more nervous- yet excited all the same.

***

Adrien grins at Alya's reaction to the post he scheduled that morning.

He thinks over everything, making sure everything is taken care of for tomorrow.

He got his tux, his mask, and his shoes last night- along with a little something else. He smirks remembering the surprise accessory he bought on a whim.

He already called the donut shop to explain to them what's happening, and they seemed cool with it; it turns out the manager's daughter is a ladynoir shipper, so she'll get to see the "wedding" live instead of on a screen.

Now all that's left is to actually meet the girl of his dreams.

***

***

Marinette wakes up the next morning and immediately leaps downstairs to eat breakfast.

"I'm going out today, maman," Marinette calls to her mother as she goes back up the stairs.

"Okay, Mari," Sabine responds. "Will you be back before dinner?"

Marinette hesitates. "I'm not sure. I'll text you later and tell you."

"Okay."

Marinette runs up the stairs to her bedroom and sits in front of her vanity to do her hair and makeup.

She does her makeup as she usually does- though perhaps with a tiny bit extra mascara, and adding some subtle pink to her lips. She elects to wear her hair down instead of in its usual pigtails, and she curls it elegantly.

She puts her dress, mask, and shoes in a bag, deciding to change into them when she's closer to the donut shop, and puts on a pretty necklace she got for her last birthday, along with a t-shirt and jeans.

The plan for the "wedding" is to livestream it on Chat's blog, and to have the manager of the donut shop "officiate" it. She and Chat will say their "vows," they will both bite into the same donut, and the manager will pronounce them canon.

Why anyone would watch this video is beyond her.

Checking her hair and makeup one last time before leaving, she goes down the stairs and heads outside.

***

She arrives at the donut shop at 11:50 and changes in the bathroom of the coffee place next door.

Leaving the coffee place, she gets a lot of people staring at her.

She's wearing a short red sleeveless dress with black polka-dots on the bottom half, a black sash around the middle, and thin black lace peeking out from the bottom. Her feet are adorned with black heels that have straps with tiny bows around her ankles, and her mask is red with black polka-dots to match her dress.

She tries to ignore the staring, and walks out of the coffee place and into the donut shop next door.

She immediately spots him sitting at a small table near the window.

That stupid boy is wearing a headband with cat ears on it.

His face lights up in a slightly-amazed grin as soon as he sees her. His green eyes shine with excitement and happiness, and his blond hair is a messy- yet endearing- mop on his head.

He stands, and Marinette nearly stops breathing.

He's tall.

She has a thing for tall guys.

And he's really tall.

Grinning, he makes his way over to her, not paying any attention to the many stares both of them are receiving.

He takes her hand in his larger one and bows slightly. He brings her hand up to his mouth and kisses the back of it, still grinning.

"My lady."

This time time, Marinette does stop breathing for a moment or two.

His voice.

His. Voice.

His. VOICE.

Marinette repeats the words in her head for what seems like an eternity, but is really only a second or two.

He has one of the most beautiful voices she's ever heard.

Blushing, she gives him a small smile. "Bonjour, Chaton."

***

Adrien is internally screaming.

Even with a mask, ladybug is more beautiful than he could've imagined.

And her voice is so sweet and soft. Although she only said two words, he can tell that he could listen to her talk forever.

Her hand in his, he leads her back to their table and pulls out her chair for her. She thanks him softly and sits down. They still have about five minutes to talk before the "wedding" starts.

"How are you?" he asks awkwardly.

"Good. And you?"

"I'm good. Did your parents ask why you left the house dressed all fancy?"

She shakes her head. "I came here wearing regular clothes and then changed next door."

Adrien laughs. "I wish I'd thought to do that. My father wasn't home, luckily, but his assistant was, and she thought I was insane."

"Your father has an assistant?"

"Yeah, um... he runs a fashion label."

Ladybug's beautiful blue eyes light up, and he smiles. "Really?! That's so cool! I love fashion; I design a lot- which you probably know from my Tumblr. What's it like? Do you know a lot of designers? Do you get to meet a lot of models? Do you get free clothes and stuff?"

Adrien laughs softly, grinning fondly at his lady's eagerness to learn about his father's business. He knows she doesn't want to know his identity, though, so he tries to reveal as little as possible about who he his.

"It's... it's different. I wouldn't say it's great, but I have almost everything I need or want, so it's not horrible either. Yeah, I know a lot of designers, and I... I know a lot of models, too. I'm usually allowed to have my pick of the clothes every time he releases a new line."

Ladybug smiles in awe. "That sounds amazing to me."

He laughs. "Yeah, well, I'm not really into fashion."

"Really?"

"Really. I guess being raised on it has some consequences- I have some pretty bad memories associated with fashion."

Ladybug frowns. "Like what?"

Adrien thinks back on some of those memories. "Like when I was a kid and my father pulled me out of a photoshoot- that I was, um, watching- to tell me my mom had disappeared. And when, after she vanished, he threw himself into his work and hardly paid attention to me anymore."

Ladybug's eyes fill with sympathy. "I'm sorry, Chat."

He shakes his head. "Never mind. What do your parents do?"

"They own a bakery," she says hesitantly.

He smiles. "That sounds like fun."

She gives him a small smile in return. "It can be. I help out with the baking a lot, and I get to eat free treats all the time."

"That sounds like a dream come true for me."

Ladybug laughs.

Adrien's phone buzzes, informing him that it's two minutes to noon. He smiles, thinking about the "wedding" and the surprise he has planned for the end.

"Looks like it's time," he tells Ladybug. He stands up and starts speaking to the rest of the customers. "Excuse me, everyone, we're going to be doing a live video now. Please refrain from making too much noise or getting in the shot."

The manager's teenage daughter walks out from behind the display case, holding a video camera, and smiles eagerly at them. She and her mother start moving tables out of the way, and the girl then sits at a table in the center with her video camera hooked up to her laptop. Adrien is already logged into Tumblr so she can stream the video on his blog.

The manager gestures to Ladybug and Adrien, showing them where to stand, and then takes her place between them to officiate the fake wedding.

Adrien smiles at Ladybug as he takes both her small hands in his. The manager nods to her daughter, who presses record on the camera.

"Dearly beloved followers and shippers," the manager begins. Ladybug giggles. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Ladybug and Chatnoir."

She continues with her speech, and Ladybug and Adrien exchange "vows" promising to always feed each other junk food and to never throw shade at each other online.

The manager reaches behind her and picks up a donut, then holds it out between the two of them.

Trying to fight back their giggles, they bite into the donut together.

They pull away and quickly chew and swallow the donut. They smile at each other as the manager speaks again.

"I now pronounce you canon. You may kiss the bride."

Ladybug's eyes go wide in surprise as realization takes over.

Adrien leans in and presses his lips to hers.

Fireworks go off in his belly, and he is giddy with the knowledge that he's kissing his lady.

Her lips are soft and warm against his, and once she gets over her initial shock, their mouths begin to move together in perfect harmony.

He smiles into the kiss, placing his hands on her waist and pulling her into him as she places her hands around his neck.

Nothing could ruin this moment.

***

Marinette giggles as she and Chat leave the donut shop hand-in-hand.

He leads her to a waiting carriage pulled by a white horse. They step onto the carriage and sit down, smiling.

"You're not mad about the whole kissing thing?" Chat asks her after a moment.

She thinks about it. "I'm surprised- and maybe even a bit irritated that you didn't tell me about it- but I'm not mad, no."

He smiles. "Good."

They go for a carriage ride around Paris, seeing all the beautiful sights.

At some point, Marinette finds herself resting her head on Chat's shoulder, her hand still intertwined with his.

Finally, they arrive back at the donut shop. Chat assists Marinette out of the carriage and, before she can see it coming, hugs her.

"Can we meet up again sometime soon?" he asks in a whisper. "We can still wear our masks."

Hesitantly, she wraps her arms around his torso and hugs him back. "I'd like that."

After a few moments, he pulls away from the hug and looks at her. "Do you need me to escort you home?"

Marinette shakes her head. "Thank you, Chat, but I'll be fine. Besides, I don't want you to know who I am- yet."

***

Adrien's heart leaps. "Yet? Does that mean you'll tell me who you are one day?"

Ladybug smiles. "We'll see."