#i prefer posting thoughts

[chamerionwrites]

Honestly this gets at my chiefest complaint/frustration/discomfort with fandom as a whole. Which is: in their rush to defend the artistic merit of fanworks I think a ton of people have really valorized transformation and remixing and reinterpretation in and of themselves, when imo those are all quite neutral actions. When done well, they can expand and build upon and subvert meaning in really powerful and thought-provoking (and fun!) ways. When done poorly, they are just as likely to flatten and oversimplify and decontextualize and completely erase meaning. The simple act of changing something does not imbue the choice to do so with creative validity. It is entirely possible for a cover song to be bad (or just boring!). To exactly the same degree that it is possible to transform a pretty shallow and straightforward work into something deeper and more nuanced and subversive, is possible to transform a work into a vastly shallower and less interesting shadow of itself. As with nearly everything in art, it's all about the execution!

But the second you voice this position (which should honestly be a pretty uncontroversial one imo), you get people shrieking at you about being gatekeep-y and pretentious and betraying the sacred fandom etiquette of Don't-Like-Don't-Read.

And like...listen. I was not raised in a barn. I am 150% capable of quietly back-buttoning out of a fanfic I think is bad or boring - which is exactly what I do when I encounter them - and I am obviously not advocating for stupid ships wars or any kind of harassment or leaving hatemail in people's AO3 inboxes. (Which some people will also accuse you of the second you say anything less than lavishly positive about fandom, in true piss-on-the-poor fashion.) Literally all I am saying is that you can't have your cake and eat it too - that if fandom and fanworks (in the broadest sense) have artistic merit then fandom and fanworks (in the broadest sense) are fair game for artistic critique. Which means, in practice, that I can go on my own blog and make a post exactly like this one - critiquing broad trends, or stating that some interpretations are bad actually, or pointing out that subverting or talking back to or reading against the grain of canon is very different from simply ignoring it, or saying "fandom's culture of collage/remix/fuck-canon-I-do-what-I-want can lend itself to to really creative and interesting art but also to a lot of really bland homogenized cut-n-paste art, not to mention some pretty troubling decontextualization." And that if you feel this rains on your personal parade, you are then free to DLDR by back-buttoning out of my blog and/or blocking me so you never have to see my hot takes again, rather than clamoring in my notes about how I should let people enjoy things.

[goldenstorm0]

Look mate, idk about you but I fell in love with Yor when she kicked someone down an alleyway, I 1000% Loid thinks its the hottest shit out there

Obligatory aftermath:

[seaglassmelody]

So I've said it before but I'm gonna say it again

I love that Veilguard doesn't tell you which choice is more morally preferable. I love that all of the companion quests, the city choice, choosing Davrin or Harding on Tearstone, even your choice at the end with Solas - they're all given equal weight within the story.

Veilguard isn't about being a good or bad person- it's about how the world and the people in it are shaped by your choices. It's up to your personal principles and preferences to decide what is "right" and what makes the best story.

That's like a whole other level of roleplaying to me. The world will always remember you as a hero because you're the one who stops the blighted gods and Solas. But what kind of hero? What kind of tales will they tell about you? What will the world look like after you've saved it?

It's not good or bad. But you can tell stories of loss, stories of hope, stories of rebuilding the past or creating a new future. And that's really cool to me.

[khaoala]

bison, probably: but ain't you gay?

FIRST KANAPHAN as KANT PATTANAWAT, KHAOTUNG THANAWAT as BISON and PARN THANAPORN as LILY episode 5 & 10 of THE HEART KILLERS

[anistarrose]

Davenport canonically says he's been teaching Barry to fly the Starblaster (as early as Cycle 17, a.k.a. Episode 61), and even trusts Barry enough to leave him solely in charge of the ship, specifically when the whole rest of the crew is literally diving into a flooded city with no idea what they'll find beneath, i.e., could easily all just fucking die. this was before the Hunger really Got Good, so to speak, at singling out and attacking the Starblaster, or catching the crew unawares, but regardless, I would like to propose...

Barry's fucking great at piloting the ship, especially relative to his amount of practice... and he fucking hates it. Barry's not Dav-level good, not by a long shot, but he's naturally talented as hell by the standards of people who aren't first-name-Captain, last-name-Davenport. except... Cap, you gotta understand... flying the ship is scary. flying the ship away from the Hunger singlehandedly is so scary. and flying the ship under technically lower stakes, but while his Captain and friends are there watching him? and able to be disappointed in him if he messes up? is so so so scary. the scariest thing of all, somehow.

Davenport trains Barry, Lup, and Magnus in piloting semi-simultaneously, so he gets them to compete with each others' times for flying around the robot planet, and Barry always absolutely crushes it, and then has to go breathe into a paper bag afterwards. he had enough anxiety driving through roundabouts with other people in his car to judge him back while he was on his home plane. he was the kind of guy to worry that people would think less of him if he slipped into always-goddamn-tempting road rage, or if he used his signal like a fucking nerd. upgrading from a car to a spaceship was never going to be for him.

[blazingmoltres]

[bellshazes]

i don't think the life series is "about" anything at all. it's not about survival or winning or player dynamics, or any theme. however i do think that the entire series - third life to present - is unified by a game design philosophy where all mechanics are engineered to disrupt the game as it has been played.

third life was initially pitched as "a[n ...] experiment" and its opening question was fundamentally how long can this last, which scar quickly proved was not long at all. it's easy to forget that it was not always a given that seasons would last approximately eight weeks and how the breakpoints of red/yellow violence would fall.

last life attempted to disrupt the established social norms by a) attempting to ban acting based on prior season's events and more importantly b) introducing social deduction mechanics which destabilized all alliances by default. similarly, although the ban on continuity never returned, double life's gimmick at its core is just another disruption of social dynamics. limited life iterates on last life's boogeyman dynamic while applying a different kind of time-limited pressure; secret and wild life are carousels of disruption to social play and "regular" or survival gameplay.

nevertheless players have defined the real rules of the game - the game-as-played which gives the series continuity - through their playing of it. both in spite of and because of the mechanical disruptions, conventions around sportsmanship and acceptable behavior are deeply entrenched. kills that are "illegal" by the written rules matter less than the player perception of them; the desire to invent social punishments for explicit infractions died with etho in the third life firing squad. players judge kill attempts as acceptable/impermissible by their relative status of reds vs. yellows, as the rudeness of ending someone's series early far outweighs the obvious strategic benefit of eliminating reds first. history persists, only as much as a given set of players negotiates it should. everyone should be along for the ride for as long as possible, but it will end.

ultimately life seasons are designed to make it difficult to play as you always have, and the players derive fun and drama from balancing their leaning into the gimmicks or into their habits. unfortunately this tension is deeply compelling and leads to wildly divergent opinions on what is "good" or "authentic" about a season or gimmick or episode because where the "good" tension is depends on the viewer, the point of view, the episode, etc.

[mymusingss]

Because I lost the original, here's a full updated list of Tom and McQ things that live rent free in my brain.

McQ having misconceptions about Tom but deciding to meet him regardless of them.

Tom believes in love at first sight and after knowing McQ for mere hours, he told his son he'd spend the rest of his life making movies with him.

McQ moving his whole ass family to another continent because Tom moved to London and McQ naturally thought it'd make sense for him to go. I can understand moving because it does make life easier, but buying a place only 10 minutes away from your bestie?

McQ dropping everything when Tom called to ask for help with Ghost Protocol and just straight up going to Dubai over Christmas instead of just asking for the script like a normal person.

McQ literally saying that he'd never direct another MI movie again. 5 seconds later he was, in fact, directing another MI movie again.

McQ saying that he Tom calls about a movie and I seconds later he's on a plane.

McQ deciding to add a full underwater scene because they used a tank scene as a stand in for Rogue Nation, Tom got excited when he saw it and McQ realized he'd have to write one after. Why? I guess is because who would have the heart to tell Tom Cruise there wasn't an underwater scene at all 💀

McQ writing the DR scene with the horsey because of a movie he knew Tom liked. What are logistics and expanses when your best friend wants to pet a horse, right?

McQ changing the timeline of the movie because Tom looked great with the longer hair (which he has yet to cut, by the way).

Tom and Chris making it look like they live together.

They both making it seem like they're a family. "Our families are here today" at Cannes, "our families live together, they commute together" (Tom said in a DR episode thingy).

According to everyone else, Chris and McQ share a psychic link where they don't have to say anything and the other already knows what they want and need and they constantly finish each other's sentences.

Tom casually saying McQ has a thing for him in handcuffs.

Tom declaring his love for McQ loudly at every chance he'd get.

McQ literally implying he'd rather die with Tom in the event of something going wrong in the helicopter stunt than to receive the news (that Tom had died).

They're are now accepting that they are creative soulmates.

[doctahpants]

I finished Four! That scarf was a pain, but I'm so glad I did it that way!

[batshaped]

wane, little crescent, and i'll be the moon

[what-bot]

Love the idea of season 2 Uprising Tron occasionally making an appearance in his black Tron outfit as The Renegade’s ‘sidekick’ now that he’s healed.

He uses a different fake name every time so that the Occupation thinks Beck has rotating lackeys. The public mostly calls them the White Renegade and Black Renegade. Or sometimes Renegade 1 and Renegade 2.

A couple programs correctly guess that this actually is the real Tron in disguise and the white Renegade is someone else, but they get shot down because this guy acts like too much of a weirdo to be Tron (weird in a different way to how Tron normally is, I mean.)

They rarely switch costumes except if there’s a specific reason to throw someone off. Their personas are different and it’d be obvious, mainly because Tron doesn’t quip in a fight. He’s either completely silent or goes for the jugular to emotionally destroy them.

Pavel: How’s it feel to be a lesser copy of a lesser copy?

Tron: You’ll never amount to anything. Your superiors don’t trust you, and one day they’ll realise you’re too unstable and selfish to keep around. And they will discard you like the trash you are.

Pavel: YOU TAKE THAT BACK! YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING!

(The seed of doubt is planted and he can’t get it out of his mind. He spends the next couple months paranoid Tesler’s going to fire/execute him and ends up annoying him further in his attempts to prevent this)

[a-mint-bear]

Yandere Boy Types

The Stalker

● Knows everything about you. Your birthday, favorite color, animal, food? That's easy! Give him a hard one. He knows what shows you're watching lately, what you get for takeout, who you talk to every day. He even knows what you wrote about him in your journal. You're using a new toothpaste lately. He's taking notes.

● Has been in your place dozens of times, goes through your drawers and lays in your bed and sniffs your pillow. Maybe even some other stuff he can't mention in polite company... Sometimes you notice things out of place, maybe? Missing things too. Maybe it's just your imagination.

● You dismiss that feeling of someone watching you or following you, thinking you're just being paranoid. But he tends to show up when you go out. Isn't that just such a coincidence? You should totally come sit at his table at the coffee shop though, why not?

● Has lots of pictures of you. LOTS. You smiling for the camera, reading on the park bench, in line at your usual pharmacy, even some when you were pretty sure you were alone. Is that you sleeping?

The Actor

● Pretends to be whatever you need him to be to win you over. Maybe you like sporty guys? He did track and field in school and he's training for a marathon, you wanna join him for runs? Artsy guys your thing? He loves to paint, has for years! Shy boys are the cutest, right? He stutters and looks away when he sees you. He totally didn't mean to touch your hand just then, so sorry!

● You mentioned to a friend you like guys who like animals? Guess who just got a puppy! You like strawberries? They're his favorite! Wow, you have the same coffee order, what are the odds? He thought you liked it when guys paint their nails? Oh, you think that color would look better? He's already adding it to his cart.

● He can't remember what his favorite song used to be, he's been listening to that band you're into lately. What kind of cake does he like? Well, whatever you want him to like! That stuff isn't important anyway. Just tell him what you want him to be into, he'll love it!

● Doesn't understand why you don't just fall for him already, but he'll pretend as long as it takes. He'll be anyone you want him to be, he doesn't need anything or want anything if it's not to make you look his way. You don't feel the same way about him? That's okay! He can change! Just...tell him what you want!

The Loner

● On his own a lot for one reason or another, but when he met you, there was just something about you... Maybe it was a friendly smile you sent his way, or just how your hair looked. Maybe you were just there on a bad day. But whatever the reason, he can't seem to forget you.

● You're meeting up with friends? You should hang out with him instead. You have to get ready for work? A sick day never hurt anyone. And you deserve a day off. He would love it if you just spent every day with him. Just him.

● Sometimes his possessiveness is cute. He pouts when you answer your phone when you're together. He stares daggers at the overly-flirty cashier at the convenience store. He shoves the touchy-feely guy on the street off you and walks you home. Sometimes it's not so cute. He is convinced that your best guy friend is in love with you and it pisses him off. If anyone accidentally touches you he's up in their face. It's not you he doesn't trust. You're just too cute, of course everyone would want you like he does.

● He just wishes you didn't need anyone other than him. You're his whole world. Why can't you see he just wants to be with you all the time? Why won't you only look at him? Can't you see how much he loves you? There's no one else like you. You're it for him. No one else even comes close.

The Devotee

● Worships you. You are the light of his life, why he gets out of bed in the morning, his reason for being. His every waking thought is consumed by you. Every time he sees you, it's like a radiant light surrounds you. He can't look away.

● Adores you. You know who's so cute? You, of course! The way you move, all your little habits, the look in your eyes when you see him. He's never seen such a flawless human being. Everything you don't like about yourself is just one more thing he finds so charming about you. If you let him, he would never stop touching and kissing every inch of you.

● Would die for you. Just say the word. If you ever needed him to suffer for any reason, he wouldn't even hesitate. Yell at him, push him, shove him? It hurts, but that's okay! As long as he's near you, he's in heaven. If it made you happy, he'd do anything. He doesn't matter! All that matters is you.

● Would kill for you. That creep at the bar who gets a bit too handsy with you? Gone. That coworker who made you cry in the bathroom at work? Gone. Maybe that neighbor who looks at you just a bit too long on your walks? Gone. You and your best friend had a fight? Gone. No one appreciates you like he does. No one else deserves you!

[charlesemersonwinchesteriii]

if Crozier had a nickel for every time someone close to him kept a mortal wound secret from him he'd have two nickels which isn't a lot but it's definitely enough to give him some very specific trauma for the rest of his life

[bruciemilf]

“Aphrodite wouldn't talk or have any kind of relationship with Hephaestus after the divorce” where do you think girlie gets her strap-ons from? 🤨

[foursaints]

barty characterization is so troublesome because he is at his most canonical (and most compelling) when treated with utter seriousness & placed squarely in context of an austere, repressed upper class childhood leading to patricide… he is not goofy! his prevailing theme in canon is the violent denial of his bodily autonomy - the living body horror and tragedy of his stint under imperius!

so the fanon version of barty as a sleazy trash-talking fuckboy with a tongue piercing is…. uncanonical. there’s literally zero basis for his fandom treatment as hogwarts’s resident dirtbag and in fact it makes no sense… but it’s such an entertaining direction to take him that i would argue fanon’s reshaping made him more interesting? or has given us more opportunities?

like the fan decision to shove hp canon’s most tortured martyr-machiavel into a thrasher hoodie is objectively hilarious and ripe for exploration. basically my point is that true barty enjoyers can juggle both interpretations at once, explore the inherent contradictions, and decide which better suits their purposes for different scenarios. also i would like to see canon!barty and fanon!barty making out