agingnerd

[agingnerd]

I'm currently trying to figure out why Tara is the lowest ranked episode on IMDB by over 10 points. I know AJ/JJ stans were heavily encouraging people to rank 18x03 high. Maybe a fan campaign is needed for this one. It wasn't my favorite of the season but there's no way it deserves to be scored at 5.7

I don't put much stock into IMDB ratings, or any online rating system like that, to be honest.

But between the racism and the homophobia, I'm also not surprised people are tanking the ratings for this episode.

Personally, I didn't think it was a particularly compelling episode, but I also haven't thought any of CME has been. I also wasn't particularly thrilled that Tara and Rebecca got engaged after only 6 months of dating...

That being said, from the moment we got canon confirmed queer Tara Lewis, I have been the biggest, loudest, hypest, supporter of it. And I am still absolutely thrilled and happy we got a full on QUEER ON-SCREEN PROPOSAL on Criminal Minds!!!!

Just because I have personal critiques about canon, does not negate the fact this episode was MONUMENTALLY historical in the context of this loooooong running show and this fandom.

I know many fans are newer here (welcome!), you've only found CM in the past five years or so. But please take it from someone who has been watching this show since I was in college in 2005, I NEVER ever thought we'd actually get queer rep like this on Criminal Minds. (Even in the weeks leading up to the premiere of Evolution, I was still SO damn sure we'd never get anything even close to queer rep)

I am infinitely glad that I was wrong.

When S16 aired and Tara was confirmed queer, I sobbed for DAYS. After EIGHTEEN years, I was finally seeing someone like me on screen in my favourite show. I still have trouble fully explaining how much that means to me.

I know I'm just one voice, one blog on the infinite fandom website, but to any followers reading this who are the type to leave ratings on IMDB, Here is my call to action:

Queer representation on screen is SO important, now more than ever. In a time when so many people are actively trying to erase us queer and trans people, this Tebecca proposal and the JOY it embodied, shows that we are not going anywhere. We will continue to find love and happiness and joy in the darkness, despite everyone who finds that offensive or threatening to their tiny way of thinking.

THIS episode is exactly the type of reminder our community needs to see right now. Not only do we have two 'older' women (Nicole is 40 and queer herself, Aisha is 54) portraying sapphics on screen, we also got to see them triumph over all odds in this episode.

They're both such incredibly talented actors and I feel so so so lucky to have these two staunch women play our first ever queer canon couple.

I have previously talked about the importance of us fans hyping Tara/Rebecca, the importance of us proving to the showrunners that we WANT this representation. I mean, literally look at what' happened earlier this month with the official CM insta! They got called out by fans, a show writer, and even the actors themselves (using my fanvid 🤣) for not posting Tebecca content. And they listened! We actually got a few Tebecca posts after that!

And this kind of loud, unapologetic, hype, is exactly what we must continue to do.

So, despite what you thought about 18x08's writing or the plot, or whatever else - I encourage all of you fellow queers and allies to go BOOST the episode ratings and go scream to the high heavens on social media about how much we support this representation.

Let's show Paramount+ and the CM cast and crew that WE ARE HERE, WE ARE QUEER, AND OUR LOVE FOR TEBECCA IS SEVERE!!! 🥳

[agingnerd]

CME Episode 8 My thoughts (spoilers)

For me there were no big surprises in this episode. Everything seems to go as I expected (for the most part). This episode is full of some great acting by the entire cast (as always).

There are a number of moments that have stuck with me. First is the opening scene of Tara 'waking up' and telling Rebecca she had a nightmare and asking for cuddles. I thought it was done so well. Tara has her guard down she's being soft and vulnerable, a part of herself she usually hides from the world.

Another moment that stood out to me was Emily's speech to the team. When she says " ...I 'll say it. I'm tired." I felt it. The exhaustion, the weariness and frustration. By the end ("Now lets do our fucking jobs.") I also felt her anger, determination and resolve. In that moment she was determined to get it done and she was bringing the whole team with her. Powerful stuff.

Although I anticipated/expected the proposal I thought is was a great way to end the episode. Especially given the way last week's ended. The moment Tara asks/lets Rossi to help her stand up she's being open in ways that hasn't always come easy to her. By her declaring her love and commitment to Rebecca infront of "chosen family" she is letting all of them behind the wall she has built. And, after Rebecca says yes, the unbridled joy and happiness shown by Tara and the whole team really is beautiful. I don't think I have ever seen the team smile so much.

Also, you just know JJ is going through all the emotions this episode. Wondering about whether Tara was going to survive and knowing exactly how it will feel if she doesn't; and not just for herself but Rebecca (& the team) as well. To go from that low to the high of the proposal what a roller-coaster ride. she is so genuinely happy/excited for Tara and Rebecca.

I can't forget Rossi growing his family having a proud papa moment.

Looking forward to see what happens next week..

[agingnerd]

the infuriating thing is that there is genuinely so much good queer literature out there, contemporary and not, but there is also a sizeable chunk of readers who think that a book only "counts" as good queer literature if it's a) unproblematic, b) contains romance as its central focus, and c) has the characters state their orientation and/or gender identity directly to the audience using socially acceptable 21st-century terms (as opposed to resorting to cowardly tactics such as Subtext and Themes)

[agingnerd]

Fanfiction and Fandom

Good Fanfiction can do all the things good books do. Fan art can do the same. I love all of you creative people who make stuff about the Fandoms I love.

That being said, people who fight over ships confuse me. People have a choice of what they read or interact with. Don't like a ship, guess what your under no obligation to read/interact with that content. Don't like a tag/kink on a fic same thing. Just because you don't like, see, or identify with something doesn't make it any less valid then something that you do. We all interact with fandom (show, book, game, ect) because we love it in some way. We want more. We like to imagine what ifs. We all have that in common. We shouldn't be hating on someone because they love the same thing we do just because it's in a different way. It's not necessary to be negative and hateful to someone who creates a beautiful story or piece of art that doesn't fit your narrative. We should be embracing the diversity of the ways we love the things we do.

Similarly, if you start to read something, and for whatever reason it's not clicking for you. You can stop reading. Its not necessary for you to be hateful or negative in the comments. Critique and criticism in comments IMO should only be done to help the writers/artists to impove in the craft. If you just want to say something mean or shity don't.

[agingnerd]

Reading is Fundamental

I love reading. Its like breathing to me. I read something everyday. Moving home after college over half my stuff was books. Books can transport me, inform me, grip me, make me feel all the things. Really good ones change me and stick with me. Books and the characters in them can become old friends I miss and revisit from time to time. To all the writers who write because they must, that write because they have stories to tell, that write because they need to create something for themselves, thank you and I appreciate the power and pull of your words.

[agingnerd]

Representation & queerbaiting.

I'm all for queer representation on television (I mean queer in this context encompassing all identities). All of it. Representation matters, seeing queer people matters. Is it always done well, no it's not. It's not even always done right.

I, (gen X), grew up in a time when representation was scarce. If you saw any queerness it was part of a cautionary tale, the message was often avoid it or bad things happen. The 1st thing I remember watching with any lesbian content was a movie called Personal Best (1982), spoiler it's not a happy queer ending. That movie, however showed me something I didn't know was possible, queer love. It made an impact on me. I was younger then I should've been watching it (early cable was great), but it opened the door in my understanding of myself.

All this is to say, when I see people online getting upset because actors acknowledges a ship that's not cannon and interact with fans, I'm flabbergasted. That interaction means something to someone, it makes an impact on people. People feel seen.

Xena is still talked about, and held up in part due to the interaction of Lucy Lawless & Renee O'Connor with the queer community, both during the show and after. The studio did everything to discourage any queer coding. The queer baiting that infuriates me is from the studio and TPTB, when you know they only care about us in terms of what they can sell us or take from us, not the actors.

Embrace queer representation wherever you find it dispite all the ways society tries to erase us. It's important.

[agingnerd]

the hair in this episode is 🔥

Jemily scraps in 18x07

[agingnerd]

CME Episode 7 thoughts/feelings

possible spoilers

I'm not normally bothered by spiders at all, but this episode made me feel like Penelope. I feel for those who don't like spiders in this episode.

All the ladies are looking great this episode.

Luke going to Penelope after the end of the case to be with and comfort her (and himself) was wonderful to see. To me it seemed that they needed each other in that moment.

I knew the final scene of the episode was coming so Tara getting shot wasn't a surprise, but to leave the episode right after, with just a shot of Rebecca looking at her, that hit me. I hope in the next episode we see the team finding out and the reactions that happen and not just cut to everyone in the hospital waiting for news. Although I expect this to be what happens.

The anticipation for next week has begun....

[agingnerd]

Stuff I liked in Episode 6 CME

Tara/Rebecca are adorable together. I like the teasing and playful nature of their relationship. I'm happy they got more screen time this episode. Hopefully this trend continues.

JJ holding it together in her grief, Looking badass in leather. (JJ in leather does something for me).

Boss Emily in glasses, need I say more.

Penelope is great as always in her care for the team.

[agingnerd]

#never too old

i love being a 30+ woman in fandom. reblog if you also love being an old dame in fandom

[agingnerd]

I Don’t Even Think of You That Often by theoderich

After a string of ritualistic murders in New York City, JJ is pulled into a case that echoes too close to home. Jazz plays at every crime scene. A concept album becomes a roadmap. And across the street from one victim’s apartment, red neon letters flicker, forcing JJ to confront buried memories. As the team races toward the final track, old ghosts stir—some from the case, some she thought she’d left behind. Inspired by this song.

Stop what you're doing! Everyone needs to go read this fic right now! I read it last night and I can't stop thinking about it!!!!!!

[agingnerd]

Show Recommendation

For those who haven't watched it Lost Girl tv show (2010-2016) is great. It's scifi/fantasy with an unapologetically bisexual lead. It's a fun ride that doesn't take itself too seriously. It is at times sexy; can be camp, has action and lore. Lost Girl has a strong cast and ran for 5 seasons. Time for my annual rewatch.

[agingnerd]

“Like, we’re being taught by mainstream culture that getting an English degree is a waste of time, and that thinking about the meaning of stories will not prepare you for life in the world. This, in turn, comes from the assumption that the purpose of a college degree is as a qualification for a middle-class career — rather than a sign that you have learned something that has value in its own right. That you have gained critical thinking skills, of exactly the sort that studying literature would give you. If I were feeling extra snarky, I might point out that critical thinking skills would indeed be a drawback if you’re trying to get a career pumping up the A.I. hype bubble, but never mind.”

— Why the Worst People Are So Keen to Wreck Art and Culture

[agingnerd]

CME Episode 5 Thoughts

I feel that the threesome conversation is Emily way of disarming JJ so she can say the stuff later. It shows Emily care and love for JJ ( not in a romantic way). She validates the depth of JJ's relationship with Will and acknowledges the profound impact that his loss has and will continue to have on her. In this scene she is being supportive and giving JJ space to grieve. It is a really beautiful scene. Also showing JJ actually grieving and going through it , AJ Cook was great in this episode.

[agingnerd]

Criminal Minds Ladies

loving the fact that this show has women who are over 30; Are gorgeous, sexy and know how to use it .

[agingnerd]

Maybe unpopular opinion in regards to jemily

My ship doesn't need to be cannon. I don't expect them to be. The fun part is using my imagination to see them together. The fact that the actors acknowledge the ship at all is good for me. I don't see that as qeer baiting. It may be that I come from the era of Xena.

[agingnerd]

It feels like people have forgotten ships don't have to be canon. Isn't the whole point of fandom to explore what could happen to characters in different scenarios