awonderfulharvest97 - Tumblr blog

[awonderfulharvest97]

weh weh

[awonderfulharvest97]

these are the most love-confession-then-death faces in queer history ever actually

[awonderfulharvest97]

Okay. I’m going to wait to do a second watch before I articulate most of my other feelings here, but I want to address one thing.

I’m seeing a lot of posts like, “I related to Izzy because I am also queer and older/disabled/depressed. By killing him off, the writers are saying that I deserve to die.”

Guys.

I’m not saying your feelings aren’t valid. I totally understand grieving a character that you relate to. But speaking as a writer, I just want to point out that trying to write with the shadow of “what is the absolute worst and most harmful way a reader can interpret this” will smother your ability to create. Twisting yourself in knots, trying to think up the worst-faith takes possible and scotch-guarding all your writing decisions against them is exhausting to the point of making you just not want to write anymore.

And we’ve seen the writers deliberately choose not to do this in Season 1. Remember all those terrible “Izzy is racist” takes that the writers and cast seemed completely blindsided by? That happened because the writers and directors and actors weren’t going over every scene with a fine tooth comb, ferreting out every shot or line of dialogue or micro expression that could possibly be interpreted as racist, and scrubbing it off. Because there comes a point where your story is what it needs to be, and you have to accept that some people will interpret it in ways you didn’t intend them to. And if you can’t accept that, you’ll never find the courage to put your work out there.

The point of diverse casts and writing teams isn’t to achieve a state of, “Nothing bad ever happens to a character from a marginalized demographic ever again.” It’s to achieve a status quo of these types of characters just being people in the world of the story. Not symbols, not representation boxes to tick, not tokens that you can point to so that you can say, “Here, we acknowledged this type of person exists, now where’s our woke points?”

OFMD is full of characters of color, queer characters, older characters, characters of differing body types. And in stories, things happen to characters. Some fall in love. Some make the same mistakes over and over. Some turn into birds. Some die.

Izzy’s character represents a lot of things, but he does not represent every older, disabled fan or fan who has struggled with suicide, any more than Jim represents all genderqueer fans, or Olu represents all black fans. That’s not how the writers were handling him. They were handling him like a character, because that’s what you have to do.

Again, I understand being sad. I am so, so fucking sad. But this idea of, “Any time something bad happens to a character I relate to means that the writer thinks I deserve these bad things to happen to me,” will poison everything you engage with eventually. Because stories are full of things happening to characters, and they won’t all be good things. And the more representation we get, the more often bad things will happen to characters we relate to.

But good things will happen too.

Queer couples get married. Disabled women run off with their favorite husbands. Middle-aged characters change careers. A multiracial polycule finds a home at sea. A fat man covered in tattoos stars in a drag show and all his friends cheer. All these things happened in the same show as Izzy’s death. This is what this world is.

Anyway. I know emotions are running high and I’ll probably get blocked or unfollowed by a few people for this. But I’m just trying to find my peace where I can, and if anyone else finds this useful, cheers.

[awonderfulharvest97]

Music in Our flag means death s2

I Love My Baby - Nina Simone

Strawberry Letter 23 - Shuggie Otis

Pygmy Love Song - Francіs Bebey

Run From Me - Timber Timbre

This Woman’s Work - Kate Bush

SeaBird - Alessi Brothers

Baby - Donnie & Joe Emerson

Wasting My Time - Harry Mosco

La Vie En Rose - Con O'Neill

I Love My Baby - Nina Simone (2nd time)

Roads To Moscow - Al Stewart

That’s All Right - Laura Rivers

The Times They Are A-Changin’ - Nina Simone

Music in season 1:

[awonderfulharvest97]

#Literally the same energy, i'm gonna be sick

OFMD 2.08 // Good Omens 2.06

[awonderfulharvest97]

Can I also say how touching it is that Stede said he believed Ed would he happier without him, who, even in his fantasies, could only picture Ed wanting him as a picture of masculinity with a beard and no hesitation to kill. Stede still, deep down, doesn't understand why Ed would ever want him as he is.

But who did Ed see coming down to rescue him? It wasn't a manly recreation of Stede with a beard, masculine style and a killing spirit, it was a merman. Someone bright, colourful, by all accounts a rather feminine perception of Stede.

That was who rescued Ed. It wasn't who Stede thought he needed to be, it was someone soft, and bright, and graceful, and expressive. Someone feminine, someone queer.

I just think that's beautiful.

[awonderfulharvest97]

[awonderfulharvest97]

You don't understand Stede LITERALLY dreamt that they threw themselves into each other's arms upon reuniting. How am I meant to COPE WITH THIS

[awonderfulharvest97]

You don't understand Stede LITERALLY dreamt that they threw themselves into each other's arms upon reuniting. How am I meant to COPE WITH THIS

[awonderfulharvest97]

Honestly this was so hot of him tho? Sexiest mental breakdown this side of the Caribbean 👏

[awonderfulharvest97]

*clicks heels* *salutes*

It's been an honor serving with you maniacs. See you on the other side 🏴‍☠️❤️

[awonderfulharvest97]

[awonderfulharvest97]

[awonderfulharvest97]

AO3 Top Relationships Bracket- Round 2 Side 1

This poll is a celebration of fandom history; we're aware that there are certain issues with many of the listed pairings and sources, but they are a part of that history. Please do not take this as an endorsement, and refrain from harassment.

[awonderfulharvest97]

Via twitter

[awonderfulharvest97]

[awonderfulharvest97]

AO3 Top Relationships Bracket- Round 2 Side 1

This poll is a celebration of fandom history; we're aware that there are certain issues with many of the listed pairings and sources, but they are a part of that history. Please do not take this as an endorsement, and refrain from harassment.