messymindofmine

[messymindofmine]

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The show Cobra Kai in The Karate Kid saga has really damaged this once beautiful franchise. 

To prop up and establish the new toxic Cobra Kai legacy, Miyagi-Do's legacy and characters---including Mr. Miyagi himself---were torn down.

The show that used the Miyagi-Do legacy to prop itself up ripped out this franchise's strong, healthy roots and replaced them with weak, poisonous roots.

Depictions of trauma, childhood trauma, mental health, sexual assault, trauma healing, and cycle breaking were handled and resolved in incredibly harmful ways.

A bias in the writing favored the abusers and bullies (Johnny, Miguel, Tory, and Eli), framed their victims as the antagonists (Daniel, Robby, Sam, and Demetri), and minimized the victims' traumas due to the abusers/bullies.

The story celebrated generational trauma, enabling, and the notion that "hurt people" hurt people and the former are either equally sympathetic or the ONLY sympathetic ones.

The story ended with the Miyagi-Dos---trauma survivors and cycle breakers---giving up completely and supporting their abusers and bullies as they got all the wins.

Is this really the type of stories society should want moving forward? Maybe to some. But, are these stories the moral examples we should be looking to?

We say no. At any time, anyone can become a trauma survivor due to an assault, bullying, etc.

Do we as a society want to keep invalidating trauma survivors to promote sympathy for and enable, sometimes even celebrate, those who traumatize them? Especially when those who traumatize them don't properly take accountability or grow, and act entitled to sympathy and taking their victims' wins? Apologies are just empty words by themselves. Tangible changed behaviors are a true reflection of accountability.

Representation in media is so important. Kids and teens watched this show. Do we really want them to believe that their traumatic experiences don't matter? That they have to "be the bigger person", see "both sides", and abandon themselves to support those who cause them trauma? Even the kids and teens who experience childhood trauma, when it comes to their parents/parental figures?

These are important questions to ask, reflect on, and answer.

This franchise cannot heal until the harmful messages of Cobra Kai are properly addressed and buried. The roots of this franchise can only heal if Robby's and Sam's stories are properly resolved.

It's truly sad to see this timeless franchise and legacy forever ruined.

Follow us on ig: openlettertothekaratekid

[messymindofmine]

This or That: Tarlos Edition -> Dress uniform TK or snazzy tan suit TK?

[messymindofmine]

Things Jonah learns from his adopted parents:

Carlos's love for causing trouble (he spilled those chocolate chips on purpose)

On that note, I'm pretty sure eating stuff off the floor is a Carlos thing too. Carlos was a farm kid, he's definitely eaten worse. (it drives TK crazy)

The TK sassy hands (i can just imagine he gets into an argument with his kindergarten teacher and his little hands are flying. And when TK and Jonah get in an argument with each other... Ooh boy it's all over!)

The big brown cow eyes that absolutely wreck people (and that TK can't say no to)

Swear words. Carlos has apologized a thousand times for teaching him that 4 letter word that starts with S. It was an accident! He would never intentionally teach his child that word, but he took Jonah to see the family farm and when you're at the farm, working with a feisty horse, things get said. And little kettles have big ears. (TK has to pretend like he doesn't think it's funny)

TK's love for animals big and small (especially Lou II)

Pudding theft.

[messymindofmine]

911 lone star fashion -> every tk outfit

↳ 2.08

[messymindofmine]

tk strand in every episode 1.01: pilot

[messymindofmine]

There are stupid and ignorant people everywhere. There are arrogant people who think they know everything when, in fact, they know nothing everywhere. But there is a reason America and Americans are known for being loud, annoying, ignorant and obnoxious the world over in particular. There are stupid and ignorant people everywhere. There are arrogant people who think they know everything when, in fact, they know nothing everywhere. But there is a reason America and Americans are known for being loud, annoying, ignorant and obnoxious the world over in particular.

[messymindofmine]

every day i think about what bridges put carlos through for that year while he was trying so hard to figure out who killed his father and i get angry all over again

[messymindofmine]

It’s upsetting to me how eager people are sometimes to forget that TK Strand is a member of multiple marginalized communities. Presenting him as the epitome of privileged white man when it suits the argument is just really not okay. (like should we talk about the history of Jewish people's whiteness being deeply conditional? Should we talk about how it is a core tenant of ableism to pretend disability doesn't exist when it isn't convenient? Or the troubling recent online discourse around gay men not being oppressed anymore despite all evidence to the contrary?) I don't think it needs to be the topic of every conversation about him nor do I think he should be the winner of some kind of oppression olympics but just please don't forget that TK is a member of marginalized communities and that the existence of his character is incredibly important representation for communities that often get ignored. Please don't treat people's marginalization as conditional.

[messymindofmine]

Phil Mitchell Comforts A Drunk Jamie Mitchell Eastenders (Episode dated 7th May 2002) (for @messymindofmine)

Phil Mitchell: So, what's up? Ain't yellow her colour? Or have you two been checking out the suspension all night? Jamie Mitchell: We've split. Phil: Damn. Jamie: Yeah. Phil: So, you've bought yourself a new motor, ain't you? [pause] Alright, Jay, you're gutted, but, well, buy her some flowers, you know the score. Jamie: What? Phil: Well, it's not as if you and Sonia ain't been there before, have you? Look, you say sorry for whatever, and she takes you back. Jamie: She wouldn't. Phil: She always has done. Jamie: [quietly] Yeah. Phil: Listen, if you want to be with somebody, you fight for them, don't you? Don't just give up. Jamie: [angrily] I'm not you, Phil. And, I ain't even said that I want her back. Phil: So, what's going on? Jamie: [shouting] I should never have lost her!

[messymindofmine]

Phil Mitchell & Jamie Mitchell's Relationship Through The Years Eastenders (for @messymindofmine)

Phil Mitchell: I, uh... I was thinking about, uh... A time me and Jamie had to go and pick up a, a broken-down van somewhere near Leyton. It took us two hours to get there, and he was giving me some grief because I, I wouldn't let him play his CD. Anyhow, it, it was chucking it down with rain and... Well, we weren't speaking by the time we got there, and the bloke says to him, uh, "Listen, you're going to have to take us, uh, to Catford." So Jamie says no. "No, mate, no, you mean Walford, and think yourself lucky at that." Anyway, the bloke says, "No, no, no, you, you don't understand. I've got, I've got me greyhounds in the, in the back of the van and they're racing at Catford tonight", and he says to me, uh, "I'll have to sit in the front of the, the truck with you because I, I can't bend me knee properly." He had some plate in his leg from the Falklands or something... And then, uh... Then he looked at Jamie... And he said, uh... "Your son will have to sit in the back of the van with the dogs because they get scared." So Jamie, he sits in the back of the van, all the way to Catford with these dogs. It must have taken us, uh, a good couple of hours. I never told that bloke that... That Jamie wasn't my son. He said he didn't have any kids and that I was lucky to have a boy. I just agreed with him. The thing is... Although Jamie wasn't my son, I really wish he had have been.

[messymindofmine]

Ronen Rubinstein as TK Strand in 9-1-1: Lone Star Season One

[messymindofmine]

New Sam Fender album in 4 days! I am not ready for the emotional destruction and to not understand half the mumbling

[messymindofmine]

Favorite Fandom Memories ♥️

Thank you @lemonlyman-dotcom for the tag!

I know I'm super late to the party but I wanted to wait until after the finale to share my favorite memories and then I felt I needed to gather my thoughts first.

Lone Star was the first show I watched live in years. And it wasn't until after s3 when I became more active in the fandom. I was introduced to this show by my best friend who felt such a deep kinship with TK Strand and was so touched by the relationships on this show that he said he needed to share it with someone and knew I would feel the same way. He was right.

It's hard to point to single memories but the experience of simply watching a show live week by week has been such a rollercoaster. I can't deny that there have been ups and downs but I can honestly say that this is the best fandom I've ever been a part of (and lemme tell you, I've experienced some toxic AF fandoms). The best part of fandom for me has always been seeing the works created by others and I am in awe of how talented this fandom is and the love that goes into the fanfics, and art and so many other types of fan works.

The show itself has meant so much to me and saying goodbye is so hard but the words of Winnie the Pooh ring so true to me. I have indeed been lucky to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

Never have I watched a show and fallen in love with every single character the way I did with Lone Star. I will never be able to pick between TK or Carlos because they are a package deal but I will say they both have a special place in my heart. I suppose the special spot I have for TK in particular is due to how alike he and my best friend who introduced me to this show are, I know he has found so much comfort and validation in TK. I want to give a special mention to Marjan Marwani. As a Muslim woman, seeing Marjan every week has been the most beautiful experience. To see a Muslim woman like her who is proud of her faith and has such a strong sense of identity is so incredibly meaningful. In a world that tells Muslim women that we don't belong anywhere, Marjan shows that she belongs anywhere she wants to. I am so glad we got to see her journey not only as a firefighter but also as a woman who fights against expectations and in the end gets to marry a man she loves and who loves her. I will never be over how breathtakingly beautiful she looked at her wedding. There is a moment in s4 where Marjan talks about the importance of her identity as Firefox and how she got stopped in the street by people thanking her for what she does. You can bet I would be one of those people. Sure, there are moments with Marjan I would have done differently as is true of the show itself but overall, I am so happy and grateful to see myself being represented in so many ways through her.

I know we all like to poke fun at our silly weewoo show and there certainly have been times where they've deserved it but I will be forever grateful for this show that gave us found family, healing from trauma, highlighting of mental health in a way that didn't feel forced and felt respectful and real, diverse, complex characters with their own stories and journeys, the most beautifully complex and loving father and son and of course, the couple of all time: our Tarlos. It still doesn't feel entirely real that we actually got a couple like Tarlos on our screens. No couple has ever had such a hold on me and they will always have a special spot in my heart. As much as I continue to cautiously hope for a spin-off or for the show to get picked up again, I am at peace with the ending that we have been given. No matter what, this show and all its characters will always be in my heart. And most of all, I hope that this fandom can continue to thrive even if it won't be quite the same. I hope that we can all continue to share our labours of love and our ideas and so much more with each other.

I will leave this an open tag for anyone who sees. I have loved seeing other people's favorite memories and I would love to keep seeing more ♥️

[messymindofmine]

a guide to calming TK down, by Carlos Reyes:

1. hold his neck. he’s still a feral cat deep down and he’ll go docile with that touch

2. eye contact. hit him with the carlos cow eyes. it’ll put him in a trance and make him forget about everything else

3. reassurance. he knows what you’re telling him, but he needs to hear it from you

4. kiss him. impossible for him to worry when his lips are occupied. experiment conducted thousands of times. always accurate.

5. pat him on the hip and make a joke. he’ll smile and you’ll feel a hundred feet tall for taking care of your baby

[messymindofmine]

So, uh, we don't know what's gonna happen when this rock hits, but it's probably not gonna be good. Everybody else gets to go home, be with their families and loved ones… but not us… 'cause we took an oath. We serve no matter what the danger, no matter what the cost.

911 Lone Star: Impact (5x11)

[messymindofmine]

911: Lone Star | Tarlos ↳ Guide to Calming TK Down, by Carlos Reyes (from @strandnreyes) & Bonus tag (from @dear-viv)

[messymindofmine]

That’s what brothers do.

@911giftexchange 🎁 for @911dawnstar | happy holidays, dawn! ❤️