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NANCY DREW PARALLELS

the echo of lost tears (2x18) ⇾ the ransom of the foresaken soul (3x13)

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Drew Crew Insta + some random posts

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So if you’re someone like me whose a glutton for punishment, even though 3x13 definitely brought the pain with it, the whole curse thing isn’t a problem for us (obviously contingent on being resolved at some point in season 4 but anyways). But I kinda felt like making this post for those who have either not warmed up to it yet or I feel need some convincing that the finale was actually amazing, so I’m gonna address several things including those that seemed to hit a particular nerve. Oh and by the way I want to make it clear that in saying what I say I’m not trying to make it seem that you have to blindly follow a show and never have problems with it, that’s still valid, but I do however in this case feel there’s been some unfair judgement, so you can agree or disagree as much as you like but this is my side of things. (also, obligatory long post warning)

Right out the gate, we have the whole section of the episode where Nancy thought she’d killed Temperance but was actually just in a sort of snapshot of reality that Temperance planted, giving Nancy a look into what her future might be in actually killing her. To those who feel we were faked out again, and in this instance believe that the show has betrayed them, here’s how I’m gonna explain to you how they actually didn’t. In previous dreamscape type instances, yes they avoided the whole actual kissing on the lips and all else, BUT that was out of it being completely fictitious, but here? here it was as Temperance expressed whilst bragging about her fortune telling ability, to be completely realistic, with her admitting that the only part that wasn’t supposed to happen was Ace’s death (which thankfully wasn’t real there, as much as giving Temperance credit isn’t at the top of my to do list) and this is all deliberate. The writers wouldn’t put something like that in there, without serious consideration, because even though Noga Landau admitted it wasn’t necessarily the plan the entire time for this, she did say it fit the bill for their idea of heroism and sacrifice. The whole point is that we feel the same level of pain as Nancy as that metaphorical rug is pulled from under us. Seeing Nancy in place of pure joy with someone she wholehearted loves in equal measure as they do back, as Ace does back, experiencing her bliss and then her pain, which they did quite impressively well.

The other major thing I want to address is obviously the whole curse situation. Let me say that obviously it hurts my heart as much as anyone else, but on all accounts we should’ve known even more so than we might’ve been prepared for that they’d be leaving deep claw marks after this one, in my experience in the third season of any show is where they really go for it, other shows haven’t done as well, but for me personally Nancy Drew has done it better than I’ve seen it done in a long time. I mean you’ve got to hand it to them that they know where the source is when creating drama, and what’s the point of having a show if there isn’t something to create angst or any other plot propelling content. Plus, I mean they gave us canon information that Nace feel the same strong feelings for one another, and I know soulmates is a term already in circulation but you know what they’re more than that, I don’t know what would be the accurate term for that but they’re beyond soulmates. The curse is necessary (if albeit annoyingly so) in driving the slowburn these two are for us to see just how strong that connection is, plus who doesn’t love a good curse breaking arc to further drive things home. I mean imagine the angst, but also the longing looks, plus considering what the last few minutes on 3x13 showed us with the missing bodies from that cemetery, guess who might need to visit the morgue? I mean Ace did say he would just let her in. Plus with what Landau and Hsu Taylor said about Ace being immediately suspicious of Nancy’s behaviour, thinking for sure that she’s in trouble. The POTENTIAL, I’m telling you. Also you never know, maybe something else will put Nancy in danger and Ace will have to do some saving huh? (possibly making it so Nancy has to take the chance and tell Ace about the curse) that’s great material to work with.

A side thing I want to address is Nancy’s harsh words before leaving his apartment, for those who didn’t catch on, Nancy was deliberately trying to sting Ace to keep him safe and drive him away, even when he showed clear signs of not believing her, pushing for the truth about if she’s in trouble (because Ace knows her so well that she wouldn’t be so cruel as that without there being some threat where she’s trying to get others out of harms way), which is something Ace hasn’t done commonly and wouldn’t do if it weren’t vehemently concerning and something that couldn’t wait (which by the way in the instance of getting a season 4 it’s already said discussions are going to be on how he’s going to be hot on the heels of finding out who or more so what is threatening her or otherwise causing her to act that way). Especially when as we know, why would they almost kiss and then all of a sudden such hostility?. Side note I feel like that whole scene in the apartment in the real-real timeline is so underrated, I mean we have tension, angst, Nancy saying she doesn’t think Ace ever lacked anything after him saying so (his face told you just how much that meant after all he’s been through!), then saying she missed Ace, Ace addressing the fact that after a whole month of avoidance he hopes the reason is that Nancy reciprocates his feelings but is scared to say so (if only he knew why poor boy), the almost kiss! and everything after that which sets up so much. (also, I know the whole multiple soulmates conversation with Carson brings some concern, but for now it was just a conversation between Nancy and her dad where he was trying to comfort her but also bolster her with the strength to not let her fate be steered by somebody else, I don’t think the showrunner/writers are solidly looking to pair Nancy with anyone else right now)

Quick in between point I want to make, I know this has been discussed over and over, but remember that as far as the curse goes, we might want Nancy to just tell Ace about it, but as the showrunners have stated, and really it’s pretty straightforward to understand without them saying so, that Nancy DOES NOT KNOW how the curse functions in and out, she got enough of a clue from the barometer when it broke as a warning when Nancy forgot about it for a second, so as frustrating as you might find that and as much of a risk as you might be willing to take, Nancy understandably isn’t even with the price it holds over her.

One other thing I want to talk about here is going back to those last few minutes of 3x13. With the hopes of a season 4 (also hopefully back to our Wednesday slot and 18 episodes), the showrunners said that that part was set up with the promise of not only sort going back to their roots of season 1/ season 2 stuff, but also we’ll have a bit of a pallet cleanser amongst other aspects they’re looking to explore, so even with what is set up in the Nace angst department, they’re not looking to torture us forever and they haven’t forgotten the new mystery aspect we love, but again good television such as Nancy Drew is has to draw you in. They did really well with a shorter episode order which was out of their control, and I at least think that if this doesn’t end up being your favourite season, that it’s at least in no way something that could be even considered a weak piece of television, I certainly don’t. 

Anyways, that’s me dumping a bit of brain rot on you, I might make more posts, but if I don’t I’ll be keeping an eye on anything anyone else posts, because there’s a wonderful amount of lovely people on here making content, plus twitter of course (these sites have their good spots). Until further notice let’s still spread the message of #renewnancydrew and annoy the hell out of the CW to get more seasons out of them (I’m very optimistic right now and will continue as such), I’ve heard that any announcement of another season may be likely to be announced in the next month or two, so lets keep it up till then.

Here’s the season 3 finale interview below if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s got some good content to keep you going till the CW gets their act together.

https://ew.com/tv/nancy-drew-season-3-finale-spoilers/

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Just forever thinking about that last Nace scene in the episode (3x13), and the profoundness of Nancy waiting a month, isolating herself for a month from those she loves - grieving a life - grieving her life. How she basically lived off the flashes and glimpses she would allow herself to see of Ace in passing as she calculated when and where and how to bypass him, how she knew he was probably thinking of a million reasons why she was avoiding him and none of them were even remotely close to the truth, how that morning, she went to everyone and maybe even debated with herself as she drove in his direction if she would even stop, but then her car is parked before her brain can fully make the decision (her heart does it for her). And then she tells herself the lie of maybe he won’t be home. Maybe I can just see how he’s doing and I won’t have to face him - and that idea doesn’t make her feel any less assured in what she’s doing - it only flares up the persistent and permanent ache residing in her chest.

She breaks in and he’s not there and so she allows herself space, breathing room, to look at how far he’s come, and she’s so immensely proud of him even though she was proud of him before- proud of the man he was - because that’s who she fell for - all these achievements are just affirmations of what she already knew he could be - and she wants to tell him this - that none of it really matters in the end - only he matters to her - so much - and she can feel the tears start to well as…

“…I would have just let you in…”

I know you would have she probably thinks. But some of us aren’t strong enough to ask.

Some us waited a month to even come here. Some us hate that we did because now that you are here, it’s just going to make time all the more cruel - the minutes after I leave - the hours left in this day and the next and the next - they’ll all be filled with you. With the thought of you.

But then he’s in her space because her feeble attempt at conversation is weaker than she anticipated and he’s telling her how far he’s come and she already knows but he didn’t need to - so “you never were” slips out and now he knows - at least a part of the truth - was that enough?

No, because then he has a theory and he was always so smart of course he hadn’t thought of a million wrong reasons - he thought of the singular correct one.

And she wants to tell him he’s right - that he figured it out like he always does - but would that be too much? If she just agreed. Would that spark the start of the curse? They are already this close after all - he’s so close - and if she just -

There’s nothing to be afraid of…

And the familiar echo of glass cracking tells her this scene would always end this way - she could never change the ending.

(it was her fate now)

And so the anger bubbles over because why did she have to be condemned to this life? Why her? Hadn’t she lost enough?

The universe apparently doesn’t think so.

But then her frustration rattles her enough that in the heat of the moment she spats it out -

“Look through my eyes…”

She slams the door and rests herself on the other side - she doesn’t know what she left him with- maybe a broken heart - maybe pieces of hers…

Maybe hope…

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Can we talk about That Scene™ in 3.13 for a minute? Right after Nancy says “There’s nothing to be afraid of,” I always thought Ace’s head movement was him shaking his head no. As if saying “no, you’re right, there’s nothing to be afraid of.” But after rewatching, I realized he isn’t shaking his head. He’s actually looking down at something.

He’s looking down because that’s the exact moment when Nancy grabs a fistful of his shirt.

And if you look closely, you can even see him leaning forward a bit because she is pulling him into her by his shirt.

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NACE + “AFRAID”/”SCARED”

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Reason #5 Nancy & Ace deserve (and are destined) to be endgame - (S01E01, S02E05 & S03E13)

Nancy Drew Director Larry Teng actually shared these parallel shots on his official instagram following the Season 3 finale wherein he clarified how the first offered here in this post is “Nancy finding her home in Nick versus finding her home in Ace” — This means that the show canonically recognizes that Nancy now sees Ace as being more than just a partner or a boyfriend, he’s grown to become her new “home”. When Nancy began her journey in the show she was lost on a search to reclaim those feelings of home in wake of losing her mother and discovering a new normal - She was lucky enough to meet Nick and begin a relationship with him. Unfortunately for them both, they came to realize quite quickly that Nancy was not ready to fully commit herself to the kind of committed intimacy Nick was in search of himself and Nick rightfully ended their romantic connection to allow each of them to find what they need. By the time we get to Season 2 the Drew Crew has a blow out of confessions at the Claw where Nick takes out some of his residual frustrations of how he felt used by Nancy, back when they were together. I found it interesting that of all people to offer illumination in this moment, it’s Ace that translates what Nick is really upset about, illustrating how Ace has been able to see and accept ALL of Nancy from the very beginning, and not just what she wants people to see.

It feels quite fitting then that by the time we arrive at the finale for Season 3, when Nancy’s alternate timeline/forecast self finally finds the right timing to connect with Ace, she views him as being her new home - A safe place for her to finally embrace all that she is without fear of judgement. Another parallel Larry presents is that of an emotionally betrayed Nancy. He offers that initially in the pilot we see Nancy experience “the betrayal of finding out the truth about Nick versus how she feels she’s betrayed herself for not being able to live her truth” in the Season 3 finale. One could argue this shows how evolved Nancy’s intimate connections have become to the point that now she sees her unavoidable feelings for Ace as being her intrinsic ‘truth’. This exemplifies how Nancy’s feelings for and relationship with Ace is not just a fleeting moment in the show, but rather a deep evolution of the character coming into herself by finding her ‘truth’ and ‘home’ within her perfect match in Ace.

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Things about Ace that Nancy knows (that he doesn’t remember she knows)

He sleeps hot, like a furnace, but she doesn’t mind because she feels safe. 

He spends more money on his bedsheets than she expected, they’re soft and feel expensive. 

She loves the smell of his fabric softener.

The sleeves of his shirts are just a little long on her, but that just means she can clutch them in her hands when she’s feeling nervous.

He has a picture of his mom on his nightstand. 

His hair is even softer when he first wakes up. 

The sun shines perfectly into his bedroom, and his eyes shine even brighter in the morning light.

Waking up next to Ace feels like the most natural thing she’s ever done. 

Their hands fit perfectly, as if they were shaped in clay together, always meant to be clasped.

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NANCY DREW | ace smiling because he's with the love of his life

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Okay so. I’ve been tag ranting since ✨feelings reveal✨ about how Ace holds space for Nancy.

(I mean, I wrote a fic that’s literally 20k of Ace holding space….)

And this big ending, miscommunication, fight, protect your love, scene is even more of an extension of this, and really shows his growth and his confidence.

Ace waits. He looks at this woman that he loves and he watches her try so very hard to continually hold herself together for other people. Because other people ask things of her constantly. So Ace doesn’t. Ace waits. He gives her space.

“When you’re ready to not avoid….”

And he does it again here. Sure, it’s partially fueled by his own struggles with self-worth, but he lets her do it.

Keep reading

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Now the other man that holds space for Nancy is Carson.

Carson knows her better than anyone, and it really shows in their last conversation. It’s a nice contrast to her conversation with Ace, because as soon as he gives her the opening, “If there’s anything else…you need to talk about”, she starts crying. Here’s the space for her to be vulnerable right now.

She’s been walking around with the knowledge that she can’t have the man she loves, fighting to keep him alive and she’s about to crack. So when her father, whom she trusts so much, gives her an opening, she’s going to take it. Because she can’t talk about it with the one person she really wants to.

There’s also a whole parallel here to Nancy choosing Ace in 2x12, compared to choosing him here and then realizing she can’t selfishly prioritize him and them over the whole town and going back on her choice. Given his reaction in 2x12, if he knew the choice she’s making, I think he would be proud. (Cut to Nancy asking more than once, how many people died in the tidal wave.)

Its so much. She’s been carrying this alone, for a month, trying to preserve this gorgeous future she got to see for everyone else, even if her own piece of it is gone. “In order to save the town I gave up control of my fate. And I lied to the man that I love to save his life. And now I have to spend the rest of mine paying this terrible price.”

Keep reading

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Am I in the minority that kinda loved that whole episode? Yes it wrecked me seeing how everything could have turned out to where it actually ended up.. but we are on the right track now.

It wasn’t a dreamscape.. or was it? Neither temperance or Nancy was controlling what happened. I saw it more as a glimpse into the future.

Nancy would not manifest Ryan dying and in the current reality as soon as possible she took that shard out of Ryan’s neck even though there were no indicators of anything being wrong.

I guess that’s what makes this episode so powerful (and so painful). Nancy knows what her future with Ace could be like. How happy they would both be, how supportive he would be and how he just gets her.

Maybe in season 4 we will see Nancy exploring if another soulmate is possible for her, and then I hope we see her chose Ace and fighting for their future because she realises everything else pales in comparison to what they could share.

The biggest kicker for me was Ace thinking Nancy saw him as lacking.. like ouch that is so far from the truth

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"I've had feelings for you for a long time"

Ace told Nancy he knew that he had feelings for her for a long time. But for how long?

Did he know it way back then, when she was always touching him in mid-thought? When he felt her hand on his arm and tried not to react?

Or when he found himself offering her support when she needed it most?

Could it have been the time desire took her and it shocked him so much that he could only enjoy the feeling of her fingers running through his hair before he came to his senses and pushed her away?

Or when he trusted her with his life?

Was it finding out about someone else's love with her that lit the spark?

Or was it when she took him in her arms and told him she couldn't lose him and he felt nothing but relief before the anger truly came?

Was it seeing her with someone else that bothered him in a way that it shouldn't have?

Or did he figure it out when he realized everything he could lose?

Could it have been the day he tried to convince her she was amazing and realized exactly how amazing he thought she was?

Or when he always understood?

Or was it all the way back at the beginning, the very first time they met and she confided in him? How could he pin down the enormity of what he felt for her? It had started as nothing and grown so much, and now it felt like everything.

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nancy + in the aftermath [3.11]

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the spellbound juror (3x11)

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Tarot card predictions: It's the end of the season finale. It's night time, and the crew has one last chance to prevent Temperance from completing her plan. She has 3 of the 4 pieces of Charity's soul. Ryan is the 4th.

One of you will wreak havoc on this town: In order to draw Temperance to the border, Bess casts a spell that covers the entirety of the town. The plan is to attract Temperance to the border with the "havoc" and lock her out again.

One of you will be the other's demise: Temperance is already one step ahead of them. Something goes wrong with the plan because of Temperance. Nick is unable to complete his part of the plan.

One of you will lose your heart: Temperance can then reach Ryan, and Ryan loses his heart. (But Bess later brings him back like she did Kegstand).

One of you will forsake what is dearest to you: George abandons her part of the plan to go to Nancy. Temperance needs Nancy to complete her own plan. The plan was important to George, as it would have kept the crew together. This ties into other themes for George this season, such as her dad abandoning her. The crew is her true family, and she's giving that up in a sense by being the one to inform Nancy and Ace what has happened.

One of you will betray your true love: Nancy and Ace are at the border. George explains the plan failed. Nancy and Ace kiss as Temperance approaches. Nancy wants to stay to fight. But Ace pushes Nancy past the border just as Temperance arrives. This is a betrayal both because Nancy wants to stay, and Nancy is losing Horseshoe Bay. In 3x01 especially, it was established how important Horseshoe Bay is to Nancy.

Only one of you will fulfill your destiny; that one will cause the rest to fall: The spell goes permanent. Nancy is locked out, and Temperance is locked in. Because Temperance cannot use or reach her, Nancy saves the town. But, the crew falls apart without her, as she is what binds them.

Of course, it's entirely possible the predictions have been happening gradually. 3x10 in particular would work perfectly for "one of you will wreak havoc on this town," with Bess casting a truth spell that goes wrong. But it's also entirely possible none of them have happened yet. If that's the case, what if they're like dominos? One happens, and the rest happen right after.

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just watched the new nancy drew ep! here are my thoughts:

1. firstly, i’m for equal-opportunity-pining. nancy realized Feelings last season and has been low key not low key pining since then—for whatever was going on in ace’s mind while she was with gil, he was also with amanda and clearly, from the writing, was not acknowledging Feelings As Feelings. so i do not mind to see some active pining on both their ends, tbh.

2. let’s not call this a love triangle; an attempt it may be, and i respect all thoughts on why that’s not fun for viewers, but two points of the triangle are main characters. one isn’t. it’s math!! 

2a. i don’t even know park’s first name. that’s how little fleshing out he has had. 

2b. ok technically i don’t also know ace’s last name. but we all know it’s hardy

3. from a character pov, honestly, this makes sense. sure, on one hand we can look at it from a basic writing pov: we have 3 more episodes and there needs to be an emotional arc to carry us into the finale. ace and nancy can’t get together til end of ep 12, maybe 13, and there needs to be x obstacle. is it disappointing that it’s another love interest?

maybe. but it’s incredibly in character for nancy to hide her actual feelings with the rush of a fresh fling and to use sex as a distraction. is it healthy of her? is it a backslide? should she have sat with what she thought was rejection from ace and waited for an explanation rather than take the easy option that she’s not as emotionally invested in? duh. but it’s also classic her. she’s a brick wall. 

but this is also part of the pay off i’m expecting for nace as we get towards the finale. some kind of vocalization that nancy knows she’s using park as a temporary bandaid for what she is stifling and expecting rejection, because with ace it’s been building for so long that she’s terrified of implosion and actually reliving her hurt and abandonment issues. 

4. that said, poor park, right? but i’m not convinced. he seems like a nice guy, but it also seems a bit too tidy. he accepted the supernatural way too easily (maybe it’s plot, but), he and temperance have had a few weird moments, where he dropped everything for her, and then i haven’t forgotten the hand shaking bit that definitely felt like an important moment. i’m not convinced he doesn’t have an agenda that’s tied to a larger plot, and felt like he was very careful in how he answered questions under a truth serum. 

so that’s it. i wouldn’t worry, bebes, and i’m ready for the next part of the ride!

and i love angst. so. viva angst