redjadethewriter

[redjadethewriter]

I Enjoyed The Last of Us Season 2, And I Can Imagine Myself In That World...

The Last of Us Season 2 is complete. How do I feel about it since I enjoyed the games and the first season of the series? I absolutely enjoyed every episode and the changes they made for season 2. And I understand fully that this season has its discourse, just like the game. So, I expected the reviews to be divided, regardless of what the creators tried to avoid. I sometimes think the heavier stance is always going to have better results than those who try to soft-blow or dodge backlash. At least to me, it shows a creative, bold stance, and usually I admire that approach more than the other. Therefore, I enjoyed both the series and the games equally, despite what changes they made, and what I didn’t like about what they did with Abby in the series versus the game Abby.

 I enjoyed the changes to Ellie in the series to make her appear more realistic as a 19-year-old. I told my friend older adults like me who are civil aren’t gonna straight-up tell young adults that they are annoying, arrogant, naïve, impulsive, or anything of the sort because, at least I’m aware, or I didn’t forget the experiences of that age, that is a more accurate depiction of a young adult. 

Even my friend and I agreed because we worked in retail for so long that we see people in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s, acting like a bunch of young adults negatively. Not even in the positive. I mean, straight-up, you want to bite your tongue. Or like my friend, he balls his fist, thinking, who wants to knock out that person? Usually a guy. Women are annoying to handle, but dealing with guys is the scariest, because they can do a lot of damage if they lose control of their composure. People just don’t know until they know. Really… all those jobs didn’t pay me anywhere near enough to deal with people’s issues. 

And this brings me to the reason I enjoyed the games so much and the series, which displayed what I enjoyed about that world. Surprisingly enough, I am one of those people who can imagine myself in that world. But not for what people would think. Of course, an apocalypse, even regarding fungus taking over a human body, is frightening as hell, but it’s more about the aftermath of the collapse of societal structures and the destruction of the capital-C-ism. It also showed how individualism is a made-up concept, and it doesn’t work at all in nature.  I always told people the lone-wolf concept is toxic by nature, because they would be dead earlier than the pack working together to protect each other and thrive. A lone wolf is a dead wolf, and a lonely one. 

It shows with Bill. He could get around alone for a while, but he was miserable, and of course, in that episode, it showed what happens if he can’t fend off the raiders alone, and he gets seriously injured. The show doesn’t explicitly show it, but from my perspective, Bill survives his injuries because of Frank. It puts a lot more meaning behind why Bill died, along with Frank. Even though I wouldn’t do it the way the show displayed it, because there are things wrong with it, I can acknowledge what they were trying to convey in this somewhat romantic act. But as a partner, I wouldn’t trust that way to make sure they have a peaceful death. That’s when the sacrifice comes into play in my peaceful way of going to make sure my partner gets the best treatment. Because in reality, whoever passes first, is gonna get the best treatment by their legitimate loved ones in terms of their passing, and probably get the better arrangements. In the Last of Us world, there’s no one else if you live alone like that with only one other person. So, I replayed the scene in my mind, playing as Bill, giving Frank the drugs so he can fall asleep and be unaware of things. Take my pistol and make it clean and quick, and give them the luxury of being buried with absolute care. Then I would go off into the wild in Bill fashion and do a lot of good by thinning out the infected along with the raiders. Nothing is more dangerous than a man who no longer fears death, because they would welcome it so they can be reunited with their loved ones. But that’s just me if I were in that world.

However, there’s some beauty in that world, regarding Jackson. That’s what I was referring to with that I could imagine living in that world. Everyone in that town works as a collective, relying on each other. Every person is important to the livelihood of Jackson. Even Joel, being an experienced killer, could be a contractor again, and help build up Jackson, by fixing and creating new homes as well as using his experience with weapons to protect the settlement with his brother Tommy. I can imagine myself, with the unique skills I have, contributing a lot better in that world and having that sensation of purpose because all the things I do would have true meaning. Because everyone has to work as a collective to survive as well as thrive in that world. And even in Fedra, which is a representation of the F-ism, it still relied on collectivism versus individualism, except it’s forced onto the people to submit and comply. WLF is no different, except there’s the illusion of democracy and freedom, when in reality it still relies on military control and so many more issues. I mean, take your pick on issues, but the best outcome of building a new life post-apocalypse is the Jackson Community.

In the series, you get to see more in-depth how Jackson functions as a collective society. They have a council and town hall meetings to discuss things. You get to see how they handle a crisis together through the stampede of the infected. Therefore, I viewed it as more compelling than the game, because I wanted to see how Jackson would handle threats as such. And I kinda smacked myself in the head when Ellie told Gale the truth, instead of playing into Joel’s white lie, because she was so mad at Joel, and she doesn’t understand how much more devastating things are if you say the exact truth. Lies have their purpose, regardless of what people believe. Gale is practically the worst psychotherapist now, and I don’t know how she was beforehand, but she’s the type of person who needed that lie to keep herself grounded and going. Because the last session with Joel was the worst scene to stomach when you are a patient who needs help, but the therapist weaponized their abilities to hurt people mentally and emotionally. 

Despite what people think of the show, throwing in their identity politics and subjective opinions on the series or even the game, both the series and the game are phenomenally done, regardless of expectations. The series includes many well-thought-out details that are impossible to ignore; for example, the way they created Jackson, Fedra, the WLF, and the Seraphite. The series displays how a threat, such as the Fungus infection, evolves based on spreading. When something wants to spread, it will evolve and adapt to do so. And I enjoy seeing that on the show. 

Now I want season 3, please. 

[redjadethewriter]

Series Ellie Versus Game Ellie (The Last of Us Season 2)

“Last of Us” fans who’ve played the games and are watching season two likely noticed a key difference between the game and show versions of Ellie, especially in episode five. The Ellie/Nora scene, spoiler alert, lacked the raw anger many expected. Some critics felt the torture scene felt jarring and unearned. This is understandable because the game version of Ellie is known for explosive anger. A good example is the displayed anger in her interactions with Dina after the pregnancy reveal. The game Ellie is visually and emotionally volatile. However, since episode three, the show’s Ellie exhibits a quieter, simmering anger. Notice her facial expressions as she leaves the hospital—a sly grin quickly turning to a deadpan stare. This mirrored her encounter with Nora; both scenes use close-ups to highlight her controlled fury.

Episode 5 changed my perspective on episode 3. Initially, I saw it as filler, but it’s actually packed with foreshadowing. Why introduce Gail, the therapist, and give Seth extra screen time? Even Ellie’s speech to the council about justice—which we know is a lie—is vital. Seth’s speech beforehand felt like a clumsy attempt to appease a grieving daughter. But it was more than that. When he aided Dina and Ellie’s plan against Abby, his sarcastic comment about Ellie’s “justice” speech revealed his awareness of their vengeful scheme. Meaning, he knew perfectly well it wasn’t about justice. And Gail’s conversation with Tommy at the baseball game foreshadowed Ellie’s sinister transformation. Episode 5 connected these threads, highlighting Ellie’s increasingly ruthless pursuit of revenge in a darker, more sinister manner.

However, I need to highlight a lot of the telling about Ellie’s anger. We learn from Dina and Jesse that Ellie has anger management problems, despite not showing them in episode 3 or later episodes. It tells me Ellie used to be explosive. Jesse advising Ellie to write their speech instead of just speak their mind. Dina offering cookies, before telling Ellie the truth about what she knew about the group who killed Joel, knowing Ellie would get reckless. To even Episode 5, when Dina suggested Ellie to not shoot and just run, knowing Ellie usually acts impulsively. But that’s not what we see. We see a more composed Ellie with a sharpness, and hides more behind jokes and playful banter.

Even in episode 1, we see an impulsive Ellie who manipulates Tommy by screaming to vast nothingness that she’s immune to get their way. Tommy said in the show that Ellie is just like Joel. And I’m seeing that more clearly than the game version of Ellie. Joel had a silent rage. He kept his emotions locked in tight and wore a stoic expression. Ellie is mirroring the same now, after Joel’s death. Even though she screwed up with Nora, letting her guard down, which led to the infamous chase throughout the hospital and ended up in the basement with spores, Ellie displayed that silent rage. The deadpan stare, kneeling eye-level with a choking Nora who’s trapped. The context of the scene of Ellie acting in that manner gave me chills because even though Ellie has power now, she maintains the deadpan stare and kneels at eye level with Nora. This is a taunting display. Which feels different from the game version.

To point out the differences in power display, we witness Isaac torturing the Scars, always having his victims lower, as he towers over them. That’s a display of power and control. With children, an adult should kneel at eye-level with the child to mitigate the overpowering stance of power and control. But for an adult, doing that to another adult, especially an adult who’s trapped and slowly getting consumed by the fungus, what does that tell you as a viewer?

Nora knows Ellie’s in control, and Ellie knows she has the upper-hand. This was a final, polite “Where’s Abby?”, before things escalated, the silent rage simmering. Even to torturing point. So, if you expected the game’s explosive anger from Ellie in the series, you’ll be disappointed.

Now for my final thought.

I’m enjoying the series, flaws and all, as a work of art in its own right. Which I will say this outright. I’m frustrated by viewers demanding it mirror the game exactly. Those types of reviewers annoy the hell out of me. Now… The game was great, but the room for improvements was always possible. Game narratives prioritize gameplay, unlike film or TV. So, the series’ changes add realism to it and it makes more sense for on-screen digestion. For instance, the Episode 5 spore sequence vividly depicts the fungus’s evolution, adaptation, and spread—a sense of foreboding the game lacked. Now we get a sense that the stakes are higher along with the jump-scares and action scenes. The game just really had jump-scares and not much of an evolution of the fungus.

Ok, I’m done ranting…

I can’t wait to see Ellie’s reaction after killing Nora. From there, I’ll see where they’ll take the character, moving forward.

[redjadethewriter]

I PROMISE TO WAIT...

WARNING!!! DON'T READ IF SELF-HARM AND DEATH ARE TRIGGERING TOPICS!

WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE SO COLD? The aches and shivers overwhelm me, making my joints too tense to endure. It’s a grip tightening tension to where I just want to say ‘F-this’ and give up. The priest had already said his last prayers and final guidance as if he understood my soul needed peace for the long night ahead.  A Rabi came before him, offering solemn words not too long ago, which was strange to have both visit me within an hour before visitations ended.

Life wasn’t so grim at this peaceful hour with only the Asian Nurse and I in this dim sterile scented room. The heart monitor lays silent and the wires and I.V. lines didn’t seem as apparent with how exhausting staying awake became. Her blue scrubs faded in and out, with her long silk black hair loose as she pinched a butterfly needle into my already bruised forearm, trying to hunt for a vein that had enough blood to take for another round of testing. Yet again, always leaving another mark with each try.  Both arms jacked-up like a junkie with no mercy to how sore it stung under my skin; raw and tender as my soul wanting to leave this broken body behind.

The Nurse notices my discomfort and decides to pull a chair from the corner, and drags it to the side of the bed to sit on. She lays her hand over mine and gently holds it, not really saying anything.

“I’m tired,” I sigh.

“Then sleep a little.”

“Can I have some water now?”

“Not until morning,” she rejects.

‘Fuck the morning’ I said to myself, thinking it had been twelve hours already since I guzzled a bottle of the Grim Reapers peach tea. Nasty as fucking hell. Why did I do it again?

At this point, who cares, right?  Death himself has been lurking in that same shadowy corner since they brought me here. The blackness of his presence was waiting for me tonight with his shadow creeping across the floor, stretching closer with every hour towards my bedside. And with every inch the coldness began to fade.

Who said death was agonizing and frightening, when all I sense is peace from what it offers. I just want to fall into an endless sleep with how comforting the tension eases, and my eyelids began to weigh heavy enough to seal shut completely with how hard it became to stay awake. As I let go, they finally collapse, and my mind separates from reality by falling into a soothing slumber.

“Do you really want to sleep?” an ominous voice asks. “Is this what you really want…? To leave me searching forever and never finding you.” Her disappointed tone draws me into a dream of only white light. “Do you really want to leave me this much?”

“What’s the point anyway…? I’m tired.”

“So, what you said before about deciding when it’s your time to go… was that a lie? Are you gonna let yourself give up now after promising me that we will find each other.  Were you just lying about how strong you are?”

“I thought I was strong enough to endure this life, but I overestimated everything.”

“What about me, then? What am I supposed to do? Never find you. Tell me if that’s even fair at all.”

“Sorry… I know it’s unfair to you. It just hurts so much.”

“I know… but you have to keep your word—what we promised, okay? Give me time and I will find you. Believe in me.  I will find you. Then we can finally be together in this life.”

“That sounds nice…”

“It is… Just wait a little longer, okay.”

“If you say so…”

“Promise me!”

“I promise.”

“Good! Now wake up!”

Suddenly, my eyes open to the morning light beaming in through the shadeless windows, welcoming me back into the world once again. The nurse walks in. “Looks like your liver enzymes are stabilizing.” She’s holding a paper cup in one hand. “You can have some water now.”

I’ll wait for you…

To any reader,

The first thought that comes to mind about what this short story is about is likely the correct one.

I've always been inclined to write from the darker end of the spectrum. Some people in my life even say I'm just a delicious, hopeless, dark romantic. It can come across in that way, but this is just how I utilize emotions and how I phrase things when I can't come up with simpler words to describe it. However, ever since I was a kid, I've always set foot into nihilism, realism, and pessimism alongside esoteric beliefs/spiritualism. It's why I resonated more with writers who delved into the darker aspects of the psyche and the complexities of humanity. I don't suppress the darker aspects of myself, which is why certain stanzas of my poetry stand out the most in describing myself.

"I am now a shield and sword in this game of trivials, Becoming friends with the beast instead of sparring rivals."

It's much more liberating to accept all aspects of myself because, like in another stanza I wrote before this one, it describes perfectly when certain aspects of myself are left unchecked.

"Sins of a beast leaves trails of ruin, Love withers away and splits apart at the seams, Until I can no longer wear the mask with dignity."

Now, most masks are off.

[redjadethewriter]

Main Character Sapphic Relationships That Could've Been and The Lack of Specifying Queer Couples on Mainstream Shows...

Just this morning, I was reminded of how some shows used to portray the development of two female characters’ friendship in such a natural way that it could be perceived as a romantic relationship. In the past, homosexuality wasn’t widely accepted in the media, and although we still have a long way to go, things are gradually changing. However, in those earlier shows, they created organic same-sex friendships with subtle hints of something more. For instance, a kiss between two same-sex characters might be hidden behind a situation, like one of them being in a cursed slumber and being kissed on the lips by their same-sex best friend. Even though these characters were the protagonists of the series, they were never explicitly portrayed as a couple or reached the point of their friendship turning romantic, despite having a firm foundation for it.

There are two series that depict female protagonists who develop a deep bond with their same-sex best friend. In one series, it is not specified that they are in a romantic relationship, while in the other series, romance is never explored. These two series are Xena: Warrior Princess and CW’s Supergirl.

Throughout the six seasons of Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena and Gabrielle become the best same-sex couple without explicitly acknowledging their relationship on screen. However, there are many scenes in season one and especially in season six that strongly suggest their romantic connection. Unfortunately, societal homophobia often limits their expression of love.

In the show, male characters are introduced as romantic interests for both Xena and Gabrielle, but these relationships are short-lived and lack depth. The bond between Gabrielle and Xena, on the other hand, remains consistently wholesome throughout each episode and season. Later in the show, it is revealed that they are soulmates and they even share parental responsibilities for a brief period. They do share kisses, but only under certain circumstances. Their influence on each other’s journey is profound, as they support and rescue one another when needed.

It is interesting to note that despite the show being set in ancient Greece and Rome, both known for their bohemian lifestyles, same-sex relationships are not openly depicted. This is ironic, considering the prevalence of such relationships during that era. In fact, there were many same-sex romantic exchanges among men, especially among soldiers, as part of their rite of passage. However, accounts of same-sex relationships involving women were often disregarded, similar to how Japanese culture primarily focuses on documenting same-sex relationships among men, overlooking those among women.

Now, with the addition of Supergirl, we are introduced to Lena Luther and Kara Danvers, also known as Supergirl. Throughout the show, there is a notable representation of sapphic relationships through Alex Danvers, Kara’s older sister. However, the most natural progression can be seen between Lena and Kara. Their bond had the potential to develop into a beautiful and slow-burning romance, but unfortunately, it did not come to fruition. I firmly believe that the creators did not want to depict two leading ladies in a romantic relationship with each other, even though the audience witnessed these characters laying the foundation for one. Some may argue that their connection is simply a loving friendship, but it is important to remember that a romantic relationship is often built upon a firm foundation of friendship. A successful relationship requires more than just physical intimacy; it needs support, trust, emotional closeness, and genuine care for one another.

Just like in Xena: Warrior Princess with Gabriella and Xena, getting tossed flat male relationships to appease the audience with some form of romance, the same issue occurred in Supergirl. The male romances introduced to Lena and even Kara fell flat. I think the writers probably wanted to write Lena and Kara getting together, but they couldn’t get that to happen. Maybe the media’s ingrained homophobia prevented the writers from pairing the two leading ladies. Who knows, really?!

I want to clarify that I am not against straight relationships when comparing these two series. I actually enjoy well-executed romance between heterosexual characters, but only in series that display them with quality, because not all series portray it effectively. On the other hand, some series do an excellent job. One example is “The Outpost,” a sci-fi fantasy series exclusive to CW. Surprisingly, the best romantic developments occur between the supporting characters, like Munt and Warlita. When their relationship finally blossoms, they become the cutest couple on the show. Munt’s character growth is satisfying to watch, as he initially appears as just the muscle of the show and a bit dim-witted. However, he later reveals his heart of gold, which makes his romantic evolution with Warlita even more heartwarming. Another well-developed romantic relationship is between Janzo and Wren, who even have a child together in the show. Unfortunately, the series fails to give Janzo and Munt their own weddings. Instead, Talon and Spears, who I personally found to be the least believable couple, receive a wedding at the end. I’m not a fan of the trope of ending a series with a wedding, as it feels overused. Additionally, combining Talon’s coronation and wedding to Spears felt forced and unnecessary. I preferred Talon’s character as a lone queen who would heal a nation, rather than being tied to a romantic partner. It’s disappointing to see the writers mishandle the romance between Talon and Spears, especially when they were able to create a more emotionally intimate bond between Talon and Qwynn. It’s interesting that they can create better emotional bonds between women but have an issue with hetero romances among the main characters.

By the way, not all main characters need a romantic ending or pairing for a satisfying conclusion. In fact, I can already envision Talon and Spears getting a divorce. They were the worst couple in the show, and I’m never going to change my mind about that. Personally, I would have been happier to see Munt and Warlita or Janzo and Wren receive a wedding. It’s frustrating that the supporting characters were denied a happy ending. It just makes little sense to me how these shows are written.

I believe that CW rarely focuses on developing strong romantic relationships for their main characters. I’m talking about legit quality that makes your mouth water and I’ve seen quite a bit of their stuff. They have a lot more misses than hits. However, it is entertaining to see the supporting characters shine in some of their series. This is why it’s disappointing to me that Lena and Kara never got the chance to explore their romance, even though it seemed like they were naturally heading in that direction. It’s frustrating when media fails to prioritize and properly develop these meaningful relationships between certain characters on screen.

Another example of this is “The Legend of Korra,” although it aired on a different channel. In Seasons 3 and 4, we saw the relationship between Asami and Korra grow, but it was always subtly portrayed and only hinted at their friendship evolving into something more. Especially in the ending scene of Season 4, when Asami and Korra entered the spirit gate and shared a meaningful gaze, many people’s instincts told them there was a romantic connection. Even my gaydar flared and I’m an oblivious person. So, the release of the comic “The Turf Wars” confirmed that they were indeed interested in each other romantically and could finally be together as a couple.

To wrap up this blog filled with my random thoughts, I must voice my annoyance with the lack of representation and openness regarding same-sex relationships among the main characters in a certain series. I’m talking about mainstream, not independent. It would truly be miraculous if we could progress beyond homophobia and openly acknowledge the relationship status of these characters. Fortunately, we are making some progress, but slowly. A notable example of this is seen in “Interview With The Vampire,” where two male vampires were depicted as being in a domestic relationship and were the central focus of the story. Despite it displaying an abusive relationship, all scenes of Louis and Lestat are believable and delicious to watch. So, why can’t we also see a more mainstream series featuring two female main characters developing into a sapphic relationship, but done with the same organic quality and build up just like Lena and Kara, Xena and Gabrielle, and even Korra and Asami, with actual satisfying endings.

I hope nobody ever brings up foreign shows, because I’ve seen quite a few and they also have their problems, particularly with toxic tropes, internalized misogyny, and those awful scene ideas that some series showcased, completely ruining the show for me. I mean, seriously, what were they thinking? I’m talking about scenes that were just beyond unrealistic. And don’t even get me started on how so many GL shows end with a wedding.

I can feel a headache brewing as I think about it.

[redjadethewriter]

Which Arcane Lady Is Girlfriend or Wife Material?

The women in Arcane League of Legends are some of the best developed animated characters I’ve seen in a long time, specifically designed for adults to watch. Unlike animated characters aimed at children, they cater to an older audience. As someone who enjoys animation and appreciates the quality of storytelling it offers, I want to explore something fun in this blog: using the female characters as an example. My focus will be on whether they would make compatible companions for me. To illustrate this, I’ll draw from my own preferences and experiences, particularly when discussing the qualities of each character. Ultimately, I’ll be determining who fits my standards of being girlfriend material and who doesn’t.

Before I dive in, I want to point out, in the series, Caitlyn and Violet stood out as the more explicit couple. However, Jayce’s relationship with Mel was not as clear-cut. While they hooked up, they were not explicitly a couple. On the other hand, Jayce and Viktor had a stronger, more established connection.

In my opinion, Viktor and Jayce are actually a compatible couple. It’s clear that they were into each other. Although the writers didn’t explicitly state it, Jayce seemed to be attracted to Viktor and displayed a bisexual inclination.

Viktor, on the other hand, is an enigma. He was never interested in Sky. Actually, for a second, I thought Viktor was asexual. However, I soon realized he had a soft spot for Jayce. Viktor probably is Asexual, but it’s important to note that Asexuals can love and be in a healthy relationship as well. But who really knows what Viktor’s sexuality truly is?

But come on, who spends their lifetime trying to get Jayce to save his version of Viktor by convincing him of his beauty, imperfections, and all? It’s worth mentioning that Jayce, in season one, wanted to un-alive himself, and guess who stopped him? Viktor. Throughout seasons one and two, Jayce constantly thinks about Viktor, even during the sex scene with Mel. That’s not just bro love, that’s love-love. It’s a love shared between companions.

However, when it comes to Cait and Vi, in reality, their relationship would never work. Their communication with each other is not the best. And let’s not forget that Cait looks down on the people from Zaun. As for Vi, she herself holds no allegiance to any nation or people. Her love is conditional, not unconditional. That’s why the two women in her life went through a growth phase and changed into people she didn’t like. Vi was judgmental and lacked acceptance. How can two judgmental people be together romantically? They can’t. That’s why Arcane is fiction. Furthermore, Cait completely ignores the fact that Vi is a lower-class citizen from Zaun.

Can you imagine your romantic partner ignoring your heritage, culture, and where you come from, only seeing you as an exception because of their desire for you? This imbalance of chemistry ruling the mind too much and reason too little is problematic. Both individuals are allowing chemistry to guide their decisions, despite underlying issues that would not work in reality. It’s similar to what Vi mentioned to Cait in season one - they are like oil and water. From my perspective, I can confidently state that the composition of oil cannot be changed. While oil and water can temporarily bind with certain tools, they will eventually separate. Cait and Vi, in reality, form a toxic mix. In the show, they serve as red flags to be mindful of. Although they are both attractive characters and share chemistry, these factors alone do not sustain a long-term relationship. Thus, I believe Jayce and Viktor serve as a better example of a compatible couple in the story compared to Vi and Cait.

Now that I have finished explaining my thoughts on the better couple, let’s shift our focus to the characters who I believe are capable of building a lasting romantic relationship. Additionally, I will discuss the reasons for considering these characters and also highlight the ones that should be avoided without any exceptions.

Ambessa

Regardless of how anyone chooses to frame it, Ambessa is a woman to be avoided. Once I discovered the inspiration behind her character, I realized she’s someone we can learn a great deal from. It’s important to be cautious of anyone who finds themselves attracted to her persona. In essence, Ambessa is the female equivalent of Niccolò Machiavelli. The writers were quite clever in their portrayal. They had Ambessa teach Mel about embodying both the Fox and the Wolf, while Machiavelli spoke of being both the Fox and the Lion. Though the terminology differs, the underlying mentality remains the same. The aim is to disable enemies enough so they won’t feel compelled to get revenge. That’s why Ambessa is merciless toward civilians of an empire she takes over. Manipulation is the focal point. Ambessa and Machiavelli share traits such as violence, deceit, treachery, and using others to their advantage. Ambessa passed on these characteristics to her daughter as well.

Now this moves on to Mel.

Mel is another red flag for the very reason I mention her mother as someone to stay away from. While she may have a caring side to some degree, in reality, she’s manipulative. Nonetheless, there are positive traits that can help redeem her negative qualities, allowing her to use them for good. However, I wouldn’t risk myself on that notion unless there was a clear sign it would end up okay.

On the one hand, she can change and not be like her mother. But on the other hand, in the series, it’s something I wouldn’t count on too much. I do give her praise for helping fight Ambessa, but I would still tread cautiously in a romantic relationship with this character. She can swing in either direction, depending on the influences.

Therefore, Mel is a gamble at this point. Getting involved with her could potentially lead her partners into terrible circumstances, both mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Next on this following, the no-compatible trend is Violet/Vi.

The only good thing about Vi as a character, based on my preferences and opinions, is her strength and protective nature. While some may find her attractive, her personality is lackluster. She uses humor as a coping mechanism, but it’s clear that she’s struggling with her own problems. As I mentioned earlier, she’s conditional, meaning she can’t accept her partner changing or evolving. This reminds me of people who resist change and hold onto toxic fantasies and memories, leading to disastrous situations. For instance, Powder, also known as Jinx, wouldn’t have had to save Vi if she had accepted that Vander was gone. Furthermore, Vi lacks loyalty. Her transformation into an enforcer for Piltover exemplifies her chameleon-like nature, lacking a solid individuality. You know those people who change their looks to fit their partner’s tastes? Vi acts like them. Many celebrities engage in this behavior, altering their appearances and personalities according to their partners, but it’s not healthy. Additionally, Vi is not a good listener. Although she is comfortable talking about herself and being vulnerable with certain people, she is oblivious to her partner’s issues. Unfortunately, Vi is too mundane to keep me interested. Her interests revolve around fighting and being tough, lacking the complexities that make a character intriguing. It’s no surprise that Cait told her she was becoming predictable. I can’t help but think, “Cait, she’s been predictable since season one. She is the most transparent character in Arcane.” I have to be honest about this. Vi is just not a mystery, and some people, like myself, enjoy unraveling the complexities of a romantic interest. So, what happens if there’s none of that? Well, there’s only sex. While some people may solely be interested in the physical aspect, that’s not me.

Next on this list is Sevika.

If there’s one goon worthy of falling in love with, it would undoubtedly be Sevika. Despite her involvement in illegal activities, particularly under Silco’s command, she embodies the true meaning of loyalty. Sevika’s allegiance has always been unwavering towards her nation and its people. She aligns herself with leaders who prioritize this quality, such as Vander, until she discovered his lack of loyalty to the community. Sevika, on the other hand, takes immense pride in her work. Even though Silco held the reins of power, she efficiently managed the lanes, ensuring that everything ran smoothly for him. She was the driving force behind the functioning of businesses and the well-being of the people. Despite tempting offers from the power-hungry chembarons, Sevika remained loyal to Silco. In season two, when the chembarons sought to hand Jinx over to Piltover, Sevika stood firm in her belief to never betray their own. Additionally, Sevika possesses a softer side. Her concern for Isha was clear when she and Jinx searched the prison block for her. Sevika’s help in helping Jinx infiltrate Stillwater prison to rescue Isha showcases her compassion. It’s worth noting that their primary aim was to find Isha, with freeing the others being an added bonus. Sevika is not only a protector, but also someone who speaks her mind. Her bluntness stems from a genuine desire to do what is right. Despite her interest in gambling and fighting, she remains a complex and captivating character because of her grounded nature and unwavering principles. For me, Sevika is a dependable partner, someone who can smoothly navigate everyday life. The best part is that I wouldn’t expect anything less from her. She is resolute and unswayed by others, and her loyalty is an incredibly attractive quality. With Sevika, there would be no insecurity or fear of infidelity. She would stand by her partner’s side, no matter what.

Now let us move on to Caitlyn, aka Cait.

You would think that I would place Cait after Vi or before Sevika, considering I talked some trash about her. I mean, Cait is a character who tends to look down on others when unfortunate events challenge her perspective. However, I attribute this primarily to her sheltered life and the naiveness that resulted from her mother not teaching her the harsh realities of the world. I have to admit, Cait’s mother never instilled in her the importance of holding a higher position in life to effect change. The elites hold power over the lower class. So, when Cait was disgusted by how the Undercity residents lived, she failed to realize that it was the upper-crust of Piltover who was responsible for their plight. Instead, when she witnessed the consequences of inequality and the oppression faced by these people, her mind automatically labeled them as animals. Consequently, she dehumanized them. In season 2, she even resorted to using biological warfare tactics in her pursuit of Jinx in the Undercity, disregarding the well-being of innocent citizens. I’m fairly certain there were casualties resulting from her use of the grey. So, when you really think about it, she may have caused more deaths than Jinx. Now, why would I mention Cait, after praising Sevika’s admirable qualities? Well, despite Cait’s transformation into a dictator, there are certain positive aspects about her that I cannot overlook. One of them being her empathy and capacity for compassion when she gains a deeper understanding of things. Her world was shattered in season one, having been betrayed by a citizen of the Undercity for shimmer and taken captive by Jinx in her most vulnerable state. That’s a lot of trauma to endure. Furthermore, she witnessed Jinx launching a rocket at the council. However, in season two, Jinx confessed to Cait that she had no idea her mother was there. This goes to show that Cait is not immune to narrow-minded thinking.

Cait is known for being super analytical and her ability to read people. She pays close attention to those around her, unless she’s consumed with thoughts of revenge. Unfortunately, this obsession blinds her to those who manipulate her, which ultimately led to her letting Maddie and Ambessa into her home. On the other hand, when Cait is not seeking revenge, she genuinely cares about the people close to her and is willing to help them, even if it means sacrificing material things.

One person Cait has a good understanding of is Vi. She can predict Vi’s actions, showing just how observant she is. Cait is not only attentive to her partner, but she also acts as a protector in her own unique way. While she may not possess Vi’s brute force, she adapts and learns new techniques to become a more efficient fighter and protector. She even goes as far as sacrificing her own eye to ensure Mel’s victory over Ambessa.

Like Cait, I can relate to making tough decisions and doing whatever it takes to accomplish goals. Cait maintains a stoic demeanor, but she let her guard down with the people she trusts. Additionally, Cait’s intellect might actually make her a captivating conversationalist, despite her privileged upbringing, which I like that. Her marksmanship skills and classy demeanor add to her appeal. It’s worth noting that in season one, Cait went through a rebellious phase as she sought to find her own path outside of her elite status. This quality is truly admirable. Actually, it’s cute.

Cait handles challenges exceptionally well, especially when faced with skepticism and lack of support. She takes initiative and is willing to take risks to achieve her objectives, refusing to let anyone stand in her way. While it’s unclear if Cait is capable of loving someone unconditionally, her love for Vi suggests that she is. However, Cait needs to acknowledge and embrace Vi’s background, understanding that Zaun and the Undercity have both good and bad individuals, just like Piltover. Cait’s ability to love someone less fortunate than herself is a testament to her character.

I must admit, I have a soft spot for characters like Cait.

Now let us move on to Powder, aka Jinx.

I love both Powder/Jinx. Although they are the same person, my love for them is unconditional. It’s not surprising that Ekko had a crush on Powder when they were kids. Powder is incredibly creative and practically a scientist and engineer, as she creates her own weapons. For instance, she designed her own grenades and crafted guns that perfectly suit her fighting style. Whether she goes by Powder or Jinx, she always likes to make a grand entrance. Even in the alternate universe, Powder showcased her true character - caring, thoughtful, loving, compassionate, and empathetic. There’s just so much to adore about her. Despite her possessiveness, it stems from her fear of abandonment. She simply wants to be useful to those around her. Unfortunately, Vi never really nurtured this side of Powder, and allowing others to bully her didn’t help either. It’s disheartening that we had to witness an alternate universe where Vi is no longer alive to see Powder rise and become the leader. In that reality, she became a solid foundation for her brothers, Mylo and Claggor, and they no longer belittle her, as shown. She even prevented Mylo from embarrassing himself in front of a girl. It’s a stark contrast to the world where Vi is still present. Powder is a vibrant individual with excellent taste in music. She embraces her quirkiness, loudness, and expressiveness. Her thoughtfulness and adorableness shine through when she customized an arm for Sevika based on her gambling habits. Powder pays attention to people and their interests. She even drew in Ekko’s journal, similar to how someone in love would leave love notes for their partner, except hers were cute doodles with hearts. Although she is young in this series, Powder, also known as Jinx, possesses many qualities that could lead to a fulfilling long-term relationship.

Despite the trauma and everything else going on with Piltover versus Zaun, the qualities are still there. Jinx, in particular, exhibits selflessness when the situation demands it. She has shown her willingness to protect those in need, which is commendable. In fact, she offers more positive support than Vi ever did, as evidenced by her actions towards Isha. When Isha had a memory flashback, similar to the one Jinx experienced in Season one, Jinx jumped alongside her, holding her hand. It is clear that Jinx can use her past experiences to forge stronger connections with others in the future. She strives to do things that were not done for her in the past, seeking to provide the support she longed for. This growth from past mistakes shows her commitment to personal development.

Furthermore, Jinx possesses a unique way of being a protector. While she may not have the physical strength of Vi, she compensates with her craftiness and agility. Using her skills as an intuitive gunslinger, she leverages speed and precision to her advantage. This is why I believed that Jinx and Caitlyn would have been a better match as a long-term couple. They complement each other perfectly. Caitlyn desires someone who will stand beside her, and Jinx has that persona to be that person. Not to mention the loyalty factor. Jinx yearns to be useful, always ready to lend a hand to those who appreciate her presence.

Moreover, let’s not forget that Powder can be quite the gangster. Her entrance with the balloon blasting her music was absolutely hilarious. The expressions on Ambessa’s and Caitlyn’s faces were priceless. We should be grateful for her stylish, yet badass persona.

Conclusion:

Who is the better romantic partner, based on my preferences? Well, considering that I relate more to Jinx’s persona, Caitlyn or Sevika might actually be a more grounding partner. However, Caitlyn is a lot less blunt, so I might be leaning towards her. I really admire the discipline she has in her life. On the other hand, Powder’s persona is also quite appealing. I’m not sure, to be honest. Oops.

[redjadethewriter]

Representation of LGBTQ+ People In Entertainment Has Always Been Awful And Inaccurate.

LGBTQIA+ representation in media has historically been mostly terrible, with only a few exceptions. However, there is an overwhelming abundance of harmful tropes. Although I’m tempted to express my frustration with the Cis Hetero community for constantly promoting hetero-normative propaganda, I’m supposed to hold my tongue. What bothers me the most is when people complain about diversity being forced upon them and dismiss it as “woke” nonsense. I really want to tell them that I have been bombarded with hetero-patriarchal, misogynistic, and gender role propaganda since birth. How is that any different? It’s just the opposite side of the same coin, yet they fail to realize that they are the villains in someone else’s story. Furthermore, the distressing amount of misrepresentation of Lesbians, Gays, Trans, Asexuals, Bisexuals, and others is incredibly disheartening. The entertainment industry’s use of queer-baiting to attract the LGBTQ+ community is the worst tactic. I remember watching countless films and TV series where we were portrayed as exaggerated side characters with no depth. Even worse, we were often killed off or depicted as predators. We were used as the butt of jokes, ridiculed in various ways, and subjected to disgusting scenes for comedic effect. Let’s face it, discrimination is still rampant today. People with rigid and narrow perspectives see everyone as the same, disregarding individuality.

I didn’t enjoy watching lesbian characters being depicted as predators to other women. It bothered me because I knew there would be consequences based on who watched it. After all, there are a lot more heterosexual predators in the world than lesbians. So, how do you think this would go? A heterosexual woman might believe that a good majority are predatory. It’s frustrating when women have said to me, which has happened before, “I’m so glad you’re not a predator.” And to make matters worse, these women were heterosexual. I looked at them in disbelief, thinking, “Are you serious right now?” I can understand that some lesbians, although very few and not even a fraction of the population, may have boundary issues. But to generalize and assume that all lesbians are predators? It’s just not fair. It really struck a chord with me when I heard that sentence, because I don’t like it when people lump the very few mentally ill individuals and automatically think they represent the majority of lesbians or bisexuals. By the way, bisexuals are the most assaulted in society. Just something to keep in mind. Okay!

The issue arises when heterosexual characters in films and TV exhibit predatory behavior towards women. As someone who has watched many classic Westerns, I was taken aback by how the writers portrayed men committing criminal acts against women. These actions were presented as entertainment, and it is disheartening that viewers at that time saw nothing wrong with it. Even in heterosexual romantic comedies, male characters often resort to coercion to win women over or persuade them into intimate encounters. It is difficult to understand how this has become normalized. The power of entertainment to shape people’s minds is undeniable. It is the very reason why I had to venture into the depths of the internet universe, seeking out like-minded individuals in order to access shows and films that were not available in my country. Unfortunately, many of these stories ended tragically, with characters succumbing to cancer or meeting a violent demise. Though there were a few instances of happy endings, they were far outnumbered by the negative outcomes.

I also despised the way they labeled a woman as a lesbian character in the 90s, only to later show her dating men. It made me question why they couldn’t call her bisexual, but then I remembered how bi-phobic people can be. It’s frustrating how the entertainment industry loves featuring lesbians, but often fails to accurately represent them. Most of the time, they end up writing bisexual characters, but they seem to prefer portraying lesbians as villains, killing them off, or having them fall in love with men, perpetuating the harmful notion that the right guy can change someone’s sexual orientation. As a non-hypersexual, demisexual lesbian, this lack of proper representation is even more disheartening. One particular episode of “House” really bothered me with how they treated an asexual character, claiming that it’s only natural to constantly desire someone. I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Excuse me! What’s wrong with not constantly focusing on sex?” It’s frustrating to see writers come up with such nonsense. Although shows like “Dexter” were entertaining, it baffles me why they had to make the main character asexual. Thankfully, there are some examples of better representation, like Bojack and Entrapta from She-Ra.

However, it’s worth noting that these are animated characters, and it’s disconcerting that cartoons often get representation right more often than live-action shows. Even the portrayal of characters with disabilities is often more accurate and respectful in animated works.

Media plays a significant role in influencing the minds of each generation. Therefore, it becomes crucial to address the issue of misrepresentation and strive for an accurate portrayal of individuals from the LGBTQ+ community, as well as other communities. Unfortunately, many people behind media productions prioritize monetary gain, viewership, and marketability over genuine representation. This is precisely why I find solace in writing my own stories, where I have the freedom to craft characters that resonate with my own desires as a reader.

[redjadethewriter]

Is Caitlyn Kiramman a Villain in the Show? | Arcane: League of Legends

My focus and fixation once again revolve around Jinx and Caitlyn. They are my so-called imaginary power couple in the messed up world of Arcane. However, hear me out, Cait is not portrayed as a hero in this show. In my opinion, she is even worse than Jinx. I mean, she’s on a whole other level of villainy. It’s mind-boggling.

One of my friends, who I got addicted to the show, believes that Vi is worse than her sister Jinx when it comes to being afflicted by mental illness. He argues this because Vi punched two kids, Powder and Isha. Initially, I tried to convince him to give Vi the benefit of the doubt. One incident was an emotional response, and the other happened because Isha bit her. However, after reflecting on it and watching how Vi treated her sister throughout season one and the first 3 episodes of season 2, I now see what he means. Vi lacks compassion and empathy, especially towards her sister. Unlike Powder, who unconditionally loves Vi even as Jinx. Powder killed Silco because he was going to shoot Vi.

As for Caitlyn, despite showing moments of compassion here and there, deep down, she didn’t truly possess it. I attribute it to her naivety. That scene with Maddie in her bed in episode 4 was so unexpected and hilarious. It made me laugh so hard. Even in their conversation, Caitlyn seemed cold towards Maddie. I interpreted her words as covertly expressing her boredom with their relationship. It was cringe-worthy to watch Maddie not taking the hint at all. “Girl, she’s not interested. Stop trying. She doesn’t care.” And then Cait got up and left. I had to pause the show because I couldn’t stop laughing. Cait is like a full-fledged dictator.

Okay, listen up. I need you to read this carefully. Caitlyn, with a personal vendetta against Jinx, resorted to using chemical warfare in the Undercity. She poisoned innocent people, completely disregarding the fact that her own mother had tried to improve the conditions there. Remember those vents her mother created to provide fresh air and combat the sickness caused by the “Gray” in the air? Well, Caitlyn went ahead and used the same harmful substances on the citizens of Zaun while hunting down Jinx. It’s just so wrong on so many levels.

Now, Vander once told Vi that she had a good heart. I couldn’t help but wonder how that could be possible. Vi punched her own sister, abandoned her, got captured by the Sheriff, and was thrown into Stillwater with no one knowing her whereabouts. Then Caitlyn shows up, releases Vi, and enlists her help in navigating the treacherous Undercity. But even there, Vi tries to ditch Caitlyn and repeats the same mistakes she made with Jinx, which we all know didn’t end well. On top of that, Vi gets injured by Auntie Sevika, and Caitlyn, who can be compassionate at times, but also lets her high status and naivety cloud her judgment, provides her with medical treatment.

It’s frustrating to see that Caitlyn fails to fully comprehend the privilege she holds. She doesn’t seem to grasp that Piltover, her mother, and the other council members played a significant role in the state of the Undercity and the violence that plagues it right under their noses. Even in season 2, she continues to overlook her privilege and forces Vi to choose between Zaun and Piltover. Vi, who is easily influenced at this point, chooses her girlfriend, but failing to realize Cait only tolerates the Zaunites mainly due to their relationship. Not because she truly cares. But even during the tea party scene in the last episode of season one, Caitlyn lacks genuine compassion or empathy for Jinx, despite the fact that Jinx has suffered the most. Jinx even protected Vi from getting shot by Silco, the woman Cait supposedly is or was in love with.

It’s disheartening to see Vi constantly resorting to violence and repeatedly telling Powder that she’s no longer her sister and that she’s a monster. All the while, she fails to fully acknowledge that Powder has been under the care and manipulation of Silco. And we can’t forget that she has trauma and other mental health issues and isn’t seeing the world clearly at all. Jinx hallucinated when she’s overly stressed and triggered, and she was loaded with Shimmer because she nearly died and it was the only thing that saved her life, for what, to continue to suffer.

As we approach the end of season 2, I find myself contemplating who the true villains of this story are. To be honest, they all exist in shades of gray, constantly fluctuating between darkness and something slightly less sinister. Even Caitlyn is not exempt from this. In fact, she may be worse than Jinx in some ways. While Jinx caused relatively minimal harm in season one, Caitlyn, under her marshal law, has inflicted significant suffering upon Zaun in her relentless pursuit of Jinx.

It’s important to note that most of Jinx’s killings in season one were carried out under the influence of Silco. She wanted to fulfill Silco’s desires, namely, securing Zaun’s independence. She never truly believed in Silco’s cause, but she craved a sense of usefulness and acceptance from her father figure. This internal conflict of wanting to be needed and valued led her to create a destructive weapon for Silco. And in the end, she used it as a way to cope with the guilt and shame of killing him. Despite his claims of love and loyalty, Silco didn’t leave Jinx with many alternatives. She needed an outlet for her grief over her sister seeing her as a monster and the pain of taking the life of the only person who embraced her, flaws and all.

This is precisely why Arcane is such a heart-wrenching series to watch. The characters and their emotions are incredibly complex. Jinx, in particular, never seems to catch a break.

In Season 2, we had the opportunity to witness her actively working towards fixing things. She turned over a new leaf by taking care of Isha, becoming a sister, a motherly figure, and a friend. It was something she was determined not to mess up, and believe me, Jinx did an incredible job as a mother during the time she spent with Isha. In fact, she outshone Silco, Vi, and Vander combined when it came to ensuring Isha’s well-being. This is why I affectionately refer to Sevika as Auntie Sevika, because she truly acted like a concerned family figure, especially when she and Jinx were searching for Isha in the prison block. Those scenes will always hold a special place in my heart.

But let’s go back to Jinx’s role as a good sister and motherly figure. She transformed her lair, making it more vibrant and colorful. She even created a cozy nook for Isha to sleep in, which was a significant improvement from Jinx’s own childhood spent in a dreary room with a bunk bed. Jinx made sure to spend quality time playing with Isha, and they developed a unique way of communicating since Isha was non-verbal. Jinx struck the perfect balance of granting Isha independence to help her grow and adapt in their harsh world, while still ensuring that she didn’t take on tasks beyond her capabilities as a child.

I witnessed this dynamic in action during a dire situation in the prison when Warwick entered and started killing the guards. Jinx immediately ordered Sevika to get Isha out of there. It was heart-wrenching to see Isha crying and not wanting to be separated from Jinx. But Jinx, selflessly sacrificing herself, fought Warwick alone to buy time for Sevika to escape with Isha.

In episode 5, an interesting moment occurs when Vi reactively hits Isha, causing her nose to bleed. Immediately, Jinx gets up to check on her. This is when it becomes apparent that Vi is realizing her sister is changing and that she is not the monster she believed her to be, regardless of what happened in season one. It’s actually quite satisfying to see Vi’s perspective shift and her self-righteousness knocked off its pedestal.

Moving on to episode 6, we witness Jinx’s growing trust in Isha as she assigns her small missions, such as fetching her gun and sneaking it into Viktor’s camp. Throughout the process, Jinx closely observes Isha through a spyglass and even praises her. It’s a fascinating development that showcases the evolving dynamics between these characters.

Now, let’s talk about Cait. Although she puts Singe to sleep with a chokehold, it becomes clear that she only did it for Vi. However, this decision leads to Ambessa’s right-hand man putting Cait in a one-handed chokehold. And guess who comes to Cait’s rescue? That’s right, Jinx. It’s worth noting that Jinx nearly dies herself if it weren’t for Vander waking up and blocking the glaive from hitting his daughter. When Cait wakes up, she’s surprised to see Jinx. I couldn’t help but laugh at Cait’s confusion because she’s been saved by the very person she’s been hunting. It’s a moment that calls for reflection on Cait’s part.

Overall, these events in the episodes highlight the complex relationships and character growth that is taking place.

Although Cait lost her mother because of Jinx’s actions. Let us be real about this. Jinx didn’t consider who was present in the council room. Her primary goal was to destroy the building, as it represented her torment and Silco’s desires. However, the loss that Jinx experienced with Isha sacrificing herself is distinctly different. Jinx witnessed the entire event and desperately wanted to intervene, or at least take part, but Vi prevented her from doing so. Vi held onto Jinx, preventing her from joining the tragic scene. As a result, Jinx had to helplessly observe her sister, daughter, and best friend being consumed by the explosion. While Cait may have lost her mother, Jinx lost everything. She lost the person who gave her purpose and the motivation to heal and become a better individual. Additionally, she lost Vander, her second adopted father, during this process. Frankly speaking, Jinx is not obligated to assist Piltover or Vi in any way. She doesn’t owe anyone anything. However, she might embrace her role as the leader that Sevika sees her as, considering Sevika’s loyalty and willingness to follow Jinx’s orders. Sevika showed her loyalty by informing Jinx about Isha’s capture and aiding Jinx in breaking into the prison to ensure Isha’s safety. If Jinx helps, it will be for her own personal reasons rather than any sense of obligation.

I still believe that a final battle between Caitlyn and Jinx is necessary. It would be fitting, considering they are mirrored characters, with one rising and the other descending. Can you guess who is descending? Moreover, I even envision Sevika confronting Ambessa, despite the fact that the trailer shows Caitlyn fighting Ambessa. With Saturday just around the corner, there is much anticipation.

[redjadethewriter]

I'm Mourning Isha... Poor Jinx: Arcane Season 2 Act 2

I am truly fixated on Arcane this month. This coming Saturday marks the release of Act 3 of Season 2, and I am eagerly anticipating what will unfold. The beauty of it all lies in the uncertainty; I have no clue what to expect. The events of Act 2 with Isha caught me completely off guard. I mean, seriously, who saw that coming? It was a curveball unlike any other. However, amidst the surprising twists, there were several standout moments, particularly Jinx’s redemption arc. She has truly emerged as the hero of this season. Contrary to popular belief, she was technically the hero of the first season as well. Let’s not forget that Piltover has been oppressive towards Zaun for far too long. The economic inequality between the two cities has driven Zaun to its current state, and the council of Piltover has been corrupted to its core. I firmly stand by this allegation. Zaun’s people have suffered immensely at the hands of the elite, breathing in poison daily…literally. Because of the exploitation, they have been forced into criminal activities and violence just to survive, leaving innocent children like Vi and Powder to endure the consequences. Their current circumstances directly result from this toxic environment.

In season one, Powder aka Jinx blasted the Piltover Tower, which many considered being a fair act…meaning me. I was skipping with joy to that scene. Additionally, Jinx and Sevika’s actions of pushing the gray back up through the vents into Piltover marked the beautiful beginning of a revolution. You can’t get any better than painting the city in colors. This revolution was progressing in Act 2, as certain people started coloring their hair blue and dressing like Jinx. However, the missing piece of this revolution was Jinx herself, who cultivated a softer life by having fun with Isha and embracing her inner Powder. During episodes 4 through 6, I had the opportunity to witness a completely different side of Jinx. It seemed like she had overcome her attacks for a while, showing that the inner voices, including Silco, were no longer causing chaos in her mind.

Allow me to share with you my favorite scene, the one that I simply can’t get enough of.

In episode 4, when Isha was taken by the enforcers and Sevika went to inform Jinx while injured and without her toy arm, Jinx experienced a mental attack. I appreciated the minor details of Sevika, remaining on her knees, not saying anything more to fuel the situation, while Jinx struggled to regain control. Eventually, Jinx could ground herself and calm down. And together, they embarked on a mission to break into the prison and rescue Isha. As a result, not only were the Jinxers, the Firelights, and other Zaunites set free, but it was also heartwarming to see Isha cry and hug Jinx upon their reunion. Unfortunately, their emotional moment was interrupted by the enforcers barging into their location. However, Warwick, the beastly wolfman, arrived and began attacking the enforcers. I was deeply moved when Jinx glanced at Isha and then Sevika, instructing Sevika to “Get her out.”

Sevika swiftly lifted Isha with one arm, clasping the little girl, and rushed into the cell with her. Meanwhile, Jinx engaged in a fierce battle with Warwick, luring him towards the back of the section so that Sevika could escape with Isha. Witnessing Isha crying and reaching out as she watched the epic battle unfold was heart-wrenching. Wasting no time, Sevika ensured that the little girl was taken far away from the chaos, successfully escaping the prison island. I honestly believed it was the end for Jinx, but to my surprise, it wasn’t.

I remember mentioning that there would probably be two outcomes in that scene: Isha crying and reaching out while Sevika carries her away in the trailer. Now, we finally know what happened. However, I was not prepared for the ending of episode 6, and it still weighs heavily on my mind. The reason being, Isha sacrificed herself, which was essentially the central theme of the episode - sacrifice. With Isha’s sacrifice to save Jinx, it is highly likely that our manic pixie will now step up as the revolutionary leader. This presents an opportunity for her to rewrite her story and make it better. Or at least that’s what I hope.

[redjadethewriter]

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I'm Excited For Arcane Season 2: Act 2

Season 2: Act 2 will be released tomorrow for me, peeps. I’m excited to see more of my 3 favorite characters. Now, I’m adding Isha to the list. Additionally, I see Sevika in a new light, since she’s truly dedicated to the people of Zaun. This dedication was clear when she didn’t give up Jinx to the Chem-barons. However, I can’t help but feel sad because of the trailers. In one scene, Sevika is seen running away with Isha, which can be interpreted in two ways. It could mean that either Jinx dies and Sevika ensures Isha’s safety, or Jinx gives her the order to protect Isha. The scene is filled with a red glow, possibly showing a battle similar to the opening of season one. Having watched season 2 episodes 2 and 3, I can confidently say that Isha is attached to Jinx and Jinx cares for her safety. So, it wouldn’t surprise me if Sevika prioritizes Isha’s well-being, as Jinx would want to protect her. This is just my speculation.

Based on seeing Vi confront a humanoid beast in the same reddish-orange glow, I believe it is the same scene where Sevika runs off with Isha. With all these uncertainties, who knows what will happen in this series from here on out? It seems like Jinx is rising to her role of uniting the people of Zaun, which Sevika has been waiting for. I one hundred percent believe Sevika never expected to follow and fight alongside Jinx. It was kind of Jinx to create a new arm for her, incorporating Sevika’s interest in gambling. This made the fight scene in Season 2 Episode 2 so enjoyable to watch, as it was all playful. Considering Sevika’s rigid character, she started having fun with Jinx's invention. This speaks to the depth of her emotions and her future loyalty to our favorite manic pixie.

I don’t know, peeps. Jinx feels like a whole fresh leaf in this season. She’s actually attempting to fix things. Not only does she save a kid, but she also gives Sevika a new arm. To be honest, she acts more like a gray character than a villain. It’s important to remember that Zaun and Piltover are full of ethically questionable characters, so we can’t blame Jinx all too much for the turnabouts. Additionally, from what I saw in the trailers, Jinx earned her role as the figure of hope for Zaun. In contrast, Caitlyn was only given her leadership role as a military dictator to become Ambessa’s pawn. It’s clear that Ambessa knew exactly what she was doing by letting a revenge-focused Cait lead the battle against Zaun.

Vi uses her fist, as she usually does, to make sense of her life in a gothic fashion. Interestingly, in the trailers, it appears that Jinx has been monitoring her. Meanwhile, Viktor has taken on a Jesus-like role and formed his own cult. It’s worth noting that Jayce, Ekko, and the bunny head all mysteriously disappear after encountering the shining sphere, leading us to believe that they might be time-traveling. However, who really knows for sure? One thing we can be certain of though, is that Cait must overcome her trauma. Additionally, Vi needs to get her act together because it seems like trouble is looming. On a different note, I may find myself mourning the death of Jinx this Saturday, but I hope that she will go out in a vibrant, explosive spectacle.

[redjadethewriter]

Caitlyn and Jinx: The Ultimate Power Couple... Well... I Wish...

In my last blog, I realized my take on Caitlyn, Vi, and Jinx was vague. I only had three episodes to work with, which limited my response. However, in this blog, I want to focus specifically on Caitlyn becoming like Jinx and how they mirror each other. These are just assumptions, but as I dig deeper, it makes sense to me why Vi would be attracted to Cait and why she would say that Cait is acting like Jinx. Cait resembles Powder in a way, even having blue hair, but it's deeper than that. As a viewer, I can see the similarities, but I can’t fully comprehend it from Vi’s perspective, as she is still fixated and grieving on the idea that her sister has changed. Vi is basically stuck in the past, and I don't blame her. Her entire life was a shitshow, and she was denied her adolescence so, we can't give her crap about being so dense and tone-deaf. While Powder evolved into Jinx, we must recognize they are one and the same, not separate individuals. Except, Powder, who likes to be called Jinx, is mentally struggling with her trauma and probably other conditions such as BPD. We even see her having trouble with killing her own sister, Vi, in this current season. We also have to recognize she wants someone to end her life because of her long-term suffering.

Now let me touch on Vi for a bit. To understand Vi’s mindset, we have to consider her time spent in prison. Being locked away for such a long period is an incredibly isolating experience. During that time, the only person she thought about was her sister, Powder. When Vi was finally released, she wasn’t given any time to adjust to the outside world. Prison is stagnant, with routines that remain the same while the world outside evolves. For Vi, it also meant enduring a lot of abuse from the system. So, even though she was running through the Fissure like a free bird and enjoying food she hadn’t experienced in a long time in season 1, she still hadn’t fully grasped that the world and its people have changed.

When Viktor revived, he immediately split from Jayce for a reason. This separation was something that was supposed to happen in Season 1 because of the different paths they took. Viktor hails from the Undercity, while Jayce comes from the Topside. The divide between them started to widen when Jayce, much like Caitlyn, began to dehumanize the so-called threat, Undercity, labeling them as violent and animalistic. I want to be blunt about this: the upper-class citizens of Piltover are truly terrible people, and their wickedness surpasses that of the criminals they persecute in the Fissure. They are truly the villains of the show, even though we are seeing the cycle of perpetrator and victim playing out through each episode. When Cait’s mother, along with some council members, perished, I couldn’t help but feel it was just. It was the result of their prolonged mistreatment of the people of Zaun. I can't stress enough, that the elites in this series are despicable individuals who exploit their wealth and power unlawfully to satisfy their own desires. Unfortunately, Jayce fell into that very trap.

Let’s be honest, you can’t play both sides and expect a good outcome. Jayce made his choice, which differed from Viktor’s. The same situation occurred with Cait and Vi splitting up. As sad as it may be about Cait’s mom’s death in the mix of things, Cait had the chance to be better than her mom. Her mom’s death is a byproduct of the corruption and bullshit of Piltover that led to that situation. If not Jinx, someone else would have done it. Meaning someone else would have pulled the trigger on the weapon or found other means to stick-it to the system. It just happened to be Jinx who had the guts to do so. That's why I see her as the hero of the people versus the villain she claims to be. We have to be honest about this. Jinx grew into a badass character who literally let her rage and grief spark the fire for change unknowingly. The trailer for Act 2 shows that she becomes a leader, just like Cait has been given the role of leader representing Piltover. I see the parallels. Cait and Jinx represent change because they are the most underestimated characters that grew into their roles.

However, Cait and Jinx, just like Vander, Silco and Sevika are gray characters. Sevika lived by not giving up one of their own. Silco chose Jinx over his empire. Vander chose his children over the community. Cait is willing to do what it takes as well even though she's driven by revenge and betrayal. Maybe because she wanted a true partner, but Vi didn't live up to it. Vi is most likely the true villain of this show because she opposes her sister who truly wants change. And remember Jinx is the way she is now because of her sister abandoning her and not believing in her. Vi doesn't unconditionally love her sister. We see how Vi believes her sister is a monster, when in reality she lives in guilt and shame, and tries to fix things, but fails. The problem is Vi wants Jinx to be the weak and defenseless Powder again. An identity that Jinx doesn't want to be associated with anymore. Because of that, Vi sided with the enforcers, who were her enemies, and with Cait to go against her own people.

So many people of Zaun tried to free themselves from their oppressors and Jinx was the only one who could get the motions going when others failed. Silco wanted to end Piltover, which resulted in him being betrayed by Vander. Vander, who also tried to change things, ended up adopting 2 sisters because their parents died by the enforcers because of his actions and choices. But those choices had to be made. It’s the reason many in the Lanes switched over to Silco’s side because they didn’t want to be under the thumb of Piltover and he was gaining power at all costs. The peace that Vander tried to have with the enforcers and Piltover's greed was just a short-term bandaid. As we watched, it barely lasted.

However, Cait, being one of the more intriguing characters chose the route of the enforcer to break free from the elite status. In season 1 no one truly accepted her, which she didn't take as a hint she wasn't wanted. When she saw how the lower class was living, for a second, her compassion shined through and she pleaded to the council, but it led nowhere. That should have taught her something, but it didn’t. Her mother gets killed, and she starts to dehumanize the people of Zaun, the Fissure and seeks revenge against the person who was hurt and a victim of the system. Yet, she can’t see that, because she is fixated on revenge. So, she is going to make the situation worse.

Despite me thinking Vi is most likely a villain, she just hasn’t found her own identity yet, while Cait is actively evolving her own character. It’s worth noting that Powder has officially evolved into Jinx, but it’s important to understand that Jinx is not a split personality. In fact, Powder and Jinx are the same person, with Jinx simply choosing to go by that name. Many of us can relate to the desire to change names when the previous one is associated with trauma. In Powder’s case, her old name was seen as a symbol of weakness and an inability to stand up for herself. However, when she became Jinx, she became someone to be feared and not to be messed with. This transformation occurred because Silco embraced her skills despite his intentions to twist and use her to gain what he wants. Unfortunately, Vi never embraced Powder’s skills when they were younger. Instead, she and the other boys wanted Powder to focus more on being like them, using physical strength and her fists, rather than nurturing the natural skills she already possessed. This dynamic was clear in their origin story in season 1, where it was obvious that Powder was a skilled shot with remarkable accuracy. In fact, she can be compared to Caitlyn in terms of her abilities.

Cait is a skilled marksman, and Jinx’s skills match hers. But how do Cait and Jinx mirror each other? Let’s remember when I mentioned Cait’s tendency to dehumanize the people in the Fissure. Well, Jinx’s actions also reveal that she doesn’t see the people of Piltover as human either. In fact, she doesn’t care too much about anyone because her fury consumes her. It’s worth noting that Jinx even wanted to die, as we saw in season 1 when she pulled the pin of a grenade next to her and Ekko. However, Silco intervened and subjected her to a mad scientist’s experiments, injecting her with Shimmer and who knows what else. Even in season 2 episode 3, she was waiting for her sister to end her life before Isha came between them.

On the other hand, Cait wants revenge, just like Jinx. However, Cait suppresses her rage by following her family’s bad habit of not addressing it. In contrast, Jinx lets out her emotions through her destructive actions. Both Cait and Jinx are highly intelligent and capable, yet they are often seen as weak and underestimated by others when, in reality, they are quite the opposite. Also, they both have compassion that shines through, but gets suppressed by their circumstances. Jinx is in denial of her compassion, while Cait wants to do away with hers. Jinx even made Sevika a new arm and gift-wrapped it with a bow, and even saved a child from a gang. Jinx, is just playing the dead inside card when in reality she wants connection and wants to experience something different other than pain and suffering. Remember, she doesn't like being left behind or abandoned.

Cait did show compassion, especially in the Fissure. She was open and vulnerable with Vi, even though they don't make the best couple, and I don't blame her for wanting to be a villainess herself, because her empathy led to her mother's death even though her mother was not a good person. However, Cait doesn't accept mistakes well. She believes she can fix things that can't be fixed and she doesn't take the time to acknowledge or reflect on what happened. While Jinx wants to fix things she broke, but doesn't even try because she believes it's impossible. She only sees herself as the person who breaks things, and those mistakes cost lives. Cait might end up doing the same, believing too arrogantly in her skills and righteous cause. Humans make mistakes. They fail and make horrible choices in the process. She's not exempted from it. Just as Jinx has to live with her mistakes and choices, she has to acknowledge them first and allow herself to feel them.

To me, the final battle should have been between Cait and Jinx, rather than Jinx and Vi. Looking back, I can see that Vi saw Powder in Cait and wanted to protect her, disregarding her capabilities, just as she did with Powder. Now that Powder has fully embraced her identity as Jinx, this hurts Vi. Cait, on the other hand, has gained confidence in her fighting abilities, as we witnessed in her successful encounter with Sevika. We all saw how Cait was willing to harm Isha as collateral in order to finally exact her revenge on Jinx. Naturally, Vi is hurt by these changes in everyone around her, as she herself has not evolved or changed. However, it’s important to remember that Vi was involved in a situation where a child became collateral, making her a hypocrite in her own right.

In a perfect world, Cait and Powder, also known as Jinx, would have been great friends. It may seem silly to think so, but they both possess incredible shooting skills. They have honed their combat abilities, adapting their fighting styles based on their unique builds and marksman skills. Both of them possess an unwavering determination to pursue their interests and excel without needing external support. Jinx, in particular, has demonstrated her genius by independently mastering the intricacies of stones and runes with limited resources. Her intellect surpasses even the most brilliant scientists in Piltover, including Jayce and Viktor.

On the other hand, Cait has shown her competence by conducting her investigations independently, despite others dismissing her as merely an upper-class lady playing the role of a cop. In fact, I can’t help but imagine a potential power couple dynamic between Cait and Jinx if their world wasn’t so segregated by class. It’s amusing to envision a fanfic love story between them, one that would undoubtedly involve an age-gap romance situation. Picture them competing in marksmanship, with Jinx swiftly taking down every target and Cait keeping up with her precise long-range shots. I wholeheartedly believe that Cait would eagerly test every new weapon engineered by Jinx. In fact, perhaps Jinx would even build the perfect rifle for Cait, transforming her into a force of nature that no one would ignore or question.

Furthermore, Jinx’s keen mind would undoubtedly contribute to Cait’s investigations as an enforcer. Jinx is far from dense; she even saw the relationship status between Vi and Cait even before they realized it themselves. This suggests that Jinx would be exceptionally attentive to Cait, being able to read her like a book without uttering a single word. Just take a moment to consider how well they complement each other as a couple. Cait and Jinx embody the qualities needed for a harmonious partnership, not to mention their contrasting personalities that could bring balance to their relationship. Jinx is outwardly expressive while Cait maintains composure and keeps her emotions locked inside.

Vi stands out as the sore thumb in the mix. However, despite that, I believe she would accept Jinx and Caitlyn as a couple. Admittedly, in their current world, such a relationship is not even possible. Nevertheless, I strongly feel that the ultimate showdown must be between Cait and Jinx. It is time for Vi to step aside and prioritize her own personal growth and development as a character.

Well... There's my idea for a fanfic romance. Jinx and Caitlyn. The ultimate power couple that will never come to be.

[redjadethewriter]

A Lovebird Tragedy and a Sisterly Dilemma | The Emotional Chaos of Arcane Season 2 Act 1

Arcane. Arcane. Oh, Arcane. Season 2 has exploded my emotions all over the dang place. There’s so much to love about this series right now.

Jinx is easily my favorite character in the show. She is the most well-developed and complex character, alongside Caitlyn and Vi. Speaking of those two lovebirds, I wanted to share my thoughts and chaotic feelings about Caitlyn and Vi. We’re talking about a significant shift in sapphic relationships here.

I have to admit, and we all have to admit, that Vi is Caitlyn’s weakness in life. But not negatively. Rather, Vi has a knack for bringing out a more vulnerable side of Caitlyn’s personality. It’s something we’ve seen repeatedly, with Caitlyn allowing herself to be emotionally open with Vi, despite Vi being guarded. That girl doesn’t even know how to relax her fists during a hug. So, when we witnessed their first kiss in episode 3, it was a moment of Vi finally letting go of her guard and fully embracing their connection. It was funny, cute, and incredibly satisfying to watch, until it abruptly ended. When it came down to it, Vi prevented Caitlyn from seeking revenge, which solidified the unresolved events of season 1, where Caitlyn regretted not shooting Jinx when she had the chance. But she didn’t, all because Vi tugged at her heartstrings. I don’t see it as a negative thing, mainly because Caitlyn is too rigid and single-minded. We observe Caitlyn starting to slip in how she perceives the people from the Fissure, referring to them as “them” and as animals. She’s attempting to dehumanize them in her mind so that she can justify her actions towards them. It’s easier for her to do her job if she no longer sees them as fellow humans. Despite the destruction and loss of life caused by Jinx, she is still a human being and a child, regardless of what others may think. She’s a child with a fractured mind, filled with trauma, and completely alone.

Silco stepped in to fill the void left by Vi’s abandonment of Powder, but it didn’t bring her happiness. If the world wasn’t so segregated and controlled by the wealthy and powerful, with Zaun’s people being oppressed, I truly believe Jinx would have been a brilliant inventor with the right guidance. However, Jinx and Vi suffered the loss of their parents at the hands of the enforcers, and Vander, their adopted father, at the hands of Silco. On top of that, Jinx accidentally caused the death of the other children while trying to save Vander. This is why I admire her character so much. Her journey from innocence to becoming a villain is truly heartbreaking, because we all know her life could have turned out very differently if the system wasn’t so cruel. Vi, too, was thrown into prison as a teenager, cut off from the rest of the world. She lost her sister and her girlfriend to this chaotic world where blood and blue paint draw the lines.

Let us be honest. I would have to stop Cait, too, from trying to shoot Jinx, not because I wanted to save Jinx, but because of the child, Isha, who was shielding Jinx with her own body. I genuinely believe Cait would have missed and hit the child instead, despite her claims that she wouldn’t have missed. Technically, she missed and only shot Jinx’s finger off. Cait kept going on and on that she was aiming to kill, but she shot off Jinx’s finger instead. Nah… she missed. Given the commotion and high tensions, it’s understandable that she missed. Plus, there was the risk of accidentally shooting Vi in the process. I think she’s rooted in her arrogance again when she makes a decision and speaks.

When Cait retaliated by hitting Vi in the gut to push her away, she finally confronted her own weakness: her love for Vi. However, this love was not a weakness; it was an emotion that kept her grounded and prevented her from becoming overly focused and disconnected from her feelings. Vi was right in pointing out that Cait was behaving like Jinx. Both Cait and Jinx reflect on each other in their experiences of grief and loss, which have twisted them into their worst versions. At this moment, Cait has fully embraced her role as a leader, and her expression said it all. She seeks revenge, and nothing, not even Vi, can hinder her path. We watched as a member of her team walked away speaks volumes about the situation and what is about to unfold.

I just watched the trailer for Act 2, which will release this coming Saturday. Based on what was shown, it seems like Jinx is gathering a lot of followers. The paint job she did on the topside seems to have made quite an impact. What’s even worse is that we learned there are enemies within the capital who are instigating the situation. This has piqued my interest in seeing what will happen next.

Vi undergoes a complete transformation, both physically and mentally. With her dark hair and having no one left, I can imagine she’s more lost than ever in trying to figure out her identity amidst these circumstances. Who does she truly align herself with? It’s neither Cait nor Jinx, so I’m curious to see how this series will end.

Obviously, Cait won’t find solace in seeking revenge, as it never truly heals the pain of loss. The grief needs to be addressed at some point. On the other hand, I fully believe that Jinx will revel in watching the world burn, as it has brought her immense torment and pain. However, there’s a possibility that she may find a sliver of her humanity in Isha. In that one scene, she held onto the child and didn’t let her go, even when Sevika set off the explosion that caused the suction. I don’t think Jinx expected the child to put herself between Vi and her, or to protect her from Cait’s bullets. I’m intrigued to see how this dynamic unfolds.

It’s reminiscent of the situation when Silco took Jinx under his care, except now it’s Jinx and Isha. I see the same cycle playing out. Not that Silco was ever a good person, because he wasn’t, but he took care of Jinx and helped her thrive in her weapon experiments, albeit in a twisted way. Who knows? Perhaps we’ll see something similar with Jinx and Isha, or maybe it’ll take on a big sister dynamic. Either way, I’m eagerly looking forward to the next set of episodes.

[redjadethewriter]

Death, My Old Friend

Death is an old friend.

A cosmic being who we all meet many times from different lifetimes,

For those who believe.

They are a reminder of the beginning and the end of all things,

To start anew,

And to play a different role all over again.

Yet,

Many fear the hand of Death, 

Not understanding its importance of bringing things to an end.

Understand this!

They are neither evil nor good,

Nor enemy or ally.

They are the cycle of nature.

Because Life and Death go hand-in-hand.

However,

They are a reminder that time is precious to all.

And special treatment is a grace rarely given to avoid one’s end,

Even if it’s for a short time.

But eventually all will meet their end.

The finish line that many seek to race,

The prize,

Is Death without even realizing it.

They sprinted instead of walking leisurely and enjoying life’s splendor.

The lessons.

The wisdom Death holds.

Is the most significant of them all.

They walk by our side at all times.

Trying to remind us of their presence.

Their existence.

That every moment lived is the prize.

Enjoy the taste of the delicious food.

Don’t let ripples continue to grow into a wave of fury and destruction.

Grudge only leaves disappointment when it lingers for too long.

Find peace within and express it outward.

Find love within and say it aloud.

Find joy in its many complex forms.

Because all things have a ticking time clock,

Which we don’t see at all.

When the clock hits zero,

There’s a choice.

Either take Death’s hand by grace or follow with bitter disgrace.

Regardless,

It’s time to go and accept thy fate with full embrace,

Without regret,

And faith that a new world awaits.

Death is an old friend of mine who deserves a hug of the utmost embrace.

With much gratitude,

I live life with meaning because of their wisdom and grace.

Reminding that they are always there,

At wait.

Knowing that tomorrow is not promised,

Even with our chosen faith.

Before I sleep,

I live in gratitude,

With no reason to fear thy fate.

Without regret and living meaningfully,

Knowing it all can come to an end one day.

Yet,

My choice will always be with grace to my ending fate.

To Death,

My good friend.

I’m fully aware we will soon meet again,

But until then,

Thank you.

[redjadethewriter]

Agatha All Along Is So Good: Episodes 6 & 7

It has been two weeks since my last discussion about my thoughts on Agatha All Along. I wanted to wait until now to share my speculations and reflections. Last night, I watched episode 7, which, in my opinion, is the best episode so far. It truly tugged at my heartstrings. In episode 6, the focus was on Teen, who we now know is Billy. Episode 7, on the other hand, delved into the bigger question surrounding Lilia. Before I delve into that, I must say that this show has truly opened my eyes to the intricacies of the Witches Road. Like many others, I am also speculating whether this is another case of Wanda Vision.

What do I mean by that? A theory suggests that Billy might have unconsciously created an imaginary version of the Witches Road, similar to how Wanda ensnared Westview and brought her TV show fantasies to life. This theory would explain why Agatha told Teen that he resembled his mother, Wanda.

In episode 6, we finally see what happened and how Billy is still alive. We discover he is currently inhabiting a body named William Kaplan. On the day the barrier came down after the intense battle between Wanda and Agatha, Billy’s parents were trying to drive to safety when they veered off the road and crashed into a tree. The backseat passenger side, where William was seated, was severely damaged. As a viewer, I realized the kid would not be alright. True to my expectations, we hear the sound effects of his heartbeat slowing down, and his mother, trapped on the driver-side, immediately notices that her son has stopped breathing. I appreciated the inclusion of when William’s heart stops, as it signified his death. Then, we see Billy taking his first breath through William’s body, looking confused. I particularly liked the scene where he gazes into the reflection in the ambulance, seemingly unfamiliar with his own appearance.

Before the crash, William and his family were celebrating his bar mitzvah. And guess who was doing divination readings at the party? It was Lilia. This marked a significant turning point in their intertwined fate. William received his reading from Lilia, and it was ominous. Lilia mentioned his lifeline was split and even blurted out the reverse tower card. She also advised him to live in the present moment. From this, I gathered that she already had some knowledge of what would happen to him. However, what truly struck a chord was the mystery of the sigil. Lilia was the one who gave him the sigil. William accidentally left his coat in her tent when he left, and she took a stone and drew the sigil, placing it in his coat pocket. She promptly forgot his name and handed it to someone at the party, claiming that someone had left it behind, but she couldn’t recall who when asked. Naturally, during the evacuation of the party, William’s coat was in the car, and that’s when the accident occurred, completely altering his life. Now, why did Lilia give him the sigil? That question was answered in episode 7. But before I delve into that, let me conclude the discussion on the characters’ fateful connections. Guess who the responding officer was when William’s father flagged down help after the crash? It was Alice, the officer who came to assist.

During the three years when Billy was adjusting to life as William without any memory of his true identity, he managed to build a life for himself, including having a boyfriend and developing an interest in Witchcraft. Billy even followed Jen on social media and was intrigued by the products she made. However, there is something suspicious about The Witches Road that seems to be a product of Billy’s imagination. When Billy first entered William’s room, by the way, I’ll treat them as separate characters in one body for this analysis, the room was decorated with various pop-culture items, featuring light colors and a tidy appearance. There were posters of classic films like the Wizard of Oz and toys representing iconic characters. But later on, the room becomes darker and more cluttered, with the poster of Lorna Wu and playing The Ballad of the Witches Road in the background. This transformation in the room mirrors the confusion and clutter in the merging of Billy and William’s identities. Interestingly, the items in the room also appear in the trials. This connects to Agatha’s reaction when she first entered the Witches Road in episode 2, where she seemed bewildered. It’s possible that Agatha had once walked the Witches Road, but the one they are currently on is not the actual road.

After watching episode 7 and considering the Mid-season Trailer, I’m starting to believe the speculation that the road is a creation of Billy’s mind, which opens up the idea that our characters might not be dead. In the mid-season trailer, we see Alice waking up on the floor after Agatha’s trial, but that scene wasn’t in episode 7. So that means Alice will appear again in one of the last 2 episodes.

As I mentioned earlier in this blog, episode 7 shifts its focus towards Lilia. Lilia is the one who gave William the Sigil at the party, knowing that William would die and Billy would take over his body. Her intention behind this was to give Billy some time to adjust to his new life without any Witches detecting him. We later discover, through Agatha, that once the sigil was no longer necessary, every witch with even the slightest heartbeat could hear him. Lilia was trying to spare him from that.

Throughout the season, we also learn that Lilia is incredibly old and has used the craft to prolong her life. She has a quirky and whimsical personality, often spacing out during each episode, but she possesses a great deal of wisdom and serves as the heart of the group. In episode 3, we witness her fear of death when she has a hallucination of an older lady sitting at a table, with a dark, skull-faced figure appearing behind her. When Agatha snaps her out of the trance, Lilia blurts out that they are all dead. In episode 7, we discover that her entire coven and family perished from a fever. Lilia discusses this with her grandmother, in her mind traveling moments, who is also her divination teacher, and we learn that Lilia’s ability causes her consciousness to float through her timelines in a non-linear order, resulting in gaps in her memory. When her consciousness enters the body of her younger self on the first day her grandmother taught her divination using tea leaves, her grandmother switches from speaking Sicilian to English, which Lilia understands. This exchange reveals an interesting family trait of consciously traveling or, as her grandmother described it, visiting. We also come to understand that Lilia has been ignoring her powers. Despite being a powerful divination reader, she feels that something is missing in her life. As her grandmother points out, every witch needs a coven. Lilia longs for her coven, but her original one died, despite her forewarning. This experience has discouraged her from seeking out connections. Lilia confides in Jen, revealing that all she sees is death. Throughout this season, we observe Lilia struggling to get along with the new coven members: Jennifer, Alice, Agatha, and Teen/Billy. I won’t consider Sharon as a member of the coven because I don’t think she was meant to be there with them. Why? Well, it’s because of Lilia’s flashback moments in episode 7 that help clarify certain doubts.

During a flashback, we are shown the eviction sheet with all the names for Agatha to find her coven. I noticed that the drawn black heart was not just an outline, but it was filled in to represent a black heart. In Episode 1, Rio reveals that she has a heart, a black one that beats for Agatha. This made me believe even more that Rio was destined to be part of the journey. And then, during Lilia’s trial, she had to read her own tarot card and we officially learn that Rio is Lady Death and The Original Green Witch. So, all this time, they were walking alongside death.

The episode is titled “Death’s Hand In Mine,” but I don’t perceive it as something ominous or fearful. Personally, death is not a taboo subject and not something that I fear. It reminds me of a quote from Lilia’s vision of Rio: “All roads lead to me.” To me, this quote represents a broader philosophical idea that all existence eventually comes to an end, which is death. It is a natural part of the cycle of life, including death and rebirth. Therefore, when I consider the title and connect it with Lila’s fears, particularly her fear of death, it makes sense to me that the last scene is about acceptance. “Death’s hand in mine” suggests that she had to embrace death and acknowledge that her time was coming to an end.

Lilia’s visions grew stronger as she felt her life drawing to a close, or so she believed. But what truly touched me was how she faced it, especially towards the end of this episode. She selflessly sacrificed herself to protect her new coven, choosing to confront the deadly Salem 7 all on her own. Amongst the group, she stood out as the most compassionate character, which perfectly matched the outfit she wore during the trial, where she cosplay’d as Glinda the Good Witch. When she turned over the tower card and watched all seven of those black-cloaked ladies meet their impaling demise, it brought tears to my eyes. She had chose Agatha, Jen, Alice, and Billy to be her new coven and did everything in her power to shield them from harm in that critical moment. By doing so, she ensured they could continue their endeavors without being relentlessly hunted. That’s why, as she clung to the table and eventually let go, falling to her death, there was a sense of peace in her expression. In that moment, her consciousness traveled back to her younger self. Sitting at the table with her grandmother, she smiled, a departure from her usual look of worry and fear. In that moment, she fully embraced her power as a witch and stopped ignoring it. Now, the Salem 7 are no more, or at least that’s what we believe, although maybe all of this might be a figment of Billy’s imagination.

Just like in the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy woke up to find that everyone she cared about was safe and sound. It would be quite amusing if this turned out to be a situation where Billy had simply imagined it all. However, I believe there is more to the story. It’s possible that the Salem 7 may have perished, but perhaps Lilia managed to survive somehow. The reason I say this is because of something Lilia mentioned in episode 3. Even when their faces were swollen from the poison, she expressed her love for them. That particular line stands out to me. It was said during a flashback as well, but it seems out of place. Nevertheless, we do know that Lilia provided us with some insight into what will happen in the last two episodes. She told Agatha, “When she calls you a coward, hit the deck.”

Based on the mid-season trailer, it seems there will be a heated battle between Rio and Agatha. It’s like a once-in-a-lifetime domestic dispute that I’m eagerly anticipating. Lilia may be involved in this situation, although it’s hard to say for sure since she could be dead, . But I'm riding on the theory of this being a Wanda Vision situation. In addition, there are scenes of Jen emerging from the ground and Alice waking up. While we don’t witness Lilia’s death directly, she now has a clear understanding of what happened and has fully embraced her power. So, I want her to be alive.

Episode 7 was particularly moving and sad because Lilia was the heart of the coven. She had the ability to read each member within the cards and accept them as part of her coven, which allowed her to perceive things clearly and know what needed to be done. Her final words to Jen, “I loved being a witch,” despite the pain it caused her, were truly touching. Their bond, with Lilia even considering Jen a sister in their craft, melted my heart. Especially when Lilia expressed her need for Jen’s help, even though Jen had the option to leave. There were two underground paths revealed, one leading to the trial and the other to a failed metro system network. This made me question the authenticity of the witches road. It was intriguing that Jen and Lilia ended up in the underground network beneath the so-called witches road. Moreover, when Billy expressed his wish for Lilia to be there with him and Agatha, it seemed that Lilia and Jen could enter the trial. The path through the bookshelves was already prepared for them, which struck me as odd. However, the main point is that our struggling coven is gradually becoming more unified, and the truth will be revealed in the final two episodes next week.

I also wanted to point out that I’ve noticed a change in Jen lately. She has become less focused on herself and more interested in connecting, especially with Lilia. Her attitude had really shifted, and she seemed genuinely interested in learning more about Lilia and her powers. What surprised me the most, though, was when Jen helped Lilia during the trial to assist Billy and Agatha. In the past, Jen would have probably walked away, but Lilia’s plea of sisterhood had a profound effect on her. I can already imagine that in the next episode, Jen will take the loss the hardest because she had gotten to know Lilia on a deeper level than the others. However, I still don’t know the full extent of Jen’s powers. All I know is that she was somehow bound in the past. Like Lilia and Alice, I believe that Jen’s lack of belief in her gifts may be because of a mental block more than an external force binding her. Lilia suppressed her own powers until she couldn’t ignore them anymore, and Alice had blocked out the reality of her powers since her mother’s death. Billy, on the other hand, struggles to control his powers, but his focus is on finding his brother Tommy. Agatha, too, is not behaving like her usual self. She has become more distant than ever since Billy revealed his powers, and she is vulnerable without any powers to protect herself. It’s fascinating to see the layers of these characters gradually being revealed throughout the show.

[redjadethewriter]

Zero Tolerance: Stopping Bi-phobia and All Forms of Bigotry.

Hello there, social media-loving peeps.

Lately, I have felt compelled to write about abuse, although I'm not entirely sure why. It could be because I feel ashamed of making assumptions about certain individuals in the media who claimed to have been victims of abuse. At first, I doubted their stories, but it turned out they were indeed victims of abuse, and the evidence was undeniable. Unfortunately, no one believed them. Reflecting on this, I realized how wrong I was, especially since I dislike it when others make assumptions about me. I want to apologize for allowing my own trauma and triggers to cloud my judgment of others. It's important to note that intuition can sometimes be mistaken for triggers, leading to inaccurate assessments and hasty judgments. Believe me, I have learned my lesson. I thought I was a compassionate person, but now I see that I have a lot to learn about not jumping to conclusions about someone's character. The reason I hastily judged these individuals in the first place was because they exhibited certain traits or behaviors that reminded me of my abusive ex-partner. Although she may not have physically harmed me, she caused significant emotional and mental damage. As a result, even a minor trigger led me to doubt another woman's claim of severe abuse, preventing me from acknowledging the injustice she endured and the losses she suffered. To address this misconception, I used examples from two TV series, "Interview with the Vampire" and "Agatha All Along," to demonstrate that there is no such thing as a "perfect victim." If you're interested, you can read more about my thoughts on this matter in those blog posts. 

There's No "Perfect Victim" In Abuse: Interview with the Vampire

Agatha Craftedly Unmasked: My Take on Agatha All Along

Now, I am writing this blog to express my grief about various issues, which are all related to the topic of unfairly judging people based on biased assumptions. It has been a year since I ended my long-standing friendship with someone who I considered to be like a sister to me. And yes, I am still grieving. We had been friends for nearly ten years and had shared in each other's successes and failures. We even experienced similar life events. I got married first, and a year later, she followed suit. When I went through a divorce, she also went through one a year later. There were so many instances where our lives seemed to align that we both believed if something happened to me, she would inevitably face the same fate. We even had an inside joke about how people should not only save money for their wedding but also set aside a larger budget for the divorce, based on our own experiences with the financial challenges it brings. Divorces are definitely more expensive than weddings, but that is not the focus of this topic. 

I'm feeling heartbroken because of the reason we are no longer best friends. It all stems from misunderstandings, past traumas, triggers, and negative experiences, including the fear or aversion towards a certain  word–phobic. This isn't the first time I've encountered people close to me who have shown biphobia. I’m not bi by the way.  But It's not just limited to that, though; there are also transphobes, homophobes, and perhaps even heterophobes. It's disheartening to see how our society is divided due to preconceived beliefs and unpleasant encounters. However, what caused the division between my best friend and me was her biphobia. We are both lesbians who have been in relationships with bisexual women, even marrying them. The difference lies in our perspectives: she attributed her ex's negative behavior to her bisexuality, whereas I recognized that her ex had serious mental health issues that she refused to address. This ultimately led me to end my relationship with my ex, as she was taking out her issues on me. 

As I mentioned earlier, I have unfortunately encountered bi-phobia from someone close to me before. My first girlfriend was incredibly biphobic, which stemmed from her own negative experiences. Even in my twenties, I had a better understanding of how to address her concerns. I told her, "Hey...you were her rebound," as a woman she was upset about had recently ended a marriage and was simply exploring her sexuality. However, despite my ex identifying as a proud and out lesbian, my she had significant mental and emotional issues which caused her to be unkind when triggered. In her eyes, you could only be either a lesbian or straight, with no middle ground. This was my first encounter with someone who was possessive to the extent of questioning and contradicting my own sexuality based on my choice of friends. Since I had both male and female friends, I faced constant scrutiny. Therefore, I empathize with individuals who endure such levels of mental and emotional abuse from their insecure partners. However, I want to clarify that I never labeled her as "crazy". She was simply a woman controlled by her personal issues. Now, I also have my own struggles with my personal demons. In response to another blog post about cold people, I wrote a blog entry of my own, because of people's preconceived beliefs about me. That’s why I could relate to Rio’s character in Agatha All Along, when Agatha made backhanded remarks about Rio not having a heart and no scars. When in fact Rio has an emotional scar from hurting the one she loved, who is Agatha, by the way. The blog title: My Critique of a Blog About Cold People.

I used to be someone who was emotionally detached and disconnected from my feelings. In my twenties, I wasn't even aware that this was an issue, so I didn't realize how it was impacting my relationships. It also prevented me from standing up to people who displayed inappropriate behavior, whether it was directed at me or others. I never confronted those close to me who were being disrespectful. It bothered me when some of my friends were unfaithful to their partners to varying degrees. The main issue for me was witnessing actions that went against my personal beliefs. Specifically, I found it disrespectful and a breach of trust when a person in a committed relationship allowed someone else to flirt with them and engage in inappropriate acts. I never wanted to be involved in that kind of behavior. As a result, I distanced myself from those friendships and stopped spending time with them. Maybe it's due to my unique way of thinking, but I simply don't comprehend why people engage in such actions, or why friends would support their friends' negative behaviors. More importantly, why do family members enable bad behavior from other family members? It's no wonder why things are so messed up. We have come to accept and normalize these negative actions, and worst of all, we have normalized cruelty.

After all these years, I challenge people's preconceived beliefs and refuse to tolerate biased behaviors rooted in phobia. Therefore, last year, I made the difficult decision to end a long-standing friendship with my best friend. The reason behind this was her deliberate expression of bi-phobic views towards a bisexual woman she  was talking to at the time. Over the course of several months, I repeatedly attempted to dissuade her from engaging in conversations and flirtations with women she had no genuine interest in dating. It became apparent that she intentionally sought out bisexual women even though she desired only a relationship with a lesbian. This final incident served as the tipping point for me. While I am still grieving the loss, I have reached a point where I can no longer tolerate such behaviors from people, even though I understand they may stem from trauma and insecurities. 

Writing these blogs is like a journey through my thoughts, a way for me to express my grief. It also serves as a tool for self-reflection, allowing me to delve into my beliefs, thoughts, and hidden emotions. I remember a conversation I had with my ex-bestie during our last hangout. We were driving to the grocery store together, planning to buy some snacks for our movie night. She mentioned how she wished she could switch off her emotions. Looking at her that day, I felt compelled to share my perspective. I said, "Trust me, it doesn't bring any solace to life. By doing that, you lose the ability to experience joy, happiness, and other positive emotions." It was a topic she knew I struggled with, yet she longed for it. I expressed my own desire to feel the full range of emotions again, and I acknowledged her fortune in still being able to feel and celebrate her accomplishments, like when her play was adapted into a live performance. When I create something, I feel nothing. That's how valuable emotions are. So, I hope that one day she finds inner peace and resolution. I am constantly striving for my own, as I need to challenge myself too. 

[redjadethewriter]

There's No "Perfect Victim" In Abuse: Interview with the Vampire

What do victims of abuse look like? 

The simple answer to this question is that they don't have a specific appearance. The truth is that abuse can take many forms, including mental and emotional abuse, which may not leave visible physical marks. While it may be easier to identify victims with visible cuts and bruises, the more sinister forms of abuse are often mental and emotional, making it difficult to recognize. However, there are certain behaviors that may be indicative of abuse, but they do not necessarily reveal a person's history of abuse.

Various people go through life with no one knowing they have been victims of abuse unless they choose to share their experiences. This applies to both childhood and domestic abuse. Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that if you are a woman or belong to marginalized communities, or even worse, a white female celebrity with fame and fortune, it is less likely that you will be perceived as a victim. Despite our imperfections and the normalized behaviors we may exhibit, it is important not to invalidate anyone's experience of abuse based on personal biases such as dislike for the person, their skin color, gender, sexuality, or differing viewpoints. Doing so would mean turning a blind eye to the evidence right in front of us. In fact, even when evidence of abuse is presented, there is no guarantee that a person will be acknowledged as a victim or receive support, especially if they do not fit society's perception of a "perfect victim" or if the abuser is more popular or liked. This can occur in any socio-economic class or societal status. 

Back in the day, films and TV shows focused mainly on the physical aspects rather than the mental and emotional aspects. However, my perspective changed when I discovered the re-adaptation of Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire." I admit, I initially avoided it because of the reviews that emphasized how AMC exaggerated Lestat's abusive behavior. 

The first adaptation featuring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt did include instances of domestic abuse between the two characters, but it was subtly portrayed. However, that version was made during a time when the acknowledgment of Lestat and Louis being a gay couple was not openly discussed, although they were indeed a couple. Anne Rice even mentioned that they were a couple. They were indeed a couple who eventually adopted a daughter named Claudia, creating a complex family dynamic that was both toxic and dysfunctional. It's worth noting that both adaptations of "Interview with the Vampire" fail to highlight Claudia's manipulative and abusive behavior as well, however she’s not the focal point.  I will not even delve into the inaccurate adaptation of the source material and the world of cursed vampires in "Queen of the Damned." That version is a stand-alone, and was too straight-washed. The music was good though, but not even closely accurate to the source material.

Now, let us discuss the new adaptation of the iconic "Interview with the Vampire." Personally, I really enjoyed the changes they made when I managed to watch it. However, I had to take my time with each episode because it was quite triggering. I don't mean that in a negative way, but rather as a positive aspect, because the show effectively portrays the stages of domestic abuse, particularly when it is driven by narcissism. This is why it was so triggering for me. And you might wonder, why is this a good thing? Well, it's because it's important for people to see the mental and emotional abuse that often precedes physical abuse. As someone who has experienced mental and emotional abuse myself, watching the show was particularly triggering. But as I mentioned earlier, I took my time with each episode and gave myself breaks to ground myself. The show was incredibly well done. It was fascinating to watch the progression from the grand gestures that Lestat used to lure in Louis to the subtle displays of power.

In this adaptation, they depicted Louis as a closeted gay black man, who also was an entrepreneur in New Orleans. He was essentially a pimp, owning multiple buildings in the rough part of town where sex workers operated. Lestat showcased his power and influence by utilizing the color of his skin, in a society that was still predominantly catering to white people, to entice Louis to join him. He supported Louis financially in his endeavors and leveraged his own white privilege and wealth to sway the racist political figures who made it difficult for Louis to succeed as a businessman. This showed that Lestat held all the power in their relationship, as he understood that Louis, as a black man, had limited power and influence. Louis constantly faced discrimination from the white men in society, with whom he had to work with and smile at, despite being belittled. Lestat used this advantage to show Louis that he needed him, without explicitly saying so. Taking advantage of the death of Louis's brother, Lestat transformed him into a vampire while he was grieving and vulnerable. How could Louis make a rational decision about becoming a cursed creature that would separate him from his family and everything else in such a state?

Lestat never explicitly acknowledges the loneliness and isolation that comes with being a vampire before turning Louis. Yet, we hear him confess this in the opera house, which affects Louis deeply, because he was already questioning his relationship with him. They, from day one, had rocky moments. However, Louis holds onto that vulnerable moment when Lestat admits to feeling lonely. However, it's quite obvious that living in a world with only 200 vampires would be an isolating experience. That's why the vampires in this story seek out companionship to alleviate their loneliness. Additionally, when they grow tired of their partners, they simply find new ones, as Lestat did. But the point of me mentioning this is that Lestat uses that vulnerability to his advantage. Lestat is a keen manipulator and meets the definition of narcissism.  But how this version of Lestat became this way, who knows?

However, Lestat is a character with many complexities, much like Jekyll and Hyde. He presents himself as charming and eloquent, lavishing his lovers with grand gestures and expensive gifts. Yet, these gifts serve as a mere distraction from his inherently bad behavior. Lestat exhibits numerous instances of such behavior, particularly in the way he mistreats his victims. He mercilessly mocks an opera singer, shattering his spirit before ultimately taking his life. Furthermore, Lestat influences Louis to adopt a certain lifestyle, engaging in an open partnership due to Lestat's bisexuality. However, Lestat displays jealousy when Louis has sexual relations with other men. So, how does this even make sense with having an open relationship, if only one can engage in it? Because that’s what it looks like. That Lestat is the only one allowed to be with other people and not Louis. That’s being too possessive for my taste. Additionally, Lestat demonstrates a tendency to lash out, as seen when Louis kills a property inspector who had demeaned him through his thoughts. Instead of addressing the situation calmly, Lestat reacts impulsively. Only later does he attempt to redeem himself by asserting that he would have taken the inspector's life if he had truly insulted Louis.

Lestat continues to act poorly as a partner but tries to make amends by buying Louis expensive gifts, essentially asking him to forget what happened so he can repeat the cycle. He alternates between showering Louis with charm and emotionally distancing himself from him.  When Louis chooses not to feed on humans, Lestat mocks him, failing to fully support his choices.

Furthermore, when Louis introduces Claudia into their family, Lestat only turns her into a vampire to please Louis, even though he himself doesn't want a child. It's like giving a partner a child they desire without wanting the responsibility of parenthood. Lestat does this to keep Louis by his side, using Claudia as the means. However, Louis is still navigating his own vampire existence and isn’t the most knowledgeable parental figure for Claudia, who remains a teenage vampire with a stronger metabolism than an adult-made vampire. Claudia truly needed Lestat to step up as a parent figure, but he shied away from the responsibility. This is evident when Claudia accidentally kills her first boyfriend, and Lestat forces her to watch as he burns in a furnace. It's a heartbreaking scene, highlighting Lestat's lack of parental instincts.  When Claudia eventually leaves, escaping their dysfunctional family dynamic, it's even more painful that Lestat knows where she went and what happened to her but chooses not to intervene. He was aware of her situation through his ability to hear the thoughts of other vampires. As an audience, we are fully aware of what happened to Claudia without seeing it explicitly and the other vampire involved, which makes Lestat's inaction even more disappointing. 

Now, because of Claudia's experiences and trauma, she has undergone a significant change. She has developed the ability to manipulate and strategically outwit Lestat, almost like a game of chess. Despite being a victim at various times, Claudia has become familiar with Lestat's tactics and can detect his lies. However, Claudia's attachment to Louis is extremely possessive. In previous adaptations and the original material, it was evident that Claudia always craved affection from Louis. Unfortunately, being trapped in the body of a child made this longing all the more tormenting, as she would never grow into a woman. This is precisely why vampires in the novels refrain from turning children or adolescents. Even in Armand's story, his maker hesitated to turn him due to his young age. In the new adaptation, at least they made Claudia older, but with a deeply traumatic experience attached to her transformation. 

Remember when I mentioned the progression from mental and emotional trauma to physical? Well, the physical aspect occurred when Claudia returned home, when Lestat and Louis already had a strained relationship. This scene unsettled various viewers, but we must remember that we are dealing with vampires here. Their conflicts are not bound by human limitations. 

It was difficult to watch, especially when Louis used telepathy to reassure Claudia during a heated altercation with Lestat behind closed doors, even though things were far from fine. This reminded me of a parent trying to comfort their child during a traumatic situation, such as a physical assault. However, this dispute did not remain hidden behind closed doors. It escalated to the point where doors were crashing and walls were being destroyed. It reached its peak when Lestat lifted Louis into the sky and ultimately dropped him from a deadly height.

Despite the altercation that resulted in Louis sustaining serious injuries, Claudia took care of him during his recovery. It is likely that she blamed herself for the incident, as the fight had centered around her. In his role as a compassionate father figure, Louis endured the full force of Lestat's anger in order to protect Claudia. I understand that this situation could be triggering for many people, as it portrays the distressing dynamics of a vulnerable parent being overpowered and abused by the other. Personally, it was painful for me to witness. What made it even worse was seeing Lestat's attempts to make amends by buying expensive gifts, such as a Rolls Royce for Louis. Despite Claudia's efforts to remind Louis of what had happened, he, like many abuse victims, was enticed back into the cycle, believing that things had changed when, in reality, it was just repeating itself. 

In my analysis of Agatha in "Agatha All Along," I explored her character beyond the role of a villainess witch. I see her as a complex individual who falls into the gray area between being a villain and a hero. One aspect I discussed was how she frequently puts on a facade, using her distorted reputation to amplify her perceived level of menace and cruelty. Furthermore, I delved into the show's revelation about her troubled upbringing, where her mother served as an inadequate and abusive parent. This revelation sheds light on Agatha herself being a victim of abuse, with her mother as the one responsible for it. 

Agatha is a character who defies the perfect victim narrative. Firstly, she is a witch and secondly; she was forced to kill her coven members who had attempted to harm her. She only absorbs the magic and life force of other witches if they attack her first. It is also important to address the misconceptions surrounding the rumors that she traded her own son for the Dark Hold. It is surprising to think that she, as a villainess, was actually a victim of abuse, facing threats from her own mother and the entire coven. 

In concluding this blog, let us explore the portrayal of abuse victims in "Interview with the Vampire." Despite his identity as a black gay man and vampire, Louis may not initially appear as a typical victim of domestic and societal abuse. However, he indeed falls into that category. Another example is Claudia, who, because of her traumas and experiences, becomes just as manipulative and conniving as her maker, Lestat. It may be unexpected for vampires to suffer abuse, but they do. 

Let us also consider Agatha All Along, a white witch who has taken lives, both intentionally and unintentionally. As a villainess, she may not immediately strike us as an abuse victim. However, appearances can be deceiving. In reality, Agatha has endured the pain of victimization, betrayed by her own family and coven. Although she has also become a perpetrator, it’s crucial to shed light on her own victimhood. Understanding the complexity of these characters requires uncovering the facts and recognizing that they may not fit the perfect victim narrative, but they are still victims.