serpent-of-hope

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10 weeks of poster illustrations for my weekly challenge this year. honestly 2025 is shaping up to be the most I've ever drawn consistently in my life

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These lyrics tickle me when compared against the lyrics Gene Roddenberry wrote for the opening theme song to Star Trek: The Original Series

Beyond

The rim of the star-light

My love

Is wand’ring in star-flight

I know

He’ll find in star-clustered reaches

Love,

Strange love a star woman teaches.

I know

His journey ends never

His star trek

Will go on forever.

But tell him

While he wanders his starry sea

Remember, remember me.

Please rise for our new national anthem

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I've been having a lot of feelings thoughts about the first two episodes of the Murderbot show and I think I've finally figured out how to articulate a core piece that feels very different from the books.

I think Dr. Mensah's panic attacks are the indicator of what I'm picking up on. In the books, these are introduced post-Exit Strategy and are evidently triggered/exacerbated by/ a response to the traumatic events she experienced in the previous books (especially the kidnapping). Whether she is predisposed to mental health concerns, I read this characterization as some form of PTS. But in the TV show, because she has a panic attack in episode one, even granted that it follows the "animal" attack, to the audience this reads more as a pre-existing character trait. Though character is dynamic, to new viewers this can come across as something more inherent or stable rather than the nuanced fluid reaction to a corporate hellscape that is so obviously crafted in the books.

I think this shift from response to characteristic is also acting on Secunit's translation from book to show. From the book, I have seen interpretations of Secunit open in multiple directions, reading to different people as an allegory for: disability (reading into body function, repair, reclamation, and visible difference), racialization (reading into the way corporations in the TMBD universe ascribe differential value to bodies), PTS/depression (reading Secunit's behaviors in response to its history), and neurodivergence. In the books, all these readings are simultaneously possible. I think the show has thus far canonized a neurodivergent reading but foreclosed all others. As with Dr. Mensah, these behaviors, in the show so far, are made to feel inherent to Secunit's character rather than a response, a pre-existing always already truth as compared to the book which did so well to mark Secunit as a product of its environment and history. This isn't bad and isn't a far leap from the books, but it may be the prompt for viewer responses of "That's not my Murderbot. I don't recognize this Secunit."

So, when asking why there are some polarizing takes on the show, I think that might be one inflection point: if you are coming to the show looking for a trauma-informed indictment of capitalism, so far it not only hasn't delivered, but has scrubbed some of the elements that offered that in the books. If you were looking for anything else, you might be sitting happy.

That's just my ramblings, though.

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Watching the new trailer for The Murderbot Diaries! I'm still reserving judgement until we see the actual show, but there are two moments that have got the bees shaking in my bonnet:

1)

Gurathin: "What the hell!? You could have killed me!"

Secunit: "There was a chance, yes. But everything turned out fine."

Since when has Secunit been so cavalier with the life of one of its clients!? Secunit, who spent paragraphs internally berating a secunit being negligent about a client's life in System Collapse? Secunit, who is exceedingly competent at its job? Secunit, who repeatedly adjusts its strategies in a calculated manner to minimize harm to its clients, namely by throwing its own body at things???

Now, maybe more of that characterization is fleshed out in the show. Maybe in the actual show that moment is followed by narration saying, "Of course Gurathin was never at risk, but he didn't need to know that." That's why I'm reserving judgement. But as of right now? Oof.

2)

Don't love the framing of the workers recklessly partying in a mine and doing drugs. Specifically, because TMBD is so careful to point blame where it is due - at the company's greed and negligence, and at the fear and frusteration inherent to indentured labour. The events of "Compulsory" for example, are explicitly blamed on: frustration, accident, and the "cheap, venal bastards" that are the corporation. Notice who the books never blames? Ding, ding, ding - the blue collar workers. But the framing of that shot really makes it sound like the statement, "Humans are idiots," is aimed at the workers and not their bosses.

Again, hopefully the full runtime of the show corrects this. Heck, hopefully the events of "Compulsory" make it into the show! But right now that shot of miners dancing (?) is a disservice to the thoughtful critique of capitalism that is the books.

But, fingers-crossed, hey? I've rarely wanted to be so wrong.

[serpent-of-hope]

"60-70,000 geese" is the new "i found 100,000 dollars"

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You have voted and the results are clear - the Barn Owl has successfully defended their title! Behold the Superbest Owl for the second year running!!

(Though let's be honest - all owls are truly superb by the very virtue of being owls)

*Propaganda, fun facts, and owl pics under the cut

BARN OWL:

Last year's winner and our current reigning champion, the Barn Owl is back to defend their title! What makes the Barn Owl so popular? Their haunting face? Their screeching cries? Their vast range - nesting on every continent save Antarctica, vastly increasing their chance of being your local owl? Only you can say! And only you can secure the Barn Owl's victory for another year!

PYGMY OWL:

Meet the pygmy, an owl species so small that they are better called owlets! Don't underestimate these hunters, they're locked in a standing war with the songbirds - the owls swallowing the songbirds up and the songbirds retaliating by mobbing the owls in large flocks.

SNOWY OWL:

Known by many names: the polar owl, white owl, and Arctic owl among them, this is the largest North American owl by weight. Most snowy owls are barred with dark brown markings (like the one pictured here). If you see a pure white owl, it's a sure sign you've found a mature male.

EURASIAN EAGLE OWL:

Swooping in to riotous demand, behold the Eurasian Eagle Owl!

To all those mortally offended by the accidental exclusion of the Eurasian Eagle Owl last year, please accept this offering, of a link to Episode 100 of the very excellent podcast Beyond Blathers, bringing you 48 delightful minutes of Eurasian Eagle Owl facts and stories:

SAW-WHET OWL:

The most common owl in North American forests, the saw-whet owl calls through the evening skies with a high-pitched call like a saw being sharpened on a whet stone - hence the name.

SPECTACLED OWL:

The smart-looking Spectacled Owl makes its home in mature rainforest, though they have been known to venture into the desert for food. You'll know these owls by sight, thanks to their distinctive mask, and by sound, making a vibrating call like someone shaking a thin sheet of metal.

SCREECH OWL:

As the name suggests, you'll hear these owls before you see them, and you might think you're being haunted if you do! You might also be able to track them by their owl pellets - regurgitated packets of undigestable bones, fur, and feathers - littered around their nesting sites.

BARRED OWL:

You'll know Barred Owls when you hear them, calling "Who cooks for you? Who? Who? Who cooks for you?" through the dark of night. Compared to other owls, Barred Owls don't migrate. Fossils of this bird dating back 11,000 years have been found in Ontario

GREAT HORNED OWL:

Also called a tiger owl, a winged tiger, or a tiger of the air, these birds are fierce predators, capable of besting other raptors - including the barred owl. They are so strong, that it takes 28lbs of force to open their claws.

BURROWING OWL:

As the name suggests, these owls prefer nesting in the abandoned burrows of other underground-dwelling animals to roosting in the trees! though their nests may be pre-owned, these owls have been known to decorate with bottle caps and bits of foil or paper. By the same grounded preference, you're more likely to spot one running after its prey than flying, making good use of their long legs.

LONG-EARED OWL:

With a permanent expression of someone who just caught got doing something they're not supposed to, these owls are indeed sneaks, opting to claim nests built by others rather than constructing their own. But for all their sneaky ways, Long Eared Owls are among the friendliest, roosting in groups of up to 150 members.

BLACKISTON'S FISH OWL:

Standing at 70cm tall, the Blakiston's Fish Owl reigns in Northeast Asia as the largest living owl on earth. True to their name, they eat mostly fish and have no trouble diving from the skies in pursuit of a trout, pike, salmon.

[serpent-of-hope]

best ship dynamic is when they go from "you fool" (derogatory) to "you fool" (desperate)

[serpent-of-hope]

Will you be running a poll for this year's Superb Owl as you did for last year?

Heck yeah I am! In fact I just posted it! Go and vote for the Superbest Owl here:

https://www.tumblr.com/serpent-of-hope/774967696479666176/propaganda-fun-facts-and-owl-pics-under-the?source=share

[serpent-of-hope]

*Propaganda, fun facts, and owl pics under the cut

BARN OWL:

Last year's winner and our current reigning champion, the Barn Owl is back to defend their title! What makes the Barn Owl so popular? Their haunting face? Their screeching cries? Their vast range - nesting on every continent save Antarctica, vastly increasing their chance of being your local owl? Only you can say! And only you can secure the Barn Owl's victory for another year!

PYGMY OWL:

Meet the pygmy, an owl species so small that they are better called owlets! Don't underestimate these hunters, they're locked in a standing war with the songbirds - the owls swallowing the songbirds up and the songbirds retaliating by mobbing the owls in large flocks.

SNOWY OWL:

Known by many names: the polar owl, white owl, and Arctic owl among them, this is the largest North American owl by weight. Most snowy owls are barred with dark brown markings (like the one pictured here). If you see a pure white owl, it's a sure sign you've found a mature male.

EURASIAN EAGLE OWL:

Swooping in to riotous demand, behold the Eurasian Eagle Owl!

To all those mortally offended by the accidental exclusion of the Eurasian Eagle Owl last year, please accept this offering, of a link to Episode 100 of the very excellent podcast Beyond Blathers, bringing you 48 delightful minutes of Eurasian Eagle Owl facts and stories:

SAW-WHET OWL:

The most common owl in North American forests, the saw-whet owl calls through the evening skies with a high-pitched call like a saw being sharpened on a whet stone - hence the name.

SPECTACLED OWL:

The smart-looking Spectacled Owl makes its home in mature rainforest, though they have been known to venture into the desert for food. You'll know these owls by sight, thanks to their distinctive mask, and by sound, making a vibrating call like someone shaking a thin sheet of metal.

SCREECH OWL:

As the name suggests, you'll hear these owls before you see them, and you might think you're being haunted if you do! You might also be able to track them by their owl pellets - regurgitated packets of undigestable bones, fur, and feathers - littered around their nesting sites.

BARRED OWL:

You'll know Barred Owls when you hear them, calling "Who cooks for you? Who? Who? Who cooks for you?" through the dark of night. Compared to other owls, Barred Owls don't migrate. Fossils of this bird dating back 11,000 years have been found in Ontario

GREAT HORNED OWL:

Also called a tiger owl, a winged tiger, or a tiger of the air, these birds are fierce predators, capable of besting other raptors - including the barred owl. They are so strong, that it takes 28lbs of force to open their claws.

BURROWING OWL:

As the name suggests, these owls prefer nesting in the abandoned burrows of other underground-dwelling animals to roosting in the trees! though their nests may be pre-owned, these owls have been known to decorate with bottle caps and bits of foil or paper. By the same grounded preference, you're more likely to spot one running after its prey than flying, making good use of their long legs.

LONG-EARED OWL:

With a permanent expression of someone who just caught got doing something they're not supposed to, these owls are indeed sneaks, opting to claim nests built by others rather than constructing their own. But for all their sneaky ways, Long Eared Owls are among the friendliest, roosting in groups of up to 150 members.

BLACKISTON'S FISH OWL:

Standing at 70cm tall, the Blakiston's Fish Owl reigns in Northeast Asia as the largest living owl on earth. True to their name, they eat mostly fish and have no trouble diving from the skies in pursuit of a trout, pike, salmon.

[serpent-of-hope]

wenches know they can’t catch me,

vroometh vroometh

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performance reliability dropping

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anything, anything

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People who insist on changing the pronouns in songs while they’re singing along are so weak. “But I’m not gay!” Okay?? And I’m not a broken man on a Halifax pier, the last of Barrett’s Privateers, but for the length of this song I can be.

[serpent-of-hope]

Fidencio Fifield-Perez (Mexican, d.o.b. unknown) - The Garden (2023)

[serpent-of-hope]

Welcome to Preservation! we have nice people and even nicer murderbots.