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It was written by my friend.

SHŌGUN (2024) Chapter Ten: A Dream of a Dream

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MISS CONGENIALITY (2000) dir. Donald Petrie

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UNDER THE BRIDGE 1.03

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Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone as Rebecca and Cam Under the Bridge (2024)— "Blood Oath"

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UNDER THE BRIDGE 1.02

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under the bridge 1.02

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SHOGUN 1.04: The Eightfold Fence | 1.10: A Dream of a Dream

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SHŌGUN (2024) - Chapter Nine: Crimson Sky

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Stills from We Are Lady Parts season 2, coming May 30

A NOTE FROM NIDA MANZOOR (CREATOR/WRITER/DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER) IN PEACOCK'S PRESS RELEASE: Making season one of We Are Lady Parts was immense for me. It was a trial by fire, but I found my voice, my style and my confidence in creating this show. Most importantly, I found my tribe - from actors and crew to producers and studio execs. So, coming to season two, I was galvanised. The characters, the world, the tone - it was all there, established, and ready to go. Now it was time to turn things up to 11. I wanted to go bolder, sillier, darker and deeper and that is exactly what we strived to do. In season two, we explore the interior lives of each of the women in more depth. Each of them facing new, existential challenges with all the silliness, pratfalls and banter of season one. The music is bigger too - more wild original tunes (penned by me and my siblings) and dare I say it, even better covers. The season overall asks the question of success. What is success? For a punk band - is fame, stadium shows and major record deals the answer? I wanted to explore the uncomfortable tension between art and commerce and ask how much compromise is too much. I'm really proud of what we achieved, and can't wait to share it with old fans and new.

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LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOOO

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the gender performance of dolly parton and bruce springsteen (sources: x x)

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WHEN YOU WAKE UP NEXT TO HIM, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!!!! WITH YOUR HEAD IN YOUR HANDS, YOU'RE NOTHING MORE THAN HIS WIFE!!!!! AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT ME, ALL OF THOSE YEARS AGO!!! YOU'RE STANDING FACE TO FACE WITH "I TOLD YOU SO"!!! YOU KNOW I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT I TOLD YOU SO!!!! YOU KNOW I HATE TO SAY IT!!!! BUT I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!!!

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Beauyasha bicep meme

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TODA MARIKO and OCHIBA-NO-KATA SHŌGUN | 1.09 Crimson Sky

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Major Shōgun Ep. 9 spoilers:

Yabushige truly gives meaning to the term 'rat bastard'. Toranaga factored his inevitable betrayal into his plans, and Yabushige STILL somehow managed to spring a surprise betrayal. If it wasn't so horrible, it would be impressive how two-faced the man manages to be.

So, about Mariko .... (I'm actually glad I randomly got spoiled the day before seeing this episode and was prepared otherwise I would not have survived what happened to her.)

My take ... Mariko's death was 'pointless' in the same way Nagakado's death was pointless. Nagakado died a senseless death that failed to accomplish anything, but then Toranaga gave his son's death meaning and honour by thanking Nagakado for dying to earn him some time. Mariko blocking the door with her own body served nothing in the sense that it wouldn't prevent Ishido's men from getting in nor did it change the fate of anyone else in that room. But by choosing to sacrifice herself like that and die at the hands of Ishido's agents, Mariko derailed Ishido's plan to take her captive and ensured she'd become a martyr to Toranaga's cause. Mariko not only fulfilled Toranaga's plan, she exceeded it.

Mariko's mission was to get the hostages freed or die trying and in so doing force Ishido to dishonour himself by openly revealing his hand instead of keeping up the facade that he's not keeping anyone against their will. Mariko did both: got the hostages freed and died a martyr to the cause. (Yes, Ishido may choose to turn around and keep the hostages anyway instead of releasing them as agreed, but in doing so he'll only dishonour himself further and lose more support.)

When Toranaga gets to Osaka, he'll have the moral highground and the support of the other samurai families who didn't want Mariko to die like that and who now see Ishido for what he really is. (Also, when the time comes, I think the Christian Regents will now be prepared to turn against Ishido.)

And Mariko got what she'd wanted all along: dying with honour in response to what happened to her family. Her death was meaningful. She served her duty like her father told her to. And she got to spend her last night being at peace and experiencing something like happiness with John.

Buntaro dishonoured her for so many years by keeping her alive for selfish reasons and when he finally offered her the release of death, it was also for selfish reasons. Buntaro was only willing to allow her to finally die because HE wanted to die then and wouldn't be affected by her death since he'd be gone too. Buntaro ordered Mariko to stay alive. John asked Mariko to stay alive many times, and when she ultimately wouldn't change her mind, he not only accepted and respected her decision, he honoured it by offering to second her. Mariko died knowing John finally understood. He finally got it.

Mariko died, and now she is finally free.

EDIT to add:

She died calling herself Akechi Mariko instead of Toda Mariko. She disavowed her husband and her unwanted marriage with her last words. She was truly freeing herself!!!

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