#Charlie: I must state a family reunion immediately

[demonictacobeard]

Charlie, trying to cheer Adam up: Hey I know Hell can be a bit much, and we do have bad stuff happen to us but it’s not all bad! There’s parts of Hell that are just so different, and it can be amazing. And hey, your son Cain is here! He’s actually kind of a big deal, the very first overlord and all. He’s retired now and is the leader of the biblical settlement outside of pentagram city if you want to……Adam?

Sinner Adam, staring down at Charlie with wide eyes because Heaven told him all his kids chose to be reincarnated because the winner and sinner system hadn’t been set up yet until when Adam died: Cain’s here?

Vaggie, going ice cold from surprise as she sees desperation on Adam’s face for the first time: Oh shit he was human underneath all that asshole

[deanwasalwaysbi]

Castiel - First on his mind - 13x01 - 13x05 - Destiel Canon in Early Season Thirteen

So I’m still not over this.  The confession before the confession. This is the moment that I completely stopped questioning whether Destiel was canon.  At the end of season 12 Dean has just lost everyone but Sam at once. There is not much whiskey spilled for Crowley, and Sam is unwilling to accept the loss of Mary, but neither of those are what Dean is focused on.

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Dean prays to god - to chuck - I think for the only for only the second time in the entire series. Dean prays in earnest for the return of Castiel.  He mentions others but he has just lost his mother and yet his first demand is “and now you’re going to bring HIM back. You’re gunna bring them all back.”  

Dean mentions everyone, his family, bobby, even Crowley, but he starts with Castiel.  It parallels Castiel’s first version of the 15x18 deathbed confession in 12x12.  “I love you. I love all of you.”  A mirrored response.

Below the cut for full analysis of Dean’s prayer, grief, and closet themes in the first 1/4 of season 13.

Dean’s prayer goes unanswered and he beats the door up in a visual homage to brokeback mountain (x). It is at this point chronologically that Dean completely loses his shit.  In the car on the way to the pirate stop Dean is unable to say the words out loud. 

 “Let’s see, Crowley’s dead, Kelly’s dead, Cass is... ... Mom’s gone, and apparently the Devil’s kid hit puberty in 30 seconds flat.” 

Sam asks if Cass is really dead and unable to say those words Dean goes stoic as he can and says, “you know he is.” Dean’s upset, very upset, and that grief and anger is not focused on Mary.

Dean gains a tiny instantaneous moment of hope from a demon who then completely smashes it.

After his prayer Dean becomes completely inconsolable, an angry vengeance machine, the killer he used to project himself to be.  The change is supposed to be such a plot point, such a surprise twist, that it is only revealed LATER that it happened.  Such a major plot point that it must be teased and foreshadowed, with Sam asking Dean, “Dude, whatdiyou do to your hand?”  Giving the viewer their third clue that Dean did not have this cut on his hand from the fight with Lucifer and Jack.

Dean spends five full episodes without Castiel after dropping to his knees beside Castiel in 12x23, and in that time we see Dean unravel.  

In 13x01 he no longer cares about secrecy, immediately explaining the situation to the sheriff.  We see him choosing to approach Castiel’s body alone, looking upon him with such deep pain, tenderly wrapping, pausing multiple times to steel himself so he can finish that task.  Sam continues to get more and more concerned for Dean’s mental state.  Dean taking out his anger and rage and grief all on newborn Jack who continues to do nothing wrong and idolizes Dean.  

We see Dean drink himself under the table, rage against Sam and Jack, and actually become suicidal, killing himself in an unnecessary way with a flimsy excuse.  Billie sees it and notes something has changed.  He no longer believes he can win and no longer wants to live.     

At the shifter Psychiatrist, Dean says that Sam is delusional because Sam won’t admit that Mary is dead, “If he admits it then it’s real. If it’s real, then he has to deal with it, and he can’t handle that.”  Yet we repeatedly see Dean trails off unable to say the words that Castiel is dead.  This is not how Dean has reacted to the loss of Sam, John, Mary, Charlie, or any other familial loved one. 

In his loss of Castiel, Dean becomes John in the aftermath of his loss of Mary. Dean becomes the abusive father to Jack that he himself grew up with.  Jack has a moment of self harm and Dean ‘comforts’ Jack by telling him he’ll kill him so he can’t hurt anyone else. 

Jody’s Speech to Patience - In Contrast to Dean’s

In addition to Dean’s grief the writers show Dean struggle with his identity - with whether to stay in the closet.  In the third episode of the season - Patience - Dean tells Patience to deny who she really is. 

“This life, [hunting] there’s no joy in it there’s nothing but pain horror and death. So if you get a chance at normal, you take it.”   

Jody corrects Dean. In disbelief.  “You don’t have to listen to him, to either of them if it’s not what you really want.” Jody then talks about her daughter Claire, her gay daughter Claire.  

“I asked her to stay in line, to fight who she really was ‘cause I thought it would keep her safe. It didn’t work. It never does. ... you try to force it down to make someone else happy, you will only make yourself miserable.”

If that isn’t a blatant acknowledgement of the metaphor I don’t know what is.  This stopped being subtext and became... text.  Jody has dropped Dean clues about overcoming toxic masculinity before. In 12x06 Jody and Dean talked about big feelings, and that conversation was preceded by Dean beings shocked that Jody could be both badass & like chick flicks at the same time.  She’s been teaching him. However, this time was much more directly and specifically about coming out of the closet, about living in a way that is true to yourself.

After the loss of Castiel, the Dean that had developed over 12 years was gone - and he only returns upon the return of Castiel, right in time for tombstone. 

Meanwhile we get Castiel’s side - where he is being tortured by the Empty with his love for Dean and his fear that Dean doesn’t love him in return. 

Everytime Dean can't say Cas is dead I die a little inside.

"...no matter who we lost, whether it was Dad or -- or Bobby or... And I would take the hit."

"...and now Mom and ... and Cas... And I -- I don't know. I don't know."

Dean was in love with Cas. Dean is bisexual. Dean has spent 12 years unwilling to admit it. 

Dean had been repeatedly lit in orange in the car rides, but the second he believes Castiel is alive his face is inexplicably relit in white light.

We then come to the final shots of the episode - where the camera COMPLETELY IGNORES SAM and focuses exclusively on zoom in reaction shots between Dean and Castiel while “It’s never too later to start all over again” plays in this conclusion to a five episode romantic longing and grief arc completely platonic reunion between two dude bros.  

We also see the Orange Light / Dean’s Ongoing Fear of Loss Motif come to it’s climax, the burning of Castiel’s body (13x01), and Castiel’s return (13x05).

I legitimately don’t know what the writers thought they were doing if they WEREN’T explicitly writing a romance story.

It was much later that we learned there was an angle we never got of their reunion, where Dean was cupping Cas's face and neck in his right hand.

But we do get the look on Dean's face in 13x06 when he's able to get his arms around Cas after he's deflected and called Cas 'Pal' again, Gif via @inacatastrophicmind

Bonus - Dean’s stages of grief by @mariethalienne

[discovisiondreams]

Top 15 First Watches of 2020

I’ve never been good at staying current on pop culture, and that became especially pronounced in 2020. A year where most of the anticipated theatrical releases were pushed to VOD (and the price nearly tripled) meant that a lot of flicks I was excited for got added to the end of the “Maybe Someday” watchlist. 

But in this strange year, I did manage to watch 245 movies- and 195 of those were first-time watches. Some were new, only available on the (virtual) festival circuit. Some were Criterion mainstays, films I’m horrified to admit I hadn’t seen before. But this year, when movies cemented themself as my biggest joy, I began to really track what I watched- including a “top 5 first watches of the month” roundup for every month. These top 5s weren’t ranked, and weren’t even based on technical ability, strength of dialogue, or critical acclaim. They were just the 5 I loved the best. 

So without further ado, here are my top 15 of the year- one selected from the top 5 of each month, with some bonus entries thrown in as well. As a general rule, I only included features on this list- I was fortunate enough to catch shorts that streamed at Chattanooga Film Fest, Celebration of Fantastic Fest, and more, but to add them to the running would have made writing this listicle absolutely impossible. 

HONORABLE Honorable Mention: The Holiday. Inspired by the fine folks at Super Yaki, I finally watched this Nancy Meyers classic. Why is it two and a half hours long?! Why is that two and a half hours so significantly lacking in Jack Black?! The scenes that Black is in, though, really shine. This one is going to be a Christmas mainstay in the Disco household (and not just because I spent money on the DVD).

15: The Love Witch (Honorable Mention, April). This one came highly recommended to me by friends of all sorts, and like most of my 2020 first watches, I’m deeply embarrassed that it took me this long to get to it. Upon finally watching it, on a rainy Sunday, I described the movie in general (and the color palette, specifically) as “sumptuous,” which is one of the most complimentary visual descriptors I can bestow upon a movie. The plot felt a little convoluted at times, but I still found The Love Witch incredibly enjoyable and am hoping to explore more of writer-director Anna Biller’s filmography in 2021.

14: The Guest (Honorable Mention, October). The Guest is one of the few movies I watched multiple times this year- and the only one I watched twice in one week. From the sultry industrial soundtrack selections to the numerous visual nods to Halloween III: Season of the Witch, The guest was Extremely My Shit. The casting here is truly tremendous- especially Maika Monroe, who was similarly brilliant in It Follows. Also of note: Lance Reddick, one of my current favourite character actors. 

13: The Fast and The Furious (Honorable Mention, May). 2 Fast 2 Furious (and its bespoke theme song, Act A Fool, by Ludacris) came out when I was in the 6th grade. Do you remember the music and movies that entered the world when you were in 6th grade? Do you have an inexplicable zealous love for them? 2F2F was the only film in the Fast Cinematic Universe I had seen for a long, long time. Then I saw Fate of the Furious. Then I bought the series box set, as a joke?? And then, slowly but then also all at once, I genuinely started to love this franchise. Some of them are truly ridiculous. Some of them are genuinely bad. But the first one? The Fast and The Furious (2001)? Timeless. Point Break updated and adapted for the early-aughts, The Fast and the Furious walked so The Italian Job (2003) could run. Without The Fast and The Furious, Paul Walker would just be “the guy from Tammy and The T-Rex” to millions of casual cinemagoers. The cultural impact of The Fast and The Furious simply cannot be denied!! 

12: Come to Daddy (Top 5, July). Honestly, this is the exact flavor of bonkers bullshit I’ve grown to expect from Elijah Wood, and that is not an indictment. Wood’s genuine love for genre film is evident here, in what can only be described as an uncomfortable film of family, reunion, and redemption. The tense and abrasive first half gives way to a surprisingly relieving wave of violence and exposition in this critically-acclaimed flick. 

11: The Stylist (Top 5, September). The feature-length debut of writer-director Jill Gevargizian, based off her short of the same name, is female-led horror that pays homage to genre mainstays like Maniac and Psycho while still being decidedly singular. Not only shot in Kansas City, but set in Kansas City, The Stylist made my midwestern heart happy. This is one that I really, really would have loved to see in a crowded theater auditorium, were this year a different one. 

10: In The Mouth of Madness (Top 5, March). Despite being the beginning of pandemic awareness, March was a slow month for me, movie-wise (even though it’s not like I had anything else going on??). But I finally made time for this Carpenter classic, and I’m so happy I did. I’ve long been fascinated by stories about stories, and the people who find themselves trapped within those stories, and this one is truly, in the most basic sense of the word, horrifying. Sam Neill proves that he belongs in horror here, making his role in Event Horizon seem like a natural fit. Also a highlight: noted character actor David Warner, best known (to me) as “Billy Zane’s bodyguard guy in Titanic,” who never ever fails to be unsettling. 

9: Profondo Rosso (Top 5, April). Before this year, my only Argento exposure was Suspiria (which is phenomenal), but Deep Red goes off the deep end in all the best ways. The score (by frequent Argento collaborators Goblin) is truly groovy. The number of twists and turns the plot takes is kind of mind-boggling, but also delightful. Daria Nicolodi (RIP)  is at the top of her acting game here. This quickly became one of my beloved background movies- if I opened Shudder and Profondo Rosso was playing on one of their live-streaming channels, it stayed on while I was cleaning or cooking or paying bills. Profondo Rosso is a must-watch for those hoping to get into giallo.

8: Crimson Peak (Top 5, November). This one was definitely not what I was expecting, but it was GORGEOUS. I loved the world immediately (a Del Toro trademark, to be honest). As a longtime Pacific Rim stan, it made my heart happy to see Charlie Hunnam and Burn Gorman reunited under Guillermo Del Toro’s vision. 

7: Palm Springs (Top 5, August). I am not typically a time-travel movie enthusiast- but I am a sucker for witty repartee and Andy Samberg. This one made me ugly-cry, which I should probably be a bit more ashamed to admit. August had a lot of really great first watches, but the Hulu exclusive takes the cake due to its novel premise, some truly heart-wrenching reveals, and the amazing casting (is there anything JK Simmons cant do?). 

6: Scare Package (Top 5, May). Is there any format I love more than the horror anthology? While there have been so many over the years (Creepshow, All the Creatures Were Stirring), Scare Package might be my favourite of them all. A variety of fun and inventive stories combined with a genre-lovers dream of an overarching narrative make this one a must-see- in fact, it was the whole reason I bought a pass to this year’s online version of Chattanooga Film Fest. There’s a cameo here that absolutely knocked my socks off (and continued to do so even on repeat viewings). While the scares here are honestly minimal, Scare Package is a great love letter to the genre at large.

5: Do The Right Thing (Top 5, June). Yes, it took me until 2020 to watch Do The Right Thing for the first time. The palpable tension, the interwoven stories of Bed-Stuy’s residents, all seem timeless. Giancarlo Esposito is, as always, a joy to watch. 

4: Knives Out (Top 5, February). “It’s a Rian Johnson whodunnit, duh,” states the SuperYaki! T-shirt famously worn by Jamie Lee Curtis, star of Knives Out (2019). This one has received worlds of critical acclaim, I truly do not know what I could even hope to add to the conversation. I want more old-school murder mystery cinema.

3: The VelociPastor (Top 5, January). It should be testimonial enough that The VelociPastor beat out Miss Americana, Netflix’s Taylor Swift documentary, as the top pick for January- but in case it isn’t, let me end 2020 the way I began it; by evangelizing the HECK out of this movie. Written and directed by up-and-coming triple-threat (Director/songwriter/prolific cat-photo-poster) Brendan Steere, The VelociPastor is a true love letter to genre cinema, complete with a big wink to the criminally underloved Miami Connection. Alyssa Kempinski shines as Carol, a doctor/lawyer/hooker with a heart of gold. The VelociPastor premiered in 2019 but gained tons of attention in 2020 (thanks in part to YouTube sensation Cody Ko)- attention that it truly deserves. A sequel is rumored to be in the works, but mark my words, anything to come from the imagination of Brendan Steere will be worth a watch. 

2: Dinner in America (Top 5, October). I genuinely feel sorry for the other movies I watched in October (there were a lot) (they were all SO GOOD). Dinner in America, which I caught during the Nightstream hybrid festival, was not at all what I was expecting. While the other features were all very solidly genre flicks, this was…. A comedy? A modern love story?? I’mn honestly still not exactly sure, but I do know I loved every second of it. I laughed. I cried. I threw my hands up in the air exuberantly (in front of my laptop, looking like a true fool). I did not shut up about this movie online for weeks. I told anyone and everyone that Kyle Gallner is the most underrated actor of my generation and I still believe it! Dinner in America, the story of a punk band frontman who unwittingly takes refuge from the police in the home of his biggest fan, was an unexpectedly heartwarming tale of family, young love, and arson. Watch it as soon as you can. 

1: Promising Young Woman (Top 5, December). This last-minute debut from Emerald Fennell, originally scheduled to hit theaters in April of this year, finally made its way to the big screen on Christmas Day, and became the 2020 entry on my annual “Christmas Day Trip to the Theater” list.* Carey Mulligan is an icon and deserves all of the awards for this. The soundtrack is sublime. The casting choices are truly incredible. While I have no doubt that the general themes of the movie will be polarizing, I absolutely loved this one- I sat in my car in the theater parking lot for a WHILE, considering just buying a ticket for the next showtime- that’s how badly I felt like I needed to see it again immediately. I look forward to writing its inevitable Criterion essay.

*Nobody else in rural iowa was interested in seeing this movie at noon on Christmas Day. I’m shocked.

[space-sweetheart]

Angsty Canon AU With Ug

This AU sticks more towards the canon story of the movie's, that's why I named it "Canon AU" lol.

Anyway, originally, in the fourth movie of the "Critters" franchise, Ug becomes Counselor Tetra of the Terracorp Council. He is portrayed as an antagonist because of his need to collect the remaining Crite eggs, and the fact that he will stop at nothing to do so, bringing down anyone who steps in his way. As Charlie said, "I guess you got a promotion, huh?"

This AU follows along the canon lines of Ug going bad guy.

In this AU Ug and I are still together and living on Earth, until one day Ug leaves for a bounty hunting mission... and just.... never returns.

Of course it breaks me apart, at first I try to deny it and convince myself that he's coming back, that he just got held up on his mission, or he was assigned another mission. I think of anything and everything to convince myself he's coming back, I even try to call him on the device he gifted me to call him when he's away traveling the galaxies, of course.... no one answers. I end up going into a depression, not wanting to eat or sleep or drink, I just stay by the small black device.... praying that he calls..... he never does.

Bradley and his family try to help me, but it's really no use.... because they can't fix my broken heart. Sooner or later April and Bradley have to leave for college, and their parents decide to move away from the town that had caused them so much pain. Bradley, out of his whole family, feels the worse for leaving me behind because not only was I his babysitter, but he looked up to me as a big sister, so leaving me in the state that I was in broke his heart. Once the Brown's family left.... I thought I was alone once again.

But I wasn't, because Charlie was there and he wasn't going to give up on me. I may not have known him well when the town was attacked by Crites, but I knew he had a drinking problem back then, and I never gave up trying to help him stop drinking. Even if I wasn't the reason he stopped, he still wanted to help me because I tried to help him, and because he's a good person. The true reason he stopped drinking was because he joined the bounty hunters, becoming one himself, and it gave him a reason to fight, it gave him a reason to be somebody. Now he was going to try and give me a reason to fight... and be happy again.

Slowly Charlie helps me come to the realization that Ug is never coming back, of course I think the worst and believe he's dead.

And once I come to that realization, I'm able to start to move on... and be myself again.

Charlie and me become great friends, when the Crites return in the third movie, I help Charlie stop them.

After the events of the third movie, the AU basically follows the events of the fourth movie.

When Charlie and me are about to destroy the last two Crite eggs, a message beeps from one of Charlie's bounty hunting gizmos, claiming that what we're about to do is illegal, bounty hunters have a code they MUST obey. Bounty hunters CAN'T hunt a species of ANY kind to extinction, unless given permission to do so. So instead we must put the last remaining Crite eggs on a pod to be taken away to space.

When the pod arrives, after we place the eggs inside, just as we're about to leave, the pod closes, locking us both in. Where we are shot into space and, along with the eggs, are put into hibernation.

In the year 2045, the pod is found by a salvage ship. We are awoken from our slumber to find out that not only is it the year 2045, but because it's the year 2045, that means everyone we knew on Earth would be dead by now. After losing so much, Charlie and me become even closer, we basically treat each other like siblings at this point.

Unfortunately we're not the only ones who were awoken, so were the Crite eggs.... and they hatched. So Charlie and me try to fix the mess, and try to kill the rest of the Crites.

The Terracorp Council sends Counselor Tetra(aka Ug) to get the eggs, not knowing they already hatched, considering the Council thought they had lost them, because when Charlie and me were sent to space in the pod, we somehow accidentally changed the course the pod was suppose to take, which led to us getting lost in space.

When Ug does arrive on the ship for the eggs, I can't believe it's him.... I don't believe it's him. I could immediately tell he wasn't the same, he wasn't the Ug I knew, he wasn't my Ug..... he was different. Our interaction wasn't exactly a happy reunion...

"Me: ... You're not Ug... You can't be... what happened to you?...

Ug: Things change, Alexys. Things change."

I was in shock, and in tears. I came to realize that finding out the truth of what happened to Ug for all those year's... was worse than assuming he was dead. Whatever had happened when he left for that last mission had changed him.... and I had a feeling he'd never be the same Ug I loved.

Tagging @nyandereofficial @xeensbin

[aion-rsa]

Lucifer Season 6 Episode 10 Review: Partners ‘Til the End

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This Lucifer review contains spoilers.

Lucifer Season 6 Episode 10

“I’m an angel, remember? I’ll see you on the other side.”

There are endless avenues the Lucifer writing team could have taken with the series finale “Partners ‘Til the End,” but fans of the Netflix fantasy show are treated to an emotionally charged ride that finally places the characters exactly where they need to be whether in Heaven, Hell, or here on earth. Though the episode clearly centers on the circumstances behind Lucifer’s disappearance and the impact it eventually has on Chloe and Rory, all the characters receive wonderful, albeit brief, tributes that offer the satisfying endings each deserves. All in all, just a beautifully executed conclusion to a show that began with such a preposterous premise.

The partners come full circle as Chloe gets shot in the series pilot and stabbed in the finale, but it’s the actions of the half human, half angel Aurora that ultimately drives the final narrative and draws Lucifer and Chloe even closer together. In retrospect, viewing Lucifer as a series of metaphors remains an option, and with the emphasis lately placed on the themes of guilt and redemption, this approach makes perfect sense. “If the Devil can be redeemed, then anyone can,” Lucifer explains to Vincent Le Mec during the final scene and hones in on the series’ fundamental precept – Lucifer is us.

Lucifer’s recurring refrain “what is it you truly desire,” coupled with the fact that his character embodies the global concept of pure evil through the Devil persona, provides an opportunity to examine our own failings as human beings traversing the many pitfalls life puts in our way. All of which makes Lucifer’s epiphany such a wonderful outcome as he recognizes that Hell doesn’t need a keeper; it needs a healer. He’s found his calling, and it couldn’t be further from what we’d expect of the celestial being we meet outside of Lux when this journey begins.

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Lucifer Season 6 Episode 9 Review: Goodbye, Lucifer

By Dave Vitagliano

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Lucifer Season 6 Episode 8 Review: Save the Devil, Save the World

By Dave Vitagliano

Through six seasons, the Chloe Decker/Lucifer Morningstar relationship occupies much of the narrative capital, and once they settle their differences, the ongoing romantic entanglements disappear leaving the landscape open for others to move to the front. However, the appearance of their daughter Rory and the time travel element that brings her from the future, enable a long buried aspect of Lucifer’s personality to emerge. Rory’s anger toward her father and his own self-directed angst regarding his absence during her childhood disappear in the midst of an emotionally charged scene that leads to a promise to not change a thing. Rory realizes Lucifer was there when she needed him most, and in a scene visually and thematically reminiscent of Dan’s ascension into Heaven, Rory returns to her own time in the future. Brilliantly handled.

While it may have been nice for Rory to remain in her parents’ time, we always knew the future for Lucifer’s nuclear family would remain unchanged. What we see in “Partners ‘Til the End,” though, is that the truth of the situation sets Lucifer, Chloe, and Rory free from the pain and suffering each endures now and in the decades to come. Even though Chloe and Lucifer now understand the events that lead to his absence during Rory’s life, a somber mood surrounds the two at Lux as they work through the reality of how their lives will change. Lucifer doesn’t disappoint, however, and sits at the piano, presumably for the last time, to play a “Heart and Soul” duet with Chloe. It’s a sweet scene during which she tells him “I’ll be with you always,” though the visual of them kissing as he sits on Hell’s throne is momentarily a bit disconcerting. To be fair though, it will be hell for them to be apart.

Though there’s not much about the Lucifer series finale that requires in-depth explanation, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ideas and motifs that bear discussing. While regret and guilt play a significant role in determining one’s ability to enter Heaven, the sacrifices Chloe and Lucifer make, not only for the sake of their daughter but also for the good of the human race, should not be dismissed lightly. 

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Lucifer Season 6 Episode 7 Review: My Best Fiend’s Wedding

By Dave Vitagliano

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Lucifer Season 6 Episode 6 Review: A Lot Dirtier Than That

By Dave Vitagliano

The series denouement comes fast and furious, and that’s perfectly fine. This is Lucifer and Chloe’s story, and even though we know she’s on her deathbed in the future, it doesn’t make seeing it any easier. Still, the sublime nature of the mother/daughter reunion in the future reveals even more layers of the sacrifices Chloe makes along the way. Her death and ascendance into Heaven is likewise handled with the beauty it deserves, and when the white robed Amenadiel appears behind her, we realize her journey is just beginning. “Are you ready to go home?” he asks her. And then it hits us.

Perfection is a dangerous word to throw around, but the show’s final scene comes as close as celestially possible to achieving narrative perfection. Because the scene now turns visually dark, we immediately know we’re in Hell, and wait to glimpse our first Hell loop. However, that’s not how Lucifer rolls, and we find ourselves inside a therapist’s office that looks eerily similar to Linda’s. Instead of Linda conducting a session, it’s Doctor Lucifer employing all of the tools and techniques gleaned from his sessions with Doctor Martin. Le Mec’s inclusion in Lucifer’s group session speaks loudly to the work the Devil plans with his healing mission.

And just so we know the new, improved Lucifer retains much of what makes him such a delightful character, a knock on the door prompts a response that the donuts must have arrived. A playful jab at law enforcement? Nevertheless, Chloe walks through the door prompting a magnificent call and response to end the series. “Hello, detective.” And in a perfect tie-in to the episode’s title, Chloe responds, “I thought you could use a partner.” We don’t know the mechanics involved, but since Amenadiel now occupies God’s throne, we can assume Chloe’s been granted free passage between Heaven and Hell. A happy ending for sure.

Nevertheless, it’s not all about Lucifer and Chloe, and the members of Team Lucifer deserve and receive nicely presented scenes that provide enough closure to keep everyone happy. Ella meets the first group of girls for her STEM program and her relationship with Carol appears to be thriving. As much as anything Lucifer does in his final days on earth, this simple act shows not only that he cares, but that he listens to what people truly desire. Dan and Charlotte relaxing at an outdoor cafe would have been enough. Nevertheless, the writers hit a homerun adding a swanky metal serving dish whose removal reveals one of Dan’s beloved pudding cups. Again, brilliant.

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Lucifer Season 6 Episode 5 Review: The Murder of Lucifer Morningstar

By Dave Vitagliano

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Lucifer Season 6 Episode 4 Review: Pin the Tail on the Daddy

By Dave Vitagliano

Even though Merrin Dungey joins the cast late and appears only briefly, her character plays an important role in Amenadiel’s ascendance. Unfortunately, we won’t get to see her working side by side with Chloe and Ella now that she’s a detective, but we know her heart’s in the right place, and she’s working with the right people. Though I didn’t hear the tinkling of a bell, an angel gets his wings which absolutely thrills his parents. We could have done with a bit more Linda, but Lucifer’s homage at the end pays tribute nicely. And the powerful scene in which the celestials kneel before their new God drives home the fact that the human race is in magnificent hands.

Arguably the most delightful and engaging couple, Eve and Mazikeen work together as bounty hunters, but it’s the phone call they receive while out on a job that reminds us what a strong bond Team Lucifer retains. Chloe brings infant Rory home from the hospital to meet the family that will love and support her through the challenging days ahead. These charming snapshots of the near future feel completely natural.

We’ve reached the end of our journey with Team Lucifer and the LAPD, so what do we know? Amenadiel has taken over as God now that their Father left this universe to be with his wife in another. Dan, Charlotte, and Chloe find themselves rewarded with new lives in Heaven, while Ella, Carol, Sonya, and present day Chloe hold down the fort at the precinct. Half-angel Charlie gets his wings, but we don’t know the status of Linda’s manuscript devoted to her experiences with Lucifer. 

With Lucifer down under, who will occupy the penthouse? Chloe will likely want to stay in her home with Trixie and baby Rory, however, Lucifer’s old digs seem perfect as a base of operations for Maze and Eve to begin their lives together. And what of Lucifer? The Devil reinvents himself, leaving the traditional perception of Satan in the dust in favor of a kinder, gentler figure. Eventually, we know he’ll reunite with Chloe, but for now, there are patients to help.  

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Showrunner Joe Henderson has gone on record stating that this is it for Lucifer, and there will be no seventh season. It’s always difficult to leave old friends behind, and such is the case with Team Lucifer, but “Partners ‘Til the End” provides a marvelous ending to a series of stories that will continue. Unfortunately, we won’t be there to witness these sublime delights. All good things must come to an end.

The post Lucifer Season 6 Episode 10 Review: Partners ‘Til the End appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/3EaRJBD

[my-pocket-universe]

1, 6, 23, 24, and 30 for wondertrev please!!!!!!!

Wondertrev headcanons!

Omg @justpond–eringtheuniverse thank you so much for doing this OTP question meme with me. You have no idea how stoked I am. I love Wondertrev so much my heart could implode and I have so much to say about them! Please bear with me as this is going to be one hell of a long post and I apologise in advance for the overwhelming length.The following answers are based on my head-canon, in which Steve somehow was resurrected and returned to Diana as an immortal (perhaps as a gift from the powers that be), soon after the explosion and defeat of Ares in 1918, and they have been living blissfully ever after.I must emphasise the fact that I love fanfics that have Steve resurrected and become immortal in the 21st century as much as the next Wondertrev shipper, given the interesting role reversal and the fish-out-of-water situations that have Steve attempt to adjust to modern technology, but my heart aches whenever I try to imagine how excruciating and disheartening it must have been for Diana to live through a century without Steve. Alas, here we go:

1. Who is the most affectionate?They are both passionate about each other but their upbringings make them manifest their love and passion very differently. She may seem reserved to others (with the exception of her original friends like Etta and the guys) but Diana is never one to hide her emotions and perpetually deep affection for Steve, in private or in public - she speaks her mind and put her words and thoughts into action, praising, complimenting, kissing, hugging, caressing and touching him whenever possible. Canonically speaking, in the movie, Diana was the one to hold his hand first and she made it clear that she wanted him to stay in her room in the inn in Veld and she even initiated the kiss. She is unfazed by the societal expectations, norms, customs and traditions of Man’s world which were holding Steve back occasionally. I like to think he is just as affectionate (and he certainly loves her as much) but he was also brought up as a gentleman and born in 1880s after all. At first he wasn’t too accustomed to public display of affection beyond hand holding, cupping Diana’s face, touching her hair and light kisses on her forehead or cheeks but eventually he became bolder and more relaxed in public with her, as they cherished every opportunity to be affectionate to their other half, especially after almost losing each other forever that night in the airfield in Belgium in 1918 and the societal standards changed gradually over the century they have been living in as a couple. It also had something to do with how Diana was rubbing off on him with her Amazonian ways. Steve is also the one to shower Diana with surprises whenever possible and mostly something non-materialistic as he knows well enough the preferences of his goddess. At home or in private they are very on par and in sync in terms of affection, although Diana would be more verbal about everything and Steve tries his best to catch up. They just love each other with every fiber of their being.

6. What is their favourite feature of their partner’s?Diana’s favourite feature(s) of Steve would definitely be his mesmerising and bright cerulean eyes which remind her of the tranquillising blue waters of Themyscira. A close second would be his ash blonde hair (and he’s been keeping the same haircut from 1918 to 2018, as it never goes out of style), followed by his physique. She is just so pleased with his well above-average overall physical appearance and vigour and there is nothing she would find undesirable. To Steve, Diana is his angel (and actual goddess and salvation) and his love for her is a combination of utmost respect, devotion, admiration, affection, adoration and romantic attraction, thus to him she is simply perfect in every sense and it may be hard to pinpoint a feature but if one must ask he would say her eyes can reach one’s soul and her lips hold all the truths in the universe and he would never get tired of savouring her ethereal beauty.

23. Who comes up with cheesy pickup lines?Gotta hand this one to Steve. His dry and sometimes cheesy humour is incredibly endearing to Diana and when the pickup lines are embarrassing he blushes so hard and Diana would first chuckle and then kiss him. Every now and then she turns the table on him and be the one to say them and for him it is always part hilarious and part enticing. Both of them can be goofy at times and they always end up laughing at the lines together lightheartedly.

24. Who whispers inappropriate things in the other’s ear during inappropriate times?Both, although Diana instigated this. In the beginning, she didn’t even realise these things and circumstances are inappropriate because they seemed normal on Themyscira. It certainly had him very flustered and made it difficult for him to keep his composure when she first did that. Eventually Steve was emboldened and she knew he could handle this and they frequently do this to each other.

30. One headcanon about this OTP that mends itThis is by far the best question and I could talk about it all day. And if I were a better writer I would turn this into a fic (I actually tried and am still too ashamed to publish it, seeing there are so many brilliant pieces already, or perhaps I will, when I finally have mustered up enough courage to do so). Humour me, yeah?

Essentially, the major headcanon - shortly after blowing up the German bomber plane with himself in it, in Belgium, 1918, Steve was resurrected and returned to Diana as an immortal and they have been living blissfully ever after - encapsulates numerous minor headcanons:

1918 to 1940s:

a month into their reunion, Steve proposed to Diana and she immediately said yes; marriage might have been a foreign concept to her at first but after having been through so much in terms of life and death, they couldn’t and wouldn’t be separated again, and matrimony became very justified ; they wanted to hold, cherish and love each other more than anything and they intended to spend the rest of their eternal(!) lives together

Diana and Steve had a simple yet blissful wedding ceremony at the City Hall, attended by Steve’s only and elder sister Tracy, Etta, Charlie, Sameer and the Chief and their family members (Steve’s parents passed away before he joined the US Army)

Steve was in his US Army military uniform and he was stunned by the breathtaking sight of Diana when she entered the room, escorted by Etta and Tracy; she wore an airy sleeveless and low-cut white silk wedding gown that made her resemble the Greek marble statues and he was lovesick and his eyes glistened with joyful tears and he grinned so hard his cheeks stiffened, meanwhile she was blushing and smiling like he was the most precious being in the universe

They were now Steve and Diana Prince-Trevor; Diana thought she liked the sound of Mrs Trevor, there was a nice ring to it, however, out of respect, Steve said it was up to her to keep the surname he crafted for her, and they decided on hyphenating them

British Intelligence learnt of Steve’s immortality and his profile became top secret; due to his physical advantage over other officers and criminals, he was assigned special ops and high-risk rescue missions, much to Diana’s dismay (”Steve, you are not invincible, you could still get hurt,” sighed Diana), but Steve wanted to help more people, so he assured her that he would take proper care of himself and if she wanted to help him he was more than content to have her by his side; British Intelligence obviously knew about Diana and her identity as Wonder Woman by now and they condoned this

Diana received a degree in ancient art history and archeology from Oxford, completing the courses in less than 3 years, which wasn’t surprising to Steve at all; she speaks hundreds of languages and has an eidetic memory, for starters, and she went on to become a curator of the British Museum

1940s to 1970s:

They fought side by side during WWII and helped the allies tremendously in liberating concentration camps, pushing the frontlines and gathering  strategic intel

After the war, Steve resumed his secret missions for British Intelligence and Diana also joined SIS, as her colleagues at the British Museum began to show concern for, if not suspect, her apparent lack of aging; the SIS continued to provide them with identifications that could avoid suspicion pertaining to their condition

They visited Tracy and her family every now and then; she kept the questions about his peculiarly youthful appearance to herself and Steve was more than grateful for her understanding and she passed on at the age of 70; her children were curious about their uncle’s secret too but knew better not to ask

They maintained their close friendships with Etta, Sameer, Charlie and the Chief over the years, up until their passing, either due to old age or illness; afterwards, Diana and Steve had a sabbatical and travelled the world for several years, their wealth accumulated over the years kept them comfortable

1980s to present:

After their sabbatical, they parted with British Intelligence to relocate to the US, and there they joined the CIA (the Agency knew about Steve and Diana and their work from top-secret joint missions with the SIS); they were living in the States only every now and then as their operations required frequent worldwide travels; a decade or so later Steve requested a transfer to a command and strategic position based in the US as Diana became a curator for the Smithsonian Institution

Another decade later, Justice League was formed, and Steve has been leading US government’s ARGUS since; Diana is Head of Antiquities at Louvre when she isn’t busy saving the world as Wonder Woman

100 years later Diana and Steve are still living happily ever after and saving the world together

Throughout the years:

They tried out various flavours and types of ice cream in countries they visited but Diana’s favourite is always the homemade ones Steve concocts for her

So is breakfast, they certainly sampled numerous and miscellaneous kinds during their globetrotting travels, yet she always favours the Trevor special, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrown, baked beans and toast always all cooked just right and impeccable, prepared before she wakes up and served in a tray to be enjoyed in bed, and always followed by cuddling

Steve’s missions always require him to pilot airplanes; despite knowing he is immortal, Diana still gets worried (but she doesn’t make a fuss about it and Steve really appreciates that)

Diana and Steve didn’t always just work for the government, they make their best effort to save people outside of the bureaus’ jurisdictions whenever possible

Steve’s father’s watch is kept in a safe for preservation; Steve and Diana have been wearing matching watches (besides always wearing matching couple outfits, much to the amusement of their friends and acquaintances)

They rarely argue, let alone fight, and if they did they reconcile soon after (Steve is always patient and understanding and Diana is very compassionate and caring)

Diana is amused when she realised Steve actually needs glasses (despite his excellent marksmanship) and she chose pairs of them for him; although Steve started wearing contact lens once they were commercialised, he still wears glasses from time to time (think Chris Pine wearing glasses, *wink wink*)

Steve is polylingual (English, French, German, Dutch, Danish and Swedish) and Diana is always there to teach him other languages, either for professional or personal/recreational purposes

They always make time for vacation

They visit Themyscira every 3 years (except during WWII)

When they are at home they always find time to sway to some slow and soothing music

[worryinglyinnocent]

Homeward Bound (9/11)

Summary: After Miles and Sawyer follow Claire when she wanders off after her father in the dead of night, Claire and Aaron are safely returned to the beach and head towards the freighter and freedom from the island.

But as Claire learns a few years later, the island has a way of bringing people back…

A fix-it that diverges from canon at S4Ep10 “Something Nice Back Home”, in which Claire becomes one of the Oceanic Six and gets to raise Aaron herself, away from the island.

Rated: T

[Part One] [Part Two] [Part Three] [Part Four] [Part Five] [Part Six] [Part Seven] [Part Eight] [AO3 Link]

=====

Part Nine:  The Calm Before The Storm

Once they’re back on the beach, things seem to settle down a little. Ilana, the woman from the Ajira flight, is anxious and jumpy. Jacob’s death has evidently affected her more than she wants to let on, but Claire and Sun don’t feel any fear of her. She said that she’s there to protect them after all, and however strange their circumstances might be, they trust her enough not to harm them. She’s had plenty of opportunities to.

Claire stands by the water’s edge, feeling the waves lapping against her toes and looking down at Charlie’s ring. It’s just a waiting game now, until the ones who are stuck in the past are returned to them and they can all go home. There are still far too many unanswered questions and Claire is still unsure as to why they have had to come back here in the first place, but really, she doesn’t care all that much. Just as long as she gets back to the outside world at the end of it all. She’s undergone so much upheaval in the last couple of days with so many fears and revelations, that this is the first real time that she’s had to breathe and focus.

Sun comes up alongside her. Richard and Ilana are arguing about something, Claire can only make out the faint intonation of their voices behind her, no words. Ben appears to be having some kind of personal crisis, and Frank is focussing on their day-to-day survival and seems to be the sanest one among them.

“How long do you think we’ll have to wait for them to come back?” Sun asks.

Claire shrugs. Whatever it is that’s going to catapult them out of the past and into the present, it’s going to be something spectacular. She remembers when they first found the Swan station, and what everyone had said about the strange ‘Incident’ that had caused it to change its function.

“What if we caused the thing that brought us here in the first place?” she asks Sun.

“Sorry?”

“Desmond said that he crashed our plane when he didn’t enter the computer code in the Swan in time. The computer code had to be entered because of an ‘Incident’ several years ago. What if we created the Incident? What if that’s what’s going to bring the others back from the past?”

Sun is silent for a moment, then shrugs.

“When it comes to this island, I really wouldn’t put anything past it. I suppose all we can do is wait and hope that they’re all ok when they come back.”

It must be harder for Sun, having come for the express purpose of finding Jin and rescuing him, and now being so close, but so far away. She closes her eyes, turning her face up to the sunlight.

“Jin was a fisherman,” she said. “He always had a connection with the sea. Sometimes when I stand here at the water’s edge, I can imagine him standing in the same place thirty years ago, and it almost feels like he’s next to me.”

Claire reaches across and squeezes Sun’s hand, then leaves her friend alone with her thoughts, heading back up the beach towards their camp.

“What’s happening?” she asks Frank, nodding towards Ilana and Richard.

“Damned if I know,” Frank mutters. “They’ve been talking about dynamite for the last ten minutes but if they think they’re going anywhere near my plane with it then they’ve got another thought coming. I have every intention of getting off this crazy island in one piece.”

Claire has to laugh at Frank’s stubborn optimism, and it gives her a little hope of her own. They’ll survive this, they have to. She has to get home to Aaron.

Thinking about Aaron, she looks over at Ben. His world seems to be crashing down around his ears and whilst Claire can’t really feel sorry for him after all the pain that he’s caused them, there’s still the overbearing need to know what’s happened to her family, and she might get a bit more out of him in this state.

She moves across and sits beside him.

“We’re back on the island now,” she says. “So will you tell me where Aaron and my mum are, please?”

Ben nods slowly.

“We’ve always had a system of safehouses on the mainland for when we need to leave the island,” he says. “Eloise Hawking oversees the one in Los Angeles. Carole and Aaron were taken there. All being well, they should be back in Sydney by now.” He paused. “I know you probably won’t believe me, but they were in real danger. All three of you were. Charles Widmore has been trying to finish what he started.”

Claire remembers Hurley’s words from the waterfront, that he thought someone had been trying to kill him.

“I believe you,” she says. “Although I’m not ready to forgive you.”

“I understand.”

“Claire!”

Sun is yelling from the water’s edge and speeding along the beach, and Claire gets to her feet, following her. Immediately she sees what’s got Sun so excited.

They’re back. All of them. Jack, Kate, Hurley, even Sayid, Jin and Miles. The only people who are missing whom she thinks should be there, Claire thinks, her heart pounding heavily, are Sawyer and Juliet.

It’s the one of the most heartfelt reunions Claire’s ever known, up there with her own reunion with her mother in Hawaii. Sayid is overwhelmingly happy to see Claire and to learn that Aaron’s all right. Claire finally gets the opportunity to thank Miles for whatever it is that he and Sawyer did in the dead of night that saved her from the island the first time round. Sun and Jin only have eyes for each other, and the others leave them to it for a while, gathering around the campfire.

Finally Claire voices the question that’s been nagging at the back of her mind.

“Where are Sawyer and Juliet?”

Kate shakes her head.

“Juliet… She didn’t make it. James stayed behind to bury her, but I think he needs some time to himself. They were together, back in the past. For three years.”

Claire nods her understanding. As terrible as it is to have lost one of their number, the fact that only one of them has been lost is remarkable.

“So what happens now?” Sayid asks, once they have all fallen into silence again. He’s looking towards Hurley as he speaks, and Claire thinks that leadership looks good on her friend.

Hurley shrugs. “I don’t know. Jacob just said that we needed to come back to the beach and meet up with Claire and Sun. We just have to wait for Sawyer to catch us up, then he’ll appear.”

Ilana shakes her head. “We don’t have time to wait for him,” she says. “Every minute that we spend sitting here is another minute that Locke has to formulate whatever plan he’s trying to formulate. Besides, Jacob’s dead.”

“I know that,” Hurley says levelly. “But that doesn’t mean that he can’t show up.”

“Maybe Ilana’s right,” Jack says. “Maybe someone ought to go and bring James back.”

Kate shakes her head. “He’s grieving, Jack, let him have a couple of hours, at least. Besides, I really don’t think that you’re the first person he’s going to want to see right now.”

Claire doesn’t know what it is that possesses her to speak, but she finds herself saying: “I’ll go.”

She had been the heart of the survivors before. Sawyer had reached out to her when he was trying to re-ingratiate himself. She can reach out to him now that he needs it. Besides, she still hasn’t had chance to thank him for saving her in the jungle three years ago.

“I’ll come with you.”

Claire doesn’t protest as Hurley gets to his feet, and it would be ridiculous to try and go alone. She wants to speak to him anyway; she hasn’t really had chance for a proper talk in the midst of all their adventures, and they make their way through the jungle in the late afternoon sun. They don’t talk for the first couple of miles, but then Claire voices what’s on her mind.

“Why did you come back to the island?” she asks. “What made you change your mind?”

“Well, after I got bailed out of jail, Jacob got in my cab,” Hurley says. “Of course, I didn’t know that it was him at the time, I only worked that out like, this morning. But he told me that it was important that I chose to go back and that everything happens for a reason. It was a bit freaky to be honest, but just before he got out of the cab he told me that you were going back. So, I guessed that if you were coming back then everything would be ok, because you’d make sure that you got back off the island again.” He pauses, looking melancholy. “I found out about Aaron and Carole, and I knew I had to come along to support you. Of course, then we time-travelled and stuff so that didn’t really work out too well, but I’m here now.”

Claire reaches across and takes his hand. “Thanks, Hurley. That means so much.”

“I never got to say hi to Aaron again,” he laments. “Everything happened so quickly.”

“I have pictures on my camera,” Claire says, and she hands it over without another word. Hurley grins as he flicks through the pictures, and occasionally Claire has to warn him about low-hanging branches or twigs on the trail as he gets absorbed.

“He’s amazing, Claire.”

She smiles.

“Yes. He is.”

They fall back into a safe, companionable silence, before Claire needs to speak again. There’s so much that she’s missed over these past few days whilst Hurley and the others have been in the past.

“What happened back in the Seventies?”

Hurley tells her everything. It takes them most of the rest of the trek to the Dharma village, and as Hurley describes it, Claire can almost imagine what it was like in its heyday. He tells her about James smuggling him, Jack and Kate into the Initiative. He tells her about how James, Juliet, Miles, Jin and Sayid had seemed so happy and had had such a comparatively peaceful life, and how he feels guilty that his and the others’ unceremonious arrival shattered that peace. Claire reaches across and takes his hand, giving it a squeeze of reassurance. He tells her about Faraday’s plan to detonate the h-bomb and prevent the Incident, only for them to end up causing the Incident in the first place.

“Closed loop time travel,” Hurley says. “No loose ends, no alternate timelines. Everything that happened, happened. When we set off the bomb, we closed the loop and came back here.”

There’s not much more to be said after that, but Claire enjoys the silent companionship nonetheless. Not for the first time, she wonders why they all had to come back. It seems that all they’ve done since they’ve returned is to inadvertently cause even more pain and heartbreak.

They reach the Dharma village and Hurley points out the house - long since fallen into ruin - that Juliet and Sawyer had shared in the past.

Claire steps up to the door, hanging on its hinges.

“Sawyer?” she calls softly. “James?”

There’s no response, and a quick search of the house shows that he’s not there, but has evidently been there recently. Claire pads through the little building. It’s a carbon copy of the one that she and Kate had shared during their brief time living here, but then again, that’s typical of anything made by Dharma. Flat-pack, mass-produced and functional.

She doesn’t know why she’s looking for clues about James and Juliet’s life here; they haven’t been here since the seventies and other people have lived here since then. There must be something here though, enough for James to want to come back to it. Something that lasted throughout the decades, undisturbed for time passing.

“Do you think that Locke got to him before we did?” Hurley asks. Claire shrugs.

“I don’t know. Maybe. I think he’s probably just wandered off. Maybe he didn’t want to stay here with so many memories.”

Claire and Hurley leave the house and pad through the jungle that surrounds the place. He can’t have gone too far. Not if the empty bottle of Dharma whiskey sitting on the porch is anything to go by.

Out of the corner of her eye, Claire sees someone that she thinks could be Locke, but when she turns, he’s not there. Perhaps it was just a trick of the light, a paranoid brain playing tricks on her, but with everything that has happened on this island, she doesn’t think that paranoia is at all unfounded.

“Hey!” Hurley runs off in the opposite direction and Claire follows him; they meet Sawyer a little way on, a backpack slung over his shoulder and a very determined expression on his face. He’s not at all happy to see them.

“Whatever they sent you here to get me to do, Jumbo, I ain’t doing it,” he snarls.

“They didn’t send us,” Claire says. “We came of our own free will.”

He looks a bit surprised to see her; it’s been three years after all and she was a bit out of it with head injuries and almost being kidnapped the last time they met, but despite being thrown by Claire’s appearance, it doesn’t look like he’s going to change his mind.

“I heard about Juliet. I’m sorry,” Claire continues. “We’re all at the old beach camp. It would be great if you came back with us.

He shakes his head.

“Not this time, Claire. Not after it was all for nothing. The greater good didn’t do a whole lot of good, did it?”

He begins to walk away, and Claire holds out a hand to stop Hurley following.

“Leave it. We both know what he’s like. Us following him isn’t going to change his mind.”

“We’ll never find him,” Hurley says.

“I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing,” Claire replies. “He’ll find us in his own time. He knows where we are, and we’re not likely to move. We tried, at least, that’s all anyone can ask.”

The newly-installed sense of calm surprises her. Now that everyone is back in the correct time frame and comparatively unharmed, many of her worries are no longer applicable. Hurley is confident that Jacob will give them the next steps, and Claire has always trusted Hurley to have everyone’s best interests at heart. So she’ll stay with him, and she knows that he will take care of them all.

[mysteryshelf]

BLOG TOUR - Dark Signal

Welcome to

THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF!

DISCLAIMER: This content has been provided to THE PULP AND MYSTERY SHELF by Roger Charlie. No compensation was received. This information required by the Federal Trade Commission.

About the Book

“Welcome to a world of danger, action, and complicated relationships. Shannon Baker has created a finely crafted mystery that moves to its powerful climax like the rush of an oncoming train. This book kept me reading too far into the night.” – Anne Hillerman, New York Times bestselling author

  Hardcover

$25.99 ISBN: 978-0765385475

  Digital Book

$12.99

ASIN: B06XWF4395

Mystery

Forge Books

October 17, 2017

Pages: 304

    Dark Signal by Shannon Baker is the second installment in the Kate Fox mystery series, called “A must read” by New York Times bestselling author Alex Kava, starring a female Longmire in the atmospheric Nebraska Sandhills.

  Reeling from her recent divorce, Kate Fox has just been sworn in as Grand County, Nebraska Sheriff when tragedy strikes. A railroad accident has left engineer Chad Mills dead, his conductor Bobby Jenkins in shock. Kate soon realizes that the accident was likely murder.

  Who would want to kill Chad Mills? Kate finds that he made a few enemies as president of the railroad workers union. Meanwhile his widow is behaving oddly. And why was his neighbor Josh Stevens at the Mills house on the night of the accident?

  While her loud and meddling family conspires to help Kate past her divorce, State Patrol Officer Trey closes in on Josh Stevens as the suspect. Kate doesn’t believe it. She may not have the experience, but she’s lived in the Sandhills her whole life, and knows the land and the people. Something doesn’t add up—and Kate must find the real killer before he can strike again.

  Can’t wait until October? Pick up Stripped Bare now, or the thrilling Kate Fox short story Close Enough on September 19th! Shannon-Baker.com

Interview with the Author

What initially got you interested in writing?

When my older sister told me very early on that she was the writer in the family and I’d have to find something else to do, I gravitated to theater. It wasn’t until my 35th high school class reunion that I realized I’d written the class prophecy as well as class wills. So, part of me was always writing. When I hit college, my practical side took over and I ended up in the business school. My freshman comp prof drew me aside one day and said, “You have a real facility for the language. You should consider becoming and English major.” Of course, I blew him off (except I still remember his exact words).

  What made it possible for me to be a writer is that I’ve always loved to read. My first husband used it as an insult when he said, “Your nose is always in a book.” I still consider it one of the nicest things he ever said to me.

  How did you decide to make the move into becoming a published author?

I wrote my first book with the idea that I had always been a big reader, I could certainly write. Ha! I finished that book but even I could see how awful it was. I discovered Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers in Denver, and started attending their yearly conference. That’s where I learned to write and decided to try to get good enough to be published.

  What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?

First and always, I want readers to do that magical thing–like when space ships in Star Wars go into warp speed–where they are transported into the world of the story. Reading novels has made me so happy and I’d love to give that to readers.

  Then I’d love for them to find out something about rural America, cattle ranching, and the beautiful Nebraska Sandhills. I’d also like them to make friends with Kate Fox and enjoy spending time with her.

  What do you find most rewarding about writing?

Like yoga or long distance running, I love having done it. For me, writing is like solving this big puzzle. You start out with all these ideas and you need to figure out how to fit them all together and add more stuff to come up with a story that moves along and hangs together. While I’m going through it, I can get frustrated. I stomp around declaring that I’m not smart enough. But, so far, if I bash my brain long enough, it all sifts into place and it feels like magic. So, yeah, that’s pretty rewarding.

  What do you find most challenging about writing?

I think it’s exactly what is the most rewarding. Beating the plot into submission is really hard. *whine, whine, wine *

  What advice would you give to people wanting to enter the field?

The big two that Stephen King recommends: write every day and read all the time. I’d also add to keep learning. I learned how to write from going to conferences. Now I take online courses and read lots of great books on writing.

  And also, one I wish I’d have told my younger self—be gentle with yourself. Writing is a long game. Hardly anyone gets there immediately. It takes lots of words, lots of effort, endless education. Keep working but don’t expect immediate success.

  Is there anything else besides writing you think people would find interesting about you?

I don’t know how interested other people would be about this, but two days ago I returned from scuba diving in Roatan, Honduras. I dove with sharks, people! And I saw 6 sea horses in total, all at different times. Not only that, but we spotted a manta ray with an 8-foot wingspan!

  If you’d have asked me this two weeks ago, I’d have told you that at my ripe old age, more 60 than 50, I ran my first ½ marathon. I beat Oprah Winfrey’s time, so there’s that.

  What are the best ways to connect with you, or find out more about your work?

  You can contact me through my website: www.shannon-baker.com

I am the worst Twitterer ever, but my handle there is: sbakerwriter

Facebook: Shannon.Baker2

About the Author

Shannon Baker is the author of the Kate Fox mystery series, set in the isolated cattle country of the Nebraska Sandhills. She was voted Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ 2017 Writer of the Year and Stripped Bare earned the author a starred review in Library Journal (as their Pick of the Month) and a nomination for the 2016 Reading The West Award from Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers. She also writes the Nora Abbott Mysteries (Midnight Ink), featuring Hopi Indian mysticism and environmental issues inspired by her time working at the Grand Canyon Trust. Shannon makes her home in Tucson where she enjoys cocktails by the pool, breathtaking sunsets, a crazy Weimaraner, and killing people (in the pages of her books).

BLOG TOUR – Dark Signal was originally published on the Wordpress version of The Pulp and Mystery Shelf with Shannon Muir