#Louise oddballs

[cosmothecosmicstar]

An Oddballs rant

This Toasty image is my reaction when I see the treatment of abused kids in Oddballs

Oddballs has terrible morals for children

I’m saving Toasty for the end of this post because I have so much stuff to say about his arc

first - Max and his parents

Max is already a terrible character

but why is he comfortable with his parents

in episode 1 it’s shown they have abused him and episode 8 shows they won’t hesitate to give him away to a strange lab if he acts feral, like wtf, I hate those 2 (and his sister too)

THAT’S YOUR KID! TREAT HIM LIKE YOUR KID AND PROTECT HIM! WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU!

Max is also abusive (which I’m going to talk about in the Toasty section)

second - James, Louise and Patrick

As someone who was neglected, I think James’ parents did neglect James (and Louise was also shown to turn her kid into a smart phone despite the fact he was SCREAMING in pain)

Louise doesn’t care about James, the only person close to a parent he has is Mr. Mcfly, HIS TEACHER!

Mr. Mcfly is probably the only character suit to be a parent in this show!

now…the reason why I wrote this…

third - Toasty / Declan

A abused kid portrayed as the VILLAIN?! HUH?!

Why are his abusive fathers (James and Max) A HERO?!?!?! WTF!!!

James is overbearing and strict (and killed his OWN SON!) and tries to justify him throwing his son’s dead body in the trash!

Toasty has been abused and traumatized by James and Max, Max just sees him as an experiment and doesn’t hesitate to make his life a living hell, no wonder why Toasty snapped, BECAUSE MAX AND JAMES ARE ABUSERS!

Max never cared about Toasty, won’t hesitate to kill him (same can be applied to James) and doesn’t care when HIS OWN FUCKING SON DIES! Max should stay the fuck away from kids and never be a parent again! I just want to kick and hit Max, he’s so awful

James did kinda try to care but thanks to the worst character Max, he just wants Toasty for toast (same as Max) and even though he tries to become a better parent, he fails, I hope he doesn’t have the chance to become a father again

Toasty is a victim of abuse and should have been redeemed but nope, they just had to kill him, turn him into a waffle maker and say that he’ll cause destruction again! this isn’t how you write a 13 YEAR OLD TEENAGER WHO HAS BEEN TRAUMATIZED THANKS TO 2 FUCKING IDIOTS

I just wish Toasty had a better arc (and also get away from James and Max)

how about James and Max become the villains and Toasty is a hero who escapes from them and at the end gets adopted by Mr. Mcfly

he’s also isolated from the rest of Dirt, and was never taught morals, which is why I think he went on a rampage, he doesn’t know that what he’s doing is bad, he just thinks he’s doing the right thing, and honestly I just want to give him blankets, hugs and headpats and tell him that it’s not his fault he was abused, and that he deserves better

fuck Max, James, Max’s parents, Louise and Patrick, I hope someone kicks them

This is why Oddballs disgusts me, I’m pissed off and the writing of this show feels like a slap in the face.

I’m ending my vent here, sorry for my anger, I just can’t with this show.

[dustedmagazine]

Joe Goddard — Harmonics (Domino)

Photo by Louise Mason

Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard enlarges a euphoric, body-moving electronic aesthetic on this third solo album by inviting in collaborators, and though results vary, the best of these partnerships are extraordinary.

Some of these meetups are not surprising, as when Alexis Taylor and Al Doyle turn up for “Mountains.” Here a plurality of Hot Chip join in a blippy, boppy, spirit quest that asks existential questions amid rave-y bursts of synth and drum machine. Wild Beasts’ Hayden Thorpe, too, seems like a natural choice in “Summons,” executing wild operatic arcs of melody atop grumbling synth bass and pounding keyboards. But a couple of tracks featuring Goddard discovery Findia fall flat; they’re not terrible but feel a bit like by-the-numbers dance pop.

In fact, the further Goddard gets away from what you might expect, the better these cuts work. It’s the oddball entries that catch your ear.  Tom McFarland, of the UK dance-pop ensemble Jungle, flutters soulfully over eerie, trebly keyboard auras in “Ghosts,” stretching words into fluid glissandos. McFarland, perhaps reflecting the title, is a spare, spectral presence, but the chorus kicks in with a gospel weight and certainty, a triumph over frailty and doubt. The jazz saxophone player and pop collage-ist Alexander DePlume is another unexpected choice, blowing in over the glitchy flicker of “Revery” with slow, vibrato-laced tones, a florid, faintly old fashioned sound in an electronic forest. But the best of all is “Miles Away,” an unearthly mesh of the Guinean singer Falle Nioke’s resonating tones and the chiming of mbira. If there were a whole album of just this, I’d be all in, 100%.

Goddard sometimes tinged his old band’s tunes with melancholy taking the vocals, for instance, on the moody, soulful “Hungry Children,” but Harmonics reaches for positive affirmation. “Progress,” aided by Ibibio Sound System’s Eno Williams, percolates with good feelings. Its heavily effected vocals soaring over pulsing, tonally intricate Konono 1-style percussion and swinging brass. It lifts off effortlessly and takes you with it.

In the end, it feels wrong to call this album a solo record, since it is defined and elevated by the people Goddard works with. He’s been adventurous in seeking out partners, choosing some familiar ones and some that no one would have predicted, and the risks, especially, have paid off.  

Jennifer Kelly

[babsvibes]

What are your five favorite Logan moments? 😚

Come on man. Do you know how hard this was for me?? I had to narrow it down to favorite character defining moments that aren’t just favorite Logan lines, aren’t favorite Louise-focused interactions, and aren’t favorite babygirl!Logan moments. You’d think with that criteria I’d be down to only five, but you’d be wrong.

Five favorite Logan moments + a couple bonuses

As for why these make the list (or at least one of several lists):

Tumblr keeps duplicating my points ahhh

I got a little wordy sorry sorry

It’s not that common for a character’s motivations to be so clearly spelled out, but you can see everything Logan cares about right here. Logan wants to create a relaxed environment, wants his friends to be comfortable, and doesn’t want people impeding on that space. It also showcases that he’s an oddball. Like the language he uses is so specific and detaches himself as the leader and one responsible for the space around him. It’s also emotionally aware (like we’ll see again later). Every single one of Logan’s actions can be explained by these couple of lines, so they’re incredibly important.

It’s not that common for a character’s motivations to be so clearly spelled out, but you can see everything Logan cares about right here. Logan wants to create a relaxed environment, wants his friends to be comfortable, and doesn’t want people impeding on that space. It also showcases that he’s an oddball. Like the language he uses is so specific and detaches himself as the leader and one responsible for the space around him. It’s also emotionally aware (like we’ll see again later). Every single one of Logan’s actions can be explained by these couple of lines, so they’re incredibly important.

The entire montage of Louise following Logan around and him just letting her is so gold, and it kicks off with this character defining moment. He’s not going to give up, and he’s going to make up some bullshit about his psat scores to solidify that. He just likes the ears. He doesn’t mess them up or let his friends hold them, and he doesn’t go out of his way to bother Louise more when he’s “winning.” He’s just a competitive, stupid teenager.

Look… he so obviously thinks of himself as a ladies man while he’s posturing in this tiny, tiny moment where he’s talking to Shanaya, and I think that’s hilarious.

He’s annoying and gross while he works in the restaurant, that’s a given. But the moments he has with Gene, Tina, and even Linda for a split second all show that he’s really not there to cause problems to people who aren’t causing him problems. Gene’s excited to hang out with another boy, and Logan indulges him with high fives. Tina asks Logan a bunch of embarrassing questions, and he just tells her it’s top secret guy stuff. It’s cute in a “oh, you little shit” way.

Okay I caved and included two Louise and Logan interactions, but come ooonnnnn. He’s such a little wimp that Louise, the girl he keeps getting in fights with, is now the safest option for him to hide behind despite her being, by his own admission, “the worst and smallest choice” for a human shield. He’s so DUMB. Next, he doesn’t take her down with him. When it’s clear he’s about to be pummeled, he pushes Louise away. Lastly and most importantly, we learn he calls his dick and balls his unmentionables. All equally important things.

Again, this is an example of him being very aware of what’s going on internally. AND we find out he’s seeing a doctor. I mean, not a very good one, but he’s going. I like the little bit of him having to reassure everyone listening that he’s “totally normal” because… he’s not. He’s got some issues. Yes, I think babygirl!Logan moments are hilarious, but this bit where he is an actual antagonist and has these depths given to him give me a lot to work with in fic. Usually the depth is mommy issues, but you know. Depth lol.

In one gif, we see that Logan 1) can analyze themes of love and acceptance in cheesy movies 2) is incapable of shutting up 3) flinches and is easily taken down by Louise even WITH a warning.

In conclusion, I love him your honor.

[br1ghtestlight]

random linda headcanons i talked about with @koko-raccoon

when linda was in high school she dated a very obviously closeted gay man for like a few months to a year they weren't really romantic but she loved having him as a friend bcuz he matched her very loud theater kid energy LOL if you've ever watched the middle its basically the same as the relationship between sue and her gay high school boyfriend

in general linda wasn't unpopular and she loved making friends with everyone but she ended up befriending A LOT of the unpopular kids who were disabled/gay/nerds or whatever and she would stand up for them when they were being bullied (just like louise does with rudy) she definitely got into a few physical fights bcuz of this, she had like her own little gang of misfits and oddballs that followed her around like lost puppies, people really respected her bcuz she was so confident in herself and her personality

she was so defensive of weirdos bcuz gayle was her sister she got bullied a lot for being generally weird and annoying but linda always stood up for her and protected her, so when linda saw people like her sister being bullied she got angry

linda went to high school in the late 80s or early 90s when gay people were being REALLY demonized by the media bcuz of aids but she was always super accepting of queer ppl and just generally a huge ally, she was probably at least 15 different closeted gay men's beard before she met bob she loves the gays and the gays LOVE her!!!!!

[randomnameless]

As much as I love the tragedy of Lyon and his unrequited love for both Renais twins, I agree that the banner should've had other characters. Keep Myhrr, add Morva, change the duo to Joshua/Natasha, add Ismaire and then, idk, Caellach or Gerik as the TT reward. But seeing the cyl results and Lyon still doing great even after daddy Fomortiis I'm not surprised they're milking this dry and probably will make Lyon more of a tragic bisexual disaster rather than someone with a hurt ego in an hypothetically remake of Sacred Stones. But the thing I don't agree with is that the trend of dead dads stopped in this banner, I think it stopped with the fates banner as we did not get Valentines Garon (we were ROBBED) and Valentines Mikoto/Sumeragi; and even before the fates banner we can argue if the awakening banner also broke the trend (depends if you count the robins' and chrom as dead parents when they're only dead in a timeline we only get to experience in dlc). And tbh I think breaking trends is kind of nice, wish they did the same with other banners (tired already of the harem jokes on bridal and the playboy/playgirl suits in easter).

CAELLACH ALT

Sing it with me anon!

TBF about Lyon's popularity in CYL... Fomortiis couldn't be voted for!

And FEH feeds itself - by bringing more light to old characters through their own depiction, CYL voters will vote for Lyon based as the version they see in CYL, not the Lyon we got in FE8.

So yeah, I guess people will now remember him as a "tragic bisexual disaster" of a character, and not the egomaniac who thought he could go toe to toe against Satan to "win" the love of the twins and his people.

(heck, FE13's depiction of Lyon was closer to the character than FEH's!)

You're right about the previous Valentine's banner, but it completely escaped me lol, since it was a Fates seasonal and I don't really have a lot of feelings for Fates' cast.

Chrom at least was in his "father" role, because Lucina was there - ditto for Lissa.

I'd say breaking the trend bring more freshness... but those trends are the only occasions to have some characters added in, sure Vigarde was brought in his zombie form last year - but without the "dead parents" Valentine, would FEH really had an occasion to bring Vigarde? Fado? Morva? Ismaire??

That's why I was so pissed at dragonween ending (i know flayn is a lizard) - Dragonween was the only (because I don't have faith in FEH) opportunity to get less known dragons released (the Goldoans!), or even alts for the most serious ones (Duo!Duma lol), but now it was just... a seasonal banner with popular character and maybe one oddball like any other.

I agree on the harem jokes for the bridal banners though, but it's in general tiredness for the bridal banners in themselves, even if I liked bridal Louise and bridal Pent - it's a tiresome banner only to sell characters in white and poofy dresses with, sometimes, a breast modifier and the less is said about the easter banners, the better we are lol

(unless they go full bara for this year's easter banner, with Izuka Daizuke's league of vilains, Bunny!Ashnard, Bunny!Medeus, Bunny!Hardin, Bunny!Fomortiis...)

A trend I would like to see disappear though is the Fodlan summer - I'd love swimsuit!Seteth as much as Mythic!Willy - but this grows really stale. They even joked about it last year in the TT, but damn, let it go IS, please.

[persephoneflowerpetals]

You know I kind of think it would be funny that no one has done a comparison between Bob's Burgers and Hades. Seriously, I can just imagine Persephone, Hades, and the kids quoting stuff from that show.

Okay if this is the same anon from the Frollo ask…I love you GSKDHKDHD we are literally on the same brain wave because legit Hades’ family dynamic is slightly inspired by the Belcher family from Bob’s Burgers lol!

Like, Hades really is like Bob Belcher though lol. He loves his family to bits and will do literally ANYTHING for them, but oh man, sometimes they really drive him nuts lol.

Zagreus is like a mixture of Gene and Tina, a young boy in an odd family that just wants to fit in, but he still manages to stay himself and have fun with life, even if others don’t approve or think he’s “uncool”.

Melinoe is a mixture of Gene and Louise where she’s this crazy little oddball that loves dark and weird things. She’s quirky and silly and enjoys doing her own thing, not caring what other people think of her (though, she’s secretly a little self conscious sometimes), but she still has this slightly sinister side that can make people uncomfortable.

Macaria is honestly just her own thing lol. She’s a sweetheart and is basically just a “copy and paste” of her mother lol (kinda like Zagreus with Hades lmao). She’s very young, so she’s trying to learn about life and stuff like that, but she learns a lot from observing her family and occasionally copying their behavior (sometimes that’s a good thing and sometimes it’s a bad thing lol).

All the kids love their parents so so much and support them in tough times just like their parents do with them.

And then there’s Persephone, Hades’ ray of sunshine in the deep, dark underworld. She’s always trying to help Hades stay positive and she’s always so bubbly and fun lol. Also (as we all know lol) Hades is head over heels and ride or die (well, not literally but ya know what I mean 😂) for Persephone and Persephone feels the same way about Hades. They always have each other’s back. 🩷💙

Hades and Persephone are both wonderful parents that love each other and their kids and they encourage their kids to follow their dreams (while also keeping their feet on the ground, reminding them that it takes hard work and time in order to achieve what you want to achieve) and to do the right thing (well, Persephone does anyways lol). Sometimes they make the wrong choices in parenting or even in their relationship, but they all end up making up for it in the end and learning from their mistakes, loving each other and their kids even more in the process.

All in all, Hades’ family is quirky, crazy, and down to earth just like the Belcher family lol.

Omg and yes I’ve been meaning to find some good incorrect quotes from Bob’s Burgers because there so much potential from that show lol!

[byneddiedingo]

Louise Brooks in Pandora's Box (G.W. Pabst, 1929)

Cast: Louise Brooks, Fritz Kortner, Francis Lederer, Carl Goetz, Alice Roberts,  Krafft-Raschig, Gustav Diessl. Daisy d’Ora, Michael von Newlinsky, Sig Arno. Screenplay: Ladislaw Vajda, based on plays by Frank Wedekind. Cinematography: Günther Krampf. Art direction: Andrej Andrejew, Gottlieb Hesch. Film editing: Josef Fleisler. 

Louise Brooks left a legend far greater than her real achievement as an actress, but even today few people have seen her films. In our own time, the fascination with Brooks seems to have begun in 1979 with a profile by Kenneth Tynan in the New Yorker, which revealed that the actress who made her last movie in 1938 was alive and living in Rochester, N.Y. Such was the power of Tynan's prose that people began to seek out her existing films, primarily this one, to discover what the fuss was about. What we see here is a healthy young woman -- she was 23 when the film was released -- with whom the camera, under Pabst's influence, is fascinated. There is a deep paradox in Brooks and her career: the American girl who found success in the troubled Europe between two wars; the vivid personality who briefly dazzled two continents but faded into obscurity; the liberated woman who had affairs with such prominent men as CBS founder William S. Paley as well as with women including (by Brooks's account) Greta Garbo but wound up a solitary recluse. And all of this seems perfectly in keeping with her most celebrated role in this film. For despite her bright vitality, her flashing dark eyes and brilliant smile, Brooks's Lulu becomes the ultimate femme fatale, careering her way toward destruction, not only of her lovers but eventually of herself. The story has it that Pabst was so infatuated with Brooks in her Hollywood films that he insisted on her for the part but Paramount wouldn't release her from her contract, so Pabst tried to cast Marlene Dietrich before Brooks up and quit the Hollywood studio. It's hard to imagine Pandora's Box with Dietrich, as the film is so built around Brooks's liveliness as opposed to Dietrich's sultry languor. The screenplay, by Ladislaus Vajda from two plays by Frank Wedekind, tosses us right into the middle of Lulu's affair with Dr. Ludwig Schön (Fritz Kortner), the executive editor for a newspaper. Eventually, she goes on trial for Schön's murder, but escapes with the help of his son, Alwa (Francis Lederer), and her trio of oddball cronies, the grotesque Schigolch (Carl Goetz), who may be her father or just her pimp (the film leaves many such questions tantalizingly unanswered), the lesbian Countess Geschwitz (Alice Roberts), and the acrobat Rodrigo Quast (Krafft-Raschig). She comes to a bad end in London, where she turns to prostitution and is murdered by Jack the Ripper (Gustav Diessl). The acting is terrific throughout, as is the atmosphere created by Günther Krampf's cinematography. The film has been admirably restored, but with one reservation: The version I saw has a terribly obtrusive score by Gillian Anderson (not the actress) that's meant to reproduce what a high-end European movie house with full orchestra would play to accompany the film. That may be the case, but it's a pastiche of themes from classical music that don't always match what's being shown on screen. However,  the Criterion Collection DVD, which I haven't seen, contains three alternative scores. 

[olddudemoviereviews]

Brian and Charles review

Brian and Charles: First things first, this movie will not be for everyone. It is about a lonely guy named Brian living in a rural part of Wales who tinkers with his inventions in a cow shed. One day Brian builds a clunky robot named Charles. The two become friends and share Brian’s home. In a way, the robot becomes the alter-ego of the inventor. Charles is more confident, adventurous, and outgoing than Brian. 

I found this short movie to be quietly enjoyable with its oddball charm. If one can get past the weirdness of the robot, the movie is really about the loneliness and isolation of people. We all strive to make connections. Some are more successful than others. David Earl plays the main character Brian and is excellent in the movie. I only knew of him from the Ricky Gervais show Afterlife. Louise Brealey is also wonderful as Hazel who is Brian’s female companion in this small town. The two actors have you rooting for them by the end of the film. The Welsh scenery provides the perfect backdrop for the film.  

 Brian and Charles is a strange movie that will not be everyone’s cup of tea; however, it was fun, heartwarming, and enjoyable for this moviegoer. 

[justforbooks]

Summer reading: from missing lighthouse keepers to the healing power of trees...

50 new fiction and nonfiction books to enjoy. Plus recent paperbacks to pack and the best children’s stories!

No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood

What is the internet doing to our minds and hearts? The American comic memoirist’s first novel, shortlisted for the Women’s prize, begins as a savagely witty deep dive into the black hole of social media, then confronts real-life tragedy and transcendence.

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Klara, the “artificial friend” to sickly teenager Josie, is our naive guide through Ishiguro’s uneasy near-future, in which AI and genetic enhancement threaten to create a human underclass. Klara’s quest to understand the people and systems around her, and to protect Josie at all costs, illuminates what it means to love, to care – to be human.

Luster by Raven Leilani

This Dylan Thomas prize winner introduces a brilliant new voice. Edie is a young black woman in New York who starts a relationship with an older white man, and gets complicatedly close to his wife and adopted black daughter. The sentences crackle in a virtuosic skewering of race, precarious modern living and the generation gap.

That Old Country Music by Kevin Barry

The third short-story collection from a stylist to savour brings more exhilarating, darkly witty tales of oddballs yearning after love and enchantment in the wild west of Ireland.

The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex

Based on a real-life mystery, this stylishly written debut interweaves a range of voices to explore the disappearance of three Cornish lighthouse keepers in 1972. Both a slow-growing, atmospheric portrait of claustrophobic relationships and a relentless page-turner, this is a hugely satisfying read and a passionate love letter to the sea.

The Great Mistake by Jonathan Lee

A deeply enjoyable panoramic novel about gilded age New York, which explores the transformation of the city through the life and sudden death of the man who built Central Park.

Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason

This account of a life derailed by mental illness is both darkly funny and deeply touching. Martha looks back on her failed marriage to Patrick, a family friend, but the real love story in this novel, billed as “Fleabag meets Patrick Melrose”, is with her wry sister, Ingrid.

How to Kidnap the Rich by Rahul Raina

Written with enormous verve and energy, this crime caper satirising aspiration, inequality and corruption in India centres on an “examinations consultant” who fraudulently acquires qualifications for the children of the wealthy. Fast, furious and lots of fun.

Second Place by Rachel Cusk

A stranger comes to stay in this fascinating, uncomfortable exploration of creativity, the male gaze and the gendered experience of freedom. Cusk’s story of a female writer’s power struggle with a male artist is one of the first novels to take inspiration from lockdown.

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

A young author’s tender debut about a contemporary London love affair explores race, sex and masculinity, as well as being a joyous hymn to black art and culture.

A Net for Small Fishes by Lucy Jago

Described as “the Thelma and Louise of the 17th century” and based on a real-life scandal at the court of James VI and I, this irresistibly immersive novel follows a friendship between two women that leads to Tyburn and the Tower.

Civilisations by Laurent Binet, translated by Sam Taylor

In this hugely entertaining counterfactual history of the making of the modern world, it’s the Incas who invade Europe. Binet has riotous, brainy fun in a rollicking story of the urge to power, which delights in turning received ideas upside down.

Girl A by Abigail Dean

The premise of this thriller debut – that “Girl A” is the sibling who escaped incarceration by abusive parents in a “house of horrors” – may sound overly grim, but this is a carefully judged and propulsive story of survival and redemption, as Lex comes to terms with her past.

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

“Get Out meets The Devil Wears Prada”: in this buzzy, up-to-the-minute debut, twentysomething Nella is pleased to no longer be the only black employee in her New York publishing company when new recruit Hazel joins her desk. But then things get sinister … A twisty, darkly comic satire of office culture, identity politics and white expectations.

Light Perpetual by Francis Spufford

Spufford follows his 18th-century romp Golden Hill with a brilliantly achieved interweaving of working-class lives in postwar south London. The book’s metaphysical conceit – that the children whose stories he spins, from the blitz into the 21st century, died when a German bomb dropped on Woolworths – infuses this tale of the miracle of everyday existence with an elegiac profundity.

The Absolute Book by Elizabeth Knox

A magical book; doors between worlds; talking birds, vicious fairies and a trip to Purgatory ... Stuffed with literary allusion and mythic echoes from the Norse legends to Alan Garner, straddling dimensions and hopping genres with ease, this is a capacious, one-of-a-kind fantasy novel that’s worth getting lost in.

My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley

A short, sharp shock of a novel that anatomises a toxic relationship between mother and daughter. Riley’s icy style and uncanny ear for dialogue create unflinching prose that is funny and devastating by turns.

Daughters of Night by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

This intricately written and absorbing historical crime thriller spans all levels of Georgian London, as a woman with her own secrets investigates a murder in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

Shortlisted for the Women’s prize, this follow-up to Homegoing confirms Gyasi’s blazing talent. Focusing on a family who emigrate from Ghana to the deep south in the US, it’s an investigation of science and faith, addiction and ambition, and the way trauma is passed down the generations.

In. by Will McPhail

The debut graphic novel from the New Yorker cartoonist is a beautiful, bittersweet portrait of modern life, with black and white panels bursting into sublime colour when isolated hipster Nick makes a genuine connection with others. McPhail is very funny on urban coffee-shop existence – “croissants aren’t making me happy any more” – but his tragicomedy will also make the heart swell.

Luckenbooth by Jenni Fagan

An Edinburgh tenement building is haunted by tall stories and unnerving strangers, from William Burroughs to the devil’s daughter, in this weird and wonderful gothic confection.

The Manningtree Witches by AK Blakemore

Based on documents from the time, a striking debut about the women victimised in the 17th-century Essex witch trials that is both an amazingly fresh historical novel and a timeless meditation on the male abuse of power.

A River Called Time by Courttia Newland

A speculative epic of parallel Londons, set in a world where colonialism and slavery never happened, enables a superhero story that’s thought-provoking as well as action-packed.

The Rules of Revelation by Lisa McInerney

The rollercoaster conclusion to the Women’s prize-winning “unholy trinity” of big-hearted, sharp-mouthed novels set amid Cork’s seamy underbelly. A sideways look at modern Ireland, and a comic treat.

The Passenger by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, translated by Philip Boehm

This year’s essential literary rediscovery was written as darkness descended in Nazi Germany. With the nightmarish absurdism of Kafka and the pace of a thriller, it follows a German-Jewish businessman’s attempts to flee the country: tense, terrifying and still horribly relevant today.

This One Sky Day by Leone Ross

Gloriously inventive magic realism set over a single day on a fictional Caribbean archipelago, where every inhabitant has a touch of supernatural power. Whimsy, romance, erotica and adventure collide in a literary feast for the senses.

Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

A soaring epic of female adventure and wanderlust that ranges across decades and continents, from the early 20th century to the 21st, as a Hollywood star investigates the mysterious disappearance of an early aviator.

Slough House by Mick Herron

Spymaster Jackson Lamb may be getting a little cartoonish in this latest outing for the screwups and rejects of MI5, but Herron’s bone-dry farce of corruption and intrigue remains as delicious as ever.

Animal by Lisa Taddeo

Taddeo follows a nonfiction investigation of female desire, Three Women, with an excoriating debut novel that puts female rage in the spotlight. Her transgressive antiheroine, making a US road trip of revenge and self-discovery, is a wisecracking voice to relish (out on 24 June).

The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam

In this sparky satire of startup culture and the modern search for meaning, a computer scientist who launches a social media app with her husband has to find her own voice, both in the boardroom and her marriage. Smart and funny on culture clashes, male-female dynamics and the cult of wellness.

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders

Why is fiction important and what makes a great story? The Booker winner teaches Russian literature at Syracuse University in the US and this enjoyable collection of essays channels that expertise, diving into classic short stories by Chekhov, Tolstoy and Gogol. A masterclass from a warm and engagingly enthusiastic companion.

Real Estate by Deborah Levy

The concluding book in Levy’s “living autobiography” trilogy sees her travelling between London, New York, Mumbai and Paris reflecting on creativity, security and what makes a home as she approaches her 60th birthday. Witty, honest and hypnotically allusive, this brilliantly crafted memoir interrogates women’s quest for artistic and emotional freedom.

Rememberings by Sinéad O’Connor

From childhood thieving to publicly ripping up a picture of the Pope, O’Connor is known for sticking two fingers up at authority. This unapologetic account of her rollercoaster life and career is full of heart, humour and cameos from figures such as Prince, or as she calls him “ol fluffy cuffs”.

Empireland: How Imperialism Has Shaped Modern Britain by Sathnam Sanghera

A concise, well researched and accessible primer to a history too often whitewashed or overlooked, Empireland shows how the legacy of our colonial past saturates so much of the “Britishness” that we take for granted today.

Breathtaking: Inside the NHS in a Time of Pandemic by Rachel Clarke

Written from the frontline of history – at nights, on a palliative care ward – this is a book filled with rage and compassion that should become required reading for anyone considering a career in medicine or politics.

Fall: The Mystery of Robert Maxwell by John Preston

In an entertaining account of the life and death of Robert Maxwell, the author of A Very English Scandal charts the press baron’s vast appetites, ambition and feud with Rupert Murdoch. It ends with the man Private Eye nicknamed “the bouncing Czech” emptying the Mirror pension fund before disappearing from his yacht, the Lady Ghislaine – named after the now equally infamous youngest of his nine children.

The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel

If you’ve never read a deeply personal, stomach-shakingly funny, existential graphic memoir about exercise, mortality and self-improvement, start with this one by the talented artist behind Fun Home.

In the Thick of It: The Private Diaries of a Minister by Alan Duncan

Some politicians’ diaries disappoint by pulling their punches and offering little in the way of political gossip. This isn’t one of them. Duncan describes Gavin Williamson as a “venomous self-seeking little shit”, Priti Patel a “brassy monster”, and Michael Gove an “unctuous freak”. And that’s to say nothing of Boris Johnson and Brexit …

The Hard Crowd: Essays 2000-2020 by Rachel Kushner

In a collection spanning 20 years, Kushner is as sharp writing about partying as politics, cultural history or motorbike racing. To a great writer, everything is copy, and Kushner has a more interesting life to draw on than most.

The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature by Peter Wohlleben

A simultaneously stimulating and soothing blend of nature writing and science, this detailed examination of the consciousness of trees may disappoint readers who want to commune with the forest, but strongly encourages tree hugging for our own, human sake.

I Belong Here: A Journey Along the Backbone of Britain by Anita Sethi

After she was subjected to a racist attack on a train, Mancunian writer Sethi was left anxious, claustrophobic and longing for open spaces. This account of her pilgrimage across the Pennines explores ideas of estrangement, home and belonging.

Many Different Kinds of Love by Michael Rosen

In the darkest days of the pandemic last year came news that the former children’s laureate was seriously ill with Covid. This affecting anthology is his attempt to piece together the 47 days he spent in intensive care. Darkly funny poems sit alongside messages from his wife, Emma, and extracts from his “patient’s diary” recorded by the nurses and care workers who saved his life.

Ancestors: A Prehistory of Britain in Seven Burials by Alice Roberts

A winning combination of groundbreaking genetic science and real, human empathy, this exploration of seven burial sites explains who we are and how we came to be here.

One of Them: An Eton College Memoir by Musa Okwonga

An elegantly crafted memoir that weaves together the two strands of Okwonga’s early life takes in the rise of the far right in his mostly white, working-class hometown and his time at Eton. The result is a unique insight into race and class in Britain today.

The Sleeping Beauties: And Other Stories of the Social Life of Illness by Suzanne O’Sullivan

Some people call it mass hysteria; some grisi siknis (crazy sickness) or “mass psychogenic illness”. What neurologist O’Sullivan makes clear, in this fascinating and compassionate account, is that these illnesses are real, that they sometimes allow voiceless people to make themselves heard and that, with the right support, those people can be helped.

From Spare Oom to War Drobe: Travels in Narnia with My Nine-Year-Old Self by Katherine Langrish

A wonderful companion to CS Lewis’s Narnia novels, which captures the magic of books as a doorway into other worlds while also thoughtfully exploring Lewis’s religious didacticism.

How to Make the World Add Up: Ten Rules for Thinking Differently About Numbers by Tim Harford

As presenter of Radio 4’s More or Less, Harford is a calm voice in the often confusing and clamorous world of statistics. With its 10 simple rules for understanding numbers, this book demystifies maths and gives its power back to the people, taking away the advantage from those who would use statistics to bamboozle us.

Stronger: Changing Everything I Knew About Women’s Strength by Poorna Bell

Bell took up powerlifting after the death of her husband and can now lift more than twice her own body weight. In this defiant and reflective memoir she examines ideas around women and strength, resulting in a challenging, positive and powerful call to arms. Muscled arms.

Helgoland by Carlo Rovelli, translated by Erica Segre and Simon Carnell

Travelogue meets biography meets a masterful explanation of quantum theory in this warm and fascinating account of what happened when young Werner Heisenberg went to Helgoland in 1925.

All the Young Men: A Memoir of Love, Aids and Chosen Family in the American South by Ruth Coker Burks

A perfect real-life counterpoint to Russell T Davies’s It’s a Sin, All the Young Men recalls how Burks held hands, cooked meals and fought for care for hundreds of men stigmatised and abandoned as they died of Aids. It’s a tender and bracing reminder of all-too-recent history.

Pandora’s Jar: Women in the Greek Myths by Natalie Haynes

Pandora didn’t have a box – and that’s just one of the things you’ll learn from this funny, geeky guide to Greek myth by the standup classicist.

Explaining Humans: What Science Can Teach Us about Life, Love and Relationships by Camilla Pang

A writer with autism spectrum disorder uses scientific concepts to help her understand human behaviour – and other humans have a lot to learn from her about both.

Agent Sonya by Ben Macintyre

The stranger-than-fiction story of Ursula Kuczynski, a 20th-century secret agent whose remarkable work changed the course of history.

Thinking Again by Jan Morris

A collection of diary entries, this last book by the celebrated travel writer shows a remarkable mind, a generous spirit and an imagination undimmed.

Bessie Smith by Jackie Kay

Originally published in 1997, this richly inventive biography details the Scottish poet’s lifelong love affair with a “libidinous, raunchy, fearless blueswoman”.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

This family saga about black twins in the US, one of whom takes on a white identity, has been a critical and commercial smash.

Summer by Ali Smith

The triumphant conclusion to Smith’s seasonal quartet explores the biggest themes – war, love, family, climate, art – with wit and heart.

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

Soaked in love, agony and booze, the Booker-winning tale of a young boy and his alcoholic mother in 1980s Glasgow.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

The Pointless host’s all-conquering crime debut is a cosy caper in an upmarket retirement village.

The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enríquez, translated by Megan McDowell

Shortlisted for the International Booker, unsettling ghost stories from the Argentinian author.

Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers

A virgin birth in postwar south London? This wry, witty tale of a stifled journalist finding new horizons as she investigates an unlikely claim is a bittersweet treat.

The Gospel of the Eels: A Father, a Son and the World’s Most Enigmatic Fish by Patrik Svensson

A gorgeously evocative blend of science, nature writing and family memoir that explores a father-son relationship – and eels.

Wild Child: A Journey Through Nature by Dara McAnulty, illustrated by Barry Falls

From the prize-winning young naturalist, this is a dreamy dive into the natural world to thrill wildlife fans of six-plus.

Good News: Why the World Is Not as Bad as You Think by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Adam Hayes

Learn to spot fake news and celebrate the best of humanity in this mood-lifting global overview for readers of seven and up.

Noah’s Gold by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton

What happens when a school trip leaves six kids stranded on an island – and the entire internet is turned off? A gently funny story for eight-plus, with a warm, classic feel.

The House of Serendipity by Lucy Ivison, illustrated by Catharine Collingridge

Scandalous secrets meet riotous hilarity in this glorious 1920s-set romp starring a young dressmaking duo, perfect for readers of nine to 12.

Starboard by Nicola Skinner, illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino

An escaped steamship, estranged best friends, a talking map and a fabulous voyage add up to a thrillingly original story for 10-plus.

Something I Said by Ben Bailey Smith

Smart young comedian Carmichael Taylor is on a journey of self-discovery – from trouble at school to American TV star (maybe). Witty and touching, this book is ideal for 10-plus readers who love wordplay and wild, looping tangents.

You’re the One That I Want by Simon James Green

Shy, ordinary Freddie is terrified of auditioning for Grease, but gorgeous newcomer Zach seems determined to seduce him in the props cupboard. A hilariously rude, sweetly addictive YA romance.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Only two black students attend an exclusive US high school – and now an anonymous texter is trying to destroy their reputations in this tense, compelling YA thriller that will appeal to fans of Karen McManus.

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

Three sisters vanished as children and came back strangely changed. Now Grey, the eldest, has vanished again. Can she be saved once more? A gorgeous, grisly modern fairytale for 14-plus.

Bad Habits by Flynn Meaney

When rebel girl Alex sets out to stage The Vagina Monologues at her Catholic boarding school, she’s hoping to be expelled – but things don’t go according to plan. A frank, feminist and outrageously funny YA novel.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at http://justforbooks.tumblr.com

[cosmothecosmicstar]

Ready as I’ll ever be

Declan: Any moment now, "Your Highness". Believe me, I know I've sunk pretty low But whatever I've done you deserved 

Louise: Declan...

Declan: Quiet! I'm the bad guy, that's fine It's no fault of mine And some justice at last will be served

Louise: Please, listen! Declan: Now it's time to step up Or it's time to back down And there's only one answer for me And I'll stand up and fight 'Cause I know that I'm right And I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready Ready as I'll ever be Max: Teacher, are you sure you're up for this?

Mr. Mcfly: Actually, I don't think I am. I'll only slow you down.

Stuart: But how are you gonna lead the assault?

Mr. Mcfly: I'm not. She is. Echo: Now it's time to rise up Or it's time to stand down And the answer is easy to see And I swear by the sword If you're in, get on board Are you ready?

Max: I'm ready

Stuart & Maz: We're ready

Crowd: We're ready

Echo: Ready as I'll ever be James: There you are!

Patrick: Yes, yes. I just had to make a stop in the kitchen. I'm told you're pretty handy with one of these.

James: Heehee...I sure am. Patrick: Are you quite sure we can do this?

James: Together we will, guarantee... Declan: I'll make them hear me

Crowd: Now it's time to redeem Or it's time to resolve

Echo: Prove they can trust me

Crowd: And the outcome will hardly come free

James: I'll save my home and family Crowd: Now the line's in the sand And our moment's at hand

Max: And I'm ready

Echo: I'm ready

James & Patrick: I'm ready Declan: Ready as I'll ever be...

[daydreambclievers]

WYATT AND JASEY IMMORTAL BABY?????

send me a pair name and I’ll tell you what I think it would be like if they had a child.

Name: Louise Josephine Mathis

Gender: Female (she/they)

General Appearance: Very casual unless she has something going on, then she loves to dress up. Dyes her hair blonde because she likes it better than her natural brown. 

Personality: An oddball, but a loveable one. Outgoing but not overbearing. She’ll talk to just about anyone, but doesn’t necessarily get close with a lot of people. Likes to care for her house plants, big on traveling and trying new things. 

Special Talents: She can see and speak with the dead, just like Wyatt could before he turned reaper. There was a lot of playing off ghosts as imaginary friends in public growing up. 

Who they like better: She loves them both too much to pick.  

Who they take after more: Wyatt. 

Personal Head canon: Since Jasey and Wyatt both gained their immortality versus being born with it, Louise isn’t immortal. She’s not entirely sure she wants to be either, but she doesn’t talk about it with her parents. She figures she’s got another decade or so before she needs to seriously look into making a deal or getting turned into something immortal if she wants to go that route. 

Face Claim:

[allthefilmsiveseenforfree]

Teen Witch

Controversial opinion: stories about witches are the best stories. Just look at WandaVision - bitches ate that UP because it’s about WITCHES, which means it’s ultimately about loss and trauma and female (literal) empowerment in the face of those tragedies (and I mean there’s some complicated stuff in there about inflicting trauma upon others, even accidentally, and that’s kind of a witch thing too). And Sabrina is all well and good and everything, but what if you want your witch story to be a little less Dark Arts and a little more candy-coated? Have I got the film for you! Wes requested Teen Witch as part of his quest to expand my cheesy 80s cult classic knowledge, and boy did this one deliver. How 80s-tastic are we talking? Well...

The basic story is this: Louise (Robyn Lively) is a typical teen girl who occupies the nerd level of the high school hierarchy. You know the type - soft-spoken, nerdy best friend, has a crush on the cutest guy in school (Dan Gauthier), made fun of in gym class by all the cheerleaders. One day she crashes her bike in front of a psychic’s home/place of business and goes inside to use the phone, but gets her palm read first. The psychic, named Madame Serena, (Zelda Rubenstein, playing, I’m assuming, herself) tells her she will soon come into some witchy powers on her 16th birthday. When Louise’s birthday rolls around, you guessed it - witching aplenty. She gets the popularity, she gets the cute guy, she ditches her nerdy friend; it’s basically The Princess Diaries without Queen Julie Andrews. But then, y’know, she learns a valuable lesson about the high price of popularity and how important it is to be true to yourse--wait, no she doesn’t, she takes off her magic necklace and smooches with the boy she likes at the school dance and that’s how it ends.

Some thoughts:

This slow motion credit sequence is incredible. See, we just don’t have this anymore, where the movie starts and you have no fucking idea what’s going on. The 80s really knew how to draw an audience in. Is this a dream? Is this a music video? No one knows! That’s why it’s exciting!

Why are tv and movies so obsessed with a completely made-up depiction of what takes place outside a high school’s entrance before the first bell? Apparently there’s a busker festival going on at this high school every day - there’s guys doing BMX tricks, an all white rap group, I think I saw some jugglers.

I’ve actually taught in both middle and high school, so I know this English teacher (Shelley Berman) wouldn’t be fired for being such a shitty teacher, but he should be. 

Is this like...a musical? First there was the terrible rapping, now there are cheerleaders doing “the new cheer” which is literally a song just saying “I...LIKE...BOYS!” and there’s a dance routine on top of lockers - there’s a lot of towel choreography. It feels like a musical in the sense that it’s nonsensical, but I don’t actually think it IS a musical. Genre-defying!

It’s kinda creepy that Louise is watching an extended montage of Brad (Gauthier) working out shirtless from the shadows but like...same, girl. Damn, Brad.

Aw, at least Brad is reasonably nice. Louise, show some backbone! You shouldn’t have been too proud to let him drive you home after he ran you off the road on your bike accidentally!

I am just mystified by the market for roles that were appropriate for Zelda Rubenstein in the 80s. What is this niche? Which came first, Zelda Rubenstein, or these characters? 

I am also mystified by this gremliny little brother (Joshua John Miller) who seems to be obsessed with eating cake and never washing his hair. He’s like a goblin trapped in a diminutive nonbinary body made of pizza and spite. [ETA: I now feel a little bad for finding him so repellent in this, as the actor wrote one of my favorite meta horror movies, The Final Girls, in 2015. So at least he grew up and made something cool of himself.]

OMFG did Brad just hit the soda machine for her like the fucking Fonz? 

There is (temporarily) a Very Good Dog who is not harmed in any way.

In what universe does Louise see what her date, David (Jared Chandler), is wearing and be like “he’s such a geek” when she looks like an extra from Leave it to Beaver. 

The DJ just said “OK guys, grab your wallets, it’s a slow song.” What...does that even mean? Is he implying that slow dances are expensive? Ooh or even more nefarious, that there’s a rampant pickpocketing problem during slow dances?

Did Louise...just imply that the number of light years away a star is dictates how soon a wish you make on that star would come true? Listen. I’m no astrophysicist. But I have read enough Neil Degrasse Tyson tweets to know that that’s not how any of this works. 

OK I take back what I said, David is a fucking CREEP. Drag his ass, Louise. However, I think she may have straight up murdered him by making him disappear. David is never seen or heard from again in this film. 

Obsessed with the dad’s sweaters both because they are ridiculous and because he is the lesser Darren from the original Bewitched. 

It feels weird that Louise’s revenge involves forcing Mr. Weaver to take his clothes off in front of the class.Who wants that? Like I get that it’s humiliating for him, but really, you’re only punishing yourself here Louise. 

There is a rap-off that is meant to convey electric sexual tension between two nerdy ass white kids. 

I don’t know what it was like at your school, but I can tell you for sure that at my high school no one ever applauded when the most popular girl in school walked into the classroom like she’s Kramer making an entrance on Seinfeld.

Why is Brad taking her to an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere? And why is she wearing heels?

Oh god she took the heels off and now she’s barefoot in this decrepit house, that’s so much worse! TETANUS EXISTS LOUISE.

Wait are they going to fuck in the abandoned house? Brad has a girlfriend! You brought heels, but did you bring condoms?? I guess she has bigger concerns than tetanus now. Also I feel so bad for these actors, they are both DRIPPING sweat. That must have been a miserable shoot.

I’ve said this before, but the 80s were such an incredible time for himbo fashion. Crop tops, those tank tops with the giant holes for the arms, teeny little basketball shorts. In the 90s all we had were JNCOs and weirdly “urbanized” Looney Tunes characters on baggy t-shirts. Gen X has no idea how good they had it re: male fashion. 

I’m genuinely obsessed with the idea that popularity means the school just has banners all over that say “LOUISE” and she gets like, cards and fan mail that say “Louise U R the best.” This feels like if you ask a kindergartner what being popular means.

Madame Serena just said “the real magic is believing in yourself” which is exactly what Louise’s dad said like 15 minutes ago, but I guess he wasn’t a 3-foot-tall witch so no one paid attention when he said it. 

Y’know for an 80s prom outfit, Louise’s dress is pretty cute. 

I cannot stress enough that Brad’s girlfriend is at this dance while he and Louise are kissing! Does no one care? Were high school attitudes toward monogamy just way more flexible in the 80s? 

Did I Cry? Shyeah, right. 

This is such an odd, mostly charming, but wildly perplexing little movie. There was no antagonist or real conflict here, at all. Louise barely struggles with any sort of tension or remorse about having her powers and what it means for her life, she just kind of decides at the end that she’s over it, and she still gets the guy and no actual negative consequences from bending the entire school to her will for the past few months. I mean, in The Craft, when people use magic for their own gains, other people fucking DIE. I was definitely entertained, but a lot of it was due to me saying, “What? How? What?” loudly at the screen. I can see how this has gained a cult following in much the same way that other oddball 80s fare like Better Off Dead or Girls Just Wanna Have Fun did. Watch it once, then watch it again while you get drunk with your friends (in a post-Covid world, obviously) and you’ll probably have a pretty great time. 

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[br1ghtestlight]

https://br1ghtestlight.carrd.co/

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basic description of the series and characters that i will be posting about most of the time!!!! ^_^

HFJONE - animated webseries about a group of people who are kidnapped from their lives and brought to another universe where they're forced to compete together on a reality tv show. after the main characters are eliminated from the competition they travel through space and time to try and find a way to stop this reality show from being continued. airy is the host/antagonist (truckdriver who refused to accept his death and became god) bryce and liam are the protagonists (extremely fucked up guys with weird homoerotic tension who hate each other but also dont). charlotte isn't really a protagonist but she's one of the contestants and i love her (she's an asshole/criminal who is dying of a terminal illness and thats all im gonna say)

INANIMATE INSANITY - animated webseries about characters competing in challenges in a total drama island/survivor-type reality tv show for a million dollars!! there's also lore outside the compeition about colonization and the cycle of abuse and the affect of war and trauma on the host of the show. who is a parody of an apple iphone4. the main villian is a piece of corn parodying Real life apple creator steve jobs (his name is steve cobs) its a super fun and well-written series

BOBS BURGERS - animated sitcom about a family of oddballs running a burger restaurant together and the world around them!!! very wholesome and funny. tina (13yrs) is an Autistic horse girl. gene is an adhd genderfluid musical prodigy who refuses to put effort into anything ever and he's very sweet (11yrs) louise is a little troublemaker and VERY smart and endearing (9yrs) bob and linda are the parents and its a very sweet protrayal of a family and community that loves and supports each other always :) GREAT improv and deadpan humor

[berlinbabylon]

Hey there I am SO happy there finally is a Blog on my FAVORITE series :) Thank you so much!!! I have so many questions and thoughts, where do I start? OK first: what was your viewing experience? Did you watch in English or German? What's your favorite storyline and why? And: WHO ist the HOTTEST character?

Hi ho! :waves: Those are some good questions, I’ve got to be careful not to be too verbose as I tend to because I think people mainly follow me for my edits haha. But I’m happy to talk about the show so here goes:

(actually my answers got too long so I had to put them behind a cut after all lol)

1) I watched S1 & S2 when they first aired on Sky way back in 2017. So I really missed the fandom boat because by the time it got to Netflix, it was already months since I had watched and I had moved on to other stuff. I made a few gifsets and posts about it back then (on my main) but didn’t have much time for it. Of course I was going to watch S3 though and finally got around to watching it in the last few weeks and it reignited my love for the show so I decided to make a sideblog and create some content again. The show is one of my top favourites ever, I loved it from the start and appreciate all the seasons for varying reasons, none of them are perfect and I do have my nitpicks here and there but overall it’s like the show was made for me.

2) German! Throughout watching S1 & S2, I didn’t have anyone to discuss it with because it was aired with such limited access but now when S3 came around, I watched it along with a German friend and an international friend who watched it with English subtitles. There was a funny moment in 3x08 when the subtitles translated something completely wrong and it took us a while to figure out why she was so confused by the scene lol

... obviously, Marie-Louise wasn’t transferred, she was stood up (both can be translations of “versetzt” but here they are really not interchangeable... very strange mistake, the type you see with machine translation, not human translation... anyway, hope the subtitles are usually better!)

3) My favourite storyline is ALL OF THEM. Okay but seriously that’s a very tough choice. I think I’ll have to go with Benda’s storyline because that just wrecked me in a way I’ll never completely recover from.

4) Ayyy hottest character, I have a feeling I’ll make myself real unpopular in a second here lmao Also, some S3 recency bias coming in. Okay so lady-wise I’m in love with Lotte ofc but Vera really did it for me wow. And as for the men... well, I’m going to be an oddball here and say Litten the lawyer, I mean, did you see his nerd glasses and the way he oozed righteousness, like I’m not even sorry but that sort of thing is so attractive to me ♥_♥ Stephan was super cute, Gereon has his moments™ and I love his aesthetic but personally speaking, he’s not quite my type at the end of the day, which leaves more of him for the rest of fandom though! Also, to be perfectly honest, Anno is disturbing-hot. I can’t believe I just said that out loud but I invite dissenting voices into my inbox lmao

[aestheticark]

MY DINOS

Nero, Lvl 125 Equus [MALE]

My first Equus tame that I got stupidly lucky with. He was Lvl 70, down on the beach and the biggest asshole in the world. Kept messing up on the Rockcarrot timings so he kept throwing me off, but oh BOY did he run afterwards. But I got him after 5 attempts and has been my go to mount for pretty much everything; metal runs, farming, hunting, exploring, everything.

I've bred off him 3 times amd he's only had sons so far: Pluto and Apollo (RIP). Another one is on the way (fingers crossed it's a girl this time).

He's my Highest Lvl Male Dino and is, in 2 words, best boi.

Carpathia, Lvl 51 Equus [FEMALE]

My second tame, also a bitch to tame. Got her at Lvl 35 amd pretty much immediately bred her with Nero. I love her white and gold colour scheme, she's such a pretty girl and also the reason I have such high standards for the Equus I tame.

I've bred off her twice with Nero and got Pluto and Apollo (RIP).

Pluto, Lvl 121 Equus [MALE]

My first baby! Came out Lvl 84 and is pretty much a carbon copy of his dad, save for having a brown underbelly and feet like his mum. Named him Pluto because I didn't know how to imprint properly and therefore didn't have anything prepared.

I'm working on his stats still and then hope to breed from him or use him as a work horse like Nero.

Brutus, Lvl 40 Equus [MALE]

An ACTUAL Zebra! Saw him whilst exploring the South East part of the Island and had to quickly make a sleeping bag to mark the spot so I could come back with carrots and get him. His black stripes are jet black and I live for them.

Trying to get a dark/black daughter out of Nox so I can breed her with Brutus and hopefully get a completely black Equus.

Nox, Lvl 22 Equus [MALE]

Not gonna lie, thought he was a girl when I got him so I put him in a breeding pen with Brutus almost immediately and got confused when there were no red love hearts floating around... Oops. He was the first non-zebra I got because my gosh he's gorgeous.

Bred from him twice so far with Iris, Unnamed Colt (RIP) and Marius.

Iris, Lvl 29 Equus [FEMALE]

Found her in the same place as Nox. She has a similar colour scheme to Carpathia except for her silver/blue/grey stripes and tail.

Bred her twice, with Nox, and have been hoping for a baby with Nox's coat and Iris' stripes. So far, only had Unnamed Colt (RIP) and Marius.

Hera, Lvl 131 Equus [FEMALE]

My latest tame and one I got incredibly lucky with. She was Lvl 85 and on the beach just like Nero. She was my first perfect tame, didn't fall off or misclick once. She's another oddball in the group (herd?) because she hasn't got the classic white base and dark stripes that I've been sticking with.

Bred her with Nero and she's currently preggers. Hoping to have a high Lvl girl.

She's currently my highest Lvl Female Dino.

Marius, Lvl 19 Equus [MALE]

My latest foal and first successful imprint so he has +30% resistance and attack. He is GORGEOUS! I was pretty disappointed at first when he came out with Iris' white base coat, but jeez louise the darkness of his stripes made me keep him because that colour combo? Wow.

Gonna level him up as much as possible and then breed off him. It's times like this that I wish I was on a server so I could show off all of them, maybe even sell them... or set up a cavalry for a Tribe?

Uma, Lvl 17 Baryonyx [FEMALE]

My first actual Dino and of course it's a Bary. I absolutely love Spinosaurids and these giant croco-herons have always had a special place in my heart so when they were added to ARK (waaaaaay before I even had access to a decent phone for Mobile) I was so happy. Tamed her at Lvl 5 and named her after Uma Thurman because she's gon kick ass one day.

Might breed her with my big guy Captain one day, I'd like to see a combo of her base coat and his underbelly.

Captain, Lvl 96 Baryonyx [MALE]

Another asshole I got lucky with, especially since he passed out right next to a Therizino. He was Lvl 50 originally and had actually killed me once before, so getting him was sweet. He's a really reliable mount and dang he looks good.

Might breed him with Uma one day, who knows?