#ME WHEN THEY PLAY CRICKET IN MAURICE...

[titanebaby]

horseplay in the lake / we’re so lucky to have him on the team

ft. the poem that peter tweeted abt

[grelleswife]

omg how long until someone hacks into the official Weston School twitter account and posts nothing but memes.. (principal approved for some reason)

The prudish faculty are at their wit’s end trying to identify the culprit…though, if gossip among the dormitories is to be believed, a cheeky musician from Violet Wolf might have played a role. Some of these rogue posts, including pics from Maurice’s cancellation and 🔥 fire 🔥 livetweets from the cricket match, go viral throughout the length and breadth of Her Majesty’s empire, cementing the anonymous hacker’s place in the annals of Weston history as a true legend.

Even greater furor is incited when a student discovers that their enigmatic principal has been liking the hacker’s work, such as a meme of Agares collapsed on the floor (having suffered yet another of his unfortunate tumbles) captioned, “me after Professor Michaelis’s Latin exam. fml”. While too preoccupied with his bizarre doll experiments to fritter away time hijacking Westontwt himself, Undertaker had no qualms about throwing a few wrenches in the security to provide mischievous pupils with the opportunity to do so. He remains an irrepressible agent of chaos!

[observeowl]

Her Assistant | Chapter 20 - Brain vs Power

Summary: After losing her family, Natasha Romanoff builds her company from the ground up. During the rise of her company, she decided she needed an assistant, one that works in her office and her house. That's when she saw your resume. After working five years for her, how was it like working for her? Or more importantly, how things progress?

Series Masterlist

Third POV The first match in the Cricket Tournament, was Sapphire Owl vs Scarlet Fox. Each match comprises 2 innings of 20 overs.

The players stood in front of their opponents (like the Civil War poster). "I didn't think you were going to join, Odinson."

"Of course I am! Australia has a great Cricket Team."

Once the game started, the majority of the people were cheering on Red House, even those that were in Blue House knew they wouldn't stand a chance.

Once the first ball was thrown by the Red House, Blue House was immediately bowled right away. There were definitely hidden gems that were found amongst first years as well.

After getting bowled again and again, the Blue House players rotated quickly. And soon enough they collected 10 overs and were due for a switch. At this point they only gained 21 points.

Once it was the Red House turn to be the batter, the wind was even stronger in their favour. Even with Blue House's tactic of throwing softer balls making it harder to it hit boundary 6, they still managed to gain a lot of point.

It was a one sided match for the first half. During the break, Blue House was trying to strategise. Bluer wanted to be the bowler for the second half but Natasha stopped him. "Weren't you going to save that for the finals?"

"But if we lose here there will be no final." Bluer rebutted. "We still have half a game left, we have a chance. We can't let them score more points. Do you agree, coach?" Bluer turned to find Y/N but she was nowhere to be found. "Where is Professor Y/L/N?"

"Maybe she went to the bathroom?" Natasha offered a suggestion. "Anyway, we shouldn't change the strategy without the coach's approval." Bluer was still hesitant at not using his trump card. "I'll be the next batter. Leave it to me."

With Red House, after having a snack from the buffet table, they were very relaxed and confident with their chances to secure a win, and even started planning their attack on Green House who was their real enemy.

"I'll let Harcourt bowl in the second half." Redmond decided.

"With those skinny arms?" Odinson asked.

"As a gentleman, I'll give them a handicap. Cricket is a game to watch. I'm sure the audience prefers to see something beautiful."

Right before the second half begins, Y/N came back from wherever she was from and Blue House was so distraught that they weren't able to rely on her advice. "Sorry, I was in the bathroom."

Natasha started as the batter and she did a great job at defending but it wasn't enough. She was basically just defending and trying to make sure Red House doesn't get as many points as possible.

"Deliver the final blow, Harcourt!!" Even though Natasha played a part in taking down Maurice Keller and therefore making space for Harcourt to be Redmond's fag, she wasn't going easy on Natasha. She did her wind up and dropped the ball suddenly.

"What happened? Harcourt?!" Redmond shouted from the bench after seeing his fag lying on the ground. People around him started clutching their stomach and dropping to the floor before he felt his own excruciating pain in his abdomen.

The ball rolled to Natasha's feet who picked it up with a sinister smile on her face. Looks like the time has come.

The meat pie they ate during their snack time was not a regular meat pie. Removing her disguise, Y/N replaced the original with the one filed with laxatives. They knew it was a matter of time before it took effect and they weren't able to play.

"Due to Scarlet Fox's inability to continue the match, this will be considered a forfeit. The winner of the first match is the Sapphire Owl dormitory!!" The MC announced.

"Ehhhh?" The entire stadium shouted except for Y/N and Natasha. Even Bucky, Wanda and Pietro who were there to support them were surprised that they won. Even though they weren't huge on sport, they were prepared to console the players. Not that Natasha ever needs consoling for such an event.

"Bucky!"

"Y/N! Great work out there. I see you still have what it takes to bring people down from the inside. Literally."

"Well, they are just a bunch of students."

In the meantime, the match between Violet Wolf and Green Liion dormitory was still ongoing. It was a close fight as Chesslock,  Violet's fag, was the one bowling. His super low bowl hit many by surprise and they were unable to defend it. To give a ball a topspin with your fingers is an extremely difficult skill. He was only able to do this because of his magical fingers, he can play any musical instrument instantly, hence his sorting into Violet Fox dormitory. However, it wasn't enough for them, Greenhill lived up to his name and kept on a hitting streak, which ended up hitting up earning the win for their team.

Throughout the game, Violet didn't not participate at all even though he was on the field. He was busy doing his own art, plucking out weeds to make his dormitory emblem. "Don't step on it okay?" It was a rather large piece of work for one person.

(pic of the emblem)

"And so, the fight for the title will be Green House against Blue House. Is there going to be another blue miracle?" The MC excitedly announced as the last match was about to start.

"Our opponent for the deciding fight is the certain victor, Green House. Can we really win?" There were some doubts surfacing in the locker room of Blue House as it was getting closer to the start of the match. People say history repeats itself, and it certainly has for a few times in the history of this annual cricket match.

Luck was never on their side.

"Let's win! I know we can win." Natasha said when she saw no one was stepping up.

"We will now commence the deciding match. Sapphire Owl dormitory versus Green Lion dormitory." The drum sounded and

"It's like the adults versus the children."

"Go for it. Nat!!" Wanda and Pietro shouted after hearing others thinking less of their boss's team. Bucky knew they needed no cheering, Natasha was going to win no matter what, even if she had to snatch it by force.

"Well then, as their coach, let me put my all into cheering them on as well." Y/N said as she turned to a band. "Everyone, get ready."

"Music as cheering? How boorish." The house master of Green Lion sneered. "What is Miss Y/L/N thinking."

"I see Green House can't even afford to listen to music." Y/N said as she picked up her conductor wand. "Then, our first song. The Radetzky March." The band players started playing the piece.

Green House started bowling first and Blue House held the bat. Everyone thought it was luck but Blue House has won 4 runs. Everyone in Green House thought the Blue House players weren't going to be able to hit their fast ball but they were keeping up.

"They just got lucky. Don't let down your focus." Greenhill shouted towards his teammate. He nodded at his captain before trying once again.

Their form was terrible but they were hitting their shots where they needed to. Greenhill looked closer into the players that were batting and realised their eyes were closed. How were they able to hit the ball with their eyes closed?

Flashback

In their meeting, they were coming up with plans to go against Green House. Natasha knew they have no chance against them unless they have something that others haven't tried. "I don't think that we, Blue House, the lowest ranking in physical strength and sports can handle fastballs." People started shouting that it was a bit harsh to call them that but Nat did not pay them any attention. "Therefore, we don't have to watch the ball."

Since cricket is all about taking the wicket, it's likely that the ball will pass through a range of about 28 inches high and 9 inches wide. So if you swing the bat in that vicinity at the right time, theoretically, you would hit it."

"As if you'd know when to swing if you don't look at the ball." One of the players called out the preposterous plan.

"You can!" Natasha immediately replied. "We just have to hear it. We'll have a signal at the right time to swing the bat. The batsman just has to swing accordingly."

"Can we do that?" He asked skeptically.

Natasha wasn't used to someone doubting her. "Yes, in fact-"

"No." Bluer interrupted. "If the bowler and the batsman don't face each other in earnest, it's not cricket."

"Is that so?" Nat asked. "We're putting our pride as Blue House on the line fighting the other house. So it's only courteous to give everything we have. We have 'resourcefulness'. Green House's forte is 'power', but it wouldn't be honorable of us to fight them with power." Natasha started to show signs of when she was like giving a presentation as she was first setting up her company, she showed her charisma and determination in persuading others. Her voice of conviction drives others to believe her words even though no actions have been taken. "Blue house is weak! That's why we should work our strategies within the limits allowed by the rules, that will give us a narrow win and challenge them with all we have!!"

Finally, Bluer relented and allowed Natasha's plan to proceed.

End flashback

At the right timing, Y/N would sound direct the band players to hit the cymbal at the right time for the players to swing the bat. With his sound, there would be a swing leading to a point for Blue House. The swing is ridiculous but their timing is right.

"They really worked hard!" Greenhill said as he realised what was happening. He had true admiration for the effort the Blue team put in.

"That's right, we can't allow them to use the mu...- What?!!" Midford, his fag counldn't believe his words. Unable to believe his words and knowing that he cares a lot for the sport, he asked to bowl next.

When he stepped up, people didn't think much of him. Sure, he was a formidable force but his presence wouldn't make the opponent scared more than usual.

So far, Blue House earned themselves 40 points which was more than they ever did against Red House earlier, and they were still attacking.

However, when Midford did his windup, people noticed the difference in his stance. It was really similar to the one Chesslock had. Even with the help from Y/N's music, they were unable to hit the ball as it was travelling so low. Everyone was impressed with him. People thought he was an ordinary person.

He isn't jealous of other's talents, but genuinely respects them. With them as his role models, he tries to come closer to them through unwavering effort. Full respect, that's his talent.

Y/N wasn't affected by Midford stopping Natasha's plan, she was ready to move on to the next one when she heard someone witness the Principal. Looking back at Natasha, she got the go ahead to locate the Principal. If Y/N can come into contact with the Principal, the one who hold everything within the school, Natasha will be able to find out something about Derrick and the rest too.

Without Y/N as the conductor, the music stopped and the players didn't know when to bat. "Where is Prof Y/L/N?" Bluer asked.

"Didn't she go to the bathroom?" Natasha answered.

"Again?!"

They couldn't hit anything without the 'support' after all. They'll have to fight on their own here on out.

As Y/N reached the last seen location of the Principal, only the Vice-Principal was seen. Instead, he was already at the stand interacting with the players' families. Y/N tried her best to catch her but they were only playing a game of cat and mouse.

Natasha didn't want to use the next plan but since it has come to it, she has no choice. After double tapping her shoulders, their formation moved. It was Green House's turn to be at bat, but then somehow they were unable to focus. There were no tricks on the ground. The balls thrown were very easy to hit but Green team's form was all over the place. As the ball was approaching Midford when he stood at the line, he thought that the ball was very easy to hit, anyone on their team would have scored a boundary 6.

"Even you now? That ball was perfect!" Greenhill shouted. Natasha smirked when it even worked on him. Sadly, as one of the few women who were selected for the team,  she knew what would distract these young male teenagers.

"What's up with that shameless group?" There's a group of sexy women dressed in skimpy clothings showing off their skin. All the Blue House students have bad eyesight, so they didn't notice. Natasha planned on pushing them like this so they won't score a single point!

"I told you to leave! It's forbidden to watch the game in such lecherous clothing!" One of the guards came to chase away Tony's bunch of girls. Natasha didn't think they'd come to check so soon and it didn't seem like Green House protested.

"Why is everyone going gaga over these women, it's stupid." It wasn't Green House who complained. It was Nat's old enemy, Maurice Keller. Standing behind a wall, she watched as the guard chased them away.

Even though Blue House managed to stop Green House from overtaking him, the points difference didn't allow them to breathe easily. When it was their turn to be at bat, they employed another strategy, placing the bat firmly on the ground, protecting the wicket entirely.

During the planning, Bluer was surprised that there were more plans. But Natasha had even more in store in case the others end up failing.

With that method, they managed to score a sizable amount of points. It only worked because of the strength that Green House was throwing  the ball and the brains to be able to calculate where the ball would land from Blue House.

At the last Green House's offense, they managed to slow their opponent and were still clinging onto the lead. The difference between them was getting smaller. With 2 overs left, they have to step up their game if they want to stop Green House from gaining more points.

"I'm counting on you Rushman." Bluer placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Imitating a trumpet, the Blue House's players surrounded the player at bat. It was such a tight defense that it seemed ridiculous.

'The bowler is that pipsqueak? Her throw can't be much. She's hardly a threat to someone like me who's been a Green House regular for three years.' The batter thought when he saw Natasha stepping up with the ball.

Natasha threw the ball and it bounced before heading towards the batter's face. In order to protect himself, he lifted up his bat and the ball bounced once in the field before reaching Clayton.

"Hey, that's dangerous!" He shouted, thinking Nat has got no control.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, It's a dot, so do it over."

Natasha tried again and it headed towards the batter's face once again, earning an out. "I was just evading a dangerous ball there! Also, what are you doing, failing to throw properly twice is-" He started complaining about the referee's judgement.

Once the players started to realise what they were playing at, they started shouting that it wasn't fair and that they were breaking the rules. Their rage spread to the spectators in the stands who started booing.

"Breaking the rules? When? Who did?" Natasha said as he looked at the audience. "The bowler throws towards the wicket. The batman tries to protect it by hitting in front of it. So of course the ball will pass through the vicinity of the batsman." Natasha started explaining.

"This time my control was bad, and it went to the vicinity of the batsman's face. For 'some reason' the batsman swung and sent the ball flying. Then 'by chance' a player that happened to be near to the ball caught it with no bounce. So isn't it 'just' one out??" Like having her hostage in her hands, she explained what she was doing.

"It's not cricket!" The spectators started chanting and booing.

"Oh noo. Her terrible personality is showing." Thor muttered under his breath as the scene unfolded before him. Bucky was unfazed about what's happening but Wanda and Pietro wasn't sure how Natasha was going to settle this.

"Shut up!" Greenhill shouted as he walked closer to Natasha. "I won't have you booing during our sacred match! And Rushman, unfair?" He raised her hands without informing her. "Can you all see this?" He was talking about her rough calloused hands.

"This hand tells us everything. About his efforts, and commitment. To precisely throw towards the batsman's face. Saying is easy, but doing is hard. She must have done some heavy training to get this far. That from a small girl from the physically weak Blue House would have come this far... Do you understand what that means? The owl came to hunt the lion, in earnest."

He then turned towards his teammates. "Green House isn't so frail that we would lose over one simple trap! Let's give it our all and smash them!!"

Though Natasha wasn't satisfied that he called her small, the match was able to continue without much more commotion.

Knowing that Natasha would throw a ball towards their face, they prepared their bat much higher than they usually would. But this time... Natasha threw an off side low ball, catching them by surprise.

With the prior knowledge that Natasha aim's for the face, the batsman prepares for a leg side high ball. To react properly to an offside low ball in that tense situation is incredibly difficult. If the ball hits the batsman they won't get a penalty. Not to mention no one could imagine there'd be someone who purposely throws dangerous balls... If you defend, it'll be caught. If you attack, it'll be bowled.

Natasha kept their score stagnant for the most part but she was defeated in the end. "Well done, Rushman. Leave the rest to me." Bluer said as she took the ball from her.

After pushing up his sleeves, he got ready to throw. People saw the ball leave his hands but didn't see where it went until it landed behind the batsman and disrupted the wicket.

In the four years since Bluer have been a student, Blue House has never known any position but last in the tournament. For some reason, this became natural to them bookworms at Blue House. But having Natasha there was like a wind pushing them on. They thought they were find just excelling in their studies, but they were wrong, they wanted to win too.

What he could do was to make last minute calculations and create detailed schemes. And keep training so as not to lose to Natasha.

The crowd was silent before they blasted into surprised cheering, never seeing such an unprecedented move. Throwing the ball into the sky and landing accurately behind the batsman.

It's a simple trajectory calculation. It came straight at the wicket from the sky without a moment of hesitation at incredible speed. That ball was almost like... the hunter in the dark.

"As expected Bluer... that overcalculated bowling is just like you. However, there is no ball I cannot hit."

Bluer tried again with the sky high toss but Greenhill placed his bat behind his back and swung it down like it was a sword. Natasha, who was standing behind Greenhill, saw the bat swing just barely millimeters from her face.

He did it again. He did what others wouldn't have thought to do. Muscle, strength, eyesight, senses. It was a way of swinging that's only possible because Greenhill excels at all those.

105 to 103. Going against Greenhill with this score and the last bowl, Blue House wouldn't be able to hold their lead much longer. Bluer trained and bet everything on that ball, to have conquered it this fast, he has nothing else left to take him on with. Green House's students started cheering, thinking they were going to be the champions of the the annual Cricket Tournament once again.

"Bluer?" Natasha came over to pass him the ball. "Let's go at it one more time."

"That throw won't work!! Do you just want to let him swing it back into our faces?" He asked angrily. For once in his lifetime he wanted to win at a sports event, but it was getting snatched away right in front of him.

"You gave it your all that Blue House was able to stand united and do their best. That's why, I want you to throw a ball without any regrets. We are just one step away from victory, I ain't going to throw it away just because of one small obstacle. Please, give us your very best throw." Natasha said as she placed the ball in his hands.

With the new ball in his hands, and new found confidence, he placed everything he had on the final ball before throwing it out. Adjusting to what he saw, Greenhill took a step back before everyone heard a loud thud.

The bat had hit Natasha's forehead and she dropped to the ground. Getting hit by Greenhill's bat was no joke. "Are you okay?" Greenhill went to check on her, not caring about the match that was still on going.

Natashsa saw that the ball was near her and reached out for it, ignoring the blinding pain that was coursing through her. Using all she had, she threw the ball towards the wicket and shouted towards the umpire.

"Out! Greenhouse: 10 out! The match is over. Blue House wins 105 to 104!!"

The Blue Miracle has happened again. All the players ran towards Natasha and lifted her up, throwing her in the sky, shouting hooray. Natasha laughed with them as it wasn't an easy feat defeating Green House. It has been some time since she has done a mission of this size by herself as Y/N usually does it for her. Even the Red Witch mission didn't require as much planning as this.

"Wait a second!" Y/N came out from wherever she was from and brought her down safely. "How rash, your top priority should be to get medical aid." She said when she saw Natasha bleeding from her forehead.

"But I'm happy that we managed to win, that I can forget about the pain. Because we showed everyone that if we try, we can do it." Y/N sighed when she heard the words coming out of Nat's mouth. Whatever means necessary, shouldn't have taken this far.

As Y/N brought Natasha to the infirmary, people applause of admiration can be heard.

---

"Oww! Can't you be a bit more gentle?" Natasha hissed when the antiseptic came into contact with her skin. Now not needing to care about her facade as nobody was here to look, she was free to be whoever she wanted to be in front of her girlfriend.

"Weren't you so happy that you forgot about the pain?" Y/N teased.

"As if!"

"Everything went according to plan. You got a much nicer 'medal' than we expected." Y/N said, talking about the mark on her forehead that wouldn't be going anywhere for a few days.

"I know I can get a nicer medal... from you." Y/N didn't understand what Nat was talking about until she pointed at her cheeks. "Come on... I won the tournament, this is the least you can do." Nat saw Y/N cheeks turned red before leaning in. Nat turned at the right time, capturing Y/N lips in hers. "I want a true medal."

Y/N cleared her throat before saying. "As you ordered, I retrieved the ball." Y/N took out the ball from her pocket.

"Hmph, I don't think Bluer would see through our trick anyway. It's just the weight that's a bit different. But it's thanks to this, we could win according to plan."

Bluer threw the different ball in the same way he always did. Thanks to that, the tiny difference in weight created a big difference in the ball's trajectory. Which means, Nat had every intention to be hit by Greenhill's bat in order for him to stop caring about the game.

[theodoradove]

I would, in fact, be delighted if you would be pleased to expound on changes made in the Merchant-Ivory adaptation of A Room With A View. I vaguely remember dissatisfaction with the treatment of Cyril, but I return to the book much more frequently, and have a poor memory of what is and is not altered in the film.

@amethystineprose also made a request, so here is my quarter-century old rant about the nits I pick with the film.

1. The barley field instead of the field of cornflowers.

This I can find it in myself to forgive; if there is not a field of cornflowers to be had and the budget does not support creating one, one does what one must. (Even more sympathy after hearing James Ivory talk about how it rained for most of the production of Maurice and they managed to film the cricket scene on one of the few mostly-clear days.) But it means we don't get this:

George had turned at the sound of her arrival. For a moment he contemplated her, as one who had fallen out of heaven. He saw radiant joy in her face, he saw the flowers beat against her dress in blue waves. The bushes above them closed. He stepped quickly forward and kissed her.

"Before she could speak, almost before she could feel, a voice called, “Lucy! Lucy! Lucy!” The silence of life had been broken by Miss Bartlett who stood brown against the view.

"He saw the barley beat against her dress in green-golden waves" is I suppose adequate. But we don't get enough of Lucy's radiant joy, and we lose the blue of the flowers mirroring the blue of the sky to create a perfect colorful silent self-enclosed moment plucked from quotidian reality. And then Miss Bartlett should appear breaking the moment and against the view to remind them of the brown and the conventional and the accepted back to which she will pull Lucy with virtuous vexation. The intercutting of Charlotte's approach with the kiss highlights the brevity of the moment, but also undermines its intensity and unity, and lessens Charlotte's impact as an invading force intruding suddenly upon the scene.

An offense against Forster's color and nature symbolism, with mitigating factors of filmmaking on location is hard and sometimes nature just won't cooperate. But Maggie Smith is a world champion at passive aggression and the soundtrack for this scene is glorious.

(Also just dropping this here: the symbolism of the Blaue Blume.)

2. Lucy plays piano, specifically two pieces by Robert Schumann, at a party at Mrs. Vyse's house in London, as part of her assumed assimilation into the Vyse set.

“Now some Beethoven,” called Cecil, when the querulous beauty of the music had died. She shook her head and played Schumann again. The melody rose, unprofitably magical. It broke; it was resumed broken, not marching once from the cradle to the grave. The sadness of the incomplete—the sadness that is often Life, but should never be Art—throbbed in its disjected phrases, and made the nerves of the audience throb. Not thus had she played on the little draped piano at the Bertolini, and “Too much Schumann” was not the remark that Mr. Beebe had passed to himself when she returned.

[...]

“But her music!” he exclaimed. “The style of her! How she kept to Schumann when, like an idiot, I wanted Beethoven. Schumann was right for this evening. Schumann was the thing."

Schumann was the thing. Forster is emphatic on this point, as he was on the significance of Beethoven to Lucy's characterization earlier. So why on earth in the film does she play Schubert? My kindest explanation is that there was a typo or a misunderstanding somewhere, because it's such an arbitrary and nonsensical change.

An offense against Forster's music symbolism, with exaggerating factors of you could have had her just play some Schumann I mean come on.

3. OK, this is the one that irks me the most: the flattening of Mr. Emerson's character.

(This is not to cast any aspersions whatsoever on the magnificent Denholm Elliott and his performance, which is a treasure and a delight and in many ways is the heart of this film. No one else could bumble so exquisitely.)

Yes, sure, cut his backstory, it's tangential enough that it makes sense to lose it in a feature-length adaptation.

But it makes it all the more important that his dialogue evoke that unspoken backstory and the role it has played in George's development and in how he and George relate to Lucy. And a key moment of film dialogue is SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT from what he says in the book.

“I only know what it is that’s wrong with him; not why it is.”

“And what is it?” asked Lucy fearfully, expecting some harrowing tale.

“The old trouble; things won’t fit.”

“What things?”

“The things of the universe. It is quite true. They don’t.”

“Oh, Mr. Emerson, whatever do you mean?”

In his ordinary voice, so that she scarcely realized he was quoting poetry, he said: "‘From far, from eve and morning, And yon twelve-winded sky, The stuff of life to knit me Blew hither: here am I.’

"George and I both know this, but why does it distress him? We know that we come from the winds, and that we shall return to them; that all life is perhaps a knot, a tangle, a blemish in the eternal smoothness. But why should this make us unhappy? Let us rather love one another, and work and rejoice. I don’t believe in this world sorrow.”

Miss Honeychurch assented.

“Then make my boy think like us. Make him realize that by the side of the everlasting Why there is a Yes—a transitory Yes if you like, but a Yes.”

The film turns the rueful moderation of the last line into "By the side of the everlasting Why there is a Yes, and a Yes, and a Yes!" -- quite a different emotion! The novel's version maintains a delicate balance, as Forster's works so often take care to do: yes, the world doesn't fit, but we can still rejoice; the branch beneath us may fail, but we can still call out for beauty, joy, and love; we may be caught in a muddle, but we can still strive to know ourselves and others truly.

An offense against theme and Forster's whole artistic philosophy, and the misstep I most regret in this otherwise glorious adaptation.

[yfere]

And! I forgot!! The hypnotist episode itself is this neat before-after image of Maurice in response to societal pressures. Initially he CAN be hypnotized--he gives himself over to be controlled by another's will. After meeting Alec? Nope. He's accused of resisting and he can't make himself buy into the illusion anymore.

[cometcaper]

I thought I'd share my playlist for the anniversary of the boathouse kiss. :)

Song translations, MANY thoughts, and timeline under the break.

Noise warning for song 19, Hinahanap-Hanap Kita. 4:23 to the end. Loud high pitched beeps.

YouTube music version to be made soon.

Translations for foreign songs:

Ewan [Dunno] — Apo Hiking Society — Filipino/Tagalog

Amour plastique [Plastic love] — Videoclub — French

Panalangin [Prayer] — Apo Hiking Society/Moonstar88 — Filipino/Tagalog

Hinahanap-Hanap Kita [I'm Looking For You] — Rivermaya — Filipino/Tagalog

This is a collaborative playlist made with my friend.

Thought Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy would be a good starter song. Something about the music. Represents a good start of Alec persuing Maurice, like, hey, I can be yours... Whatcha doin'?

I added Puppy Princess because of the chorus but I know some people don't like that song so... You can skip if you'd like. KISS MEEEEE KIISS ME WITH YIIR EYESSS CLOSED . ALL I WANT IS YOU YEAH YOU. TELL ME I'M NOT FUNNY TELL ME I'M LEGIIIIT

Ewan. OH MY GOD this song is so them. Alec cares for Maurice, and doesn't like not being taken seriously or being treated badly and brushed off.

"I don't know why you're like that, you're difficult to talk to and you're a snob" COME ON IS THAT NOT THEM — Just a smile from you, and I'll be in heaven. Please give me a response, anything but "No idea"... What a perfect representation of Alec's continuous persuit of Maurice, always talking, always trying...

I could go on with every lyric.

Edit: I just realised this song fits so well for Alec's letters and meeting at the museum. Must resist the urge to add the same exact track twice.

So about Touch Me... Some of the lyrics apply better in other versions. Spotify just has this version tho. Touch me, just like that.

All I've Ever Known. Maurice discovered so much that night about touch and sharing and being with someone. He wants to be with Alec. "All I've ever known is how to hold my own, but now I want to hold you too. [Hold you close, I don't wanna ever have to let you go. Hold you tight, I don't wanna to back to the lonely life.]" Alec opened up his eyes and he'll never be the same.

Can't Help Falling in Love With You. 'Did you ever dream you'd a friend, Alec? ... Someone to last your whole life...' 'Alec, you're a dear fellow and we've been very happy.'

I'd Like To Walk Around In Your Mind was added from Maurice's perspective. Perhaps it fits Alec too...

I think Love At First Sight has the double meaning of the literal title, as well as "wouldn't you like to kiss her" perhaps being... Something Maurice would hear.

I Don't Dance. Based on this post/edit. Please watch this video oh my God.

Pink in the Night. Alec yearns for Maurice in the boathouse. He hasn't come. He hears his heart breaking tonight.

Every lyric is perhaps pulled straight from Alec's brain, to be honest. I remember seeing a post with this song in other contexts with them too. So yes, a few meanings.

Amour plastique. Alec reminiscences on the night in the Russet room. Why hasn't he come?

In my mind, everything goes wild. I lose myself in your eyes. I drown myself in the vagueness of your loving gaze.

And at night I cry tears that stream down my cheeks. I think of you only when the days ends, only when my sad demons descend upon my mind, into the bottomless abyss.

Waiting in the boathouse at night, when the day ends.

I ring out in kisses all down your chest. Lost in the avalanche of my heart astray. Who are you? Where are you?

The moments of then repeat in his mind. Where is Maurice?

I suppose Hopelessly Devoted To You and I'm A Fool To Want You are self explanatory. Maurice should really come... Alec really toughed it out, 2 days he spent in the boathouse, really wanted to see Maurice, really knew they had something, and doesn't want to be treated like a dog. Generally, his 1st letter.

Moon Song. My friend said they added it as a general love song. — Why do you treat me like this? Why didn't you come to the boathouse? — Alec's 2nd letter as a whole. Plus bits of 1st.

And you pushed me in, and now my feet can't touch the bottom of you. ... So I will wait for the next time you want me, like a dog with a bird at your door.

Ewan would fit here tbh.

Panalangin. My only prayer in this lifetime: to be beside you, to be together with you, that's my prayer.

"I since cricket match do long to ... place both arms round you and share with you, the above now seems sweeter than words can say."

And this heart won't allow if you will be away from me, my love, please listen.

It also fits the end of museum.

I Want You. Maurice, can you come to the boathouse already? Alec has no power to teleport you there. I hold one card that I can't use.

I found you. I found the door, but when I stepped through, there was no floor. He found Maurice, bit he's not being here for Alec.

You're coming back And it's the end of the world We're starting over And I love you, darling And I am done, dear

Alec wishes this would happen. Also, he does come back later and they love again over, and "it is finished".

Credit for suggesting the next two songs goes to @beatle-capaldi!!! He also wrote was in quotations!

English Summer Rain

The Most Radical Thing To Do

Hinahanap-Hanap Kita. 1st letter, he's looking for Maurice. Thinking about them together.

In my thoughts and dreams, in every turn of destiny, I look for you. Also applies to that hotel/post-hotel feeling. I look for you, even if I try to forget you, saying goodbye, looking back...

Wildest Dreams. They think a lot of each other. They share once more. But they must say goodbye. Alec saw this coming. Maurice hopes that Alec will remember him like this.

I Hear a Symphony. Alec truly opened up Maurice's eyes. Maurice was meant to be with him. He helped Maurice, changed his life. But now Alec is leaving on ship... Or is he? The symphony leads into...

An orchestral sountrack. The Boathouse. Unfortunately the Maurice soundtrack is not on spotify. It's on my personal YouTube music version. I added it because it just captures the boathouse the only way the sountrack itself can.

The Word of Your Body (Reprise). MLM people have moment of romantic tension, which culminates in confessions of love. Just had to add it. "Haven't you heard the word of your body?" perfectly describes Alec gifting and showing Maurice the wonder of truest physical affection and love. He lets Maurice be okay with himself, and again, changes everything. Every lyric is perfect.

Also, sorry JBW, I like other versions more... Too bad Spotify is mean.

I See The Light. Yeah. Every lyric. Maurice is Rapunzel. Movie Blond too. Both the morning at Russet room and the museum. And the world has somehow shifted. All at once everything is different, now that I see you. "By now they were in love with each other consciously."...

Suddenly Seymour. Suddenly see more, yeah? Clive = ass and someone gives him affection for once, wow! Sidenote, I want to sing this with them and their accents... Suddenly SCUDDER...

Helpless. Musical theatre songs seem to be good retellings of their love story. It's why they belong in post boathouse. Summaries and retellings. They're also good at conveying love they'd feel for each other in general, all times ever. Like loving men, retelling a story.

I'll Cover You. Cute love song feat. gays. I like to imagine them dancing around, declaring their love and devotion for each other. Walking and dancing around like in the original scene, sometime post canon. In my own imagination, I thought of Alec as Angel and Maurice (Christopher) as Collins.

Video Games. They must love spending time together. I thought this to be Maurice POV. Only worth living if somebody is loving you I mean, come on.

It's you, it's you, it's all for you. Everything I do. I tell you all the time, heaven is a place on Earth with you.

Un sospiro. I headcanon that Maurice picks up the piano and plays for Alec. Perhaps he picked it up bc of/after Clive, but now can play it for someone who gives a shit.

Something about the melody reminds me of them. And then it gets more intense... A bit like the passions of love, showing up in sharing and touch and more, too.

Liebestraum. I mean, it means love dream/dream of love. I just had to. Also I just like Liszt.

Take Me Up With You, Dearie. This song is just so sweet... So soft... Edwardian to boot... I love how quintessentially 1909 it is. Discovered it in a YT video. The thought of them getting married makes me cry. This song in general makes me want to cry, it's so romantic, tender, and exudes my favourite era...

Let us float, float, float through the clouds, and just have a lot of fun. We'll go up, up, up as two and then come down as one.

Put Your Head on My Shoulder. We Belong Together. I always imagine Maurice and Alec slowdancing to songs that come on the radio together, when the 1950s hits... Alec probably rests his head on his shoulder as this plays and they dance...

I'm using a lot of ellipses, am I secretly Rupert Graves?

Welcome to the 70s and 80s. They love dancing together and being with each other. Now, Panalangin can be a happy song. My only prayer for this lifetime ... To be together with you. And this heart won't allow if you will be away from me.

Just the Two of Us. What a nice, vibey song. Great title, great scenario of them dancing to this...

Tiny Dancer. Your Song. MLM people in the 70s + Radio, being happy and in love with each other. — I just thought I should add some Elton. A different friend, and I, like him. Maurice sings to Alec, "And you can tell everybody this is your song." That I put down in words how wonderful life is with you in the world.

Electric Love. Fun fact: this song got me to share the playlist. Got me thinking about them and their anniversary again. The funky busy instrumental describes well their passionate love. The highs of electric LOOOOOOVE describe the intensity of them.

Alt text continued: themselves together under and the love. And the love. The song has its own tension and it perfectly pictures their own tension. So yeah, this is THEIR song quite literally.

Sorry if my music taste is perhaps basic. I just made it for when I hear songs that are Them.

Falling for Ya. Alec falls for Maurice. "I saw you when you first drove up, Mr Hall..." Something about Maurice, right? Plus really nice vintage vibes with the music. The bit about Into your arms and it's a secure sure sounds like Maurice. Awh, they're falling for *each other*...

Rainbow Connections. Gay and bi people. Marriage. Everything that Maurice and Alec went through to get here, where they were meant to be. Clive. Working for Clive. Leading up to now.

All the things that had to go right, all the things that had to go wrong, that lead us to the place where we were going all along.

On the YT version there's a soft/jazzy cover of Panalangin here. Because they're old and spending time together and being happy. What a throwback, a defined meaning in their lives over time.

Still Into You. After all these decades... Old and grown, together... True soulmates... Two men can defy the world... Maurice and Alec still roam the greenwood. Imagine Maurice meeting Alec's mom in this context. If only.

Postmodern Jukebox cover, because they are a quintessentially 20th century couple. They exude vintage.

Some piano playing for Alec. Soft, tender, romantic, emotional, true. Feels like nighttime. Feels like Maurice and Alec. And a throwback to the pre 1914 world as well. Claire de Lune feels like... A credits of life piece. Time spent in the early 1980s. Nocturne feels like that too, but more romantic. Smidge less nighttime. Ah yes, Gymnopédies. The truest credits feel of them all. None of these actually are credits for Maurice and Alec, but I struggle to find the word for this feeling. But yeah. These all have Them vibes to me. Piano of the time just does I suppose. Glad to be reminded of them at any time.

What a long playlist. Like going through almost their whole lives together. 1:52 hrs. Almost like a movie. Imagine that. A full movie of THEIR lives... But leaving to the imagination was a good thing. Led to this such action. Thank you E.M. Forster.

Timeline:

1. Pendersleigh

4. & 5. Russet Room. Night, then Morning

9. Cricket

10. Boathouse Nights

18. The Museum

20. The Hotel

21. After

23. The Boathouse

24. They Still Roam the Greenwood

I just like to imagine them dancing to songs on the radio, for decades to come...

[frederickabberline]

So I watched the weston kuromyu. It was good! That's all. Not great, not bad. If you really liked the weston boys, you'd like it. If you're more into other characters, it might not be for you but I think it's worth looking at anyway

Disclaimer before anybody asks: I have the dvd, I don't have a way to rip it, I don't know where you can find a rip, you'll have to get the dvd yourself or ask elsewhere

Also sorry in advance for not cropping any of the photos I took of my tv screen

It had a decent contract song, which turned into a very interesting recap of the last three myus, staged like this:

Overall the staging was really good, and it was my favourite part of the musical.

Then it got into the actual arc, which was mostly faithful but cut/minimised a few parts like the post match boat celebration, lau, agni, and the fact that soma didn't eat any of the laxative laced pie

It was way less fanservicey than the manga—the laxative scene was solely played for humour, for example.

Weirdly, there was no big final closing song between ciel and sebastian, which felt incomplete. The last song that I remember was the duet between sebastian and undertaker

There was a weird extra scene where ciel had a nightmare about undertaker on the campania, also

Most of the actors were decent. I didn't like Ciel's actor. Macmillan was also not great. Most of the rest were good, including Sebastian, who I think could grow into the role with time, if he's given the chance. Maurice was very good, as were Violet and Cheslock. Derrick was incredible, and Agares took his stage falls fantastically. There were no really weak singers, but none stood out to me a lot either except the P4 quartet at the end when they were going over their crime. That was a very solid performance from all four of them. Like, overall the P4 were very solid. I did not enjoy Soma's song, it was probably my least liked this myu, but Soma's actor was decent at the role overall

My favourite was honestly whenever purple house started singing in general because they had a very... rave club? sort of sound? to their songs. Also they had a rap-off with green house during the cricket tournament which made me lose it

Some extra stage + dancing with cricket bats shots:

I sort of disassociated during the cricket match because it was so surreal to see this in musical format, but I didn't dislike it?? Like. It was good?

The costuming was pretty spot on, though I wasn't fond of the wigs, and Ciel's makeup made him look constantly manic and unstable. He had really red eyeshadow and like no eyeliner??

To sum: Look at this photo of sebastian standing in the trash

[blackbutlerfandomnerddomain]

Could you do some romantic headcanons for the Weston boys with a female S/O? Just do your favorites if theyre too many

*takes nibble of the idea* HELL YEA!

Scarlet Fox House:

Edgar Redmond:

~ He saw you at a event his family forced him to go to, and since then you've been in his mind

~ Depending on your gender, how you re-meet is sweet: You attended Weston College sometime after the event or you're related to one of the students

~ When you two run into each other he gets all nervous. He's used to many people reacting super shy and amazed by him and his family so it's new for him to be in their shoes

~ He would regularly ask you for some tea time at the gardens when you're both free

~ He adores giving your flower themed nicknames and gives you flowers with different meanings

Maurice Cole:

~ He just so happens to see you one day and you caught his attention

~ Over time as you spend time with each other you began living in his head rent free

~ He rarely have any attractions for females so he wants to do well with you

~ He's the type to use his "gift" to get things you like such as favorite treats and scents you enjoy

~ He has tried cooking for you when you're sad/upset

Joanne Harcourt:

~ You two had the cutest way of meeting when your both accidentally grabbed the same book

~ Unlike the other two, you both built your relationship until one day you look at him and ask "Are we dating?' Then he'll think and nod

~ He would quote random romantic book parts to you

~ He knows your favorite tea/coffee/other drink by heart

~ He allows you to mess with his hair

Sapphire Owl House:

Lawrence Bluwear:

-~ Like Edgar he met you during a party event

-~ He's more to love you from afar and would be okay if you don't return his feelings

-~ When you admitted your feelings to him he literally cried, not even trying to hide it

-~ He helps you if you have a school problem

-~ He has so many sisters, so bet your ass he's good at listening and being the perfect man!

Clayton:

-~ He's awkward as hell

-~ I headcanon him to be on the Autistic Spectrum so yeah

-~ He would forget his duties and not care if you're upset, he'll drop everything for you

-~ He calls you baby bird (Sorry if he's short. I'm low on ideas with him since he's not memorable to me)

McMillan:

-~ He met you during his Fang duties (I know the name but I refuse to use it. Sorry)

-~ He's a teddy bear in the relationship

-~ He loves it when you kiss his freckles during cuddles

-~ He at times would be scolded for spacing in class thinking of you

-~ He cooked you your favorite food once or twice a month unless you ask him not too or you're upset one day

Green Lion House:

Herman Greenhill:

- During one Cricket training day he saw you visiting campus and like Edgar and Lawrence, he fell hard.

- He took notice on that his studies and sport training was being different after meeting you

- He also notice how his words fumbled a lot when talking to you

- You know this scene, yeah that's a conversation he had with you once, Edgar laughing in the background

- You love the adorkable nature of this man who has the same build of Gaston so you ask him out first

- Your first kiss was so soft and gentle

- He. Loves. If. You. Challenge. Him.

- Think, his house is a Lion, Lioness are the ones who are the hunters and protectors in the Pride, even if you can't physically intimidate him he loves it when you square up and be tough or challenge him

- He taught you how to play Cricket

- Once he's ready... he told you about his crime and cried into your chest as your sooth him

- You're the first to know his singing voice

Edward Midford:

- You met through Lizzy

- Like Herman he's shy around you

- Lizzy set up so you two shall dance during a party

- When he went back to school you visit a lot

- He's hella bashful behind that tough guy act

- He blushes more than your fingers and toes can count over the tiniest thing you do

- During the time of the Phantom-Five thing you got tickets for all their shows

- He would especially be a bit more punky/bratty/sexy if he saw you in the crowd just to get you shy like he felt around you

- You know that caused lots of body feels after every show between both him and you

- He's still so soft and gentle even dressed in that getup sweating from so much dancing and the lights

Violet Wolf House:

Gregory Violet:

/ After he first met you during a museum visit you and him seeing you by a painting his chest has been warm since

/ He speak very poetic long before you two were a thing

/ Do you wanna bet everyone was betting literal money on you two??

/ He draws you

/ You're his favorite person to draw no matter what

/ Even when he's drawing something else you fill the pages

/ That's when he realizes it's bad and set up a way to ask you out/confess his attraction through art and music

Cheslock:

/ Tell me you like e-boys without telling me you like e-boys

/ Bonus points if you're a soft/cutie girl aka his opposite

/ He's not ashamed to brag about tattooing your name on him one day

/ He wrote a song about you

/ And sung it during a special date

/ Out of everyone he would be the one who would walk up to you and ask you out the same day you met

/ "Hey, you're attractive, I'm into you, how about you and me go on a date to get the flirty stuff out of the way?"

/ He was shocked the date went well and you agreed to a second one

/ You make him act so out of character

[chibimyumi]

Autopsy of Weston Arc

A few days ago I visited a beloved friend @sweetbunny8, and we were bitching about the Boarding School Arc together. That friend is so incredibly smart, she brought up amazing points I never thought about... and so we spent the afternoon facepalming, discussing how many missed potentials there were. The below are the 5 points we talked about, on FIRE🔥🔥🔥!

1. The Arc owes us a thorough Power Dynamic Swap

I think the biggest draw of Kuroshitsuji is the unusual power dynamic between our protagonists. It would have been amazing to see a thoroughly explored power dynamic swap between master and servant.

The manga did touch upon this swap, and it gave us a delicious appetiser of what this Arc could have been. I really would love loved to see more of how Sebas and O!Ciel would deal with their cognitive dissonance of role.

Our Ciel

O!Ciel was raised in a world where the roles of servant vs master are very distinct. To O!Ciel it must have been very weird to now suddenly be subordinate to his servant. I would have loved to see if O!Ciel found it uncomfortable, or just really fun to try something new without stakes, or how his habits would slip through. In the Circus Arc we saw very clearly how both Sebas and O!Ciel still succumbed to their habits, thereby accidentally drawing unwanted attention.

Doing so in the Weston Arc would not have been a carbon copy of the Circus Arc, because unlike at the circus now O!Ciel would be performing in a more familiar environment with people of comparable status. I really wish we could have seen more of that.

Sebastian

Sebas would also have been a blast to see in a likely unprecedented role for him. In this post I argued how Sebas was probably never given opportunity to interact for real with humans on close proximity, and how he was probably not ever considered more than a mass-destruction weapon. It would have been very interesting to see how Sebas would handle suddenly being surrounded by people who don’t just interact, but are also subordinate to him as a teacher!

I find it unlikely Sebas ever had the experience of playing a superiour role to his own master. Sebas loves testing his limits with his master, and it would have been a blessing to see how Sebas could now “legally” exploit his own position of power over his master. I’m sure he would have gotten a kink out of it.

2. Planning and Calculation???

It would have been logical and responsible if the Queen just told her Watchdog what House Derek was in for O!Ciel to investigate. A “P.S. He’s in Red House according to the latest information btw, loves - Vicky” would not be too much asked. She knows Derek’s parents, and I can’t imagine the March of Arden being secretive about what House the kid is in. But even if Victoria didn’t do the efficient thing, we still would have loved it if O!Ciel had to discuss with Sebas and strategically choose a House to get into, rather than him just being planted in Blue House.

My friend thought O!Ciel would have chosen Red House regardless of whether he knew for sure where he’d be, because as the nephew of the Queen, Derek being in Red was the most logical. As an actual Lorded Earl himself, O!Ciel would have a decent chance holding down a position in Red House. And considering how Redmond has a talent for choosing awful personalities for fag, O!Ciel would have fit in perfectly too!

Then O!Ciel’s goal could still have been to become a prefect’s fag, but then the showdown with Maurice would at least have direct, immediate conflict, rather than... whatever it was the manga did. Maurice had NO reason to neutralise O!Ciel as long as they’re in different Houses! Maurice you... boring, inefficient, redundant twat...

3. Yana... is Edward a joke to you?

Why didn’t O!Ciel/Yana capitalise more on Edward being at Weston?! It would have been a perfect chance to develop Edward further and show O!Ciel’s interaction with family! I love Lizzie, but it would have been amazing to see Edward interacting with our protagonist without his sister being the reason for interaction. UGH 💔

Also, the cricket drag could have been shortened dramatically if O!Ciel had thought of using Edward. Edward has been at the Weston for longer, and he is a prefect’s fag to boot.

Sure, O!Ciel didn’t know that at first, but he finds out BEFORE the cricket was set up. The moment O!Ciel would learn that he’d need to win cricket to meet the principal, he should have gambled on Edward. If O!Ciel explained to Edward that he is investigating the disappearance of the Queen’s relative, I can’t imagine Edward not being willing to help by winning cricket in becoming “the chosen one” through gentlemanly play. That’d be what Edward would be aspiring to become, anyway.

4. Why Cricket ANYWAY!?

Even IF Edward for some reason refused to help, the cricket would still entirely have been unnecessary. It wouldn’t matter at all who would win, because as the prefect’s fag, Edward had the privilege to attend the Midnight Tea Party ANYWAY. All four prefect fags are present, as we all can see. O!Ciel would only have needed to ask Edward to act as his agent, and tadaaa.

Besides, even IF Edward didn’t exist in the arc it’d still be entirely fine, because all the prefects would SURELY have access to the Party. That is known. O!Ciel only needed to tell Sebas to keep an eye on where the definitive participants would be going, and track them. When push comes to shove, Sebas could just barge in like he did anyway (and bring O!Ciel even if he’s uninvited), and the case would still have unfolded the way it did.

5. PLOT HOLE!?

My friend also brought up a humongous plot hole so large it became a space on its own that I didn’t even notice it was a hole. Why did the prefects react so differently to Agares and Derek being “alive” respectively?

So, my friend and I both watched the musical adaptation as the last thing, and in the musical the prefects were all being totally chill about Agares being around, but shocked shitless to see Derek back. All four prefects were present during the killing of Derek AND Agares, so they should all know both are dead. It had not been addressed in the musical that the prefects have knowledge of corpse reanimation, so they shouldn’t have been able to act so normal next to Agares, but freak out about seeing Derek. (This is yet another example of WHO IS YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE, KUROMY21!?)

In the manga it had been addressed that the prefects have knowledge that reanimation of the dead is possible. And it seems like Redmond arranged for the reanimation of at least Agares. But why didn’t they arrange for the reanimation of Derek too? (@chibmib​ Thanks sis, for checking this for me so I didn’t have to suffer through it again)

Derek is the Queen’s relative, his disappearance would really have invited suspicion, as it indeed did. The reason the P4 didn’t arrange for Derek’s reanimation can’t be because the they considered Derek too evil to bring back. Agares was namely arguably worse; he was an adult and the vice-principal! It was his literal job to be responsible.

The P4 couldn’t have decided to not reanimate Derek for fear of him ratting them out for assault. There are plenty witnesses of Derek’s crimes, and the P4 would be first-hand witnesses too of Derek’s lying. If Derek told the authorities he was assaulted, all witnesses could have helped testify for the P4 against Derek.

The only reason I can make sense of the double standard in the P4′s reaction is that Undertaker told the P4 he only succeeded in reanimating Agares and not Derek, because the technology is still very young; which would have been true too. BUT THEN THE MANGA SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED IT.

Even if that’s what happened though, the P4′s reaction shouldn’t have been such horrified surprise. They should be relieved to see the Queen’s relative alive, because then they wouldn’t have ‘murder of Queen’s relative’ on their résumé. All they had to do instead then is explain why they attacked Derek in a moment of lost control at the sight of a future-prefect being a lowlife. And again, the victims could have helped testify...

And this all would only have happened if we momentarily accept the unlikeliness of Sebas coincidentally having a plugged nose and not smelling Agares’ corpse stench the entire Arc.

[blackswaneuroparedux]

Anonymous asked: Have you watched Lupin? What did you think? (And are you a fan of the books or other adaptations of the character?)

The short answer is yes, I have seen Lupin on Netflix. Overall I enjoyed it so long as I suspended my disbelief at certain things.

Unfortunately it took being struck down by Covid and being bedridden for me to actually to binge watch the whole series. So I was behind the curve when my friends, French and those outside of France, started to talk about it around me. I had to beg them not to give away spoilers until I had seen it all.

It did surprise me that it won rave widespread reviews outside France because usually French drama series don’t travel very well outside of France. I’m sure even Netflix had no idea how successful it would be for them. I’m sure being in Covid lockdown had something to do with it. In any case I don’t begrudge its success as it’s well earned.

However I wasn’t too surprised that within France itself the French reviews were decidely mixed and divisive. The critic at Le Point painfully hit the nail on the head when he wrote, “Le plus gros défaut de l'ensemble reste la pauvreté des personnages, tous unidimensionnels, caricaturaux et aussi épais que du papier à cigarette.“ - loosely translated as, ‘the biggest flaw of the whole thing remains the poverty of the characters, all one-dimensional, cartoonish and as thick as cigarette paper’.

There’s a growing amount of good French stuff on TV and streaming services but a non-French audience will not have had the chance to have seen all of it yet. I can think of any number of French television drama/dramedy/cmedy series that are much better than Lupin with better plots, characters, and even a truer perspective of French society and even modern day France (Dix pour cent (Call My Agent!), Le Bureau des Légendes, Engrenages, Baron Noir, and Paris Police 1900). But you would be hard pressed to find anything that comes close to Lupin just for the sake of something fun to watch during the Covid lockdown.

What makes the current generation of home made French television series so interesting is how much of it is a reflection of France’s own anxieities about itself and its role in a increasingly English speaking dominating world. In a funny way it sees itself as defiant plucky Asterix fighting off the Roman American cultural hordes from totally invading their Francophone culture.

For sure, it has societal and racial issues stemming from its colonial legacy and issues of immigration and integration (France has the largest Muslim population in Europe). However it seems to want to ‘resolve’ these issues through the almost sacramental adherence to French secularist ideals rather than American inspired ideas of social justice and equity. There’s always been something very admirable about the French - from the time of General de Gaulle and perhaps before - always swinging from snooty ambivalence to outright antipathy towards the influence of American culture ‘americanising’ French culture (no to Walmarts or fast food chains for example).

Is it any wonder then that Netflix’s ill-conceived American series ‘Emily in Paris’ was widely hated and mocked within France for just perpetuating those lazy American tropes of Paris and French culture?

Personally I know Francophile Americans, long resident in Paris, who were frankly embarrassed and spent a lot of time apologising to their French friends. I have one American friend who has told me that she was so mad that she would have blind folded Emily and shoved her hard in the car boot and drive her all the way to the poorest of the banlieues in the grimey crime saturated suburbs of Paris - Seine-Saint-Denis came to mind - and dump her preening arse there. She would slap her and tell the spoilt entitied brat to make her own way back home - you know, to her spacious apartment in one of the most expensive arrondissements of Paris that of course(!) any American intern working for French marketing firms can afford.

I digress. My apologies. Watching this God awful show gives me PTSD.

Onto Lupin.

Thankfully Lupin doesn’t try to play to non-French tropes of what Paris is or isn’t. It does skim the surface of current discontents within French culture and society (race, class, power, and money) but ever so lightly so as to not get in the way of just spinning a good crowd pleasing yarn. It invites you to have fun and not to think too much. I have to be honest and say I enjoyed it as long as I suspended my disbelief here and there.

Lupin refers of course to the character Arsène Lupin, the French gentleman thief who stole jewellery from Parisian haute bourgeois and aristocracy at the turn of the century. Lupin, as written in the novels and short stories by Maurice Leblanc between 1905 and his death in 1941, was the archetypical anti-hero, a Robin Hood who stole from those who deserved it but kept the loot himself. He was often portrayed often a force for good, while operating on the wrong side of the law.

Lupin never really made much of an impact outside of France as he had within France where is revered with many French film and television adaptations. In England, we already had a Lupin type character in the form of A.J. Raffles, a cricket playing gentleman thief with his aristocratic side kick, Bunny. E.W. Horning’s stories of Raffles’ daring heists proved to be quite popular with the British public when Raffles first appeared on the scene in 1898. And even later Leslie Charteris’ The Saint took over the mantle from Raffles as the gentleman thief/adventuring Robin Hood.

I think Hollywood tried to introduce him to an English speaking audience (legendary actor John Barrymore even played him) but he didn’t really take off and eventually they found their gentleman thief archetype in Sir Charles Lytton aka The Phantom (played by David Niven and Christopher Plummer) in the Pink Panther movies. So Lupin never got the English audience he deserved.

I first got wind of who Arsène Lupin was when I was growing up in Japan as a child. As strange as it sounds Lupin was big in Japan especially after World War Two. The Japanese did their own take on the Lupin character using Japanese actors and plot lines but it was Lupin.

I don’t know how exactly but I remember watching these scratchy DVDs of these Lupin inspired films. I think it was one of my parents’ Japanese friends who was mad for all things Lupin and he had studied French literature in France. Jogging my memory I now recall these black & white films were done in the 1950s. One starred Keiji Sada and the other version I remember was with Eija Okada (he was in Resnais’ classic film, Hiroshima Mon Amour) as Arsene Lupin called (I think) Kao-no Nai Otoko. I didn’t understand most of it at the time because it was all in Japanese and my Japanese (at the time) was pitiful, but it looked fun.

There was even a Japanese manga version of Lupin which was called Lupin III, - so named because he was the grandson of the real Arsène Lupin.

The 1960s manga series spawned generations of TV series which I do remember watching and finding it terribly exciting if somewhat confusing.

It was French expatriate friends whom my family knew that introduced me to the real Arsène Lupin. They had a few of the books authored by Maurice Leblanc. It was in French so I read them to improve my French but enjoyed the story along the way.

I also remember them showing me scratchy episodes of the 1970s Franco-German TV series ‘Arsène Lupin’ with the monocle wearing Georges Descrières in the lead role. It was a classical re-telling of the adventures of the aristocratic gentleman-burglar and very family friendly viewing. I don’t really remember much of it to be honest.

It was some years before I actually started to read more of the Maurice Leblanc’s novels and short stories collection. I have them all now. I was a teen and I remember being stuck in a snowed in a Swiss Alpine chalet and with nothing else to do but pull out a few dog eared books from the bookshelves belonging to our French host and read to pass the time.

I read Les Dents du tigre, Arsène Lupin vs Herlock Sholmes, and Les Huit Coups de l'horloge and thoroughly enjoyed them in the original French. I was already reading classic detective and mystery novels (Sherlock Holmes, Poirot etc) so it was natural to read the adventures of Arsène Lupin.

I haven’t got around to reading all the novels and short stories but I have read most of them and I enjoyed them all immensely. In the same way Conan Doyle, through Holmes and Watson, manages to conjure a convincing picture of late Victorian and early Edwardian England, so Leblanc manages to give us a taste of Belle Epoque France through the eyes of his suave gentleman-thief, Arsène Lupin.

Indeed it's a lot like reading Sherlock Holmes in that you're always trying to figure out how he did it, but the difference is that you are rooting for the bad guy. You can’t help but be drawn to this gentleman thief who is charming, comic, playful, and romantic and generous. Lupin is not an intellectual puzzle-solver but first a master criminal, later a detective helper, who maintains his curious ethics throughout his adventures. In this regard he is very much the anti-Sherlock Holmes; and I wasn’t disappointed when I actually read the story where Lupin faces off with Holmes himself. Brilliant!

I’ve also seen the 2004 French movie with Romain Duris in the Lupin lead role and it also starred the majestic Kristin Scott Thomas and the sexy Eva Green.

It was a decent adventure flick and it was a clear confluence of different Lupin novels (The Queen's Necklace (introducing Lupin's childhood), The Hollow Needle (where the treasure is the macguffin of the story), The Arrest of Arsène Lupin (the gala on the ship as a backdrop) and Josephine Balsamo, (one of Lupin’s most memorable opponents in the The Countess Of Cagliostro).

Romaine Duris, a fine classical actor, was I felt miscast because he didn’t have Lupin’s levity of wit and be at ease within himself. I love Duris in his other films but in Arsène Lupin and even in his other film, Moliere, he seemed ill at ease with the role. Perhaps that’s just me.

The latest Netflix adaptation (or reimagining to be more precise) is a welcome addition to the world of Arsène Lupin.If you don’t over-think it, it’s bags of fun.

Omar Sy is immensely likeable. Sy is a deservedly a big star in France - he won the best actor César for “The Intouchables,” an international hit - and has played forgettable secondary characters in big-budget American special effects movies (he was Chris Pratt’s assistant in “Jurassic World” and a minor mutant in “X-Men: Days of Future Past”). It was reportedly his desire to play Arsène Lupin, whom he’s compared to James Bond (“fun, funny, elegant”), that led to the series, created by British writer George Kay. And it is on his charm that the series largely, though not entirely, rests.

So the basic story revolves around a jewellery heist. Sy plays Assane Diop, a first-generation French-Senegalese man in contemporary Paris. A collection of Lupin stories, a gift from his father - whose undeserved fate Assane set himself to avenge in long-delayed, Count of Monte Cristo style upon a criminal tycoon - has made the actual Lupin books a foundation of his life and profitably illicit career. This fan-ship goes as far as borrowing practical ideas from the stories and constructing aliases out of anagrams of “Arsene Lupin,” a habit that will attract the interest of a low-level police detective (Soufiane Guerrab as Youssef Guedira) who shares Assane’s love of the books. (That the detective also shares an initial with Lupin’s own adversary, Inspector Ganimard, is possibly not a coincidence.)

Among the many comic delights of Lupin, is an unspoken one. Time and again, the show’s hero, master thief Assane Diop is able to slip into a place unnoticed, or by assuming a minor disguise that prevents witnesses from providing an accurate description of him to law enforcement.

Why is this funny?

Because Omar Sy is six feet three (and, since most actors are short, seems even taller), is roughly as wide as soccer pitch, and is memorable even before he flashes his infectious million-Euro smile. This is not a man for whom anonymity should be possible - even allowing for racial bias in a majority-white country, Assane would be memorable and distinctive - and Lupin seems cheekily aware of this. Like the various incredible sleights of hand Assane deploys to pull off his thefts and escapes, his ability to be anyone, anywhere, is treated more as a superpower than as something even the world’s greatest criminal would be able to pull off.

At one point, when he’s slated for a cable news appearance as a much older man, we learn that Assane is also a master of disguise. The revelation of this skill arrives with a wink in the show, and it feels pointless to ask where he learned it, or how he affords movie-quality latex and makeup. Or rather, asking the question feels wrong.

We know this is impossible, the show seems to be asking its viewers again and again, but isn’t it so much fun?

The performances and the production - it has that particularly European filmic quality of feeling natural even when it gets stylish - keep the series warm even as the plot is made up of incredulous contraptions that require everything to go right at just the right time and for human psychology to be 100% predictable. Its physics are classical rather than quantum, one might say, and like the world itself, which becomes more curious the deeper you peer into things, it is best handled along the surface. You do not want to take too much time working out the likelihood of any of this happening. Just go along for the ride.

Somehow, though, it all works because Sy is so magnetic and charming that questioning plot logic feels wildly besides the point. Though he never looks appreciably different in his various aliases (including one ill-conceived live-TV appearance done under old-man makeup and a thick beard), he changes his posture and voice ( if you watch it in French that is) enough to allow for the willing suspension of disbelief, in the same way that any lead actor as Superman has to do when playing Clark Kent. But Sy and the show are at their strongest when Assane is just being his own Superman self, utterly relaxed and confident in his own skin, and so captivating that his ex-partner, Claire, can’t really resist him despite ample reason to.

If Assane seems practically perfect in every way, he is not perfectly perfect. His most obvious failing is that his criminal shenanigans and revenging make him less than reliable in his daily life, affecting his relationships with ex-partner Claire (Ludivine Sagnier, whom non-French audiences might recognise from “The Young Pope” and “The New Pope”), who despairs of his inability to show up on time to see his son Raoul (Etan Simon). Like Sy, Sagnier brings a lot of soul to her part - though onscreen far less, she’s as important as Sy to the series’ success - and the two actors have great chemistry. Also impressive and key to creating sympathy are the actors who play their flashback teenage selves, Mamadou Haidara and Ludmilla Makowski. Really, you could do away with action elements and build a series around them.

This is a pity because Lupin often fumbles its emotional reveals in other parts - the story of Diop being torn between his job and his family feels like wheel-spinning, rather than genuine emotional intrigue.

Soufiane Guerrab is wasted in the Young Detective Consumed by the Case role and spends most of this season pinning colour printouts of book covers to cork boards and getting waved off by his colleagues, who are all blinded or otherwise hampered by careerism.

But to my mind the weakest link is the villain himself and his daughter. Veteran actor Hervé Pierre hams it up as Hubert Pellegrini, a business tycoon who is the patriarch of the Pellegrini family. He just comes across as animated cartoon villain with no character depth (think moustache twirling Russian villain, Boris Badenov, in the Rocky & Bullwinkle cartoon shows). He just emotes anger a lot without any nuance or hint of complexity.

Even Clotilde Hesme who plays the daughter who is unaware of her father’s criminal tendencies is miscast. For the record I adore Clotilde Hesme as she one of France’s most talented classical actresses (that non-French outsiders will not have heard of). She is a classically theatre trained actress and is one of the best stage actresses of her generation that I have ever seen. I’ve seen her in plays where she is just mesmerising. She has said before that she’s more comfortable on the stage than she is on the screen. And when she has been on screen she still has been a powerful presence. She’s actually won a César too. Here in Lupin, she seems to have no agency and looks bored with nothing really to do.I really hope they give her more scenes in the next part of Lupin.

The series is at its best when following Diop enacting his plans, and when revealing each one from a different vantage, making us privy to every moving part like a magician revealing his secrets. The show captures the momentum of a clockwork heist, the tension of sudden obstacles and the ingenuity of improvised responses, with thrilling precision (especially in “Chapter 1 - Le Collier de la reine,” directed by Now You See Me’s Louis Leterrier).

Lupin is also politically incisive when it wants to be; it brings to mind Ladj Ly’s Oscar-nominated 2019 film Les Misérables, which adapted the broad strokes of Victor Hugo’s novel about the 1832 Paris Rebellion, and modernised the story by focusing on the police brutality faced by non-white Parisians.

Lupin opens with Diop disguised as cleaning staff and entering the Louvre after-hours, alongside dozens of forgotten, anonymous non-white workers as they pass by “La Liberté guidant le people,” Eugène Delacroix’s famous painting of the July Revolution of 1830 which replaced France’s hereditary rule with popular sovereignty.

Before any semblance of plot or character, Lupin centres broken ideals and promises unkept (without giving too much away, the show’s primary villain has much more nationalistic view of French culture and history which merely adds to a cartoonish caricature than a complex character). The rest of the episode is about valuable jewels once owned by Marie Antionette - one of the most recognisable symbols of wealth and extravagance in times of extreme poverty - which are put up for auction by the Pelligrini family, and bid on by other wealthy collectors with bottomless purses and no sense of irony.

Granted, beyond this auction subplot, explorations of race and class are largely limited to individual interactions, but the show continues to refer back to (and implicitly comment on) its source material in ways that wink at the audience. An elderly, unassuming target of Diop’s schemes seems like an unlikely victim at first - Diop, though he acts in his own self-interest, usually displays a moral compass - until this victim reveals the colonial origins of her wealth, immediately re-contextualising the ethics of the situation, in a manner that Leblanc’s stories did not. (The show is yet to apply this lens to Arsène Lupin himself, who Diop treats with reverence, but that’s a secondary concern since Lupin is entirely fictional in-world).

Barring some nagging structural problems - like cutting to flashbacks when things are getting exciting, or epilogues that feel ten minutes too long - Lupin mostly works. It plants a few personal seeds early on, which it keeps hinting at without fully addressing, but by the time its scattered elements come into focus, the show finally figures out how to weave them together, and delivers a mid-season cliffhanger that renders many of these flaws irrelevant.

Lupin manages to have fun even with an antiquated premise - the story of a suave con-man who charms his way through high-profile robberies - while adding just enough new spin on the concept to feel refreshing. Omar Sy may not have much to work with, but his alluring presence makes Assane Diop feel like a worthy successor to Arsène Lupin.

Lupin isn’t going to win César, BAFTA, or Emmy awards, or even turn heads for its ability to develop tertiary or even secondary plots or characters - that doesn’t really matter. You’re there to see a difficult hero be difficult and heroic - everyone else is there to be charmed, vexed, or eluded by them. Sy’s performance bounds off the screen, and is almost musical. He floats through scenes like he glides over the roofs and through the back alleys of Paris; he outmanoeuvres his foes with superior literary references and sheer athleticism. He is irresistible and also good at everything he tries, even kidnapping.

I would encourage anyone to watch Lupin for a fun care free ride. But the only caveat I would make is watch it in the original French.

If you don’t know French then put on the subtitles to understand (that’s what they are there for). The real crime is to watch this (or any film or television series) dubbed in a foreign language. It’s disrespectful to the actors and film makers and it’s silly because it’s comical to watch something dubbed over.

Please watch it in the original French.

Then go and read the books. You won’t regret it.

Thanks for your question.

[nyxravessnow]

Review 2021 Kuromyu – Namashitsuji Secrets of the Public School Arc

Disclaimer: This is not an unbiased review so please proceed knowing that it is heavily opinionated.

2nd Disclaimer: I have never seen the anime or read the manga of Black Butler. All of my thoughts are based on comparisons to previous musicals and comments from fans about how accurate their portrayal is. I understand this may turn some people off my review which is understandable but I think an important thing for shows is how accessible they can be for people who don’t know the source material.

 FREE OF SPOILERS

Overall rating: 8/10

 Acting – 8/10

Music – 8/10 (I took an average of my song scores)

Ease of understanding – 8/10

Direction – 7/10

 Overall Summary:

I think the show was excellent and showed respect to the old shows but also did quite a few new things. All the scenes and songs had clear thought put into them and the acting showcased these things very well. It was not quite like what I expected it was going to be like but now that I’ve seen it, I can’t quite think of what I expected. I think if you like 2.5D or if you like Black Butler or the actors in this show then you will enjoy the show quite a lot. It is not exactly the same as before from every standpoint apart from it being Black Butler so I would say don’t go in expecting it to be just the same.

 I will move to a spoiler review under the cut but plainly, this show is very good and I think all the actors did a great job.

As I normally do I am going to give my thoughts on story, acting, songs and directing, then mention some extra stuff that I might think of at the end. I am sorry if I bring up the fact that I’m British and went to boarding school like my parents too much.

Story: The story was mostly pretty easy for me to follow, especially as a British person who knows about Cricket and boarding schools. I haven’t seen Campania so the dolls confused me a little at first but that is completely on me for not having seen the previous show. When watching I was very confused about what was going on towards the end but looking back on it that was mainly because of my migraine and not because it wasn’t clear. Scenes were set out well and the camera work was done in a way to make it very easy to follow along. But omg the cricket made me a little upset. It was super fun and all. But it was so inaccurate XD. I guess I now know the pain of people who like tennis when they watch the Prince of Tennis.

Acting: I am going to go actor by actor and give a rough overview of what I thought of them

Tateishi Toshiki as Sebastian Michaelis

I felt like we didn’t get a terribly demonic Sebastian in this show but otherwise I loved Toshi as Sebastian. He felt very elegant and reserved most of the time which contrast well with the times in which he was annoyed at Ciel. He wasn’t terribly present in a lot of the show but I did really enjoy him when he was on stage. His singing voice is excellent and I loved hearing him sing, will go into more about it later during the song summaries.

Konishi Eito as Ciel Phantomhive

I thought Eito was amazing as Ciel and he is my favourite Ciel so far. He showed Ciel’s switch between cute and normal so well and it really made me think about how good of an actor Ciel is. I don’t know how he did what he did to his voice but he makes himself sound like a young child with a slightly higher and scrapey voice than normal and it really makes you think that he is very young. I know many people were worried that they were casting an adult as Ciel because they wanted to sexualise him and this was not the case at all. He only showed any skin in the very first scene when in the cage and he had the sheet/robe-thing showing his shoulder. His singing voice is quite a lot mature than the previous two Ciels, for obvious reasons, and I think it really helped me enjoy his songs.

Okayama Ryousuke as Soma Asman Kadar

While I would still say I prefer Sho’s Soma, mainly bc Sho is one of my fav actors and I am biased, I really liked Ryousuke’s Soma. He was super energetic and friendly and really gave off this air of innocence as he believes Ciel’s reasoning for him to join Weston. His cricket was also very fun. His singing was pretty okay. I think this was as his singing suffered when he was trying to sing in Soma’s voice.

Ueda Kandai as Undertaker

I was honestly quite surprised how good Kandai was as Undertaker. I think his Undertaker voice got better as the show went on so I assume the reason it was less good at first was nerves. He wasn’t in it too much but I thoroughly enjoyed him in every scene he was in. I think I would love it if he learnt to sing in his Undertaker voice more but I also understand that is quite difficult so understand why he’s not doing that.

Sana Hiroki as Edgar Redmond

I thought he was very good as Edgar and carried the emotion needed for the more serious scenes, like the flashback about Derek, very well. He definitely emphasised the queerness of Edgar and had some rather flirtatious moments with Maurice and Joanne. However, despite being flirty and not seeming to be very serious, I completely bought it when he became serious and he played the shift very well (such as in the Maurice reveal scene). His singing voice is good.

Tazuru Shogo as Herman Greenhill

I thought Shogo was really good as Herman, even if it did feel like him playing a slightly nicer version of Sanada – his character from Prince of tennis. He was my 2nd fav of the four and I always enjoyed watching him in his scenes. He played the emotion in the Derek flashback amazingly and you could really see the pain in his eyes when he realised what he had done. His voice was really perfect for Herman.

Satonaka Masamichi as Lawrence Bluewer

I really loved Masa as Lawrence. I don’t know how accurate it is as he didn’t seem very sweet from what I read on his wiki page, but his Lawrence seemed quite tsundere. I loved his bit in the Cricket match when he was talking about wanting to win in his very last year. He also just seemed quite cute. I really enjoyed his singing.

Goto Dai as Gregory Violet

I LOVED Dai as Gregory. He definitely gave off the aura of being weird but he also seemed very sweet to Cheslock and the two actors had really good chemistry. He was really cute in his Cricket gear. He was by far my favourite of the prefects. Despite seeming cute and sweet to Cheslock he definitely retained the aura of mystery and you could never tell what he was thinking. His singing voice is pretty good but he didn’t have many solo bits.

Furuya Yamato as Clayton

While at the beginning I did get an intelligent stuck up vibe from Yamato as Clayton that kinda died away as the show went on and he became much more of a dork. I dunno how much of this is in character but to me it felt slightly like Yamato playing himself. As I think Yamato is an excellent actor, I was a little bit disappointed to see his character change quite a bit but I don’t know how much was him and how much was the direction. Since Yamato is known for comedy and his adlibbing I wouldn’t be surprised if this was actually just direction and the route they decided to go down for this character, hence why they scouted Yamato. I know his singing voice may not appeal to everyone, but I really like it.

Nakajima Takuto as Edward Midford

Takuto was very good as Edward and I think he played his straightforwardness quite well. I love Takuto but I don’t think Edward had much to do apart from the cricket which Takuto did very well. His singing voice is excellent.

Warning: Tsukasa is my favourite actor, and I am very biased

Taguchi Tsukasa as Maurice Cole

Tsukasa was AMAZING as Maurice. He played the changes in his character so well and even though he’s not a very nice person I felt really bad for him during his breakdown as Tsukasa’s scream was heart wrenching. When he was pretending, he felt so light and sweet and then when he was being his normal self he dropped down his voice and even changed his accent slightly as well as changing the way he would stand and walk. Ngl I was not paying too much attention to other people when he was in the scene and I don’t know if it’s just because I’m biased or because his command of the stage is that good but I really felt his stage presence. I loved the way he repeated 2 O’clock to Edgar and the others and how he mirrored the way he did it with Ciel and all the subtleties to his acting were great. He didn’t get to sing very much but he sounded really good.

Fukuzawa Yu as Cheslock

Apart from Tsukasa I think Yu was my favourite in this show. He brought so much energy to Cheslock and I don’t mean making the character energetic, just that he always has so much power and feeling behind his lines and he was so good and cool! He had good command of the stage and worked so well with Dai to be the one the stands out and the one that fades into the shadows. He mostly rapped so I don’t remember his singing voice very much.

Uchino Fuuto as Joanne Harcourt

Fuuto didn’t really stand out to me very much and I don’t think he had very much to do. His singing voice was pretty good.

Hayakawa Iori as Macmillan

He served his part in the story well and was very cute and energetic which I liked. He kinda reminded me of doll a little. His singing voice was pretty good.

Yamaguchi Kooki as Derek Arden

He wasn’t in very much of the show but he played his part very well and even though we got so little of him being unpleasant the way he played it made me hate Derek immediately. I don’t think he got any solo singing bits?

Takahashi Shunichi as Johann Agares

He filled his role very well. The most impressive thing was his falling from the stairs, I was very worried he was going to hurt himself, so I was really glad he was okay as he went from pretty high considering there were lower stairs. His singing voice was good.

Songs: I really love Yu(vague) the composer of the show and he is my favourite music composer. I think he did a really good job with the songs on the whole. I think he did well making them seem different and new yet familiar.

Opening song – 7/10

I think this song was a good opener. I wasn’t too sure about it at first, but it got better as the song went on. Toshi’s voice didn’t sound to be working with the song at first but since he sounded fine later, I think it was just his voice wavering at first from nerves so I’m excited to see what he’s like in the last show. I like how they did short recaps of the previous shows from Lycoris to Campania so the fans are caught up on what has happened, especially since it becomes important when Undertaker comes back with the dolls at the end.

2nd song, I think it’s called ‘It’s perfect black’ – 8/10

I really like this song. I think it is a nice scene setter and is very well sung by everyone. The dance works well and kinda brings Druitt’s dancing to mind with some of it. The song features the full cast and is effectively the Pawn and Sword song of this show.

Welcome to Weston song – 10/10

My first 10/10 song. I really love this song and I already can sing along to it. I love the prefects singing and that the others sing the chorus for them. (Also partly love it for its reprise but I’ll get to that later) I love how rigid and together it sounds. By that I mean that everyone is singing their lines as quite cutting and the harmonies are very crisp. Everyone is perfectly in time and there is no deviation. The rigidness shows the formality and tradition of the school which is reinforced by the students marching around the stage to get to the places. This is the case for everyone except the prefects who have more flowy lines and they walk a lot more freely showing the school’s hierarchy. I also love the prefects pushing Ciel around and surrounding him which foreshadows how he his treated.

Only Prefect Four – 9/10

I might be slightly biased as a Mankai stage fan as this song sounds so like a Mankai stage song but I love it so much. It would be 10/10 but I think their harmonies at the end could be a bit tighter. I think the soft and flowery and upbeat music works really well after the last song. Kinda indicating that the prefects live in a different world to the rest of the school which kinda serves as storytelling so that later when they’re so surprised by Derek’s actions it makes sense as they feel kinda separate from everyone else and it makes sense that they wouldn’t know what was going on in the rest of the school. I also love how they each get their solo bits which tell you stuff about the characters. Edgar’s dance is really reminiscent of Druitt which I really love. Herman’s music is a lot less flowy with a base note and the dance, using cricket bats, really gives off an image of strength. Lawrence’s mixes classical music into the instrumental and it has a more traditional feel. The dance involves a lot of stepping and stopping showing a formulaic approach rather than being flowy or strong. Gregory’s music has a grand feeling to it and it goes lower. Gregory doesn’t move much while Cheslock is doing some hip-hop dancing next to him. And instead of singing a solo section he talks about how he wants to go to bed.

Yes, my lord – 10/10

My favourite song in this show. It shows Ciel being told to do things and him passing his chores to Sebastian and Sebastian getting more and more annoyed with him, even breaking and calling him a brat at one point. The upbeat tone is quite fun and it works really well as a montage song. I like how it goes from Ciel saying ‘Yes, Clayton-senpai’ (senpai is a polite suffix for names of people who are higher up than you) to dropping senpai to just saying yes then turning to Sebastian. It really showcases brat Ciel.

Soma’s song – 10/10

His song is all about being Ciel’s friend and it’s really cute and energetic. The outfits from Soma’s song in Circus and brought back and it has a similar instrumental to his song there. He messes around a lot more in this song, though. Even though he is now much older than Sho was when he played Soma through this song he feels far more youthful through the more relaxed choreography and the energetic music.

Ominous prefect song – 9/10

This song is so cool. I really like the sharp shapes being projected onto the back with lilac light and the softly ominous instrumentals. (it comes right after Edgar mentions ‘the secret of what happened that day’). The vice-principal walking around at the back is really interesting as it looks like he is monitoring them. And the other students walking around with lanterns gives the song an almost supernatural feel. And then Undertaker peeking out from the back at the end gives a more direct hint of what is going on.

Nightmare, opening reprise – 8/10

This is just a reprise of the 1st song but I like it a bit better because it is shorter and the choreography of the cultists surrounding Ciel’s bed is really nice.

The Headmaster’s decision – 10/10

I like the fast pace of this song as Ciel runs around to ask about Derek and keeps just being told it was the headmaster’s decision. The students moving and singing together, then encircling him reinforces Ciel’s feeling like there’s a secret that everyone knows but isn’t telling him. I also like the use of Derek’s actor walking around the stage, always just beyond their sight from where they are.

Cricket song, last song of Act 1 – 6/10

This song is good it’s just not super enthralling. I think it’s probably the weakest pre-interval song out of the Kuromyus. At the beginning Sebastian and Ciel’s mics got really quiet for some reason and the instrumental was a bit louder than them. It’s a nice gentle and weirdly happy and hopeful instrumental which is a bit at odds with the past two ominous songs and I can’t decide if I like that or not. Also, I think the harmonies are a bit off so hopefully that will be better by the final performance. A lot of the singers sound like they have tension in their voices so I think they were all pretty anxious for this song. I do like the song and it might go up a bit if they can get the harmonies in the final show because they got almost none of them in this show. (The one that they did get sounded really good though)

INTERVAL

Cricket tournament – 9/10

While the previous song was also more upbeat than the ominous songs I don’t think it worked due to being directly afterwards, as the first song of Act 2 I quite like that’s it’s more energetic as it gets you hyped for the 2nd Act. This is the song that some Tenimyu, Prince of tennis musical, fans are saying was inspired by Tenimyu. And I will say, it was 100% inspired by Tenimyu XD. Yana-sensei is a fan of Prince of tennis and Shogo, Herman’s actor, was cast in a role very similar to his Prince of tennis role then the Green Lion section literally has lines that are exactly the same as lines from the team Shogo was in. Also, the music during their bit is actually somewhat reminiscent of the music that team normally has.

[Yu(vague) is so good at changing types of music during songs ahh, the Green Lion to Scarlett Fox transition is just so good.]

Honestly, this song would be a 7 or 8 out of 10 without the Violet Wolf part bc omg that part slaps so hard. Gregory and Cheslock high-five and the music just switches to electronic disco music and they rap most of their bit. I love it so much.

Sapphire Owl’s bit is cool too.

Scarlett vs Sapphire Cricket match – 6/10

It’s pretty good. Solid song but isn’t too exciting. Soma’s solo bit is really cute. Main thing letting it down is the ‘It’s cricket’ refrain that is in all three match songs. I was already done with it after like 30 seconds in this song and this song doesn’t have anything else lifting it above like the others do.

Violet vs Green Cricket match – 8/10

Cricket match as a rap battle. I dunno why Violet House became a rap house but I love it and I love Cheslock rapping about his awesome pitch. Then he and Herman having a rap battle is just so fun. I don’t know if this is as fun to Black Butler fans who know the characters a lot better or whether it would be uncomfortable but I had a blast in this song.

Sapphire vs Green Cricket match – 7/10

I really like the beginning instrumental and the short song bit at the very beginning of the song but the refrain hit again so it couldn’t go above a 7 for me.

Victory song – 6/10

Not a bad song but I don’t think the harmonies were there for this one and so I’m excited to see it in the last show again and hear if they improve.

Weston Reprise – 10/10

Oh my god I love this reprise so much. At first it sounds very like the original song then as the prefects slightly lose it as they realise what they have done it becomes more out of sync and the music quietens and it sounds more acapella and they sound slightly like they’re losing it due to the horror of what has happened. And the scratchiness of Gregory’s voice making it sound like he’s going to cry really reinforces that they are just children and they cannot deal with something like this.

Fight song – 7/10

I love the Undertaker taking Ciel to the side and staring at him crazily and singing at him. Again, I could hear Toshi’s nerves and I hope that he can sing the song better in the final show. I really love the Undertaker and Sebastian’s duet though and I think their voices sound really good together and I love the blood refrain in the song.

Finale song – 7/10

A pretty short but solid refrain of ‘It’s Perfect Black’

Direction: I thought the direction overall was pretty solid. There wasn’t anything really innovative attempted I don’t think but I didn’t really feel like there was anything lacking.

Overall: I really loved this show and look forward to seeing the final show and I think this show set up the new cast well for future shows.

Do I recommend buying the stream and DVD?

If you are a fan of 2.5D, any of these actors or Black Butler I really recommend trying to see this show. (The final show with be on 4th April on theatre-complex.jp and you can buy a ticket with just a vpn) While it is very different I feel like it was fairly faithful to its roots but is also trying to grow into something new.

Lastly: If you have any questions about the show, any parts, any songs or about any of the actors feel free to drop me an ask and let’s talk about it!

[eirian-houpe]

The Library Beneath the Clock Tower - chapter 39

Fandom: Once Upon a Time (TV)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Relationships: Belle/Rumplestiltskin | Mr. Gold, Belle/Gaston (Once Upon a Time)

Characters: Belle (Once Upon a Time), Rumplestiltskin | Mr. Gold, Red Riding Hood | Ruby, Widow Lucas | Granny, Grumpy | Leroy, Maurice | Moe French, Evil Queen | Regina Mills, Merida (Once Upon a Time), Jiminy Cricket | Archie Hopper, Gaston (Once Upon a Time), Le Fou, Mad Hatter | Jefferson, Prince Charming | David Nolan, Gus | Billy, Huntsman | Sheriff Graham, Mother Trude (Fairytale Character)

Additional Tags: Bookshop On the Corner, slightly AU, Cursed Storybrooke (Once Upon a Time), Alternate Universe - In Storybrooke | Cursed (Once Upon a Time), Eventual Smut

Summary: Storybrooke has no library, and neither does Belle, not since the library where she worked in Boston discovered her past as an inpatient at a mental hospital. Taking her future into her own hands, Belle travels to Storybrooke where her intention is to open up the town library, but all does not go according to her plan. Obstacles and false starts, and diversion along very wrong pathways interrupt her journey toward fulfilling her dream, as well as taking her rightful place and becoming a part of the Storybrooke community.

Read previous chapters on AO3

Chapter 39 - Invitation

Even before Belle managed to close the door, Maggie had hurried away down the stairs and was out of sight a moment later. Shaking her head, Belle turned from the door, garment bag in hand and carefully, almost holding her breath, unzipped it fully.

If the dress had been beautiful in the dim light of the stairwell, it was utterly stunning in the full lighting of the apartment, and almost before she realized it, the possibility of attending the Miner’s Festival - which prior to that moment she was almost adamant that she would not - became something real, something desired and something which she truly wanted. What better way, as Maggie had outright told her, to prove that she belonged in Storybrooke, and was more than the mousy little librarian everyone believed her to be.

Before she could second guess herself, and go and change her mind, Belle took the dress through to the bedroom. No harm in just… trying it on, she thought to herself.

She carefully lifted the dress and cloak from the bag feeling the fine, soft fabric against her fingertips as she did. In proper lighting, though the dress at first appeared white, there was ultimately a barely detectable, almost aqua overtone, as if the strands of the woven fabric reflected that color of light. The sequins shone like tiny diamonds and the embroidery was so fine that she could not imagine anyone having done such work, and yet it was unequivocally obvious that it had not been produced by machine.

Then her heart sank with sudden disappointment as she decided there was no way that the dress was going to fit. Maggie was taller and far more slender than she. If she could get the dress to fasten it would be far too long. Still, something in her was determined that she would try it on, and she began undressing to nothing but her panties, and then stepped into the dress and with the practiced ease of someone used to wearing dresses that zipped at the back, pulled up the zipper and then wriggled a little to settle the fine silk ball gown into place. It fit flawlessly, and in her bare feet the bottom edge barely curled against the carpet, which meant that in heels of a modest one or two inches, it would fall just as perfectly. It was as if it had been made for her.

She slipped on some appropriate shoes and turned first one way, and then the other, watching as the full skirts of the dress swished with her movement, and came to settle again. Then, facing the mirror once more, she looked at herself up along the length of the bodice, the way it hugged her curves, ending modestly enough to just reveal the top most hint of her cleavage, and leaving her shoulders entirely bare. There were sleeves though, which were fitted, and yet comfortable - not too tight even beneath the arms, where they joined to the top of the dress. The lower half of the sleeves were overlaid with a fine, sheer lace, almost veil-like that hung to her mid thighs when her arms were bent at the elbow.

It truly was an utterly beautiful dress. She bit her lip, worried that if she went to the festival in it she would be completely overdressed and end up the laughing stock of the town. Then again, she countered herself, she considered Maggie to be, tentatively, a friend, and didn’t believe she would play such a cruel trick on her, besides which, hadn’t Doctor Whale said that everyone dressed in their finest clothes?

“Do the brave things, Belle,” she said softly to herself, and again turned full circle; once and once again, feeling the dress as light as air moving around her. On the third turn, however, she stopped dead as she caught sight of Mister Gold, standing in the doorway. As she saw him - blushing scarlet as she did - his expression turned to one of abject apology, and he began to stumble over an explanation of his presence.

“Uh… forgive me, I…” he began, taking a half step back as though he meant to turn and run. “I… I was passing and I noticed the outside door was ajar,” his voice, though flustered at first, was soft, and grew in confidence as he made his explanation. “I began to worry that something may be wrong, especially as there were no lights on in the library.”

“I… I closed early,” she explained, still blushing.

He nodded, “I realize that now, but… when I came up, your front door was open too,” he gestured behind himself to where the front door was situated, “so I… I promise you, I’m not the kind of landlord to—”

He broke off when Belle covered her face with her hands for a moment, her blush renewing, along with a strange, tickling, pulling sensation, low in her belly.

“Thank you,” she said eventually, before she lowered her hands, finding his explanation genuine and understanding how the doors had been left unfastened, with Maggie in a hurry to return to her brothers, and her own excitement to try on the dress. “It… was good of you to be concerned. I’m simply embarrassed to have been caught… twirling around like a school girl anticipating her first prom.”

He offered her a smile, and then gestured, still a little awkwardly, toward her.

“It suits you,” he said quietly, his voice a little rough, as though with emotion. “Will you be going to the Miner’s Day Festival then?”

“What,” she said in a tone that belied her lingering embarrassment, and attempted to snark her way back to a more comfortable state of equilibrium, “in this old thing?” She shook her head and said, “Not at all. This is the kind of thing I always wear when I’m going to lounge in my apartment all night, reading a book and drinking tea all by myself.”

She gave him a grin then, one he mirrored as though she were suddenly speaking his language, and the two of them chuckled together, the warmth of their shared laughter dispelling the lingering awkwardness.

“It truly does suit you, Miss Marchland,” he offered then, “as if by donning this dress you are… shedding your belief that you don’t belong here - in Storybrooke.”

“Well,” she murmured, “It would seem that there are enough people around that would like me to believe that.”

As she spoke, she smoothed the front of the dress over her, and half turned enough to take one more look at herself in the mirror. Perhaps she had been right after all. Perhaps it was too much.  Her hands twitched as though to reach behind herself for the zipper.

“You don’t need to listen to them,” Gold’s soft voice sounded, closer this time, almost at her shoulder. She turned, her hands still half raised, and without thinking gave them willingly to his as he took them into his own. His fingers were warm where they passed small caresses over the backs of her hands. “You should just show them how wrong they are,” he suggested in that gravelly, soft voice of his. “Perhaps you would… do me the honor of accompanying me to the Minder’s Day Festival, Miss Marchland?”

She swallowed hard at the deep, dark invitation in his eyes. “I should be delighted,” she whispered.

[froody]

"#does anyone know anything about cricket" i literally both watched and played cricket as a kid like i've found old "about me" sheets from when i was 8 where i said i wanted to be a cricketer when i grew up but i could not for the life of me tell you what exactly is going on in the cricket scene in Maurice. we've got to give up and accept that there's nobody who both understands cricket and is watching Maurice

there is something rather yonic about this cricket field diagram 😳

[elizasvintagemoviesblog]

Anthony Valentine: Actor who made his name playing a hitman in Callan and a Luftwaffe officer in Colditz

Valentine exuded charm and sophistication but made his name in psychopathic and ruthless roles in the 1970s

Anthony Valentine exuded charm and sophistication but made his name on television as psychopathic Toby Meres in Callan and ruthless Nazi Major Mohn in Colditz. Both roles, which brought him fame in the 1970s, typecast him as a screen "nasty" for years. "There must be something in me that other people see," the former child star once told me. "They must have a sixth sense that says, 'He looks a bit dodgy,' or, 'I don't like him.' I find that strange because, inside, I feel just as warm and friendly as the next guy."

Alongside Edward Woodward's title character in Callan (1967-72), a brutal drama set in the world of intelligence and intended as an antidote to the James Bond films, Valentine chillingly portrayed fellow agent Meres as a cold-blooded licensed killer, an upper-class thug who enjoys his deadly work.

He brought the same sadistic qualities to menacing Luftwaffe security officer Horst Mohn in the final series of Colditz (1974), based on Major Pat Reid's memoirs of his time in a German prisoner-of-war camp. Valentine also proved adept at depicting another side of Mohn's personality with his pathetic attempts to get the PoWs to testify that he treated them well as the Third Reich's imminent defeat becomes clear.

He played a more debonair character, albeit on the wrong side of the law, as the gentleman jewel thief in Raffles (1975-77), adapted from EW Hornung's short stories. AJ (Arthur) Raffles was a cricketer and amateur cracksman and, unlike Valentine's previous notorious characters, disapproved of violence.

He was born Tony Valentine in Blackburn, Lancashire, where his parents, Mary (née Walsh) and William, worked in a cotton mill. When he was six, the family moved to south London and Valentine's mother, a fan of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly film musicals, enrolled him in dancing lessons.

At the age of nine he was spotted tap-dancing in a stage version of Robin Hood at Ealing Town Hall and chosen to act in the film thriller No Way Back (1949). Then, while training at the Valerie Glynne Stage School and attending Acton County Grammar School, he appeared in the film The Girl on the Pier (1953) and had various roles on television, including Trout in Emil and the Detectives (1952).

On leaving school, children's TV kept Valentine busy, casting him as Humphrey Beverley in The Children of the New Forest (1955), JO Stagg in Rex Milligan (1956) and Lord Mauleverer (1955), then Harry Wharton (1956-57), in Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School. He also sang in the children's magazine show Whirligig – accompanied by Steve Race on the piano – and for two seasons in operas at Sadler's Wells Theatre.

Making the successful transition to adult acting, Valentine performed in repertory theatres around the country. He also enjoyed invaluable experience at the Royal Court Theatre in 1958 with roles in John Osborne's Epitaph for George Dillon and Arnold Wesker's Chicken Soup with Barley. Back on television, he played Gerald Quincey in the Francis Durbridge serial The Scarf (1959) and, switching to the classics, took a dozen parts in An Age of Kings (1960), the BBC's Shakespeare anthology series.

Fame in Callan led Valentine to be cast in two other thriller series, playing Vickers in Scobie in September (1969) and Philip West in Codename (1970). He also acted barrister James Eliot (1974) in the final series of Justice, a popular legal drama starring Margaret Lockwood.

This celebrity made him a popular panellist in television game shows such as Call My Bluff (between 1974 and 1981), but he began to find good, strong starring roles hard. So he simply made guest appearances – as streetwise gambler Maurice Michaelson in Minder (three episodes, 1979-83), charming black marketeer Squadron-Leader Dickie Marlowe in Airline (1982) and evil sorcerer Baron Simon de Belleme in Robin of Sherwood (1984 and 1985).

He then bounced back with several leading roles. After acting sinister Tony Slater, one of the partners in crime, in The Fear (1988), he was cast in Body & Soul (1993) as Stan Beattie, the stubborn manager of an ailing north of England mill coming into conflict with the young nun (played by Kristin Scott Thomas) who takes charge of it after the death of her brother. Then came the part of smuggler George Webster (1994-96) in the Customs & Excise drama The Knock.

Guest roles continued, including a 36-episode run in Coronation Street as George Wilson (2009-10), the grandfather of Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) and father of Lucy Richards (Katy Carmichael), who had died after splitting up with her bigamist husband, Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne). On discovering his newly found grandson, retired builder George spoiled him and offered to pay for a private education, to the annoyance of Simon's other grandfather, Ken Barlow (William Roache).

Valentine's occasional film appearances included Joey Maddocks, a bookmaker contending with James Fox's east London gangster, in Performance (1970), SS Major Volkmann, the sadistic town commandant, in Escape to Athena (1979) and the British ambassador in Jefferson in Paris (1995). On the West End stage, Valentine acted in The Shifting Heart (Duke of York's Theatre, 1959), Two Stars for Comfort (Garrick Theatre, 1962), Half a Sixpence (Cambridge Theatre, 1962), No Sex, Please – We're British (Strand Theatre, 1971-72), as the assistant bank manager, Peter Hunter, Sleuth (St Martin's Theatre, 1972) , Hans Andersen (London Palladium, 1977) and Art (Wyndham's Theatre, 1999-2000).

Valentine, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2012, was married to the actress Susan Skipper (née Cook), who met him when she guest-starred in Raffles. They also appeared on screen together in the 1979 television production of the Ivor Novello musical The Dancing Years.

Tony Valentine (Anthony Valentine), actor: born Blackburn, Lancashire 17 August 1939; married 1982 Susan Skipper; died Guildford, Surrey 2 December 2015.

source: independent

[yfere]

So OK, there's SO much to say, but specifically the expectation of RESPECT and GRATITUDE that the upper class possess in Maurice is so wild, it's fucking everywhere. In one deleted scene, head of household mrs Durham is having a little Christmas party and being oh-so-charitable by giving the servants presents. And there's this little servant's child who doesn't thank her, and what does Mrs. Durham do? She threatens to TAKE AWAY the present until she is thanked. It's a power play of the worst sort, and the child does begrudgingly thank her so she can get the present.

And of course this attitude is everywhere--it's in Simcox's veiled hostility towards his employers, it's in Anne talking about Clive being a "friend to the poor, if only they knew it," it's in Clive saying oh he'll play cricket to "please these people." It's why what Alec and Maurice choose to call each other is so important, and at various times a point of contention between them. Who is entitled to respect, or gratitude?

And Maurice as a middle class (albeit upper middle class!) character, whose family is pushing for more upwards mobility--it's so fascinating, because he sort of bounces around this line of respectability and entitlement throughout the story. Utterly dismissive of the working class one moment, helping move pianos and having friendly conversations about Argentina the next. One scene that drives me wild though... You see, the closest analogue to what Mrs. Durham did to the servant's girl is what the Dean did to Maurice. The crime Maurice committed, in the Dean's eyes, was nothing more or less than not paying him proper respect by speaking with him when called to, and not apologizing abjectly afterwards. He threatens to end Maurice's academic career if he isn't apologized to--and with it Maurice's shot at the upwards mobility in class his family was aiming for. As if his education was a gift he must always act grateful for, and which the Dean is entitled to take away merely for not showing him proper respect. Maurice says he'd never have been booted if he'd cut class for a girl--but that was never the point. The reason he was targeted so harshly for "disrespect" was because he is only middle class--Clive is never in any danger from the Dean, nor was Lord Risley who was flagrantly impudent to the Dean's face. And WHY needn't they fear? Because they're upper class, that's why.

[psychoticenjolras]

ok im watching Maurice, ill liveblog my stupid reactions and then maybe say something of substance at the end (but probably not)

-the teacher in the beginning is cute, love his little speech -omg is the blondie the main character? LOVE a blonde -their uniforms  -he’s practicing greeting this greasy ass dude?  -tfw u try to help a guy carry stuff but u drop it = /  -the way this dude rocks playing the piano lmfao cute -he rolled him up in ? is this? is THIS gay culture?  -love the shot of those shoes and socks *kisses fingertips* perfection -what’s up with these SCHOOLS why do they look like that!!!  -strok-STROKING! RESTING! CARESS???? SLOWLY EMBRACI NG -holy shit the feeling in my chest just then sent my head through a 6 second turmoil. that fear and distrust when they hold you? the desire to squeeze them to youu making you lightheaded? the necessity of tentativity? the doubt? the anxiety? -seriously, that hug? the emotions in blondie’s hand movements drove me to the precipice of weeping -oh my god the drama = / -laying in a field? with a lover... -oh ope he got kicked out? -oh flirt flirt flirt -these ppl are so fuckin rich it’s painful to look at -tag yourself, im the guy the rich lady doesnt remember the name of eating off someone else’s table -don't fall for it don't fall for it, the navy guy is gonna kill him oh god no no no -ohhhh my god  -im sorry I called u greasy risley I didn't realize u were one of us = / -this is awful -i’d faint too -i’d have a breakdown too -this is awful -whole thing is very sad but these outfits are phenomenal  -haha...    haha...….. ……. -oh Maurice!!! of course you didn't want to hurt him! oh clive couldn't you be more gentle about it? -this SUUUUUUUCKS why do u guys like this absolute horrorshow? Maurice's fucking face, this sucks -like I totally get it, I 100% get it, I understand, but also, fuck im so upset with clive. still I get it. it’s just so hard. but god, clive! but I know. -”for two people in love to marry”..... -I don't want maurice to cry anymore, it’s really getting to me...… -”I rang the bell and the servant brought a saucer” jesus -”we had to ring twice. twice” Christ -clive wait you. is clive not? is clive bi or something?? or like only sexually into women? is that why...…????? what the fuck is up with this guy. oh shit is he only lying? like is he so deep in denial he wont even admit it was real to the man he was with? oh clive... -this hypnosis scene sure is nightmarish as well -oh my god is the scudder kid who he ends up with?!?!??!!? -oh my god they had sex -haha theyre so cute playin their lil cricket game -oh oh my god he thinks the kid is gonna do something!! -OH ben kingsley, that’s his name -oh my god alec don't freak out man oh my god PLEASE alec ohhhhhh -awwwww teacher! I love teacher -theyre so sweet, tryna blackmail each other. they made up tho -alec’s leaving too holy shit!!!! I hate this movie!!!! -IS ALEC OK??????????????????? -OH HE’S- HE’S NOT GETTING ON THE BOAT!!!! I GET IT NOW!!! OH MY GOD HE’S AT THE BOATHOUSE -why is Maurice not at the boathouse! why is he going to clive! HE’S AT THE BOATHOUSE! -clive is a bit of a fuck -UUUUUUUUUUUUGH BOATHOUSE -n-...….. “now we shan’t ever be parted”? D’‘‘‘: oh have mercy -ahhhhh….. so Maurice opens windows, and clive closes them. I didn't mean to call u a fuck, clive, I understand = / 

OH ok it’s over! so it was very good! it’s a majestic, respectful, emotional film, and it depicts its characters with such raw honesty and frankness, it’s impossible to not be enraptured and sucked into it. the acting is off the walls, so many smart decisions and pretty subtleties and heartbreaking drama. and so handsome! the attention to detail makes it such a pleasing film to just look at. I love that Maurice really only seems to want to change in response to his heart being broken- when he finds alec, he goes right back to being intensely brave and audacious about his homosexuality. and a happy ending!!! how kind!!! how ahead of its time- how ahead of OUR time, even! I adore it.