#Marlene Forte

[stuff-diary]

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Movies watched in 2024

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2022, USA)

Director & Writer: Aitch Alberto (based on the book by Benjamin Alire Sáenz)

Mini-review:

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is one of those extremely rare books that left a life-changing mark on me. It came to me exactly when I needed it most, and it's one of the stories that made me who I am right now. Needless to say, the thought of it being adapted into a movie made me feel both excited and terrified. Having finally watched it, I must say I have very mixed feelings. It's clear that it was made by people who love the book just as much as me, and the acting is pretty good. Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales really managed to capture Ari's stoic awkwardness and Dante's artful whimsy. However, you just can't adapt a 400-page book into a 90-minute movie. The story moves at an incredibly rushed pace, and Ari's beautiful character arc ends up feeling very underdeveloped. It's pretty obvious this adaptation should have been a proper limited series, but alas, it is what it is. For the record, I did enjoy the movie and I'm glad it was made, cause the world needs more stuff like this on its screens. But that doesn't change the fact that it's pretty underwhelming when compared to such a brilliant book.

[cultfaction]

Hypochondriac trailer released

Directed By Addison Heimann, Hypochondriac stars Zach Villa, Devon Graye, Paget Brewster, Marlene Forte, Madeline Zima, Yumarie Morales, and Chris Doubek. It follows Will, a young Hispanic gay potter, is one gregarious guy. His boss is terrible, but he’s got a great boyfriend and a great job. Unfortunately, behind that veneer is a dark past of violence and mental illness that he is desperate to…

[lifeandlies-of-regulusblack]

It's always regulus who feels replaced but i want to read angst about marlene and peter who were childhood friends with james. Who thought about hogwarts with the three of them counting off the years together. Marlene who knew James as the closest thing she knew to a brother. And peter who was James' first friend.

Marlene and james who played quidditch out in the sun until their noses were red and peeled the next day. Peter and james who saw each other in diapers. Marlene and peter who made pillow forts and shared cookies under blankets. Marlene who told james that he reminded her so much of a proud stag. Good, great, but gentle. Peter who would sleep in James' bed during sleepovers.

Marlene who stopped being invited to sleep overs. Peter who hated how he didn't know if he should be calling Marlene over, while Sirius, James, and Remus could be heard in the Potters kitchen making snacks. Marlene who still wears her friendship bracelets.

Peter and Marlene who aren't sure who they envy more. Peter who sits closer to James but pushed to the side. Or Marlene who sits at the outskirts of James' life but works with the freedom of closure.

[harryandmeghansussex]

The Duke and Duchess with the Minister of Legal & Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte.

[randomfoggytiger]

Best pining fanfics? Mulder pining, Scully pining, both of them, I love it all. Need some angsty "they couldn't possibly feel the way I feel" admiring-from-a-distance (possibly buildup to love confession) fics in my life.

<3

Oooooooooooooooh, that's interesting-- usually don't go for the pining myself, BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT that doesn't mean there aren't a ton I have stashed away. ;))) Brb!

Unironically most (if not all) of @cecilysass's work have pining with requited love, some examples: The Kaleidoscope (S6, Scully dating, both pining), How to Eat Pleasant Holiday Meals With Co-Workers (mostly pining, including IVF and later "breakup" Thanksgiving), Pause (AU after Requiem-- pregnant Scully was "dead" for a year before being returned with amnesia after FTF. PINING.), The Boy on the Beach (AU time travel case after Amor Fati-- Mulder misinterpreted his experience, Scully feels deeply hurt and is given the opportunity to save Samantha from the "past." Both realizing mistakes and talking), and I'll throw in All the Dead Mulders (post Three Words Mulder goes to his family's grave to find closure and/or himself. Scully tracks him down in the end) and Not Orpheus, Not Eurydice (S5 Mulder and Scully feed pond ducks by a church and talk, beautiful) because there's some pining but more importantly, they're my favorite of her fics.

@nowwhateinstein's Now That You're Around Me-- (Mulder and Scully's closer relationship is almost ruined by Diana's pestering at the FBI ball.)

Violetta_Valery's The bittersweetness of pie (Breakup Mulder wanders into town, having lost everything except his craving for sweet potato pie. There he sees Scully with a guy, misinterprets everything, and rushes in to save her honor. All ends well.)

SqueekaCuomo's It’s Not Really about Krampus (Scully has insomnia at her family's Christmas; and Mulder keeps calling. She realizes he misses her and that she loves him.)

@agent-troi's pining and denial during her ongoing IVF Platonic Procreation (an example of how everyone could be telling you the truth and you could be denying it until you're blue in the face.)

allthings2020's The Mood Ring (almost makes Mulder and Scully confront their feelings.)

@tofuttim's Agent Scully is Already in Love (post Milagro Mulder didn't know Scully loves him; and fears that loving him will ruin her. She understands.)

@slippinmickeys's The Concept of Dualism (Melissa makes Mulder and Scully crash in one place post Dod Kalm so she can care for them) and Three Sentence Prompts - Chapter 15 (AU The End where Scully is shot instead, Gibson reassuring her of Mulder's love as she fades away.)

@welsharcher's *chef's kiss* The Almost Kiss (Small Potatoes Mulder realizes Scully wanted more, backs away since he can't be "that" right now. Both pining) and No Place for Me (post The End Scully feels rejected, hears Mulder's heartbroken tears.)

@baronessblixen wrote some great Rain King-- I Saw You In My Dreams (Scully thinks Mulder was dreaming about Diana, realizes it's her name in Kansas), this one (Mulder and Scully talk out their tenseness by recollecting how he always supported her during the cancer arc), and this funny one (Mulder wakes, happy, then sneezes in Scully's hair-- not so much pining as enjoying?)-- and One Son pining-- this one (Mulder and Scully are both mad at each other and their "betrayals") and Never Cold With You By My Side (Fowley locks up Mulder and Scully in Fort Marlene overnight-- Scully so angry she pushes Mulder away until she's forced to ask for body heat.)

Lapsed_Scholar's Atonement counts, I believe (cancer arc Scully is hurt that Mulder dips without talking to her at all-- turns out, he was following Jewish customs to try to barter for her recovery or to atone for his mistakes that are being foisted, he thinks, on his partner.)

@amplifyme's Roghnaíonn Mé Tú counts, I think (S7 Scully is thunderstruck that Mulder had chosen her over Samantha in End Game.)

Hope these are enough for now! XDDDD Sorry this took me a bit; but I hope you have a wonderful weekend reading~. :DDDDD

Edit: WAIT I'm kicking myself for forgetting @suitablyaggrieved's Fictober Day 10 (S2 Mulder wants Scully back; but Skinner's not budging) and Mulder hears the door (Mulder pining for Scully while she's abducted, Skinner trying to help.)

[thebibutterflyao3]

Moving with the Marauders/Valkyries/Slytherin Skittles:

James: Starts packing way too early and happily lives in a box fort for weeks. Hastily throws everything else into the back of his car the night before. Refuses to allow anyone to lift the heavy shite.

Sirius: Hates moving. Refuses to throw anything away and dumps it all in boxes last minute, then lives out of boxes rather than unpack.

Remus: Meticulously plans out the furniture placement in the new place, then promptly loses the plan. Sacrifices necessities to make room for books, mugs, and jumpers.

Peter: Carefully wraps everything in bubble wrap and prioritises his collectibles over anything else. Resorts to using his clothes as packing material and makes eleven thousand trips rather than hire a truck.

Regulus: Creates a detailed list of the items in each box and clearly labels it. Becomes stressed and overwhelmed when the boxes pile up. Abandons anything that doesn’t fit, then panics when he can’t find it.

Pandora: Forgets to buy boxes and tape. Wraps everything up in blankets and towels, then stuffs it all into shopping bags.

Lily: Creates a binder to manage every detail, schedules movers, and begins packing way too early. Gets frustrated when she’s packed something she needs. Loses her shite when a box is dropped.

Mary: Gives away half of her stuff rather than move it. Hires movers to pack and move everything else. Thrifts decor for the new place.

Dorcas: Refuses any assistance and won’t allow anyone to help until she’s exhausted, but refuses to admit defeat. Begrudgingly accepts she cannot lift a sofa up three flights of stairs.

Marlene: Labels nothing. Treats unpacking like a surprise party where every box is full of her favourite things. Refuses to clean before she leaves.

Barty: Leaves everything but his clothes behind and starts over without hesitation. Bitches about having to shop for new stuff.

Evan: Starts packing with a system, forgets the system and throws random shite together. Loses half of his possessions without explanation.

[robynlilyblack]

Forever and after

James Potter x fem! reader

Summary: Y/n overhears James' confessing he wants kids one day to Sirius and Remus and freaks out a little

Warnings: swearing, mentions of eating, periods and sex, fears of pregnacy, pain and giving birth, James being the best boyfriend, established relationship, hurt/comfort, quick proofread

A/n: 1.5k words, in all honesty I have the same fears as the reader here, thank you for the request, I hope you like it x

Navigation | James Potter Masterlist

You were a bundle of comfort, the height of cosiness with your fluffy blanket around your shoulders, covers up to your waist, book in hand with a little bowl of goodies in an arm’s reach. James was in the living room with Sirius and Remus, playing some muggle game Marlene let them borrow…although it was more like stole along with her console in order to beat her high scores

“Fuck you, you utter wanker! Why’d ya do that? I had it!” you giggle at Sirius’ exclamation, even harder as he says he’ll be filing for divorce when you assume Remus takes the control and must beat score 

Your hand dipped into the bowl, feeling around for a few seconds before you lower your book and find yourself pouting at the empty bowl. Slipping in your bookmark you wait a moment, deciding if more snacks was worth the coldness of leaving your snug little fort…and when your stomach squeaks you have your answer

Flicking off the cover and blanket you grabbed the bowl and slipped on some big fluffy socks to protect your feet from the icy cold tiles of your kitchen. Walking through you tried to stay quiet, not wanting to disturb James’ games or risk ruining one of their runs

“Guys keep it down will ya” you hear James say as you reach the kitchen “My girls either reading or trying to sleep” your heart flutters, smiling like an idiot as you grab some more snacks

“Simp” Sirius teases

“Fuck off you’re one too Mr Puppy” your boyfriend counters and you stifle a giggle

“He’s right” Remus chips in, the controllers stick still flicking away

“Who’s right?” they both wonder

“Both” he says casually before you hear the control drop and Remus grumble a ‘hey’

“You guys want to try the other game before you leave?” James says standing up and clicking open the disc box

“Yeah sounds good”

“Will y/n mind us staying? I feel bad that's she’s just in your room alone” Remus says and you smile, remember just how sweet James’ friends were

“No she’ll be okay with it. I’m pretty sure she’s having the time of her life, she looked so cute and cosy when I brought her snacks earlier, completely in love with that book of hers” he says a little dreamy and you shamelessly delay your journey back to your bedroom

“And your completely in love with her” you can almost feel Sirius’ eyebrows wiggling

“I am” your heart bursts “She’s the one, I just know it” and just before you felt like your heart couldn’t explode anymore he adds “Imma marry her and…I might even have a ring in mind” he says last but tentatively

“Siriusly?” Remus asks

“He is and I am” you wished you could shake your head at the pun but you could only hold your squeal and hug the bowl to your chest

It was at that moment you also decided to leave, not wishing to know his full proposal plans so you can still be surprised when you heard a question that made you stop just before closing the bedroom door

“So, can we predict little Prongs and Y/n’s running around in the near future?” 

The length of time felt endless as you waited for his answer, but when it came you wished it hadn’t

“I hope so”

You gently closed the door, sliding down it and placing the bowl to the side, closing your eyes as you tried your best not to cry but fail miserably. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to be a mum, you liked the idea of having kids but it was the idea of being pregnant and giving birth terrified you. The toll it would take on the body, the changes that took place, both temporary and permanent, the pain that came with it and lasted long after

You just didn’t think you could bear it, and now you were scared James would leave you, which was, really, a ridiculous notion, but your rational brain had long left the building now

After wiping the tears best you could, you climbed back into bed and shut off the lamp. You weren’t able to fall sleep but you managed to hold back the tears despite the sinking feeling in your gut. Short time later you heard Remus and Sirius leave, quickly followed by James coming into the bedroom, actions becoming much quieter when he realised you were ‘asleep’

He potters about, getting ready for bed and changing into pyjamas before you feel the dip in the bed and the covers lifting.

A warm arm wraps around your waist “Are you asleep?” he whispers, checking

When you don’t say anything, his arm just pulls you a little closer, head coming over to kiss your cheek when he must feel it. The stickiness from your tears and he gently turn your face towards him, thumb running over your cheek

“Love” he tries, kissing your forehead once more so you scrunch your nose and eyes and pretend to wake up “Hi” he gifts you a smile and another kiss but to the nose this time

“Hi” your voice a little hoarse and his eyebrows crunch 

“Sad part in your book?” he asks so concerned and innocently you can’t help but begin crying again “Aww baby” he pulls you into his arms, letting you cry into his chest

“I’m so sorry Jamie” your murmur between the sniffles

His hand comes up to cup the back of your head “Want me to beat the authors arse? Even if their dead I’ll find their ghost you’ll be surprised how many of them are wizards” he assures but instead of a giggle he’s greeted with more crying and you holding him tighter

Now he knew something was wrong

“Y/n” he gently coaxes your head back so he can see your face, wincing at your shining cheeks and eyes “What happened?” he asks softly

“I…” you close your eyes, feeling two tears to fall down, one trailing the bridge of your nose 

“Take your time” he brings your hand up and kisses your palm “We have all night” and when you open your eyes he’s smiling

“I overheard you talking earlier” you confess and his smile falters, what you can only describe as fear and disappointment entering his eyes 

“What did you hear?” he wonders, to which your heart breaks as he tries his best to smile

“That you wanted to marry me and have your…kids” you say and his eyes close, grip a little tighter

“I know we’re young” he starts “I can wait as long as you want whenever you’re…ready” then his face looks pained “...that's if you want to of course” his fingers play with yours, clearly terrified of rejection and it destroys you

“I want to” you say without thinking, you did want to marry him, and to an extent maybe even raise kids if you could ever get past it but as he said you were young, you didn’t know if you even wanted them.

His eyes go back to you, a breath releasing as his shoulders relax “You do?” he cups your face, lights lighting fiercely when you nod in his oh so light grasp “Thank merlin” he pulls you in, cheek squished against his own “Sorry” he lets you go when you whine a little at being held to intensely

“No, I am” you’re sniffling again now and he looks so confused “Jamie it was the second part that freaked me out” you admit timidly

“Having kids?” you nod, looking almost ashamed “That's okay” he says shocking you

“It is? You aren’t mad?” 

“Never” he says firmly, shaking his head “Love I’d be honoured if you wanted to have kids with me but you don’t want them that's okay too. I just want you. Forever preferably but realistically as long as you can put up with me” he says simply and you melt into his arms

Your leg comes around him, hugging him so much he falls onto his back, chuckling a little bit as you cling onto him like some kind of kola 

“Hi” he smiles down at you when you move to rest your chin on his chest

“Hi” you smile back 

“Can I ask one thing?” his thumb flicks over your cheek

You nod

“Is there a specific reason or do you not fancy them?” he asks softly, that smile still on his face

“It’s not that I don’t want them” his eyebrow raises “I’m more put off by the making of it” you confess earning a quizzical look

“Love I think you’ll find you enjoy that part quite a lot” he can’t help himself, not when you bury your face into his chest and he can feel the heat radiating off those pretty cheeks

“Jamie” you whine into his chest

“What?” he plays dumb, mostly so he can cheer you up a bit “Thought you liked being all fill-” you cut him off, hand slapping over his mouth before retreating 

“Sorry” you apologise in case your hurt him and he can’t help but peck your lips while chuckling

“You’re so cute ya know” he pecks them again, revealing in your bashful look before saying “Jokes aside. Are you saying it’s pregnant that’s scaring you?”

“And birth” you add

“Course” face softening as he nods “I can’t imagine how scary it would be for you, I mean I get worried when you’re cramps are bad, I’d probably drive you nuts if you actually were pregnant” that makes you giggle causing him to smile so brightly before he presses a lingering kiss to your forehead “You know we can always adopt if you want? Or there’s surrogacy if we want one that looks like us…well you I’d want them to look just like…” he suggests and you get a little overwhelmed just not in the way he mistakes it for “Aww love I’m sorry it was just a suggestion you don’t…” he backtracks seeing the tears

“No” you gently cut him off, wiping the tears before you explain “Its not that, they’re happy tears”

He sighs in relief “Thank merlin I never want to be the reason you cry” he holds your closer “Please know though if you decide that isn’t not just pregnancy and you don’t want them at all you won’t lose me, I meant when I said forever”

“Thank you” you smile, heart thankful you found someone so loving, tomorrow you would expand on your fears and he would listen never pushing, but for now all you said is “I love you Jamie” before resting your cheek on his chest

“Love you more” he kisses the top of your head

“Forever?”

“And after”

Thank you for reading ♡

[saintmeghanmarkle]

Prince Harry says 'I had to be here' as he and Meghan attend film premiere. by u/Quiet-Vanilla-7117

Prince Harry says 'I had to be here' as he and Meghan attend film premiere. "Harry said 'I had to be here' after arriving at a film premiere in Jamaica where he and Meghan Markle posed next to the country's anti-royal Prime Minister.The Sussexes also posed with Marlene Malahoo Forte, Jamaica's minister for legal and constitutional affairs who, last year, suggested the Caribbean country could become independent of the British monarch and have its own president in 2024. She said that Jamaica could soon 'sever ties' with the monarchy, and the nation's future should be 'in Jamaican hands'.It's not clear who invited the Sussexes to the premiere, but according to Caribbean National Weekly, Harry told the media on the red carpet: 'I had to be here.'Cozying up to Mr Holness has raised fresh questions of the Sussexes, given the Jamaican PM is pushing ahead for plans for the country to become a republic.A referendum is set to be held later this year, with Mr Holness previously admitting that the island wanted to cut ties with Britain after Queen Elizabeth II's death.Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said that when Harry and Meghan were senior working members of the Royal Family, they had a 'very special appeal to the Commonwealth' and were president and vice-president of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust.Harry was also appointed Commonwealth youth ambassador in 2018.In order to become a republic Jamaica's Constitution requires a 2/3 majority in both the elected and nominated Houses of Parliament and a simple majority in a general referendum. However, if it obtains a 2/3 majority in the elected House but only a simple majority in the nominated House it will require a 2/3 majority of the electorate in a referendum." Archewell have been contacted for comment. https://archive.md/wip/qa6BM​ post link: https://ift.tt/GPWomIy author: Quiet-Vanilla-7117 submitted: January 25, 2024 at 02:24AM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit

[astradreaming]

Sleepover with Sirius! Use of a muggle air bed, blanket forts, and chocolate! Even better if it's a beach vacation! Thank you!

SO SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG LOVE IT GOT LOST IN MY DRAFTS</3 I hope it's what you wanted, I tried to make it cheesy cute <3 Word count: 992 ♡ Hope you enjoy it! Have a good day/night lovely's ♡

masterlist

It was currently 2:43 am on a Saturday. You're currently sitting on the bed and pillows provided by none other than one of your best friends' James Potter, who was leaning against the wall crumbling the corner of a Queen poster in the process, another of your best friends, Sirius lay on his side leaning up slightly on his outstretched elbow at you.

Across the room sat Peter, face smooshed into the side of the bean bag in which he was currently slouched against, fast asleep unaware of the outside world. James leaned up against the bed you and Sirius were currently occupying, an arm thrown up as a makeshift pillow as he sat sound asleep on his obnoxious gryffindor red rug. Remus who sat at James' desk sat back in the chair, his book lying flat on his chest, no doubt losing his bookmark, his head leaned back, his sleeping face looking up at the ceiling.

Whispers back and forth keeping you and Sirius awake. First, it was him reeling you back to reality taking you away from the soft grasps of sleep as he told you about his latest quidditch practice and how 'James was a complete cheater'. Then, it was you stealing his precious hours of sleep as you remembered what Jessica Snips had told you on the train as you'd all left for the summer break.

Originally you were going to spend your last summer vacation before you all graduated at Marlene Mckinnon's beach house with your other friends, Lily Evans and Mary Macdonald but then James asked if you'd wanted to stay with him and the boys at his house. As much as you loved the girls, you'd seen them almost every day in your shared dorm rooms while you have few and far between classes with the boys especially when their altogether.

James was like your brother in almost every sense of the word. You, James, and Marlene were all childhood best friends, growing up next to each other. James' house was in the middle, Marlene's to the left and yours to the right. All of you got sorted into Gryffindor together.

You'd become an animagus with them for Remus. You'd been there at James' when Sirius had turned up after running away. You were the one Peter went to when he had a crush on Sandy Millers the face of Hufflepuff. You were there when Lily had slapped Snivillus Severus after what he'd called her. You were the go-between when Marlene and Sirius were in their on-off stage. And you were there when Lily finally said yes to James. And you were there when Sirius was drunk of his face blabbing to James about a mystery girl who he believed was the love of his life...

It hurt. Which is completely ridiculous, he's your best friend. He's allowed to have feelings for someone other than you. Perhaps it was wishful thinking that he'd be yours and yours alone. Yet right now, in the middle of the night, it was just you and him.

He began talking about another prank they had planned on the train. As much as it was interesting, you found yourself unable to focus on his words.

Instead, you'd become infatuated by how beautiful he looked in the moonlit light. How he would wave his hands around every now and then when getting to parts he was particularly emotional about. How his grey eyes seemingly sparkled in the light. Of course, you knew how utterly gorgeous he is but you'd never been so close to him. You could see his pretty lashes and the light blush that always sat on his cheeks. How his lips were the perfect blend between light pink and medium pink.

You hasn't realized he'd stopped talking until he tilted his head at you.

"You weren't listening to a word I said, were you?" He held a soft smile.

"...Not really, I'm sorry wha-"

He leaned in, his lips touched yours. You nearly exploded. Sirius Black was kissing you. Holy shit.

He pulled away, and you could barely think straight. His lips were soft and sweet. Your brain finally caught up to your heart.

"Why'd you do that?"

He suddenly looked concerned, worried.

"Did you not want me to?"

"That's beside the point, what about her?"

"Her?"

"The girl you were telling James about, the love of your life!" Your voice rose to a whisper-yell.

He leaned away, you'd grown used to his warmth.

"Well, I'd hope she'd be happy too seeing as I just kissed her eh?"

He turned looking back at you. You'd never seen him so quiet, nervous, vulnerable.

He was talking about you that day. He felt the same. Before your brain had time to overload you reached out for his hand.

"I'd say she is" You wore a wide smile. He turned, eyes wide.

"Really?"

"Why don't you find out," You said as you leaned in for another kiss.

His lips were just as soft and sweet as before however, the kiss was longer, you swore you could almost feel his emotions. He slowly pushed you down, and your head hit the pillows. He kissed you as he shifted his weight on top of you slightly.

You both broke away from the kiss. He leaned down to kiss your neck.

"If your gonna shag can you not do it in front of my eyes AND in my bed! I mean I'm glad you got over the whole not telling each other phase but are you serious!"

"That is my name, yes"

A pillow hit both of your faces. Ow.

"Would you all, just the fuck up. It's like 5am"

Thank you Remus Lupin. James let out a humpf before passing out again. Sirius turned back around to face you. Holding eye contact with each other, you both burst out in giggles both trying to shush the other.

He was yours, and you were his.

[blackswaneuroparedux]

I never admitted to anybody during my entire military service that I had been an actor. I was terrified that I would be put in charge of Ensa [Entertainments' National Service Association]. Not even my closest friends knew I was an actor. I told them I was reading English at St Andrews University.

- Richard Todd

In his heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, Richard Todd was Britain’s leading matinee idol. If you love old movies, you’ll have seen Todd in one of his starring roles in “The Virgin Queen” opposite Bette Davis, “Stage Struck” with Marlene Dietrich, or “The Dam Busters” for which he won a Golden Globe Award. He was the tough little Scotsman in the wartime weepie “The Hasty Heart” and had audiences madly hunting for hankies.

Those were the days when Todd streaked across North American film screens as virtually every romantic hero from Rob Roy to Robin Hood. Ian Fleming chose him to play James Bond in “Dr. No” in 1962, but a schedule clash meant Sean Connery stepped into the role.

Little less known is the fact that he was also among the first British soldiers and the first Irishman to land in Normandy on D Day. More specifically, he participated in Operation Tonga during the D-Day landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944.

So it must have been surreal for Richard Todd the hearthrob actor to find himself playing Major John Howard in the epic movie ‘The Longest Day’ (1962) based on Cornelius Ryan’s book. Not least because he served with Howard and took part in the fighting at Pegasus Bridge that Major John Howard was tasked to secure on D Day.

Richard Todd was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1919. His father was a medic in the British Army and, as his posting required, the early years of his life were spent in India. The family settled in Devon upon their return to England, and Richard was educated at Shrewsbury Public School, in Shropshire. The theatre was his first love, and he furthered his dramatic skills at the Italia Conti school, thereafter moving to Scotland where he helped to form the Dundee Repertory Theatre. When War was declared, Todd went to St. Andrew's University on the following day to volunteer. He was not a member of the University, but he not only convinced the selection unit that he was, but also added that he had been reading English there for six months, and that he had obtained a Cert A in his school cadet corps; a key point to being accepted as an officer. Despite success in passing off this invented career, Todd was to be disappointed by a lack of interest in him thereafter.

Becoming increasingly desperate to get into the War before it ended, he sent numerous letters to the War Office to press his case, which, in June 1940, was finally noticed.

Accepted by the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Todd went to Sandhurst to receive his officer training. He had a very lucky escape here when he was in a corridor on the second floor of a building when it was hit by a bomb, and he was blown into the garden outside by the blast. He got to his feet in the darkness and did not feel particularly affected by it, but an examination by torchlight revealed that his whole body was covered in blood from numerous small wounds.

A spell his hospital delayed his passing out from Sandhurst until early 1941. Celebrating in London, he narrowly avoided death again when he found his usual haunt, the Cafe de Paris, was too crowded to admit him and so he went elsewhere; it was hit by a bomb that same night and 84 people were killed.

His Battalion, the 2nd/4th Battalion The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, was posted to XII Corps in defence of Kent, where a German invasion if it came would almost certainly land. Todd was given command of the infantry in the Dymchurch Redoubt, a fort of the Napoleonic era mounting two six-inch guns.

In the event of an invasion, this would certainly have been a primary target for the enemy, and those manning it were told that, with the main defensive line far to their rear, they would be left to fight to the end. General Montgomery commanded XII Corps at this time, and his characteristic emphasis on training and preparedness led to the formation of the first Battle Schools. Richard Todd attended one of these, and the experience allowed him to run his own School when, in December 1941, he was sent to Iceland with the 1st/4th King's Own Light Infantry to be trained in arctic and mountain warfare. Returning to England in September 1942, he eventually ended up in the 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion of the 6th Airborne Division. He was among troops of the 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion who, at 00:40 hours on 6 June 1944, landed behind the Normandy beaches in a cornfield, perilously close to tracer fire.

Todd scrambled into a wood and with 150 other paratroopers reached Pegasus and Ranville bridges, vital crossings to allow Allied forces to break out from the beachheads into Normandy. They had been seized by a glider force from the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry under the command of Major John Howard, who needed reinforcements to fend off ferocious German attacks.

In his memoirs, Caught in the Act, Todd would write of the carnage, “There was no cessation in the Germans' probing with patrols and counter-attacks, some led by tanks, and the regimental aid post was overrun in the early hours. The wounded being tended there were all killed where they lay. There was sporadic enemy mortar and artillery fire we could do nothing about. One shell landed in a hedge near me, killing a couple of our men.”

Todd would go on and see action at the Battle of the Bulge and push into the Rhine into Germany. After VE day, his division returned to the UK for a few weeks, then was sent on counter-insurgency operations in Palestine. During this posting he was seriously injured when his Jeep overturned, breaking both shoulders and receiving a concussion. He returned to the UK to be demobilised in 1946. 

In 1962, Todd was given the part of Major John Howard in the film adaptation of Cornelius Ryan's book about the D-Day landings, ‘The Longest Day’ (1962). Due to the nature of cinema, it was impossible for the film to give a thorough reflection of the role of the 6th Airborne Division during the Invasion, and as such their activities were solely represented by a reconstruction of the capture of Bénouville Bridge by Howard's coup-de-main force. Although briefly mentioned, the role of the 7th Battalion in the defence of the western bridgehead was largely ignored, and so it appeared as if the defence of the bridge rested only on Howard's men.

Naturally, the omission of their fierce defence of Bénouville caused some resentment amongst veterans, not least because one of their own was championing this re-working of history. Todd, however, regarded ‘The Longest Day’ (1962) as a film rather than a documentary, and his part in it was simply that of an actor doing as he was told.

Richard Todd would never have guessed, that in 17 years since he was on Pegasus Bridge as a paratrooper that he would standing there again as an actor portraying Major John Howard who was given the order: 'Hold,… until relieved'. It had to be Richard Todd’s 'twilight-zone' moment.

The ‘relieve’ for Howard had to come from Lord Lovat and his troops, who had landed on SWORD Beach, and were legging it towards Pegasus Bridge.

Before the shooting of the scenes were started at Pegasus Bridge, the film producer of The Longest Day, Darryl F. Zanuck, had the real life Lord Lovat and Major John Howard brought over to meet the men who were going to portray them (Peter Lawford portrayed Lord Lovat). The men had not seen each other since 6 June 1944.

Photo (above). From L-R: Peter Lawford, Lord Lovat, Richard Todd, Major John Howard.

[blitheringmcgonagall]

P.S. I Still Wait for You

Chapter 3/4

Read Part 1 here

Read part 2 here

Uncanny Valley, that was what muggles called it. Like being in France except everything felt different, and he couldn’t quite catch what everyone was saying – different phrasing, idioms, completely different accent. Québécois felt so similar and yet so foreign. He loved it. Of course, one couldn’t just apparate to Canada, so coming here had been far too time-consuming for his liking. But once in Montreal, finding her hadn’t taken him long at all. She had always said if she continued living as a muggle, she would never have had the money to go to university, but she would have liked to study nursing. Student  nurses got paid, badly. Evans was impressive. What was the best hospital in Montreal, he asked? Jewish General Hospital, he was told. A taxi ride, sweet-talking the right people, and Bob’s your uncle*.

“Afternoon, Evans,” he says, walking up the steps.

She’s fiddling with the key in the lock, auburn waves blowing into her face, shopping bag clutched under her other arm. She nearly drops it when she hears him, whirls round to face him – leaning on the porch, black leather jacket, tight jeans, all cool, calm and collected. Distinctly cool, perhaps cold, it is worth noting.

“Sirius,” she says.

It annoys him that she still remembers not to call him Black.

“I need a word.”

She stares at him, as though weighing up whether she could get rid of him some way. But she knows she can’t, not with his wand pointed at her and the stubborn look on his face. She’s not stupid.

She steps aside and motions for him to enter, emerald eyes guarded and wary. He stands in the kitchen as she busies herself putting the food in the fridge, the cupboards, avoids looking at him or talking to him. Patience was never his forte.

“Evans,” he says.

She looks up, frazzled.

“I just started working on the general medical ward. I’ve been nursing someone in the isolation room with meningitis. If you want to speak to me, you’ll have to wait. I need to have a shower first.”

He can’t figure out if she’s telling the truth or avoiding him for a bit longer. He wants to ask her why she went shopping or put everything away, if she’s so concerned about contamination, but she’s already gone.

“Merlin, fuck,” he says to himself.

He finds a bottle of Irish whiskey, pours himself a generous tumbler, and sits himself down on the couch, takes in his surroundings. He’s surprised to see a photo of her friends – Lily with Dorcas, Marlene, Mary, Alice. He gets up and wanders around the tiny sitting room, picks up another photo from Hogwarts, this time Lily with the marauders. James has his arm around her in this one, has eyes only for her. He pulls her in closer, plants a sweet kiss on her temple. She looks up at him, enthralled.

Funny. Weird as fuck.

To hell with it. He opens the cabinets in the sitting room, pulls out a few old records, her Gryffindor scarf, her old potions books. A blanket he recalls her mother made her. Her graduation scrolls. An old cardboard box. Letters.

Interesting.

He’s not usually like this, but all’s fair in love and war (and this situation might tick both those boxes from his pov). He skims over them, speed reads them. The letters are sweet – loving nostalgic ones from Mr. & Mrs. Evans; snooty, irritating ones from Petunia (she cared about Lily though, you can read it in the way she rudely checks to see is the war still ongoing, pretending not to be bothered), a couple of adorable ones from Remus that make him feel all mushy, like the embarrassingly lovestruck fool that he is. Hilarious ones from Mary. He finds a pile from James, tied up in string. He has the decency not to read them. Why she keeps them is a mystery. At the bottom he finds a torn, crumpled letter. He removes the ridiculously basic disillusionment charm on it (it would work on muggles and clearly that’s all she’s worried about here).

Dearest James, Mo stoirín,

Nothing compares to the misery of leaving you this way, of knowing how devastated you were, of knowing I broke your heart, and not being able to explain myself. Sometimes when I can’t bear it any longer, I cast a muffliato here inside these four walls, and scream the reason out loud, until my voice is hoarse. I have never felt more lonely, more angry, more defeated, more powerless.

Sometimes I swear to myself I will leave this place and get back home, tell you everything. I see your reaction in my mind. Sometimes you forgive me, you understand why I did it. Sometimes you’re angry, can’t understand how you didn’t find a way to work around that magic. Sometimes I dream I tell you and you stop breathing, turn purple and fall breathless at my feet. You die, and I am powerless to help you. I wake up distraught. I promise you, I tried. I spent hours, days, years consumed with trying to think of ways to break it. I am not allowed to tell you, to tell your friends, anyone at all. I have come up with nothing. I hate myself for being so useless.

Some day, I want you to know. I want to die before you. People say that muggleborns and half-bloods don’t live as long as purebloods. I hope that’s true. I have syphoned off a memory. I could not show you now, but when I’m gone, I want you to take it to the old pensieve in Laurelmere, Monty’s family heirloom. I will leave it for you in my will. That, and your letters and our photographs. Then I’ll be able to rest in peace.

I have found some meaning in my life. I love my job. But this is not what I wanted, what I hoped for.

Yours till the very end,

Lily

He stares at this clue, vital. He has no idea what language no stoirin is in, but he could bet his fortune it means my love. Then he folds the letter carefully and places it in his pocket. He finds a fine crystal vial, enwrought with silver vine, filled with a cloudy suspension. He slips it inside his leather jacket. A flick of his wrist and the room is tidy as before.

The door opens.

She stands there, watching him, biting her lip. He notices the tension in her jaw, her shoulders, the gauntness of her cheeks. He walks over to her slowly, takes her hand in his.

“Come to our wedding,” he asks, quietly, squeezing her hand carefully between his own.

“You proposed?” she gasps, the first signs of gladness he has seen.

“He did,” he admits, sheepishly, feeling a warmth across his own cheeks.

She squeezes his hand back.

“Remus says if you aren’t there he will never be able to enjoy it,” he adds.

“How did you find me?”

“Detective work, Evans,” he smiles enigmatically.

She frowns.

“How?”

“Come and I’ll explain,” he says. “You don’t need to speak to Prongs, we’ll understand. Just one evening, for old time’s sake. You owe me this much.”

“You owe me too,” she replies, raised eyebrow.

“You saved me thrice. I saved you four times. Then the war ended and you didn’t get to pay me back. You owe me.”

She sighs. He hugs her then, a firm, warm hug, full of promise.

“Please,” he whispers into her hair. “You were one of my best friends too. And Moony’s. Don’t think we ever stopped thinking of you.”

He can feel her shoulders heave, a quiet, swallowed sob. When she lifts her head up, her eyes are red.

“I’ll be there,” she says.

TBC…

Bob’s your uncle * expression used immediately after a set of simple instructions and roughly means the same as 'and it's as simple as that!' In 1887, British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil appointed his nephew Arthur James Balfour as Minister for Ireland. The phrase 'Bob's your uncle' was coined when Arthur referred to the Prime Minister as 'Uncle Bob'. Apparently, it's very simple to become a minister when Bob's your uncle! Conservative PMs still at it today, except have moved on to handing more than £1 billion of contracts to companies run by Conservative “friends and donors” since the start of the coronavirus pandemic; and shorting the economy and whatnot… Bob is still very much your sugar daddy…

[enbysiriusblack]

thinking about the potter adjacent siblings again..

they all got tattoos together of euphemia and fleamont's initials when they died

james is technically the youngest and sirius is the oldest, but in terms of joining the family he's the oldest and sirius is the youngest. so they act more like that with each other. marlene is very much middle child energy (although she's technically the youngest mckinnon)

euphemia and fleamont send all three of them care packages every week

euphemia and fleamont are both amazing cooks/bakers. none of their kids are allowed to help. james' help causes everything to burn, pots unstirred, and the majority of their kitchen tools broken. sirius' help causes various fires, the most unseasoned shit ever, and random ingredients being dumped into the recipe because he 'wanted to see what would happen'. marlene's help causes the entire kitchen to be bursting in spilled ingredients, half the food getting eaten before its dished up, and bodily injuries

as kids, marlene would always come round for euphemia's birthday and they'd all end up asleep, cuddled up, on the couch. it becomes a tradition, every year for euphemia's birthday, marlene comes round and they'd make a small pillow fort and spend the night cuddled up together

none of them went on any order missions for a long time after euphemia and fleamont's deaths, and the first week of it they stayed in a pillow fort together at the potter's house

sirius and marlene are very much reluctant siblings. they get jealous over each other's relationship with james and his parents. the got more comfortable in the prospect of practically being in the same family after sirius met marlene's mum for the first time, and proceeded to egg the mckinnon house. marlene let him win their next football game as gratitude

their rooms are all next to each other (although marlene hardly ever actually spends the night there, since her mum hates the potter's and she literally lives next door)

the first time mcgonagall visited after marlene moved next door to the potter's, james grabbed marlene and presented her to mcgonagall as her new goddaughter. then in first year after like one day of meeting sirius, he dragged him to mcgonagall's office and presented him as her new godson. james then received a letter from his parents telling him he needs to stop adopting other kids for them without informing them first

[insertsparkleshere]

Snowfall - James Potter x Reader

Summary: A little snowfall reveals a lot, apparently.

Word Count: 358

Pronouns: She/Her (Implied, sorta, but can be read either way)

Reader's House: Gryffindor

Published: 12/18/2022

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You had been friends with James Potter for years. Peter Pettigrew, too, because you lived in between the two boys, and your parents all knew each other.

You'd met Remus and Sirius on the train ride to Hogwarts, and Lily and Mary and Marlene and Emmeline when you were all sorted into Gryffindor.

But James was always your favorite. Not that you'd tell him that.

You were in your sixth year when he suggested a snowball fight. Just the two of you.

"A fight to the death." He said, ever the dramatic.

"You're on, Potter."

With no magic (since you were on break), you each had half an hour to build forts, then, the games began.

It was intense - you were constantly being pelted, as James had a stock of snowballs. You were mostly on defense, so, you waited behind your fort until he stopped throwing, making the perfect snowball.

You crept around the forts, snowball in hand. Luckily, he didn't see you coming, too focused on the snow in his hands.

He was standing, which gave you the perfect target.

Quiet as a mouse, you crept up behind him, wound up, and...

James spun, grabbing the arm holding the snowball, and moving it to the side, using his other arm to pin you to him so you couldn't move.

"Rude."

"Don't sneak up on me. That's rude."

"That's just smart."

"Hm." He glared and tried to grab the snow from your hand.

"Absolutely not!" You pulled your arm away and out of his grip, fighting against him. "Try again, Potter."

"Ooh, you little..." He went for the snowball again, but this time, you twisted. Instead of getting out of his grasp, however, you found yourself pressed closer to him.

James froze.

"What?" You said softly.

"Nothing." He whispered. James reached a hand up. His mitten was cold against your cheek.

"James?"

"Fuck it."

He pressed his lips to yours. You fell into the kiss quickly, dropping the snowball that you'd taken so long making. Your hands went to the back of his neck.

When you finally pulled away, you were gasping for air. "Inside?"

James nodded. "Yeah."

[perduedansmatete]

je redécouvre les photos que j'avais prises l'année dernière de la maison de cet ancêtre inconnu (un grand oncle ? je sais même plus) et de son mari dont on avait hérité et l'envie d'y retourner est très forte, j'aurais aimé les connaître ils avaient l'air d'être très curieux de tout et de s'amuser beaucoup (j'avais d'ailleurs ramené quelques livres d'art, parmi des livres sur absolument tous les sujets du monde, en plus de mon beau miroir) dans la grande pièce du fond était disposée une maquette de train immense, les placards étaient remplis de matériel d'art, de jeux de sociétés et d'instruments de musique (sans oublier les nombreux abat-jours entassés, ça j'ai pas compris) il y avait des petits mots accrochés aux murs, des vinyles qui trainent et des photos de marlene dietrich un peu partout, en plus de celles d'eux deux, des cartes postales de partout en france de leurs certainement nombreux amis, une collection d'agatha christie presque aussi grande que celle de mes grands-parents trônait dans l'escalier qui menaçait de s'effondrer, les nombreuses plantes et fleurs étaient toutes fanées mais rendaient la maison étrangement plus vivante, j'aurais aimé fouiller plus longtemps pour saisir le personnage, à défaut de pouvoir récupérer toute la demeure que je trouve si charmante même si elle tombe en lambeaux et qu'elle n'est pas au goût du jour (de toute façon le goût du jour c'est nul), et puis récupérer plus de ses souvenirs comme certains l'avaient certainement déjà fait avant nous vu l'état de la maison et le fouillis partout par terre, enfin voilà je rêve du grand miroir qui ne rentrait pas dans la voiture et du tapis vache du plus bon goût en attendant de savoir si on pourra y retourner un jour avant que les démarches ne soient finies et la maison close, et en espérant qu'on arrête d'essayer de nous arnaquer en nous demandant de payer des trucs qu'on ne devrait même pas payer

[domquixotedospobresblog]

É difícil amar uma pessoa como a Marlene,ela é barraqueira, quando resolve rodar a baiana e quebrar tudo,sai da frente viu,ela é um deboche só,tem um ciúme desgraçado,vou jogar bola,pode? não, não pode,no bar com os amigos jogar um truco,pode?não, não pode, posso ir na varanda pelo menos ver as estrelas, pode?não, não pode,e se insistir vai ver estrelas aqui dentro mesmo, é mais ou menos assim o nosso diálogo em fim de tarde,teve uma vez que ela me prendeu no quarto como se fosse um menino, só porquê fumei um cigarro escondido, fiquei sem almoçar,sabe o que eu fiz depois,parei de fumar,ela é um demônio em forma de mulher,canta mal e me inferniza com suas músicas no chuveiro, usa um perfume forte,chego às vezes balançar com o cheiro,na rua se alguma moça resolver olhar pra mim,o que já aconteceu uma vez e deu ruim, muito ruim,terminamos na delegacia depois do boletim, depois disso acham que ela se acalmou,pois piorou, ninguém é capaz de amar uma pessoa assim,aqueles cabelos negros, olhos verdes e corpo de mulher forte e decidida, ninguém consegue amar uma mulher como a Marlene,quase ninguém,pois eu a amo,ela é o amor da minha vida,mas é o cão chupando manga,a minha cruz,minha sina,minha menina.

Micro crônica de Jonas R Cezar

[randomfoggytiger]

X-Files Typing: Dissecting 'One Son' (Part I)

In answer to one of my Typing Topics (that I put out to see if readers were interested), One Son's "You're making this personal" was one of the first requested. So, I doubled down and rewatched the episode (frame by frame) to get premium quality for this analysis and definitive answers for the angst floating around this touchy conversation. It was an enlightening experience; and has since become a favorite episode of mine (if I ignore the canon bugs.)

I will list the explanations, as close to frame-by-frame as I could fit in this post, and then a summary of Mulder's Hows and Whys by Type at the bottom.

Now, onto the episode analysis--

ONE SON

One Son begins with Mulder and Scully being separated from Cassandra and spirited away to Fort Marlene as part of an interception mission.

Fort Marlene

In the showers, Mulder takes a prolonged "is this allowed?" look while Scully errs on the side of deniability with a "blink and you'll miss it" peek.

After they've gowned up, Scully deduces their location based on travel time and quarantine capabilities (and impresses Mulder); but all her suspicions are dialed up to 10 when Diana Fowley walks through the door.

Although Diana "begs for forgiveness and understanding", Scully grills her for reasons why they were quarantined and huffs at Fowley's explanations. When Diana claims Cassandra's condition was immediately infectious and severe, she rebuts: “What?”; but politely nods along as the woman continues.

Mulder is immediately satisfied when Diana's basic answers (stating that Jeffrey Spender had called the information in);

but Scully gears up for a full-frontal assault.

She refutes Diana’s claims, stating Cassandra was already hospitalized for days and that they’d met with her, they hadn't been infected, and that Fowley had scooped her up on a whim. “It’s unjustified and highly suspicious as to motive.” 

Mulder starts getting tense and tries to deescalate with a "Scully."

Diana plays into the tension by asking Scully what she is implying, treating her like an idiot for positing basic medical inquiry. Scully insists no one else in infected, basing her assumptions on the fact that Diana “walking in here dressed to the nines to offer apologies masquerading as explanations.” 

While Mulder appears to be tuned out-- whispering to the med team,

and wincing at their bloodwork tests--

he immediately “Scully--”s at her blatant insinuation of Diana's motives, making a mild “we’re on the same team here” face.

(This is a prime example of Mulder's Se Trickster showing-- he can't accurately read the motives of others and assumes that Diana would never do something like that. See Missteps below for more info.)

Scully gently reiterates: “Mulder, I want to see Cassandra.”

When Fowley refuses to permit Scully, and Scully keep pushing with "I'm a medical doctor", Diana sharply spits out: “Who is suspended indefinitely from her position at the FBI.” 

Scully gets angry, rips off the arm cuff, and storms out.

Mulder doesn’t comment,

but also looks away from Diana’s “I tried, it’s your turn” eyebrow. His face is resolved to some course of action.  

In the lockers, Mulder tries to diffuse Scully’s tension with a “gray is the new black” joke, 

and even agrees with her “Mulder, this stinks” opener.  

But his candor drops when she calls Diana “that woman”, crossing his arms and tightening up his face. 

Scully sees him tense and drops her rant. “Well, I think you know what I think that woman is.” 

Mulder tries to recover the mood again with a second joke-- “No, you hide your feelings really well”--

but it falls flat because there are too many brewing emotions between the two of them.

Nonetheless, they are still talking amicably to each other, even when Scully tries to poke holes in Diana’s story and Mulder backs it up with confirmation from Skinner (who had called about Jeffrey Spender.)

Her gut is telling her she’s right, but she has no proof; and when she tries to insist that Cassandra was miraculously healthy, Mulder asks: “Well then why did she come to my apartment demanding to be killed?”

He is taken aback by Scully’s impassioned speech:

“Because of everything that had been done to her. Because of the tests, because of the men the medical experiments, and the implant in her neck….”

It dawns on him that this may be how Scully has been suffering; it disturbs him that she might have considered the steps that Cassandra did.

From this point on, Mulder is convinced that Scully is taking this case too personally, projecting her own trauma of the men who abducted her onto Cassandra and vilifying Diana by extension. He understands being twisted by the men in shadows because of the endless stories they've fed him about Samantha; but Scully has gone through so many variations of her own story that it's not clean cut for him anymore.

His tone moderates, but his heels dig in further. He believes his assessment is further bolstered by Scully stating “The same thing that was done to me. She just wants it to stop.” 

Mulder realizes Cassandra is “the one” for the Project, and that is why she wanted to be killed. Scully willingly accepts this explanation; but it only digs up further questions.  

After Mulder is released and gains information from Marita, he answers Scully's call to meet up at TLG's for something important.  

TLG Headquarters 

When Mulder arrives, Scully quickly says: “I’ll ask you to hear me out before you launch any objection.” He nods, perfectly fine with that stipulation. But when he realizes it's about Scully's suspicions of Diana, he gives a huffy "of course" sigh.

Interesting to note: my memories of this conversation were tainted by my hatred of Diana and my disbelief at Mulder's refusal to believe; but rewatching it was... enlightening, to say the least.

While Mulder at first tries to dismiss the conversations (“I don’t have time for this"), he then switches to a plea with Scully (“I… know her, Scully." *softer* "You don’t") before resigning himself to what the boys have dug up for him.

At first, he deflects Diana's records by fake gasping-- snippily remarking on their lack of concrete evidence, then convulsively nodding so that they hurry up and get to the point--

but he becomes alert and intrigued when Scully brings up Diana's weekly trips to Tunisia (since it was a constant Consortium hot spot.)

He asks intently for more evidence (“For the purpose of what?”) and expects a GOOD reason.

(Ti Hero needing SOLID, irrefutable, and TONS of evidence to change its mind, or not at all.)

When TLG present him with European MUFON visits, all his suspicions vanish again, and his slightly condescending attitude returns, placing all of their conjectures into the realm of conspiracy theories.

This whole conversation, Mulder has been harshly dismissive of any point that TLG bring up, since they're the boys who are poking into his personal decisions; but now Scully takes over, and his demeanor shifts down a few notches. While annoyed, ("Scully, you’re reaching")

Mulder respectfully and empathetically listens to her speech recapping her experiences with her MUFON groupies. His worry for her still peaks through his defensiveness (scrunched in brows, screwed up mouth, etc.) But what's interesting is: his anger is not directed AT Scully, but FOR Scully-- that she had to live through these horrors, that the men who ruined his childhood have mangled her happiness; and further, that they're weaponizing her pain to turn them both against Diana. He senses manipulation; but misdiagnoses its source.

Mulder remains convinced Scully has become too blinded by her personal experiences; and he overcorrects in an attempt counteract her outright dislike and distrust of Diana.

Scully becomes insulted when Mulder sums her claims up by saying she's "suggesting" that Diana is monitoring abductees-- flicking her tongue out (which is her verbal tick for "biting her tongue.")

Scully tries to compose herself before launching into the firsthand experiences of being an abductee; and repeats Mulder's words back to show that she'd respected his opinions enough to recall them. Mulder returns that respect by easing up even more on the pressure, seeing her emotions are uncontrollably near the surface. His concern over her personalization only increases as she places herself in Cassandra's shoes, proving to himself that her rationality cannot be relied on in this scenario.

Mulder may be giving her full lead, but he is not giving up ground. As she continues to argue her points, he follows her logic, half-hoping she will change his mind just like she and TLG hope she can though the thought of Diana's betrayal cuts him to the quick (more furrowed brows, tightening of the jaw, etc.)

Scully desperately needs his belief; but loses him when she inadvertently touches on his greatest fear:  

“Mulder, ask yourself why there is no information whatsoever on Special Agent Diana Fowley; why she would suddenly happen into your life when you are closer than ever to the Truth.”

His open-minded willingness to listen is quickly shut down, and he swivels away from the conversation with a final toss of his head.

Mulder's raw fear-- that he won't be accepted (Fe Inferior) is blinding him to Diana's actions (Se Trickster), afraid to look deeper into her motives; and satisfied that he hasn't been given enough data to change his Ti Hero's mind.

At Scully's “I mean, you ask me to trust no one and yet you trust her on simple faith" he becomes offended and angry.

“Because you’ve given me no reason here to do otherwise.”

Scully is devastated-- “Well then I can’t help you anymore"-- and immediately starts to leave.  (her immediate "cut and run" Ni Demon Function rearing its head.)

Mulder swings around, tracking her with his whole body, and shows the first real sign of his insecurity and teeming emotions. And this, while vulnerable and starting to get scared, is when he says the line:

“Scully, you’re making this personal.”

His brown is furrowed in worry, his mouth is loose, his jaw is unclenched, and his posture is tight as he pivots in Scully's direction. If he had been dismissive, or rude, or belittling, Scully would not only have never called him (which she does later in this episode) again, but she would have walked out forever.

He moves in closer as Scully responds: “Because this is personal, Mulder. Because without the FBI, personal interest is all that I have. And if you take that away, then there is no reason for me to continue.”

Unlike the Fight the Future confrontation, she is unshaken, knowing her worth and value. She is letting Mulder make his permanent choice, and is prepared to respect whatever he decides, even if he believes Diana is a better fit.

Scully's Si Hero has led her all these years on Mulder's quest: placing her in the Starbuck role naturally to a cause greater than herself, feeding him Te Parent information to give his mind constant hoards of verifiable data. She has set all else aside, believing this quest to be more important that her own Fi Child comfort, and trying to save the future and bravely face the unknown with her Ne Inferior. But as much as this life with Mulder has fulfilled her completely, Scully needs someone to LISTEN to her: if she is not listened to, then she is not valued. And if she is not valued, she will use her Ni Demon to cut ties and permanently walk away. As much as she sacrifices willingly and without reciprocation needed, she expects to depend just as much on that other person; otherwise, there can be no trust.

The scene ends on Mulder's resolved face, setting up his next step (to prove if his own biases are true or false by interrogating Diana.)

He chooses to see if Scully’s right or wrong (his Te Nemesis using its worries for good, see Missteps below.) 

Now, onto the Type information--

Mulder's Missteps

For a full breakdown of Mulder's Type to better explain this post, see my Mulder, The Spooky INTP post (linked here.)

Mulder's dominant Function, Ti Hero, is all about the Truth: what can be proven, not what others SAY is true. It's pure, unadulterated logic; its flaw, however, is becoming immovably fixed in its convictions (having weighed the pros and cons meticulously to reach whatever conclusion they believe in.) It requires mountains of evidence, and continents more of firsthand accounts as well as repeatable research to budge them into a new direction. Much patience and verification is needed. (We can all see where this is trending.)

In this case: Mulder REFUSES to budge from considering Diana a trustworthy friend or person at all. Although he is at least willing to listen to Scully's concerns (because his Ti Hero knows that his Te Nemesis-- fear of faulty information-- is always demanding he check his biases), there is not enough evidence to point to as irrefutable evidence. And, although Ti Hero is willing to weigh all information in the balance, it will not implement it as Truth unless it is given enough time to prove itself beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Mulder's vanity and insecurity Function, Fe Inferior, is always seeking acceptance from others. It makes him one of the easiest to guilt and exploit of all the Types, because Fe believes that it can earn trust and love from others by bending over backwards. They will do ANYTHING for those they trust, including letting themselves be continually used as a rug mat for others' treacherous feet. (It is not until INTPs mature that they realize they must find self-acceptance instead of over dependence on others; and because of their high Si in their stack, this is fairly easy for them to achieve through self-reflection on what they've achieved and overcome.)

In this case: Mulder's low self-esteem coupled with his emotional abandonment as a child and his isolation at the FBI makes him lean heavily on the few people he trusts. This is easily used against him by bad faith actors wanting to bring about their own end goals. Diana twisted it by calling upon their long time friendship(?), leaving enough doubt in his mind of her innocence. The horror that she would have never accepted him or his mission, even as a loyal friend, was such a blow that it would take that mountain of evidence for Ti Hero to accept it as fact.

Mulder's worry, Te Nemesis, keeps him continually fact checking all information that he believes in, reinforcing his Ti Hero with constantly updated data. He is afraid that others are feeding him wrong or biased sources, and thus continually peer reviews the thoughts of those around them to see if they pass muster.

In this case: It saves Mulder's bacon. When Scully lays all her cards on the table-- about Diana, and MUFON, and her personal interest-- Mulder decides to heed his Te Nemesis's warning, and checks on Diana, his source, to see if she is still reputable. Which leads him right to the CSM (who further muddles his mind and sends him into apathetic Fi Demon.)

Mulder's blind spot, Se Trickster, not only blinds him to his own weird quirks and inadequate reactions or behaviors; but it also prevents him from accurately reading the actions of those around him (being led around by Pheobe Green, having his work stolen by Jerry Lamana, misinformed by CSM and informants, etc.)

In this case: every action Diana made was never suspicious to Mulder, because he interpreted all of them in good faith. His trust in her is already established, and it blinded him to her end goal and obvious double motives.

Mulder's most powerful and corruption Function, Fi Demon, leads him straight into apathetic debauchery. If they are exploited and beaten down and unappreciated, INTPs can only take so much before they toss the whole world aside and collapse into self-indulgent destruction. The only way to snap them out of this mode is to awaken their Fe Inferior by slightly manipulating them ("you're hurting my feelings", "you're not meeting my needs", etc.)

In this case: Mulder finds out that not only has Diana Fowley been using him-- or misdirecting him-- for her own purposes; but that he'd been used and placated for years by the very people he was trying to expose and depose. As CSM weaves his tragic, hopeless tale of self-pity, Mulder sinks further and further into apathy, finally punishing himself by resigning himself to being with Diana, fellow nihilist to the cause in an attempt to right the wrongs he'd "done" to Scully. Thankfully, Scully snaps him out of his apathy and gets him to drive with her to Potomac Yard.

End of Part 1-- Part 2 coming soon-ish.

Enjoy!

Disclaimers: This is a self-assessed analysis. This information is not based on the abominable MBTI system (which has been butchered from its original Jungian typology since ~WWII); instead, it’s a combination between the works of Jung’s type psychology, Dr. Linda Berens’ Communication styles, Dr. Dario Nardi’s EEG brain scan compiled research, and others’ data and practices as compiled and simplified by CSJoseph. This system is based only on the Nature side of Nature/Nurture; and each “type” is not a “box” to fit everyone into– simply a tool to help understand the basics of the human mind that science has only begun to fathom in its limited scope.