#WHAT IS 4x07 LIKE. OKAY. OKAY.

[imminent-danger-came]

undefined

“Then prove us wrong.”

(4x07 Pitiful Creatures)

You know, its the fact that curse MK says us. Us. MK truthfully believes that he’s destined for pain and to cause pain. “Then prove us wrong.” This part of himself, whatever curse MK is, isn’t pure evil. He’s hostile and harsh, sure, but all of that feels like it’s coming from a place of frustration and even truth. “Then prove us wrong.” It’s a challenge, but not one of malice. He didn’t just leave screaming and lamenting his destruction, or giving some typical villain speech, or even trying to get into MK’s head one last time—he’s telling MK to try and fight the destiny they both think will happen. “Embrace your Destiny”. Well, MK’s never been good at that, has he?

[raayllum]

Rayla's Super Selective Hearing, or What is Callum Actually Afraid of?

There's a running current throughout the series, but especially Arc 2 and S6 in particular, about recognizing fear in another individual and the importance of it as a sort of moral horizon line not to cross.

We see this time and time again being twisted/warped with the dark mage characters:

as well as others as a warning sign

which is contrasted most notably with Rayla in S1 as an explicit reason for mercy and recognizing personhood:

RUNAAN: You let him go! RAYLA: Runaan, I'm sorry. The human — he looked up at me and I saw the fear in his eyes. RUNAAN: Of course he was afraid, but you had a job to do! (1x01)

RAYLA: And then I just... let him go. I don't know why. EZRAN: Because you felt for him. RAYLA: But he was a human. My enemy. EZRAN: Yeah, but then you saw he was scared, and you knew he was a person, just like you. RAYLA: That shouldn't have mattered. I had a job to do. (1x08)

and in pleas of ignoring fear:

versus reassurance that it's okay, even if the two can overlap:

And fear, is, of course one of the most consistent feelings that Callum has towards Aaravos, and subsequently one of the threads built upon between Callum and Rayla.

Some of this, mind you, is because they're going to have to confront the "it doesn't matter that the human was afraid, you had a job to do and should've killed him" holdover whenever Callum gets possessed again, which is also part of the reason why Runaan turns and flees from Rayla's compassion and forgiveness in 6x09: he's afraid he doesn't deserve it, and that he "can't go back". He's worried that he's too far gone, and that he's a monster.

This also plays into Viren's realization and acceptance of what had happened with Lissa, who was terrified of him and said similarly that he had "become a monster" as previously noted (and eventually he was able to acknowledge that she was right).

This same fear of becoming monstrous one of the many fears we see plaguing Callum in S6: that not only will Aaravos control and/or manipulate him, not only did he do dark magic again, but that if it happens again or if Rayla finds out that she'll be scared of him, down to similar framing to boot.

Callum's fear doesn't come to fruition in 6x03, with Rayla being not scared of him, for scared for him. As she lists out reasons why he shouldn't do dark magic (without knowing why he did so), she cites:

Because it's dangerous. Because it hurts you. But most of all, because it makes you vulnerable to the thing you're most afraid of. [...] I just don't understand why you would keep doing it, knowing that it puts your life in terrible danger.

And Rayla has good reason to think that Aaravos is Callum's worst fear, given that Callum has emphasized his fear over Aaravos a few times to her:

So Callum is scared of Aaravos, as are most of the characters, but the possession gets to him specifically. Part of this is because the possession strips Callum of the quality he cares about the most: his agency ("You think [making a mistake because Aaravos took control of me] makes me feel better? That makes me feel worse" / "I felt so weak and out of control. I was his puppet"). This is also what he affirms to Ezran in 4x05 ("when he took over my whole body and used me like a puppet").

The other side is one that he spells out for us in 4x07, so let's go line by line now that S6 has provided more reaffirmation / context.

I'm not afraid that he'll hurt me.

This line, of course, shows Callum's selflessness and willingness to risk his life (1x02, 2x07, 3x01, 3x09, 5x08), in addition to his rationale for asking Rayla to kill him. If his destiny under Aaravos and the harm it brings it inevitable, his own life and safety would be a reasonable concern, but it's not. And we know this because it's Rayla's primary concern in the possession plotline, and one that's not good enough for him. "We're all in danger," he rebuts when she just talks about him; she questions why he would use dark magic again when "it puts your life in terrible danger". But just his own life being at risk isn't enough to get him to not do something — at least not when he has a good enough motivation ("You can risk your life to learn magic" vs jumping off the Pinnacle or trying to take Ezran's place).

I'm afraid that he'll use me

This line is the crux of Callum's dynamic with Aaravos on his end — the fear, the concern, the paranoia. In 4x07, it's a scary possibility; in 6x01, he treats it more like an imminent inevitability unless he can find a way to destroy the pearl: "As long as it's here or anywhere, it poses a threat, because Aaravos can manipulate people on the outside. Like he did with Lord Viren. And... me." We'll get to why I think this change of "he will" (still leaves some room for doubt) to "he is" (he is going to) has happened in the next couple of lines. We also see that Callum finding out that Aaravos has used him in switching the pearl in 6x06 was enough to break his spirit even without knowing anything that leaving the pearl back in Katolis was going to lead to, so the stakes of the action itself (losing agency/control) are high. It's scary to think he might've already "played into" Aaravos' hands per his 'destiny' even if we know (thanks to the pawn intro) that he hasn't and much more is in store.

But what is Callum scared about when it comes to Aaravos' hold on him? Especially since 6x01 trims both of these things out of the mix in terms of verbal dialogue.

to do awful things

This is the first thing Callum mentions, so it accordingly has weight. We see that Callum, like the bulk of the main cast but especially the core trio, wants to and tries to do the right thing ("The right thing, I hope") and it's something he admires in other people ("she does what's right even when it puts her own life in danger"). He doesn't want to cause unnecessary suffering and he doesn't want to hurt people, and unlike characters who also feel that way most of the time but don't follow through (hi Claudia, hi arc 1 Viren), he is usually accordingly tormented and guilty when he feels like he hasn't lived up to his own ideal (apologizing to Ez for his temper, doing dark magic, etc).

However, "awful things" is a little vague. It can't include hurting the people around him per say because that gets its own distinction, so what does 'awful things' refer to? Harrow refers to his choices with the Magma Titan and Avizandum and Zym as "terrible things"; Soren asserts the same about trying to kill the princes; and Terry most explicitly tells Claudia that "I've seen you do a lot of awful things, dark magic things". So the most distinct thing we can get there is 1) killing and/or sacrificing people and/or 2) dark magic in general.

This is, to me, part of why 5x08 is so difficult for Callum as an episode, because he's forced to do some terrible things. Finnegrin tries to make him pick which one of his loved ones is losing a hand; Callum is nearly coerced and then chooses to use dark magic; he gives a dangerous man an even more dangerous spell and the trade doesn't even amount to anything.

Because if it comes down to doing terrible things, Callum would prefer doing that in order to not

or hurt people I care about.

Callum clearly thinks that dark magic and doing dark magic is awful. We see this routinely expressed throughout the series, scaffolded by dark magic always being a last resort and nothing else for him thus far: "But is it really so wrong?" "Yes!" (2x08); "But in your eyes I see guilt. What have you done that's got you so twisted up inside?" (5x08); "I did it, I'm ruined, it's too late for me, who cares?" (6x03)

Ergo, on Finnegrin's ship, in his own eyes, he did something awful. This is because I think it's evident that being vulnerable to Aaravos isn't Callum's worst fear, as Rayla posits: it's losing her or Ezran.

Being vulnerable and possessed by Aaravos is scary to him because it might mean hurting them. Yes he doesn't want to do something awful, but we've seen in canon that he's willing to if the alternative is letting either of them die (much like how Rayla didn't want to emotionally hurt Callum, but it was a trade she was willing to make if it meant keeping him physically safe). We know he's not worried about Aaravos controlling him just for his own safety (points to previous sections).

The phrasing of the line itself is interesting, as you can read it two ways, of him being scared Aaravos will use him to hurt his loved ones, or scared that Aaravos (generally) will hurt his loved ones. Neither is an appealing prospect.

But as Finnegrin says:

All that talk about how love makes you stronger, but the second you see that elf girl in pain, you completely lost yourself.

Callum would rather do something awful (dark magic) and make himself vulnerable to Aaravos, his 'worst fear,' than lose Rayla (or Ezran), which is his Actual worst fear. This is, of course, just perfect Greek tragedy irony: Callum getting possessed in order to save Rayla, only to inadvertently put her in danger again under Aaravos' control. Nor is this exclusive to Callum — I imagine the worst fears for basically everyone in TDP would be the loss of the people they love, even over the loss of their own life, and this is something we see reflected time and time again with Harrow and Sarai, Gren and Amaya, Aaravos and Leola, Rayla and Callum, etc.

What is more exclusive to Callum is the sheer lengths he may be willing to go to in order to not lose them. As he says in 4x07, he's afraid Aaravos will use him because it could lead to doing awful things or hurting people he loves; in 6x01, his speech has changed because he has a better understanding of how/why Aaravos would be able to manipulate him, and because he knows he'll do things he considers awful to protect/save the people he loves.

After all, as previously noted, Callum is afraid of having no choice... and that's exactly what happened.

[sneakyboymerlin]

If no merwaine, then why…

Transcript and analysis below ⬇️

Transcription:

Gwaine: Thanks for everything that you did for Eira.

Merlin: There’s no need to thank me, it was the least I could do. And you seem to care for her.

Gwaine: I could hardly leave her for the Saxons, now, could I?

Merlin: [teasing] Was that your only reason for rescuing her?

Gwaine: [lying] Of course.

[Saxons attack. Gwaine fights them off, but one knocks Merlin to the ground. He curls up and shields his face, completely helpless.]

Merlin: [screaming] Gwaine!

[Gwaine turns his back on the man he’s fighting and saves Merlin. He finishes off the last Saxon without even looking, eyes still on Merlin. He helps Merlin off the ground.]

Gwaine: Are you okay?

Merlin: Yeah, I- I think so. Thank you.

Gwaine: There’s no need to thank me, Merlin. It was the least I could do.

aaaaaaand END SCENE!

To start off with, we have a self-aware parallel in Merlin and Gwaine’s dialogue. We’re going to be examining the subtext of this conversation.

Subtext is simply what can be inferred without direct statement or revelation. It is not, as fandom is wont to believe, inserting any meaning you want between the lines: it is a cohesive message expressed by indirect means. Here’s an example:

A student goes to turn in his paper. After looking through two pages, his teacher asks, “Are you sure you want to turn this in?” The subtext of this question is the intended clue to the student that the paper is not ready yet to be turned in and he should edit through it again.

Moving forward… The repetition of, “There’s no need to thank me, it was the least I could do,” is a deliberate allusion to a core theme of Merlin and Gwaine’s relationship through the years: helping another soul—soon to be friend—in need, with no expectation of a reward.

The subtextual reading of this parallel, of course, is that Merlin does not owe Gwaine, and vice versa, because that is not why they help each other. They do it because they care about one another. As a result, they’ve both helped each other innumerably. Gwaine alludes to the help Merlin’s given him as a way of saying that there is no need to return the favor, because 1) he didn’t do it expecting a favor in exchange, and 2) Merlin has more than repaid the favor already.

Another instance where we see this kind of exchange between them is in this deleted scene from 4x07 The Secret Sharer (scene 47 at 15:10).

Transcript:

Gwaine: We’ll find him.

Merlin: I won’t forget this.

Gwaine: I haven’t done anything.

Merlin: One day I’ll repay the favor.

Gwaine: Considering the trouble I get into, that may prove to be a rash promise.

[Gwaine offers Merlin some food]

Merlin: I’m full.

Another deleted scene (they really did just delete every meaningful Gwaine scene in s4 huh) which we have only a script for (though it’s possible it was recorded and the audio edited out) is when Gwaine and Arthur ride out to find Merlin in 4x06 after he’s been captured by bandits. Although this scene did not make the final cut, it is referenced again when Gwaine calls Merlin “Bog Man,” so it clearly has a place amidst the canon material.

(Find the transcription here.)

I think it speaks for itself here, but, “And finding him will be reward enough?” truly captures the selfless devotion that Gwaine feels for Merlin.

Fandom generally accepts the idea that Gwaine would do anything for Merlin, but that Merlin never seems to do the same in return. However, this is likely a misconception of what counts towards a returned favor. Merlin is a physician, not a warrior. Or, as Morgana puts it, “a lover” (not a fighter). We cannot expect Merlin to help Gwaine in the same area of expertise that Gwaine helps him in. He applies himself in other ways.

When they meet in 3x04, Gwaine offers Merlin and Arthur aid in a tavern brawl where they’re clearly outnumbered. Gwaine is injured when his opponent pulls out a knife in a fistfight, and Merlin rushes to tend to his wound. Already, a favor is given and returned between the two.

And, while Gwaine does intend to help both Merlin and Arthur, not to mention the tavern employees, he takes a special interest in Merlin. Merlin is the only one who Gwaine takes the time to introduce himself to mid-fight, even as Merlin shouts for him to watch out as he is being actively attacked. And then, of course, Gwaine does fall to an attack. Merlin treats his injuries both on the spot and back in his own chambers.

One could argue that the introduction of Gwaine to Eira follows a similar format, with Gwaine coming to her rescue, only for her to save him when their attacker knocks him to the ground. Perhaps Gwaine even takes on Merlin’s role as caretaker from 3x04 when he brings Merlin in to treat Eira in 5x12, as opposed to receiving the treatment himself. Then again, it might be more similar to the scene in 4x07 where Gwaine jumps in to battle against Alator’s guard. Like Eira, Merlin also rescues Gwaine when he’s knocked to the ground (though Gwaine doesn’t know it).

As we can see, though, Merlin is not lying when he tells Gwaine, “I’d do the same for you,” in 3x08, nor when he tells Gwaine, “One day I’ll repay the favor,” in the deleted scene from 4x07. Merlin and Gwaine have different services to offer, but they offer to help all the same.

The next portion of the aforementioned 5x12 scene on our to-dissect list is the actual subject matter of the conversation, followed by a visual representation of the very same act.

After Gwaine thanks Merlin for helping Eira, Merlin mentions that Gwaine “seem[s] to care for her.” Gwaine, in an effort to avoid the sexual and romantic implications, diverts to the chivalrous explanation: “I could hardly leave her to the Saxons, now, could I?” Merlin teases him with no relent, though, and asks, “Was that your only reason for rescuing her?” Gwaine responds with a curt, “Of course.”

The subtext of this conversation is that Gwaine’s hurried involvement to protect/take care of Eira stems from a crush on her. This is true, as there were many enemies around, but Gwaine chose the one attacking the pretty “damsel in distress” to fight. He then takes one long look at her and decides to forgo the battle to take her to safety.

Merlin can’t help but notice Gwaine’s feelings for her. She is, after all, staying in his bed even after her wound has been treated, so there is a connection between them… much like Gwaine stayed with Merlin for the remainder of 3x04 until he had no choice but to fulfill the demands of his banishment. This is especially interesting, since the wound that Merlin treats Eira for is on her leg, which is the same spot where Gwaine was stabbed when they first met. Merlin similarly wrapped his wound at the time.

But the main point is the fact that Gwaine rescued Eira from the Saxons with a single-minded fervency, in part because he was attracted to her, and then quickly grew attached.

Gwaine then proceeds to rescue Merlin from Saxons a matter of seconds after this is established.

Allow me to remind you of Gwaine’s sudden change of course in saving Eira.

Now compare this to his rescue of Merlin.

Let’s take a closer look at their dialogue:

Merlin: You seem to care for her.

Gwaine: I could hardly leave her for the Saxons, now, could I?

Merlin: [teasing] Was that your only reason for rescuing her?

Gwaine: [lying] Of course.

When applied to Gwaine’s rescue of Merlin, the conversation about Gwaine rescuing Eira takes on a more powerful meaning. After all, Eira is a virtual stranger who ends up being the traitor in the court. Gwaine sends her to her execution on Merlin’s word (via Gaius as the messenger), whereas Merlin is someone Gwaine has known for nearly a decade. There is a consistent history of Gwaine acting as Merlin’s body guard, which is being enacted again now as Gwaine escorts Merlin through the Valley of the Fallen Kings.

This is also one of the last ever scenes between Merlin and Gwaine. In truth, we are being shown a brief summary of their relationship as it comes to its narrative end—one last hurrah, if you will. And what they choose to show us is Gwaine protecting Merlin in an act of unconditional love.

Eira, like any character, is a plot device. Her interference leads to Merlin being trapped in the Crystal Cave, and Gwaine being tortured for information on Merlin and Arthur’s location. However, her presence as a person Gwaine wants to protect is meant to evoke the memory of every time Gwaine has protected Merlin. The chosen method to imply this was by creating a parallel between Gwaine’s protectiveness over the woman he’s currently sleeping with to his protectiveness over Merlin. Take that as you will.

[wyrdsistergoldenhair]

How to Rewatch 9-1-1 Before September 26th

Okay, so if you're like me, you want to rewatch 9-1-1 before season 8 premieres on September 26th - but maybe you don't have the time to sit down and binge-watch. I've come up with a schedule where you can watch at least two episodes a day (starting on August 4th) and finish just in time for season 8.

Aug. 4

1x01 Pilot

1x02 Let Go

Aug. 5

1x03 Next of Kin

1x04 Worst Day Ever

Aug. 6

1x05 Point of Origin

1x06 Heartbreaker

Aug. 7

1x07 Full Moon (Creepy AF)

1x08 Karma’s a Bitch

Aug. 8

1x09 Trapped

1x10 A Whole New You

Aug. 9

2x01 Under Pressure

2x02 7.1

Aug. 10

2x03 Help Is Not Coming

2x04 Stuck

Aug. 11

2x05 Awful People

2x06 Dosed

Aug. 12

2x07 Haunted

2x08 Buck, Actually

Aug. 13

2x09 Hen Begins

2x10 Merry Ex-Mas

Aug. 14

2x11 New Beginnings

2x12 Chimney Begins

Aug. 15

2x13 Fight or Flight

2x14 Broken

Aug. 16

2x15 Ocean’s 9-1-1

2x16 Bobby Begins Again

Aug. 17

2x17 Careful What You Wish For

2x18 This Life We Choose

Aug. 18

3x01 Kids Today

3x02 Sink or Swim

Aug. 19

3x03 The Searchers

3x04 Triggers

Aug. 20

3x05 Rage

3x06 Monsters

Aug. 21

3x07 Athena Begins

3x08 Malfunction

Aug. 22

3x09 Fallout

3x10 Christmas Spirit

Aug. 23

3x11 Seize the Day

3x12 Fools

Aug. 24

3x13 Pinned

3x14 The Taking of Dispatch 9-1-1

Aug. 25

3x15 Eddie Begins

3x16 The One That Got Away

Aug. 26

3x17 Powerless

3x18 What’s Next?

Aug. 27

4x01 The New Abnormal

4x02 Alone Together

Aug. 28

4x03 Future Tense

4x04 9-1-1, What’s Your Grievance?

Aug. 29

4x05 Buck Begins

4x06 Jinx

Aug. 30

4x07 There Goes the Neighborhood

4x08 Breaking Point

Aug. 31

4x09 Blindsided

4x10 Parenthood

Sept. 1

4x11 First Responders

4x12 Treasure Hunt

Sept. 2

4x13 Suspicion

4x14 Survivors

Sept. 3

5x01 Panic

5x02 Desperate Times

Sept. 4

5x03 Desperate Measures

5x04 Home and Away

Sept. 5

5x05 Peer Pressure

5x06 Brawl in Cell Block 9-1-1

Sept. 6

5x07 Ghost Stories

5x08 Defend in Place

Sept. 7

5x09 Past Is Prologue

5x10 Wrapped in Red

Sept. 8

5x11 Outside Looking In

5x12 Boston

Sept. 9

5x13 Fear-O-Phobia

5x14 Dumb Luck

Sept. 10

5x15 FOMO

5x16 May Day

Sept. 11

5x17 Hero Complex

5x18 Starting Over

Sept. 12

6x01 Let the Games Begin

6x02 Crash & Learn

Sept. 13

6x03 The Devil You Know

6x04 Animal Instincts

Sept. 14

6x05 Home Invasion

6x06 Tomorrow

Sept. 15

6x07 Cursed

6x08 What’s Your Fantasy?

Sept. 16

6x09 Red Flag

6x10 In a Flash

Sept. 17

6x11 In Another Life

6x12 Recovery

Sept. 18

6x13 Mixed Feelings

6x14 Performance Anxiety

Sept. 19

6x15 Death and Taxes

6x16 Lost and Found

Sept. 20

6x17 Love Is in the Air

6x18 Pay It Forward

Sept. 21

7x01 Abandon Ships

7x02 Rock the Boat

Sept. 22

7x03 Capsized

7x04 Buck, Bothered and Bewildered

Sept. 23

7x05 You Don’t Know Me

7x06 There Goes the Groom

Sept. 24

7x07 Ghost of a Second Chance

7x08 Step Nine

Sept. 25

7x09 Ashes, Ashes

7x10 All Fall Down

[chirpsythismorning]

Crack Theory: Will Byers is Twelve (012) - Part 4

Before we even get into the nitty gritty of Henry's monologue, I just wanna try to brush through this as quickly as possible.

While a lot of the things Henry says here could definitely apply to Will, this has already been theorized a lot on a basic level. Parts of his speech feel very queer-coded. To what extent exactly, we don't know.

We do know Will is going to play a big role in s5 (confirmed) and it's in large part because the details of his disappearance are still unknown, as well as what exactly Henry wants from him still being unknown, and with their confrontation being highly anticipated.

And so for the sake of this theory, I'm going to jump ahead a little bit.

4x07: The Massacre at Hawkins Lab (cont.)

They then proceed to fight some more, back and forth for a bit...

Believe it or not, you haven't seen the most damning shit yet, something that might prove a lot of these details were intentional...

4x08: Papa

Ready??

They're finally going to show us the mysterious subject under the mirror/window, who I predict is likely Twelve AND--

Okay nvm. I guess they're still not going to let us see this subject fully.

They literally have him facing the opposite way, so the audience conveniently can't see the state of his eyes???? Not only that, but arguably, he looks equal to, if not more alive than El does... Don't see any broken bones, or anything resembling what the other kids experienced.

And for the umpteenth time, they felt this unnecessary need to have, again, who I believe to be Twelve, in the frame with El, again!? Only this time, he's taking up an equal amount of the frame as her, and in a shot that's purpose is to close off the final scene of this lab flashback storyline?

WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. FUCK!?!?!?!

That's all for now! Hopefully part 5 tomorrow!

I just need to sleep and process all of this.

Part 1, 2, 3, 4

[all-eyes-lead-to-the-truth]

All Eyes Lead to the Truth | Season Four Master Post

Season four is one of the most beloved seasons of The X-Files, and we had a lot of fun exploring the background characters that helped make it so special!

Check out this thread to see all the characters we got to meet this season!

Herrenvolk (4x01) | X

No one would remember him, and if they did, they would struggle to remember a name they were never told. The memory of his existence would remain occluded by the shadows he lived in.

Home (4x02) | Sheriff Andy Taylor

For protection, his father had said, as he pressed the unfamiliar cold metal into Taylor’s warm hand. To keep your family safe.

To keep your home safe.

He shuts the drawer. He isn’t ready for this reality, not now. Not yet.

Teliko (4x03) | Special Agent Sean Pendrell

With them, it was never something simple. It was a computer chip so fragile he could barely study it. It was a complex string of numbers and letters tracking a smallpox vaccination program for reasons he couldn’t even begin to fathom.

This was what he went to school for.

Unruhe (4x04) | Gerry Schnauz

Gerry knew she needed his help the moment they met. There was a howler inside of her head ��� a black mass invading her body and mind.

The Field Where I Died (4x05) | Melissa Rydell Ephesian

Melissa struggled with the idea of reincarnation, but dared not show it. And as it turned out, a broken link in the chain of her faith led to more broken links.

When she first saw Vernon hurt a child, the chain shattered.

Sanguinarium (4x06) | Dr. Theresa Shannon

The face on the computer had looked just like Jack, but that had to be impossible. The science of surgery hadn’t come that far. To spread the eyes further apart, change features completely… and besides, she knows him. Knows the person he is…

Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man (4x07) | Albert M. Godwinkle

All Albert M. Godwinkle wants today is to read a halfway decent manuscript that puts a smile on his disgruntled face. Today is not that day.

Tunguska (4x08) | Alex Krycek

If looks could kill, Alex would be a dead man. But he thrives off this, off making Mulder squirm. It’s just so fucking easy.

Terma (4x09) | Senator Albert Sorenson

He was a staunch proponent of holding insubordinate witnesses in contempt when the court was not being respected, and no one, not even a government employee, was immune to that.

Paper Hearts (4x10) | Addie Sparks

The little girl he loves is gone, and she is never coming back.

Just like me.

El Mundo Gira (4x11) | Migrant Worker

At the simple mention of El Chupacabra, the shack erupted in a cacophony of worry, as if merely saying the name might summon the beast.

Leonard Betts (4x12) | Michele Wilkes

Even through the panic she felt screaming through her that nothing about this was okay, she felt a moment of relief wash over her. Maybe it had all been a dream. Maybe her partner hadn’t died while she was at the wheel.

Never Again (4x13) | Ed Jerse

Deadbeat. Loser. Failure.

He’s heard it all, and he has had enough. No one humiliates Ed Jerse anymore. No, not now. Never again.

Memento Mori (4x14) | Kurt Crawford

What is destined for a creature borne of fluid and test tubes, guided by the hands of cruel men?

Kaddish (4x15) | Ariel Luria

Someone else’s hatred had taken her true love away. Just like that, in an instant, like it was nothing. But it was not hatred that led her to the gravesite that stormy night.

Unrequited (4x16) | Special Agent Kent Hill

Hill slides in his earpiece, watching as their eyes lock. His wife would call it eavesdropping, but as he steps closer, tilting his head just right to better hear their hushed voices, Hill simply calls it satisfying a long-standing curiosity.

Tempus Fugit (4x17) | Bartender

The man tried to fluff the pink ball back into shape after presumably squashing it in his pocket. “The woman I came in with— it’s her birthday, and she loves these things. I was wondering if there was any way you could ask someone in the back to put it on a plate and bring it out to her?”

Max (4x18) | Sharon Graffia

Sharon Graffia isn’t a liar. She’d only done what she needed to in order for people to believe her. All she’s ever wanted was someone to believe her.

Synchrony (4x19) | Jason Nichols

Naïveté and a complete lack of understanding of the consequences of their work had been their downfall. But how could they have known?

Small Potatoes (4x20) | Eddie Van Blundht

It didn’t take him long to realize he’d initially misread the situation when he saw them at the clinic. Based on the look Dana Scully shot him when he tried to hold her hand at the airport, he knew he was navigating territory Fox Mulder had yet to conquer.

Zero Sum (4x21) | Billy

He slowly twisted his neck to the right, and was horrified by the sight before him. In the next bed over was David from his class, his face covered in gross red bumps. He looked dead.

Billy didn’t know what else to do. He started crying.

Elegy (4x22) | Lauren Heller

She had an exam in the morning. Her mother’s birthday was the following weekend. She had plans.

Demons (4x23) | Amy Cassandra

As she speaks, the deep wound in her skull throbs, reminding her that that was true, until weeks ago when she’d traded the nightmare of one penetrating drill with the reality of another.

Gesthemane (4x24) | Father McCue

Her faith had come from God, yes… but it had also come from another, less expected source. Perhaps it still did.

Stay tuned for more perspectives coming in Season Five!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

We spend so much time deliberating and chatting about who to use in a given episode or where certain characters would be best utilized in the series, and we'd love to hear any opinions or predictions you might have! Do you have a favorite minor character? What episodes do you think would be best for our favorite recurring characters? Your feedback is one of the most enjoyable parts of this project (and sometimes hearing other perspectives can help inform the decisions we have to make). - @admiralty-xfd, @fridaysat9, @monikafilefan, and @gaycrouton

[makeitastrength]

You said in your list of episodes that you don’t like 4.07 and 5.04 for lots of other reasons and I’m wondering if you could say more?

Oh boy, okay, get ready for another essay.

(And again, to clarify, I love our show. I don't like to be negative and nitpick every little detail. But no show is perfect, and to me these are two of the episodes that really just missed the mark.)

4x07 Fire Fight

This one already made it onto my least favorite Chenford eps for reasons I spelled out here. But that's actually not my main beef with the episode. It's Nolan's storyline that I dislike. First of all, I've always found it to be unnecessarily depraved and gruesome. And I realize there are actually people like that in the world, and that's clearly what they were going for, but I did not enjoy watching it. They could have accomplished the same ultimate storytelling goal in a less horrifying way. Secondly, Nolan's escape is just absolutely unrealistic. I know, I know, he's the protagonist. And obviously I knew from the beginning that he was going to make it out alive, because they're not going to kill off their lead. But I honestly had zero investment in how he was going to make it out. I don't care how much adrenaline was coursing through him, I can't suspend my disbelief enough to make his escape seem remotely realistic.

5x04 The Choice

First of all, RIP Annie Wersching. I was so shocked and saddened when she passed away. She was a talented actress and such a good villain in both this show and Castle. It also explains why the storyline was wrapped up so hastily. I know they were limited in their options. That being said, I didn't like how it ended. I already talked about the Chenford of it all in my previous post (in short, there was a lack of compassion from Tim toward Lucy's trauma and a lack of closure for both of them). My main complaint about the rest of the storyline is (a) plot holes and (b) the John and Bailey of it all. Actually, part (a) goes back to the end of 5x01 when Rosalind somehow escapes across the border. Like... what??? As if the plates on that car wouldn't have been flagged??? There's absolutely no way a high profile criminal like her would have been able to cross the border in the same car she used to flee the scene, but according to Grey that's exactly what happened. And then she comes back just to torment John and end up dead? If they'd given Rosalind a terminal illness as well, it might have made sense. Like, she wanted that to be her legacy, to corrupt the incorruptible boy scout and make him live with that for the rest of his life. But since they didn't go that route, it just felt like she was inexplicably giving up. I was left with a lack of understanding and a lack of closure. Lastly, the actual way it all went down had too many unrealistic moments. Like... am I supposed to believe that Bailey and her crew showed up at that house and Bailey just happened to be the one to fall into that trap rather than any of the others? Too convenient. And for the life of me, I will never understand why Tim used an axe to try to break the glass (which was very obviously not going to break that way) when he could have just had Bailey back against the wall of the trap so he could shoot a hole in it and let it start to drain. I'm sure there are other details too that I'm not remembering, but really my overall point is that - even on a shortened timetable - there was so much potential for this storyline to come to a satisfying resolution, but that didn't happen.

[lyinginthesnow]

the parallels between what Caroline said during her conversation with Shiv in 3x08 and what Tom said in the 4x07 balcony argument…..

“You tend to get what you want anyway.” -> “You will be okay because you are a tough fսcking bitch who will always survive because you do what you need.”

“You knew how to twist the knife. You knew then, and you know now. … You were quite a piece of work.” -> “I think you are incapable of love.”

“You made the right decision. Some people just aren't made to be mothers.” -> “I think you are maybe not a good person to have children.”

Tom and Caroline both telling Shiv that she is broken and destructive on some fundamental inalterable level. Both framing themselves as a victim that ended up abandoning/betraying Shiv because she forced their hand by prioritizing herself (“You chose. ‘I'll have the carbonara and Daddy, please’.” / “You were going to see me get sent to fսcking prison, Shiv!”). And Shiv’s reaction to both being abandoned by her mother and betrayed by Tom is to pretend she doesn’t even care, that she’s fine without them, so she can act like they didn’t really hurt her at all. Obviously Tom and Shiv’s situation is far more nuanced, where both parties have harmed the other, whereas I don’t think it’s really possible to claim that Caroline feeling victimized by her 10 (or possibly 13) year old daughter is a justifiable stance, but… for Shiv, the things her mother said, which she could previously label as irrational, “i was a fucking kid”, are now being repeated to her in a way she can’t so easily brush aside. I wonder if it feels a bit like proof.

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Friday, May 24

(Cordy hands Wesley a cup.) "English breakfast tea." (Cory sets the other cup on the table.) "Coffee." (Cordy hands the tall glass to Angel) "O-pos."

~~Are You Now or Have You Ever Been~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Another Auld Lang Syne [seasonal spuffy] by Hollydb (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

seasonal_spuffy / Fic: Another Auld Lang Syne by Holly (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

All Overgrown By Cunning Moss by Cornerofmadness (Willow/Tara, T)

[Podfic] Sugar and Nutmeg [originally by duh_i_read (duh_i_write)] recorded by coffee_mage (Buffy/Faith, Not Rated)

Плоть и кровь by B_E_S (Русский language, Buffy/Angel, T)

MedWhump May 2024 Day 23: Resisting Treatment by MadeInGold (Riley, Maggie Walsh, M)

Not Bad by rhodrymavelyne (Buffy/Faith, Not Rated)

What Never Happened by rhodrymavelyne (Kate Lockley, Poltergeist TV and Witchblade TV xover, Not Rated)

That's Okay by CoffeeHunt (Buffy/Dawn, E)

Figure It Out, Rupert by Jess_Ann_Perreault (Giles/Jenny, G)

Buffyverse Flashfiction - Child's Play by NotASlayer (Spike/Drusilla, Not Rated)

Trapped in the Jacuzzi by ClowniestLivEver (Buffy/Spike, R)

[Chaptered Fiction]

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Shadowed Suspicion Chapter 426 by madimpossibledreamer (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure xover, T)

Families - ch. 1/15 by 19BBY (Faith/Kendra, Buffy/Spike, Not Rated)

The Engagement - ch. 4 by ChecksAmali_23 (Buffy/Faith, Not Rated)

Highlands and Tropical Islands - ch. 6 by QuillBard (Buffy/Faith, M)

Scoobie Family Therapy - ch. 2 by Anne_Hathagay (Joyce/Dawn, Joyce/everyone, E)

A Different Path - ch. 15-16 by Anaxilea (Buffy/Faith, Willow/Tara, M)

Spells of This - ch. 5 by buffycat100 (Willow/Tara, T)

splinter - ch. 5 by jetgrl (Buffy, Kendra, Faith, various pairings, M)

Omission - ch. 11 by toutes_les_routes (Spike/Riley, Buffy/Riley, E)

East of Nevada - ch. 2 by Blissymbolics (Buffy/Spike, R)

See You Yesterday - ch. 3 by all choseny (Buffy/Spike, R)

Infernal Fire - ch. 2 by Melme1325 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Incarnate - ch. 4 by Sigyn (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Something Lingers - ch. 21 by goodbyetoyou (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Maclay Down - ch. 7 by Soulburnt (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

A Ripple In Time - ch. 37 by CheekyKitten (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

What Love Looks Like - ch. 6 by DeamonQueen (Buffy/Spike, R)

Afterburn: In The Dark - ch. 13 by Melme1325 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The Neighbor's Point of View - ch. 107 by the_big_bad (Buffy/Spike, PG)

Seeing Clearly - ch. 192 by JoeB (multi xover, Dawn Summers, FR13)

Bruises - ch. 4 by hulettwyo (Buffy/Spike, Adult Only)

See You Yesterday - ch. 3 by all choseny (Buffy/Spike, R)

Love Shackles - ch. 2 by Gabby (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Gifset: I wanted to give you what you deserved. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: S7E2: Beneath You | S7E22: Chosen by spuffygifs (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

Gifset: [I killed Angel! Do you even remember that?] by ptieuca (Buffy/Angel, worksafe)

Song: Dylan - Someone Else [is the] Faith lehane song of all time by faithandbuffy ()

Moodboard: Shipboard for Fred and Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) by spiritmoodboards (Fred, Spike, worksafe)

Gifset: Angel the Series | 5x06 → 5x22 by mycatismyfriend (Spike, Gunn, Angel, worksafe)

Gifset: ELIZA DUSHKU as FAITH LEHANE BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER | 7.22 “Chosen” Original air date: May 20, 2003 by elizadushkudaily (Faith, Buffy, ensemble, worksafe)

Gifset: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER - 1x01: "Welcome to the Hellmouth" ANGEL - 3x18: "Double or Nothing" by davinaclare (Cordelia, Buffy, worksafe)

Gifset: 4x07 || 6x18 by clarkgriffon ((Spike, Willow, Anya, worksafe))

Gifset: BTVS 4.09 | ATS 2.02 by cangelgifs (Buffy/Spike, Cordelia, Angel, worksafe)

Gifset: ANGEL | 1.08, I Will Remember You by andremichaux (Buffy/Angel, worksafe)

Gifset: Spike? Could you... stay here? Sure... by andremichaux (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

[Reviews & Recaps]

Finished both Buffy and Angel. by Do_A_flip123

Recently noticed the character assassination of nearly everyone in this season [six] by Madido24

My opinion on Season Six by UNimAginAtiveuseRn

PODCAST: 2.2 Some Assembly Required by Once More: A Rewatch Podcast

[Recs & In Search Of]

Fic rec: I Violently Dislike You by scratchmeout recced by spuffyarchive

ISO: accidentalghost seeks [Willow's dress] [also general discussion of how to find BTVS outfits]

ISO: Main_Condition268 seeks Song [title] from season 1 episode 3

ISO: mollykk10 seeks Sunnydale High Merch episodes

[Community Announcements]

[commissions are open for BTVS and ATS fan art!] by genericaces

[Fandom Discussions]

BTVS as textposts part 5 by maybebitterxox

[thinking] about how even though Kendra is barely mentioned after her death, she is haunting the narrative... by thechosenthree

sorry for loving anytime buffy is a huge cunt to everyone... by mag200

Let's talk about souls. [how the moral compass of the show changes] by deus--auri

i love dawn summers so much... by buffyspeak

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Reboot Fan Casting Pt.2 [grown up daughter of Buffy] by v4mp1ra

Anne, anticapitalist masterpiece by CaterpillarNovel4347

Best nonverbal acting moments of the show that are not physical comedy? by foreseethefuture

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[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

David Boreanaz at London Convention in July [5th to 7th] via BuffyForums user Faithfan

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[nickblaine]

season 4 script summaries

previous script summaries: season 3, season 2, season 1, seasons 1/2 cont’d also, check my tht scripts tag for gifs, excerpts, and more details

good news! there are no deleted Nick/Osblaine scenes in season 4. i’ll just be summarizing the subtext that is written into the script and comparing differences to the onscreen version.

before i begin:

• everything described here is from the official scripts that are archived at the Writers Guild in Los Angeles. • the scripts i read are final drafts. there is no “writing in the margins.” everything described here is from dialogue and script direction that was used on set during filming. (you can see an example of what these scripts look like in the 4x07/4x10 links below.) • the library has strict no copies/photos rules in place which is why i can only summarize what i read. • anything in italics is a direct quote for the sake of clarity. • feel free to ask questions and i’ll answer to the best of my ability. my private notes are pretty detailed, but if i need to do more research i may save the answer for a future library visit. • please do not share this post without my permission. thank you in advance for respecting my wishes.

4x01

In prison, Nick is very aware of the Guardian in the room and can’t speak openly because of it. He speaks in code to warn Lawrence that he’s going to be executed and thank him for helping June. This establishes a pattern of Commander Blaine using Gilead code to communicate, as seen in several future scenes.

4x02

When June sees Nick at the farm, she knows immediately that he is there to arrest her.

It’s implied that Nick asking where the Handmaids are is code to June so she knows they are okay. (This is confirmed in the next episode when he does it again.)

June spends a good minute considering shooting the Eyes in a blaze of glory and making this her last stand. Nick “jerks her attention away from the decision” by saying “don’t” and telling her that he’s trying to keep her alive.

The scene ends with June saying “fuck you” before the Eyes swarm her, but this line wasn’t in the final cut.

4x03

In the van, June is “stung by [Nick’s] betrayal.”

Nick can’t speak freely to June because he assumes there are eavesdroppers. He uses code to “pass along news” to her that Mrs. Keyes is safe and the Handmaids are still free. June finds this news a relief.

Nick asks where the Handmaids are and when June doesn’t give him an answer, he actually warns her in a low voice (uncoded) that she isn’t strong enough to take what the Eyes will dish out if she doesn’t turn them in. This wasn’t in the show.

When Nick quotes the bible to her - “June hears this for what it is -- an honest wish for the woman he loves.” But Lydia “breaks the connection.”

Moving onto the Nick and Lawrence scene... I want to be clear, Nick does not expect Hannah to be used against June. This is not present in the script at all. All he asks of Lawrence is to get June to talk before the Eyes kill her, with no expectation of how it’s done. He is only thinking of keeping her alive.

Also, throughout the Nick/Lawrence scene, Lawrence thinks about Eleanor a lot. “Some women just don’t want to be saved” was a direct reference to her. Lawrence compares Nick’s love for June to his love for Eleanor, and is struck by “the simplicity of [Nick’s] wish [to keep June alive.]” But he really believes Nick needs to just let her go, like he had to let go of Eleanor. This is why he refuses to help until Nick threatens him.

Speaking of, Nick’s veiled threats are what makes Lawrence decide to take him a little more seriously.

The scene where Hannah doesn’t recognize June was written to be much shorter than what we saw onscreen. Hannah was actually supposed to be muzzled, and just the sight of her crying through the muzzle is enough to shake June into giving up the Handmaids.

The meeting on the bridge was scripted a little differently than what we see onscreen. Lizzie's directing softened the scene quite a bit.

June is muzzled, and being transferred to the Birthmobile on foot when Nick joins her side, whispering apologies as he walks with her. She ignores him until he says Hannah is safe at home. June stops and starts breaking down crying. Nick reaches out and touches her shoulder, “letting his finger trace the skin of her neck.” June reacts by embracing him. The guards try to pull them apart, but Nick just gives them a look. “He’s a Commander,” so the guards stop and let her go. Nick removes her muzzle and she cries about Hannah being scared of her. There’s a line here that I love, I have to quote in full—

“NICK: She loves you.

June tries to believe this.

NICK: I love you.

This, June believes.”

June then realizes she may never see Nick again and kisses him goodbye. Very little script direction here, it’s simply described as “just one long moment.” Then the guards lead her away.

Also, it says in the script that Alma and Brianna are hit by the train because one of the Handmaids was shot and they both reached back to help her as she was falling, causing them to miss the opening before the train hit. Janine was just dissociating and humming songs to herself the whole time, not as upset as we see her onscreen.

4x04

I just want to note here that the script confirms Janine’s current age is 23. After she changes out of her Handmaid uniform, “she looks like the 23-year-old kid she is.”

4x05

June spends this whole episode irritated at Janine and Stephen’s relationship because she feels like she failed to protect Janine, which is part of a recurring theme of June feeling like a failure throughout this season. Janine has to remind June by the end of the episode that she doesn’t need saving, and June is only trying to do so to make herself feel better.

There is no scripted response to Lawrence’s “would your heart glow” line. So Nick’s laugh was entirely unscripted lol.

The script specifically refers to Lorraine and Reese (the Marthas) as Nick’s “black market contacts.” As we know from s1, Nick has always had a connection to Gilead’s black market.

When Lorraine goes off on Nick about June, she and Reese expect a scolding from him because it’s “a suicidal way for a Martha to talk to a member of the Eyes.” But Nick just apologizes on June’s behalf, surprising them both.

In the show Nick says “I care about her” but in the script it was: “She’s all I care about. In the world.”

The Marthas are “surprised by his vulnerability, but Lorraine stays icy.” Her scripted response was actually supposed to be: “Swipe left. You’re better off without her.”

Reese hangs back and offers help to Nick because, as she says to him, “I loved someone in Gilead once, too.”

In regards to the council meeting - if I’m understanding correctly (because the scripts are kind of vague and more focused on the soapy aspects of the political standoff in this episode) - Lawrence’s goal is to get sanctions lifted, but when the council turns him down he shifts his plan to get on the council himself so he can pursue his reformation goals unopposed. This is why he agreed to bombing the ceasefire that he proposed in the first place.

Not much is said about Nick’s reaction to ordering the bombing, besides the fact that it catches him off guard and he “looks shaken by his orders to bomb June.“

4x06

When Moira confronts June trying to abandon ship and tells her that Luke never gave up on her after all those years, there was a cut part of that line where Moira said: “[Luke’s] a good guy. And he handled it pretty well when you had a baby with another man.“

4x07

Click here to read the full script that is available to the public.

4x09

When Luke suggested they ask Nick for help with Hannah, there’s not too much script direction, but there are a few interesting lines. When she says Nick would do anything for her and Holly, Luke finds that “both hurtful and hopeful.”

June is floored that Luke “is encouraging a meeting with her former lover? It’s incredibly strange. And also enticing.” It also says she had “put her relationship with Nick behind her. Locked it away. Now Luke has opened the door again.”

When she agrees to meet with Nick, Luke is described as “pleased, yet uneasy.”

As June heads off to see Nick, she and Luke are both “on edge.”

There was actually a cut moment between them and Mark before she leaves. After Mark tells her his officers will be nearby, he gives her a panic button FOB to call them if she needs help. This makes Luke freak out a little. He tells June she’s not going unless it’s safe. She doesn’t like that and insists she can take care of herself. Mark explains that while he has used this location for meetings before, he “can’t vouch for the party involved” because - in Mark’s words - “[Nick] does have a history of violence and allegiance to Gilead.” But June shuts both men down with: “He’d never hurt me or Nichole. I vouch for him. Completely.”

Once June is in the car, she exhales. “There’s no facade to put on for Luke, now that she’s alone.” She looks back at Holly and says, “Okay, we’re off. Excited to see your Dad? Yeah?“ then she smiles at Holly and says “me too.”

When she finally sees Nick, “their eyes lock. They’re both tentative. Unsure. It’s amazing to be together again, yet it doesn’t feel real.”

Nick is described as “almost overcome, so happy and relieved to see June alive and healthy.”

When they move inside, Nick tries to help June with the stroller and he’s described as “awkward” lol.

As we see in the episode, June is moved by Nick’s folder of Hannah intel. After this, “her official mission has been accomplished. She can leave. She doesn’t want to.”

The kiss has very little direction, as usual it’s all Max and Lizzie’s chemistry that makes it so good. “They can’t resist. They kiss, with longing and passion.” Then they move apart “both knowing they shouldn’t go any further.”

Nick was supposed to hold Holly “with love and wonder” per the script, but they couldn’t because of Covid protocols. It does say Holly loves her doll, though.

Their goodbye was also much different in the script. June simply buckles Holly up in the car, tells Nick she can’t thank him enough, and “tries to keep it together.” Nick tells her “keep yourself safe, and be happy.” They share a final look before she gets in the car and leaves.

On the drive home, June is just described as “[getting] emotional, but keeps moving on.”

Nick is described as “stoic, but drained by the experience” before he puts his wedding ring on.

When June returns home, Luke is “relieved” that she returned to him. June collects herself and “she has so many more steps to take, but she’s trying her best to move forward.”

4x10

Click here to read the full script that is available to the public.

[winderlylandchime]

Btw, dad’s reports to the chosen episodes are in and unfortunately (actually scratch that, fortunately) his reactions are way more calmer. We finished with our watch because my brother made us sit and watch the episodes all day. Not that I’m complaining but also I swear this is the most I’ve watched qaf in years. So the reports are in: 2x04: he absolutely loved the pride episode. He really loved the ending. He thought that this is where it starts to show even more that Brian cares about him a lot (keep in mind we skipped the 3rd ep so he didnt see the ‘you love him’ scene bc my brother has some flaws).

2x09: my dad was LIVID almost the whole episode. He almost died of second hand embarrassment because of Mikey. He loves Emmett even more. He fucking hated Brian’s mom. Did i mention he was livid? His only comment about the episode was ‘oh this explains a shit ton about Brian’ Highlight tho: the date night opening happens and my brother goes ‘oh…yeah this is sort of awkward for a family night’ for some reason neither of us thought this through. But the best part was my dad going ‘hey, dudes be fuckin’ while doing a shrug towards my brother.

3x08: he was very confused why we skipped so much, he was also confused about them breaking up. He absolutely loved that Justin decided to be a stalker but at least got a little better since the pilot. He really liked their reunion. And then after it was done, my brother went ‘okay now you gotta watch it again so it hits harder’ and then replayed the reunion scene.

3x09: his only reaction was ‘yeah it fucking is’ when Ben called it the most historic reunification since Germany. He is absolutely tired of Mikey though. And he really liked how in the end they have this open relationship that clearly both are aware of how it goes. If only he knew..

3x10: he is very confused over who stockwell is. My brother gave him zero hints cause ‘maybe if you picked up my calls last year, youd know.’ He likes that at the end when they put posters up together, you can tell that Brian has been a big influence on Justin as in he goes for what he wants but Justin is a huge influence on Brian as in ‘he helps him figure out how to get his head out of his ass’

3x11: he really fucking lived that scene in the GLC and he just went ‘oh they planned this shit together.’ He loved the scene with Debbie and Brian but he was also a bit upset about it cause he’s still mad at her from the beginning of S2. And he was absolutely obsessed with the scene where Stockwell finds them with the posters.

3x12: only takeaway: he really enjoyed the scenes with Justin, Brian and Hunter. He likes how Britin has their own little banter and inside jokes that in his opinion Brian doesn’t have with anyone else. When they had that hustler/100$ bit going on, he went ‘Michael would hate this cause he wouldn’t be able to join in on the joke’

3x13: he was so fucking delighted with that scene where Hunter asks Brian if he has a boyfriend. And the you fucked a murderer scene was again a big hit. And his love for Brian grows every episode.

3x14: Brian is now his favorite person alongside Justin. The last scene made my dad cry and my brother cried as well. My dad turned to him teary eyed and went ‘fuck’ and my brother went ‘i know right?’ And he loves Britin more and more.

4x07: he is completely heartbroken over Vic. He’s really sad about Brian’s cancer diagnosis. And he is absolutely horrified with Justin’s haircut. He was so fucking confused when he popped up on screen that he actually screamed. And my brother went ‘oh yeah i forgot, he got a haircut..rude, right?’ When that little office scene where Brian loses it and then comes back to hug Justin came up my dad declared that Brian is deep deep in love.

4x08: completely heartbroken over seen Brian is such a bad shape. He thought it was cute how Brian took him to school cause he missed him even tho he felt like shit. He thinks this is where Brian started to reconsider some stuff cause of cancer. And once again LIVID with Michael.

4x13: confused because where the fuck did Rage the movie come from. Annoyed because Brian and Justin could have little bike trip together. He really likes Brian being a stubborn little shit tho

4x14: he is absolutely obsessed with Brian. He loved that moment where Brian explains why the bike race is important to him and he cheered him on like he was watching a soccer game. And the last moment with Britin made him absolutely love them both so much. He was smiling the whole time and then went ‘it’s nice that he got his head out of his ass and finally allowed himself to be happy and in love’

And then after the episode ended, my brother turned off the tv and went ‘doesn’t it end nicely?’ And my dad goes ‘isnt there some proposal and another season’ and before he could even finish his question, my brother goes ‘absolutely not. It got canceled after season 4 so i guess we’ll never know how they wanted to end it. Sad.’ And then he just left the room. And my dad stared at me and went ‘but your mom said that the finale was’ and he couldn’t even finish before my brother yelled from the bedroom ‘NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO’

I AM DYING at your dad’s reactions to the episodes. I adore that he loves Brian just as much as we all do.

“Dudes be fucking” is going to be my response to any pearl clutching about drag, queers, transes, etc that I see this year.

The Michael would hate this (everyone being in on the joke) observation is so right. Poor Mikey. But not really. Get a sense of humor that isn’t TUMS spelled backwards.

I am also glad that he appropriately appreciated the “fucked a murderer” scene.

He correctly dislikes the Pink Posse haircut. And realizes that Brian is in deep.

ALSO thank you. Someone should believe that the series ends at the end of S4. Brian asks Justin to move in. Period. End of show. “It’s nice he got his head out of his ass and finally allowed himself to be happy and in love” is correct. HAPPY ENDING. Done. Sorted.

[raayllum]

Do you have any favourite underrated Rayllum moments (either in the show or in the novels, graphic novels etc) ??

Oh so many!! I was a S1 shipper as well so I've always had the goggles on, which will undoubtedly influence this list (we're talking the littlest of the little moments) - novel quotes are in quotations

Callum glancing back to look at her in 1x03 when she stays behind to battle the smoke wolves

His happy little face when she's 'faced her fears' in 1x05 after they go down the waterfall

Literally every scene between them in 1x06 (which along with 1x05 and 1x04 are the Foundational Rayllum Eps, to me) + bonus shout out to Rayla winking at him twice while she's stretching

Callum admitting to her face that he was so distracted by her / thinking about her that he forgot the food they needed to live

Rayla teasing him in 1x07 just as an excuse to get all up in his space (like seriously, she's not nearly as touchy-feely with Ezran by any means)

"Everyone else started up the mountain, but Callum lingered. 'Are you okay?'"

"And for some reason, she found she wanted to share what she'd seen with Callum, even if she didn't tell anyone else."

"Rayla was now one of the best friends Callum had ever had."

The way Callum trails off for a split second with "She's more like a..." in 2x02 cause he isn't sure what to say / is considering it for probably the first time

Rayla not only admitting that she's scared of hurting him (at all) but that she's scared of hurting him to another Moonshadow elf, even though Moonshadow elves aren't supposed to show fear, ever

Callum being like "yeah we'll walk around an Entire Sea for you" and not caring at all about how long it'd take, only for 5 minutes later when they're going with the boat plan to be like "getting somewhere faster matters!!" like you love Rayla so much it makes you look stupid

Rayla taking his bag from him in 2x04

Rayla briefly cradling the back of his head as she lays him down in 2x08

How Callum stares at her and just her as she leads him into the canyon in 2x09, only looking around at their surroundings instead of at her when she indicates for him too

Callum forgetting that Sol Regem, the giant dragon actively trying to kill them, is even there because he's so focused on trying to get to Rayla after she's caught in the rockslide in 3x01

The teasing/admiring looks they exchange over the whole fart flower thing. They're best friends <33

The little smile she gives him in 3x05 after she's helped pull him up the ambler

The tiny smile they hold and exchange in 3x07 after their mock flirting as they continue walking up the Storm Spire

Eating from the same plate and wearing matching jammies / sharing room(s) in Through the Moon

That one panel where they're walking to see Allen and Callum's eyes are closed while he happily talks about something and Rayla's smiling and listening? Lives rent fucking free in my head. Encapsulates everything I imagine for post-war/everything Rayllum. 10/10, one of the panels of All Time, to me

Callum touching his arm once she lets go during their reunion in 4x03, boy was down bad immediately

Callum leaning over in between shots (in the background) like his life fucking depends on it to see if Rayla is going to come along on their trip with Ezran or not in early 4x04

Callum's face falling in 4x05 when they're talking on the Pinnacle only when Rayla says "Last time I was here, I leapt to my certain death"

All their little glances (particularly in 4x05 and 4x06) in S4 - mad or talking or not, they're still each other's person and slip right back into their old routines

Rayla looking to him silently for reassurance in 4x06 and the way Callum nods and gives it to her automatically. It's so sweet <33

How much Rayla plays with her hair around him in 4x07 like girl please

How consistently smiley Callum is in 5x01 despite the fact nothing's really gone right for them because Rayla is back and he's fully letting himself be happy about it for the first time, it's such day-and-night to how he is in S4

Callum having drawn Stella in his sketchbook at some point before 5x02 is so cute to me

The way Callum watches her hands and gestures in 5x04 so attentively when she's starting to open up

Rayla holding and handing his staff and bag to him as they're leaving the Bookery in 5x04

All of Rayla tending to him and helping him in 5x07, her hand braced along his back and/or on his shoulder

Him being a massive fucking loser and stumbling over in 5x09 so unsteadily bc he just Has to hold her hand like sir. s i r

[pinkeoni]

Will is the Most Powerful Source of Energy

(aka me finding a way to tie Will into the Russia plot)

So the cover for the lab is the United States Department of Energy, who is basically in charge of nuclear energy and weapons. We see the lab try to breed kids into weapons with their psionic powers. Eleven demonstrates this ability pretty well.

But what if they were also breeding them as a source of energy? After all, we are shown in season 4 that they test their ability to control lights, not to mention that one of their other covers is Hawkins Power and Light.

Also in the puzzle game, which granted isn’t canon but may hold some potential easter eggs for the show, there’s a lab worker who explains they are trying to explore new forms of energy. The name of that chapter is “Strange Science: Let There Be Light”

Okay so here’s where I try to find a way to to connect Will Byers to all of this.

Will is responsible for giving power to the lights in the Upside Down, I’m pretty confident in this. Nancy’s dialogue in 4x07 points to this, when she says “Will found a way. Will. He found a way to speak to Joyce through the lights.” She uses Will’s name twice here for emphasis, and following this is when they discover the light particles that they can use to communicate, the one’s that “feel good.” (Also the music track they use here is the same as the one as when Will is talking to Joyce through the Christmas lights for the first time) Not to mention this is the same season where Will is constantly being bathed in light.

So Will can power the lights, but more than that whatever magic he used to power the lights stayed there in the UD for years, almost like an inifinite battery. Will’s energy could possibly be even more powerful than nuclear energy.

At the time the show takes place the still would’ve been in the Cold War with Russia, which was basically a nuclear arms race that the show incorporates through it’s supernatural themes.

I think Russia’s motivation is pretty simple, they want power.

At this point in time, post s4, I don’t think that Russia is after Will Byers specifically, but they are after powerful energy. I think this extends to El to, if they heard about a girl who could rip holes in space and time they would most definitely be after her too. If Russia had similar goals as the US in the real Cold War then it’s a safe venture that they have similar goals in the show as well— they want to be able to harness whatever supernatural and psionic energy they can that would give them more power.

Once there’s a power reveal in season 5, there’s a chance that Russia might go after Will. None of the characters would be expecting Will to have powers (unless Owens knows something) but especially Will, so there’s a chance that whatever power reveal we get could be messy and public, and could leak to Russia intel.

[kmze]

What’s your top 10 underrated sterolines scenes/moments? Yes i ask for 10 scenes because steroline have so many underrated scenes and we need to talk about it more! :D

Okay I tried really hard to not pick obvious ones that I know have been discussed a lot because I agree there's so many scenes we need to talk about! That's the beauty of a slow burn like Steroline there's so much progression over the seasons of them being built up! All these moments are pre-romantic too.

1x16: The one outside the Salvatore house, Caroline is pouting after trying to reason with Elena about how she's feeling and Elena as usual not taking her friends feelings into consideration. Stefan walks up and clearly sees how Caroline feels and he gives Matt the keys to his car to give Caroline time alone with Matt away from Elena. Knowing her better than her "best friend" already.

2x03: After Caroline fed on Matt she talks to Stefan about what she should do and Stefan tells her he's the last person she should ask because if he took his own advice he wouldn't be with Elena. The way Stefan is so open with Caroline here, he doesn't try to hide that he knows he's making a mistake and pretending to be the good guy he tells her the truth. There's this moment of silent communication between them as they nod to each other that just really gets me, they just have a connection already.

2x09: Stefan letting Caroline see his insecurity about Damon and Elena when he assumes that's why Elena had Caroline lie to him. We know as of 1x22 how scared Stefan is that Elena is going to chose Damon over him and this is very early in his friendship with Caroline and he just doesn't hold back that fear. Then Caroline bless her heart says "ew" because she cannot fathom Elena ever choosing anyone over Stefan.

2x20: After Stefan "steals" Caroline from Matt by asking if he can dance with her and he tells Caroline Klaus is there to warn her there's this small moment where she holds him a bit tighter as they look around surveying the area. I felt like subconsciously Caroline was gripping Stefan to protect her because he told her he wouldn't let anything happen to her.

3x20: When Stefan is freaking out that Elena is with Esther and Caroline just says "hey" and he instantly starts to relax, they hardly interacted this whole season but no matter how much time passed she still gave him comfort in that moment (note Tyler looking on perhaps a hint of jealousy...)

4x07: When Caroline shakes in disgust at the idea of Damon and Elena while hyping up Stefan and Stefan has this cute little smile and laugh watching her. His life is so unbelievably crappy (he basically was forced out of his own house by his ex-gf and brother) and yet just being around Caroline is enough to make him smile and laugh and forget about that because that's what makes her her.

4x15: There's silent communication in a few scenes when Caroline and Stefan are in Elena's house and trying to figure out what to do with the fact that Elena won't accept that Jeremy is dead. Also when he hands her tea/coffee out on the porch because that became their thing!

5x04: That Amnesia Stefan couldn't remember Elena's name when he saw her again but with Caroline he remembered her FULL NAME, that she was his best friend and that she was much hotter than the pictures he'd been studying. It's the fact that without his Katherine memories Caroline was the one he was drawn to (I'm sorry Elena was throwing herself at him) she was the one who stopped the ripper and she's the one he trusted.

5x21: That Stefan thinks that Caroline is literally magic and will find any excuse to talk about her! Elena mentions unicorns and the first thing Stefan thinks of is Caroline (and bonus Caroline says in 8x10 that her dream mind world would have unicorns).

6x05: After Stefan says Caroline will never have to deal with him again and she says is that what he thinks she wants and he says "I don't know you tell me" and there is this LOOK between them and you cannot convince me that Stefan in this moment is hoping those more than friendship feelings he has for her (that he pushed away) she's going to admit here that she has them to.

[chirpsythismorning]

Crack Theory: Will Byers is Twelve (012) - Part 2

4x05: The Nina Project (cont.)

Side note: Remind you of anyone?

(above) Will (?) communicating with Holly from the Upside Down in 1x03: Holly Jolly

Despite being the only kid to not raise her hand, El gets picked to go next.

For some reason they rearranged the kids here the next time we see them lined up, and I do find it interesting this adjustment ends up centering Twelve in the frame, and also in between El and Henry.

What follows is El not being able to prove her abilities, and having to endure snide, hateful and honestly abusive remarks from Two and Brenner as a result.

We do not see Twelve's reaction to this.

4x06: The Dive

I'm not really sure how to interpret what follows related to Twelve.

We go from having him focused on more compared to the other kids, to him now being left out of sequences such as this one, and at the most interesting times...

For example, we see almost all the kids get blindfolded by Henry. I find it weird that they skipped over Twelve and didn't let us see a shot of that?. We do see Twelve walk up, then eventually sit down with the other kids looking disappointed in this sequence, but nothing more. This feels like a weird choice when compared to everything else. The order of kids getting blindfolded is this, 6, 5, 4, 3, 13, 10, 14, 7, 9, then lastly El ... Idk it feels like they're deliberately skipping over him...

It could honestly be nothing. Continuity can of course be intentional, however it can also not be. And this isn't even the strongest evidence out of all of this, so I wouldn't base too much on it.

Still, perhaps this could support the possibility of them leaving Twelve's reaction out of certain shots, with intentions to reveal them later...

And this is when things starts to get interesting... Like REALLY interesting.

4x07: The Massacre at Hawkins Lab

Brenner has found out about what Two and his minions did to El during her extra hour in the Rainbow room. He confronts Two in front of everyone and despite his denies and protests, Brenner takes things a step further.

Again, we don't really see Twelve's reaction to any of the hate being thrown at El here either. And it just seems odd. Everyone has been shown laughing or showing some type of outward emotion in regards to El and her actions/how other people treat her, but not from Twelve, really ever.

What I do find noteworthy is the blocking here. Although Twelve isn't as centered as he's been the last few times during group activities, it's interesting that in this shot he's directly across from Henry (One).

Which brings us to one of the most interesting pieces of evidence (coincidences?) of them all...

Recognize this device?

I remember when this scene from the 4x08 8flix script surfaced and this shot specifically was one several people on here considered very odd. Like, could this potentially support the possibility of Will knowing Brenner, meaning Nick' scripts could have in fact been real?

Because, why else keep Will out of this shot, and all while everyone else is almost entirely visible? Why?!?!?!?!?!?

I'm starting to sense a pattern here, relating to Will and Twelve...

Okay now you guys have to wait for part 3!

And trust me, ITS GETS EVEN MORE INTERESTING!

Part 1, 2, 3, 4

[l4ndojpg]

Whumptober 2023, Day 9: Mistaken Identity

fandom: criminal minds | characters: spencer reid, derek morgan, david rossi | ship: none | trigger warnings: none | content: 4x07 memoriam, spencer is sad, team as a family | word count: 512.

Spencer slumps in his seat in the jet, exhausted.

“I… I really thought it was him,” he mumbles. 

Rossi and Morgan exchange an apprehensive glance. The last few days have been incredibly emotionally taxing on all of them, with the kidnapping case and then watching Spencer come back into contact with his father for the first time since he was a kid. This whole time, they’ve been watching Spencer like hawks, waiting for him to break. It’s not that Spencer is this fragile thing they have to walk on eggshells around, but he’s been through so many emotions in the last twelve hours alone that anyone in his position would have lost it by now. He’d come close a few times, blowing up at his teammates and then his father. But ever since sitting in a room with both of his parents for the first time in over a decade, he’s been unusually quiet. 

“We all make mistakes,” Rossi says, unusually gently. 

“Not me,” Spencer says shakily, inspecting his hands and frowning. “I’m supposed - my brain - I remember everything. How could I mess something up this badly?” 

“Reid,” Morgan says seriously, leaning over the table, trying to get Spencer’s attention, but Spencer ignores him. “Your brain was playing tricks on you. It could happen to anyone in your position. Anyone with trauma.” 

“Yeah,” Spencer says, but his voice cracks. He still refuses to look up at his friends. “I know.” 

“I’m going to get you some water,” Rossi says, standing up, “and do you want a snack? It might help, I know you haven’t eaten much today.” Spencer shakes his head. 

Rossi makes his way towards the kitchenette, and Morgan prepares to continue comforting Spencer when his phone buzzes suddenly. 

“Hey baby girl, we’re on our way back n- what? You’re kidding!” Morgan’s voice changes suddenly, filling with excitement. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll tell them! We’ll be there in a couple of hours, d- yes, yeah! That’s amazing - tell her congrats - yeah, we’ll see you all soon - okay - see you then -,” Morgan grins at Rossi, who returns with three bottles of water and some snacks, despite Spencer’s answer. “JJ’s in labor!” 

Rossi smiles. “Soon we’ll have a baby profiler running around!” Both men turn to face Spencer to see the reaction to his best friend’s news, and their grins immediately drop. Spencer is curled up in his seat, knees drawn to his chest and head leaning against the window. There are silent tears pouring down his face. 

“Sorry,” he whispers, feeling pathetic. Both Rossi and Morgan’s faces turn to ones of sympathy. 

“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for, kid,” Morgan says quietly. “It’s been a rough week.” 

“Yeah,” Spencer says, sniffing, wiping at his face. This does nothing to quell the tears that continue to fall, and he cringes away from his friends. 

“Just let it out, Spencer,” Rossi soothes. “We can talk about it when you’re ready.” 

After a few moments, Spencer’s eyes begin to droop with exhaustion. 

When he sleeps, he dreams of his father leaving all over again.