#and didn't release as much as they deserved

[quillandink22]

Richard Speight Jr (Skip Muck) Owen Ross Interview: Funny moments/anecdotes.

Boot Camp:

He "spent every waking moment" with Scott Grimes (Malarkey).

Dale Dye chewed out the whole battalion for reporting their injuries to production. Richard turned to Scott during this and said "Man Captain Dye is really getting it from the rear." (This was his favourite memory from boot camp) (Dye always referred to the production team as the rear or battalion HQ.)

Still calls Peter Youngblood "Shifty".

Filming:

The actors did all there own stunts. The mortar squad actually set up the morters on set.

The Crossroads scene in Holland, where Skip hits Penkala with a spoon, wasn't scripted. "Me just bugging the living crap out of Tim Matthews." (I don't remember this scene: my sign to rewatched the series)

The celebration after they received their jump wings was originally longer. (They need to release all these deleted scenes).

They dressed in a tent every morning and marched down to set like soliders.

"Nine months into the thing no one knew who the hell they were."

The Parasites

Micheal Cudlitz didn't lie. Richard got a parasite infection TWICE. He described the set as "not the cleanest environment."

Noel Hemmings (Charles Grant) also got the famous parasites.

Richard said he lost so much weight filming that when he returned home his friends assumed he'd developed a "heroin habit."

I paused to laugh at this:

Eion Bailey (Webster) lit his jump boots on fire after filming. (This has to be the most David Webster thing I have ever heard. The Dramatics.)

Since the show:

He still meets up with Scott Grimes and Tim Matthews.

He got to keep his whole costume. (I think he deserved it)

He's only ever watched the series once. "Was so emotionally intense."

Honestly, I feel like all the actors are mildly traumatised. It honestly sounds so intense and then the pressure of portraying an actual person as well.

[scoobydoodean]

I was wondering if you, as a Dean fan have opinions about the different writers? Mostly because I see a lot of Dean fans really strongly dislike Dabb for some reason and I don’t really understand why. I’ve never seen a concrete explanation beyond “he can’t write Dean/doesn’t understand Dean/actively hates Dean” but with no examples as to what he does that’s so bad. And I see this in every shipping lane. I don’t have a strong opinion about him as a writer one way or the other.

I'm exploring this more as I rewatch the show (currently on season 6) so I'll speak mainly from that perspective on my most recent thoughts. I am not a big fan of Dabb or Loflin, but have tried to be fair about things so far when talking through each episode. I am a fan of "Alpha and Omega"—it's my favorite finale (it's also... a finale for a season Carver started as showrunner? So I don't know what the implications are there as far as storyboarding). Also points for having demon Dean stab a guy through in 10.02.

I'll focus on the negatives you asked about in this post, but in the links you'll find me moving the narrative this way and that toward much more charitable readings... I think. (I do have a tag #dabb disk horse which you can either peruse or blacklist at your leisure). What I can tell you is something almost always strikes me as a off about Dabb/Loflin episodes so far in this rewatch in terms of character work.

Dabb/Loflin's first ever episode was 4.06 "Yellow Fever". In the aftermath, Kripke felt the need to release a definitive interpretation of their episode to the public, stating, "Dean is not a dick... he's a hero." The whole episode toyed with, to an extent, the idea that all the victims of the MotW were bullies. You can take this other directions—for example, queer meta, or meta about Sam as the real bully. However, the story a lot of fandom latched onto was that "Dean is a jerk and deserves to be humiliated and punished for that" which obviously didn't make Dean fans watching live in season 4 happy—and this theme of Jerk!Dean continues into their next episode, "After School Special", where they once again parallel Dean with a bully literally nicknamed "Dirk the Jerk" by Sam, and throw what I think is transparent shade at Kripke's issued statement from before the Christmas break (post here)... or maybe they mean to throw shade at the Dean fans who got angry. In this episode, they also make illusions to Dean wanting to have sex with barely legal high school cheerleaders, which also did not ingratiate them to Deanfans at the time. I said on my last rewatch, "In After School Special, Dean seems more unlike himself than any episode ever in the history of Supernatural up to this point" (post explaining that here). I carry similar sentiments about portions of 5.06 "I Believe The Children Are Our Future". Yes—I am aware of performing Dean meta. I just... feel like they try a little too hard. It feels hamfisted—desperate. To the point it doesn't feel like Dean anymore sometimes. In 5.06, they also have Dean (guy who is generally very protective of kids) suggest to Jesse that he'd be good to have in a fight???? I can see how they got there, but again—it just feels... off. The last episode I rewatched that they authored, 6.04 "Weekend At Bobby's", also leaves a bad taste in my mouth—not in what it's trying to do with Bobby or what it's trying to do on a meta level—but once again, with dialogue from Dean that just makes me think "he would not fucking say that" (post here). I think looking at all of these, you can probably see deangirl ire toward Dabb has a long history. It's been around as long as he's been around, whether he deserves as much ire as he gets or not.

I haven't circled back yet on this rewatch, but Dabb and Loflin also penned season 7's "The Girl Next Door"... do I need to say anything specific? Maybe I'll just link my entire #amy tag. What narrative did they want you to get from that episode? Who the fuck knows. And that's often the problem:

When you watch various episodes I've mentioned, you can work around to a meta that tells you something different than you might at first think the page conveys—something hidden and maybe contradictory. The thing is... you could also... not do that? And that wouldn't be so bad, except that sometimes the two narratives you can most easily grasp completely contradict each other. "After School Special" can be an episode that points to Sam's envy of Dean and John deep down and foreshadows Sam becoming a bully, but on a meta level, it also just as easily says Sam becoming a bully is somehow Dean's fault, and Sam is some poor captive baby. Dean is a creep and a bully and a cheater but we should all coddle him because he saw his mom die when he was a child and he's sooo sad. "Yellow Fever" can be a queer meta story and might also foreshadow approaching Bully!Sam in 4.14, but it also very much does call Dean a jerk (should we take that seriously? should we not?) and implies Dean should be punished for the outcome of three decades of reality-bending torture. Even if it's a queer meta underneath... it's just as easily one about how closeted men should be humiliated for cowardice or how being closeted turns you into an asshole.

Jumping way ahead, I have to mention 15.10 "The Hero's Journey" just because. Yes, it is full of jokes and Garth goodness, but also tries to sell you the story that nothing about Sam and Dean is real, to a degree that feels like you are being flipped the bird for ever watching this show. And again—you can make meta that it's all a ruse! But is it? Or is Dabb actually just telling you to go fuck yourself? Like he totally wasn't when, after the SPN finale when fans were Not Happy™️, he tweeted a sign reading, "Don't feed the baboons"? Yet again—we play into the motif of the "hero" who isn't a hero at all but some pathetic loser who deserves to be publicly humiliated, bookended with Dabb's opening episode in his opening season. I'm not saying that's what it is on purpose—but I am saying you can make these arguments easily, and that leaves me consistently annoyed with Dabb for being fucking sloppy and leaving me to deal with some of the most insufferable meta imaginable that carries little support outside of episodes written by Dabb or the Dabb/Loflin writing team.... Yes—I am in fact saying that Dabb and Loflin's hamfisted episodes (regardless of their intentions) are largely responsible for some of the most insufferable, loathesome fandom metas about Sam and Dean's relationship around.

Look at 5.16 "Dark Side Of The Moon", and 7.08 "Time for A Wedding!" and 8.14 "Trial and Error", 11.17 "Red Meat", and 15.20 "Carry On". Along with 4.13, while they might or might not say something deeper or contradictory on a meta level, on a surface level, every single one of these episodes sows the narrative that Dean is needy and clingy and needs Sam more than Sam needs him—something I intensely disagree with for a multitude of reasons... but I'll just link this. Many of these episodes also follow a surface level narrative of "normal life obsessed Sam" (and here I'll link my entire #sam the hunter tag and #in which sam is not a helpless little waif with his hands cast over his eyes being carried along by the tides of the immutable sea). When I look at this episode list, I also don't find it at all difficult to believe that Dabb wanted Dean to die in the finale. There is nothing at all shocking about that. And yes—you can argue he's pointing to the opposite—that this fate should be subverted and that's what makes 15.20 the dark ending, but I think you can just as easily argue that yes it's a dark ending and yes Dabb has always dreamed of this ending. A "tragic" ending where Dean dies and Sam goes on to have a white picket fence... while also leaving you little hints along the way that maybe it's all a big ruse because how could he not? He never has to explain anything. Someone else will pick up the story and make it make sense. He's already fucked off to piss all over fans of Resident Evil.

That said, when I mention what I feel is off character work, I mainly mention Dabb/Loflin episodes from my recent rewatch, which suffer from the two of them being newer to the series (coming onto the writing team in season 4) and also leave questions about whether, perhaps, they had conflicting ideas about characterization. Was Dabb the one penning these lines? Was it Loflin? Was it both? Did they trade out who took the lead? I didn't really say anything negative about "Sam, Interrupted" or "Jump the Shark"... (though "Sam, Interrupted" also calls Dean "codependent") who wrote those? Is it possible that the messiness of the meta comes down to two writers at war? I have to imagine though, that they got along, or else they wouldn't have written together for four fucking years. If they didn't get along...? My mind always comes back to their first solo episodes, right after splitting up in season 8. Dabb's first solo episode is "Hunteri Heroici"—the only episode to lend any perspective to season 8 Sam's reasons for abandoning everyone—paralleling him checking out with Fred's catatonia, which Sam has to save Fred from. It is the only episode that lends Sam sympathy in the early part of the season. He follows it up with "Trial and Error"—where Sam promises to save Dean from suicidal thoughts. Loflin's first solo episode is what I would regard as the most scathing solo episode commentary on Sam in the entire series—"Citizen Fang". Then he writes again right after Dabb's "Trial and Error"—penning "Remember The Titans" where Sam tells Dean to get over the promise Sam so passionately made in Dabb's episode and face reality.

This is why we're exploring this rewatch.

DISCLAIMER: Now I just devolve into bitching because I'm writing at 3AM. Proceed at your own risk.

It seems like these days, everyone demands an explanation for disliking Dabb (something about some sort of destiel battle... I don't know what that flamewar is and I don't give a damn tbqh.) I guess I've just been wondering what's actually so great about him. Because it feels like people have overcorrected to basically acting like he's god's greatest gift to mankind. People point to how meta his episodes can be, but I think other writers easily best him on that front on multiple occasions (particularly enjoyed by me so far on this rewatch: 3.10 "Dream A Little Dream Of Me", 4.04 "Monster Movie", 4.12 "Criss Angel Is A Douchebag"), and without leaving their meaning so up in the air that you don't even know what the hell they were actually trying to tell you because there are two different completely incongruous narratives you could just as justifiably claim were the intended one. Some people may find that duality praise-worthy. I don't. I find it sloppy—and when I add in mediocre character work, I just land on the side of him being, at the very best, mid.

Add him in as showrunner, you have... at least two of my least favorite seasons (13 and 15). Add that he's a one-trick pony in terms of the Sam and Dean conflicts mentioned above that he continuously rehashes rather than come up with anything new or fresh, and the same conflicts between Dean and Cas being played out until they both die (shut UP I'm not talking about canon destiel as the alternative—I am literally just asking for more diverse conflicts). I can't say I understand what I''m supposed to find so impressive.

(Before anyone so much as breathes this near me, Berens also sucks and I am going to tear off your nose hairs if you start bringing him up as if disliking Dabb for some reason means wearing rose colored glasses about Berens. Berens can eat a whole cactus raw over "The Trap" alone.)

[yeagerfilm]

Dead Future.

summary: in which you imagine a future alongside Eren or in which Eren knows he doesn't have a future to wait, but he allows himself to dream by his side.

content: angst/fluff, s4 time-skip, other characters mentioned, eren yeager x fem!reader

N/A; hey guys!! I've been posting one shots that are discards from an AOT fanfic focused on Eren since I joined the platform in 2021, I intend to release it by the end of the semester, but for now, I'm enjoying these discards as small one shots. hope you like it <3

You walk along the beach and feel the fine grains of sand enter your fingers, the sunset lights hit your skin as the darkness of the night threatens to break through. The tide of water is calm, serene, it gives you comfort; You thought it was incredible that no matter how many times you saw that immensity, you would always be impressed as if it were the first time.

You felt a light wind blowing, pressing the fabric of the dress you wore against your body. When you turn around, your boyfriend, Eren, is standing still, staring at the ocean horizon. That didn't give you a good feeling, now it was common that you often looked at him and your mind was far away, in a place very far from your reality.

"Eren." You call out to him, waking him from his trance. When he looks at you, you can't help but admire him. His hair was now growing, it reached close to his shoulders, he wasn't wearing the infamous Reconnaissance uniform, taking into account that Levi had given the squad a well-deserved break. His turquoise green eyes were much more attractive to look at than the immense blue of the sea in front of him. "Let's go"

You extended your hand to him, receiving Eren's fingers intertwined with yours in response. You walk silently, but for some reason, it disturbs you. It makes it feel like you're walking with a ghost. That the man you love and are by your side now, is not really there.

"Hey, Ren" You call him, making him look directly into your face. "Are you well?"

“I am,” He responds, squeezing his fingers into your hand, but the answer doesn’t seem convincing to you. "I'm fine. I'm always with you."

You showed a sweet smile, one that could calm his heart and mind. You kissed his cheek and started walking again, pulling him with you. "Are you learning these bad pick-up lines from Connie?"

"Now I'm offended. I'm just trying to be romantic." He laughs at your comment, wrapping your heart in cozy warmth. His laugh being a starting point so you could feel at home. "And also, I wouldn't use anything Connie told me. Last week, Jean tried to use it on Mikasa and was brutally ignored." It's your turn to laugh, imagining Mikasa in her own way, not knowing how to deal with the situation while Jean waited for an answer.

"Well, I'm sure she'll give in in the future. We'll be invited to their wedding." You say, fantasizing about a pleasant future. "We will, won't we?"

"Of course" You notice how Eren's voice changes every time you mention the future. His voice is low, melancholy, making it clear to you that there is something going on in his head about the future, and that unfortunately, you don't know how to get there.

You continue walking, watching the sun's rays say goodbye as they reflect on the sea waves. At one point, you and he sit on the sand to watch the last moments of the sun before the moon takes its place. Your head rests on his shoulder, while Eren's thumb caresses the back of your hand. You rest listening to the sound of the water lapping against the shore, just in each other's company.

“You know, I think I want something like that in the future” You imagine, bringing his gaze to you.

"Like this?"

"Live close to the beach." An idealized idea appears in your mind, waking up every morning and being able to see the blue immensity through your window, walking on the sand at the end of the day, and most importantly, having these visions every day next to the man you love. "If we get positive responses from the Azumabito, and we stop running the risk of the entire world attacking the island. I wanted to get a cabin near the beach. Doesn't that sound good?"

"Sounds fantastic." He responds, but surprisingly, this time you feel sincerity, his words don't carry a hidden doubt that usually manifests itself. "Our friends would love to visit us, but... I don't know if we can count on the Azumabito that much. Or on the possibility of them leaving us alone. We still have a long time to serve in the army."

"I do not see a problem." Your grip on his hand tightens, as you lift your head from your shoulder and look straight into his eyes. "The house by the sea is great, I'd love that. But I'll be fine wherever I am if I'm with you."

Eren seems to be trying to think of an answer, but nothing comes to mind. So his lips come to yours in a chaste, tender kiss, you feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up at how his mouth seems to have been made exactly to fit yours.

"I love you." He whispers as he breaks the kiss, resting his head against yours.

"I love you." You respond, making it clear that this was not a response, but a statement.

"In a while, we can try to see about the house. Maybe the Captain will get tired of us by then and we'll be left in the lurch." Eren makes you laugh, leaving a sweet taste of a future with him, one you wish you could experience.

"It will be great." You finish.

Maybe, deep down, you knew he was letting you dream, that there was no future, but in that moment, you allowed yourself to fall into innocence and revel in a distant dream.

[cosmojjong]

my harmonizer era was entertaining

[hamletshoeratio]

The difference in how Hen and Eddie's cheating is treated/being treated by the fandom v how Buck's is... I wonder why...

[fkinavocado]

.

[rogersstevie]

the only thing i'm not looking forward to is all the new ways people will use this new album to villainize joe, like unfollowing a few blogs helped but it's not 100 percent gonna get me away from that shit

[snixx]

okay controversial opinion but i actually really like love triangles...especially when they're actual balanced three-way triangles. granted my prefered stance for triangles i actually give a shit about is almost always that they end in poly (which never happens) but god i also hate them because they're fuel for so much unsolicited hate to everyone involved because of shipping wars

[tardis--dreams]

Lord grant me the strength to call the doctor's office tomorrow to ask for a bloodtest

[novadreii]

Honestly the only remake I'd gladly pay money to see right now would be Twilight. The whole thing. Twist: ALL of it directed by Catherine Hardwicke. Soundtrack is 95% Muse with Iron & Wine thrown in for sappy moments. Casting? Honestly? Kristen Stewart has to come back as Bella, nobody else works for her lmao. Everyone else? Shuffle. There's a permanent blue filter and cloud cover. The camera angles are tight and disorienting the entire time. Jacob is played by someone who can maybe actually act and animate his expressions without scrunching up his face like he's shitting?

[lyxchen]

I absolutely Hate how fast streaming services give up on a show when it doesn't do That well, even though there are still a Lot of people who watch and adore that show

[skullywullypully]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have finally finished watching Bleach!

[groochi-gang]

off is such a miserable game (everyone and everything is always dead inside, the game disoriented my mind, it's sooo slow like way over the 5 hours people will tell you it is) that i'm really glad it's over. now i know how it got its name. i really wanted to like it!! but alas

[frogsprince]

grief is so silly. like rationally im like he's in a better place! we had a good run! and then my heart is like lol sure. anyway here's some soul crushing sadness for like 5 mins until your next teams call

[celibibratty]

now i'm sad, i wish captain spirit had in the Nintendo switch too

[guiltyidealist]

Assorted shenanigans