#and involves involuntary transformations

[fanthirtheen]

Ive only felt comfortable writing endings since being in the Helluva Boss fandom. And I know a lot of people struggle with it, a lot of people have writing memes and shit about struggling to write at all, and I have such the opposite problem. I write constantly, I've got 120 unfinished/ongoing files, 43 finished stories (just for HB), and I think in write word so much better than i do in my own mind. I could never make a stop exclusively in my head that would be any longer than a page maybe two on paper.

But for endings, I find I just write the story until I get all the things I want out, then I reread it and slap on an ending that references the beginning. I make sure the initial hook really is resolved, and I tuck the ending of the story back into the beginning like the last fold of an origami heart.

Why am I bringing this up?

I've got one chapter left to wrap up a story I'm really excited about, because I deescalates the climax of the story too slowly but there were too many important things in the falling action to redo it and cut it all off earlier. So now I've got to do that: re-read my shit and find some loose end I forgot about to hinge the resolution on.

[louisirl]

“Thespiad”: Proposing a New Term for Fictionkin Who Involuntarily Identify as Fictional Characters (Under Discussion...)

This proposal contains extensive research and thoughts that I have spent considerable time processing and organizing. It is still in the early stages despite hours poured in, and I am finally opening it up for public feedback. I value your perspectives, as they will help me identify areas I may have overlooked while developing this terminology. If you have suggestions for a more fitting term or wish to share your own experiences, please feel free to contact me.

Purpose

While the term “Fictionkin” is predominately used, it is often now associated with fandom culture and the 'voluntary' exploration of new identities. The community no longer fully captures the complex experiences of those of us who view our fictional identities as intrinsic rather than chosen.

The current community primarily emphasizes exploration and acquisition of new fictional identities, much more than the further development and understanding of existing ones. As a result, I have struggled to find a sense of belonging within community spaces in recent years as I actively seek to express my fictotype in my daily life as that is who I am. My fictotype expands beyond just online expression and would exist regardless as to my involvement in the community.

For those who involuntarily identify as fictional characters and have a desire to live them out physically, I believe we deserve our own distinct community. The fictionkin community faces challenges in being taken seriously, both internally and externally, and it is crucial that we begin to assert our identities with the seriousness it deserves.

The “New Term”: Thespiad (Θεσπιάδης)

Pronunciation: /THES·PI·AD/ Etymology: The prefix "Thes-" is derived from Thespis, the ancient Greek actor who is often credited as the first person to perform as an actor in the context of Greek theater. The suffix "-iad" is a classical suffix used to denote a group of people with shared characteristics or traits.

Usage:

Thespiad: A person who involuntarily identifies as a fictional character and actively desires to express it.

Thespic: An adjective to describe traits or actions related to being a Thespiad.

Thesp/Thespiotype: A specific fictional character that an individual identifies with (e.g., Pikachu from Pokémon).

Thespiades: Plural form of Thespiad.

This term, though rooted in the Greek language, is not synonymous with the modern term “Thespian” (actor), which has become more generalized.

Who This Term Is For?

The term “Thespiad” is intended for those who experience an involuntary identification as a fictional character; When you are a Thespiad you identify 'as' that character. This distinction is critical: it is not merely an identification or connection with a character, but a deeply felt, intrinsic sense of self. In contrast to the broader Fictionkin label, “Thespiad” emphasizes the desire for active transformation and alignment with one’s fictional self physically.

This can involve actions such as changing one's name, relocating to a place reminiscent of your source's setting/location, or altering one's appearance to match that of the fictional character. These practices reflect an attempt to embody the fictional identity in real life.

The Process of Development

In developing a new term, I explored various linguistic roots from Latin, Greek, and Old English. However, many of the terms I curated with this method were too vague or didn't come across as practical. These terms didn't feel inclusive and seemed shaky in definition.

So, I turned to researching about historical people who showcased a similar nature to that of fictionkin (though maybe not exactly) or significantly influenced the storytelling we create and consume today.

Historical Origins

Thespis (Θέσπις) could provide a meaningful historical precedent for this term. Often considered the first actor in the context of Greek theater, Thespis revolutionized storytelling by stepping out of the chorus to portray individual roles, thus creating the idea of the actor as someone who "becomes" the character they portray. His contributions laid the groundwork for modern theater, in which performers transform themselves into characters, not merely to portray them but to bring life to them.

This historical figure could serve as a metaphor for our experiences as Thespiades—individuals who identify with fictional characters not as an act of fan admiration, but as a form of personal and transformative expression.

Metafiction and Fictional Identity

Fictionkin identities often intersect with the concept of metafiction, which explores the boundary between fiction and reality. For Thespiades, the experience of identifying with a fictional character is not purely imaginative but is an essential part of our reality. By acknowledging the gap between the real and the fictional, we can better understand the nuances of this identity. This intersection underscores the need for a term that encompasses the lived reality of these individuals—one that acknowledges both the fictional nature of the identity and its deep roots in personal experience.

Our Symbol: The Drama Masks 🎭

As part of this proposal, I suggest adopting the drama masks—symbols of comedy and tragedy—as a unifying emblem for the Thespiad identity. These masks have long been associated with theater, transformation, and self-expression, making them an apt symbol for those who seek to align their real-world selves with their fictional counterparts. Just as these masks convey the performative nature of theater, they also reflect the process of self-discovery and transformation that many Thespiades undergo.

If you find that this new terminology resonates with your experience, I would greatly appreciate your feedback. Similarly, if it does not fully align with your perspective, I welcome your input as well. Please note that this post is still a work in progress, and I will continue to refine and update it over time. Thank you for taking the time to read and engage with this content.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Antipsychiatry

The term “antipsychiatry” originated in the 1960s to describe a broad-based movement that questioned the legitimacy of standard psychiatric theory and practice.

The movement specifically challenged the validity of psychiatric categories, diagnostic practices, and common forms of treatment.

The antipsychiatry movement was motivated by anger at the perceived arbitrariness of psychiatric diagnostic practice as well as outrage at the apparent inhumanity of certain treatments, such as electroconvulsive therapy and long-term involuntary hospitalization.

The original antipsychiatry movement was led by psychiatrists, many of whom resented the label “antipsychiatry” and insisted they wanted reform rather than revolution within the discipline.

The movement began as an understandable reaction to various missteps of psychiatry, such as the over-medicalization of mental health, the inhumane management of asylum care, and the inappropriate pathologizing of minority groups.

In the early days of the movement, it might be said that "anti-psychiatry" helped psychiatry to self-correct in a way that moved the discipline towards a more scientific endeavor reliant on empiric evidence, while maintaining a sharp focus on the interaction between biological, psychological, and social contributions to mental health and illness.

More recently, however, the anti-psychiatry movement has lost its way.

It has transformed from a predominantly academic and political movement to one of consumer groups, akin to the anti-vaccine saga.

In its current form, anti-psychiatry exists as a disorganized entity outside of mainstream medicine, largely propagated on social media and in non-peer-reviewed sources like newspaper opinion articles, books, and blogs that evade scientific dialogue and critique.

Modern anti-psychiatry is not a monolith, yet there are common themes that could be harmful to patients.

Different from helpful scientific criticism, it often takes the dangerous form of disinformation that aims to tear down the discipline and deter treatment-seeking.

Those who espouse anti-psychiatry ideology often lay charges against the very existence of psychiatric disorders and the wholescale efficacy of psychiatric medication.

While the late psychiatrists Thomas Szasz and R.D. Laing remain heroes of the movement, academic critics of psychiatry today are often psychologists with limited experience treating severe mental illness, involvement in medication management, or collaborating with psychiatrists.

A tragedy of anti-psychiatry is that its merit is lost in its extremism.

Refuting Common Tropes of Anti-Psychiatry

"Psychiatry still promotes the 'chemical imbalance' hypothesis to explain mental illness."

Not really.

The "chemical imbalance" explanation was an early and incorrect way to make sense of the effectiveness of medications that alter neurotransmitters like dopamine or serotonin in the brain, whereas in reality the biochemical mechanisms of mental illness and how treatments work are still being researched.

"It is not ethical to use a medication if one doesn't know the mechanism of action." 

This has never been a principle of medicine.

Efficacy and safety are routinely established long before full mechanisms are understood and they guide future understanding of pathophysiology.

"Psychiatric medications are harmful." 

All medical interventions can cause harm, including surgery, medications, psychotherapy, and recommendations to exercise.

In medicine, interventions must be understood and explained to patients in terms of "risk-benefit" relative to prognosis without treatment.

This is the foundation of informed consent.

"Psychiatric medications don't work."

There are a range of different psychiatric medications used to treat different conditions, each with varying levels of efficacy compared to placebo.

"Psychiatric diagnoses are made by checklist." 

Sound diagnosis requires thorough investigation, interview, collateral history, objective examination, and sometimes "ruling out" medical disorders and other psychiatric issues.

Bonus side trope debunking: the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is not the "Bible" of psychiatry -- it is more of an imperfect "rough guide" that continues to be revised.

"Psychiatrists practice 'biological psychiatry.'" 

Modern psychiatry is a medicine subspecialty that seeks to understand mental illness based on the integration of biological, psychological, and social aspects of one's life.

In this respect, psychiatry was ahead of most medical fields in understanding the impact of psychology and social factors on health.

"Psychiatrists seek to 'medicalize normal.'"

The boundary between health and disease is "fuzzy" across all of medicine, where the treatment of disease overlaps with health promotion.

Generally speaking, psychiatry focuses on emotional suffering and impairments to functioning, whether it is an "expected reaction" or not.

"Mental illness doesn't exist."

The definitions and boundaries of particular mental disorders fluctuate over time, reflecting our shifting understanding of the biological, psychological, and social phenomena that account for them.

Mental disorders can best be understood as symptom clusters that co-occur in patterns that can be recognized and identified with good "inter-rater reliability" in order to guide evidence-based treatment approaches.

Psychiatry is far from a perfect science and must continue to evolve and improve over time and in response to criticism.

Sources: 1 2 ⚜ More: Writing Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[smashy-headcanons]

What are the bosses doing after their story modes concluded?

I'm presuming that they're still alive except for Tabuu, Galeem, and Dharkon

Galleom had the most explicit boss death in Brawl and yet he still returned

Petey Piranha, Ridley, and Dracula returned to their usual villain crimes, Marx continued to be a mischievous yet not hostile clown back in Dreamland, and Porky... well, from what little I know of Mother 3's story, he kinda locked himself in an orb for eternity.

Giga Bowser, being a Smash-exclusive transformation of Bowser, doesn't get used outside of Bowser's final smash or a classic mode boss. Even if he could use it on command (it's an involuntary transformation, with the exception of a Final Smash), he's found no way to use it outside of the Smash Bros. universe. Plus, that much energy tends to tire him out when he transforms back.

Ganon is kinda similar, except for the fact that it has an origin from Ocarina of Time.

Rayquaza just kinda returned to its territory to nap and recover. It was never actually evil, it was just cranky at Fox and Diddy for intruding on its territory. It ended up being recruited as a stage hazard later on like Ridley did.

Giant Donkey Kong was simply, well, a giant Donkey Kong CPU, and didn't get used after Smash 64.

Unlike Giant Donkey Kong, Metal Mario would end up getting involved with other competitive events in the Mario universe, such as racing or sports. After Melee, he wouldn't return to a Smash game until Bowser's classic mode in Ultimate.

Galleom, having a Subspace Bomb in its head, could be an invention of the Isle of Ancients (who Tabuu depended on to create the Subspace Bombs), so it's possible that the Galleom in Ultimate is a different one than in Brawl. Either that, or the deactivated/broken remains of the original were discovered after the events of SSE and got repaired. Either way, Galleom was repurposed to no longer be loyal to Tabuu/the Subspace Army and instead is loyal to R.O.B.. It got controlled by Galeem for a while during World of Light, but it got reverted to normal like everyone else.

It's entirely possible that Duon was never actually constructed beyond concepts/blueprints for a robot. Duon is formed from Shadow Bugs when it's fought, which disperse and reveal Mr. Game & Watch once defeated. While it doesn't exist as anything but a spirit currently, it could potentially be built for real if R.O.B. still has the blueprints for it.

Tabuu was returned to Subspace after WoL, still weakened and wingless after his defeat in SSE.

Master Hand is in therapy for his various Issues after the Master Core business is taken care of.

The Rathalos in World of Light kinda exploded and became a spirit after being defeated, so the Hands found a new one to serve as the boss in classic mode and the assist trophy.

Galeem & Dharkon's bodies were completely destroyed, and the two only exist as spirits now.

[xoxorealitygalore]

Nasty Dancer V

Summary: Due to her unyielding confidence, Aphrodite earns her spot on the main roster, becoming The Bloodline's manager — or rather, Sefa's Special Counsel. His Wisewoman. But can she maintain her bold, unapologetic style when faced with her greatest challenge yet: working alongside her ex-boyfriend?

Taglist: @xbriexx @christinabae

Previous: Chapter Four

Today was Aphrodite’s nephew slash Godson’s Orion’s fourth birthday and the backyard of Aphrodite's family home was transformed into an extravagant, dinosaur-themed wonderland. A gathering of close friends and family filled the vast lawn, each one drawn in by the vivid displays that captured the essence of a prehistoric jungle.

The air was filled with a chorus of laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft rustle of children’s excited chatter. It was a celebration befitting the second-oldest son of Aphrodite’s older sister, Tiasa, and her husband Hector. Orion, a curious and energetic boy, had a fascination with dinosaurs that none in the family could ignore. It was clear that this party had been organized with love, care, and an uncanny attention to detail that spoke volumes about the bond they all shared.

Aphrodite stood by the entrance to the backyard, her gaze drifting over the elaborate decorations. Everything was carefully designed to capture the imagination of both the young and the old.

Massive inflatable dinosaurs towered above the guests, each one more lifelike than the last. A long table stretched across one corner, piled high with treats: cupcakes decorated with tiny dinosaur claws, cookies in the shape of fossilized eggs, and fruit carved into prehistoric shapes. The smells of grilled food and freshly prepared snacks lingered in the air as people milled about, taking in the whimsical atmosphere.

Tiasa, with her trademark smile, stood beside her, clearly enjoying every moment of the event. "How cute is everything?" she asked Aphrodite, gesturing to the party in general.

Aphrodite chuckled, taking in the scene with a mixture of amusement and slight concern. "I didn’t realize that Orion was obsessed with dinosaurs to this point, but it’s a cute party."

“And those dinosaurs are way too realistic,” Aphrodite added, eyeing the giant inflatable creatures with a bemused frown. Their eyes seemed to glisten with a strange, almost predatory gleam.

Tiasa glanced over at the creatures with a knowing smile. "That’s Dad and Hector’s doing. You know how they are when it comes to putting on a show."

Aphrodite shook her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as she inspected the larger-than-life Tyrannosaurus Rex that loomed in the corner of the yard. "Of course," she muttered, half under her breath. There was no surprise there. Aphrodite’s father, Jason, and her brother-in-law, Hector, had always been involved in the grandiose, larger-than-life aspects of family events. No detail ever escaped their attention.

A brief silence settled between the sisters as they surveyed the yard. Then, with a knowing look, Tiasa spoke again, her voice a little quieter, more probing. “So, I noticed Sefa has been staring at you since he arrived at the party. How is everything between you two?”

Aphrodite’s stomach did a small, involuntary flip at the mention of Joseph, or as most people knew him—Sefa. The man who had once held her heart before abandoning her for a life with someone else. Aphrodite had managed to keep her distance from Joseph since their breakup years ago. She had walked away, patched up the wounds he left, and moved on with her life. Now, working with him at WWE, it seemed impossible to avoid him. They had spoken, they had cleared the air to some degree, and she had shared with him the heartbreak of losing their child, a loss that still haunted her.

But that didn’t mean she could forget what had happened or how it had felt to be left behind. The idea of Joseph trying to worm his way back into her life, however, was something Aphrodite wasn’t ready to accept.

“He can stare all he wants,” Aphrodite replied curtly, her tone a little sharper than she intended. "We’re co-workers. There’s nothing between us."

Tiasa didn’t seem convinced, however. She leaned in closer, her eyes narrowing as she probed further. “You know he was the love of your life at one point, right? I don’t know how you can be so cold towards him.”

Aphrodite’s breath hitched as the words landed. She hadn’t expected Tiasa to press the issue so directly. “You know he broke my heart, right?” Aphrodite responded, her voice thick with emotion.

Her sister’s expression softened, but she was unwavering. “We both know you still love him, or else you wouldn’t be acting like this.”

Aphrodite rolled her eyes, her frustration mounting. "Why are we even talking about him?" she asked, as though the mere mention of Joseph could sour her mood further.

Tiasa was persistent. She shrugged, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Because I know he’s trying to win you back, and I want you to give him a chance.”

Aphrodite's gaze flickered toward her sister with a look of disbelief. “No way,” she said, her voice laced with finality.

“Seriously, Dottie,” Tiasa pressed, using her childhood nickname for her. “You and him, it’s going to work this time around, trust me.”

Aphrodite sighed deeply, feeling the weight of her sister’s words, but there was no room in her heart for what Tiasa was suggesting. She couldn’t shake the memories of how Joseph had abandoned her when she needed him most. Now, he was back, but only after everything had fallen apart. Aphrodite couldn’t simply erase the past.

Without responding, Aphrodite turned and walked away from her sister. There was no point in engaging with her right now. Tiasa meant well, but she didn’t understand. She didn’t know how much the pain of their breakup still stung—how much of herself Aphrodite had lost in the process.

As Aphrodite made her way toward the house, her thoughts were interrupted by the soft sound of crying. She paused, her attention drawn to a small figure hunched in the corner of the kitchen. The child was crying softly, his small body trembling as he sat on the floor, hands wiping at his eyes.

Aphrodite’s heart went out to him immediately. She recognized the little boy. It was Zamir, one of Joseph’s sons. He was only three years old, but his wide, dark eyes seemed to carry the weight of the world on his tiny shoulders. She knelt beside him, her gentle voice cutting through the sadness in his eyes.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Aphrodite asked, her voice soothing.

Zamir sniffled, hiccupping as he looked up at her. "I want to jump in the bounce house, but I'm scared," he confessed, his small lip trembling.

Aphrodite smiled softly, leaning down closer to his level. “You don’t need to be scared,” she reassured him. “I’ll go in with you, okay?”

Zamir’s eyes brightened, and without hesitation, he climbed into her arms, wrapping his little hands tightly around her neck. Aphrodite rose with ease.

As she walked towards the backyard, she didn’t notice Joseph standing just behind her, observing the exchange with a soft, appreciative smile. It was a look she had seen before, one that carried a silent message. A message that said she would be a wonderful mother.

She moved past him, her eyes avoiding his gaze, but the moment still hung in the air.

Outside, the laughter of the children filled the air as she stepped into the bouncy house. Zamir let out a delighted shriek and immediately began to bounce, his fear forgotten. Zev, his older brother, joined in, along with a handful of other children. Aphrodite laughed along with them, her worries momentarily forgotten in the chaos of the bouncing fun.

Joseph, standing at the edge of the bounce house with his youngest son, Zion, in his arms, watched with a soft smile as Aphrodite interacted with his boys. His brother Joshua stood beside him, and with a knowing glance, he murmured, “She looks good with them.”

Joseph nodded silently, his gaze never leaving Aphrodite as she continued to laugh and play with his sons. A sense of longing simmered beneath the surface, and he couldn’t help but wonder if this could be their second chance. Maybe, just maybe, he could convince her to give him another chance.

But Aphrodite wasn’t ready for that. Not yet. She was still guarding her heart, still wary of the man who had once broken it. And though Joseph’s intentions had changed, the road to rebuilding their relationship would not be an easy one. But as he watched her laugh with his sons, a glimmer of hope flickered in his chest.

Maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance for them.

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The day after Orion’s fourth birthday party, Zev, Joseph’s six-year-old, sat on the couch, legs crossed beneath him, his eyes bright as he talked animatedly about the party. Beside him, Zamir, just three, looked up with innocent eyes, his fingers absentmindedly tapping on the table.

Joseph's youngest son, Zion, sat in his high chair, playing with a small toy, occasionally glancing up at his father. Joseph stood over him, spooning mashed carrots into his son’s mouth. The soft, rhythmic sound of the spoon tapping against the bowl seemed to complement the quiet hum of the morning.

“I want to play with her again,” Zamir said, his voice small but earnest, a serious tone in his tiny voice that made Joseph smile. It wasn’t lost on him that both of his sons were still talking about the same thing: Aphrodite.

“And she’s pretty,” Zev added, his voice laced with the same admiration. He wasn’t usually so open with his feelings, but the mention of Aphrodite always seemed to bring a rare softness to his words.

Joseph wiped Zion’s chin with a napkin, his mind drifting for a moment. Was he really about to do this? Use his kids to worm his way back into Aphrodite’s life? He didn’t have to think too long before the answer came: Yes, absolutely.

Aphrodite had been part of his life once. Her smile, her laughter, the way she made everything seem brighter. He missed her in ways he hadn't fully acknowledged. The break-up, and the reasons behind it, felt distant now. Was it foolish to want to rekindle something? Especially after years apart, and especially when he hadn’t exactly been the model ex-boyfriend. But seeing her with his kids yesterday and seeing the way she interacted with them made him realize something. She was still a part of him, whether they both liked it or not.

Joseph quickly picked up his phone, an idea forming in his mind. The little ones would be his conduit. He needed to take advantage of their affection for her, and there was no harm in using their innocent longing for a reunion.

He cleared his throat, trying to put on his best fatherly voice as he spoke to Zev and Zamir. “Hey, boys, let’s do something special. I want you to say something to Aphrodite on the camera.” They both looked at him with curious eyes, but neither hesitated. Zev’s expression was serious, his young mind already following the logic Joseph had in mind.

“Say, ‘Aphrodite, come play with us,’” Joseph instructed, the words coming more easily than he expected.

Zev, always eager to please, immediately repeated the words into the camera. “Aphrodite, come play with us,” he said, his voice just shy of being too excited, but there was a sweetness in his tone that Joseph couldn't ignore. He caught Zamir’s attention, who repeated the phrase in his adorable toddler voice. “Aph-wodite, come play.”

Joseph’s smile widened. With a quick tap of his finger, he sent the video to Aphrodite. Now all he had to do was wait.

Aphrodite sat in her living room, the afternoon sun filtering through the sheer curtains. She sipped her tea, the coolness of the ceramic mug grounding her as her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen. It was a video from Joseph.

She hesitated. Her finger hovered over the play button, and then, with a small sigh, she pressed it. The video opened to reveal Zev’s earnest face, his little brother’s voice chiming in the background.

“Aphrodite, come play with us,” Zev said, his tone sweet but matter-of-fact, as though the request was something she had no choice but to honor.

Aphrodite set the phone down, her mind racing. There was something so endearing about their innocence and their openness to affection. They had bonded with her in a way she hadn’t expected. The thought of seeing them again, playing with them again, stirred something inside her. But then, just as quickly, the familiar tension rose within her.

Her relationship with Joseph was complicated. Despite the chemistry and the pain that still lingered in her memory, the thought of reopening that chapter felt like a step she wasn’t sure she wanted to take.

Her phone buzzed again, this time with a text from Joseph: Zev and Zamir keep talking about you. They really want to see you again. It meant a lot to them, you know?

Aphrodite sighed, rubbing her temples. She texted Mona, her best friend, her confidante.

What should I do? He’s asking me to hang out with the kids.

Mona, as usual, was quick with a response: Aphrodite, you know you love kids. If you want to go, go. Or you can just invite them over. It doesn’t have to be about Joseph. Just think about the boys.

Aphrodite stared at the message. She knew Mona was right. But the thought of being around Joseph made her stomach churn.

Still, Mona had a point. This wasn’t about Joseph. This was about the kids.

She let out a deep breath and texted Joseph back: The boys can come over. My address is...

Less than twenty minutes later, Joseph found himself standing in front of Aphrodite’s door, three kids in tow. Zev and Zamir were practically vibrating with excitement, and Zion, content as ever, was tucked comfortably in his arms, his little eyes taking in the surroundings. Joseph hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest. This felt like a step he hadn’t fully thought through.

Aphrodite opened the door with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Hey,” Joseph said, offering a sheepish grin.

“Hi,” Aphrodite replied. Her eyes flickered to the boys, then back to him.

She stepped aside to let them in, her gaze lingering just a moment longer than necessary. She had clearly been debating whether or not to go through with this, but now that they were here, there was no turning back.

Joseph was relieved when she didn’t shut the door in his face. She didn’t look happy to see him—not exactly—but she didn’t seem angry either. At that moment, he wondered if maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something new. Something he hadn’t anticipated but was willing to explore.

Aphrodite led them to the playroom, a bright, colorful space full of toys and games. It was clear that it had been designed with her nieces and nephews in mind. Joseph looked around, his eyes catching on a few old stuffed animals, remnants of a time when he and Aphrodite were close. His chest tightened, but he quickly pushed the feeling aside.

“I’m just doing this for your boys,” Aphrodite said, looking over her shoulder at Joseph, as though explaining her actions. “Don’t think too much about this.”

Joseph nodded, hiding the smile that tugged at his lips. She was doing it for the boys. She didn’t have to explain herself, but he understood. This wasn’t about him. It was about them about the connection that had briefly existed between them and the bond that still lingered, unspoken.

They played for an hour, the sounds of laughter and joy filling the room. Aphrodite’s gentle voice mixed with the boys’ excited chatter, creating a symphony of warmth that made Joseph feel like he was witnessing something beautiful. He had forgotten how much he missed this, how much he missed her.

Eventually, they moved to the kitchen. Aphrodite cooked dinner, and Joseph, surprisingly, found himself helping. He had forgotten how much he enjoyed the simple act of sharing a meal with her, how her cooking had always been something that made him feel at home.

Zev, always the polite one, offered a prayer before they ate, his small hands folded in prayer. The moment felt intimate, almost sacred. Aphrodite looked down at him, her eyes softening as she watched him.

After dinner, as the evening drew to a close, Zev surprised everyone. He turned to Aphrodite with a serious expression and said, “I remember you from when I was younger. I’m happy you’re back in my life.”

Aphrodite’s breath caught in her throat. The words felt like a punch to the chest, and before she could stop herself, tears welled up in her eyes. She knelt down and pulled Zev into a tight hug, her hands trembling slightly. Joseph hadn’t expected Zev to remember anything from when they had dated. He hadn’t even realized Zev had any memories of Aphrodite.

“I’m happy to see you again,” Zev whispered, his small voice laced with sincerity.

Aphrodite pulled away, wiping her eyes quickly. “Good night,” she said softly, leading them to the door.

“Good night,” Joseph replied, his voice softer than he intended. He paused for a moment as though wanting to say something more, but the words didn’t come. There was so much left unspoken between them, but for now, he was content to let the silence hang in the air.

As they stepped out into the evening, Joseph felt something shift within him. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. They were on their way back to something, he just wasn’t sure what yet.

[meltedvinyls]

lets talk about my fictional worlds vampirisms

@gloomygambit thank u for the excuse

So theres 3 main types of vampire

Original Bloodline Vampires

have become endagered over time due to frequent targeting of mob-mentality and a history of "villianous" and "unorthodox" lifestyles

born from 2 OG vampires think like debutantes they would have elegant marrige arrangements often to help continue the species

Changed Vampires

These are the vampires made by OG vamps through ritual and with intention they are considered full vampires after transformation

they maintain their psyche but have a 50/50 survival rate some cant recover from the trauma of transformation or injuries obtained during the turning

often used as a way to keep og vampires alive via doing the dangerous/difficult work for them under the debt of being immortal/being turned

50/50 rate of voluntary and involuntary turnings through history, though at the point we come in all turnings by the observed og vamps are semi-voluntary or done via misleading

yes vampirism SA allgory i am a CSA/COCSA/SA survivor and it means alot to me to represent my ptsd in a way that i control

Accidental Turnings

these are what youd call feral vampires

accidental turnings do not invlude all of the ritual steps or safegaurds involved in intentional turnings so the result is a creature with a blind lust for blood and little to no consiousness aside from carnage

accidental turnings are less common in 'modern' vampirism and typiclaly come from CVs who dont realise if you drink from someone and they get your blood in their mouth or wound it can result in them being turned

yes vampirism is essentially an std in the way it us contracted through blood contact

there are around 50 remaining og vampires globally and 1/5 of them are involved in the innerr circle that belladonna keeps sustained through puppeting a mob operation (she has a human man as the public boss/mob father but really she is running things and he is fully in her pocket)

i hope you enjoyed my ramblings lmk if you have any questions or wanna know about lychanthrope which is a genetic condition in my fiction okay bye

[mightyflamethrower]

Arizona State Professor Defends Sex Trafficking

The objective isn’t homosexual depravity in particular, but degeneracy in general. Why else would a college professor defend sex trafficking?

Arizona State University Professor Crystal Jackson condemned the “anti-trafficking movement” and “deviant framing” of “sex workers” during an event on campus last week.

That which liberals want to normalize, they euphemize. Just as “MAP” is their euphemism for pedophile, “sex worker” is Liberalese for prostitute.

During the “Queer X Faculty Flashtalks” event, Jackson told the students and staff in attendance that “Sex workers have been and are at the heart of queer liberation.”

She isn’t the first to notice a connection between LGBTism and other sexual manifestations of moral decay.

“We wouldn’t have the modern-day LGBTQ plus movement in the U.S. … without sex-working trans people,” she said.

Of all the lame arguments for normalizing prostitution, doing it to promote transsexual psychosis may be the least compelling.

The professor also condemned the anti-trafficking movement.

The nutty professor screeches that “moral panic” about sex trafficking — i.e., sex slavery, which often involves children — constitutes thoughtcrime:

“It’s anti-immigrant, it’s racist, it’s transphobic forms of policing, particularly around women of color.”

ASU is a state school, meaning that an extra large percentage of its funding is provided on an involuntary basis. Here’s how our money is being spent:

She told attendees her previous research includes “the tenuous feminisms of self-proclaimed queer porn mafia performers and producers who then honor the grandfather of queer porn, trans male porn performer Buck Angel.”

Her bio on ASU’s website does not shy away from her defense of sex trafficking:

Crystal A. Jackson (they/she) is a Women, Gender, & Sexualities Studies (WGSS) professor in [the School of Social Transform]. They are a sociological feminist scholar whose research underscores feminist and queer understandings of sexual labors and gender politics in the United States. … Their current research explores how the racial justice concept of ‘abolitionism’ is deployed in mainstream, institutionalized U.S. anti-sex trafficking policies and advocacies to demand actions that are in direct opposition to racial justice abolitionist aims.

Presenting Professor Crystal Jackson, accredited member of the intelligentsia:

Is she or isn't he.....who the hell knows anymore.

[fenmere]

*pokepoke*

We mean...we've been into some different anime than last time we talked w/ you it that helps?

Ohoh and playing the sims 4. We have a custom content and mods problem lol. We have So Many and yet. We went out of our way to grab three more today. Like 15 minutes ago. XD

Ah, Sims 4 is so cool. We have it, and have played around with it before. Maybe half a year's worth of game play. Love to hear new things about it, but probably not likely to fire it up again ourselves.

What anime have you been watching?

We have been immersing ourselves in Korean dramas and fantasies (like Geongseong Monster, Alchemy of Souls, and Tail of Nine Tailed), and trans written Scribblehub stories.

There's one we think you might like, if reading on the computer is accessible, called Catnip, by Vyria_Durav. For potentially triggering stuff, it does involve some involuntary transformation with possibly mind altering affects, though. But due to accident. And it's mostly a very positive and cute story. There are some mild misunderstandings or misapprehensions in order to set up good resolutions. And the world itself does have a history of much worse, which is explored mostly through notes and video playback.

But, over all, it's a much safer and easier read than most stories, and just fun and kind of daydreamy. Or it was for us.

An egg named Simon (initially) finds "himself" sent ahead of "his" polycule to investigate a long failed colony on Venus and stumbles into an old experiment that turns "him" into a catgirl. The transformation is slow, and there's a surviving AI assistant there to help figure things out and investigate what's happening. And it's almost as much about emancipating that AI from her previous enslavement as it is about Simon wondering why she's weirdly OK with what's happening to her and choosing not to reverse it.

Anyway, we also just liked all the living characters in it a lot (the villain can go away), which is usually what's important to us, since they end up being new members of our system really quick.

[stcries]

HERE HE IS, MY POST CANON VIKTOR DESIGN. putting all of his info/headcanon below the cut because of spoilers as well as just how long this post got. this design may not be finalised just yet.

-both him and jayce emerge from the crystal. due to some arcane magic mumbo jumbo, viktor’s appearance has been reverted back to his human self (sort of a combination of season 1 + season 2 act 2)

-is serving prison time due to his involvement in the noxian invasion. however someone (COUGH jayce COUGH) managed to talk things out, especially with catlin in order to make his situation more comfortable. he’s not bound to a prison cell, but he is bound to a specific area in piltover, which could either be the prison, jayce’s home, the kiramen household, his old lab, who knows! where exactly he’s being held is still under development, but it’s sort of like house arrest.

-spends most of his time still tinkering with machinery. whilst he doesn’t have access to a lot thanks to him serving his sentence, he’ll ask jayce and others whom he’s friends with to bring him scraps they may find and he’ll use what he can salvage to make new things. one of his favourites is making small robotic toys, just like the boat he made as a child, for the children of piltover who were effected.

-despite his situation, viktor wants to help rebuild piltover, since its destruction was majorly his own doing. he’ll help out when and where he can, doing small jobs here and there, but he hates that he’s not able to do more. he also feels very guilty about his crimes, but is on his way to both being forgiven and also forgiving himself.

-his leg is still deformed, however his terminal illness has been somewhat cured. he is still physically weaker than most, but his condition will not deteriorate any more from where it currently is. in short, whilst he won’t get any better, he won’t get any worse.

-scars still on his face, and left hand is lost completely engulfed in arcane scarring thanks to what he and jayce accomplished in the astral plane. and yes, they somehow managed to salvage the blanket, which he still wears as a scarf.

-a lot more mellowed out. still has some snappy comebacks and that sass we all know and love, but he’s much calmer. he also still speaks quite robotically and monotone thanks to his fusion with the hexcore, but he’s working on improving it with some speech therapy here and there.

-viktor still has some remnants of his healing abilities left, but they’re extremely minute and have extreme limitations. it requires a lot of concentration to work, and he can only heal at least one person daily, as the process is incredibly draining on his body. however, he can’t heal major wounds or disease like he previously could, the most he can do nowadays is make a flower stop wilting, or heal someone’s scrapped knee. anymore than that and he’ll simply get too exhausted or pass out from over exertion. however, he’s secretly training himself to try and enhance these abilities. he does so in private as to not cause panic, as his many still remember his abilities being associated with his cult and then their robotic transformations, so many aren’t very trusting.

-sparks/small pieces of arcane magic can still emerge form his body, but it’s an involuntary reaction. they’re heavily tied to his emotions, and if you’re touching him when this happens, the most you’ll feel is a small buzz. this can happen when he’s excited, surprised, and more. however, these sparks are also tied to his anger, and if you find yourself in physical contact with him when this occurs, it’ll feel much more like an electric shock or being hit with a taser.

[justatasteofyourpoison]

When Kings and Demons Collide

A RadioApple (Alastor x Lucifer) fan fiction.

🦌🎙️🔥🍎🐍

A short, suggestive and not so sweet fan fic my fellow RadioApple fans. Feel free to finish the story however your mind desires… Enjoy you wayward sinners! :D

Setting: This takes place shortly after Charlie makes a deal with Alastor in Hazbin Hotel episode 7.

Warnings: 18+, adult themes, sexual themes, swearing, fighting, degradation/domination, not the best grammar.

Word count: 500ish

———————————————————————

“YOU MADE A DEAL WITH MY DAUGHTER?!” Lucifer roared suddenly appearing in Alastor’s room in in a bright flash of sparkling gold.

“Ah I was wondering when Big Bad Daddy would sense this and turn up. I have to say you’ve made record time. Not got a lot going on at the moment Lucifer?” Alastor said flippantly while inspecting his claws.

“You lousy egotistical gasbag!” Lucifer raged raising his cane to strike the Radio Demon. Alastor was too swift though, he raised his cane to meet it and they collided with hellish force. The Demon reached his free arm round the clattering weapons and grabbed Lucifer by the back of the neck, dragging him to the nearby desk before slamming him face first into it. Pens and loose paper scattered in all directions at the impact.

“Now now!” Alastor spat leaning his lips down mere millimetres from Lucifer’s ear. “It’s not very becoming of a ruler to get so fired up over something so trivial is it? Your daughter has free will which you gave her and if she wishes to make deals with me she can!” His clawed hands tightened around Lucifer’s neck and he pushed his crotch firmly into his prisoner’s behind.

“I don’t want you messing with Charlie you nefarious cunt!” Lucifer screeched, his claws digging into the wooden desk. Alastor laughed loudly at his little outburst.

“Who’s messing? You know I care for Charlie like my own flesh and blood. I mean someone has to look out for her, what with her having such an absentee father!” Lucifer growled furiously at the Demon’s mockery.

“You know Your Majesty… You can transform into anything within the blink of an eye can’t you? You could easily transform into a snake and wriggle out of my grasp, or into a bucking bronco to kick me away. But I’ve been disrespectfully whittling away in your ear and you’ve done nothing but lay there and take it! You can give up your little facade, you desire this don’t you? To be pinned down and rendered helpless like one of Niffty’s little roaches?! Haven’t been treated rough in a while eh Luci? Hmm?” The Demon scoffed. Lucifers eyes widened and his breath quickened.

“Alastor…” Lucifer panted breathlessly under the Demon’s forceful hand.

“Let’s make a deal shall we?” Alastor chimed.

“Fuck your deals!” Lucifer spat against the desk.

“A deal like I just made with your daughter - harmless. No souls involved.” The Demon’s tone shifted to sound more persuasive.

“What do you want?” Lucifer murmured in defeat.

“I won’t tell anyone about this if you won’t.”Alastor cooed coaxing the King’s legs apart slightly.

Lucifer let out an involuntary groan of pleasure at the movement. “Ok…” He whispered longingly.

“Then it’s a deal Your Majesty!” Alastor confirmed as he slowly began to undo his belt buckle…

[quasarwake]

Hello and Welcome!

Terfs/Radfems and Minors will be blocked.

Hey there hello I'm Jay/Fox, he/it (interchangeable), I'm a millennial of the wires, an ageless adult of unknowable light, and just a guy that really digs giant robots. This blog is mostly for Transformers, but don't be surprised to see love for other giant robots! My discord is Jason.Myers

Things to know:

If you can't tell by my writing or my being on tumblr, I am Very Fucking Queer, and that will be evident in pretty much everything I write. I do adore hetero lifemate vibes though (Jay and Silent Bob my beloveds)

All of my writings and poetry will be in the tag #black pad. Currently the main focus of my writing is Transformers and Starscream in particular- My Starscream x Human story can be read on Ao3 in this collection, 'Challenging Wings and Things', and anything I write for @radioactiverats's Cadet AU will be included both on their blog's tag for it, and my own blog's tag for their au. Anything involving my original Seeker Character Echo will also be put in this tag.

Eventually, there will be many more Seekers and fliers that I will be able to share with y'all. I'm very connected to the narrative ideas I have about Vos. I regularly write about themes involving abuse, involuntary AND voluntary human experimentation, and romantic and sexual situations that SOME people may consider quite dubious in the consent zone- the start of most of my stories involve some level of kidnapping and unfair power dynamics and often shows of force for sexual purposes, so keep that in mind. Gender exploration and homo-eroticism is my main goal for any body of work, as well as things that lean towards the transhumanism experience (in regards to the advancement of technologies allowing us to be more than our bodies). I find cishet stuff very boring and limiting, so I don't write it. Sorry~

I don't care for "anti-shippers" or whatever you guys think yourselves as. Tbh I think you guys spend more time caring what strangers are doing than actually spreading joy and creation with the world. GoT got away with WAY worse than what I'll ever write, and why does some popular cishet white guy get to write this shit but not me, ya dig?

I'm a grown man with grown man needs, dreams, and fantasies- and a history that begs of me to write about dark subject matter. I mind my own corner of the internet, tag as best as possible (though definitely hit me up if I miss a tag), and I love it when people talk to me about the stuff we're both into! I block things and people I don't like, but hey if my stories grab your attention and your heart, give them a comment or a reblog! I love feedback and I love talking to people about big robots 💙

May your spark be one that ignites others.

[twinbuns-expose]

Things Twinbuns think are illegal/legal but the opposite is true

Most of these are common sense I fear, for the record Sammie lives in Arizona, USA and those are the laws that will be referenced here

"Doxxing" Doxxing is illegal but sharing somebody's legal name or address is not doxxing unless obtained through illegal means, meaning if someone find your name or address through publicly avaliable records, something you posted, or from personal knowledge of you - it is not illegal to share said information publicly, although may be subject to privacy policies on some social media apps

Per Section 1466A of Title 18, it is illegal for any person to knowingly produce, distribute, receive, or possess with intent to transfer or distribute visual representations, such as drawings, cartoons, or paintings that appear to depict minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and are deemed obscene - drawings can be legally CSAM and is punishable by 5-20 years in prison

Written works involving characters under the age of 18 are subject to persecution under Section 1466A of Title 18 as well with more leniency through the 'Miller Test' - it is up to a judge to decide if a written work is classified as CSAM

It is not illegal to share screenshots or videos of something a person said or to say that a person said something - it is not defamation of character, slander, or liable

It is not illegal for any person to message, comment, or interact with things you post online unless they are subject to a retraining order that specifically includes internet interaction

It is not illegal for people to call you names, comment on physical appearance, or to use your content for transformative purposes, such as archiving or to prove things you have said or done

It is not illegal for people to state a public opinion on you, positive or negative, it is protected under the First Amendment of the United States

Telling someone to harm/kill themselves ,including vague gestures such as "are there any bridges near you?", are illegal if a targeted person follows through, this is prosecuted as involuntary manslaughter

[biiedwin8]

How to Overcome Maladaptive Daydreaming

Let’s first understand that maladaptive daydreaming is an instance where you find yourself constantly daydreaming for an extended period of time, to the point that it distracts you from your day-to-day activities. You may do this for hours consecutively or have moments where you escape into this imaginary world.

Stopping MDD (Maladaptive Daydreaming Disorder) is a complex process that requires a nuanced understanding of its underlying mechanisms. Unlike some conscious behaviors or habits that you can simply decide to quit, MDD operates differently. It's crucial to recognize that MDD is not the root cause itself but rather a symptom of underlying psychological and emotional processes.

Initially, MDD often begins innocently with what can be termed 'normal daydreaming.' Daydreaming, in moderation, is a natural and even healthy human activity. It allows the mind to wander, explore creative ideas, and occasionally escape from the demands of everyday life. During this phase, daydreaming remains a controllable and manageable activity for most individuals.

However, for some, especially when confronted with stress, anxiety, or other emotional triggers, daydreaming can evolve into a means of coping. This shift occurs gradually, often unnoticed, as daydreams start to offer a refuge from reality. The daydreams may be populated with pleasant or idealized scenarios, which serve as an enticing escape from the challenges and stresses of daily life.

As this pattern persists and deepens, it can transform into what we now term as 'maladaptive daydreaming.' At this stage, daydreaming becomes increasingly uncontrollable. It's as if there's an involuntary, subconscious pull toward these immersive fantasies that can overpower your conscious efforts to resist them. This involuntary pull happens beyond your immediate awareness, making it challenging to simply 'snap out of it.'

Imagine it as a powerful current in a river. Initially, you could swim against it, but as it grows stronger, it becomes nearly impossible to fight. You may still recognize that it's happening, but the ability to consciously stop or control it diminishes. The daydreams become a compelling force that pulls you in, often without your conscious consent or awareness.

Dealing with the Root Cause

One of the primary factors that propel maladaptive daydreaming is emotional triggers in one's real life. These triggers often include stress, anxiety, and boredom. When individuals are confronted with these emotional states, they may turn to daydreaming as a coping mechanism. It provides an escape from the overwhelming emotions or a way to fill a void left by boredom.

Crucially, it's essential to understand that these triggers are not the root causes of maladaptive daydreaming but rather catalysts. They set the stage for excessive daydreaming to become a problem. Therefore, merely attempting to suppress daydreaming without addressing these emotional triggers is unlikely to yield long-term success.

Each individual has unique coping mechanisms for dealing with stress, trauma, or emotional struggles. For some, it manifests as maladaptive daydreaming, while others might resort to toxic relationships or even substance addiction. The choice of coping mechanism can vary widely from person to person, depending on their life experiences and psychological makeup.

In summary, the path to stopping maladaptive daydreaming is not a simple one. It involves recognizing that daydreaming is often a symptom of deeper emotional struggles and triggers. To break free from this behavior, it's essential to address these root causes, seek professional guidance, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. This process needs conscious effort and dedication but it offers a more sustainable and lasting solution to overcome maladaptive daydreaming and regain control of one's life.

Note from the Author

If you’re ready and you’d like my help with overcoming and managing maladaptive daydreaming without spending years in therapy, then you can book a FREE BREAKTHROUGH CALL with me HERE. Happy healing 💙💙. Feel free to share and comment! Use this information with caution, it comes from my own thoughts & bias, experiences and research😊.

[antonymphdraws]

Minus Senpai my beloved. Major shame that the official Minus Mod was discontinued before they finished Week 6...Oh well, there's no void that fanon won't fill. 

Whereas OG Kenji is from a dating sim, Minus Kenji is from an old-school RPG. Based on the fact that Week 6 was originally going to take place in a Dragon Quest-styled RPG. Kenji is the protagonist of a game called "Secret of Sakura" (title based on Secret of Mana) that is a mix between Dragon Quest and SNES Fire Emblem games in terms of mechanics and style.

Week 6 basically plays out the same as it does in the base game. However, instead of bursting out of Kenji. Spirit (who takes on a more draconic appearance in this mod) swoops in and just straight up kills Kenji by impaling him with his tail, Ridley style. Thorns happens in the same way as it does in the base game, with Spirit trying to defeat the Boyfriends (Blue, Beta, and Mean. Or as I call them; Jacob, Keith, and Devin respectfully) to take over their bodies and thus escape the game. Fortunately for the Boyfriends, he loses. 

After Week 6, the game files were rebooted and Kenji was able to respawn and seal away Spirit in the gem on his shirt collar (*insert Inception joke here*) to prevent further damage to him (i.e killing him again) or the game. Spirit's influence on him and the game world made Kenji self-aware and thus became both curious of the outside world, and jaded of his own. 

In regards to how he got out, same as the vanilla/base universe. Couple gives girl the game, girl meets self-aware boy in game, girl uses demon powers to free boy, boy and girl become a couple.  

Design wise, for the left, I know Minus Senpai has a canon design (since it was thankfully released even after the mod was cancelled) but I still wanted to put my own personal touches to it, taking inspirations from Revolutionary Girl Utena and Sakura Kinomoto's prince outfit. His outfit on the right was mainly based on Chiaki Nanami's outfit, as well as referencing/being based on the commonly used sweater-wearing interpretation of Minus Senpai. 

Headcanons/Notes:

As mentioned, the gem on his collar contains Spirit. While Kenji does do a pretty good job keeping Spirit at bay, there are times where Spirit tries to break free, which usually involves involuntary transformations (or half transformations, depending on how much Kenji can fight it) into a draconic beast. Spirit can also telepathically speak to Kenji. 

His pupils glow red when angered.

Being an RPG protagonist, he has great swordsmanship. In fact he brought his sword out of the game with him. It even has a name; Briar Rose.

[cyarsk5230]

OPINION

By Emily Baker

TV Editor

I thought The Idol couldn’t sink any lower – then I saw the ending

A gross twist and a false rape accusation sees The Weeknd and Sam Levinson’s empty psychodrama plumb new depths

July 3, 2023 1:45 pm(Updated 6:44 pm)

After clashing with her team over her album's first single, Jocelyn pushes herself to the limit on the set of her new music video, while Nikki sees potential in backup dancer Dyanne; Tedros introduces Jocelyn and Leia to Izaak and Chloe.

Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn (Photo: HBO)

You don’t have to have seen a second of The Idol to understand its vibe. Grainy images from the drama – created by the man behind Euphoria, Sam Levinson, and Abel Tesfaye, better known as popstar The Weeknd – show Lily-Rose Depp as singer Jocelyn, always scantily clad, either hanging off the arm of her Svengali, Tedros (Tesfaye, whose performance is legions below sub-par) or looking longingly, despondently, dead-eyed into the middle distance. LA sunshine, sprawling mansions, sex, grit, bodies (but only women’s bodies). You get the gist.

After five episodes, The Idol has proved itself to have little substance beyond those murky aesthetics. Between horrendously cringe sex scenes, endless dance numbers designed to show off Jocelyn’s writhing limbs and bickering between her management and record label execs (the drama’s saving grace, if it has one, along with Depp’s brilliant performance), we’ve watched Tedros manipulate Jocelyn and his troupe of wannabes for power and sex. He is the show’s villain with not one redeeming quality.

But the last in the series is, shockingly, asking us to feel sorry for Tedros. The man who beat Jocelyn with the hairbrush – her mum used to hit her with – during a bondage session, the man who was revealed to have multiple domestic violence charges against him, the man who tortured Jocelyn’s creative director with an electric dog collar. How do the “sick and twisted minds” (as advertised by the drama’s promo material) of Sam Levinson and Abel Tesfaye turn Tedros into – in Levinson’s own words – “the victim”? By making Jocelyn the bad guy, of course.

While fighting for the upper hand in her relationship with Tedros, Jocelyn becomes determined to introduce her new persona to the world; Jocelyn's team discusses her increasing involvement with Tedros and his inner circle.

Abel Tesfaye as Tedros and Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn (Photo: HBO)

A twist reveals (or rather, suggests – telling a succinct story isn’t one of The Idol’s strong points) that Jocelyn has been aware of Tedros’s machinations this whole time, using him to further her career. Pissed off after finding out that their entire relationship was engineered with the help of her backup dancer Dyanne (Blackpink’s Jennie Kim) and now that she’s got what she wants from him – a new sound, new supporting acts, her tour secured – she can discard him: “You’ve served your purpose,” she cuts. “I’m done with you.”

Jocelyn’s transformation from a sympathetic, preyed upon young woman to a scheming, calculating bitch is misogyny 101. Rejection, or even mere disinterest, is kryptonite to sexist men who, like Tedros, believe their power over women is both a God-given right and beyond reproach. It’s the main thread of thinking behind the incel subculture, a group of men who are “involuntary celibate” and blame women for their lack of intimate relationships. The mass murders carried out by some incels – including Elliot Rodger, who killed six people and injured 14 others in California in 2014 – have been incited, the killers said, by being rejected by women. It’s a dangerous, harmful ideology to use as a plot point in a TV show driven by chauvinistic values.

As is the inclusion of a false rape allegation against Jocelyn’s ex-boyfriend, Rob (Karl Glusman), arranged by Tedros to get him out of her life. Fake accusations do of course happen, but they are entirely less common than the media would have us believe: only 3 to 4 per cent of rape allegations in the UK are thought to be entirely fabricated. Add it to the gross list of anti-women, misogynistic sentiment The Idol has pedalled for the past five weeks.

Character Image

Jennie Kim as Dyanne and Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn (Photo: HBO)

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While Tedros was banished from Jocelyn’s life, Vanity Fair journalist Talia (Hari Nef) published an article about him, detailing his sordid past and creepy cult leading him to lose his nightclub. Again, we’re supposed to feel sorry for the bloke, who has been tricked by a woman who played him at his own game, but – like most stories of “cancel culture” – all I can see is a man having to deal with the consequences of his own actions. If you ask me, he’s got off lightly.

Still, Tedros turns up to the stadium where Jocelyn will open her new tour. Midway through the performance (shot at LA’s SoFi stadium, using The Weeknd’s real fans at one of his shows), Jocelyn brings him out on stage, snogging him for all to see before whispering in his ear: “You’re mine forever. Now, go stand over there.” Does it make sense? Not at all! Does it make Jocelyn look just as bad as Tedros and, he, in return, the victim? You bet.

This final episode tells us everything we need to know about how The Idol sees women: manipulative and scheming, but also malleable and objects of desire. It’s a grossly oversimplified version of abuse, a vague plot point and excuse to see Lily-Rose Depp on her knees as opposed to an all-too-familiar feature of fame that deserves a needling.

There’s been no word on whether HBO has decided to renew the series, but this confusing, stupid ending certainly leaves the door open for Jocelyn and Tedros’s messy games to continue. It would be to the benefit of everyone – especially The Weeknd, whose reputation is hanging on by a thread – if this cycle of abuse came to an end.

Topics

HBOTV Opinion

[void-botanist]

"🫁 - would your character cannibalize someone? would it be for survival or because they like it? is it for religious reasons? something else?" And "🐾 - what would your character do if they were turned into a werewolf or some other monster? would they fight it, embrace it? lose themself?"

I've been mulling over this one for the last five days, particularly the cannibalism part. My immediate reaction was that Syndy would, no question, if she could eat. Except if she could eat, she would be mortal and I think that makes her a fundamentally different person even if she is still petulant and angry and grieving. But she probably still would. She would also hypothetically cannibalize someone or something in a mechanical sense as an android - the lines between the two are a little blurry when your world is filled with biotech. Which opens the question of whether taking someone's parts and integrating them into your own system counts as cannibalism. On the less complicated side Avis would also cannibalize someone but only if it was her last practical option. She would also convince other people to do the same ("Sid. It's just meat. Just cook it like meat").

Keeping to the two of them, Syndy would love to be a werewolf. The whole involuntary nature of it would be actually kind of exciting to her because even with my hand wavey "androids have feelings and are not entirely rational just like everyone else" they still have an extremely high level of control over everything about themselves as compared to everyone else. I think the first time she would fight it because the transformation is scary but then she would embrace being able to be feral. It's fun to imagine her killing humans but realistically she would just slaughter wild animals - they're more fun prey but also she won't be visiting the exact same grief on someone else as she's dealt with herself. Avis would also love being a werewolf, especially an in-world shifter, because even if it's still frowned upon for her to go wherever she wants in a park when she's in wolf form, can they A) identify her or B) stop her? She thought not. Wolf-form has better mobility for traversing the woods, too. Which means that AOM would also involve her coming back to Sorian's dirty and gross and possibly waking up naked on his back porch. She would lose herself in wolf form if that meant she could stay in that form forever.