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thedeadhandofseldon · 3 years

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The Anti-Mercer Effect

On the Accessibility of D&D, Why Unprepared Casters is so Fun, and Why Haley Whipjack is possibly the greatest DM of our generation.

(Apologies to my mutuals who aren’t in this fandom for the length of this, but as you all know I have never in my life shut up about anything so… we’ll call it even for the number of posts about Destiel I see every day.

To fellow UC fans - I haven’t listened to arc 4 yet, I started drafting this in early August, and I promise I will write a nice post about how great Gus the Bard is once I get the chance to listen to more of his DMing).

Structure - Or, “This is not the finale, there will be more podding cast”

So, first of all, let’s just talk about how Unprepared Casters works. Because it’s kind of unusual! Most of the other big-name D&D podcasts favor this long, grand arcs; UC has about 10 hours of podcast per each arc. And that’s a major strength in a lot of ways: it makes it really accessible to new listeners, because you can just start with the current arc and understand what’s going on!

And by starting new arcs every six or seven episodes, they can explore lots of ways to play D&D! Classic dungeon delve arc! Heist arc! Epic heroes save the world arc! Sportsball arc! They can touch on all sorts of things!

And while I’m talking about that: Dragons in Dungeons, the first arc, makes it incredibly accessible as a show - because it lets the unfamiliar listener get a sense of what D&D actually is. (It’s about telling stories and making your friends feel heroic and laugh and cry, for the record). If I had to pick a way to introduce someone to the game without actually playing it with them, that arc would definitely be it.

And I’d be remise not to note one very important thing: Haley Whipjack and Gus the Bard are just very funny, very charismatic people. Look. Episode 0s tend to be about 50%(?) those two just talking to each other about their own podcast. It shouldn’t work. And yet it DOES, its one of my favorite parts, because Haley and Gus are just cool.

And a side note that doesn’t fit anywhere else: I throw my soul at him! I throw a scone at him - that’s it, that’s the vibe. The whole podcast alternates between laughing with your friends and brooding alone in a dark tavern corner - but the laughs never forced and the dark corner is never too dark for too long.

Whipjack the Great - Or, the DM is Also a Player!

I think Haley Whipjack is one of the greatest Dungeon Masters alive. The plots and characters! The mechanical shenanigans! The descriptions!

Actually, let’s start there: with the descriptions. (Both Haley and Gus do this really fucking well). As we know, Episode 0 of each arc sees the DM reading a description - of a small town, or the Up North, or the recent history of a great party. And Haley always strikes this tricky balance - one I think a lot of us who DM struggle with - between giving too much description and worldbuilding, and not telling us anything at all. She describes people and events in just enough detail to imagine them, but never so much they seem static and unreal - just clear enough to envision, but with enough vagueness left to let your imagination begin to run wild.

While I’m thinking about arc 3’s party, let’s talk about a really bold move she made in that arc: letting the players have ongoing control of their history. Loser Lars! She didn’t try to spell out every detail of this high-level party’s history, or restrict their past to only what she decided to allow - she gave them the broad outlines, and let them embellish it. And that made for a much more alive story than any attempt to create it by herself would have - but I think it takes a lot of courage to let your players have that agency. Most Dungeon Masters (myself included) tend to struggle with being control freaks.

And the plots! Yeah, arc one is built of classic tropes - but she actually uses them, she doesn’t get caught up in subverting everything or laughing at the cliches. And it’s fun! In arc 3, there really isn’t a straight line for the players to follow, either - which makes the game much more interesting and much trickier to run. And her NPCs are fantastic and I will talk about them in the next section.

Above all, though, I think what is really impressive is how Haley balances mechanics, and rules as written, with the narrative and rule of cool - and puts both rules and story in the service of playing a fun game. And the secret to that? She’s the DM, but the DM is a player, and the DM is clearly having fun. Hope Lovejoy mechanically shouldn’t get that spellslot back, but she does, and it’s fun. The changeling merchant in Thymore doesn’t really make some Grand Artistic Narrative better, but wow is it fun. And she never tries to force it one way or the other - the story might be more dramatic if Annie didn’t manage to banish the demon from the vault, but it’s a lot cooler and a lot more fun for the players if Annie gets to be a badass instead - and the rules and the dice say that Annie managed it.

Settings feel like places, NPCs feel like people, and the narrative plot feels like a real villainous plot.

Anyway. I could go on about the various ways in which Whipjack is awesome for quite a while - she’s right, first place in D&D is when your friends laugh and super first place is when they cry - but I’m going to stop here and just. Make another post about it some other time. For now, for the record I hold her opinions about the game in higher esteem than I do several official sourcebooks; that is all.

Characters - Or, Bombyx Mori Is Not an Asshole, And That Matters

Okay, I said I would talk about characters! And I will!

Just a general place to start: the party! All of the first three parties are interesting to me, because they all care about each other. Not even necessarily in a Found Family Trope sort of way, though often that too. But they generally aren’t assholes to each other. The players create characters that actually work together, that are interesting; even when there’s internal divisions like SK-73 v. Sir Mr. Person, they aren’t just unpleasant and antagonistic all the time. Listening to the podcast, we’re “with” these people for a couple hours - and it isn’t unpleasant. That matters a lot. (To take a counter-example: I love Critical Role, but the episode when Vox Machina pranked Scanlan after he died and was resurrected wasn’t fun to listen to, it was just uncomfortable and angering and vaguely cruel).

All of the PCs are amazing, and the players in each arc did a great job. If you disagree with me about that, well, you have the right to be incorrect and I am sorry for your loss. Annie Wintersummer, for one example: tragic and sad and I want to give her a hug, but also Fuck Yeah Wintersummer, and also her familiar Charles the Owl is the cutest and funniest and I love him. And we understand what’s going on with Annie, she isn’t some infinite pool of hidden depths because this arc is 7 episodes and we don’t have time for that, but she also has enough complexity to be interesting. Same with Fey Moss: yeah, a lot of her is a silly pun about fame that carries into how she behaves, but a lot of how she behaves is also down to some good classic half-elven angst about parenthood and wanting to be known and seen and important. (Side note: if your half-elf character doesn’t have angst, well, that’s impressive and also I don’t think I believe you).

There are multiple lesbian cat-people in a 4-person party and they both have requited romantic interests who aren’t each other. This is the future liberals want and I am glad for it.

Sir Mister Person, the human fighter! Thavius, the edge lord! Even when a character is “simple,” they’re interesting, because of how they’re played as people and not action-figures. And that matters a lot.

In the same way: the NPCs. There really aren’t a lot of them! And some of them come from Patreon submissions, so uh good work gang, you’re part of the awesomeness and I’m proud of you! The point being, the NPCs work because enough of them are interesting to matter. It’s not just a servant who opens Count Michael’s door, it’s a character with a name (Oleandra!) and a personality and history. They’re interesting. Penny Lovejoy didn’t need to be interesting, the merchant outside the Laughing Mausoleum didn’t need to be interesting, but they ARE! And Haley and Gus EXCEL at making the NPCs matter, not just to the story but to us as viewers. I agree with Sir Mister Person, actually, I would die for the princesses of the kingdom. I actually care about Gem Lovejoy of all people - that wouldn’t happen in an ordinary campaign! That’s the thing that makes Unprepared Casters spectacular - and, frankly, it’s especially impressive because D&D does not tend to be good at making a lot of interesting compared to a lot of other sorts of stories.

And, just as an exemplar of all this: Bombyx Mori. Immortal, reincarnating(?), and described as the incarnation of the player’s ADHD. I expected to hate Bombyx, because as the mom friend both in and out of my friend-group’s campaigns, the chaos-causer is always exhausting to me. And yeah, Bombyx causes problems on purpose! But! She is not an asshole.

And that’s important. Bombyx goes and sits with the queen and comforts her. Bombyx gives Annie emotional support. Bombyx isn’t just a vehicle to jerk around the DM and other players; Bombyx really is a character we can care about. To compare with another case - in the first couple episodes of The Adventure Zone, the PCs are just dicks. Funny, but dicks. Bombyx holds out an arm “covered in larva” to shake with a count, and robs him of magical items, but she also cares about her friends and other people! She uses a powerful magical gem to save her fertilizer guy from death! Yeah, Bombyx is ridiculous, but she’s not just an asshole the party has to keep around for plot reasons; you can see why her party would keep her around. And one layer of meta up, she’s the perfect example of how to make a chaotic character like that while still being fun for everyone you’re playing with, which is often not the case. And I love her.

The Anti-Mercer Effect - Or, “I think we proved it can be fun, you can have a good time with your friends. And it doesn’t have to be scary, you can just work with what you know”

The Mercer Effect basically constitutes this: Matthew Mercer, Dungeon Master of Critical Role, is incredible (as are all of his players). They’re all professional story-tellers in a way, remember, and so Critical Role treats D&D like a narrative art-form, and it’s inspiring. Seeing that on Critical Role sets impossible standards - and people go into their own home games imagining that their campaigns will be like Critical Role, and the burden of that expectation tends to fall disproportionately on the DM. And the end result, I think, of the Mercer Effect is that we get discouraged or intimidated, because our game isn’t “as good as” theirs. (And I should note - Matt certainly doesn’t want that to be our reaction).

So the Anti-Mercer Effect is two things: it’s D&D treated like a game, and it’s inspiring but not intimidating. And Unprepared Casters manages both of those really freaking well. Because they play it like a game! A UC arc looks just like a good campaign in anyone’s home game. They have the vibes of 20-somethings and college students playing D&D for fun because that’s who they are (as a 20-something college student who plays a lot of D&D, watching it felt like watching my friends play an especially good campaign). They’re trying to tell a good story, sure, and they always do. But first and foremost, they’re trying to have fun, and it shows, and I love the UC cast for it.

And that’s the other half of it: it’s inspiring! It’s approachable; you can see that Haley and Gus put plenty of work into preparing the game but it also doesn’t make you feel like you need hundreds of pages of worldbuilding to run a game. Sometimes a cleric makes Haley cry and she gives them back a spell-slot from their deity! That’s fantastic! It’s just inspiring - listening to this over the summer, when my last campaign had fallen apart under the strain of graduation, is why I decided to plan and run my new one!

That quote from Haley Whipjack that I used as the title for this section? That’s the whole core of this idea, and really, I think, the core of the podcast.

The Mercer Effect is when you go “that’s really cool, I could never do that.” But Unprepared Casters makes you look at D&D and go “wow, that looks really fun. I bet I can do that!” And I love the show for it.

And I bet a lot of you do too.

#unprepared casters #bombyx mori #haley whipjack #long post #this is really rough but I don't have time to keep working on it and it's already a month later than intended

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chickenandchili420 · 4 years

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The Proposal- an adaptation of The English Game, a 1D fanfic

The thrill of a football game is truly something to remember.

On a hot Saturday, in the summer of ’47- 1847 - the bleachers were packed. The wives and significant others of the players came with their wealthy-looking selves, dragging their children along with them. Even from afar, you could see the vibrant colours of the oversized skirts and gowns; a tell-tale sign of showing off. Like they were saying that their husbands would carry the team and the number of ruffles they had was how sure they were. If that were factual, then a certain Niall Horan had high hopes ahead of him.

There were seemingly two types of people at the moment: those who came just to support and those who came because their life depended on it. If that were factual, a certain Louis Tomlinson was there for the fear of losing his life.

As the two teams came out into the field, the crowd went almost silent. Minus the constant wailing of a 16-month-old child, no one made a noise. Almost like saying something was a sign of disrespect for the game.

The two captains stepped forward. Deep blue eyes made an intense stare with light ones littered with gold. Their stories were different, but their intentions were the same. Win the cup. Go back home. Drink some beer. The task sounding so simple but the process being so arduous. It took quite some time to be able to play like this, the working class and the first class. But here we were.

”You’re going down, Horan, ” the shortest captain says with pure determination in his irises. The other laughs pompously as if Louis had told a joke to his face.

”Are ya serious? You’re all wrong. You and your cheap team are the ones who’re going down so you can go back to working in the factories like you were born to do. Now lemme have the ball so we can win this cup.”

Louis swears that if he wasn't raised to be so nice, he would’ve thrown the 2-pound leather ball in the rich man's clean fresh shaven face. Louis hates the first class with a passion. Always has, always will.

The screech of the wooden whistle was heard from the sidelines. The game had begun.

Niall started with the ball. He was playing hard to get with an adversary, passing the ball in between his feet and going the opposite way the other man was going as a juke. It would’ve been a perfect breakaway if Louis wasn't in the way. He successfully stole the ball by sliding his foot in between Niall’s legs and kicking it behind him. You could hear a curse erupt from the younger man and then an order to ”Go after that Tomlinson lad!”.

Louis noticed someone from the other team running up to challenge. He was smarter than that though. The football player stopped just in time as the other man went tumbling from trying to stop at the same time. Louis couldn’t resist the slight curve of his lips as he glanced at the outcome.

”Too easy, ” he thought as he went in for a shot at the net. To Niall’s surprise, Louis made the goal. A few men and women cheered from the bleachers. Unlike the rich, they were here for Louis. Dressed in their best, which was attire that appeared to be what the wealthy would call ”servants clothes”. But that was all they had.

The other teammates raved and praised but Louis knew this was only the beginning. He pushed the fringe out of his eyes as he jogged over to forward position. As always, Niall started with the ball. He made a decent pass to one of his teammates and ran ahead to receive a pass back. This is what Louis already predicted. He ordered another forward man, someone we come to know as Charles, to intercept the other team’s pass. It works and Louis calls for the ball.

”Oi, pass it over!” he yells. Charles successfully kicks it and Louis makes his breakaway. An adversary, someone who we come to know as Arthur thinks ahead and sprints over to shove the shorter man aside, resulting in him making out with the dirt. Now it's Louis’ turn to curse.

Arthur made a wide shot and the goalkeeper failed to keep the leather ball away from the back of the net.

An eruption of praise and cheers arose from a majority of the crowd. Arthur and Niall took it all in, like the rich bastards they were. At least, that's what was going in Louis' head. But he had to keep his mind on the game.

After missed goals and ear-popping cheers, the game ended 2-2. Louis scowled as he was approached by Niall’s right-hand man at the end of the game.

”The captain says there should be another game on Saturday to even the score out. Y’know, as a tie-breaker. You okay with that?” Arthur inquired. Louis didn’t have to be told twice. He reluctantly had to look up at this man as he nodded.

”Fine then. See you Saturday.” Louis replied coldly. Arthur jogged off as he announced to news to his captain, Niall. Louis caught his eye and mouthed ”screw you” before sauntering to his teammates. Charles was the first to acknowledge him.

”That was so intense. Did to see the look on the blond bastard's face when you scored? Holy, I’ll never see anything funnier in my life!” he raved as he wiped the sweat dripping down his forehead. Louis couldn't help but chuckle.

”Yeah, I guess so. But we need to work harder this week. For next Saturday.”

”Why?”

”Niall’s calling a rematch. I accepted. We need to win this cup and if going against those idiots again is what we have to do, we’ll do it. Go tell the others.” Louis ordered his friend. He complied and in a few moments, you could hear grunts and groans coming from each one of the players.

”Lou, seriously? We can’t just wait until we get paired up with another team?” one of them asked, clearly fed up. Louis shook his head.

”Sorry, lads, but that's the way it is. We already know this team's weaknesses so we’ll have no trouble next week. All we have to do is train harder. We can do it, boys. C’mon, who’s with me?”

“I am,” Charles said, motioning for the others to join him. Eventually, they all agreed with him. The rematch was officially on Saturday.

***

Back home in a small city in West England, Louis’ other friends and the rest of the town were waiting for him to return and declare the winner. As the blue-eyed man stepped off the train, he was swallowed into a crowd of fans.

”Did you win the match?”

”Did anyone get hurt?”

”How was that Horan kid?”

”Have you made any goals?”

Louis was overwhelmed. And when he got overwhelmed, he shouted.

”SHUT UP EVERYONE! Okay, here’s the deal: supposedly Blackford thought they could play better than us so the game was a draw.”

The crowd groaned.

”But, fortunately, we’ll be playing another match on Saturday and we’ll prove them wrong. We’ll win this! For the working men?”

”FOR THE WORKING MEN!” the crowd shouted back in agreement. Charles spoke up.

”For now, let’s just celebrate the fact that we didn’t lose. To the tavern!” he exclaimed, suddenly leading the way to the bar. The others followed eagerly.

***

11:11 was the time and it was safe to say that nearly everyone in the dimly lit tavern was pissed. Drunk, I mean. The fiddlers were playing tunes that made everyone want to live footloose and fancy-free. The ladies were jovially dancing with their improv partners, following the beat and chanting along. It was obvious that at least one or two of these pairs would be waking up in the other’s bed the next morning.

Louis, being the only sober one, was singing along softly and tapping his foot to the beat. If he had to be honest, he was fearing the following week. There would definitely be rumours and threats coming from the surrounding cities and teams. He had to remember that he was always a working man. And that was the problem. The lower class couldn’t even play football for competition because it was a ”rich man’s sport”. Now that the rules were changed, The Knightsmen could join the list of teams. That didn’t stop the constant berating from the elevated class. Saying that he wasn't good enough and actually banning his team from entering the cup for some time was the worst of it. So when Louis declared at 12 a.m. on a lazy Tuesday evening in his shared rented house that he detested the wealthy and privileged, he wasn't kidding. It would take a whole village to convince him that the rich were somewhat pleasant. A whole village.

”...and then she said she’d see me tomorrow. Isn't that great, Loulou? I’m gettin’ me a lady.” Charles slurred against his friend's shoulder. They were walking home from the bar at around 1:00 in the morning and Charles was slumped against Louis, his lanky body looking like a ragdoll’s. The shorter one had to endure listening to his comrade’s drunk thoughts the whole way home.

”Really, now?”

”Yep. She’s a jam.” Charles sighed, his somehow wet blond hair flopping in the slight breeze. Louis rolled his eyes.

”Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it. You’re in love. Now focus on the game. You need to get to sleep as soon as we get home. We’re training today.”

”Today?”

”Yeah. It's about 1 a.m.”

As the two reached the house, Charles made a show of stumbling inside and shouting, “MAEVE, WE’RE HOME!” Louis slapped him upside the head. Maeve was the woman they were renting their house from.

”You 𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙤𝙩. You’ll wake her. Let's get to bed, you need to sleep.” he pushed him all the way up the stairs and into their bedroom.

”To bed.” Louis said before settling in his twin bed. Charles mirrored the action and made another show of getting his shoes off and getting under his own sheets. Then, the lights went off.

”Hey, Louis?” he heard his friend call from the other side of the room.

”What do you want, Char?” he called back.

”Some men were talking at the bar.”

”All men were talking, Charles.”

”No, I mean, some blokes were saying that all working men couldn't play anymore.”

”Really?” Louis was getting madder with every word.

”Yeah. Except us though. Apparently, we’re just that good.” Charles was sounding less intoxicated and more serious. Louis’ blood was boiling. He refused to believe this but Charles made it sound convincing.

”Who said this?”

”I don't know. I’ve never seen them before. They looked almost... 𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙝.” Charles mumbled before falling asleep, his face facing the wall. Louis followed in the identical bed after an hour of deep thoughts. He didn’t want to believe it. He didn’t. Niall Horan was such a crook.

***

”So you’re serious about this? You can’t cancel the matches. They’ve gone too deep into the tournament.”

”Have you seen the statistics? We can’t let the working men play anymore. They’re simply taking the game away from us. We started the game, we can’t let others take it away. Especially the working class.” Arthur stated at the dining table.

It was dinner at the Horan’s estate, and it was announced that the lower class wouldn't be playing in the Cup anymore. Arthur’s spouse, as well as Niall’s, didn’t exactly agree.

”Niall, you agreed to this?” Jennie inquired. Her husband nodded.

”Seriously? You talked this through and everything?”

Niall repeated the action. ”We have to keep the game clean. If the poor are sweeping the game away how will that playback on us? The ones who can actually afford a ball?”

”It doesn't matter. They worked hard to be where they are and now you’re taking it from them. How will 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 playback on you?” Jennie argued before pushing away from the table and storming off. Arthur’s wife, Adelaide followed.

”Women.” Arthur chuckled. Niall did the same.

”Why do they always think that acting out and arguing with men will solve their problems?” Niall said, ”it’s childish.”

”Childish indeed.” Arthur agreed. They ate the rest of their dinner while joking about the less fortunate.

***

It was a mundane Wednesday afternoon. The birds were chirping, the streets were busy and Louis was arguing with his manager about a classist rich man who shouldn't get his way.

”James, I’m telling you, this is mad! That Horan shouldn't have to tell us what to do anymore! Just because he’s in the Football Association Board doesn't mean he should have the right to kick us off!” he rambled, pacing in front of the wood desk that separated him from his authority. Mr. Corden shook his head.

”I’m sorry, but there is literally nothing I can do. Once the Board makes a decision, it can be very difficult to get them to change their minds.” James said as slow as can be. Louis wasn't giving up though. He easily found a loophole.

”You said ’it can’.”

”What?”

”You said ’it can be’, ” Louis started, ”which means you can, it’s just difficult.”

”What are you going on about?” James raised an eyebrow.

Louis had a sly smile on his face. ”How long does it take to get to London?”

***

”He WHAT?!” Niall boomed from his office. Arthur took a step back.

”It’s true, Ni. He’s here and he wants to talk to you. He says a game of pool would be nice to settle things. To be honest, he looks like he has quite the proposal.”

Niall rubbed his temples and huffed. ”Fine. Send him here.”

Next thing he knew, he was face to face with the one person he despised the most at that moment: Louis Tomlinson. He was dressed in a grey suit that brought out his eyes with a top hat of the same colour. His hair was gelled and combed back into a quiff and he even had a cane to top it off. If Niall had just met this man now he would've believed he had over three mansions in Cheshire. Louis certainly dressed for the occasion.

”M’name’s Louis, but you already know that. Nice to meet you this fine Friday,” Louis stretched his small hand out towards the man behind the desk. Niall took it into his own hesitantly. He made a mental note to wash it after the unexpected visit.

”Enchanted. I’m going to take a wild guess and say that this is about the decision to eliminate the lower class. If this is the case you can most certainly take your high horse and le-”

”But Mr. Horan, wouldn’t that just be plain rude? I came to justify my reasonings not argue. Can’t you allow that?” Louis reasoned, cocking his head to the side. Niall swore if he wasn’t raised to be so nice he’d throw his shoes at this bloke’s unblemished face.

”Fine. You said pool, didn’t you?”

Louis nodded.

”Follow me then.”

***

Louis was winning the game of pool and it was only making Niall angrier with every flick of his wrist.

”So you see, I think it would be better if you shared the game, ” Louis stated as he watched Niall knock a striped ball into a hole. Niall was solids.

”I don’t get why you came all the way here just to talk me out of this. It’s not going to happen. I don’t even know why you’re so cross with me. Your team is still in the Cup.”

”That’s only because we have a game tomorrow and kicking us off will make you look like a fool.” Louis countered. He knocked a striped ball into a hole. Niall scowled behind him.

”Fine. What if a modified your ’proposal’. If Blackford wins the game, you and the lower class will be withdrawn from the Cup for this and all future games.” Niall negotiated. Louis trained his eyes on the younger man.

”And what happens if the Knightsmen win?” he inquired. Niall only snickered.

”Let’s say you do win. I’ll finally have you shut up by letting the working men back onto the Board. Whaddya say?” Niall added to his deal, now him being the one to stretch his hand out to shake. Louis slapped it on his own.

”Fine. But if you go around this like the rich bastard you are-”

”Oh, you know I won't. Trust me.” Niall was smirking evilly now.

”Just you wait, Horan, ” he warned before knocking another striped ball into a hole and taking his leave.

***

Just like the week before, it was a tense Saturday afternoon. The rich, the poor and the in-between were anticipating this game. Even the girl from the bar was there, which Charles was thankful for. The news had spread like wildfire and in just under 12 hours every football fan had heard about the agreement. Louis teammates including Charles were talking him out of it, saying that they were no match when it came to something like this. But Louis had high hopes. He held his head up high and refused to think anything other than the fact that the Knightsmen were going to win the match. It was inevitable at this point. Louis had been working his team like a madman, making sure they understood that the game was a serious one. And now that this deal had been initiated, it was even more serious. More intense.

Blackford came out in their striped shirts and shined boots. A majority of the bleachers were up and chanting their motto: ”Raise the standard so others can’t reach!”

”Haughty. Just haughty. I can’t think of another word.” Charles muttered under his breath. Louis heard and if he didn’t feel like screaming he would’ve agreed.

It was his team’s turn to get out onto the field now. Just like last week, a handful of spectators got up cheered, mostly for Louis.

The two captains stepped up to the middle.

”Well, Horan, we meet again. Good luck.”

Niall chortled, ”Luck? I don't need luck.”

”Getting a little cocky now, aren't we?” Louis taunted.

”No, I'm just that good.” Niall winked before the whistle made its telltale noise.

The game was tied like last time except this time it was 1-1. Niall kept barking orders at his teammates to try and get them to work harder at the tiebreaking goal. On the other hand, Louis was using encouraging comments to get his team going. Right now Charles was controlling the ball. Dribbling forward and towards the goal. Unfortunately, someone from the other team caught up and trampled him over. Louis went after the caper to challenge him.

”You’re that Tomlinson kid aren't you?” the adversary asked while playing keep-away with the latter.

”Yeah, what about me?”

”You better start remembering how good it sounds before the whole team ruins it for you, ” he snickered. By then, Louis was seeing red. He ran ahead and shoved the other man out of the way and silently prayed that God would forgive him for that minor sin. He made a breakaway with the heavy leather ball, running like no one had ever seen him before. Cheers and praises could be heard from the crowd now getting bigger and louder. Even Arthur was quietly hoping Louis wouldn’t disgrace himself in front of everyone.

”C’mon, Lou! Shoot it!” James hollered from the sidelines.

Louis could feel the blood pumping in his veins. It was an electrifying feeling, like he was untouchable. As he came closer to the net, he could only hear the chants of his name. He shot the ball. It went soaring and for those few seconds of silence, Louis swore he felt like he saw his life flash before his eyes. This goal could possibly change how everyone viewed the working class. How pressuring.

The ball flew so quickly that Louis didn’t understand all the yelling and cheering. Then Charles slapped his back, it all made sense. He made the shot. It was a goal.

”LOUIS, YOU DID IT!” Charles cried out for the third time. Almost everyone was yelling ”All hail King Louis!”. He just stood there, revelling in it. The whistle rang through everyone’s ears. The game was over. The Knightsmen won. The working class won. Louis won. Niall approached him soon after.

”I think we had a deal, ” he mumbled. Louis nodded.

”Yeah, yeah we did. Now, I think it’s time you got off your high horse and started sharing the game. C’mon, Horan, like men.”

”Like men.” Niall repeated. He turned and walked away. Most likely in despair. Louis couldn’t care less though.

Because he won.

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amazingphanisnotonfire-imagines · 5 years

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Madelaine Petsch//Awkward Encounters

Request: madelaine hooks up with reader during a party, it’s only months later that she finds out reader is an actress that will be playing cheryl’s ex girlfriend heather. it’s kinda akward at first, but soon the fans can see that something might be going on between them because of how intense their scenes together are, and after a scene where heather kisses cheryl reader kisses madelaine and they hook up again

“Madelaine! Thank you for coming in early!” A crew member said enthusiastically.

“No problem!” She replied. “What exactly am I here for though?”

“We’ve found Heather and we need you to do a read-through with her so we can figure some stuff out and make sure there is enough chemistry between you so its believable.” They explained and Madelaine nodded. “So here’s your script for the first episode she’s in, and your reading the bit thats been highlighted.”

“Got it.” She nodded.

“She’s in there. Good luck.” They gave her a thumbs up and she laughed before entering the small room. She smiled brightly as she walked in, but as soon as she saw who was playing Heather her smile dropped.

“Hi. I’m- Madelaine?” You asked shocked.

“Hi Y/n.” She waved awkwardly.

“You two know each other?” A director asked and you both nodded slowly.

“We met at a party a few months ago.” You explained and they nodded.

“Thats good. So you should already have a bit of chemistry together!”

“More than a bit from what I can remember.” You mumbled and Madelaine’s eyes widened, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks.

“So! Shall we start?” The director asked and you both nodded. “Madelaine, you start.” He smiled reassuringly at her and she nodded before you turned to face each other.

“Heather? What are you doing back? I haven’t seen you for years.” She asked, a mixture of confusion, hurt and anger.

“I came back for you. I missed you, and I heard your evil mother was no longer in the picture.” You replied and walked towards her.

“She isn’t. But that doesn’t mean you get to come back and everything will be like they used to be.” She replied and took a step back from you.

“But Cheryl.” You reached out to her, but she pulled away from you.

“Sorry Heather.” She said sadly, before looking at the directors and producers.

“That was great!” They smiled. “Your first scene’s together are to be filmed on Monday! So Y/n, you can have the weekend off, and Madelaine, you’re needed all day.”

“Thank you.” You smiled gratefully at them and they nodded. Madelaine smiled at them before walking out the room, you followed after her. “Madelaine?” You asked and she turned around. “Do you think we should talk about what happened at that party, seeing as though we’re co-stars now, who will have a lot of scenes together.”

“Maybe later.” She shrugged. “I have to get to set.”

“Oh.” You mumbled and Madelaine walked away from you. “Well, this isn’t going to be awkward.” You muttered before walking the other way.

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

Your first episode had been aired and the fans were going crazy. In the episode you had a few more scenes together which were incredibly difficult to film, however you didn’t think it showed when you watched it back.

“You were great Y/n!” Vanessa hugged you once the episode had finished. All of the cast decided they were going to hang out and watch it seeing as though it was the first episode you were in and it was a tradition among the cast.

“Thank you.” You smiled and hugged her back.

“It was brilliant. Well done.” Jordan congratulated you and you smiled brightly at him. You and Madelaine were sitting on opposite sides of the living room much to everyone’s amusement. They were at the party where you met.

It was a Tuesday night and KJ had been invited to a friend of a friends party, meaning he invited the majority of the cast. You had been there for the same reason, a friend of a friend. Once you arrived you noticed a few people who looked familiar, you just couldn’t figure out where from. They were dancing awfully which made you giggle, your eyes looked to the side of them where a red headed girl was laughing at them, she looked at you and smiled. A few hours later she made her way over to you and you started to chat (mainly flirt) and the next thing you knew you were waking up the next day in your bed, to an empty pace beside you and a note explaining that she had to leave. It wasn’t until she walked through the door of the read-through that you figured out where you knew her and her friends from, and by then it was too later.

Of course the cast thought this was hilarious as they remember you two leaving the party in a hurry, and then Madelaine coming to work in the same clothes the next day. So as you can imagine when they saw you on your first day they were highly entertained for the rest of the day (more like up until this moment).

They had tried to encourage you to talk to each other about it but neither of you were having any of it.

“Have you been on twitter?” Camila asked and you shook your head. “You might want to.” She mumbled. “You too Mads.” She said and Madelaine looked at her confused before going on her phone. You also went on Twitter and gasped when you went on the Riverdale hashtag.

“They all think something went on between us.” You mumbled.

“Or that something is going on between us.” Madelaine added and you heard your friends snicker.

“Great.” You sighed.

“Its cute.” Lili tried to cheer you both up. “It just means your acting was amazing. Which it was.”

“Or they could just sense the sexual tension through the tv screens.” Charles muttered and Cami hit his chest lightly, although she was trying to contain a laugh.

“Shut up.” Madelaine rolled her eyes. “What happened is in the past.” She added and you sighed, quickly averting your eyes back to your phone.

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

“Cheryl, I promise you I never stopped loving you. I have thought of you every single day since the day I left, and every single night I have dreamed of a life with you. A one where we’re happy and in love, we have a cute little house together, that you have insisted on painting red, inside and out. We come home every single day to each other and hold each other, we watch TV and read, we dance in the living room at 3am, we laugh, making memories, we cry and support each other. We get a few cats or dogs, whatever you want, maybe start a family if thats what we both want and we just make up for lost time. Cheryl Blossom, I am so undeniably in love with you and that will never change, no matter where I am or how long I’m away for.” You said, tears falling down your face. She looked at you, tears in her own eyes and smiled. You gently cupped her cheek and pulled her towards you, connecting your lips, the kiss was slow at first, but like the script instructed it started to get more heated, ending with you on top of her.

“Cut!” The director yell, and you both pull apart. “That was great girls! Its a wrap for today. We’ll see you tomorrow!” They added and you climbed off Madelaine.

“I err. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Madelaine said awkwardly and stood up.

“Yep.” You replied, also standing up.

“Bye.” She said quickly before leaving the set.

“Yep!” You called after her, before going the opposite way.

A few hours had passed and Madelaine couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss, and the time you hooked up and just you in general. She thought she could be able to handle working with you but apparently she was wrong, what started out as ‘yeah, you’re cute and we hooked up one time at party which was fun but now its kinda awkward’, had now turned into ‘I am utterly and completely in love with you and now I don’t know what to do with myself’, which was a slight problem to say the least. The doorbell rang and she sighed aggressively, checking her phone as she went to answer it.

“Who is coming round at this time?” She mumbled to herself. The doorbell rang more aggressively and she huffed. “I’m coming! Calm down!” She shouted before swinging the door open. Usually she was more careful when answering the door late at night but she was annoyed and confused as to what to do about you. “Yes?” She asked aggressively as she opened the door. “Y/n? What are you doing here?”

“I meant every single word.” You stated anxiously.

“Huh?” She asked confused.

“I meant everything I said when we were filming. Madelaine Petsch, I am so in love with you, you have no idea and I feel like if I don’t say it now then I never will and I’ll always wonder what if so I thought it would be better for everyone if I tell you. But literally Heathers speech to Cheryl, was what I feel for you.” You rambled and she looked at you shocked. “I’m taking the silence as ‘I don’t feel the same way’, so that is noted, I respect that. I’ll leave you alone. I mean until we see each other tomorrow at work. Then its gonna be a bit difficult to leave you alone, we literally play ex girlfriends turned girlfriends again. God that is going to be so awkwa-”

“Kiss me.” She said.

“Huh?”

“Kiss me.”

“Er. Okay?” You replied confused, before leaning in. Your hands went to her hips and you pulled her closer to you. You kissed her sweetly, almost hesitantly but once she wrapped her arms around your neck and pulled you closer to her you weren’t holding back, and neither was she.

“Do you wanna come in?” She asked breathlessly.

“There’s nothing I want more.” You nodded and she smiled before pulling you into her apartment and slamming the door. As Madelaine woke up the next day, with the sun shining in through the blinds and your arms wrapped around her. She smiled, knowing this was what she were meant to do, when she met you at that random party, on a Tuesday night.

#riverdale #riverdale imagine #madelaine petsch #madelaine petsch imagine #madelaine petsch x reader #madelaine petsch x you #madelaine petsch x y/n #cheryl blossom #cheryl blossom imagine #cheryl blossom x reader #cheryl blossom x you #cheryl imagine #cheryl x reader

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couragehopelovefaith · 6 years

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Opinions on the ending of “Pretty Little Liars” + my suggestion on the final scenes

I don’t know if anyone’s that into reading this since finale aired so long time ago and received many mixed opinions. Just wanted to bring mine into the daylight, hopefully there are still some excited fans scrolling down the Tumblr! 😊 (sorry for any grammar-errors, English is not my first language.)

Okay, first… I had nothing against Spencer having a twin: Troian rocked her character and I loved her and Wren together. It would’ve been a blast if he had even bigger role in the master plan: I always pictured them trapping Spencer and telling her everything like Nick and Alison did in the book. I was somehow upset that the Liars’ reaction to the reveal was so lame and would’ve preferred if they all had been there during the reveal. For example, Alex could’ve gone to the girls as Spencer and announce that she found Ezra, gotten them into her new house and make them briefly believe Ezra was A.D. before trapping them with Spencer, or in different “vaults”. It would’ve been nice to know about Spencer and Alex’s relationship after their showdown and her family’s reaction to it. Alex could’ve been easily linked to earlier seasons – there were so many connections and hints about that. It was all there. Charlotte’s character was a nice add, but I would’ve preferred Wren being Charles instead of her or controlling her with the game some other way. The fact that Dilaurentis-Drake-family already had twins decreased the power of the major reveal, in my opinion. I feel really bad for Mary, though – yeah, she killed her sister, but Jessica tried to kill her first so it was self-defense. All she ever wanted was to move on and get her family together. She didn’t deserve to get secluded, even with her daughter. I just don’t know where she would’ve ended up in that case.

Of course I am happy that our babies are happy, but with few exceptions: I wouldn’t have mind at all, if Ezria had broken up. I was never fond of romantizing the relationship between student and teacher and I kinda lost the most respect I had on Ezra him after that book-reveal. I always was more fond of Naria. However, if, like in my wildest A-dreams, Aria would’ve turned out to be A, I would’ve liked him to work with her, if that makes any sense. He was also one of my A-candidats with her, Alison, twin (whoever it had been) and Wren. I am also very sad that Aria never gets the change to get biological children. That fact came out of nowhere to me. Logically, if one of them had to have that fate, it probably would’ve been Spencer, since she was shot.

I hate the fact that Spoby had so few scenes in the finale, especially when most of them during the last season turned out to be Alex, and that they sugar-coated the fact that Toby was, once again, raped. But I’m happy that Toby was the one who recognized her and that they ended up together, as well as Emison (when it comes to Emison, I could write another essay about them, but now is not the time). I hope that we get to see flashbacks of both of these couples’ weddings in “Perfectionists”.

Haleb is okay to me, even though it was kind of upsetting that they fought a great amount of the finale, especially if this was the last time we saw together. Nevertheless, I was very happy about their baby-news.

I missed some scenes between the main cast and supporting characters: Jenna finally, sincerely, apologizing Toby, Haleb and Lucas having lunch together, Emison visiting Jessica’s and Wayne’s graves with their daughters (and Alison saying she forgives her mother), Alison, Spencer and Melissa drinking vine on a porch and receiving letter from Jason, Aria meeting Mike and hugging him before her honeymoon, Caleb and Toby fishing, Mom’s walking towards former Radley together with shopping backs… and girls sitting with Mona in the front of the Grill like they did in Mona’s hallucination and THANKING her at last! No need for long periods, even a quick flashes would’ve been enough. The rest of the goodbye scene was good for me.

Like I said, I’m happy that everything is well for them, but…it’s almost too well for the show like this. I kind of liked that Mona won the game by secluding A.D., but I honestly don’t think it’s a happy ending for her. She kinda relapsed into her earlier behavior models and took a few steps back. Like Mary, after all that she’s been through, she would’ve deserved to move on, travel the world (I’m okay with her living in Paris since she was always fond of France), kick others’ asses professionally and meet someone special (or end up with Mike, I always adored those cuties 😊 ). I wonder what it had been like, if they had stayed in the original plan where Toby ended up being the only one, who knew about the twin. It would’ve been amazing and showed that even though all was well now, there will always be some kind of feeling, hunch, threat, that they can never fully get rid of.

When I found about the twin, the ending that came to my mind went like this:

Camera slowly moves toward hospitals isle, around the corner and to the end of the hall, into a small room…then focusing on a young, brown-haired woman who is sitting on her bed, her hair on her face. She holds the small snow-globe like that’s all she got. At moment it probably was. After three painful seconds she slowly lifts her head up, looking right at the camera, to the person who had just come to the room. Her eyebrow raises as she says weakly, almost emotionlessly: “I always knew you’d come back. Now, you have to do something for me.”

Then the camera focuses on the snow globe revealing the picture in it: four beautiful, perfectly happy women standing in front of Rosewood’s church, hands around each other, smiling to each other – but oh, so wonderfully ignorant, captured into Alex’s own, personal prison that was waiting for them.

The camera focuses on her and the music that had been so quiet, increases threateningly and camera focuses on satisfied, waiting and maniac smile that spreads on her face. *music stops abruptly and screen turns black*

(I wanted the ending that was kind of the same compared to book with a new twist in it. Like I said, I don’t know where to fit Mary, sorry. In my opinion snow globe is a nice touch since Charlotte had one too, (though with other picture) and because there have been other connections between A’s (the group built the dollhouse together, Mona was always interested in them and trapped Alex and Mary into one, etc.) I also always thought it would be exciting that we wouldn’t know who was willing to help her again and just see the last scene from this helpers’ perspective. In my mind that helper was Jenna, but you can make the interpretation that pleases you the most.)

Tell me what you think, okay? 😊

#pretty little liars #pll forever #my opinion #ending

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toosadbutkawai · 6 years

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BOTTOMLINE: R E S P E C T

I dont know how to start this but can y'all stop creating fanwars? Aren’t y'all tired of this? Since I have a lot of time right now (note the sarcasm), let’s start about the issue of BTS and EXO. Warning: PLEASE CALM YO ASS DOWN.

AND THIS IS NOT A BIASED POST. I’M TELLING THIS TO MY CO-ARMYS AND EVERY SINGLE DAMN FAN WHO’S HATIN’ ON, NOT JUST BTS BUT ON AN ARTIST/GROUP/OR WELL, INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN GENERAL WHO DIDN’T DO ANYTHING WRONG.

Who are you to tell that one group is the original and the other group is not? Guys, first of all, everyone has originality and each of us have our own uniqueness! Y'all think that their works are exactly the same even when they are actually not. Stop wearing your freaking hater glasses. It won’t do you good. Your faves are not even giving a single damn if they saw a group with an almost similar concept, then you immature creatures seem to have lots of f*cks to deliver like y'all the ones who created their concept.

Y'all dumb freaks are even buying stuff and those freaking stuff have a lot of stocks and sh*t because YOU AREN’T THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO BUY A FREAKING IPHONE X. Let’s face it. EXO, BTS, and other groups have different concepts. Don’t be so immature, guys. Nobody owns a concept, really. There is a freaking possibility that people can think of a similar idea. If not, then why is there a saying that goes, “Great minds think alike”? They all have the right to be inspired by a concept and that doesn’t freaking mean that they already copied the concept. There are also DIFFERENT reasons/purposes on why they created the concept or idea itself. AND THAT ALSO DOESN’T MEAN THAT THEY LIKE FREAKING STOLE YOUR FAVES’ UNDIES. Open your damn freaking mind.And about this other issue, let’s not generalize stuff, okay? Every fandom has immature fans and majority of the fandom don’t tolerate immature fans. Don’t worry, there are fans who are mature enough and not war freaks that exist inside the fandom. We just can’t control what some of us are doing but we do remind our co-fans (esp. to those large fanbase accounts) that we shouldn’t do immature stuff and try to start fan wars. Sadly, we cannot really convince some people who are really hard-headed but we DON’T ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTINUE WHAT THEY’RE DOING. It’s just like a president governing a country. No matter how many times the pres. says, “Don’t do drugs”, some stubborn people will steal do drugs sneakily. But the president always reminds their people to do good deeds and they don’t encourage them or support them into doing bad things. Of course. If ever a fan of another artist/group/human/s tries to start fan wars or said shitty stuff about your faves, don’t ever try to deal with them by bashing their own faves too because obviously, their idols don’t even know that they’re doing this stupid sh*t nor did they even encourage the fan to do so. It’s that fan’s own perspective of their idol and opinion that is wrong or the issue and we should just try to educate them to not add fuel to the fire. Don’t even start me with “Maybe that fan reflects his/her faves’ bad actions” kind of b*llshit. Each and everyone of us doesn’t know each of our whole lives so don’t ever judge people. But if you still insist, then go ahead and freaking put a bomb in each other’s mouth. Come and join in the fun of the wars that are also happening in this world. Do enjoy wasting your time for all these nonsense. You can start educating the artist if they are the ones who did something wrong. (FOR EXAMPLE: Sorry to drag ya into this but J@ke P@ul who allegedly recorded a dead body in the suicide forest. Not hating on the guy entirely. But he really did something wrong and disappointing) But if you’re just going to go all Charles Darwin, who created the Theory of Evolution (no hate. just kind of a metaphor), then you can shut your fricking mouth or stop tryna post what you’re thinking. Your faves are also supporting the people you dislike and they are also in good terms. So, why don’t you do the same? I mean, I’m not tryna convince you into liking a group you already dislike but if you dislike them just because you believe in rumours without even a single VALID evidence, please have your “hating” checked. That’s it. That’s the post. drops mic Spread love not hate. Stob it. Yamete kudasai.

#fanwars #fanwar #fandom #bts #exo-#kpop #hallyu #kpoplover #armys #bts army #exo-l #open letter

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fan-of-mulligan · 4 years

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GILLINGHAM SUPPORTERS REPORT 2019 / 2020 SEASON - PART ONE

At the start of the season, I asked Gillingham Supporters for there thoughts and opinions on Gillingham’s Transfer Activity, Which Young Players Can You See Breaking Into Gillingham’s First Team, Where Do You Think Gillingham Will Finish In League One This Season, And Questions About Gillingham’s Home Form, If you want to check out that blog in full, then here is a link to that blog - https://fan-of-mulligan.tumblr.com/post/186739483142/fom-blog-gillingham-supporters-season-preview-for

This blog is a follow up blog to the blog that every Gillingham Supporter participated in before the start of the season, and that was the first blog of a four part feature, this blog looks at how Gillingham have performed after Fifteen League Games, The Third Part will be after Thirty League Games, and the final part will be A End Of Season Review Blog, Answering these questions are the following Gillingham Supporters,,,,, Rob, Gills Anorak, Lee, Louis, Ben, Luke, RichardS, Steve, and Lewis.

I want to thank everyone who has participated in the latest Gillingham Supporters Blog, as well as thank those who participated in The Previous Gillingham Supporters Blogs throughout The 2018 / 2019 Season, It is because the involvement of everyone who has participated in the previous five blogs which made these blogs so successful, so once again, thank you, Now on to the questions and answers……….

1. AT PRIESTFIELD STADIUM, GILLINGHAM HAVE WON THREE, DRAWN ONE AND LOST THREE OF OUR OPENING SEVEN LEAGUE ONE HOME FIXTURES, WITH THE GILLS SCORING FOURTEEN AND CONCEDING EIGHT IN THESE SEVEN HOME MATCHES THIS SEASON, HOW WOULD YOU RATE GILLINGHAM’S HOME FORM SO FAR THIS SEASON ???, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK GILLINGHAM NEED TO DO TO BETTER OUR CURRENT FORM OVER THE NEXT SEVEN HOME LEAGUE GAMES ???

Rob - It's okay, I suppose. Our record isn't that much better than in previous seasons despite replacing most of the team. I think the team is still gelling though and we may see an upturn once some players (Cisse, Willock) return to fitness.

Gills Anorak - Home form is better than the last couple of seasons. I think they need to continue to play attacking football in the hope attendances will improve.

Lee - Our form at home hasn’t been great at all as well as our away form which has been patchy in parts to say the very least. To improve I think the squad needs a couple of changes. Mandron has looked effective as an Aerial threat and I think with a better front 3 of Hanlan Charles-Cook and Mandron we could be stronger away from home and at home. Our defence has lacked when we haven’t had Fuller and you can see we’ve missed him massively and hopefully he is part of the squad again soon!

Louis - I think the Gills home form has been somewhat positive but also frustrating. As expected when a lot of players are brought in then there will need to be time for the team to shape itself but I do believe we should be picking up more points at home. We started off scoring goals which is always good to see and from a mix of players too, but concentration levels has put us in trouble on a number of occasions and wiped out all the hard work the players had put in. The improvement needed is more concentration at the back and awareness of opposing players which I believe has already started to be implemented in the last 2-3 games. I also feel we need a way to get our strikers involved in the game more and not just hoofing the ball up field when other tactics have not been working.

Ben - I would like to see the Gills go for the kill in more home games, especially if we go in front.

Luke - Score more than we concede usually secures you all three points so that's what we need to do.

RichardS - Well it's better than last year. Ultimately it's all about quality. We have a reasonable team of League 1 players. For our home form to improve someone has to step up and grab games by the scruff of the neck. Stuart O'Keefe and Mark Byrne possibly although Mark has done well and tried. We are to reliant on the long ball and kick and hope and need to vary the play more. Until then it's a case of same old.

Steve - The current home form isn’t great. I’d say below average. To improve I’d start Lee and Pringle. They’re always on the bench and they’re good, creative players. I don’t think they’ve ever started a game together and, at home, we should be on the front foot.

Lewis - I certainly feel more confident when we’re at home. We’ve been pretty decent in games we’ve got nothing from, such as Ipswich and Peterborough, but that’s still not good enough. In general we lack firepower going forward, so, when you’re expected to control games at home, it’s hard to do that. We need attacking players like Oliver Lee and Ben Pringle to deliver - if they’re given the chance, of course.

2. GILLINGHAM PICKED UP THERE FIRST AWAY WIN OF THE SEASON AGAINST ACCRINGTON STANLEY AT THE WEEKEND, AND GILLINGHAM’S AWAY FORM THIS SEASON IS AS FOLLOWS,,, WON ONE, DRAWN FIVE, LOST TWO, SCORING SIX AND CONCEDING NINE, HOW WOULD YOU RATE GILLINGHAM’S AWAY FORM OVER THE OPENING EIGHT AWAY MATCHES THIS SEASON, AND ALSO, DO YOU THINK SATURDAY’S WIN AGAINST ACCRINGTON STANLEY WILL GIVE THE PLAYERS A PSYCHOLOGICAL BOOST GOING INTO UP AND COMING AWAY MATCHES ???

Rob - You know more than most about the effects of not winning away for over a season, so it's important we got that vital first win. I guess it's not important where the wins come from, although the Chairman and home fans would prefer the majority to be in ME7. Win most at home, draw most away and we'll be fine.

Gills Anorak - Away form isn’t quite as good as last year but the performance have generally been good, and yes I’m sure beating Accrington will be a big boost.

Lee - I was there at Accrington and I was very pleased with the performance from the boys and I think it really was a game of two halves with Charles-Cook scoring a great goal and Jack Bonham making some amazing saves to keep the 3 points coming back to Kent. You could really see what it meant to the players and fans alike and was well worth waking up at 5am for! Going into our next away games at the end of this year not one of them look like easy games that 3 points are guaranteed in but I think if we can gain momentum from last week hopefully our away form can improve. I think it would be nice for the fans who do the miles season in season out.

Louis - Gillingham’s away form has always been hit or miss (more miss then hit) which makes it tricky to say that only one away win so far is either good or bad. Looking at it in terms of points (8 points) makes our form look more reasonable considering we had been playing a tighter game away and only scoring 6 goals. I feel our away form is on point so far, but yes the win against Accrington should give the team a boost and give them that little bit of extra positive energy to try and improve for the next away fixture.

Ben - Overall, I think we've been quite dull away from home! But we're harder to beat now than we were in the past.

Luke - Not great, seems to be Steve Lovell is the only one who mastered us playing well away in recent years. Providing we pick up our home form that's what I'm more concerned about as that's where you see the team more.

RichardS - On the whole I don't think we have done to badly away from home. It seems to suit us and we have played some decent sides. If we can maintain the current level of form that would be tolerable. As above it's the home form that needs to improve for me.

Steve - It’s not great. We travel up and down the country spending loads of money and they often perform really badly. Good performance at Accrington because apparently they were all over us. That makes it a good away win! I’m not sure it’ll help. It’ll probably go back to normal, and Saturday’s game against Rotherham shows they can’t have taken too much confidence.

Lewis - It’s not been brilliant, as the stats say! The Coventry and Oxford games, in particular, were tragic. You’d hope the Accrington win will give the side a boost because the burden is, now, off their shoulders in regards to getting that first away win. We’ll see soon!

3. GILLINGHAM HAVE BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN THE SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW (SIGNING JACK BONHAM, LEE HODSON, ALFIE JONES, CONNOR OGILVIE, TOM O’CONNOR, STUART O’KEEFE, OUSSEYNOU CISSE, MATTY WILLOCK, BEN PRINGLE, OLLY LEE, MARK MARSHALL, ALEX JAKUBIAK, MIKAEL NDJOLI AND MIKAEL MANDRON) - WHO DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN GILLINGHAM’S BEST SIGNING THIS SEASON AND WHY ???

Rob - It's difficult to choose between Bonham and Jones. Jones arrived as a centre back but looks far more suited to a holding midfield role and has put in some impressive performances. As for Bonham, I didn't know much about him when he arrived but I think he's been one of our best players. A good, confident, consistent, goalkeeper makes the world of difference to a defence and I believe we have one in Bonham. If only he slapped the badge a bit then he'd be as loved as Nelson.

Gills Anorak - Jack Bonham. He edges it over Alfie Jones because he is a permanent signing so excellent business for the club. I rate him higher than Holy already.

Lee - So far I would have to say Connor Ogilvie has really found his feet at the club and really has earn’t his place in the squad. When he first arrived a couple seasons ago from Tottenham’s youth set up I wasn’t very keen on him and he was shaky at the start but has been a big part of our team so far and hopefully it can continue as i think his potential could be big later on in his career.

Louis - Even though Evans had signed Ogilvie on a permanent basis, I do not really see him as a new signing due to him being on loan with us for the past two seasons so I will have to say Jack Bonham. I consider Bonham to be an all round goalkeeper who our defenders can trust and also an improvement from Holy that gives more resilience to our defence. I feel slightly less nervous with Bonham in goal as we know what we will be getting from him in majority of games. He has already shown us the type of saves he can make, which has kept us in many games. I can see more to come from him this season. I also think Alfie Jones has done well in his new midfield role and given us something that had been missing from the team in the past few seasons.

Ben - I have been very impressed with Tom O'Connor and I would have to say Bonham is the best signing!

Luke - Jack Bonham. Been an excellent replacement for Holy and looks to be getting better and better. Won't be too long before the Ireland scouts start looking at him in my opinion.

RichardS - At this moment in time Jack Bonham. Had big boots to fill to replace Tomas Holy but looks really good and growing in confidence. Today's penalty save will have helped. Tom O'Connor and Alfie Jones have also settled well. Jakubiak has done well. Olly Lee has potential. Matty Willock we will have to see. Who knows.

Steve - I think it’s got to be Bonham. Lots of them haven’t played for a number of reasons. Bonham has won us a few games like at Accrington. He’s made a couple of mistakes but he’s been good.

Lewis - I’m still hopeful for a few that haven’t, necessarily, delivered, yet, but I think the best has been Alfie Jones. I’m pretty sure he was bought in to play centre-half, but he’s been incredible in midfield! He breaks up play and protects the defence so well, and has plenty of passion. I’ve no doubts he’ll go on to play in the Premier League!

4. THE LIKES OF JOSH REES, DEAN PARRETT, GABRIEL ZAKUANI, CALLUM REILLY, MIQUEL SCARLETT, DARREN OLDAKER, ELLIOTT LIST AND BRADLEY STEVENSON ALL LEFT GILLINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB BEFORE THE TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSED AT THE END OF AUGUST, WHICH PLAYERS ON THIS LIST ARE YOU MOST SURPRISED ABOUT BEING ALLOWED TO MOVE ON FROM THE GILLS ???

Rob - Callum Reilly was a surprise as he had played the majority of games in pre-season and seemed the type of player Evans would want. It's a shame List left as well and I still believe Oldaker will reach his potential.

Gills Anorak - None of them really. Id imagine DEAN PARRETT, GABRIEL ZAKUANI, CALLUM REILLY were too expensive for what they contributed and JOSH REES, MIQUEL SCARLETT, DARREN OLDAKER, ELLIOTT LIST AND BRADLEY STEVENSON we’re not deemed good enough for League 1.

Lee - Like a few I would have to say Elliot List would of had to be the most surprising and equally gutting as he really played a massive part in the season last season scoring some very key goals and assisting many also but who could forget his goal against premier league Cardiff. I wish him all the best at Stevenage and later on in his career wherever it may take him.

Louis - I was surprised to see Callum Reilly go. When he was played in his preferred position he gave us that extra creativity in midfield which gave him the ability to turn nothing into something ( Billy Bingham also had this ability but sadly consistent injury's plagued his time at the club). Evans had brought in a lot of midfielders into the team so I can see why he was allowed to go.

Ben - I was most surprised at List leaving! He always offered something different off the bench! And could have been effective this season.

Luke - I could probably make a case for all of those names if I wanted to. Oldaker and List are the ones most disappointing as the potential is there, Evans just needed to mould them into more complete players. Right Back has been bit of a problem area and I don't think we appropriately replaced Luke O’Neill.

RichardS - I would have kept Gabriel Zakuani and Callum Reilly. Still think they would have something to offer if nothing else as back up. However I accept you have to limit squad numbers and watch the payroll so there is a further debate there.

Steve - Zakuani was a good defender. I’m surprised he went. I know he was injured but I’m surprised he left. He’s not on the list but I’d say O’Neill, too. I quite like Stevenson as well. I know he was young but he was good and I liked him. I love List as well!

Lewis - A few things weirded me out about some of the departures. One thing was the players that left having signed new deals in summer (Scarlett, Stevenson). Evans and Raynor agreed they’d let Mark Patterson sort out the deals, and said they trusted him, but, then, some of those players left. Another thing was that ‘squad’ players were allowed to leave. Zakuani and List were two players that departed because they couldn’t be guaranteed football, but we need a squad to compete!

5. WHO DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN GILLINGHAM’S MOST IMPROVED PLAYER THIS SEASON ???

Rob - Most improved player is probably Tucker. He's ahead of a new signing at right back, despite being a centre back by trade, and looks perfectly comfortable in either position.

Gills Anorak - Connor Ogilvie.

Lee - This is very hard to answer really as it has been a pretty big renovation to the team since Evans Joined in May but overall I think like I said earlier Connor Ogilvie has really improved and is an asset to our defence.

Louis - Conner Ogilvie. Playing in the centre has given him a new lease of life. He has been solid and commanding at the back but also helped improve his attacking play which he has shown on a number of occasions this season. The role has given him lots more confidence and this has shown greatly in his game.

Ben - I have been impressed with Connor Ogilvie for the last season and a half! He's come on leaps and bounds.

Luke - Jack Tucker, actually getting game time and the opportunity to shine and long may it continue.

RichardS - I said this last season and so far have been proved right. Bar today ( not his best game) Jack Tucker has impressed. Young hungry and will only improve with experience. Jack Bonham has also done well as mentioned above.

Steve - I’d like to say Byrne. He gives 110% every game and runs everywhere. He seems dedicated. You look at some others and just think, what the hell?! Fuller has always been good but with O’Neill gone he’s stepped up, too.

Lewis - Apart from Saturday’s game against Rotherham, Connor Ogilvie has really impressed me. He’s benefitted from a solid run at centre-half, and looks at home, there. I’d say he’s been in our top three players this year.

6. AND WHO DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN GILLINGHAM’S MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER THIS SEASON ???

Rob - Most disappointing has to be Willock as he hasn't actually played yet. Once he gets some games, I'm sure that will change.

Gills Anorak - Lee Hodgson. Cisse less so as I didn’t think he would be anymore than a squad player.

Lee - I would have to say I have been annoyed so far with Stuart O’Keefe as he is a very short tempered player and isn’t really involved a lot when he’s played this season. It’s a shame really considering the clubs he had been at previous to joining us.

Louis - There has been a few players who have not been involved in the team much that I thought would of been. Some mainly due to injury like Willock but the most disappointing for me would have to be Cisse. In the games he had played he looked placid, boring and did not show much fight in his game. I was able to see the team for a while during the build up of the game against Bolton and Cissie was the only player who did not look bothered about being part of the team. My assumption is that he may have an attitude problem but that is only my perspective in what I have seen and could well be not the case.

Ben - Most disappointing player for me, would have to be Mark Marshall (whom, i've seen play on a few occasions) and maybe Matty Willock, although he hasn't played much.

Luke - Matty Willock. Was bigged an awful lot during the summer and we've seen him play 45 minutes of mediocre football. Lee Hodson also falls into a disappointing signing in my opinion, not enough emphasis on defending from a player who is meant to be a defender.

RichardS - Mikael Mandron. BUT that's so far and I'm not one to criticise players unjustifiably as I think the potential is there but it not shown through yet.

Steve - I actually think O’Connor. He has his good moments, but sometimes he gets the ball and just can’t pass.

Lewis - I don’t think he’s been tragic, but Lee Hodson has disappointed me a bit. Everyone assumed he was bought in to replace Luke O’Neill, but he’s, somehow, third choice right-back, now. He hasn’t been great when he’s featured, but, as I mentioned in my previous answer, I have hope players like Lee will come good.

7. GILLINGHAM HAVE GOT THE FOLLOWING MATCHES COMING UP IN NOVEMBER, ROTHERHAM UNITED, AND LINCOLN CITY AT HOME AND AFC WIMBLEDON AWAY IN LEAGUE ONE, AS WELL AS CUP MATCHES AGAINST SUNDERLAND AND TOTTENHAM’S U21’S IN THE FA CUP AND FOOTBALL LEAGUE TROPHY RESPECTIVELY, IDEALLY, WE LIKE TO SEE GILLINGHAM WIN ALL FIVE MATCHES, BUT WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE GILLINGHAM ACHIEVE FROM THESE FIVE MATCHES ???

Rob - We should be winning at least one of the home games and probably away at Wimbledon too. I can't see us getting anything from Sunderland in the cup and I don't care about the EFL Trophy.

Gills Anorak - Minimum 5 points in the league. 7 points would be good. A decent performance v Sunderland and v Spurs I’ve no interest.

Lee - Ideally as you mentioned a win in all would be brilliant but is something that will be very difficult to gain. Starting off with Saturday’s visitors Rotherham they’ve had a great start to the season but seem to give away a lot of late second half goals. I think it will be a tough game and will be one id happily take a draw in. Sunderland in the cup will be hard and a replay down here would be nice to get but if I’m honest I can’t see it happening. As for Lincoln the following week I think we will get 3 points. The work the Cowley brothers did to that club was amazing and you can see how horrible it was for the fans to see the pair leave. Mike Appleton hasn’t found his feet yet and it’s unlikely he will so I think if we can we should take advantage of that and push for 3 points as well as the game the week after at AFC Wimbledon which I will be attending and hope we can do as well as we did there under Lovell last season. I personally couldn’t care less about the cup game against spurs u21 as we don’t have nothing to play for and the attendance won’t be great for a game in the middle of November!

Louis - Rotherham’s away form has been good recently which includes a 0-2 win against Ipswich so they will give us a bit of a challenge more than others may think. They have been inconsistent but a draw against them would not be the end of the world. Lincoln seem to be suffering since the loss of their talented manager despite their impressive win against an under performing Sunderland team at the beginning of October. That win is the only one they have had in the last 11 games in all competitions. Out of the other 10 games only two of them resulted in draws. I would be very disappointed if we could not capitalise on this poor run of form so 3 points is what I would be hoping for. AFC Wimbledon have been picking up a little bit of form of late with 4 wins in 5 in all competitions in October, with their recent loss only being on the 22nd Oct against Burton. Three of those wins have been at home so we could be playing them at the wrong time especially if they continue their good home form. I would of wanted 3 points from this game but as recent results have shown then a draw could be a good point gained.

I have no interest in Gillingham’s game against Tottenham’s U21's but it would be a good chance to play our less regular players alongside some of our promising young talent. This is a type of game where players currently not getting into the first team can show Steve Evans what they can really do. The result does not matter in this game. Sunderland. When this draw was made, many of our supporters had already given up hope of us having a decent cup run this season. When watching the draw even I had my doubts against a very daunting opposition for a first round game, but it is not all doom and gloom. Sunderland have lost games and dropped points against many teams this season including a 1-1 draw against Bolton and a 2-0 loss against Lincoln so there is hope for us yet. Sunderland has only won once in their previous 4 league games and seems to be struggling to find themselves and live up to their supporters expectations. The pressure of promotion on them this season is showing, so a cup upset is very much on the cards and i can envisage Gillingham doing this.

Ben - Ideally i'd take 7 points from the next 9, and a win in the cup at Sunderland & then a chance to play some youngsters against Spurs.

Luke - Lincoln and Wimbledon are winnable and I would be expect 6 points from those games. Rotherham will be very difficult to play and I will be happy with a point from that game. Spurs game I couldn't care less about and I don't see us making round 2 of the FA Cup.

RichardS - Win all 5 ! Ok seriously 4 points and a cup win would leave me content. We must win either the Lincoln or Wimbledon games for me and ideally remain unbeaten in those 2 fixtures. Footballers play to many games so whilst others are a feel good factor for cup runs and help financially, league games are bread and butter.

Steve - You want to see us beat Sunderland because it’s a cup game and we want to get to the next round. That’s where we get the money from! Would definitely be nice to see maximum points from the rest of them!

Lewis - Everyone loves a cup run, so it would be nice to have one of them in the FA Cup! In the Spurs game, I’d like to see some fringe players perform. They haven’t done it, yet, in these sort of games, and we need them to. In terms of the league, I think scoring goals is starting to become a problem. Early in the season I didn’t think we missed Tom Eaves, but, at the minute, it’s started to show that we are.

8. SINCE GILLINGHAM WERE PROMOTED AS LEAGUE TWO CHAMPIONS IN THE 2012 / 2013 SEASON, GILLINGHAM HAVE FINISHED IN SEVENTEENTH, TWELFTH, NINTH, TWENTIETH, SEVENTEENTH AND THIRTEENTH POSITION’S IN LEAGUE ONE, AND FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE LAST SIX SEASON’S HAVE SEEN GILLINGHAM INVOLVED IN A BATTLE TO AVOID RELEGATION, WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS THE CASE, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO CHANGE FOR GILLINGHAM TO BE CHALLENGING TOWARDS THE TOP END OF THE LEAGUE ONE TABLE ???

Rob - Well, the obvious one is the man upstairs. We can't spend any more money, so we can't really get any better players in. That said, I think we might end up mid-table this season, but no higher.

Gills Anorak - A mixture of things. Players and Managers who were not good enough or when we had a couple of top players this wasn’t enough to build a promotion winning side. We need investment but not at the expense of being the next Bury.

Lee - I think we’ve just lacked a lot compared to other clubs and haven’t had the best financial improvements and income of our chairman who I won’t get carried away about. Our fate will soon be league 2 football again and it’s a shame because this level of football is great for the club but we just never look to battle for a spot in the championship and always seem to settle for a bottom half finish and is getting boring now.

Louis - I do not think the team has evolved enough since getting back into league one and the quality of players has stagnated. The Gills seemed to had been stuck in a rut and finishing 13th last season did not reflect upon a poor season we had. The team needed a brand new shape and that is why I believe Scally appointed Evens. He was not my first choice but can see what he is trying to do and so far it seems to be working but there is still more improvement needed. If we are to challenge at the top end of the table then we do need to find a way to give our strikers plenty more attacking opportunity.

Ben - Maybe the idea of recruitment, we've got some good players, but we need to add to the squad we have, so maybe investment too.

Luke - There's only one answer to that and it's money. The business model that the club is run under is not to lose money which makes perfect business sense, however as we don't make enough revenue there isn't enough profit to reinvest into the playing squad. External investment is seriously needed if we want to return to the championship any time soon but I just stress, it can't be at the detriment to the club losing money.

RichardS - Simple. More money. Sorry but the game has changed and it's now virtually impossible to make significant progress without it. We may strike lucky occasionally but that's more luck than judgement. Otherwise we will find our level which is about where we are now I'm afraid. If we can get new investors, a new stadium then we may move forward.

Steve - Win more matches! Scally should put his hand in his pocket, especially this January, maybe switch it up a bit. And start the best players!

Lewis - Most people will say investment. Sure, it’s hard to get good results consistently when there’s not loads of money out there, but it’s possible to do well with good coaching alone. I hope Evans and Raynor can continue to help the squad, and then we should move up the league.

9. IF YOU CAN SIGN THREE PLAYERS FROM ANY TEAM(S) IN LEAGUE ONE TO IMPROVE GILLINGHAM’S SQUAD, WHICH THREE PLAYERS WILL YOU SIGN AND WHY ???

Rob - That's a tough one. I'm not sure on names, but I think we are missing a deadly finisher up top (someone like Deon Burton when he was with us) and a backup left back. Could do with maybe a right back, as a push.

Gills Anorak - Kane Vincent-Young because he’s going to be in the Premier League in the next couple of years. Kayden Jackson and Tariqe Fosu as we need goals.

Lee - Player One - Ivan Toney from Peterborough Reason - An all round great player who is always involved in the goals for the posh and the times I’ve been to Peterborough I’ve been shocked and left thinking of how he isn’t playing at a high level and I think wherever he went he would be an asset and would be great to see him play at ME7 Player Two - Joe Jacobson from Wycombe Reason - what a player he is I really like the way he plays and he reminds me of Barry Fuller and in defence together would be a great addition Player Three - John Akinde from Lincoln Reason - He impressed me at Barnet and could be what we need going forward

Louis - The first player I would sign would be Jonson Clarke-Harris (Bristal Rovers). He is a proven goal scorer and causes defenders problems throughout the league. At the age of 25 he could improve more. I really do rate him and he would improve our attacking line up immensely. The second would be Cameron Brannagan (Oxford). This player is young at 23 and has a very good passing success rate as well as creating a lot of goal scoring opportunity for his team. He has a very good assist rate and would be someone who could feed the decent balls we need to our strikers in a game. Once more he can dribble the ball very well which is something our team has been lacking for many years. The third would be Luke Chambers (Ipswich). He has been solid at the back for Ipswich with a high number of blocks and clearances which has saved his team points over a number of games this seasons. Having another player like this in our squad would no doubt boost confidence in the team as a whole.

Ben - James Norwood, from Ipswich, for the simple reason I rate him and he'd get us goals! Marcus Maddison as a creative midfielder! And Lynden Gooch, as he's a good midfielder and is quite creative.

Luke - Marcus Maddison & Ivan Toney from Posh. Aiden McGeady from Sunderland - They're all better than what we currently have.

RichardS - Well this really does relate to my point above. But Jonson Clarke Harris of Bristol Rovers, Both Mo Eisa and Marcus Maddison of Peterborough. If I can have a 4th then Paddy Madden of Fleetwood. Why? We are desperately in need of goal scorers..Simple.

Steve - We need a striker, so we should raid Peterborough. Eisa or Toney would be lovely. In fact, take them both! Left back as well - Josh Ruffels from Oxford would be nice.

Lewis - I’m going to think tactically, here. We need a striker, so I’m going to chose James Norwood from Ipswich. I think we need to strengthen at full-back, so I’m going to take Chris Cadden from Oxford. I’d rather have a left-back, but Cadden is a talent, so Fuller can just shuffle to the left, again. Finally, I’m going to get a wide player in, and I’d be silly not to go with Marcus Maddison. He’s probably the best player in the league.

10. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ON STEVE EVANS BEING APPOINTED AS GILLINGHAM MANAGER ???

Rob - I don't like the man for a wide variety of reasons. I want the club and the players to do well. I cheer on the players, not the manager.

Gills Anorak - Wasn’t keen on him being appointed but if he helps to become a better team and doesn’t embarrass the club in the process then it’s fine.

Lee - I like Steve he is passionate and likes his point being put across. He’s assistant Paul Raynor is childish and nearly got hit at half time by the Accrington Manager Saturday as he didn’t shut up going into the tunnel.

Louis - I was one of many who did not want him to get the job. Once appointed (like any other manager) I will support him and see what he can do. I can see positives in the team and you can see how he wants to change the setup of our game. I think it is a working progress and something that will be more gradual then instant which many others were hoping for. There is improvement in the quality of the squad and he has more then just a plan A under his belt. Evans is also not afraid to try new things but one worry of mine is that he could still get himself in some trouble which would reflect against the club badly and ruin the progress he has already started to build. I am happy with what he has done so far but not in a position for signing his name in the stands.

Ben - I quite liked the appointment, it's a new type of appointment as we've had club legends and the Edinburgh esq with success down the pyramid! But Evans is proven in LG 1.

Luke - Never wanted Evans in charge and his current record hasn't done wonders to try and change my mind. Will give him until Christmas now as we aren't quite in immediate danger but I don't personally think we've improved from the side that was under the stewardship of Steve Lovell last season.

RichardS - I have always said if he gets results then fine. It's a results driven business with little sentiment. If we climb the league then fine. However if results are not forthcoming then he will be accountable like any other manager.

Steve - It’s not been as good as I thought it would be. At the Q&A it was positive and everyone was excited, but it just hasn’t happened. Disappointed right now.

Lewis - I think I said before that I wasn’t happy with it at the time, but I settled on the idea more as time went on. I just fear that it’s not going to end pretty - I feel like I’m just waiting for the time to come where it all comes crashing down. I hope I’m wrong!

11. WHAT WAS THE FIRST GILLINGHAM GAME YOU WENT TO, AND WHAT WAS THE SCORE ???

Rob - Gills Vs Wycombe in 1997. Finished 1-0 to Gills.

Gills Anorak - v Brighton 1993. We won.

Lee - Gillingham v Burton Albion Saturday 20th October 2012 4-1 win Great game and one that left me addicted to crazily enough come back lol!

Louis - First Gills game was against Colchester in Nov 1989. I do not remember much of the game except it was cold. After doing a bit of research the score finished 3-3.

Ben - Gills Vs Stockport 3-1 in December 2009.

Luke - Gillingham Vs Leeds United FA Cup 4th Round on January 28th 2003. Finished 1-1. Alan Smith scored a free kick for Leeds before Mark Viduka got sent off for an elbow on Andy Hessenthaler. Big Mama Sidibe got us an equaliser. Great result against a side full of Premier League greats.

RichardS - Very vague in the memory but early 1980's and finished 1-1. Lincoln City I think.

Steve - It was actually the Manchester City game at Wembley in the 1999 play-off final. I’d always followed Gillingham, but no one else had any interest. A friend of mine was going to Wembley and invited me, and I haven’t looked back. Everyone knows how the game went!

Lewis - My first Gillingham game was Gillingham v Port Vale at Priestfield on 08/12/07; I was eight years old. We went 1-0 up thanks to Chris Dickson, but Vale came back and won 2-1. Start as you mean to go on, I guess! I sat in the Town End, too, and it hammered it down!

12. BRANDON HANLAN, MIKAEL NDJOLI, ALEX JAKUBIAK AND MIKAEL MANDRON HAVE SCORED TWELVE GOALS BETWEEN THE FOUR OF THEM THIS SEASON, HOW DO ALL FOUR STRIKERS IMPROVE THERE GOALSCORING FORM, AND DO YOU THINK ALL FOUR PLAYERS MENTIONED ABOVE GET MANY OPPORTUNITIES PER GAME TO STICK THE BALL INTO THE BACK OF THE NET ???

Rob - All, aside from Mandron, appear to be best suited to a second-striker role, coming in from inside forward positions to feed off a main target man. Unfortunately, Mandron hasn't quite fulfilled that role yet. The others don't look prolific but I think they may all have a run of goals at some point this season. When we play long balls, all except Mandron struggle to compete.

Gills Anorak - They have plenty of chances but I don’t think any of them are natural goal scorers at the moment or consistent enough as a goal scoring striker.

Lee - I think they’ve all been great and I would really like to see them start as a front 4 and strive as a group if possible.

Louis - All four strikers have different attributes then one another. Hanlan has some good work ethic, Mandron can finish a ball well one on one. Ndjoli can cause opposing defenders to make mistakes with his trickery and Jakubiak can take players on and put the ball into the box. I think all four needs to have a better supply but each player likes to receive the ball in different ways which makes it complicated. Also the consistent change of strikers dose not help the matter. Example: So if you change the way midfielders try to assist the strikers but then change the strikers in which the new system dose not suite them, then we are stuck with the same problem.

Hanlan needs to stay on his feet more when challenged for the ball. There has been many a occasion where if he easily stood his ground then he would of been through with a dangerous attacking chance. He has shown he can do this but mainly because he did not start the game and just came of the bench or when we conceded a goal and then the urgency to get a goal back kicks in. Mandron needs to be able to hold onto the ball better. Yes he can finish well but it is no good if he cant not keep hold of the ball. Ndjoli is clearly a talented player when he wants to be but can get lost in games which makes him ineffective at times, Jakubiak is our biggest threat in front of goal but he does get used in different ways and sometimes a game does not suit him. He also needs to use his team mates a bit more as sometimes he does try and do it on his own a little too much.

Ben - Ndjoli and Hanlan for me get enough chances, to get goals! They all just need to be more clinical.

Luke - Well they all need to hit the net more than they currently are. Brandon probably creates the most chances for himself but he needs help and needs to perhaps play alongside Mandron regularly to get the best out of him. Jakubiak has a knack of getting in the right places but overcomplicates things too much imo. Ndjoli needs to focus on the game more but has plenty of ability. Penalties aren't his strong point however.

RichardS - They all have ability. Ndjoli has real potential but is what I can only describe as a loose cannon. Hanlan can be superb on his day. I think they could create more but frankly have as many opportunities as the team provides them. In reality probably not enough.

Steve - They don’t get much service, because I don’t think we play our most creative players, Lee and Pringle. That would be a good start to get more goals!

Lewis - Hanlan’s finishing isn’t great, but, apart from that, he’s a good player. Jakubiak has his back to goal far too often for my liking, and the other two just seen a bit lightweight! That being said, they don’t get enough opportunities, no, because we don’t create much. Hopefully that changes soon!

13. IN THE WORLD CUP, NATIONAL TEAMS GET TO NAME TWENTY THREE PLAYERS IN THERE SQUAD, SO IF YOU WERE TO NAME YOUR TWENTY THREE MAN SQUAD FOR GILLINGHAM DURING THE TIME YOU HAVE WATCHED GILLINGHAM PLAY, WHICH PLAYERS WOULD YOU PICK IN YOUR SQUAD AND WHY ??? (YOU MUST INCLUDE THREE GOALKEEPERS)

Rob - 1 Banks, 2 Nosworthy, 3 Jackman, 4 Smith, 5 S. King, 6 Cox, 7 Southall, 8 A. Hessenthaler, 9 M. King, 10 McDonald, 11 Taylor, 12 Shaw, 13 Brown, 14 Ashby, 15 Saunders, 16 Bentley, 17 Crofts, 18 Hope, 19 Fuller, 20 Bartram, 21 Jarvis, 22 Spiller, 23 Dack Reserves: Nelson, Pennock, Flynn, Asaba

Gills Anorak - 1 Bartram 2 Nosworthy 3 Samuel 4 P Smith 5 Ashby 6 Hope 7 Southall 8 A Hessenthaler 9 M King 10 Shaw 11 R Taylor 12 McEverley 13 Brown 14 Egan 15 S King 16 Crofts 17 Obita 18 Hodge 19 Sidebe 20 Asaba 21 Jarvis 22 Nelson 23 Dack

Lee - Keepers Stuart Nelson Tomas Holy Jack Bonham Defenders Barry Fuller Adam Barrett Matt Fish Gabs Zakuani Josh Hare Leon LeggeRyan Jackson John Egan Midfielders Myles Weston Bradley Dack Jake Hessenthaler Emmanuel Osodabe Chris Whelpdale Sean Clare Josh Wright Mark Byrne Deon Burton Strikers Cody McDonald Danny Kedwell Adebayo Akinfenwa

Louis - This is the hardest question of the lot and will probably never be happy with my final selection. This list has been updated a few times and it kills me to leave out Sidibe In no particular order: 1, Jim Stannard 2, Stuart Nelson 3, Jason Brown 4, Guy Butters 5, Nyron Nosworthy 6, Tony Butler 7, Barry Fuller 8, Chris Hope 9, Barry Ashby 10, Richard Green 11, Andy Hessenthaler 12, Nicky Southall 13, Neil Smith 14, Paul Smith 15, Andrew Crofts 16, David Perpetuini 17, Bradley Dack 18, Paul Shaw 19, Steve Butler 20, Ade Akinbiyi 21, Leo Fortune - West 22, Iffy Onoura 23, Robert Taylor.

Ben - N/A

Luke - Blimey now you're asking. Will try and follow the 2 players per position rule but I'm sure it will go wrong. GK's: Jason Brown, Simon Royce & Stuart Nelson DEF: Nyron Nosworthy, Barry Fuller; Barry Ashby, Simon King, Chris Hope, John Egan; Roland Edge & Danny Jackman MID: Nicky Southall, Chris Whelpdale; Andy Hessenthaler, Paul Smith, Andrew Crofts, Michael Flynn, Bradley Dack; Matt Jarvis FW: Paul Shaw, Cody McDonald, Tom Eaves & Darren Byfield.

RichardS - Hillyard, Royce, Morris, Green, Fuller, King, Egan, Noseworthy Ashby, Pennock, P Smith, N Smith, Hessenthaler, Shaw, Weatherly, Cochrane, Asaba, Taylor, Onuora, Cascarino, King, Akinbiyi, Yeo,

Steve - I can’t remember much from the naughtiest these days, but I’ll give it my best shot. Bartram, Nelson, Bonham, O’Neill, Fuller, Pennock, Legge, Barrett, Zakuani, Egan, Nutter, Andy Hess, Jake Hess, Southall, Byrne, Dack, Wright, List, King, Asaba, Taylor, McDonald, Jackson.

Lewis - So my team is from 2007-now: Nelson, Royce, Gazzaniga, Fuller, Fish, Zakuani, Egan, King, Barrett, Jackman, Martin, Wright, C Weston, Crofts, Payne, Southall, Dack, Barcham, Whelpdale, McDonald, Jackson, Eaves, Kedwell.

14. WHAT WOULD YOUR STARTING LINE UP AND SUBSTITUTES BENCH BE FOR GILLINGHAM V ROTHERHAM UNITED THIS WEEKEND ???

Rob - Bonham; Tucker, Ehmer, Ogilvie, O'Connor; Jones; Byrne, O'Keefe; RCC; Hanlan, Mandron. SUBS: Walsh, Hodson, Cisse, Lee, Marshall, Jacubiak, Ndjoli.

Gills Anorak - Bonham, Tucker, O’Connor, Ehmer, Ogilvie, Byrne, Jones, O’Keefe, Cook, Hanlan, Jakubiak. Subs Hodson, Ndjoli, Lee,Walsh, Pringle , Marshall, Mandron.

Lee - Unchanged side from Saturday’s win over Accrington Stanley for me.

Louis - Jack Bonham, Barry Fuller, Max Ehmer, Connor Ogilvie, Thomas O’Connor Mark Marshall, Alfie Jones, Stuart O'Keefe, Regan Charles-Cook, Mikael Ndjoli, Alex Jakubiack Bench: Joe Walsh, Lee Hodson, Jack Tucker, Brandon Hanlan, Mikael Mandron, Mark Byrne, Olly Lee

Ben - Same starting XI at Accrington Stanley!

Luke - Not the one that started and played against them that's for sure.

RichardS - The game is now played so i will leave this.

Steve - I’ll have to base it on the next league game, as I’m writing this after the Rotherham game. I’d go 442. Bonham, Tucker, Ehmer, Ogilvie, Fuller (If he’s fit), Marshall, Lee, Byrne, Pringle, Hanlan and Mandron. Subs are whoever can make it!

Lewis - I’m writing this after the Rotherham game, so I’ll do my team for the next league game against Wimbledon: Bonham - Fuller, Ehmer, Ogilvie, O’Connor - Lee, Jones, O’Keefe - Pringle, Hanlan, Ndjoli. Subs: Walsh, Hodson, Tucker, Byrne, Charles-Cook, Marshall, Jakubiak.

15. AND FINALLY, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WISH TO ADD (EXAMPLE: IS THERE SOMETHING I HAVE NOT COVERED IN THE FOURTEEN QUESTIONS ASKED ABOVE YOU WANT TO EXPAND UPON) ???

Rob - I can't think of anything.

Gills Anorak - Nothing To Add.

Lee - Nothing to add , thanks for having me on Lee all the best.

Louis - Nothing To Add.

Ben - Nothing To Add.

Luke - Glad that the club has finally bothered to change that wretched E at the top of the Rainham End.

RichardS - Nothing to add other than we may be in for yet another nail biting season and we would not want it any other way would we.

Steve - Nothing to add. Thanks for inviting me to answer the questions!

Lewis - There’s nothing I’d like to add, really. Maybe a little self plug (@JournalForGills on all platforms ;)), but, other than that, thanks to Lee for asking me to participate in his blog! Up the Gills!

Once again, thank you to everyone for participating in this blog, and if anyone who is reading this who wishes to participate in The Gillingham Supporters Blog throughout The 2019 / 2020 Season, then feel free to send me a message, and your more than welcome to participate in The Next Gillingham Supporters Blog, Hopefully, By The Time The Next Gillingham Supporters Blog, Gillingham will have moved further up The League One Table - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#Gillingham #Football #SupportersBlog

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justanothercinemaniac · 7 years

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Epic Movie (Re)Watch #119 - Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Spoilers Below

Have I Seen It Before: Yes.

Did I Like It Then: Yes.

Do I Remember It: Yes.

Did I See It In Theaters: No

Edit: At the time of writing this I did not see the film in theaters, but have recently.

Was it a movie I saw since August 22nd, 2009: Yes. #565.

Format: DVD

1) Starting this comedy/noir film off with what appears to be an animated cartoon from the 40s is a good way of establishing tone for a few reasons. First of all it tells us what kind of toons Roger and company are. The kind that star in short after short after short like Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny, as opposed to say the Care Bears (it was the 80s, so I’m going with that example) who had a TV Show and a movie. It also introduces us to Roger, Baby Herman, the idea of ACME in cartoons, and Maroon studios. Also the film’s excellence in slapstick is there from the get go.

2) But as soon as the cartoon is over, we’re in the “real” world. This film has a slight bit of edge to it that I wildly appreciate. Not like Martin Scorsese edge, but come on. This is a film starring animated characters that has swearing, murder, sexual innuendo galore, and an alcoholic main character. For example in the original version of the film (now edited out): after Baby Herman walks under the skirt of a female employee on set, his finger is extended upward and has some liquid on it. That is VERY adult but will go over the heads of children.

3) According to IMDb:

Joel Silver's cameo as the director of the Baby Herman cartoon was a prank on Disney chief Michael Eisner by Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg. Eisner and Silver hated each other from their days at Paramount Pictures in the early '80s, particularly after the difficulties involved in making 48 Hrs. (1982). Silver shaved off his beard, paid his own expenses, and kept his name out of all initial cast sheets. When Eisner was told, after the movie was complete, who was playing the director - Silver was nearly unrecognizable - he reportedly shrugged and said, "He was pretty good."

4) Bob Hoskins as Eddie Valiant.

Eddie is a wildly interesting character. He’s a former goofball who has kept his sharp tongue for wiseass remarks and being a pain in the ass, which is always appreciated by me. His conflict is incredibly interesting (more on that later) and he’s just a great character to follow around in this world.

Bob Hoskins is perfect for this role. I’ll go into detail on this later but his interactions with the cartoon characters look easy when they’re not, and Hoskins is able to balance the sourpuss aspect of Eddie’s personality with the wiseass, heartache, alcoholism, and former goofball in a complete package.

According to IMDb:

On the Special Edition DVD, Robert Zemeckis recounts that he had stated in a newspaper interview that Bill Murray was his and producer Steven Spielberg's original choice for the role of Eddie Valiant, but neither could get in contact with him in time. Bill Murray, in turn, has stated that when he read the interview he was in a public place, but he still screamed his lungs out, because he would have definitely accepted the role.

I think Hoskins can’t be replaced though.

5) This film is more of a noir film than an animated fantasy. You have your archetypes like RK Maroon begin the big money slime, Judge Doom is the shady government official, and Jessica Rabbit it the femme fatale. This is felt in every aspect of the film, from the cinematography right down to Alan Silvestri’s wonderful music.

6) Remember how I said Eddie had a great conflict?

Angelo [bar patron who Eddie flipped out on]: “What’s his problem?”

Dolores [Eddie’s sort-of-girlfriend and bar owner]: “Toon killed his brother.”

Like that is such a strange idea, a murderous toon, and it provides such great conflict for Eddie. A conflict which we see laid out before us when the camera takes the time to look at all the stuff on his and Teddy’s desk. You SEE that Eddie is in pain, and without a flashback you see the guy he used to be when his brother was around. The fun goofball who liked working Toontown and helpings toons out. To go from that to where he is now takes a lot of heartbreak.

7) I love that the password to get into the Ink & Paint Club is, “Walt sent me.”

8) Daffy and Donald Duck.

This is the first (and to date only) time cartoon characters owned by Warner Brothers and Disney have appeared in a film together. Since the film was being made by Disney, WB only allowed to have their characters show up if the major characters had the same amount of screen time as the Disney characters. That’s why Donald/Daffy and later Mickey/Bugs always share the screen together.

As a kid THIS was my favorite part of the film! The crossover aspect. Getting to see characters interact who normally don’t. AND they got the official actors at the time to voice them. Mel Blanc voices all his Looney Tunes characters, Tony Anselmo is Donald, and Wayne Allwine is Mickey Mouse. These aren’t cheap cameos, these are the genuine articles and that’s amazing!

9) There are also some appearances by non-Disney/non-WB characters, such as Betty Boop.

I think the inclusion of Betty is a nice way to pay respect to the early days of studio animation, and her original voice actress was still alive at the time so she got a chance to reprise the character.

10) Jessica Rabbit.

Before anything else, I would just like to point out that Jessica’s proportions are PURPOSEFULLY impossible. I think that this is done to play into the idea of her being a femme fatale, but more so even to critique some of the ridiculous bodies animated female characters have (but that last part may just be wishful thinking on my part). Kathleen Turner unfortunately does not get credit for her voiceover work as Jessica, which is a shame because she gives the character so much of her heart and intrigue. When she’s just the femme fatale Jessica’s a bit of a stereotype but by the end of the film she becomes truly interesting to me because she doesn’t just fill that role. There’s also a fan theory about Jessica I’m totally onboard with, but more on that later.

11) Robert Zemeckis’ films are marked for their incredible special effects, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit is no exception. Ask yourself: every time an animated character opens a door, or moves a desk, or splashes water, or bumps into a lamp, or (in the case of Jessica) pulls Eddie close to them by his tie and then lets him go, how did they do that on set? Because they had to! CGI is not a factor in this film. The animation is done by drawing over the film that was shot in the traditional fashion, but everything else had to be done practically on set. It’s so subtle and so natural that I marvel at it every time.

12) Okay, I love the theory that Jessica Rabbit is asexual. If you want to read the full post click the link above but here are the basic points of argument:

She’s in love with a rabbit because he makes her laugh.

She uses her body to get things she wants from people, but outside of that doesn’t she interest in anybody.

Her line, “I’m not bad, I’m just drawn that way.”

Her line, “You don’t know how hard it is being a woman looking the way I do.”

The only thing that really contradicts the theory is that later in the movie Eddie says to Jessica that Roger is a better lover than a driver, to which she replies, “You better believe it buster.” But I can easily see that as her defending his loving husband side instead of any sexual prowess.

13) Another thing that supports the asexual Jessica theme is that instead of her doing anything sexual with Marvin Acme, she plays Patty Cake with him. Like literally, patty cake.

(GIF source unknown [if this is your GIF please let me know].)

That is a joke I did not understand as a child.

14) I haven’t talked too much about Roger’s voice actor yet, Charles Fleischer.

During filming, Charles Fleischer delivered Roger Rabbit's lines off camera in full Roger costume including rabbit ears, yellow gloves and orange cover-alls. During breaks when he was in costume, other staff at the studios would see him and make comments about the poor caliber of the effects in the "rabbit movie".

Fleischer’s voice IS Roger in so many ways. All he can do to deliver Roger’s heart is speak, and Fleischer’s performance in this film is not to be underwritten because it is amazing. It is full with such life, such heart, and a surprising amount of honesty. It works brilliantly.

15) You have to keep your eyes open for the little innuendos in this film. For example, when Eddie meets Jessica at the crime scene he quickly peeks down at her boobs. This is the first time I’ve ever noticed that and I’ve seen this film a lot.

16) Christopher Lloyd as Judge Doom.

Director Robert Zemeckis had worked with Lloyd on their most iconic film Back to the Future (where Lloyd played Doc Brown), and now Lloyd gets to show off his villainous side. He is wonderfully and gleefully evil, showing no remorse and has a cartoon like quality which makes the bad guy work wonderfully in the role. He’s just threatening enough but also just funny enough. And Lloyd never phones it in once. It’s a fantastic performance through and through.

16.5) Can we talk about how this judge just murdered a cartoon shoe for no other reason than to show that he could and no one stopped him. Like, is the shoe technically a prop and so it doesn’t count as murder? Because that thing seems more alive than a prop!

17) So I talked about Roger’s voice actor but not much about Roger as a character yet.

Roger is a pure cartoon character, and I mean that in a sort of literal sense. He’s not tainted by greed or hatred, he is pure joy and humor. A bit of a dunce but he trusts people and WANTS to see the best in them. His entire purpose in life is to make people life and that feeds every decision he makes. It’s a wonderful cartoon counterpart to Hoskins as Eddie.

18) Hoskins’ interactions with Roger is where he shines. Because remember, Hoskins was not on set with Rogers. He was looking at an empty space which would be drawn in latter. But when you watch the film he’s never looking through the space. He’s miming it excellently, he is looking AT an animated character who isn’t even there yet. It’s amazing and the key reason he excels in the role.

19) I never caught this line before.

Roger [asking Eddie for help]: “You know there’s no justice for toons anymore.”

So toons are sort of a disenfranchised minority. That’s an interesting concept. If there’s a sequel maybe they’ll play with it.

20) According to IMDb:

When Eddie takes Roger Rabbit into the back room at the bar where Dolores works to cut apart the hand-cuffs, the lamp from ceiling is bumped and swinging. Lots of extra work was needed to make the shadows match between the actual room shots and the animation. Today, "Bump the Lamp" is a term used by many Disney employees to refer to going that extra mile on an effect just to make it a little more special, even though most audience members will never notice it.

21) @theforceisstronginthegirl, this is for you:

(GIF originally posted by @i-am-the-wallflower)

Nothing sums up Roger more than the fact that he can only get out of those handcuffs when it’s funny. It feeds into how Roger entertains all the guys at the tavern because they’re down on their luck, even though they could turn him over to Doom for a ton of cash (but they don’t). He believes in the power of laughter.

22)

Judge Doom [upon observing the record on the record player]: “‘The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down’. Quite a looney selection for a bunch of drunken reprobates.”

“The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down” is the theme to the Looney Tunes shorts.

23) The rest of the bar scene is filled with so many great cartoon gags. The fact that Judge Doom is able to lure Roger out by having him respond to, “Shave and a haircut,” is great. But a subtler reference is how Eddie gets Roger to drink the alcohol and loose control (thereby freeing himself from Doom). They go back and forth where Eddie wants Roger to drink the drink but Roger doesn’t want it, but when Eddie says Roger DOESN’T want the drink Roger says he wants it just to continue the conflict. Sound familiar?

24) Benny the cab is another fun original character added to the film, and he’s the same voice over actor as Roger!

25) I find this hysterical.

Benny [right before they’re going to hit a car]: “Pull the lever!”

Eddie: “Which one?”

Roger: “Which one?”

Benny: “‘WHICH ONE?’!?”

26) I am so ashamed of myself that I never caught the Back to the Future reference this film makes! Benny is driving down an alleyway and the evil weasels are driving straight towards him, and one of the weasels declares, “I’m gonna ram him!” Well in Back to the Future (also directed by Robert Zemeckis) Biff Tannen is about do the same thing to Marty McFly and says the EXACT same line as we get the EXACT same shot of his car!

I love that.

27) Me too Roger, me too.

Roger [expecting another cartoon to play in the movie theater but it’s a news reel]: “I hate the news.”

28) When we were introduced to Roger in the opening cartoon, I was trying to dissect what made him a unique cartoon character. Like Donald has his temper tantrums, Bugs Bunny is a wise guy, and Roger I’ve discovered likes to go on tangents. Like someone will tell him to do something and he’ll talk for five minutes about how well he’ll do it even when no one is around to listen. I like that.

29) The animated bullets Eddie uses in the gun given to him by Yosemite Sam are very much in the style of Chuck Jones and I can appreciate that.

30) It’s pretty fun watching for all the animated characters the filmmakers inserted into Toontown.

31) Droopy Dog is another cartoon character who shows up despite not being owned by Disney or WB. This meant he got to show up again later in an animated Roger Rabbit cartoon.

32) When Eddie is in a Toontown bathroom there’s writing on the wall that says, “For a Good Time Call Alyson ‘Wonderland’,” but then there’s no phone number. The theatrical release DID have a phone number but it was Michael Eisner’s home phone (I think) so it was edited out for the home video release.

33) What could possibly top Donald Duck & Daffy Duck dueling pianos?

I love everything about this. But it also gets to another agreement between WB & Disney: Disney did not want any of their characters doing anything to harm Eddie, so that’s why when he gets the “spare” from Mickey & Bugs (it’s a spare tire but he thought it was a parachute) it is BUGS who gives it to him!

Honestly it’d be awesome if Disney and WB could make more crossover cartoons. That would be pretty awesome.

34) File this one under jokes I didn’t get as a kid:

youtube

35) So Judge Doom’s end goal, his whole villainous plan, is to construct...a freeway? God, if it weren’t for the twist coming up that would’ve been so stupid.

36) Eddie’s comedy routine is great. It shows Bob Hoskins’ skill at slapstick and goofball and is just a joy to watch. Also we get this fun line:

Eddie: I'm through with taking falls / And bouncing off the walls / Without that gun, I'd have some fun / I'd kick you in the...

[bottle falls on his head]

Roger: Nose!

Head Weasel: Nose? That don't rhyme with "walls."

Eddie: No, but this does. [kicks Head Weasel in the balls, propelling him into a vat of Dip]

37) Doom is a toon!

This is a nice twist in the film that you can totally see was setup if you’re looking for it. Christopher Lloyd is able to play Doom with an even bigger sense of cartoony evil, and it means his end goal of a freeway isn’t so stupid after all.

38) The train that hits the dip machine at the end has a bunch of window. If you go through it frame by frame, each window depicts someone being murdered. Fun fun fun.

39) According to IMDb:

The opening track on the Sting album "...Nothing Like the Sun", the song "The Lazarus Heart" was originally written as the movie's musical finale, at an early stage of the movie's production when the book's tragic ending, where Roger is killed in the crossfire during the final duel, was still in the script. When the studio ordered its default ending to be used at the film's end, in which Roger is alive at the end of the duel, however, the song was deleted from the script and ended up on Sting's album instead.

40) I like that the film ends not only with the classic, “That’s All Folks,” but also Tinkerbell to let us know this was special.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is awesome. It’s fun, funny, gives us interesting characters, has effects which stand the test of time even 29 years later, and is just a wonderful ride. Hoskins’ performance and the animation are the true standouts here, but that is not to discredit any of the other amazing aspects of the film. A true joy to watch all the way through.

#Who Framed Roger Rabbit #Roger Rabbit #Bob Hoskins #Jessica Rabbit #Robert Zemeckis #Epic Movie (Re)Watch #Christopher Lloyd #Charles Fleischer #Looney Tunes #Walt Disney #The More You Know #Movie #Film #GIF

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