#because they were cute af and had chemistry and so much potential

[misspoetree]

These two nameless characters literally had one (1) minute of screen time in 2021 and yet...I still think about them.

A Man Who Defies the World of BL, dir. Miki Koichiro, ep. 1 (2021)

[my-name-is-markus-with-a-k]

I HAVE to get something off my chest.

RK1K is not something I ship because I didn't see the Simarkus light. I didn't kill off Simon my first playthrough, he was one of the lucky ones that actually made it to the end of my game (RIP Josh, Hank, Kara and Luther).

I honestly just didn't see chemistry between them beyond being bros. Truth be told, coming off my first playthrough, I didn't ship Markus with anyone. I just didn't even really consider it. I managed to dodge the Markus/North romance all together somehow. I was downright giddy every time Markus and Connor interacted because they were my faves, but I didn't really consider that either because all their interactions are so brief and I need a neon fucking sign to begin to ship things.

My neon sign for RK1K was when I delved into the DBH fandom for the first time. I saw Simarkus art and thought, yeah that's pretty cute but it didn't really catch me. Norkus, I learned about my second play through but it didn't really catch me either (that happened much later) But then I saw my first RK1K art and I fucking KNEW this was my ship. It clicked with me in a way that no non-canon ship had ever done for me before.

Gosh, just the amount of parallels between the two, the way they're so similar yet each other opposites. I mean the deviant hunter and the deviant leader? Who COMPLETE EACH OTHERS MODEL NUMBERS? Like, the whole opposite forces working against each other until one convinces the other to switch sides????And Connor being willing to lay down his life??? And THEN BRINGING MARKUS AN ARMY? And then you have the whole other side where they're enemies. Like obviously that doesn't end well but my god, the sheer POTENTIAL. Enemies to lovers is popular for a reason. Watching these two powerhouses duke it out is sexy af.

I'm sorry but RK1K is much more than just something I ship because I missed out on Markus and Simon moments. I just like a different thing to you and that's okay.

[reclusivedouche]

Riverdale 7x10 Thoughts

This episode is so gay holy shit!!

Okay, please understand Archie and Reggie are boyfriends god

And honestly Betty and Veronica, like come on that would work too

Basically that's how it ended up, how it should've been

Reggie and Archie must kiss

This episode was great because no Alice or Hal

Too much Frank

Fuck tho when Reggie came home all late and Archie did the dad talk fuck

The fanfiction I am currently writing in my head

I also love that they're not just glossing over the Betty and Reggie potential over the cars.

Really looking forward to the kissing next week lmao

Also a great no Julian episode. He sucks, like I get it but like he's only good to get punched

Love some Cheryl and Toni (and even Clay) even if it means we have to deal with Kevin, also

Seven seasons and I have never once, not once, liked Kevin

It's fine, his stories are always fodder for better storylines

Anyway

I do love how delicately they're doing Cheryl and Toni this season. Everyone's one true OTP hahaha

Love to learn Brad Rayburry had a black wife down south.

I love that she showed up and gave good evidence of not suicide

She was so cute

Jughead and Tabitha are so cute

Idk why tf y'all are so mad this is still in the 50's like??

This season is peak, so so good

And fun??? Sorry but the last few season, tho good have been kind of a slog

whatever tho that's just me

I am concerned Tabitha is leaving again because we need a Jabitha kiss asap???

Lest we forget:

My absolute favorite moment omg I'm still thinking about how great it was

Like yes it was sad, of course, but like it's great for the story

Why does no one like this show for the story like when are you ever given something this bonkers

This is literally written by people from the Glee writer's room like

You all loved that shit but?

Whatever

I am annoyed we did not get to actually see Fang's concert. Even just a few screens like we just get him singing tuttie fruttie or whatever while he walks to Midge bc ofc he is famous now

Or gonna be

Look tho, Fangs is great this season. He is looking fine af

And like

He and new Midge have great chemistry

I'm sure this plan for him being famous is definitely going to smooth over the pregnancy for Midge's parents like

I'm here for it tho, I cannot forget the frogs pregnancy test, which is real

I'm also again glad Alice was not in this episode as she is literally my mother (this season specifically) so I cannot

Hear me out, tho - if the next episode is Halloween, I mean Julian has to dress up as like the doll?? Like he has to??

I bring this up bc Halloween is my mother's birthday so it applies

It is almost 4am and I should go to bed but like

Why?

Archie and Reggie wrestling in the ROAD

Just kiss

I get that's the straight man's "kiss" but like

Also out here Pops is just giving these kids everything always?

lmao a car to Reggie

Either way, they just need to take one of the cars up to lovers lane so things can get steamy bc

We cannot do anything with Uncle Frank around??

Again, I must ask, what were he and Hal doing that they both showed up in Betty and Archie's rooms during the peep show AT THE SAME TIME

Gay shit

Or KKK things maybe? Yikes. Idk what older white men of this season are doing but

it is gross and I hate it

The full on lack of adults in this episode was perfect also more of that please

Again, I cannot overstate this, but this 50's thing should last most of the season because it is fun and enjoyable and the story is gonna end how it ends so why be stressed

It's so good, I will not get off this soapbox ever sorry

Don't @ me either

Goodnight

[show-your-fangs]

oh yeah totally agreed, the actress is super cute and she also plays in scandal and she slays so there was potential!!! The writers did hotch dirty, there was no storyline no nothing. You mean to tell me that the man who married his highschool sweetheart just settled for someone he met while training because she was nice?!? OUT OF ALL THE ADJECTIVES ON THIS FUCKING PLANET BETH IS NICE AND THATS ABOUT IT. I personally would’ve loved to see the him and emily trope explored, not sure how you feel about that but the for me, the foyet storyline really seemed to have brought them closer as friends and that last scene between them at jj’s wedding when emily leaves at the end of season 7 had more potential than all the episodes with beth ever did… other than that there wasn’t rlly anything for hotch that was worthy exploring so yeah… tbh i wish you could’ve written his storyline (and obvi im jealous as hell too)

firstly, 100% agree, justice for hotch. i think that ironically the best thing that could’ve happened to them was thomas exiting the show because clearly they didn’t know wtf they were doing with his character. like the scratch storyline is just a plain repeat of what happened with foyet and i’m so annoyed. had to do some gymnastics to make it interesting for the fic, ngl.

as for beth, YES!! the actress is everything and they literally had her do NOTHING. hotch is not vainilla at all, that motherfucker has so much depth it’s crazy and they didn’t explore shit and it makes me angry to this day.

secondly, and this is where i might make people mad af, i do not like hotchniss at all (hides). i think they had chemistry to a degree but like emily prentiss is gay and no one can convince me otherwise. they’re two tops in a relationship, it would’ve never worked regardless.

i also wish i could’ve written on cm, maybe one day through the reboot honestly. i’ll keep advocating for myself until they tell me to stop or give me the power to do the overly intricate, three part reunion special i wanna make (i’m a screenwriter as my profession so it’s not out of the realm of possibility)

[rejaytionships]

Hello! If you're up for it I desperately need to know more to the story about your OC Linn and what's going on with them with Proton and Bill it's so funny to me that we're both into the same characters in nearly the same way and since I love them and I love shenanigans 👀 spill the tea pls, but it's totally fine if you don't want to I can daydream to anime and vocaloid songs

HI YES i would love to share, let me give you the rundown of their storylines. if you want more on specific things (or if you yourself wanna gush) plz feel free to ask i love talking about it!!!

i almost definitely forgot some details but i think this is a comprehensive basic idea???

(just noticed after writing that it's REALLY long af so i'm gonna put this on a read more sorry ksjdhfk)

so basically it starts off with linn in johto. i haven't decided exactly how but i know linn kept running in with proton who went from needing to take them out (derogatory) to needing to take them out (affectionate). linn decided "why not, he's kinda cute" and the two became a couple with a surprising amount of chemistry

proton tried to get linn to join team rocket (which linn did not want to do because their gym leader father, crasher wake, would probably NOT be a fan of that) but when proton took linn to the hq it's how linn found out they had a godfather (giuseppe) who proton answered to as one of his two bosses (the other being giovanni). we'll remember giuseppe for later

linn and proton, again, got along surprisingly well for their completely opposite lives. linn had completed a good chunk of the dex for sinnoh and hoenn and had received all eight badges from both regions. proton was personally responsible for the mass harvesting of slowpoke tails and had a kill count. somehow these two made it work. although, it did come with linn occasionally having to hide proton from authorities if he was on the run, and a lot of their love life had to stay behind closed doors

there were a few reasons the two of them split. the first was that proton and linn had gotten a little careless with pda and had been spotted by an onlooker who had reported linn as a potential criminal (which was NOT fun to deal with on their end). the second was that their godfather giuseppe did NOT approve of the relationship. out of all four executives, he always liked proton the least. sure, he made money, but the guy was super unhinged and did a lot of extreme crime when all he needed to do was, like, steal shit? the main reason proton's still with team rocket is because he makes a ton of money for the group (and also because if giovanni gets to keep proton, giuseppe can keep jessie & james)

eventually, linn wanted to go explore kanto, so giuseppe personally paid for linn to leave immediately. so linn hopped ship, broke up with proton because turns out he "conveniently" had to stay at his outpost in johto (this was toooootally not a giuseppe move what /s), and made their way across the region

unfortunately, the whole "linn got caught kissing proton and got in trouble because of it" thing meant something in the system had messed with linn's ability to access pokemon, but of course they didn't know about that system, so they trekked down to route 25 and met a delightful guy bill who they fell in love with at literal first sight

(side note i do have a ficlet about them meeting right here)

so bill helped linn get their system back online, gave them an eevee, and the two stay in touch for a while after that. as linn earned some badges, the two talked more and visited each other more often to the point where sometimes linn would take bill to watch them battle (and considering he didn't really battle much if at all, it was an experience for him). linn helped bill get used to battling a bit as well, although he was getting totally sweeped even when linn went easy on him

now, mind you this entire time bill has been getting teased senselessly by lanette and bebe, his pc-admin friends from other regions, ever since in the footnotes of the bug report (from when he met linn) he referred to them as "cute girl". they pushed him to have linn over for dinner more often, or sometimes to stay the night. it's not like he was opposed to the idea, he was just really flustered considering he also was a love at first sight case

meanwhile linn has jessie & james (sent by giuseppe to watch over them) who are teasing them about their little crush on bill and also were big helps for linn's major confession object: a shiny eevee

they bred so many eevees over so much time, none of them thought it would be possible after a while but after what felt like ages a shiny eevee was finally hatched! linn presented the gift to bill on a surprise visit to his cottage, to which he got really REALLY excited to the point where he couldn't NOT give linn a big kiss on the lips. he then knew what he had to do: get linn a luvdisc to show his affections (he heard about the cultural significance from lanette). unfortunately he is not at all used to catching pokemon and had to ask for one via trade instead, but the pokemon eventually got to him and he used it to fully confess to linn

but then here's the final kicker: after months of dating (fun side note, the eevee bill gave linn evolved into an umbreon by now!), bill wants to take linn to see his family.......in JOHTO (specifically goldenrod)

bill had good intentions, he simply wanted to let linn feel more familiar with his life. in fact, linn had considered doing the same and dragging bill to sinnoh to meet their dad and close friends

that being said, linn is hesitant for obvious reasons but agrees anyways because they don't think they'll run into proton in THAT fast.....right?

they do. within 24 hours. proton had gotten word and immediately dropped everything to check it out. bill was also hoping he wouldn't meet proton because (fun fact) that's his COUSIN who he HATES

(short drabble about the cousin thing here but just be aware this is something bill has been plagued with for AGES)

proton basically picks up like he and linn never split with how initially welcoming he seems, recollecting "silly" memories like how linn helped him hide from the police when they were trying to find him as a potential murder suspect (linn was NOT aware that was why proton had stayed with them) or other "fun" stories where it definitely makes linn look like a criminal

and this gets bill LIVID because he wants nothing to do with proton, but also what do you MEAN his girlfriend used to date his BOZO ASSHOLE COUSIN??? and was SUPPORTIVE OF THE CRIME???

antics definitely ensue because proton is most certainly bringing up his times with linn in johto to get under bill's skin (yeah they never got along like ever) and also proton brings up that linn not only has family in team rocket but also linn was granted immunity and even active protection courtesy of team rocket (which bill translates as linn working as a double agent for team rocket)

basically it's like the most unexpected blown out family drama that linn got themself dragged into, except they're way too busy wondering MY BOYFRIEND IS MY LAST EX'S COUSIN??? and it's a total internal crisis

i'd say it's a love rivalry but part of me is like........i wonder if proton is really that into linn anymore or if he just really really wants to cause problems on purpose. to be honest it could also be both, i just think the idea of proton intentionally causing a relationship rift purely for the fun of it feels in-character for my interpretation of him

[onstoryladders]

Alright everybody, the sun went and came back again, and I still feel the need to RANT about A chance to love, so I'm gonna do just THAT.

🎶 ready or not, here I come 🎶

Let's just start with stating some facts: it's bad. I know it, you know it – it's bad for so many different reasons I'm not even gonna list ’em all... or maybe I will. You know what, I definitely will:

I guess it's low budget and IT SHOWS – but whatever, among all the serie's issues this is actually the most forgivable one.

The acting isn't bad, but it's still awkward sometimes, especially when it comes to love scenes. I love TinCan with all my heart (they're actually my favorite couple in Thai BLs, I think?), and Mean and Plan are good and have good chemistry, but when it comes to physical stuff, and especially kisses, they get so stiff and awkward and-- it's clear it makes them uncomfortable – or at least it makes Plan uncomfortable. It's just hard to watch sometimes lol especially because they were so much better and more convincing in season one! This time it was clear their heart wasn't really into it.

There are so many product placements! The whole show feels like a very long ad for snacks, drinks, makeup and sunscreen.

The side stories are useless af. They don't add anything to the main plot. You're just forced to follow this bunch of other dudes you don't give two fucks about, and they're not even interesting enough, or funny enough, or sweet enough to keep your attention. But maybe that's just me.

The writing is so bad! This is the major issue with the series, imo. The dialogues are bad, even the most emotional scenes lack tension and fall flat, the same things are said and showed over and over and over again, so it all gets very boring very fast.

There are probably other reasons but-- enough.

So, did I hate it? Well, not exactly, because as I said, I love TinCan with all my heart and I was so excited to see them again 💕 and even though some of the reenacted scenes were better in season one (the kisses were definitely better) they still added some very cute moments in this season as well!

All the hugs and all the little kisses – they were so sweet 😭 Tin was so soft during the whole season and I loved every second of it ~

But the story was so badly written that I still get mad when I think about all the wasted potential! They really thought it was a good idea to just-- retell their story from the start? They didn't even do a great job, because I feel like season one had a lot more tension going on: Tin was meaner, Can was angrier – and yes, okay, it wasn't a healthy dynamic, but that's exactly what made the development more interesting!

The only reason they decided to go down that road is that they had to fill the episodes and had no idea how to do it. What makes me mad is that it wouldn't have been difficult AT ALL to just write a better screenplay for the season, because there were so many things to tell! I get that they had a novel to follow, but they could've changed something and actually fleshed out the central conflict of the series – between Tin and Tul.

And what do we get instead? The same dialogue repeated over and over and some vague and sad background for the evil brother thrown in our face so suddenly it gives us whiplash.

“So you're telling me Tul was kidnapped as a child and his grandma wanted him dead?”

Excuse me, but what in the everloving fuck?

And after all this fuckery I'm still not sure what was going on between Tul, the other dude, Tul's wife and the rest of the family.

Anyway.

Anyway.

Anyway.

I am sad because Tin is one of my favorite characters and I think he deserved better.

And OF COURSE we ALL know who else deserved better, right? Exactly. Ma boi. Ma man:

I mean, you really have the audacity to retell TinCan's story from the start, completely fucking up the timeline of the whole series, and then you don't change the only thing it absolutely had to be changed?

It just makes no sense! They really spent the whole season trying to make that storyline less creepy and disturbing, normalizing it, making it seem like the only problem was that Kla lied to Techno and not that he freaking raped him. But whatever, I knew it was going to go this way.

OKAY I'M TIRED OF WRITING SO-- time to put an end to this rant and draw some conclusions.

Did I like A chance to love? Well, mostly no. I was very happy to finally see Tin and Can together and in love ❤ but that's it. I rewatched Love by chance before, but I doubt I'll ever rewatch this second season. It felt way too flat and uninspired.

They're still precious though 💕

[canonicallysoulmates]

Hello! I used to be a J2 fan , love their chemistry/friendship/relationship, very rare and special, but been really disappointed with Jared ,and Walker is really a bad quality tv show, like a 90 hallmark show. Do you like walker for Jared or do you genuinely like the show? What are other shows you like? Have you watch justified? Deadwood? Those are really good “wester show” even though let’s be honest Walker is actually a soap opera.

Just surprised that so many people like it in 2020 it seems so outdated .

A J2 fan who wish the best for their relationship.

Hi,

Let me just reel in the protective fan in me real quick cause I do acknowledge that taste is subjective and Walker is not going to be everybody’s cup of tea. And that’s okay. It’s not for everyone, I acknowledge and I accept that. 

That being said, when I say I like Walker I mean I genuinely like the show, it has honestly become the highlight of my Thursdays; I look forward to the new episodes, I’m invested in some of the characters, I love Cordell, I love Micki, I love Trey, I love Cordell and Micki’s friendship, I think Trey and Micki are cute af but there’s also things I don’t like and I don’t hide it, I don’t like how the kids are written, I don’t care for the wife character, I hate the flashbacks, don’t really care about the wife mystery. 

I don’t bullshit y’all, if I only watched it for Jared, or if Jared was the only part that I liked about it, or I didn’t like it I would just say that, I’m not gonna pretend to like something just because one of my boys is involved in it. 

Now, I won’t lie, would I have checked out this show if Jared wasn’t involved in it? Probably not. I checked this show out because of Jared; I don’t have the CW so if I wanna watch a show from them I gotta either find a livestream to watch it or I gotta check week by week or binge it after the season airs, and that’s just a pain in the ass so a show has to really be worth it. 

I am doing opinion posts for this series you can find them in my opinion on Walker tag if you want to see my more in depth opinions on all the episodes that have aired so far. 

Some other shows that I like that are currently airing are: Lucifer, The Mandalorian, Bull, Bob ❤ Abishola, Resident Alien, SEAL Team I don’t talk about this show much but it’s one of my favorites. Some shows that I like that have finished airing: Friends I don’t care what anyone says it’s still funny af, Scrubs, Psych, The Golden Girls they’re iconic, Hannibal which I haven’t finished yet but is a great show. 

I have never watched Justified or Deadwood and to be quite frank I have no interest in either of them, I know they’re supposedly great shows but I have never seen anything about them that makes me actually want to watch them.

Is Walker the perfect show? No, it hasn’t even reached its full potential yet. Is it something revolutionary or groundbreaking? No. Is it deep, and thought provoking and meta? No. Is it something you have to watch with a pen and paper as if you were playing a Clue game and requires more of your attention than an exam during finals? No. 

But is it an entertaining hour of tv? Hell yes! Does that mean it’s a must-watch show or a show for everybody? Most certainly not. Like I said at the beginning, it’s not gonna be everybody’s cup of tea, if you like mature, dark gritty shows or you find it hard to invest in characters and their emotional on goings this ain’t gonna do it for you, but if you like light, family friendly shows you might like this. 

Listen I won’t deny that a big pull for the show is Jared, you wanna see him on screen, and you’re rooting for his character to get his shit together and his family to heal, but I think another one of the reasons so many people like it is that we had a hell year with 2020 and 2021 is not going much better but for an hour at least on Thursdays you get to kick back and lose yourself in a world that’s a little bit better than the shit reality we live in, it’s entertaining and fun especially if you watch it along with your friends. You compare it to a 90′s Hallmark show, there’s actually a very big audience for that! And it means it would get syndication for years to come which is a good thing. 

Not every show has to be an immediate groundbreaking high quality masterpiece to be a diamond. 

And not every show is gonna be loved by everyone. Actually, no show is ever loved by everyone.

[favberrys]

No one asked this and no one cares, but here’s my personal opinions about every glee ship:

Finchel: they had their cute moments, but in general I really dislike them as couple. They brought the worst out of each other when they were together, Finn made Rachel insecure and was also incredibly possessive of her (not in a cute way) and Rachel pressured Finn too much. She wanted to control him and often tried change him, they’re too different and not compatible. I think Rachel needs someone more simalar to her or someone who can understand her, because Finn really didn’t get Rachel.

Klaine: I’m neutral about klaine, I don’t hate them, but simply I’m not invested into this ship. They aren’t toxic, but I think their relationship has many issues and is a little unhealthy sometimes.They had a good start, but as the show went on they got worse. I love Blaine, he’s my gay son, but he was too jealous and controlling about Kurt. Kudos for the gay representation, i acknowledge their huge impact on the lgbt community

Brittana: wow what can I say about them ? They’re everything, best friends to lovers excellence. Brittana had a rough start, but their dynamic became a beautiful and mature relationship in which they always supported and loved each other. Even when they dated other people, Santana and Brittany respected each other. It had and still has a huge importance for the sapphic community, it is good representation and one of the first big teen wlw couples. Brittana are the definition of soulmates

Quick: absolute trash, Puck got Quinn drunk on wine coolers and then had sex with her while she was still drunk. There was nothing consensual about that. The fact that rib never acknowledged this is disgusting. They had very little interactions, their relationship was not developed. Puck and Quinn have literally nothing in common, they’re not compatible in any way and them getting together at the end always irked me because in s3 Quinn said she didn’t care about all the boys she dated in the past. If you ship them idc it’s fine, but I hate this pairing. It’s a huge no from me, I think Puck liked Quinn only because she was hot.

Faberry: THEY’RE MY RIDE OR DIE YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE TO ME. Enemies to lovers excellence, I know faberry was queerbaiting, but I still ship them after all these years. They have chemistry, lots of yearning and sexual tension, impossibly high angst level. This is the only pairing in which I will accept the trope “homophobic jock falls in love with the person they bully”. At first they were terrible to each other, but they managed to built a nice relationship and I seriously think Rachel was the only one for Quinn because she was the only person who always showed Quinn love and support even when they were enemies. I also think that Rachel felt something more than platonic for Quinn at some point (always ranting about how beautiful Quinn is ? That’s gay)

St berry: I like them, I know they had little screen time and they weren’t even supposed to be a thing according to rib (bc they planned on making finchel endgame), but I think they’re compatible, Jesse is probably the only person who could keep up with Rachel. They have many things in common and even though he was shitty to her at first, he redeemed himself. Rachel and Jesse have good romantic chemistry and excellent musical chemistry, their duets are amazing. I’m happy they got together in the end.

Pezberry: oh boy they’re so hot together, lots of sexual chemistry, they could have been enemies to friends to lovers excellence or at least friends with benefits, but ryan murphy is a coward. I enjoy their scenes, they’re hilarious together and always make me laugh. I think they’re a pretty explosive duo, pezberry has great musical chemistry, all their duets are iconic and there’s a lot of sexual tension between them, they’re definitely compatible in bed but idk if they would last in a long term relationship.

Quinntana: this pairing was very random in my opinion because Quinn and Santana lowkey hated each other and always wanted to destroy each other, BUT they are very hot together, they’re probably the most gorgeous couple on glee because both dianna and naya are insanely attractive. Quinntana gave me my sapphic!quinn rights and I’ll be forever thankful about that, they’re compatible in bed, but I like them only as friends with benefits. I don’t see any romantic chemistry between them, mostly because they were always competing about who was the hbic of the school. I don’t think they would last as a stable couple. I wanted to see more of quinntana though.

Fabrevans: if Quinn had to end up with a man, the only heterosexual Quinn ship I tolerate is fabrevans because Sam was really kind, sweet and good to her. Sadly she wasn’t very interested in him, he was just the hot new guy soon to become quarterback and I think she dated him for popularity. I don’t think they would have lasted in a long term relationship, they were cute together romantically speaking but I don’t ship them.

Samcedes: should have been endgame, definition of wasted potential

Tike: should have been endgame, even though I don’t care about Mike and Tina they were really good together, the love was genuine. Tike is one of the few heterosexual couple I don’t mind

Artittany: is a huge no from me, they had zero chemistry and he treated her like trash, artie deserved to be cheated on lol (I’m joking no one deserves that but I really don’t like artie because he’s sexist, misogynistic and he also treated all his gfs like crap)

Seblaine: I honestly don’t see it, Sebastian was definitely interested in Blaine, but Blaine always only had eyes for Kurt. Still I think they should have dated in s6, it would have been fun to see Kurt jealous about his nemesis dating his ex bf. I like the idea of Seblaine having a one night stand, but I don’t ship them as a couple. I also don’t like Sebastian very much, sorry.

Fuinn: A HUGE NO, they were aesthetically pleasing together, but that’s it. They didn’t have sexual tension, they just had tension. Fuinn is a little dysfunctional in my opinion, they get together, they break up and then start dating again just like finchel. I honestly don’t think they were in love, but they cared about each other in a platonic way. Finn wasn’t a good boyfriend to Quinn and Quinn constantly manipulated him. I don’t like them as a couple, they’re too messy.

Blam: best friends to lovers excellence, lots of wasted potential. I’m not saying they should have been endgame, but Sam and Blaine should have dated. I like the idea of Sam discovering he’s bi or pan and exploring his sexuality with someone who cares about him. They have chemistry and I like their dynamic. I also fancy their duets and I think they could have fallen in love with each other.

Hevans: ok if I squint I can see it, they had potential, Kurt was definitely attracted to Sam and Sam was kind of curious about him, I’m sure he admires Kurt and cares about him, but I don’t ship them together

Sebtana, Finntana, Pucktana: ABSOLUTE TRASH DON’T SHIP CANON LESBIAN CHARACTERS WITH MEN, IT’S INCREDIBLY HARMFUL AND INVALIDATING. There are so many heterosexual ships, why do you have to take away from the gays the few lgbt characters we have ?

Quinncedes: i don’t ship them romantically, but I ship them as best friends. I wished their friendship was more developed, Quinn and Mercedes were so good to each other.

Quinntina: have they even interacted with each other ? (Lmao I’m joking again don’t get pressed, you can ship what you what). I don’t ship it, they’re cute and I lowkey like Tina, but it’s not my cup of tea. Still it’s a wlw ship, so I don’t have anything against it.

Wemma: no

Artie x Tina: I don’t even know their ship name, imagine how much irrelevant they are to me. Again I don’t like how artie treats women, I don’t ship them and Tina deserves better than him.

Samchel: underrated af, i’m not saying they should have been endgame because they wouldn’t have lasted in a long term relationship, BUT they were cute together. Sam was really good for Rachel, he made her more humble and helped her to heal after Finn died. They deserved more development and had a lot of potential. I don’t remember what happened in s6, but I liked samchel dating, I don’t mind them as a romantic couple, even though they’re not very compatible.

Brochel: it was not as bad as rib tried to make us believe. I don’t ship them but they have sexual/romantic chemistry and also musical chemistry. I’m neutral about Brody and Rachel, he was hot, but he was also incredibly boring and one dimensional

Julyberry: the sexual tension between them is so high, i loved it when they did all that jazz, I think they should have been fuck buddies or had a one night stand. Lots of sexual and musical chemistry, i lowkey ship them bc milf!kate hudson rights. Maybe after Rachel graduates at nyda, they could date

[squidproquoclarice]

All the questions for the relationship meme :^)

All the questions for Sadithur (as discussed!), done.  This one’s going largely under a cut because it’s long!  Numerous other people requested a single answer, but since I got this one, please go ahead and refer to this for it.

PRE-RELATIONSHIP

How did they first meet?

He came to rob her house for survival supplies, and instead ended up rescuing her from being held prisoner by the men who’d murdered her husband.  Not exactly a meet cute.

What was their first impression of each other?

Uhhhh, well.  Arthur’s first impression of Sadie was “poor shocked woman who’s had her house broken into, her husband murdered, and been attacked herself by O’Driscolls for the last three days”.  And Sadie’s first impression of Arthur is probably “large strange man who was in my house, shot the bastards who broke in, and is clearly a violent man himself, even if he saved me, and I’m not inclined to trust pretty much any man right now, let alone one with a gun.”  Not the most promising beginning.

Did any of their friends or family want them to get together?

Hosea definitely hoped for them to become a couple at some point if they survived what was to come, even though he knew at that time neither of them was in a good place for it.  Hosea’s very much the cheerleader for his kids being happy, to judge from his trying to get Abigail and John to reconcile, and given I’m sure he knows about Eliza and Isaac, he knows how lonely and traumatized Arthur is, and also sees the remarkable rapport and ease of manner he develops with Sadie.  I also think Abigail, who loves both Arthur and Sadie deeply, kind of hoped for it also.  She knows how lonely they both are, and sees how they are around each other, and we know she’s definitely a bit of a romantic and a believer in the power of love.  I suspect Tilly might have leaned in that direction too, because Tilly’s perceptive AF, and Arthur’s Big Bro. Who felt romantic feelings first?

Arthur.  Understandably so, as his grief for Isaac and Eliza is further in the past than Sadie’s for Jake.  It was still only a matter of a couple of months difference, though. Did either of them try to resist their feelings?

Not so much resisted as restrained.  They readily accepted they felt that way, and that the person they felt romantic feelings towards was more than worthy of it.  They were just questioning whether it was right and fair to put those feelings on the other person.  Both of them had concerns--Arthur felt like he had nothing to offer Sadie and had no right to impose on her like that with his feelings, and Sadie had concerns that Arthur would just be bulldozed into a relationship from just being happy to be wanted, and she was unwilling to hurt him like that.

If you had told one of them that the other would be their soulmate, what would they think? Almost immediately the two of them click in a profound way and they’re very close and comfortable with each other.  The trust and affection and deep friendship is already there, so I don’t think they’d be shocked to hear they’d be so important to each other.  But they would likely have both been very surprised at the idea of also being together romantically and sexually at some point.  Not as a reflection of the other person being unsuitable, but because after so much trauma and self-loathing and loss, neither of them could imagine having that in their lives.

GENERAL

Who initiated the relationship, and how did it go?

Neither of them really made a move.  It just sorta happened as a slow change over a couple of years from friends to a cohabiting queerplatonic couple to spouses.  

Did they have an official first date? If so, what was it like?

In a sense, their first date was that shopping-and-gunfighting trip to Rhodes, which was pretty memorable, and shows off their immediate easy chemistry and battle couple potential.  But in terms of a genuine romantically intended “first date”, not really.  They were essentially a QPR by the time they admitted to now having romantic/sexual feelings as well, so things were intense and committed enough already that they didn’t need a date.  They just moved right towards getting married.

What was their first kiss like?

They both had resolved to admit their feelings to each other after the wedding of two of their friends.  Then they got a little tipsy at the wedding, ended up saying a bit too much, and Sadie took the initiative and kissed Arthur.  Given he kissed back very enthusiastically, she could be pretty sure he wasn’t just playing along with her.  But they realized they needed to talk, so they tabled it until the next day when they were sober again and could talk about it.

Were they each other’s first anything (kiss, relationship, etc.)?

For Sadie, no.  She’d been married very happily to Jake.  For Arthur, this was the first relationship with solid grounding and a solid future rather than youthful fantasy like Mary, and he’s surprised at how easy it is to be with Sadie, including being vulnerable, because of that trust.  It’s also the first time he’s had sex and actually really been comfortable and enjoyed it rather than just being left feeling awkward and even more alone, given he comes across very strongly as some type of asexual (I write him specifically as demisexual) and didn’t have opportunities for the emotional intimacy he needs to be interested in sex.  Both of them actually had their first kiss in a same-sex romance, though Sadie wasn’t able to acknowledge hers as romantic until much later.

What’s their height difference? Age difference?

Given Roger and Alex’s heights, and their corresponding relative heights in-game looking accurate to that height differential, I put Arthur at 6’ish and Sadie at 5’4”ish, so there’s an 8 inch height difference.  As for age, it’s canonical that Arthur was born in 1863.  I have him as a July birthdate, so he’s 35 for the early bits of the game, and 36 for most of it.  Sadie appears to be 30ish (she’s definitely no 24-year-old), and I write her as having been born in April of 1868.  So she’s 31 for all of RDR2.   That puts their age difference as a smidge under 5 years. 

What’s their relationship with each other’s families?

Both of them have lost their biological parents by 1899.  Arthur’s only bio sibling (David) died even before Arthur even knew him.  Sadie lost an older brother (Henry), and she’s become estranged from her younger sister Caroline, though they patch that up.  Arthur has yet to meet Caro, though, as she’s been living in Oregon.  So the only real family in question was the gang, and clearly Sadie was not only accepted by them, she actually stepped up and led them.

Who takes the lead in social situations?

Sadie tends to, and Arthur readily relies upon and defers to her experience there.  He’ll be the first to admit his life didn’t exactly teach him the boundaries and everyday pleasantries of Victorian social order, and sometimes that’s to the good.  Sadie’s not exactly a paragon of it herself as a hardscrabble farm girl who doesn’t defer to misogyny, but she’s aware of some of those rules, boundaries, and undercurrents in a way Arthur isn’t.  So he’s not too proud to let her take the lead in a social situation, or to ask her advice in dealing with something without giving offense.

Who gets jealous easier?

Arthur would have, early on.  He was far more insecure in himself (and as Sadie admits, he’ll always be a little more fragile than her in that realm), but he was probably more likely to morosely turn doubts on himself as a perceived inadequacy and personal failure rather than to get jealous of Sadie.  Being romantically or sexually jealous really kind of requires insecurity and lack of trust, and they’ve moved far beyond that.

LOVE

Who said “I love you” first?

I had to double check.  Arthur said it first when he proposed to her, but Sadie immediately followed it.

What are their primary love languages?

For both, I think Quality Time/Acts of Service.  Showing love for both of them is in spending time together doing things, doing little things for each other, and basking in that friendship that’s the solid foundation of everything between them.  There’s a bit of Physical Touch in there also due to both of them being somewhat touch-starved.  I do think Arthur has some Words of Affirmation in there as well, because sometimes he truly needs to hear praise and affection deliberately and unequivocally stated to be able to believe it’s real, and Sadie’s come to realize that and respond to it.

How often do they cuddle/engage in PDA?

They’re not really an overt PDA couple.  What they have they consider generally very intense but private.  They do like to cuddle in private, and small touches here and there are common enough. 

What are their favorite things to do together?

Just spend time together, to be honest.  It could be reading together (silently or one of them aloud), playing music together, doing chores, cooking, spending time with the kids, training horses, lying in bed talking, or anything.  They just genuinely enjoy each other’s company.  

Who’s better at comforting the other?

It’s a learned skill for both of them since neither was great at articulating feelings, but the months at Las Hermanas when they were both healing psychologically while Arthur was healing physically did a lot. They’re both fairly good at nonverbal comfort, and reaffirming each other. 

Who’s more protective?

Pick a day.  It can vary.  ;)  I think we see in-game they’re both fiercely protective of each other.  I do think Arthur has the knack of being protective of her in a non-patronizing, non-paternalistic way, which Sadie appreciates.  It’s still been hard for her to accept that needing and taking help isn’t admitting she’s weak.  Arthur kind of had to get over that notion during his TB convalescence because he constantly needed help for things.

Do they prefer verbal or physical affection?

A mix of both.  Usually not big overt dramatic demonstrations, since that’s not their dynamic, but quick little affectionate touches (on the arm, the cheek, etc.), using fond nicknames and pet names, and things like that. 

What are some songs that apply to their relationship, in-universe or otherwise?

I’ll keep working on this and probably post some of my Sadithur playlist at some point.

What kind of nicknames do they call each other?

“Art” and “Daisy” are their private affectionate nicknames, given Sadie jokingly calling him “artsy Art” as he’s an artist, and Arthur admitting he couldn’t come up with a fitting nickname from “Sadie” and just rearranging the sounds a bit.  After Sadie used it in-game, “honey” is probably the most common pet name they use.

DOMESTIC LIFE

If they get married, who proposes?

Arthur did.  That’s not because Sadie is a traditionalist by any means.  But I do think there’s the part of her that likes to know she’s not steamrollering someone, and that they got to take their own initiative.  Then especially in Arthur’s case, I think he needed to ask.  She needed to be sure that Arthur wanted to be with her, rather than it being a case of her wanting him and him going along with it from being happy to be wanted by her.  I also think he needed it too to prove to himself he could be confident enough in what he had to offer Sadie to ask, and to stand equal to her. 

What’s the wedding like? Who attends?

They had a very small wedding at their home in Chuparosa, for several reasons. One is because they’re just not the type for huge demonstrative parties for their own sake, even if they enjoy them when they’re celebrations for someone else.  Neither of them really likes being a massive center of attention.  Two, they were fairly alone.  They’d made some friends in Mexico, but aside from Charles (who they knew went to Canada), everyone else from the gang was a mystery to them.  Three, they kept it small and quiet also since they’d sorta accidentally ended up playing fake married since Arthur’s admission to Las Hermanas in order to stick together.  So everyone already assumed they were a married couple, and they didn’t want it to become a big obvious thing.  Sister Calderon was the officiant (since it was a secular wedding of two avowed non-Catholics), and their friends Pedro and Juanita Estevez from Las Hermanas were the witnesses.  Dr. Felipe Garcia, Arthur’s doctor who’d also become a friend, also attended, as did Albert Mason, who they’d found in Escalera a few weeks before on yet another wildlife photography expedition. 

How many kids do they have, if any? What are they like?

Mild Sunrise spoiler ahoy, but as of 1908 they’ll have four: Beatrice (born 1902), Matthew (born 1903), Susanna (born 1905, adopted by them in 1907) and Andrew (born in 1908).  I also see them as likely taking in some older kids later once Susie and Andy are a bit older, because Arthur in particular would be passionate about the need to try to give a couple of orphaned and/or homeless teens and near-teens a home.  He knows the kind of people who take you in, or if it doesn’t happen at all, can make a huge difference.  As for personality, Bea’s very much a fierce no-nonsense sort but very protective of the younger kids, Mattie’s a sweet boy who’s going to become a gentle giant, and as for Susie and Andy, I’ll wait to see what they tell me.  Andy’s not born yet, and Susie’s both very young and dealing with the trauma of losing her family to Micah’s gang, so she’s understandably not showing much of her true personality just now. 

Do they have any pets?

Aside from a lot of horses?  They ended up with a black cat (Dido) at the very end of 1899, adopted during the first weeks of Arthur’s convalescence at Las Hermanas and helping keep him company during all that bed rest.  Then they picked up a stray dog (Dusty) in Armadillo in 1901 during fighting the cholera epidemic--this is the Armadillo “Mutt” in-game.  The most recent addition is a border collie puppy (Dorothy), who they’ve adopted from MacFarlane’s Ranch in 1907, given Charlie the border collie being there in RDR1.  

Who’s the stricter parent?

This ended up being something of a big fight, actually, and probably the first huge blow-out in their marriage.  Sadie felt like she was the only one providing discipline and accountability as Bea got old enough to start to need it.  Arthur understandably was feeling his way through parenting since mostly what he has is negative examples from Lyle (physical abuse) and Dutch (profound psychological abuse).  Even Hosea’s parenting was sort of indirect and elusive sometimes.  So he was being very hands-off on discipline out of a need to make certain the kids knew they were loved, and to not worry that he was hurting them.  But he couldn’t do that and leave Sadie all the heavy lifting while he gets to be identified as the “nice” parent and the joybringer, and the two of them came to realize that.  I’d say they’re about even now.   

Who kills the bugs in the house?

Both of them.  Neither is squeamish by any means.

How do they celebrate holidays?

Usually fairly quietly at home with family, but with remembrances of things dear to them.  Songs and music, decorations, favorite foods, little family rituals.  They like to keep that kind of thing alive where they can.

Who’s more likely to convince the other to come back to sleep in the morning?

Sadie.  She knows how hard farming is, so she’s up and at it when there’s work to be done.  But she never had Arthur��s long years of anxious need to stay busy no matter what so he was proving his usefulness.

Who’s the better cook?

They’re both pretty decent at it.  Sadie actually likes cooking, but she doesn’t like being expected to do it just because she’s a woman, so she’s rather protective of that notion.  Arthur came to it late, as kitchen duty was one of the first light jobs a TB patient at Las Hermanas could have after being allowed off total bed rest.  Given how bored he was by then, cooking became something really exciting, and he found out he actually enjoyed it, both the kind of soothing ritual of all those steps, and then producing something tangible by it. 

[magpiefngrl]

Book Recs Jan-Jun 2020

I’ve been reading voraciously these past six months (my Goodreads challenge says 68 books so far). Here are some memorable reads, grouped according to what you might be into.

I want queer romance please:

Brothers of the North Wild Sea by Harper Fox (m/m historical)

This book ruined me (in a good way). Or maybe it isn’t good that I’ll be carrying it inside my heart for ever and ever till the end of my days, my lip wobbling at the mere thought of it. A wonderful romance, a pairing I adored, gorgeous prose, a fascinating historical background (medieval times, north of England, Viking invasions). There’s a faint supernatural undercurrent that becomes more prominent at the very end. I sobbed through the last few pages with fear, with relief, with happiness. Highly, highly recced.

Bitter Springs by Laura Stone (m/m historical)

Every historical novel I’ve read is set in the UK, so the fact that this is a US historical book was fascinating to me. Two POC cowboys fall in love while seeking mustangs in the wilderness of Texas (?? idk where Del Rio is). It’s sweet and loving with a side-serving of jealousy when a former lover briefly appears on the scene; but mainly it’s two men getting to know each other and falling in love in the desert. I loved the horses too.

The Sins of Cities trilogy by KJ Charles. (3 books, 3 different couples, interconnected, m/m historical)

OK so the first book in the series didn’t do much for me. A pairing who loves to be domestic and sweet and to drink tea by the fire is cute... but I got bored. The second one, though... I think my eyes popped out of my head from the sheer heat of it. Justin Lazarus shot to the Top-5 of my fave characters of all time, and I’d willingly kill all of you for him, sorry that’s how it is. The trilogy is a murder mystery set in Victorian London, and unlike most romance series, you’ll need to read the books in order. Overall, this isn’t my fave series of KJC, but it was fun nonetheless, and it does have Justin in it so it’s worth a read.

Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles (m/m historical)

This one is amazing!!! This is KJC’s latest, first in a trilogy with the same pairing, which means the HEA is 2 books away (it doesn’t mean that this ends unhappy; another reader called it the WNDY ending -- We’re Not Done Yet). Boy, this is a scorcher. Set in the 1920s, it features spies, secret societies, murder, lies, kidnapping, grey characters with elastic morals: these are all catnip for me, and I inhaled this novel twice in a week. Highly recced for anyone into a gay historical romance, who loves a bit of pulp with their gay sex. The second installment is out next month.

The 13th Hex (novella) and Widdershins by Jordan L. Hawk (both m/m historical paranormal, but different universes)

I can’t say I’m enamoured by Hawk’s writing skills; in fact, I usually feel a tad let-down by the prose, mainly because the books have such potential. Hawk’s plotting is fantastic and his world-building fascinating and truly unique. I just love both of these worlds and their magic systems. Hot sex too. I don’t want to discourage people: I’m possibly just too fussy with prose. Hawk is super popular and you should give his books a shot. Widdershins is free! (In case it sways you: Hawk recently came out as a trans man.)

Unnatural by Joanna Chambers (m/m historical)

I read a few romances by Chambers lately, some less satisfying than others. This one is a standalone companion novel to her most popular series, called Enlightenment, set in Regency Britain. It’s a well-written fast read; a friends-to-lovers romance, with lots of tension and chemistry between the leads. As in all Chambers books that I’ve read so far, there’s lots of angst about one’s homosexuality (very era-appropriate) and lots of pull-and-push before it ends in a very HEA.

****

Do you have anything with fantasy and/or magic, my kind lady?

His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik (alternate history, Napoleonic wars with dragons)

Do you like dragons who talk and bond with honourable officers during times of war? Do you love soulmate bonds and sentiments such as: “I’ll do anything for you” and “You’re mine” but when it’s people, it makes you uncomfortable? Well, here former Naval officer Lawrence and his dragon Temeraire (and all dragons with their handlers) have this bond, and it’s the best thing ever. I’m in love with Temeraire, I shiver at the profound bond between Lawrence and his intelligent dragon, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series by a beloved author (ahem).

The Dark Artifices by Cassandra Clare (YA urban fantasy)

I don’t hold the best opinion of Clare’s writing skills so I was pleasantly surprised when I read the first installment a few years back (Lady Midnight). I decided to reread it during quarantine, and then I moved on to the second one, Lord of Shadows. They’re both long novels, tightly-plotted, with several romances evolving on page.

I was excited to read the last one, A Queen of Air and Darkness, but alas! I didn’t love it. To start with, it’s 1000 pages long, and unlike books of that length that I’ve read, you feel it. The book drags. Everyone and their mother has a POV and a love story on page. There are no subplots, because they’re all Plots: all afforded equal space in the narrative, so there’s lots happening at the same time, but the story doesn’t feel like it’s moving forward with a good pace. As the end of the trilogy, Clare indulges in some of her fave elements, namely mentioning someone’s eye colour every three pages, or having every single person paired up by the end (something which bothers me a great deal). There are a few plot contrivances that ensure her main pairing conveniently gets their HEA. I confess I skimmed most of the last part of the book. I’m happy I read it and got to the end of the story, but I can’t say I was satisfied. If you’re looking for an undemanding, escapist fantasy, though, it’s the ticket: it certainly worked for me when I had quarantine brain.

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amar El-Mochtar & Max Gladstone

Sci-fi, literary af, two time-travel agents from opposing Agencies bent on destroying each other, exchange letters and fall in love. I’m completely torn in half: half of the book (the prose, the imagination) left my jaw on the floor. The rest of it left me cold and indifferent. Wonderful prose, couldn’t get into the characters. Short and dense.

Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

Queer fantasy novel that gives strong Dangerous Liaisons vibes. Written in 1987, one of the first fantasy novels to feature a society where same-sex is accepted. The writing is beautiful, the plot twisty. There’s no actual magic, but there are sword fights, courtroom drama, intrigue. Good fun if you like that kind of thing.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

Adult fantasy. So far (I’m half-way through) it’s phenomenal. I’ve seen it recced everywhere and was so happy to see that Scribd offered it in my subscription. Set in a Chinese-inspired world, it features a vivid setting and memorable characters, and I’m loving it. I predict it’ll be my new fave. Do heed the content warnings (pretty much every CW you can think of applies); it’s quite dark as it progresses.

A bunch of novellas and short stories by Aliette de Bodard

This author came to my notice about a year ago. I’ve been following her on twitter ever since, but didn’t have the chance to read any of her work until I saw she had a bunch of stuff available on Scribd. I read a couple of sci-fi novellas set in a Vietnamese-inspired future; The Citadel of Weeping Pearls was my fave.

She’s also published a fantasy trilogy with fallen angels and magic set in a war-ravaged Paris, which sounds awesome. I haven’t read it, can’t afford to yet, but I did read two short stories set in that ‘verse and they were fabulous. The atmosphere, the setting, the premise, the Fallen of the Dominion universe just sounds like very much my thing. Here’s a link to some free stories they offer, if you want to check out her writing.

The Autobiography of a Traitor and a Half-Savage by Alix E. Harrow

I read a short story by Harrow several months ago and was blown away. I’ve rarely fell so fast and so deeply in love with an author. I haven’t read her debut yet, but I came across this short novella and she blew me away again. It’s a story set in the US, magical realism rather than fantasy imo, and it’s about colonialism and the land, and it’s so powerful. You can read it for free at Tor.com. Please do, it’s incredible.

******

[queen0fm0nsterz]

For the ship thing: all combinations between the main five from woy !!

OMG UAGAGAGKASIDSFSKUGHS WHY DIDN’T I ANSWER TO THIS BEFORE!?!?! OMG JHGJESG THANK U SO MUCH ANON THIS QUESTION SAVED MY LIFE????

Disclaimer: I’m a HUGE multishipper and I’m interested in all the ships I’m about to list. However I do have my preferences, so I’m going in order from my least favorite to my absolute fave. Don’t get upset, for this is only my opinion. Ty!!

LETS GO MAD LADS LETS GO!!!!

Bonus 11th ship: I’m really into Something The So and So x Emperor Awesome. I called it Something Awesome. Just putting this.. out there

10) Deathstar (Wander x Dom)

Ah, my two hyperactive spoons. Usually I’m all about the “perfect angel/literal spawn of satan” dynamic, but for some reason they never really clicked for me. Maybe it’s because they didn’t have that many interactions in canon??? But damn, the fanarts are super adorable!! i will die!! (death star shippers yall wanna come in my askbox and talk death star to me?? i would appreciate sm!!)

9) Wandering Eye (Wander x Peepers)

First of all I wanna say, y’all Wandering Eye shippers are perseverant af?? they had like one episode together and it was early first season, it’s been a lot since that. i respect you guys. As for the ship itself, what can I say? I love small boys being in love!!! But once again, nearly no canon interaction... smh

8) Astigmagmatism (Peepers x Dom)

THIS SHIP HAS SO MUCH COMIC POTENTIAL!!! I WILL SCREAM FOREVER I mean the angry smol and bastard tol dynamic?? PLUS theyre both villains???? as in evil fucks??? Who are also rivals?? If there were any canon interactions this ship would DEF be really high on my list but I don’t really have that much to say rn...

7) Zboneak (Hater x Sylvia)

Alright at first I wasn’t really into it but I got my filthy hands on one (1) fanfic and you can bet your ass I was immediatly captivated. The thing I look for in Woy ships is comic potential and these two have SO MUCH POTENTIAL. Plus, “The Date” is one of my favorite episodes ever, so yeah. add that to the list. Let them interact in season 3!!!

6) Death Glare (Peepers x Hater)

I TAGGED THE NO HOMO BECAUSE IM 100% THAT HATER WOULD SAY IT TO PEEPERS AFTER ACCIDENTALLY KISSING HIM IM SO SORRY

Ok so, Death Glare. At first, until late first season, I wasn’t into it at all. I’ve never been a big fan of boss/subordinate (saving a few exceptions). The episode “The Funk” made me do a complete 180° becAUSE HOLY SHIT DID YOU SEE THEM??? HOLDING HANDS???????? BRUH MY FUCKING HEART HAS BEEN D E S TR O Y E D...................... And while I do love them as a friendship, I can totally see them romantically!!!! also once again the comic potential

5) Sylander (Sylvia x Wander)

THESE TWO WHERE DO I EVEN START. I literally tear up when I think about them? Platonic or not, their love is so pure, innocent, real, it makes my heart do backflips. You have no idea how many times I cried watching them. When they’re together you can’t tell where one begins and the other finishes .... but the reason why I’m so attached to them is because I happen to have a person in my life that... she’s the Sylvia to my Wander (hey @awesome---disaster talkin to you).  I understand how it feels to have someone this important in your life. The episode “The Ryder” is particularly hard to wacth (despite it being my number one favorite) for this reason. GOD THE TEARS I CRIED.

4) Sylava (Sylvia x Dom)

What can I say? I stan girls being in love. Plus the CHEMISTRY they had in “The Night Out” omg.... I JUST FDSHFHLGLHSLLIHSBLIHSLI MY HEART EXPLODES WHEN I THINK ABOUT THEM???? I CRY  THEY WERE F U CK I NG HOLDING HANDS WHILE RUNNING OUT OF THAT BAR OK DO NOT TOUCH ME. when are we getting the good season 3 sylava content when they make up and become friends again? disney pls

Also, y’all got some good Sylava fics that I could read? Blease?? im starving

3) Skeleton Dance (Wander x Hater)

IS THERE EVEN SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T LOOK AT THIS SHOW FROR LIKE 5 SECONDS AND D O E S N T SHIP THEM???? ITS IMPHASBLE

iM TALKING VALID BOYS HERE!!! The sweet smol/ grumpy tol is my aestethic always and Im all about it. Plus, I mean the dEVELO P MENT THEY HAD IN SEASON TWO!!! The episode that got me to ship them strongly was “The Buddies” and God my love kept growing from there????? ITS UNSTOPPABLE EVERYTIME I SEE THEM MY HEART KILLS ME

 Ok I will admit im kinda projecting on Wander a little bc I love Hater but can u blame?? me?? who doesnt love the hate man

2) Dom n Hater (Hater x Dom)

Ok if youve been on my blog for like 1 minute you probably already know that these two are the light of my life, but why?

... well tbh there are a lot of reasons but to be quick it was a gradual process of me going from “Yeah right like THATS ever gonna happen” to slowly going on to “I mean its not even that bad” to “It’s cute? I like it” and then it fucking skyrocketed out of my control and suddently I’m crying like a little bitch during “You’re the Greatest”. I do not know what happened or how. It just did. 

I have an ask of someone asking me about them (BLESS U MAN) that inm going to answer eventually so I’m not going into detail but I WILL SAY that the height difference kills me bc it’s not that much but it’s jUST ENOUGH to make it obvious that hes shorter than her and im just oudfgusguaigGUivfehuhaf i live for height differences

1) Black Eye (Sylvia x Peepers)

AND AT LAST I GET TO TALK ABOUT MY BABIES

I’ll be honest with y’all: I was actually gonna put Black Eye in second place at first bc Hater & Dom just own my hear,t but upon lots of thinking I belive this is the best option. because DEVELOPMENT. God I’m all about that sweet DEVELOPMENT we got!!! Wander and Sylvia may be the perfect friendship but Sylvia and Peepers are sure as hell the PERFECT TEAM!!!!!! BRAINS AND MUSCLES!!! TOGETHER!! TO SAVE THEIR IDIOTS!!

I am a BIG fan of enemies to friends to lovers, height differences, villain/hero, smol/tol, angry/chill...... these two were a gift from the Gods. I love them so much.

On an unrelated but kinda related note, I love how all Blackeye shippers just silently agreed that Peepers is a lovestruck nerd who can’t process his feelings and refuses to acknowledge them despite how hardly he’s pinning after Syl?? AND SYL IS NOT OBLIVIOUS AT ALL SHE ACTUALLY KNOWS???? its amazing. 10/10 best ship thank u for ur time.

And thats that! Wow that sure took long didnt it- but its here.

[smores100]

Yes, 100% agree with everything you said and your tags in that post about wtfock being like a group project patched together by 10 people trying to make it unique but still retain elements of the original. At this point I’m honestly just feel like I’m along for the ride and it’s not necessarily a good one but I’m here for it lmao. The two willems’ chemistry is holding the whole thing together for me. The cast is doing a great job. It’s just the writing that’s so frustrating and inconsistent.

It’s also frustrating because I feel like some of their ideas were good and had potential — I like the setting of the trip they went on, I love the whole art school thing, and I loved Noor so much and was really hoping they’d have Robbe open up to her. The flat share dynamic is so fucking cute, and I thought the buildup to the pool scene was also beautiful. It just makes me sad that they’ve gone so wrong with the drama. Idk why they packed so much shit in in such little time :( disappointing

exactly! i pretty much agree with all of this. the situation is so frustrating bc it’s not all 100% bad ideas, it would’ve been much easier to say it sucks and dismiss it completely if it was. but that’s not the case, there was some real potential here!

there have been some good ideas executed well - the flastshare ‘found family’ dynamic, for example, is the highlight of the season imo; the willems are believable to me as teens, their (great!) chemistry is what made the robbe/sander relationship seem less underdeveloped than it was, and when they’re allowed to be cute and loving with each other, they SHINE (this latest clip, for example). 

there have also been some good ideas executed badly tho - the week at the beach??? i will never understand why they waited TWO WHOLE EPS to introduce sander, the character who’s basically the catalyst for s3′s storyline - it made the first two eps feel repetitive and slow, it messed up the pacing of the whole first half of the season (first slow, then fast af when packing so much sander content all at once), it cut out one of the best things about the evak development (the slow burn! isak seeing him for the first time, the nerves when he talks to him a few days later, seeing him around school and the lowkey stalking him trying to find out everything about him and becoming even more enamoured, *more* nerves when he asks him over to his place and they spend all afternoon together getting to know each other….ahhh, lovely), and it made their relationship feel underdeveloped and rushed (an almost kiss after 6 days of knowing each other in which they interacted twice, kissing naked in a pool after a week and a half…..etc etc. realistic? maybe. good storytelling? less so). which brings me back to the week at the beach - they took away two weeks of sander, ok, at least make up for it by featuring him A LOT during that week at the beach??? use that week to focus on robbe and sander making eyes at each other, getting to know each other, talking, hanging out, listening to music….unlike all the other evaks they were on vacation TOGETHER, they were in the SAME PLACE together, it was such a ROMANTIC setting, the opportunity was RIGHT THERE. but instead that whole week was sander/britt and robbe/noor nonstop, with a bit of sad pining on top. which speaking of noor!!! yeah, the way she was introduced seemed like she could be one of the better emmas, i’ve seen people say they loved how they built up their relationship and the development they got, and like…..what a waste that ended up being?? if he’d ended up coming out to her and they’d become friends (since his own friends were being blah), then ok, i get giving them all this focus. but that didn’t happen. she ended up being like every other emma, confronting him about being gay and telling him to get out of the closet. so why did we spend so much time on her and robbe??? was it really that important to show them making out numerous times, even trying to go all the way twice….?? being gay and fighting your true self is sad, we get it, we got it watching og s3 without seeing isak force himself to make out with emma numerous times (and without lashing out at even accusing him of taking advantage of him and calling him a slur….and without watching him and even get gay bashed….and without one of his friends being homophobic to him when he came out….).

……i’m rambling. but basically, this could’ve been a good season, if only the writing was (much) better; if the writers concentrated and followed up on their original additions to the season instead of trying to stay with og’s timeline and follow its plot; and if the writers cared more about telling a good, hopeful story than they did about doubling down on the drama. s3 had enough drama without all this extra stuff, it didn’t need more! there needs to be a good balance b/w angst and fluff, and wtfock just didn’t have that this season. and again, it’s not *all* bad, and i do get why so many people are going gaga over robbe/sander - they’re pretty together, they have great chemistry and ust, and they’re super cute and fluffy with each other! but the writing, man…..i just can’t ignore it? if this were any other show, i probably could, lord knows i’ve watched (and still do tbh) shitty shows just for that one cute couple i loved and believed deserved the best. but it’s not just any other show, it’s skam, and og s3 was SO MUCH MORE than just a love story b/w two guys. there were so many layers, so much depth and symbolism and big themes throughout the season, the cause and effect and how everything that happened was important and everything was connected and had a big effect on isak’s story (e.g. the isak and sana friendship - apparently some people think robbe’s and yasmina’s friendship is better bc it wasn’t based on the weed plot? which is….listen, they’re hella sweet together and it’d have been nice to have seen her more this season, but *none* of the remakes have managed to fully recreate this friendship, bc *all* of them have failed to understand what was so great about it - i could write an essay on this, honestly). ANYWAY, my point is - i get why people are loving robbe/sander, they’re cute and sweet. but the writing hasn’t done them any favors (in fact it’s done more wrong by them than right and it’s really the willems holding all of this together, so good job boys!), and even if it’s all perfection from now until the end, it just feels like too little too late for me, like, the damage has already been done. i’m keeping up with it bc i’m curious to see how it ends, but it’s not what i was expecting and i’m disappointed. and to each their own ofc, but i can’t say i’m not baffled when i see people saying they like robbe/sander better than evak or how this season is much better than og s3. i just don’t see it??? especially the latter (the former is more of a personal preference, i suppose? but like i said, the writing for evak >>>>> the writing for them, so), which is to me one of the best seasons of tv EVER. it’s literally flawless. there’s not a single thing i would change about it (force me and i might change a couple of things, but nothing *too* major). but again, to each their own! 🤷‍♀️ just don’t disrespect the og when praising your favorite remake, and i’m good, idc. it’s when i see people disrespecting/belittling/diminishing etc etc og that i get into Fighting Mode, otherwise agree to disagree!

[mayapenelopeclutterbucket]

Thoughts I had while watching TGD 3x08 “Moonshot” aka this has been sitting in my notes forever everything just seems like too much effort I’m sorry 😭 please love me still

Ok so idk if anybody missed me but I did miss you all and im baaaack baby!!! So i was planning on just summarizing my thought after watching the ep because i wanted to eat while doing it lmao but i couldnt RESIST and already had so many things running thru my head. I’m sorry I’ve been so MIA everything these days just seemed like too much effort y’know, life and work and everything else but now i am forcing myself to starting this up again because I enjoy doing this and sharing my unimportant and mindless thoughts with you guys. THank you to everyone who asked about me sorry i haven’t replied (that depression kicked in) but I will go thru and respond, i love you guys!! Okay enough rambling (but would it really be me if i didn’t) and lets get onto the show

Sharly moment was going too cute and going too well why do i feel like by the end of this ep they’re going break up or something 😩

#buildupforabreakup with melendez god bless but i still don’t like neil fucking telling audrey she needs to take some of the blame 🙄🙄

So I already knew melendaire was going to work together and have a cute moment thanks to the lovely @gilbxrt-blythe but I DIDNT FREAKIN KNOW THAT IT WOULD JUST BE THE TWO OF THEM

And yay morgan finally gets her first lead surgery but I’ve seen the promo pics and she has glassman check her out so i swear to god if my bby has carpel tunnel or arthritis imma SUE

Side note still eating while i watch so we’ll see how well this goes lmao

Wow i feel like its been freaking forever since I’ve seen melendaire one on one with each other how beautiful 😭 and I don’t think I’ve ever seen them along together in the autopsy room

My food is geting cold but IDGAF with this blessed melendaire content I’m getting omg soooo cute talking about what they wanted to be when they were little I caaaant

Claire looked impressed by melendez’s idea 👀

And who would’ve thought you guys dating while she’s your boss would affect your judgement certainly not the hr lady or anyone else god help us

Is a l*mlendez breakup finally on the horizon

Uh oh is shaun going to breakup with carly because he considers her a “distraction”

I’m glad morgan finally has someone who believes in her and showers her with compliments

But i dont like that its asshole andrews ngl

Melendez not being confident is just weird he’s second guessing EVERYTHING

Who knew sharly working themselves up to sex would be cute

Why do i feel like once i go thru the tag I’m about to see a bunch of carly hate and people being like i told you so. I get where carly is coming from she just want shaun to be happy and comfortable and tries continuously to make sure that happens and make it work but like she said shaun gives up but i don’t like the mindset either that what she does is a chore and that she wouldn’t have to go thru this with someone who is neurotypical like her and i don’t like the pressuring of shaun having sex because yes he wants too but its not just a black and white situation and I’m tooooorn

Park being so worried shaun only lasted 8 seconds before he came is too fucking much 😂

Park being encouraging to shaun is pure but I still miss jared man plz bring him back

Lmaooo the place where l*mlendez is having their fight is where claire flirted with melendez

Keep up with the #buildupforabreakup PLEAAAASE they’re trying to hide their relationship but are publically fighting and raising their voices at each other SUBTLE

I really wish it was claire giving shaun these heart to hearts the lack of shaire content is desgustang

like the writers act like they ain’t even fucking friends

Of course why can nothing ever go well for anyone so I was right and morgan has arthritis 🙃

So one of y’all are really thinking of leaving to stay together PULEAAZE yall are not that serious so heres a wild idea BREAKUP

Wow what the fuck got my hopes up for a l*mlendez breakup and melendez tells her he loves her 🙄🙄 ON THE MELENDAIRE BALCONY NOW ITS TAINTED but she didnt say it back so 👀

She realizes she just told the president of the hospital she has arthritis right like what’d she think was going to happen

Wow negligence left and right at st. bonaventures

And now lim and melendez are having a moment ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

And that scene with the leukemia doctor hit a little too close to home for me

Yes yes yes it looks like lim is gonna break up with melendez god bless 🙌🏼🙌🏼

So on one hand lim said she loves him but on the other hand she said its not enough 🙏🏼🙏🏼

Ngl tho had the an inkling this would happen because I saw on twitter that christina chang replied to the tgd writers account when they posted a “💔 l*mlendez” and said there the ones who could change their fate so i have hope they will not get back together and if they do they won’t last because neither of them can be objective and oh yeah DON’T MAKE SENSE and have no chemistry

Yay sharly is still alive and kicking

And oh no morgan bby are you still in pain 😩

Oh my god carly and shaun are air holding hands again while lying in bed

Hmm wow okay I knew claire would still be having drama because I saw the promo pics but i did not really expect this, melendaire group chat speculated on that first guy she slept with being worried him being married would come back to bite her but i did not think she would make it a pattern and not care about the consequences of sleeping with someone who’s married. Yes it takes two to tango but we all know this isn’t normal for claire to act like this and self deestructive so is this finally going to be her wakeup call or will she keep spiraling and we’ll get a cliffhanger in the mid season finale involving her and her actions/choices ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ only time will tell

Okay guys thats it long af as usual but lemme know what you thought and what you think is going to happen to claire, melendaire and l*mlendez!!! 💕💕 I’m still hoping for a freakin melendaire heart to heart oh my goddddd why hasn’t it happened yet

After watching the new new promo I def feel the #buildupforabreakup coming on between l*mlendez and a melendaire heart to heart

And Katie brought up a good point I like how shaun has the potential to be fired after one complaint and yet coyle got to keep his after SEXUALLY HARASSING MORE THEN ONE PERSON wow #consistency

On this show

[paperclipninja]

Younger post-ep ramble 6x09

After the very public outing of Liza’s real age last week, it was no surprise that this week’s Younger episode, ‘Millennial’s Next Top Model’, was all about the fallout. In true Younger style we were treated to some unexpected twists and turns, saw Kelsey take control at work and in her personal life and welcomed back my #1 mega-villain who I hate-love fiercely, Quinn Tyler.  This ep was written by Grant Sloss, who is responsible for a number of my favourite episodes and lot of my fave moments in the series and one thing I am always blown away by is his ability to craft character interactions in which the sentiment and emotion are really palpable (plus the one-liners are always top of the game) and we certainly saw a number of those this week.  Even though Liza is 100% responsible for the position she now finds herself in, my heart went out to her this whole episode and Kelsey, Charles and Diana’s show of solidarity right from the get-go pretty much sums up everything I love about this show. 

I need to say upfront that while I know this episode is all about Liza, it is hands down my favourite episode of Kelsey’s in the series. In a time of real pressure and stress, we see Kelsey step up in the role of publisher, starting with the damage control team meeting in her office. I have big feelings about this opening moment, in which Diana proves why she is an actual Queen who rises above past grievances and now offers unwavering support of Liza while continuing to have zero time for Zane’s bullshit (the ‘well mercifully they have a paywall now’ to Zane’s New York Magazine tidbit was all of the yes). We learn of the deal with Infinitely 21 (was it just me or did anyone else get heart flutters at the thought of Kelsey, Diana and Liza being their brilliant selves and brokering that arrangement? Just me? Cool) and I have spoken of my love for the way this show parodies real life things but this might take the cake. Alexa, what are synonyms for ‘forever’? I just adore that it is very clear that Kelsey is in charge and that Charles and Diana are offering up potential solutions (Diana’s ‘rest her a bit’ is so in character I cannot. Between that and Charles’ thoroughbred thighs from season 4 I fully expect her to have a couple of horses upstate somewhere called Charles and Liza by the end of this series), meanwhile Zane clearly still hasn’t caught on to the fact that these three are not going to throw Liza under a bus.

Enter Liza as he’s ending his tirade about her poisoning the company (and lbh, what he is saying isn’t actually ridiculous from a business p.o.v but he’s talking about the best friend, girlfriend and (old) maid of honour of the people in the room) and it’s awkward af and pretty awful and I want to climb through my screen, wrap Liza in a blanket and tell her it’s all going to be ok. Zane’s extreme over-estimation of his importance in Liza’s life continues when he tells her that what he’s saying can’t be personal because ‘I don’t know who you are’ (worth it for Charles’ ‘Zane’ reprimand though amirite) and as I said after last week’s episode, I can’t even count on one hand the number of interactions Zane and Liza have had so yes Zane, that is accurate and nothing to do with her age reveal. At least once he discovered that Kelsey has known about the lie he FINALLY has a reason to be hurt (maybe? Still a little fuzzy on this one) and look Zane saying they’re all insane might be somewhat accurate but everyone in that room loves Liza and I love all of them so I felt personally attacked tbh.

Keeping with the stellar guest star casting this season, Shelly Rozansky (played by Annaleigh Ashford) is every kind of irritating as brand rep of Infinitely 21. Kelsey and Liza’s meeting with her, in which Shelly explains that 'the tea’ is that their authentic brand cannot be associated with Millennial’s inauthentic one (I love the moral high ground re: brand but I’m pretty sure Millennial doesn’t have factory workers making less than a living wage so…) and this very real ramification of Liza’s lie paves the way for one of Liza’s best moments on the show to date.

Taking that tea of Shelly’s and throwing it in her face, Liza’s monologue that 'everyone is pretending to be younger’ reaches it’s climax with the zinger, 'Millennial is not an age, it’s an attitude and if you can’t sell that, we’ll go somewhere else’, and Kelsey’s look of pride, same girl SAME. One thing I have commented on in the past is that as a '26 year old’ Liza rarely, if ever, really stood up for herself. The few times we’ve seen her do so have been as the forty year old who takes no crap from anyone (David, Charles, Don) so I am here times a million for strong ass Liza to finally shed that guilt, know her worth and be able to show this side of herself now that the lie is no longer in play (I feel like Diana will dig this very much).

Turns out Shelly was quite into Liza’s feisty outburst too ('what you screamed at me today, justifiably, we’re still friends promise…it resonated’ = award winning line/delivery combo), as she calls to let Liza know they’re going to unfreeze the partnership and asks Liza to be the face (and legs) of Infinitely 21’s Spring campaign. This phone call takes place in a very delicious looking cupcake shop where Liza and Charles are playing cards with his daughters in an all round delightful family situation that gives us a glimpse of the Miller-Brooks dynamic and makes the point that after a pretty terrible day, Liza is grateful to have this in her life to counter all the drama. I am also pleased to see that Bianca and Nicole have been located (meanwhile Caitlin, Beth and all of Josh’s friends remain stuck in the Upside Down or have become bunker people or something equally ominous I fear).

I am very into a number of aspects of this entire scene: a) Charles eating candy just up and gets me for some reason. I don’t know why, I can’t explain it, but it’s akin to seeing him walking round barefoot, it confuses my brain but I’m pretty sure I like it; b) Bianca is clearly the fave child with her cute little, 'I won’t take your last bag of candy Liza’ (lol at Charles’ 'wow’ when Liza offers that up for the taking btw, he knows that’s a serious gamble) though I was 100% Nicole as a kid; c) those kids are so not sleeping after all that sugar so I hope they’re staying at Pauline’s, while Charles’ dad game is strong with the breakfast cupcakes and; d) Charles kissing Liza on the cheek as she takes Shelly’s call is so damn sweet (pun intended) and supportive and I love that Liza suggesting he go stand with the girls in case she starts crying again indicates she has been an open mess around him. It’s writing like this that I really appreciate when there is so much to fit into an episode, because it provides insight into the kind of relationship Liza and Charles have when there simply isn’t time to show it.

While Liza is drowning her sorrows in candy and cupcakes, Maggie is at the brilliantly cringy art exhibit, 'Masculinity Detox: A Softer Male Gaze’. Look I have to be honest, I was really happy to see Oded Fehr because he can play a skeeze with charm like no other, but I don’t know how I feel about this entire plot. I can only comment on it from a straight perspective, so I am aware that I’m not really in a position to express an opinion in relation to the impact of showing a gay character thinking it’s a good idea to sample a penis every ten years or so, but I certainly feel like it’s problematic. In relation to this character though, it is consistent with Maggie sleeping with Tommy Minetti (and his sister Tammy) as a result of Berlin’s 'Take my Breath Away’ (I don’t know why I remember that, I can’t remember what month it is yet this stuff is right there) and there is no denying that there were actual sparks between Maggie and Rafael in the loft, the palpable chemistry that Grant Sloss’ eps seem to draw out on full display. 

Another dimension of Maggie that I love seeing emerge in this ep is that while she is usually a total badass in absolute control, every now and then we see that her judgement of character is just way off. There was Montana, those weirdo art collectors who actually collect artists and now this guy. I love that there’s a side of her that gets a bit blinded by flattery so she thinks 'what the hell?’ and the inevitable 'oh I CAN-NOT with this bullshit’ that follows, usually very publicly - Exhibit A: Maggie countering dirtbag Rafael’s, 'I’ll change you mind, I’m a flipper’ with a literal flip of the restaurant table once she realises she was simply another conquest. She seems so unflappable that these reminders that she’s fallible (I legit sometimes forget she’s not an actual super hero) are really great and maintains the 'flawed human’ aspect this show does so well. Honestly, other than Liza in a full tracksuit (sweat clothes?? I don’t know what it is in American but that cute pink sweat top and sweatpants combo) thinking they were being robbed and very confused by what had happened (so were we all lbh and Kinsey 9 LOL), it was Maggie equating sex with a man to being suffocated by a damp rug that was the highlight of this entire storyline for me. So damn funny.

Diana continues to have Liza’s back as she heads to the photo-shoot to steer her away from anything pleather (I may need a spin off of these two or some kind of one off special episode that’s just an elaborate Diana/Liza adventure, maybe rescuing Caitlin and co. from the bunker??), but not before we catch Kelsey still slaying it as a boss as she leaves a voicemail for the increasingly petulant Zane. Hearing her so firm and sure of herself is brilliant and the friendship vibe between Diana and Kelsey is peaking and I am loving every bit of it. I am so glad we heard Diana asking Kelsey how she took the lie, while Diana was able to forgive and move forward it would have been strange if we didn’t see her still processing some of it this week. Plus it’s Diana who points out that Zane’s tantrum is not because Liza is who he is upset with (and THANK YOU Kelsey for pointing out that Liza and Zane hardly know each other). 

Rather than letting the whole Zane thing fester away, Kelsey continues to impressively show initiative by going to Zane’s and offering to cook dinner (which Zane knows is a lol and it’s not long before he’s cooking, so well played Kels) to give him the opportunity to ask anything he wants and she will answer honestly. Once a proper explanation of why Liza lied and why Kelsey kept it from him is given, Zane suddenly reverts back to being a rational human being which is a relief because he was fast becoming the worst (though his comment that they were all bad liars, what now?? Yes they be cray but their lying game is strong friend). I am not particularly invested in Kelsey and Zane as a pairing but I always appreciate good storytelling and writing, and revisiting the fact Zane told her he loved her in past tense was an example of both of these. In order for any kind of relationship between these two to progress believably this needed to be addressed and hearing Kelsey call Zane out on his shitty and manipulative behaviour was great, but even greater was seeing Kelsey drop her guard.

Opening up about being mad at herself too and that maybe if they were both more open about their feelings they wouldn’t have wasted so much time denying how they really felt; that she felt, no, feels, the same way, present tense; the resetting of the timer so she can finish what she was going to say instead of taking the option of backing out; the honest conversation…you know what all this is? Growth. Kelsey Lorraine Peters, I am just so damn proud of you because I am the first to admit that I was not sure this character could be redeemed for me after last season but here we are. The emotion for this whole scene, you could feel it and Zane’s, 'oh that timer was for food’ was fab, before he just casually drops in, ’ I love you, but stay out of my kitchen’. OK.  Smitten mode activated.

Meanwhile, Diana is no doubt enjoying Shelly’s disbelief that she and Liza are almost the same age about as much as a root canal and Lauren appears with a 'bowflex for your face’ to combat the 5 o'clock jowls. Side note: Lauren and Liza really need to have a convo asap because I definitely feel like Lauren is not ok with the lie since it’s been revealed. Scene of the ep goes to Charles walking into the trailer (with flowers for Liza *swoon*) while Diana is flapping that contraption, before he slowly backs away and I tell you, I was howling so hard I almost ruptured something. Liza’s hideous romper/scooter combo is just no on many levels, she clearly feels super unnatural and the photographer snapping Charles and Liza, who are not expecting to be photographed while her being made up to look so young obviously makes them look very far apart in age and a bit awks means that yes, the daddy/daughter dance vibe is strong, though that line made me vom in my mouth a little bit.

Between shoots our extremely excellent villain Quinn pays Liza a visit to show her support and her well-polling glasses. Her real talk that the good news about the publishing reaction to Liza’s lie is that 'eight blocks outside of midtown, nobody cares’, is what we were all thinking and is def to be filed under 'G’ for Gold. So naturally Quinn drags her into a completely self-serving NY1 interview (bless Liza for thinking they wanted to interview her) and I freaking love Quinn, she’s such a delicious character coz she’s awful and funny and pretty and a total smart ass. I stan.

Before we jump to the second part of the photo-shoot I have to say that the very obvious ploy to try and juxtapose Liza’s relationships with Charles and Josh felt like it was trying too hard and was mostly disappointing to me because it felt so forced. I want to be very clear that it has nothing to do with who I like Liza with romantically, it would have felt contrived regardless and was the only aspect of the episode that I felt could have been crafted with a little more nuance. Or maybe that was the point? Perhaps the obviousness was part of the humour of it *shrug emoji* 

Either way, Liza is looking pretty exhausted when Josh turns up at the bar photo-shoot for reasons (whose name I am betting is Lauren Heller because there is no way he would just turn up and it is 100% in her wheelhouse to send him along after seeing the expressions on her face at the earlier shoot. I feel like this will def come out at some point and that really this whole shoot is serving to bring about stuff in future eps) and he doesn’t get to explain why he is there because he’s teasing Liza about being a model and I really do love their banter. Shelly has no idea what’s happening but she likes it and is thirsting pretty hard as she shakes his hand and I enjoyed hearing Liza talk about Josh as patient zero, her 'would you correct him?’ as she squeezed his cheeks made me smile. I know there have been a LOT of feelings about this scene expressed on social media, but I found the reminiscing, as Josh talked about how when he first met Liza he thought she was smart and sexy and he wanted to keep talking to her, really sweet (and quickly countered by his joking about being really drunk and it being dark).  

I actually love this dynamic so much and if this show had moved these two properly into the friendzone I would be celebrating this as a pin-up example of how to show romantic-platonic relationship transition. I still may, because at this stage there is nothing to indicate that Liza is anything but committed to Charles and Josh gave no impression of pining for her IMO, but as an experienced TV connoisseur (aka obsessive tv show watcher) I am not naive enough to think that this interaction mightn’t be setting in motion a resurgence of the triangle. By the same token, I do not see any triangle in play at the moment and one thing this show does excel at is surprising us, so time will tell, but I am going to keep my faith in the writers to tell good, compelling stories that stay true to all the excellent characters and narratives they have in front of them, as they have done up until now.

While Liza’s colleagues aren’t going to throw her under a bus, Quinn is not only more than happy to, I’m pretty sure she’d drive the bus herself if it served her own self interest.  Quinn saying that she found out about Liza’s lie the week before in The New Yorker article, ooomph, did you feel that? It was the wind being knocked out of all of us, along with poor Liza, as Quinn counters Liza’s suggestion that she knew the truth before she invested on live TV. It was evident fairly quickly that Quinn was using the interview as a campaign platform and Liza’s expression as Quinn betrays her so publicly is yet another credit to Sutton Foster’s incredible talent.

My Kelsey love was brought home this week when she met Quinn following the NY1 interview. She is unrelenting in her backing of Liza and unwavering in her stance to Quinn when she is asks her to fire Liza. From the moment she arrives Kelsey is so kick ass, she sees every one of Quinn’s attempts to bully her into getting what she wants and Kelsey’s, 'please don’t minimise the strength I bring to this meeting’ was such a hell yes moment. There is something so satisfying about seeing Quinn in a position where she needs something from Kelsey and Kelsey standing so firm. Kelsey’s 'are we done here?’ before walking away was such a power move and the transition into her own office the next day, with Charles reassuring her that she did the right thing, was wonderful. Seeing these two as equals, talking business with a bit of a mentor/mentee dynamic is a dream. It was on my season 6 wish list and I can’t wait to see more of it.

It is upon discovering that Audrey Colbert’s manuscript delivery cheque bounced and that Diana just heard one of the Jennifer’s, the sloppy one from publicity (this line, I swear and also I need to meet her), say her direct deposit didn’t go through that we discover Quinn has thrown the ultimate tantrum and pulled her funding and Mercurennial is broke.

Poor Liza feels that it’s all her fault, I’m sure partly because of the way her colleagues turn and look at her when she walks in the office and partly because it is, but Charles continues to play the role of ultimate supportive partner as they stroll down the street after work, pointing out that Liza attracted Quinn to the company in the first place (and we ALL know it was not the company she was attracted to). I am simple folk and Charles saying he’s spoken for as he put his arm around her made me melt into a puddle and if anyone is feeling concerned about Liza’s level of besotted, watch this final scene as Charles reassures her that, 'you know what’s great about the worst thing happening? There’s no place to go but up. Only good things ahead’. I may have actually died from the sweetness of the entire thing and Liza does exactly what any self respecting person would in that situation and kisses him before they walk off hand in hand. To live happily ever after…jokes LOL I mean it’s television and it turns out Infinitely 21 has the most efficient marketing team on the planet because their campaign is launched and whattya know, it looks as though Liza and her ex will be plastered all over the city. 

File under 'O’ for OF COURSE.

[you-reworthwhile]

RIVERDALE 3X12 EP RANT

3X12 OF RVD IS PROBABLY MY FAVOURITE EPISODE OF ANY SERIES I'VE EVER WATCHED. THAT'S HOW POWERFUL IT WAS.

No guys, seriously, if all Riverdale was actually like this its reputation would be so different. It would probably be an internationally loved and acclaimed teen drama and you can't fight me on this.

If Riverdale was always this well written, diverse and full of great messages i would claim it as my favourite tv series in an heartbeat, no doubts.

Now let's think about the highlights of the episode:

- THE CHONI CONTENT WAS SO GOOD, IT WAS ACTUALLY A FANFICTION I SWEAR. Cheryl and Toni are now confirmed to be the most healthy, mature and complex relationship of the series. Cheryl has grown so much and she has such a heart of gold i love her even more now. The power they have when they get more than 0,5 seconds of screentime, whew!

-THE PRETTY POISONS PUSHED THE SOUTHSIDE SERPENTS DOWN THE STAIRS. I mean, a feminist lgbt+ friendly, diverse gang led by Cheryl and Toni that wear a fucking leather/flannel jacket is everything i could have asked for and the fact that Cheryl did all of this to make Toni feel loved and part of a family I AM SOFT.

-The wlw/mlm solidarity in this episode just filled my heart with so much joy! Cheryl screwed up trying to help her friend feel less lonely and unwanted but she fixed everything and fucking saved Moose and Kevin's life WOW.

- KEVIN AND MOOSE WERE SO FUCKING SOFT OMG. I never thought i could actually ship them but now they have my heart and i'm so sad Moose will exit the show... i appreciate the choice of the writers to just make him leave town with the possibility of a future return to Riverdale instead of killing him off like a lot of shows did (*coff coff* the 100). The actor had to leave to be a lead on another show and that's okay. Their break up was bittersweet and filled with hope so i won't complain.

-Archie and Josie are the most powerful het ship in existence and i will fight for their rights. They are there for each other in their darkest moments and their chemistry is mind blowing I'M SHOOK.

-I'm still such a softie for Josie and SweetPea and i'm SO GLAD Britta gave us a glimpse of romantic and kind Sweets because i surely needed that. I know the musical episode will make me happy so i will wait for them patiently while i ship Archosie.

-Veronica and Reggie continue to be a cute af couple and i love seeing them be this crime involved duo that tries to destroy the mafia from the inside, they make a lot of points.

- GLADYS CAN RUN ME OVER WITH HER CAR and i just know she and Jellybean will soon own Riverdale, i'm here for it.

-i was forgetting CHERYL IS A CANON LESBIAN NOW, I'M SO HAPPY I COULD CRY

- Sierra and Tom are the cutest married couple and Josie and Kevin are brotp goals I LOVE THIS FAMILY SO MUCH.

- Penelope Blossom should choke and die on the spot but she's so damn funny i hope she will stay forever on this show (getting dragged and tortured eternally by Choni ofc)

- i know i already talked about Choni but CHERYL GIVING HER COLLEGE INTERVIEW TO TONI CAN YOU HEAR ME SCREAM

- idk about you but i actually appreciated Moose's dad storyline and i don't think giving representation to repressed homosexuality is inherently a bad thing... it's important to show that things like gay conversion therapy can have horrible consequences on gay people.

-In the promo of the next episode Cheryl trains the Pretty Poisons to use bow and arrow and Toni basically says to Jughead to go fuck himself because she now has a new family IS THIS HEAVEN

- and, about that, Jughead and Betty barely even breathed in this episode MY SKIN IS CLEANSED, MY SOUL IS REINVIGORATED

So, summing it all up, Britta Lundin saved my and Riverdale's life and she should write every single episode to exploit the inner potential this series always had. I could never thank her enough for all of this. Now i hope season 3b will be as good as it seems it could be because i want to be a serious Riverdale stan but the writers always manage to disappoint me, so let's see.

[orcuhid]

Archosie & Sweets

I wanna start by saying I actually ship tf out of Archie & Josie so please don’t try and come for me. Also I’m not even really hating on Josie and am in no way trying to shame Josie for just wanting to have a fling because sis can do whatever she wants with whoever she wants. I am not hating on this ship at all, I’m just stating my problems with this all. My problem is not with any of the characters even though this rant is going to make it seem like hate toward Josie (Which it’s not so don’t even try it), it’s my problem with the writers and their inconsistency and tendency to flip the script with a character just because they need them to act a certain way for another character’s storyline. Again remember that this is my opinion. Okay, welcome to my TED talk:   

Don’t get me wrong I think Arhcie & Josie are cute and actually really good for each other, but don’t think I’m going to just be okay with them dangling a storyline in front of Sweet Pea & then trashing it two seconds later because they need Archie to have a girlfriend (lets be real this mans has barely ever been single.) What I hate about this situation is that Josie told Sweet Pea at the beginning of the season that she was cutting off their fling to focus on her music. But then she’s running back to him because she needs a date for her wedding (understandable) but is then dissing him because OH SHIT HE ACTUALLY WANTED A SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP & she just wanted a fling (no shame on this girl for just wanting a fling, but sis was lowkey messing with Sweet Pea’s feelings.) 

But then literally not even an episode later Archie’s back in town & they’re kissing & getting together. Like fuck Sweet Pea’s feelings am I right! AND WHAT ABOUT THAT TALK THEY HAD??? For one, protective bf Sweet Pea we fucking stan since honestly most of the fandom when he was first introduced wrote him out to be a hit it and quit it kind of guy. So, the fact that caring, sweet, protective, “I just want to have a lasting thing” is actually canon for Sweet Pea is beautiful. Secondly, I HATE THAT SWEETS SAID “I’M SORRY IF IM BEING NEEDY” AND THE FACT THAT PEOPLE IN THIS FANDOM WERE EVEN CALLING HIM NEEDY LIKE SIS WHERE? SINCE WHEN HAD WANTING TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP THAT ISN’T BACK AND FORTH AND JUST SEX, BEING FUCKING NEEDY? Like wow stability = needy now?? If a guy was saying that shit to me I’d be dead & snatching him up real quick. This whole scene broke my heart. 

I also hate how it seemed like Josie wasn’t even trying to see Sweets point of view even though he was making the most sense. AGAIN THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NO HATE TO JOSIE BC I GET WHERE SHE’S COMING FROM BUT IT’S A 100% HATE TO THE WRITERS WHO I FEEL LIKE HAD SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY WITH THIS STORYLINE BUT OF COURSE TRASHED IT TO GIVE TO A MEMBER OF THE CORE FOUR. Like I’m sorry Riverdale writers, most of us wanted Josie and Reggie or Sweet Pea, not this let’s pull Archie out of our ass. OR HELL EVEN CHUCK AND JOSIE (bc ngl they were cute af and soft) But let’s just cater to the core four per usual. 

And do not even get me started on that bullshit of a musical episode between this love triangle. LITERALLY WHY IS IT ALL THE SUDDEN NOW THAT ARCHIES LIKE WAIT WE WERE JUST A FLING WHY CAN’T WE BE OFFICIAL THAT SHE’S LIKE OH YEAH LETS BE OFFICIAL LIKE SIS ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAD THE AUDACITY TO HAVE HER HATE ON SWEET PEA FOR GENUINELY BEING HEARTBROKEN SINCE HE ACTUALLY HAD FEELINGS FOR HER. LIKE WHAT ARE THE WRITERS TRYING TO DO?? MAKE SWEET PEA OUT TO BE THE BAD GUY BECAUSE OH WOW WHAT A SURPRISE HE HAD ACTUAL FEELINGS FOR HER? It’s complete bullshit and they just made Josie out to look shady (in my opinion.) LIKE HELL YEAH JOSIE GET IN A REAL RELATIONSHIP GO SIS BUT REALLY RIVERDALE WRITERS?? LITERALLY TWO SECONDS AFTER SHE WAS JUST SHITTING ON SWEET PEA FOR WANTING A RELATIONSHIP.

Now I get where Josie is coming from & again I’ll restate: NOT HATING ON HER. I’m hating on the writers who are literally contradicting Josie’s wholeass storyline. LIKE COOL GIVE JOSIE A LOVE INTEREST AND HER FIRST REAL RELATIONSHIP OF THE SHOW BUT LETS FUCK THE GUY WHO WAS CLEARLY HEAD OVER HEELS WITH HER AND CARED FOR HER AND INITIALLY WANTED A REAL RELATIONSHIP!!! NOT A GUY WHO SHE HAD NO ROMANTIC CHEMISTRY WITH AND THEN LITERALLY A DAY AFTER THEY INTERACT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AGES THEY’RE A THING NOW??

In conclusion, riverdale writers please give us a real coherent storyline with these characters & stop using these amazing secondary characters with HELLA POTENTIAL as your little chess pieces for the core four (biggest example: REGGIE) Okay bye I’m done & heated all over again. I may be bias to this because I love Sweets but like this is all utter bullshit and just terrible writitng. Don’t hate me for having my own opinion, and for the thousandth time, I actually ship Archie and Josie!! Peace out xx