#but I still really think it won't happen until sometime in Season 5

[theerurishipper]

Hey I have a question I read some takes that Adrien is a supposedly good liar? How though are there any examples..I always just assumed people never put two and two together with his identity is because he doesn't connect much with the class nor does Gabriel so it made sense in my head. I'm sorry if I don't actually make sense I just assumed that if even one of the classmates kept getting closer with him maybe he'll open up. I thought that'd be Nino but like I feel that he's so much more closer to his girlfriend and with Kagami that scene where she backed him into the wall and she said that wasn't the real him when he did goofy poses made me uncomfortable and sad for him. Marinette kind of disappoints me as a love interest like that time he was in the park on the bench and she decided that this was the perfect time to give him a present made me annoyed like I understood she has such a huge admiration for the guy and will climb mountains for him but I thought she'd get past that and they'd have like a one on one you know a talk. Usually the love interest would start to bond and grow closer but like I feel she's more into the relationship for herself because of this whole fantasy she builds up in her head it's why their relationship kind of a bummer.

I don't think Adrien that hard to get him to open up to but again this is my own opinion. I don't know really I just feel if someone like a teacher, classmate or even Master Fu get him to open up more and more and they start to bond. I feel like all he wants is a relationship to not be so conditional if someone kind enough allowed him a shoulder to cry on or even acknowlege his habits or when he's in a bad mood I think it'd work I ain't sure though. I wish the dude had more male friends.

I don't really get why the classmates just think Gabriel a strict dude when he seems pretty abusive. Marinette especially she knows how strict he is especially in season 5 and the whole adrigami thing and even with Chloe mom lol I think abuse or parental abuse just doesn't register an actual thing in her mind which is weird lol.

I don't watch Miraculous religiously lol I just watch it sometimes so if my takes and memories are wrong please forgive me. I am so sorry for this being a long ask I ramble way to much.

No need to apologize anon! Feel free to ask me anything.

Personally, when I say that Adrien is a good liar, I don't mean lying in the traditional sense. He doesn't do a lot of actual lying (except when it comes to his secret identity), but it's more than he doesn't really reveal his true self to anybody. He doesn't fake his personality per se, but he only shows people the parts of himself that he thinks they will like because he's been conditioned to believe that he has to conform to everybody's expectations of him and be perfect for them. It's why Chat Noir is so different from Adrien Agreste™, because he's always performing in every part of his life. And putting on a mask at all times isn't the best way to connect on a deeper and intimate level with the people around him. I think Adrien's friendships with Nino and Kagami and everyone else is real, and whatever he shows them is genuine, but it's still not all of him, and he still feels the need to hide the parts of him that he feels they won't like. His relationship with Ladybug is an exception (obligatory until Season 4 disclaimer) because while he's still putting on a performance, it's not for the sake of pleasing her.

You mentioned his closeness with Nino, and I always felt that Adrien was more at ease with Nino than anyone save Plagg. He was more relaxed and at ease with Nino in like, Seasons 1 and 2, enough to show a little more of himself, and I got the sense that he was a little more open with Nino. Then Rocketear happened and Adrien pretty much shut down on that front and started to put on the mask even more, and their friendship never was the same after that.

The thing with Kagami is that she was right about Adrien. Chat Noir isn't his "true self," it's a persona based on him acting out in the way he's never allowed to as Adrien. And the model Adrien is a persona crafted based on the demands from his abusive father who expects him to be perfect. Kagami isn't able to see under Adrien's mask, but she's able to understand that he's putting on a front, and she wants him to quit it.

Marinette kind of disappoints me as a love interest like that time he was in the park on the bench and she decided that this was the perfect time to give him a present made me annoyed like I understood she has such a huge admiration for the guy and will climb mountains for him but I thought she'd get past that and they'd have like a one on one you know a talk. Usually the love interest would start to bond and grow closer but like I feel she's more into the relationship for herself because of this whole fantasy she builds up in her head it's why their relationship kind of a bummer.

This is exactly the problem I have with canon Adrienette. Marinette literally doesn't even know that Adrien is putting on an act, and she literally thinks he's perfect. It was so funny to me when Pretension made Gabe out to be so wrong and evil when he accused Marinette of falling wholesale for Adrien's performance, because Gabe was fucking right, damn it.

The problem is that the show never challenges Marinette's view of Adrien. She doesn't have to learn to look past his masks and see him for who he really is, he just up and tells her thanks to an Akuma's influence, and then he spends the rest of the time in Season 5 pursuing her, so she just gets handed her trophy boyfriend without having to put in the effort of getting to know him as a person. The show never wants Marinette to be inconvenienced by *checks notes* learning to see Adrien as a person, and it just wants her to get her dream relationship without an effort on her part to truly understand him. She's not much different from the rest of her class or any of Adrien's fans, because they all just see what they want to see and what he shows them. By virtue of them being the endgame, Marinette should have been special in that she tried to look past the masks to understand the real Adrien once she realized his "perfection" was a front and an act, but she didn't. She remained as delusional about him as she always was and got the relationship dropped in her lap. Thanks, I hate it.

I don't think Adrien that hard to get him to open up to but again this is my own opinion. I don't know really I just feel if someone like a teacher, classmate or even Master Fu get him to open up more and more and they start to bond. I feel like all he wants is a relationship to not be so conditional if someone kind enough allowed him a shoulder to cry on or even acknowlege his habits or when he's in a bad mood I think it'd work I ain't sure though. I wish the dude had more male friends.

I don't think it's that simple for him to break out years of being conditioned to conform to other people's needs, but the fact remains that, you know, no one even cares. Kagami was literally the only one who cared enough to try and understand him, and even she was made to spend Season 4 as Adrien's bitter ex (not Kagami salt, I love Kagami, this is just writing salt). The rest of the class admits in Felix that they don't really know him, and they never really seem to try to get to know him either. They do care about him, but not that much, you know? Everyone is honestly content to keep seeing him as the perfect guy, and no one tries to see the real him. Like I said, I feel like he was a little more open with Nino in the earlier seasons, and he's more open with Plagg, but that's about it. He was a little more open with Ladybug, but that also went down the drain in Season 4 because of the Ladynoir conflict. It took an Akuma for him to open up to Marinette. I don't blame anyone for falling for his act, but they clearly don't really care to get to know him either. I think you're right in a way, that he would be a little more willing to drop the act if someone tried to understand him, like Nino and Plagg. But no one cares, unfortunately.

I don't really get why the classmates just think Gabriel a strict dude when he seems pretty abusive. Marinette especially she knows how strict he is especially in season 5 and the whole adrigami thing and even with Chloe mom lol I think abuse or parental abuse just doesn't register an actual thing in her mind which is weird lol.

Tbf they don't know much about what goes on inside the Agreste household, and they are just kids, so I understand that they wouldn't be able to completely recognize what's going on with Adrien. But the show itself doesn't think Audrey and Gabriel are abusive, and Marinette is basically the mouthpiece for all that, hence the solution is that apparently Chloe and Audrey should just bond, and Adrien should be fed a lie that Gabriel is not a bad guy actually. Marinette seems to have a pretty black and white view of the matter, and since she comes from a loving home, it doesn't really register to her that parents can be so awful. But the show frames Marinette as in the right to push Chloe and Audrey together when what Chloe needs is to get the hell away from that abusive person. It tries to frame her as right for gaslighting Adrien into loving his abuser. It's pretty nasty stuff.

But that's just my opinion. Honestly, I think the best meta on this subject is this excellent post by @fearlessinger. It's a wonderful analysis, I highly recommend it.

Thank you for your ask!

[fandomsandflyingstingrays]

Full Thoughts on TDP Season 5

Under the cut, because there are many of them!

Starting off with things I liked:

Rayllum! It was so good to see them on the same page again, and they have a perfect balance between deep, romantic devotion and the shared laughter and gestures of best friends. Their dynamic this season was my favorite iteration of them so far

Janai and Amaya were wonderful as well. I was really bracing for Amaya to leave for Lux Area without telling Janai and a whole bunch of drama to ensue, but no! They communicate! They trust each other! It's so refreshing!

Side note: Lux Area was gorgeous the detail in every shot of the city and Bookery was so good. I want to live there. I will take on the night creatures if need be

I hoped we'd get an apology from Amaya for Rayla, and I'm really glad they took the time to put it in the show instead of a short story or anything like that. It was also cool to see Amaya recognizing the similarities she and Rayla share and acting as more of a mentor to her, I hope we see more of them together later on

The reoccurring message that oftentimes the best way to be strong is by going to other people for help- first Amaya's story, then Rayla trusting Callum, then Zubeia's talk with Avizandum. It's a very good moral

That whole thing with Soren and Elmer! Breaking the cycle of cruelty! I love Soren so much

Callum using dark magic again. I thought I would hate it if that happened, since we've seen a corruption plotline with him and with Claudia already, but the way it was done sort of added a good sense of realism. I like that Callum isn't a Perfectly Moral Mage just because he can do primal magic; it feels deeper and more complicated if he has to recognize that the easier, darker choice is always there, and sometimes he won't be able to resist it, but he has to try each time anyway

So many little moments that I'll probably be going into in separate posts because the dynamic between the characters was on fire. It was so good to see the team really working together, their chemistry was so good

Things I wasn't as much of a fan of:

The problem with the show really relying on people to read all the supplementary material is still present. I was pretty confused about who Kpp'Ar was until I looked him up on the wiki, and again, people who didn't know about Soren getting sick as a kid from the Book 2 novelization really wouldn't have gotten his part of the dream sequence. It doesn't ruin the show or anything but it does make it a little confusing at times

The plotline with the coins is starting to feel a little drawn-out. Runaan's presence would bring up enough complications between Rayla and the rest of the group that he needs enough time out of the coin to give that the weight it deserves, and I'm really hoping he gets out next season so we can have at least season 7 to go into that. Also, Ethari needs his husband back

As good as it was to see rayllum back together, I do still think we needed a scene of them actually talking things through. I'm sure it'll appear in a Reflections story at some point, but again, you don't want your show to lean that heavily on the bonus material

This is more of a nitpick than anything else, but the characters' faces in the early episodes felt really stiff. They'd be having a monologue where you could really hear the emotion in their voices, but their faces just... didn't really move

And finally: too many crabs. This is not a flaw with the season this is just because I personally am freaked out by crabs and I've never been so horrified in all my life as when the true nature of Finnegrin's ship was revealed. It'll haunt me forever

Overall I liked it a lot, and I'm really excited to see where it goes next! Claudia feels like she's on the very edge of the point of no return, if she hasn't already crossed it, and it'll be very interesting to see how she reacts to the loss of her leg and (most likely) the loss of her father next season. I'm also very excited for the nova blade, that sounds like a gorgeous piece of weaponry and seeing whoever wields it (my money's on Rayla) fighting Aaravos is going to be epic. This season has definitely ratcheted up my investment in the show, which I'm very excited about

[theworldvsyoshiko]

As for what comes next, I think I'm going to do the post-apocalyptic nomads thing, then move on to something like the monastery one. The nomad one can probably be relatively fast? Probably. There's a whole lot of luck and variation there, because relying on scavenging for gear means that I might have everybody in full marine armor sets from day 5, or might not have anything better than Flak Jacket (Poor 43%) T until a year in. Still, I've played a couple of hours of the general setup to make sure it's interesting and viable, and enough goofy stuff keeps happening that I want to post about it, which is a good sign.

A few adjustments to the nomad thing from what I mentioned yesterday:

Also turning off hostiles from Real Ruins. That setting seems to spawn enemies in the ruins sometimes. Sometimes this will be, like... an animal. So you don't realize that oh, that isn't a normal wolf, that's a wolf that is intent on killing you for no apparent reason. And also the game won't let you quickly reform the caravan, because somewhere out there is a wolf that hates you. It just sucks. At least, I hope that setting is where those come from. If not, then it's going to be a real pain.

While I do like the feel of starting with a lone 13-year-old for this, I'll probably try for a rather more skilled one than Yoshiko started as. The nomad thing feels harsher if you don't have a broad skill set. Obviously one kid isn't going to be good at everything, but hopefully she won't be useless at everything other than art and shooting like some people were.

I'll probably start off using a slightly less strict recruitment guideline than I did for Yoshiko: only recruit people younger than the starting character, but I don't have to accept all of them. In particular, anybody with paralytic abasia is fucking out of luck, because it's difficult to be a nomad if you're unable to walk for half a year.

I'm going to turn the storyteller's threat scale up to the 150-200% range. That will make raids a bit harder to compensate for the lack of stuff that comes with a nomadic lifestyle. Once I reach the spaceship, I'll probably lower it again.

50+% map coverage (for a longer walk to the spaceship.) I'll also probably bump rainfall up a little, because deserts walk a fine line between being an interesting obstacle and being effectively impassible, especially early on.

While it's a nomad lifestyle, the ideoligion meme does still let you settle in one spot for a season or so without issues, so it won't be constantly on the move. There will still be bases, just not big ever-growing ones.

I've also adjusted the Real Ruins settings to discourage it from spawning gigantic piles of expensive objects, but if it does do so, I retain the right to use dev mode to delete them. I'd rather not have to ditch an entire map because it contains a room full of masterwork gold sculptures or something.

I'll also be using a map seed that Real Ruins has a lot of data for, because the setup doesn't really work if there are only like 100 ruins on the whole planet.

[icy-watch]

Alright. Episode 13, the final episode of the season.

Garmadon has taken off with the weapons, Lloyd needs to train, dragons are back, Wu is alive, the Great Devour is gone.

I don't think they'll jump right back into the Garmadon vs the Ninja storyline with the next season. It's going to be a hot minute before that gets resolved.

The Serpentine are still an issue, so something has to be done there. That might be what they decide to tackle in the next season, but I feel like they'll step away until the last few episodes of season 2.

I'm genuinely surprised that I predicted that they would end the season with the Great Devourer creating an Ouroboros, while the Ninja played Snake. I actually laughed out loud at that. I don't think I would have predicted that if I didn't have some knowledge in alchemy and 80s arcade games. My childhood was weird but it pays off in the weirdest ways sometimes.

If you're interested, I'm going over what I predicted correctly and incorrectly.

Incorrect

Learn more spinjitzu to save Nya. I actually thought they would drag out the "saving Nya" plotline a little long.

Nya will join the bad guys. She will realize that she's being mislead during a big moment of betrayal. I was so wrong with this. So, so, so, so, so wrong.

Garmadon will attack a village to kick off the main series. I am disappointed with myself on this one.

The Serpentine will work with Garmadon. I could not have been more incorrect about this one if I tried.

The dragons will carry the boat around or they'll get to sea somehow. I was not expecting the boat to be able to fly like it would in Peter Pan if it had been made by Nicholas St. North from Rise of the Guardians (2012).

The boat will be important. It was the ninjas' home but not as important as I thought it would be.

The rescue mission for Lloyd will be the next episode. It actually took a couple of episodes.

Kai won't reach his full potential until the final battle. He reached it by saving Lloyd.

Getting the last fangblade will be a challenge for Pythor and the Serpentine. They managed to get it without the ninja interfering.

Correct

Sibling rivalry and tensions will be pervasive throughout the whole series. I haven't been wrong about this one yet.

Lloyd is the green ninja. While Nya was definitely in the top contenders -- even Wu thought so at one point -- Lloyd was always right there. He made sense.

Lloyd will join the group. He did. As the green ninja.

The samurai is Nya. This was very obvious to be once I saw her bangle on her arm. The only other person it could have been was Nya and Kai's mother, who hasn't really been mentioned at all in the show so it was doubtful that it would be her.

The boys won't get the next fangblade. They only managed to get them because they infiltrated the secret hideout and escaped with Garmadon and the Skulkins' help.

Pythor would raise the Great Devourer. With as much hubub as they made about bringing the Great Devourer back, I should have known there'd be a big battle.

Pythor gets eaten by the Great Devourer. He did and everyone celebrated.

Something bad will happen to Wu. He got eaten as well, but he's fine now.

Partially

Lloyd and the Serpentine will be the big bads this season and the next as well. I'm giving this one a partial correct. Lloyd started out being not so great and then grew as the season wore on. The Serpentine were bad all the way through. We don't have any confirmation right now whether or not they'll be the bad guys next season.

Cole being controlled by the Serpentine will be revealed at the worst possible moment. This one gets a partial bc it was at the worst possible moment, but I thought it would be later in the season. Not the very next episode.

Lloyd will free all of the Serpentine. He technically released 3 of the 5 tribes.

Pythor will either take the fangblades from them or they will manage to destroy the fangblades in Torchfire Mountain. I wasn't sure which way this would fall.

[coffeebanana]

Prpr is all well and good. But I'm quite partial to post amnesia relationship.

Sooner or later Marinette is going to relinquish her role as guardian. And loos all memory of her superhero life. Wich means Adrian will have to wait for her to fall for him again.

kjasbkfjdbsdkj you're braver than me anon

Look, something about the memory loss trope is so painful to me. (Wackus if you're reading this I'm pretty sure it's an enneagram type 5 thing LOL). I really value independence and retreating into my own head, so it's painful for me to imagine losing that--even if she doesn't lose all her memories, she'd still be in the dark about so much. And it's also so painful for the person who remembers 😭😭😭

I will literally put off fics I KNOW I'm going to enjoy for months because that trope is involved and I know it's going to hurt me 😂. Even though...I like angst and I like it when words hurt me sometimes kjbsdksjbd. But yeah, because of this...I'm hoping canon doesn't go that way.

I disagree that Marinette has to relinquish the Guardianship/give up her memories. She could keep it until she dies technically. Or maybe they could find a loophole to the memory loss thing--Fu clearly didn't know everything about being a Guardian after all.

Now, do I think the it's likely to happen, especially since the show is going on for at least three more seasons after this one? I don't know. I don't think it's a given, but I also wouldn't be surprised. I've heard the whole Chekov's gun sort of argument that since they dangled memory loss as a side effect of losing the Guardianship they have to go through with it, but imo they fired the gun when they took Fu's memories--which had a huge impact on Marinette in other ways.

Now, all that being said. It's not as hard for me to WRITE memory loss as it is for me to read it. I won't say I've never had ideas 😇 (If you've watched the Vampire Diaries...think Elena season 6 hehe).

And if it does happen in canon, I definitely won't quit watching or anything. I mean gosh I'm still watching grey's anatomy 19 seasons in, I'm nothing if not loyal to shows once they've got me hooked 😂. And like...I do read the fics eventually! They're really good once I work up the courage!

It's definitely a very interesting trope to play with, I'll give you that anon.

Thanks for the ask!! 💜

[tintagel-or-cockleshells]

Fic(tional) Stat(istic)s

@cha-melodius gave me a wonderful tag and I was actively surprised at the results, so here we go.

Rules: give us the links to your fic with the most hits, second most kudos, third most comments, fourth most bookmarks, fifth most words, and fic with the least words.

Most Hits: Just Like a Dealer, Teen Wolf

This fic shouldn't really be under my name as I didn't do the bulk of the writing. I was in a rehearsal in a very cold church with @clottedcreamfudge and it wasn't either of our parts so I think I wrote a short prompt for her and she wrote the rest? I get the kudos emails and comments still!

I gave tintagel the prompts "cards," "pillar" and "silk". She wrote the opening (which I've tweaked slightly for my own nefarious purposes) and then this happened. In which UST is resolved (and then some) and Scott is just disappointed that all of this happened in his kitchen.

Second Most Kudos: Alien Magic, Tamora Pierce

This is a crossover episode fic where I tried to squish the worlds of Emelan and Tortall together. I don't plan fics, I just write, which really pisses off Josefin and sometimes can cause issues as there has already been one 5-year gap between updates for this fic.

A dead metal human-bird hybrid washes up on the shores of Emelan. Niko identifies it as something from a far-off country, one with more experimental universities than Lightsbridge, and with another way of magic. And so the four go to Tortall. In Tortall itself, Stormwings are coming down with disease, with reduced flocks, actually asking for the Wildmage's help. Something has gone very, very wrong.

Third Most Comments: Ghosted, RWRB

When Henry leaves his flat that morning, he doesn't anticipate being followed through London by a guy who seems really insistent on speaking to him, never getting to eat his takeaway, and being sat on by an old man on the Tube. But sometimes, fate has other plans for you, and you can't fight fate. --- Or, the fic where people are ghosts until they're not, dead until proven otherwise, and we take bets on how thin the veil is between the living and the dead.

Fourth Most Bookmarks: Red, White and Royal Ballet, RWRB

Alex Claremont-Diaz isn't the 'bad boy of ballet'. He's just good at playing the tortured roles. But his latest role, where he's partnered with Beatrice Fox, is coming to an end, and they're announcing the new season's program soon. He might never be the romantic hero, but maybe it's time for a change. Completed.

Fifth Most Words: The Nights We Almost Met, TAH

You should all go listen to the Thrilling Adventure Hour, a loving pastiche of the radio dramas of old. I highly recommend Beyond Belief, the segment where wonderfully drunk and in love mediums Frank and Sadie Doyle (the inimitable Paul F Tompkins and Paget Brewster) investigate paranormal happenings

Frank Doyle and Sadie Parker have terrible timing. It started as a series of vignettes showing when the Doyles could have met, but ultimately missed each other by a hair. It ended differently.

Notes:

This is because I'm a sucker for those things where a couple ALMOST meet and you know they'd be PERFECT and then they don't meet, like, at all. See also: Love Soup. This fic will end when I stop coming up with ways for them not to meet, and they're basically magnetised towards one another so it won't take too long.

Least Words: Putting It Together, TAH

Frank Doyle is a rich, bored bachelor. Sadie Knickerhouse affects to be made in the same mould, but really she's after his art collection. For anyone who thought Art Imitates Life needed its own spinoff series.

I've been surprised by these! I write in small fandoms generally but I didn't expect the Teen Wolf one to be as high up as it was. Anyway, watch this space. Tagging @gloriousclio, @clottedcreamfudge, @stutteringpeach and whoever else would like a crack!

[morns-fevered-dream]

It's times for the season finale of SNW and my last live blogging until the next season of Lower Decks and then DIS season 5 both of which I'm excited about oh and SPOILERS

Season 2 Episode 10

First off it's called "Hegemony" which is definitely going to be in reference to the Gorn Hegemony and if you've seen my reactions to season 1 treatment of the Gorn I'm not excited about this episode

Based on small town Midwest?!??! Seriously that sounds like literally hell (I'm from the Midwest)

Lmaoooo I saw a tiktok talking about a huge fake town in Canada near Toronto with fake Bar And Grill, Barber show and a diner and this is the same fake town

I've got a weird feeling based on the camera angle the town about to explode during talk between Pike and Captain Batel I'm calling it

Well it seems I might be right but I thought it'd happen while Pike was talking to the good captain like their'd be a explosion right behind her mid sentence but I'll take it

Listen to April you don't understand the Gorn this message of "what you don't understand" was the whole point of "Arena" they obviously won't go back on this and April will be right be the end of the episode right? Right?!

Unrelated but April might be my favorite character in this series from this thing with the Gorn and in S2 E2 about eugenics this April is based AF

Just listen to April

Ok they've drawn a line in the sand stay on your side then ez

The map looks crude probably because the Gorn in this series are "dumb" uggh

"I'd like to study how to kill them" feels like a line straight from edgy 2000s show and "I'd like to join in that study" wow feels like this show be set to Evenescence or something

Did they change Pike hair from scene to scene? All I can imagine is Pike stopping to mission to change his hair

Considering we know Chapel alive due to her appearance in later Trek it seems a bit silly to have scenes dedicated to "will it or won't it" as they say

Still sticking with the dumb animal like Gorn I see ugh

Having La'an be there to shut down even the idea that you can communicate with the Gorn every time it's brought up is extremely annoying considering we all know they can from "Arena"

Like Discovery changed how the Klingons looked and people lost their shit but they still acted like Klingons

Oh a new Scotty first impressions I'm neutral 😐

The Dinner mentioned in the tiktok I knew it had to appear sometime

They communicate through light? Seriously? We heard them talk with words

Like a "swarm" Voyager already had a swarm episode

Hold up their about to fling saucer section at the big green Gorn thing but if Chapel lived probably a few others too considering how big the ship is

Well they said humans haven't yet seen a adult Gorn before is out the window I'm pretty sure the showrunner say we wouldn't see a adult Gorn

Oh and I don't like the Gorn design to cgi heavy

The Gorn kinda looks like those aliens from the halo games

I looked it up the Elites from Halo

Discovery made Klingons purple and people complained constantly but I imagine SNW won't share the fate

The Gorn was wearing all metal armor I think or maybe that just their skin now idk

Damn anybody else on that saucer dead

I kind of like that both groups were working on a solution even if only one was necessary

And it ends on a cliffhanger

Well I'm still not a fan of this show whole thing with the Gorn but it wasn't as bad as S2 E2 and the whole pro eugenics thing so there's that and the season as a whole was mixed S2 E9 and S2 E7 were very fun but episodes like S2 E8 and S2 E5 were really cheesy

Note: I was wrong before anyone corrects me the adult Gorn wasn't cgi but practical affects to be fair to me it looks a lot like really ugly cgi in my opinion

[kim-ruzek]

As a WOC, I absolutely love Stella and Stellaride, but since mid-season 10 and now with season 11, I feel like they have become overused. We are only 5 episodes in, but every major storyline and synopsis have had Stella at the forefront. I know she is now the Truck Lieutenant and the other half of CF's only major ship, but I don't want them to overuse her because it will become too much, similarly to Gabby from seasons 4-6.

The show needs to start feeling like an ensemble show again. As the leads, Matt, Kelly and Sevasey managed to give the show balance, if I'm honest, in a way that I hadn't noticed until Jesse Spencer left.

Like where are the storylines for Ritter, Hermann, Mouch etc.? Even Boden is being completely underutilised.

I personally can't attest to whether this applies to ep4 + 5 of s11 because I haven't watched them (and probably won't be watching fire again until either something big with stellaride happens or s12 comes along) so take this with a pinch of salt since those two episodes could've changed my thoughts on this, but I actually think it's still pretty well balanced.

I mean, technically I agree. Bc it is very Stella (and Kelly) and Stellaride heavy, but that's purely just because they're both the lieutenants and in a relationship. Their focus isn't really that more than what Matt/Kelly/Gabby used to get, it just feels more because they're double timing as both lieutenants and major ship, whereas with sevasey had the friendship + being lieutenants and then separate love storylines.

And so for me, it's not them overusing Stella, but under utilising the rest, like Ritter, Hermann, Boden and Mouch, which has been a growing problem, and honestly been a problem for quite a few seasons now. But in my mind theyre not under using them because they're overusing Stella, that's two separate problems.

I also don't necessarily agree that it'll be too much if they continue. The nature of fire has always been that the lieutenants, especially truck's, get a lot of focus, not just in personal life but in the interaction with the crew. I do think that needs to be adjusted, because other characters deserve more of the spotlight than they get, but I've thought that when Casey was the TL so it's not just exclusively a Stella issue.

And honestly? The writing in terms of giving characters balance has been going downhill since the last Gabby days, and I do have a problem with it, but as this point I'm kinda resigned to it and the way I see it is at least it's a badass WOC leading things, you know?

And the issue with Gabby, imo, is that she was overused, yes, but in a very overpowered everything is about her way that felt inorganic, but it doesn't feel that way with Stella. At least not more inorganic as the constant attention on Matt and Kelly has felt at times.

The three episodes I did watch did feel like an ensemble show to me. Not as much as it did when it first started, but more than it had been feeling. I mean there's a few characters that very obviously hasn't gotten attention in that ensemble and therefore just feels like glorified extras (Ritter being #1 for this!) But there's been enough characters who's had parts that it felt like an ensemble, just a smaller one than the one they actually have!

But this is just how I see it! And ofc I haven't watched two episodes. And the great thing about fandom is that everyone perceives things in their own way, so I hope things start feeling more balanced out for you!!!

And thank you for sending me this ask, you know how much I love hearing other woc's opinions, even (or sometimes especially!) when they differ to mine! ♥️

[mysticchessecake]

Leftover cake 1/?

🃏IMPORTANT NOTES🃏

This takes place in season 2 before the "Shadow play". I spelling mistakes will be common! Unfortunately my phone is weird and Im new into writing fanfics I will be adding P! as past and M! as monster . Multiple complications due to my stupidity lol. Macaque follows Mk alot. To the point where he knows who his friends are.

Also I apologize if the timing is weird- I accidentally deleted my progress multiple times. Im also sorry if the characters aren't accurate. Tried my best!

♦️Summary♦️

Mk's friends decided to plan a birthday party for Mk! But they basically left Mk alone in his birthday. Leaving Mk vulnerable for someone else...to help him...

🎲Story🎲

Mk wakes up in the warm sunny day. As Mk got up to check the time, he realized that it's his birthday! As excited as Mk is, he froze when he checked the time and it was already 9:03 AM. OH NO! He's already late! He got his work attire on and rushed in the noodle shop. But the noodle shop was close... The doors are closed with a note "important event! Be back tomorrow!"

Aww did Pigsy think that Mk's birthday was important to him? How sweet. He looked at the back to see somethings because Pigsy sometimes does that, It said "Your friends will always be by your side" Mk thinks to himself that it's nice. He decideds to call Mei but she didn't pick up. Neither did Tang or Pigsy or even Sandy who always picks up even in the middle of the night! Maybe they left a note in his room? Because Mei does go in Mk's room without notice sometimes...

Mk checks his room, he sees nothing! Maybe they're at Mei's house? Odd but nothing really weird- He checks Mei's parents who are still slightly salty about their machine but they said "Mei isn't here, She left at 5 AM and she was carrying some candies and some ping pong paddles, she also took her Jet." Mk thanked them and left, he checked Sandy's boat but they are not there. Have they need something for Mei to leave her house at 5 AM? Even the 0 gravity arcade or even a farmers market. Then he recalled over hearing them say.

P! Pigsy - So ya got the table?

P! Mei - Yeah but I still need the find the ping pong paddles-

P! Pigsy - I won't forgive you for losing my precious paddles

P! Mei - I didn't lose it. It's just not in my room probably

P! Pigsy - Yeaa SURE. But what abou-

That's all he can remember. So Mk dosent know where they are. Until he gets a notification from Mei social media. Mk surprised he didn't thought of that sooner since Mei is pretty active there. He checked to see nothing..? He's blocked.. ? What's happening?

Did his friends abandoned him? You would think after the events of thats happened, he wouldn't think such a thought but. After Sun Wukong left him. He's issues gotten worse. You see, Mk knows that sometimes he's dosent understand things that are frustrating for others. He done it multiple times to his friends. And his past friends. They left him.

Mk got sad. How could his friends, his parental figures. LEAVE HIM? He thought that maybe because he's annoying. He led them to danger. Your friends would leave you right? Maybe this is a good thing? His friends don't need to suffer anymore.

He went home sad and alone. He felt like he was abandoned scrap. Until he saw "Monkie king"

Mk - Monkie king? I thought you were at vacation?

"Monkie king" - I left early bud. So what's the problem?

Mk - I just. Today is birthday! But my friends aren't here. I think they just forgot abou-

"Monkie king" laughs

Mk - What's so funny?

"Monkie king" laughs

Mk - Are you the actual Monkie king?

"Monkie king" laughs

Mk - Can you stop laughing?

"Monkie king" laughs

Mk - I said stop please?

"Monkie king" laughs

Mk -...

"Monkie king" laughs

Mk -...

"Monkie king" laughs

Mk - I said STOO

Mk got frustrated and punched "Monkie king" he can't handle his mentor laughing at his face about his friends abandoning him. That Monkie turned out to be Macaque.

Mk - MACAQUE? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

Macaque - Im checking in my favorite student as your mentor

Mk - Im NOT your student AND YOU AREN'T MY MENT-

Macaque - Then who is your mentor? The monkie king who ABANDONED you?

Mk - H-he didn't abandon me- Uh he went to vacation

Macaque - Kid, Are you REALLY believing the same guy who would lead you into danger? And making YOU figure out everything on your own?

Mk - This is just gonna help me be independent!

Macaque - Sure kid. Hey where's your friends? Did they abandoned you too?

Mk - DONT say they abandoned me. They just forgot about my birthday-

Macaque - Some friends they are

Mk - What do you want?

Macaque - Don't you wanna continue our lessons?

Mk - YOU TOOK MY POWERS LAST TIME

Macaque - Unfortunately Wukong did some mystic crap that makes me unable to take your powers AGAIN

Mk - How do I know you're not lying?

Macaque - Because I would have took them already

Mk - Ok sure. But either way NO

Macaque - Fine by me! Love to see near your friends that ABANDONED you.

Mk not wanting to feel abandoned a 2nd time decideds to do something

Mk - Wait!

Macaque - Hm?

Mk - Don't leave me please...

Macaque - Finally grew some eyes hm?

Mk - mmm sure.. Anyways what training you are gonna even do?

Macaque shadow portals his way out of Mk's bedroom. Then Mk shortly followed forcefully! By Macaque putting a portal underneath him.

Mk - W-WHA WHAT- WHER- HOW- WHERE ARE WE? Wait.. IS THIS THE SAME AREA WHERE WE TRAINED?

Macaque - I don't know kid. IS IT?

Mk - You bitc-

Macaque - Anyways we are gonna learn how to use your emotions into a weapon.

Mk - What?

Macaque - Do I have to spell everything out for you? UGHH! You are TOO emotional kid. Use as a weapon

Mk - I AM NOT TOO emotional

Macaque - You are doing it right now!

Mk - >:(

Macaque - Sit down and close your eyes. Then think of the bad things that happened to you.

Mk - Nothing bad happ-

Mk suddenly remembered the time he stupidly accidentally helped LBD. The time Monkie king abandoned left him alone. T H E M. Does words started to pop up in his head.

"Can't focus"

Mk - S-stop

"Never listening"

Mk - I stop

"Bad friend"

Mk - Please?

"Idiot"

Mk - P-please?

"Stupid"

Mk - S-shut up.

"Abandoned scrap"

Mk - Shut up!

"Unworthy"

Mk - SHUT UP SHUT UP

"He chose the wrong successor"

Mk - I SAID SHUT UP

Mk in suddenly in a dark room with a dark figure. Is this Macaque tricks again? But shouldn't the dark figure be purple? Why is it a deep red? And resembles Mk? Is this his anger? his bottled up emotions?

As he thought that, that thing. It comes near Mk. Mk tried to use the staff but its not there. He tried to scream but no one can hear him.

Mk's eyes starred glowing blue remembering LBD. Then everything turned pitch black. He felt a sharp pinch but that's it. He can hear shouting but it's muffled. He's in a black void. He tried screaming. But nobody can hear him. Nobody can hear his cries for help. It feels cold. It feels welcoming. He deserves this. He deserse.. th.. is

In the not void world, Macaque sees Mk's eyes is filled with tears ... his eyes... it feels like darkness... a void.. its like build up stress and anger and frustration.. Macaque knows it's not Mk..

As Macaque open his mouth to start the "Big baddie gets his enemy's successor turned against what his enemy was training him for until"

Mk screams in pain. He grows something. And turns into a monkie monster. It kinda resembles the form Monkie king demonic form. but it also has some elements of Macaque's shadowy form. Must be result after Macaque trained him.

M! Mk smashes Macaque on the ground with great speed. And looks like he's going for the others. Macaque nearly died a second time. Because it seems that M! Mk's power greatly enhanced. But he escaped with a shadow portal.

Back with the other people. It looks like Tang and Pigsy and the others are preparing Mk's birthday. They're at flower fruit mountain with the help with Mei's jet.

As they get ready to get Mk for his birthday. They feel like something bad happened...But they glossed over that. As they got on Mei's ship (Sandy decideds to stay just incase) Pigsy tells Mei.

Pigsy - So did ya leave a note or a text to Mk saying "we are doing something secret"? Because I forgot to ask that.

Mei - Since when did you ask that?

Pigsy - You forgot to send him a text.

Mei - Look to my credit I did block him is it wouldn't ruin the surprise.

Pigsy - WAIT YOU DID WHAT?

Mei - Block him?

Pigsy - Mei you dum- THIS ISN'T A SURPRISE PARTY

Mei - Oh yeah.

Pigsy - YOU KNOW HOW MK GETS ABOUT SURPRISES.

Mei - I knoww

Pigsy - YOU BEEN HIS FRIEND FOR YEARS?! HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT? (in fact, why every week, someone suddenly forgets their development for like one day???)

Mei - WELL you did leave him.

Pigsy - To my credit we needed your jet and you would have probably woke him up at 6AM to go. Even though I told you not to because he went partying with you last night.

Mei - Why not Tang? SANDY? YOU?

Pigsy - I didn't need Tang to mess up my recipe. Plus I trust Tang to know where Flower fruit mountain is. We aren't strong enough too carry all the stuff we got.

Mei - Fair. *sigh* Let's just get Mk.

Sandy - Hey I should stay here just in case!

Pigsy - Sure. (Why does it feel convenient)

Mei's jet is an amazing jet. They got to the city seeing a monkie monster with sharp ropes near its head. The eyes look angry and sad. The monster's color is a deep red and the eyes are a golden yellow. The monster has sharp claws. And sharp teeth

Pigsy - WHAT THE FU- IS THAT

Mei - We left for 7 HOURS AND THIS IS WHAT I SEE.

Tang - Interesting-

Mei - OF COURSE ITS INTERESTING- ITS A MONSTER

Tang - And that monster kinda looks Monkie kings demonic form!

Pigsy - (Always the voice of plot convenience)

Mei - Are you saying this is Monkie king?

Macaque - No its the kid

Pigsy - HO- WHA- WHO AND HOW DID YOU GET HERE?

Macaque - Im the-

Tang - Its the six eared Macaque!! The best friend of Monkie king

Macaque - *sign* sure.

Mei - Wait. DID YOU SAY THAT THE EVIL MONKIE MONSTER DESTROYING THE CITY. IS MK?

Macaque - Kid's friends are as dense as him, hm

Mei - You little bas-

Pigsy - WHAT the HELL happened to the KID Macque

Macaque - Macaque. Idk maybe just maybe HE GOT SAD THAT YOU ABANDONED HIM?

Pigsy - WE DIDN'T ABANDONED HIM.

Macaque - REALLY? Because he looked like he was abandoned by YOU

Tang - ALRIGHT the six eared Macaque. WE WERE PLANNING HIS BIRTHDAY

Macaque - And you couldn't drop a text?

Tang - LOOK WE WERE PREPAR-

Mei - GUYS LOOK OUT

M! Mk almost hits the jet. Fortunately Mei manages to dodge him in time to flee. M! Mk knows that they are there now. They aren't safe. They're best bet is to lead him far from the city. Maybe the ocean or the desert is the best bet.

They chose desert because just incase M! Mk suddenly pops open to see not M! Mk. They can get him safely and land. (As good as the Jet is. It can't stay on the air without moving somewhere . It needs a path then it can drive it self)

Mei somehow turned on the invisible thing on but its only limited. They started talking about wtf happened to Mk. Everyone mentioned how he acted strange. Pigsy mentioned when he asked if Mk was good because he was quiet (S2 Ep5) Pigsy said that he

"Just some mystic monkie business"

Tang mentioned how Mk generally slowed down for a while. When Tang asked if he's doing good. Mk said

"Just some issues, nothing I can't handle"

Mei mentioned when she took him to a movie about a girl getting possessed. Mk looked genuinely terrified. Not the usual scared. But something else. Mei asked if he's doing well and Mk said.

"Im fine!"

Pigsy also recall Sandy saying that Mk got a bit jumpy than usual. Like if you mention the fight with (NOT) DBK, Mk would freeze up. Sandy asked if he's been good after the fight, Mk said.

"Doing better!"

Macaque - interesting...

Mei - Soo how do we help Mk?

Macaque - uh hm.

"We can save him"

Tang - hm?

"he's inside that monster thing"

Tang - what?

"We go to his heart"

Tang - I-I know!

Macaque - Alright glasses. What we do

Tang - M-maybe we somehow go in the M! Mk's heart and try to save him there! Mk is inside of it.

Mei - And how did you come up with this?

Tang - It felt like destiny

Pigsy - Ok ok. How do you think we can detract the M! Mk enough we somehow get into his heart?

Macaque - I may have a plan

Back in the void world. Mk made a coping mechanism dream world. Where he didn't get abandoned!

In the dream world, he's having his birthday! With everyone! Although they're eyes are blacked out. As he started to sing the birthday song.

In the not dream world.

Mei - Im still shock that you, yes you, turned into a massive shadow monster and somehow destroyed it

Macaque - Yeah, yeah

Pigsy - Ok. So do we like fly the jet into his heart or somethin? Cause what if it hurts the kid?

Macaque - Oh please, kid's been thrown against the ground at full force multiple times.

Tang - And how is potentially driving a jet into his heart can compare to that?

Macaque - Hmm. What if I throw something at him an if it's solid then we abort and think of another plan

Mei - What are you gonna throw at him?

Macaque - Probably a building

Pigsy - WHAT. WE ARE NOT THROWING A BUILDING AT MK

Macaque - You aren't.

Pigsy - Listen here you smart a-

Mei - How about a car or something? I heard car prices are dropping

Macaque - Sure.

Tang - Wait even if w- Macaque. What if it actually hurts Mk inside?

Macaque - Kid can handle it.

Pigsy - Oh sh-

Tang shushed Pigsy.

Mei - Okay. So. Macaque goes demon shadow form and "distracts" M! Mk. While we fly through his heart?

Macaque - Pretty much

Mei - hmm. Seems like a perfectly good plan!

Macaque - Alright let's go.

[crisp-sweet-pink-lady]

Summer of Strawberry Shortcake: Rockaberry Roll

This is the actual start of season four, with aged up designs for all the main characters, but only some of the other characters. Strangely, Blueberry Muffin has an aged up design in the official art, but not in the cartoon, which is especially egregious considering she's as much a main character as Peppermint Fizz, who did get an aged up design (and is much more prominent this season). The other oddity is that of the three international friends that are included in the intro (and show up in the first episode), only one got an aged up design (Tangerina Torta got one, too, but she won't show up until the next DVD). You would think that since season four's intro got custom animation, they would have only included characters with new designs, but ah well. The main point of them being in the intro at all is to show what they're doing in Strawberryland again without dedicating an episode to it. Speaking of, I have to apologize to Frosty Puff, since I previously mentioned that she didn't get to do anything outside of her brief appearance in season three, but she's here and we even see her ice skating (practicing for the talent show). I don't remember if she shows up again, but I also haven't seen half of this season (the episodes released after Berry Bitty Adventures' DVDs started coming out), so she might.

Watching all these episodes so close together has made me realize how often working together is the lesson du jour, and this one is no exception, even if the girls are older now. Come to think of it, how far into the future are we supposed to be now? Apple Dumplin' had the most dramatic redesign, so if she was 1 at the start and probably 2 by season three, and now looks to be at least 7 or 8, then we're at least 5 years ahead, if not slightly more.

I don't remember if we ever learned how old anyone else was, but assuming Strawberry was 8 at the start, maybe 9 by season three, then the main girls are between 13 and 16, probably closer to the latter since Strawberry drives a car in a future episode. But it's a cartoon, so who's to say.

The best part of the first ep, besides seeing everyone's talents, was the fact that Custard picked Huckleberry Pie and Peppermint Fizz to be judges with her. This was probably meant to imitate the American Idol judges, but I'd like to think that her choices had to do with her friendship with Huck, and her assumption that Peppermint Fizz would bring her usual caustic attitude, unaware that the Peppermint Fizz of season four is a nicer, gentler Peppermint Fizz.

Not that she doesn't still have her moments. I liked the second episode because it gave us a reason for her change in attitude, showing that she spent her time not in season three being introspective about what she really wants: friendship. Though being Peppermint Fizz, she still gets the wrong idea about how to go about it, thinking she has to fit in with the main group in order to be friends, when I'm pretty sure Strawberry already considered her a friend all the way back in season two. ALSO, since when is she a trumpet player? She apparently already had the trumpet, so she wasn't just making that up to join the band. But what happened to her tuba? What made her abandon it in favor of the trumpet? And what made her start playing the tuba in the first place? Sadly, we will never get these answers.

Another question that will go unanswered is what was up with Huck and Strawberry rapping? Please don't do that again.

This DVD marks another first in the SSC legacy: the first time coloring pages were included as a special feature! These would continue to be included into the BBA era (sometimes being the only special feature), but this is where it got started.

Notes from the script: the first episode has a ton of good directions, such as Angel Cake "sparking to [Strawberry's idea] slowly" with Ginger Snap "really sparking," and Custard's "pouty-lip," but for some reason it cuts off before the actual end of the episode, ending right after the song. And the second episode has lots of good Peppermint stuff, like her having "wrongheaded joy" when she's going to join the band, thinking this will give her an in, and she tells a "hopeful lie to self" to gloss over her bad playing.

[stillwanderingflame]

Loki thoughts

All right, here we go, finale day is upon us. I haven't been this tense about the outcome of a character's story in years. Probably not since Winter Soldier or XMFC. Those were such great movies that had me so invested in the characters and then everything that came after soured me to the point where I've struggled to re-watch the movies. Praying that doesn't happen this time.

Dropping some guesses/predictions under the cut because it's always fun to see what I get wrong.

Based on the scenes still left from the mid-season trailer, I expect we'll see Loki trying more than once to go back in time and stop the Temporal Loom's destruction, possibly going farther and farther back until we get the scene with him and Mobius in the time theater, just after he was brought in. I'm guessing Victor tries twice more to fix the Loom but to no avail, which makes me think Loki eventually realizes he can't fix it by changing the past and has to do something more drastic. This might be where the shot of him out on the walkway without a suit might come in. Maybe he decides he has to go face the Loom and use his new powers to save the day. How exactly he does that, I'm not sure but it seems like they're teasing hints of the God of Stories storyline from the comics. Plus I keep remembering that line in s1 where Loki said "I think we're stronger than we realize."

Not a prediction but a fear that I've voiced before: I really don't want an ending where Loki is alone as the new HWR. I'm hoping they won't go in that direction, especially after the bar scene in ep 5. Just...don't have him show that kind of vulnerability and then stab him right in the weak spot. My heart can't take it.

I have no clue as to what will happen with Sylvie. Part of me thinks the writers will let her go back to her life on the branch (if Loki can restore it) because I just don't see them setting up a Sylki ending. Sylvie seems to understand the need for intervention now, but I don't think she'd be happy monitoring the flow of time, even with Loki by her side.

There's also still that shot of Ravonna in the Void. Seems unlikely that she'd be shown just to be gobbled by Alioth so maybe they're going to try and find redemption for her character.

That's all I've got. I could keep spinning ideas but this show is consuming enough of my brainpower as it is. I can't believe it's already ending. 6 episode seasons are tough after a long streak of only watching kdrama and cdramas (even if I sometimes think the latter don't justify the number of episodes). Guess I'll have to wallow in my feels and see if any new fics pop up to help me cope in the aftermath. 🥲

[thetaoofbetty]

Bughead chemistry is still fire. The show may actually go down because of the other ships but bughead is timeless.

for real tho, even the songs they've been using for them have been pretty smexy sounding. they're not dumb.

more anons under the cut:

i'm sure someone will disagree with me about things being called fanservice when it's not but not liking something doesn't mean it happening is fanservice (this applies to b/a too). they've always used b/a for drama and sometimes, yeah, as a plot device for bughead.

and i say bughead based on the way the show treats it as an issue for bughead and not v/a. if they decided to extend a bughead and v/a reunion, then yeah, they were always going to fallback on what they've always done for them. they fell back on veronica and reggie. and getting jughead out of the way? does no one really see the convenience factor here? people really think they just time jumped where bughead had a history during that time and it's just...fine? they're all just going to hold hands and skip to the finish line with these new, conflict free ships?

even in the first 4 seasons of riverdale, the ships had conflict on the regular.

but the b/as are very selective in what they pay attention to or acknowledge. first they said it was canon because of roberto (which, yes, that is how even AUs work in media when they're shown, the thing still happened even if it won't matter past that) then they said it was an AU because archie died then they said it was still canon because they were getting their b/a wedding and then said it was meaningless because bughead was kissing.

uh. pick a lane, guys. we (and by we, i mean most bugheads and v/as) knew that it was an AU? and that it was also canon but also not in riverdale? like, that wasn't hard to figure out from the original event trailer? enjoying ship content where we find it is how shipping works, actually.

as for 6b, hmm. if the betty pyrokinesis thing is totally legit then i guess we're doing that? tho, i wonder if it's part of cheryl's curse and that's why it's concentrated on the 3 of them having stuff happen to them. i'm guessing they're all dealing with the after affects of the bomb for the first couple of episodes and then it's not until 6x08 or 9 where they start to get into that, when the vale stuff starts to come over? i know lili was missing for a bit while filming recently right? so not sure what that means for those eps but i would figure we're going to get into the tbk, curse, archie's new nemesis plot mid-season maybe?

after that, there's been a teased love triangle and i can see how and why people think it's going to be b/j/a but we'll see. roberto oversells and underdelivers so who knows? i definitely think we're going to get some weirdo plots and they still need to bring the "epic battle between good and evil" thing they pushed back. if i'm being honest, i fully expect we'll get what we got in s5 (and 4, 3, 2, 1...) and the main couples will be back in each other's orbits investigating the mystery (bughead) and trying to solve the town's issues (v/a).

no i haven't but i feel like someone on my dash watched it and i wanted to watch it based off of that. then i forgot and you just reminded me. so thank you for that.

i'm sure she will. i'm also pretty sure veronica and archie will work together like always, ha. i think the thing is that veronica is the one who broke up with archie in s5 so maybe that plays a part in her decisions, i don't know. veronica often acts like everything that bothers her is in the past so she can keep it moving so having her actually deal with some stuff would be nice for a change tbh.

but the show writes women like that a lot. they rarely get to express themselves for more than 5 seconds before sucking it up and putting on a brave face because that's what a lot of these writers think being a strong woman is.

that's not how that works but whatever.

[littlespoonevan]

I'm honestly so tired of the bashing of this season... It's not perfect, far from it, and I definitely have things to say too, but people are acting like it's the worst thing ever made and this constant negativity is making it hard to enjoy it at all and it's killing all the fun for me. It's one thing to have expectations, it's another thing to say it's shit when they don't happen. It's just my opinion, but yeah, I wish people would just calm down a bit.

ahh i know what you mean, anon. as much as i absolutely love the experience of watching a show week to week and getting to deep dive into the ep and theorise about what's coming next, it's also a lot more stressful than binge-watching.

i think it's easy to spiral sometimes when watching a season live because for example, if you're whole dash is liveblogging and ten people all complain about one thing well then those ten people will probably rile each other up about the thing even more. in contrast, if i'm bingewatching, that thing either won't register with me or that part of the storyline will be over like two hours later so i won't bother posting about it.

it does frustrate me sometimes when people can't just wait and see. like there's a different between not liking something very specific eg. the copaganda in 5x03 vs just not having the whole story yet???? so i've always tried my best to withhold judgement on certain storylines until we reach season finales. like, i could complain about eddie not facing the trauma of the shooting yet but i'm also holding out hope that'll happen in upcoming eps. so unless we reach 5x18 without that being addressed i don't think it's fair for me to be annoyed???

season 5 in general though is not bad at all. i think it's suffered from some inconsistencies with the changes in production and not having two mains present but it's still a good season. i absolutely loved 5x01, 5x02 and 5x04. i really enjoyed 5x06 also (tbh the only reason i'm not like, omg god tier is bc seeing people's reactions beforehand sort of raised the bar too high for me? but that's no one's fault except whoever leaked the ep lol). 5x03 was its own beast and 5x05 and 5x07 did feel off. the thing about 5x05 though is that it's hard to know if that was intentional or not given the themes of the ep and that we were primarily viewing things through buck's eyes.

but like, in terms of 5x07 as an example. the things i didn't like about it are the same things i didn't like about 4x08 or 4x11 which was that too much of the focus was on side characters i didn't have an interest in. hell, i thought 4x01 and 4x02 were Incredibly boring, especially when compared to the tsunami the previous season. so idk if it's just that a lot of us are watching live for the first time now and that's why people are getting more frustrated but quality-wise i'm not all that worried rn.

the best advice i could give is to curate your dash and blacklist what you need to. i follow 20 911 blogs which tbh is a lot for me. and that's not to say there aren't lots of amazing people whose posts/gfisets i regularly reblog who i don't follow but i personally have always preferred to follow just enough people to keep up to date on everything i want to. i find it easier to maintain my dash that way and i rarely, if ever, see complaining unless i go looking for it. i've done the whole, follow everyone thing in previous fandoms and it's absolutely exhausting and generally not good for your enjoyment of the show

i don't want this to come off as preachy or holier-than-thou because i absolutely don't mean it to be and at the end of the day, if people want to complain leave them to it! i'm just saying that in my own experience following less blogs and blacklisting discourse tags has always made my fandom life much more enjoyable!!

[officialgritty]

Sometimes I ask myself

How much could the NHL handle? What would they do if I, Zoe, had the opportunity to become a GM of my own team?

Another short essay by officialgritty. Here is the masterlist, it would be best to read them in order!

The Drafting Process

First of all, I’ll only accept picks for even numbers besides 7, 13 and 69. Odd numbers can choke. 

I hate public speaking so I would nominate my assistant (still have not decided on one so feel free to send your applications into my DMs) to call out our picks. It’s probably the smartest decision considering I mumble a lot and have an accent so no ones names would be pronounced correctly anyway. 

Personally I would like to draft one (1) beer league player. I think they could really get the team riled up, maybe even rack up some decent penalties for other teams by instigating. 

“The Vermont Villains would like to select... big boy INSERT NAME.” - Assistant

“The Vermont Villains would like to select... string bean INSERT NAME.” - Assistant

“The Vermont Villains would like to select... sorry the mic cut out, after this can we have an intermission? I’m starving. Oh, we pick twinkle toes INSERT NAME.” - Me 

General Rules / Other

There are no Capricorn’s to be allowed within management or on the team besides me. I was going to say, “I’m sorry I don’t make the rules,” but I quite literally do. 

I am banning Crosby and MacKinnon from ever joining the team. In fact, when they visit for games the staff will ‘decorate’ a stall for them in particular. 

I will be starting a petition for teams to be allowed 5 non-forfeit forfeits, meaning you get 5 chances to say, “No I don’t want to play that team today.” Both teams get no points though. It’s almost like a mental health day and I think that's neat. 

The Team

(art via @chaos-hockey, please check out their account!)

The Vermont Villains are based in Vermont obviously, because there’s not a whole lot happening there. What even is Vermont for?

The team slogan is one everyone should be familiar with:

“No whole body, no murder.”

Our team intro song as players step out onto the ice is Be Prepared from The Lion King.

Our goal horn is someone sneezing, the audience will be sprayed with a light mist of sea water for effect. 

Our team song played when we win will be Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked by Cage the Elephant.

As for team rivals, we have @chaos-hockey​‘s creation the Insert Team Heres. They seem so sweet, I think the Villains would have a great time messing with them. I also believe we would have some beef with the Penguins, I don’t really have a reason for it, I just feel it deep in my gut. Maybe they get their knickers in a twist because we keep stealing their good stuff idk.

Mascot

The mascot wears a neon ski mask that changes based on the team’s choice in jersey. His name is Monday, because he’s always creeping up on you and causing mayhem through the grandstands. He has a water pistol attached to a tool belt, what's the tool belt for? No one ever truly knows until it’s too late. 

Gritty and Monday would get along like a house on fire.

Uniform

(art via @chaos-hockey, please check out their account!)

You may notice the presence of three jersey’s and think to yourself, “Oh there's a home, away and an alternate.” Wrong. We have two home jerseys and an alternate. 

On Wednesday’s we wear pink. Seriously. This jersey is only to be worn on Wednesday games.

All of the jerseys have players names written on the back but it’s only in a script font so it’s hard to read. Announcers will be confused, players will be confused but fans won’t be because they are used to it by now.

All of their numbers are written out in Roman numerals.

Each season the team colours change (besides pink Wednesdays). Why? Because I don’t like commitment. We would make hella money on limited time merch too.

Speaking of merch, every player will need to design a pair of crocs for fans to purchase as merch. This is not limited to the players, management must also participate. Yes, you can buy the George from Statistics crocs. I really just want my own crocs and to not be judged for it.

“I’ll take one of the Zoe crocs please!” - A fan

Now we can’t limit the uniform just to the team, I’ll show up to games rocking a power suit Michelle Obama inauguration style. Always in the same colour as the team jersey for that night. Yes, we are implying that I am Gritty.

“I want them to fear me but also want to fuck me.” - Me

(art via @chaos-hockey, please check out their account!)

For all working, team socks must be worn when entering the practise and game facilities. A sock check will be conducted at security. We will not let anyone in if they are not wearing Team Socks™️

(art via @chaos-hockey, please check out their account!)

You may be wondering about the away jersey still but don’t fret. We get to the arena early and steal the other team’s clothes. Some end up in their suits, some in their away jerseys and some are left shirtless. Whatever we can or cannot find before puck drop. 

Arena

The arena won’t be boring that's for sure. 

Out the front we have a massive V sign, just like how you see a McDonald’s sign from so far away, you’ll know when you get close to the arena.

Instead of stairs, each seating section has a harness that you get hooked up to for when you want to change levels. And each time that you want to get down, there’s a swirly slide.

Music played will be my favourite mashups from the YouTube account William Maranci to psych out competitors. Here is a link to one of my personal favourites:

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Obviously the team will need to listen to these before they are played for the first time to desensitise them. This will be done at the monthly team Disco.

During the intermission, all the lights in the main area will be turned off. Unofficial nap time my friends.

The menu consists of mutton, bagels on a stick, your choice of charcuterie board, fairy bread and fairy floss. For drinks you can either have carrot juice, Corona beer (we have a brand deal with them) or black tea with no milk.

In conclusion, it’s a good thing that I don’t have a lot of money and/or power, the NHL would hate me because they ain’t me and I have too many good ideas in my brain.

Thank you so sticking through it for this long, here’s all my love and affection 😘🥰❤️

Once again a big thank you to @chaos-hockey for bringing my ideas to fruition. Also thank you to Mik for encouraging this whole concept in our messages ❤️

Here is a part 2!

Tagging some of my mutuals/favourite accounts (please don't feel pressured to interact with this if it isn't your thing, I won't be offended): 

@scheifefe @nikolajehlers @kempe @bowenbyram @d00dlebob @travisgermy @ifiwasshawnmendesidslapmyself @dmonchld @kiedhara @sortagaysortahigh @matthewthotchuk @babytkachuks @bricksatlandyswindow @canadianheaters @youngbeezersmixtape @pitoftrash @perpetually-anxious @kspitehockey

Sorry if I’ve forgotten anyone, I didn’t want to tag every single person I follow 💀

[demomonic-murmurs]

loving your boo [hq characters × monster girlfriend] //p. 1

Welcome to a new series that I am starting. It features haikyuu characters dating various monsters and mostly features NSFW headcanons.

A fair warning; some of these might be a little weird. I will tag everything appropriately, so proceed with that in mind. Each part will feature 5 characters and 6 parts are planned so far.

Pairings: Hoshiumi × Reader, Ushijima × Reader, Iwaizumi × Reader, Osamu × Reader

Warnings: Size difference, Cervix Penetration, Egg Laying, Heat Cycles, Stomach Buldge

Hoshiumi and a Giantess

• Seagull boy is already insecure enough about his height

• he really doesn't like people commeting on his size or he is ready to throw hands

• or people taller than him

• but when he laid his eyes on you

• 250 cm of pure, giant beauty

• that got his feathers ruffled

• he doesn't get why you're insecure of your height to him its the best thing ever

• will ask you to carry him in private, not in public though he got a reputation to uphold

• learns to appreciate his height as well because of you

• because due to it, his face perfectly gets smothered by your big breasts and his hand has access to your cunt when you're just standing up normally

• speaking of cunt

• he knows his dick can't pleasure you lmfao

• he isn't the biggest guy, mostly just girthy but even that can't save him when it comes to your giant pussy

• he doesn't mind though, at least not later

• opens you up until his entire arm is inside of you

• thats a tight fit even for you

• his fingers barely reach your cervix

• which is great because he will totally use them to directly penetrate it

• your poor cervix is so abused lmao

• sucks on your clit like its a popsicle and his life depends on it

• also loves your boobs

• def wants to be quished between them

• loves it when you pick him up and hold him to suck his dick

• it feels so insignificantly small when he is with you so whenever you try to make him feel good he appreciates it

• you don't trust yourself with giving him a hand job, I mean how could you really, you could crush his dick so easily and then what

• so you mostly just settle down and let him use your body however he wants to to avoid any additional danger

• his ego is such an odd mix of immense pride and crippling self doubt

• he really wants to pleasure you but doesn't know if he can or is able to

• please reassure him

• overall fun relationship with a very different sex life

Ushijima and a Fairy

• Size difference in the different direction

• you are tiny and frail compared to Ushijima's tall and buff stature

• adorable pair though

• very popular and very one loves you

• you may have wings but Ushi loves it when you don't use them and ask him instead to help you get something from a shelf

• that being said, he also lives for when you flutter up to him to give him a kiss

• or when you allow him to hold you

• carefully of course because a broken wing would be a bother really

• but his hands are so big

• one hand is enough to fit onto your back and cover it mostly

• he enjoys that feeling of you being small like that

• which of course means that he loves the way you force yourself onto his cock

• it's far too big and thick for your far to tiny pussy

• when you stand next to him, you are at a face level with his crotch

• so even the tip is buldging you already

• not to mention that his cock is a monster

• long, thick and curved

• it can split you in half easily

• loves it most when he is laying down and you sink down onto his cock

• the way you hiss and cry as you take inch after inch is like a concert to him

• loves holding your hips and brushing his thumbs over your stomach taking him so nicely

• you can never fit him completly but it amazes him everytime just how much you can take

• maybe if he just starts stretching you out enough, there will be enough space in your tiny womb for him because he breaks through your cervix like its nothing

• speaking of womb

• loves to cum inside of you and he cums a lot, making you swell up with it quite nicely

• loves how your wings flutter and shudder when you climax, which happens quite often considering how long it takes to just sheat himself into you

• also loves to use you as a cock sleeve to cock warm while he does chores

• nice man that takes good care of you and will make you think of nothing but his cock

Iwaizumi and a Dragonshifter

• Godzilla

• that's the reason he fell for you

• I am sorry

• can totally see it as a childhood friends thing where he befriended you because of that

• and now that the two of you are older he realized just how hot you are

• horns, bat-like wings, claws and a thick scaly tail

• not to mention your teeth

• poor Iwa is done for

• absolutely loves it when you wear anything short or revealing because then he can see the scales framing the more humanoid part of your thighs

• loves it when you give him blowjobs and he is allowed to pull on your horns so you can take him deeper

• your mouth is hotter than the one of an average girl because of your dragon breath

• and your tongue is longer as well

• also loves seeing you pleasure yourself with your tail

• since your clawed hands don't exactly allow you to use them

• but the scales on your tail give you a nice friction to work with

• his favourite season of the year is mating season lol

• when you become so needy that you cut through his pants to suck on him, begging for his semen

• loves taking you from behind because he can see your tail and wings moving around

• rubs the base of both because they are very sensitive zones

• likes to hold up your tail and hug it while he fucks you into the sheets

• your nickname for him is the dragon tamer lmfao

• loves how protective you can get over him

• makes him feel very nice n cozy inside

• knows that you can take care of yourself and relishes in the way you beat up someone

• lowkey turned on by the fact that you can easily beat him at arm wrestling

• Iwa likes a strong woman

• especially if she is half lizard

Osamu and a Swan Girl

• thinks you're beautiful and graceful by default

• loves to run his hand over your feathers

• he still keeps the one you had lost during your first date in a scrapbook

• everything is so soft about you he lives for it

• loves to hold yours hands, which extend from your wings similarly to a bat

• calls you his little angel

• you two own Onigiri Miya together

• and you two have a special item on the list that is limited but a fan favourite

• swan egg ramen

• its a specialty really

• if its ordered (which happens often) Osamu will take a short break and fuck you in the break room so your body will begin to create an egg

• ofc he won't cum in you, he doesn't want to fertilize it

• preferably cums all over your feathers instead

• though he can't deny that he dreams about doing it inside of you one day

• the house made eggs are delicious and if he got time, he loves seeing you push it out

• his favourite sight really

• of course you have a limit of how many you can lay but thats fine, thats why its a special offer that is very popular among humans and monsters alike

• he also loves it when you get in the real mood and perform your little mating dance and sing for him

• lovingly ruffled your feathers so you know he returns your affection

• always makes sure to feed you well after you've laid an egg because its quite stressful for you and he knows that

• and just loves the thought about mating for life with you

Nishinoya and Bunny Girl

• you are a dream come true

• every single high school fantasy is embodied in you

• you're hot to him

• so incredibly hot

• he is horny on main lmao

• takes you in any way imaginable

• loves it if you suck him off and he gets to pull on your ears

• always gently licks and bites them because they're so sensitive

• moans directly into your your ear because he knows it will make you shudder

• not to mention that cute little tail of yours

• any part of fur you possess will be covered in his cum he will ensure that

• ruts himself between your thighs or boobs

• loves to see you collecting his cum with a finger eagerly licking it off

• will absolutely buy you a Karasuno uniform to really fulfill his dreams

• you're his cute fangirl and he is the handsome libero you have a crush on

• lives for the way your legs look under a skirt, specifically that one

• sometimes just flips it up and nuzzles his nose into your crotch

• when you're not wearing panties though

• you're basically asking for it

• has no problem with fucking you in private

• also loves it when you're in heat

• you two have sex very often but when you're in heat? You're not doing anything but fucking

• also would probably have some fun with triggering your flight instincts while fucking you if he feels mean

[wheredemdokis]

[tastebreaker review] Law School (no spoilers)

Sometimes, I wish I could have a shrine for all the cerebral media that I consumed, because it definitely is my favourite archetype. Death Note was a masterpiece that I hungrily binged in one day - similarly with Psycho Pass (though I haven't watched the second season due to most of the reviews I have read). This extend well into non-anime media for me - State of Play (with Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck and Rachel McAdams) remains one of my favourite movies, Inception and, well, honestly anything by Christopher Nolan, and I have recently began watching The Matrix as well.

And so, the thirst for real mystery and brain games was quenched when I started watching Law School, with Kim Myung-min, Kim Beom and Ryu Hye-young, directed by Kim Suk-yoon. Needless to say, throughout the whole trip, I was hooked, counting down days until the next episode came... but towards the end - an unpopular opinion - I was actually quite disappointed.

And so, before you start your cross-examination, allow me to present my findings first.

- How did I start watching this?

My friend and I were looking around for something to binge on Netflix and forget about COVID-19. This series popped up, and the moment I read the title, my sapiosexual senses were tingled.

- And how was it?

Very good!... until the ending came. ;w;

- Genres & overarching themes?

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Psychological

Overarching themes: murder mystery, law vs justice, intelligence (as in, the characters are all really smart hahah)

- Plot: 4/5

It could have been a high four, near five if it wasn't for the ending, frankly. The first episode started out with Professor Seo Byung-ju of Hankuk Law School dead, and the spotlight shines on Professor Yang Jong-hoon (the man in the poster above), the first suspect. But was it really him? From then, the mystery unfolds as our favourite study group (who shall be very well elaborated on later in this review) launches itself into investigation for true justice.

The series started out extremely strong in my opinion, with its first few episodes filled with twists and sub-plots that were waiting to get wrapped up. Every episode just leaves you gripping on the sides of your seat in suspense. It really makes you doubt every single person that appeared on-screen and watch out for anything that happens - the show uses the Chekhov's Gun trope really well. As the knots become unravelled, we gain more depth into the characters. However, as we near the end - about two-three episodes for me - the show started to lose its thrust, falling into a comfortable stereotype that made things rather frustrating.

One of the major advantages of Law School, in my opinion, is its ability to twist and turn everything. It prompts the viewers to realize that when the case is really examined in a whole different angle, with more and more evidence coming to light, everything changes. The use of different suspects' stories being told in each episode is a pleasure to watch - the viewers feel like an omniscient judge, overseeing the motives and evidence to draw out a conclusion for themselves on who might be the murderer. The series prompts the viewers to think, which is a trend I really like. It's also interesting to question why characters do certain things they do. Professor Yang Jong-hoon (my favourite character!), for example, is a very... chaotic (haha) character, who keeps on surprising people with his actions - yet, his actions are all elaborate executions of his strategy, a whole plan that he has concocted which accounted for multiple steps ahead, thanks to his extremely sharp vision of what could happen. Thus, it is extremely satisfying when everything falls into place as Yangcrates (a nickname he earned due to his Socratic teaching) explains everything that led up to a particular tense moment where the truth was unveiled.

Yet... this very trope had its downfall near the end. The murderer was so heavily shadowed on in the beginning that the viewers would have expected the murderer to be someone else completely unexpected, a mastermind that pulled the strings behind all the proceedings. Yet, the murderer and the mastermind behind the murder were someone so... I dare say, unimpressive. I mean, this particular 'mastermind' behind the murder fell into so many traps! The murderer was definitely my major disappointment - the villain was a weak character, an unsatisfying antagonist that the intelligent heroes, once having figured who he/she is, didn't even break a sweat to bring to light. The last, final twist that was supposed to be the most glamorous of them all, completely knocking the viewers off their feet, fell completely flat.

Secondly, whilst having a lot of sub-plots still remains a favourite trope of mine as I'd expect everything to wrap up nicely near the end... well, it didn't. Whilst most sub-plots were hastily answered, there was one particular sub-plot which was just left completely unaddressed (for those who have watched it, it's about J****s), and unless they're hinting at a second season where this would be further elaborated on, this was a dead-end sub-plot, a plot with no elaboration or continuation whatsoever.

Overall, the plot was breathtaking in the beginning. It lost momentum very near the end, and wrapped everything up with an anticlimactic last episode.

- Characters: 4.7/5

Definitely the strongest set of characters I've seen in a Korean drama, frankly. All characters were so well utilised, each having their own quirks and flaws which were delightful to watch. Everyone was so, so intelligent, that they honestly were the main fuel to the series, our main stars.

Allow me to first start off with my favourite character, Professor Yang Jong-hoon. Stoic, yet with an extremely savage side that he does not hesitate to show to anyone of any ranks or social standings, Yangcrates carefully plots everything, always thinks, questions, and then thinks even more. Intelligence-wise, this man is most definitely the smartest on-screen persona I've seen in the Korean drama franchise - able to see miles ahead and figure out all the answers down to their root, he is someone that definitely earns all the respect he has, from both his students and viewers alike. Personality-wise, this man is equally interesting as he is smart. With a cold exterior, Yangcrates does not take any bullshit (cue a particularly funny water spitting scene), and does not hold back harsh words to point it out. Yet, underneath this cold exterior is a burning desire to find the absolute truth, which would in turn bring justice to ones who have been wronged (refer to a particular lecture-like speech he made in episode 10), and a passion for teaching his students. He secretly cares for his students a lot, and expresses it in his own way.

Next, our favourite study group - a group of capable, enticing individuals. Firstly, we have Han Joon-hwi, a complex character that always pursues justice and fairness. His intelligence shines through with the way he, firstly, is able to take advantage of his sharp understanding of law into the case, and his careful processing of the evidence he gathers during investigation. Whilst he always keeps a cold head when needed, he has an equally warm heart, genuinely caring for wronged and innocent people. His expressions were all extremely raw and did not feel fake at all - really, props to his actor. More on this later.

Then, we have the two girls - Kang Sol A and Kang Sol B. Don't be fooled by their names - they are very much polar opposites. Whilst Kang Sol A is excitable and wears her heart on her sleeve (sometimes a bit too much), Kang Sol B always keeps a cool head, sometimes taking it to the extreme. I do admit that if I had to pick out of the two, though I love both of them very, very much, I'd probably lean a bit more towards Kang Sol A - even though she definitely gets on my nerves sometimes because of her overload of emotions that could be disruptive, she has her frequent bouts of creativity and "a-ha!" moments that display her underrated intelligence (I'm always soft for underdogs that are underestimated by everyone, only to turn the table on them later). She is also an extremely loyal friend and a very generous individual that isn't afraid to place herself in danger just to help others - overall, a very warm person. Kang Sol B, on the other hand - perhaps due to her family environment - does not really taking other people's emotions into consideration, though I really, really admire her for her intelligence, her ability to always keep a calm head (making her the blue counterpart to Kang Sol A's red), as well as her straightforwardness which has proven many times to be necessary to push the case forward. She does have a soft spot, though - a very adorable one at that. These two make an extremely adorable pair of friends.

My favourite student of the study group must be Seo Ji-ho. I'd say he's a less intimidating version of Kang Sol B hahah - cool and composed, Ji-ho is a reliable member who always pursues logic and reason first. He is also driven to achieve his goal and, like Joon-hwi, utilizes his deep understanding about law very well to solve his own case, his sub-plot. Though his sub-plot eventually was wrapped up as an open ending, it was a nice sub-plot to watch. Not to mention his dynamic with Joon-hwi is very adorable as well - the two really balance each other out.

Other students also have their own quirks and flaws, but for the sake of this review's length, I won't elaborate them as much - but I will say they are all a delight to watch, adding their own personal elements to the overall study group. I will definitely miss this set of characters so, so much. ;-;

- Acting: 4.4/5

Frankly, perhaps because of some K-drama series I have watched, I had a problem with acting in some K-drama series - the actors and actresses did not feel genuine, and they either overacted, pushing their expressions to the extreme, or underacted, simply being way too... stiff (some of my personal favourite actors and actresses so far are Kim Seon-ho, whose theatrical experiences probably really helped with his very natural acting, Jo Jung-seok, and Kim Hye-yoon, an actress who impressed me with both of her most popular series - hope to see her versatility shine through with more diverse roles though). This series, however, is a definite favourite of mine in terms of acting. Firstly, Kim Myung-min is a veteran actor that deserves so much respect - he basically morphed into Yangcrates. I absolutely loved the way he delivered his dialogues - very long ones! - without even so much as taking a breath in between - it was smooth and the flow was excellent.

Kim Beom also became one of my favourite actors after this series - the way he handled his role was so good, his expressions, actions, everything. I noticed that he's very good with his eyes, if that's the right way to put it - he is very good at displaying emotions with them, all emotions ranging from sadness to adoration (towards a particular someone *wink*). It's a top-notch skill, really, and I'm glad to have seen him on-screen. Similarly, Ryu Hye-young impressed me so, so much that I shall add her to my list of favourite actresses as well - I can't spoil, but she is really able at... altering her vibes, yes. She seems to have studied her character really carefully too, being able to bring all Sol A's quirks to real life. Other actors and actresses were amazing, but for me, these three definitely shone.

- Doki moments?

Ah. Definitely some between Sol A and Joon-hwi, as a lot of other people have commented. From the way they tease each other to the way he cares about her every little thing, the way he stares at her, the way his whole demeanor just changes around her and the way she unknowingly influences him so much - they do balance each other out really well, Joonhwi being the cool to Sol A's warm. I do find myself thinking Sol B and Ji-ho would be rather compatible as well (also, them being study rivals in high school? My rivals-to-lovers side is ready).

- Enjoyment: 4/5

Again, could have been higher if it wasn't for the ending! But yes, overall, a whole trip worth embarking on.

- Overall: 4.2/5

Really, could have been higher... but yes, still an excellent show. I just hope they could have had more episodes to really wrap everything up nicely and maybe throw us one final, absolutely ground-breaking twist.

- Watch it or neh?

Yes, please do watch it! And let me know how it goes, too. ;3