#episode 8: alloyed

[helenvader]

Mairon, honestly. Your burlap sack in the vision is even sluttier than it was in reality.

[attheexactlyrighttimeandplace]

Some thoughts about the writing and teasing of the romantic tropes on the show, specifically focused on Galadriel, Sauron/Halbrand, with some maybe unpopular opinions in the mix (mostly some scepticism about how it will turn out for the show and the fandom).

I was writing an analysis that is a half speculation half review of episode 8 in which i explain why i think some characters arcs have been rewritten this season and why it doesn't work for me, when i realized that what emerged of these messy choices is mostly the transformation of the relationship of Halbrand/Sauron and Galadriel in the season finale, in something way bigger than what it was supposed to be initially (it's my theory).

I mean they only shared 2/3 scenes together in episode 8, but the execution of these scenes was done in a way that seems to make their relationship at the centre of the story and to promote the actors concerned, as if they had become the two young hot stars of the series.

Morfydd Clark has always been the leading lady but i never had the impression until now that her Galadriel overshadowed the rest of the cast. Halbrand was certainly given a lot of attention for a minor character, but mostly because he shared almost all his scenes with Galadriel.

Retrospectively, it seems like the writers used this storyline of letting Sauron (and not halbrand) tag along with Galadriel mostly to put the actor in the spotlight. I mean their relationship could have been played exactly the same even if he had stayed Halbrand the southlander, descendent of the men who took a blood oath with Morgoth, the man who sided with Adar during the mass murdering of entire villages. Reduced in the last episodes to what he really was: a fraud with the revelation that he was never the king of the Southlands and his crimes were too horrendous to be forgiven, and that Galadriel by bringing him back to this land had only revealed the hold that Adar had on him and the gravity of his crimes making redemption impossible for him.

Sauron didn't need at all to be bind to her to be established. There was at least one subplot inside season 1, that could have been perfect for Sauron and that didn't require to involve Galadriel with him. This other actor would have been the best choice for the Dark Lord, would have been everything that Charlie Vickers completely failed to be in the few scenes where Sauron revealed his identity: badass, threatening and looking like an ancient being with a very old soul.

I have one or two theories about the reasons the two showrunners (and only them, not the rest of the writing team who are veteran and whom i hope are wise enough to not try to make Tolkien's work something it isn't), took this direction but i'm more interested in the consequences of it.

I'm surprised that anyone can still believe after watching this season that the showrunners didn't intend from their meeting to give a romantic turn to their scenes. I know what Charlie Vickers said in his post final interviews: that he and his co-star Morfydd Clark played their bond as purely platonic (which is a really sensible and valid take), but he seems to forget that this interpretation doesn't match the context of their scenes.

No matter how hard they tried to limit their chemistry, all those scenes spent on a raft alone, wet and thus barely covered by their clothes, all those close ups on their faces while they are shouting at each other and getting more and more physically close to the point they lost all sense of personal space, all these camera shots focused on their arms/hands touching, the intimacy created by the way they stared at each other in episode 5: the entire sequence of their verbal sparring during their meeting at the royal court, that was filled with so much emotional strain when their opposition devolved into conflict, that it lead them to their haunting confession scene in the forge, in which they have watched in each other's souls according to the director of the episode (which was true at least for Sauron who saw the truth she was hiding until then), to their final mutual acceptation of their pull to each other and the desire to keep it and deepen it, and of course the proposal made during the mind control scene in which he offered to her a vision of the future where she would be his queen, it was all romantic tropes or filming techniques used to create the impression of romantic attraction.

I know the counter argument: "but Sauron can't love". I don't believe either he can love, but he can show for sure obsession of control, possessiveness, lust, jealousy and agressivity which are all the ingredients of toxic relationships.

All those examples proved in my view that the showrunners want to stage on this series their own dark "romance". I don't know why they think it's a good idea or why they think it's something that the viewers want to see (i don't want it and i'm not alone), but i believe they think it's not a violation of the canon if it's done in the same way it was done by Tolkien in one of the non published versions of Luthien and Morgoth's meeting (Charlie Vickers mentioned this last story too as an important part of his interpretation of the journey of Sauron before he become fully incorporeal, so i assume the writers wants to integrate it in Sauron's arc at one point, with Sauron and Galadriel reenacting the part where Lùthien played Morgoth).

Like many fans have already guessed, it won't be of course as fully developed as a real relationship would be, not now that Galadriel has clearly rejected any kind of interest in being his ally or his queen and will try to cut as much as possible any form of contact with him, after he forced himself on her mind. But one of the rings created in episode 8 is for her, and since Sauron helped to shape them, their power will allow him to read her thoughts and dreams if the series follows the book canon.

That's why, i expect more harassment and violence in season 2 under the form of CGI sequences like the mind control scenes in episode 8. More harassment as he's not taking no for an answer, and he turned possessive: since the scene in which he grabbed roughly her arm on the ship in episode 5 while she was offering only a handshake, to the way he emphasized the pronoun my in his line "my ally" in episode 8. And more violence too with Celeborn's probable arrival during this season, that will crush definitely any hope of submitting her and appropriating her mind, her thoughts, her desires and replace them by his, or get back her magical ring that he considers to be his property because he helped to make it.

To be honest, at this point i'm less worried about the risk that all those seeds, planted to attract a larger audience, potentially result in an unnecessary toxic one sided romance that would take too much attention and place, the damage has been already done on this front; and more concerned by how it can worsen the bad image, negative criticism of the show. The writers will still want the fans to root for the good guy, for Celeborn but after spending an entire season building this kind of chemistry between Sauron and Galadriel while they have barely mentioned Celeborn, it will be like emptying the ocean for a big minority of the fandom.

So this character that was completely absent from season 1, that was remembered only once by his own wife, that has a bad reputation in term of charisma, dynamism and popularity based on the fans reactions to the books and the films, is going to show up just like that, and claim back his status of husband of the heroine, and the showrunners think that no part of the fandom will turn against them and the rest of the writers?

My experience of fandoms tell me otherwise: it's not going to work, unless they have as much luck with the casting as they had with Lloyd Owen (whom could have easily endure to be in competition with Charlie Vickers, because of how popular he is in every way: for his acting, for playing a hero like Elendil admired and/or loved by all the others characters, for his looks and because the chemistry between Elendil and Galadriel has been clearly established), and it might even backfire and hurt the show's popularity and its reputation.

We're talking about a prestigious adaptation of Tolkien's work destined to become a classic, not the low quality franchise that is the Game of Thrones, thus the last thing the series needs is to be associated with ship wars on top of all the slamming it's already taking, especially when there was such a large margin to avoid them...

It's a recipe for a potential disaster, though i still believe strongly that season 2 will be better than season 1 if only because it will truly be an adaptation of the Appendices of LOTR, now that we reach the point where the war to control the rings can fully start.

My hope is the bad romance will be outshined by the epicness of the conflict for power and the new alliances that will be formed due to Sauron's attacks against the Elves, that it will be reduced to a footnote, something done only to "spice" the tale, and add some layers to Galadriel's arc. Something quickly forgotten when Sauron's physical body will be destroyed in Nùmenor.

[mordorlady]

LINES -

part 7 -

Charlie Vickers as Sauron

from The Rings of Power.

[adaptationsdaily]

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER (2022 - ) Season 1, Episode 8: Alloyed

[galatariel]

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RINGS OF POWER Episode 8 — Alloyed

[peregrintook]

Elrond in Rings of Power - Episode 8: “Alloyed”

[celebrimborium]

THE RINGS OF POWER Season 1, Episode 8 • Alloyed

[merryverse]

Episode 8 - Alloyed - The Rings of Power season 1

[thepiedpiper94]

This is going to be my one and only post about Rings of Power for this season and all future seasons because I literally can not with this show anymore, but I feel like this needs to be said.

In the show they are using the idea that Sauron need to physically touch the rings, or the materials they are made with, in order for him to have corrupted them/have influence over them. Thus they are saying because Sauron never touched the three elven rings they are free of his corruption and influence. THIS. IS. A. LIE.

In the season finale of the first season of Rings of Power (season 1 episode 8, titled Alloyed) at around the 10 minute 26 second mark, when Celebrimbor first meets Sauron disguised as Halbrand, Sauron literally picks up the piece of mithril that was used to create the three elven rings. He literally touched the materials used to make the three elven rings, just as they showed him doing in season 2 episode 3 when they're creating the dwarven rings. Not to mention they literally show Sauron disguised as Halbrand helping to create the three elven rings later in the episode. You're going to tell me, in all that time they were creating the rings, not once did Sauron actually physically touch them? Even if that some how happens to be the case, I would like to reiterate that Sauron did indeed touch the materials to create the three elven rings. So tell me again amazon, tell me again Rings of Power writers, tell me again Rings of Power showrunners J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay, how are you sticking in anyway to Tolkien's lore? Because, yeah sure, I get that things need to be changed when adapting the written word to film, HOWEVER, changing something so crucial to the story like Sauron taking no part in the creation of the elven rings? That is something that changes the story in it's entirety.

Sauron did touch the elven rings in your show. Stop trying to act like your audience is stupid or they'll forget what you did.

[ringsofpowersource]

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power / S1 / 2 Sep. 2022 - 14 Oct. 2022 Colors & Scenery Episode 8 - Alloyed

[fukutomichi]

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power / S1 / 2 Sep. 2022 - 14 Oct. 2022 Favorite moments: Episode 8 - Alloyed

[helenvader]

A sad puppy needs adoption. Galadriel, please. Take him. He's completely harmless. Really. Look at him. Such a sweet baby.

[attheexactlyrighttimeandplace]

Episode 8 (Part 2)

Part 1 is here.

Reminder: the introduction of part 1 contains a summary of my theory about the season final being an alternate ending due to the possible rewriting of the entire season. If i made some vague references to this theory in this part, the summary will help to understand what i'm talking about (the complete theory will have its own post).

Warning: I've reached with the subplot of Nùmenor the reasons why this season finale doesn't work for me, so my opinion is a lot less positive in this part of the review.

The nùmenoreans on the ships and the island

I already commented extensively in my last review for episode 7, about the issues i have with the writing of the arc of Elendil and his family. Sadly, this episode fixed nothing and even continued the trend of doing things the wrong way (meaning writing the changes of those arcs as if it was the same as taking very tight mountain turns). It makes me very worried about the fate of Elendil, a character whom i thought was protected if only because he's a major part of the canon.

His arc is taking news directions that give me the impression that the writers are pushing him slowly but surely to the side, a very limited and confined place, not far from the exit if they find a way to do the same story without him:

He lost his personal/intimate connection with Galadriel, definitely or not is to be seen, but this episode established that the link between them is now reduced to his devotion and only his devotion (which was renewed this episode). to the elves and the Valar as a Faithful.

Thus it confirmed that it's indeed an abandon of their romantic potential that has been teased openly until episode 5 Partings, and that was broken in episode 6 Undûn during the tense discussion about his wife's death.

The problem for me is as much the change - i really hate abandoned plots, they teased their chemistry, they should continue it unless they give us a legit reason to stop there (like the real return of Celeborn) - as the brutality of the change. The revelation that she was married and in love with someone else all along was thrown in episode 7 The Eye without prior references, or following up (Celeborn was completely left out of this one). It's the work of a butcher not the work of a writer concerned by consistency and continuity in my view.

Same for any possibility of friendship between them, with Elrond taking this role from him twice:

Lloyd Owen revealed in a interview in which he spoke in detail about his excitation of getting any opportunity to speak elvish, that he was supposed to say the quenya word: "Namárië" . He didn't give away the context but i presume it was in a scene about his son, his wife or Galadriel. The line was given finally to Robert Aramayo (in a scene with Durin).

Elrond saved too Galadriel from drowning, a development that could have helped Elendil to get over the trauma of the death of his wife who drowned and died unlike Galadriel here. He could have been at her side and save her if their relationship hadn't been brutally cut in episodes 6 and 7. They would have gone together to Eregion to negociate the alliance between Nùmenor and the elves promised by Miriel.

More importantly, his relationships with his children were drastically overlooked too: he didn't mention Isildur this episode, though he cried and talked about his grief in vague terms with queen regent Miriel. He had no thoughts for his daughter Eärien and his other son Anarion (who still hasn't showed up while he's one of the most important characters in The Appendices), on what he was going to tell them about their brother.

All things considered, the writers are giving more attention to Isildur so far, despite his absence in this episode, than his father. It would be easy for them to build for him an arc where he becomes the man that Elendil is in The Appendices, the founder and High-King of the realms of Gondor and Arnor, and killer of Sauron, while leaving to Elendil the story of his father Amandil, who left during the fall of Nùmenor, "sailed into the West to seek aid from The Valar" and was never seen or heard from again.

I'm not even sure the Tolkien Estate would reject this kind of change, as long as the continuity of the major events is respected (the submersion of Nùmenor, the creation of the Realms in Exile, the role of Sauron and Pharazôn).

Why would the showrunners alter the Appendices? In Elendil's case, my theory is that they want to push under the spotlight the young actors (Maxim Baldry, Robert Aramayo, the new hot young guy that will play Celeborn, Charlie Vickers) for various reasons. Beyond the idiotic idea that the younger and cutest they are, the more attractive they are considered to be for a young audience, there's the planning of the next 4 seasons. I think the showrunners believe that it will take them 8 more years at minimum to finalize the others seasons, and so they're taking in consideration the age of the actors.

I really don't think Amazon will stay committed for such a long time. It's not how streaming services work: they want immediate success, and they will want to know quickly if they can have a franchise to recover their investment. Those decisions can not be made without at least 2 or 3 seasons to evaluate the interest/profit. The studio won't wait 6 years to decide if the series is a success or not.The company is already pressuring the writers to work faster in order to offer season 2 for the end of 2023 or early 2024. So the age of the actors shouldn't matter.

I'm probably overthinking the all thing, but in this case, i mean two showrunners inexperimented (they're completely out of their league based on their resumes) and without an artistic vision (the show is clearly made by the directors, the veteran writers and some of the actors, with the big support of the technical departments) everything, especially the worst options seem possible.

Anyway they'll lose me if they continue down this path: the older actors of the cast are an important reason for me to watch. I'm not invested in Maxim Baldry like i'm in Lloyd Owen (though i adore the father/son relationship), Joseph Mawle or Daniel Weyman. Actors must have some experience, solid acting skills and charisma to win my patience and my committment. If the older cast members (meaning more than 30 years old which includes Ismael Cruz Cordova) disappear or lose too much time screentime, i think i will return to the books….

Quick thoughts on the rest of this subplot:

I don't understand what happened in Nùmenor: the arcs were too brutally ended, leaving a lot of questions unanswered without making clear if those twists are cliffanghers or not. My main ask is: did Pharâzon killed Tar Palantir after the old king pushed Eärien to use the palantíri ? Because it really sounded that way in the scene where he was watching him in his deathbed. He seemed like someone seething with anger and greed.

Did Eärien have the same vision as Miriel and Galadriel of Nùmenor's submersion? Does it mean she will become a Faifhtful too? I hope it's not going be a new trauma on the top of the loss that she and her family have already suffered with Isildur (and her mother). I noticed that Tar Palantir in his confusion said that she was going to be a queen (he thought she was Miriel), but i wonder if it can also be a foreshadow of her arc in season 2? I wonder too if her illustrator skills will be important again to the plot because the show has without a doubt focused a lot on them.

Miriel's reaction to the death of her father is painfully predictable : she loved him truly and she lost her chance to see him a last time with her decision to go to war.

But her reaction to the death of her father as the king is a question mark. What will become of her allegiance to the Faifhful and of her spirit of sacrifice if she losses too the crown because of her alliance with the Elves? I assume here that Pharazôn will stage a coup, because the Appendices says (the only time Miriel is mentioned):

Inziladûn repented of the ways of the Kings and changed his name to Tar-Palantir 'The Farsighted'. His daughter should have been the fourth Queen, Tar-Míriel, but the King's nephew usurped the sceptre and became Ar-Pharazôn the Golden, last King of the Númenoreans.

Even though he seemed very much in agreement with all Miriel's decisions until now, even the one to go to war because of his colonization's plans.

Since the writers can't follow any book canon for Miriel, everything is possible in her case:

she can follow the path of the more ancient versions of her story, the ones non published: declare her love for Pharazôn and marry him when he will took by force the crown. Which would give a very bitter twist to her promise to Elendil that she will stay a Faitfhful "come what may". Having thought all along that she was going to be strong only to discover that she can lose more easily her eyesight than the power.

She can become the leader of the Faithfuls and the main political opponent of Pharazôn, taking the risk to be jailed and prosecuted.

She can do both: starting as an opponent only to realize that the Faithfuls are too few to win the civil war and then join Pharazôn.

The writers did one thing right in this arc and it was an instantly an iconic scene for me: they finally at least introduced the Faithfuls as a group of influence and finally admitted that Elendil is a member of it, if not their leader. However the addition of this scene of his allegiance to the queen regent Miriel and to their now common political goals also enlightened the absence of logic of his attitude toward Galadriel in episode 7. Did his acceptation that being a Faithful includes to be ready to pay a price, means too that he's no longer blaming her for Isildur's death? That would be two turnarounds in two consecutives episodes, and it's really a lot.

Not that i wouldn't welcome the rebirth of his attraction to her, i have an entire scenario in my mind in which their relationship never suffered any blow and was flowing like a river from episodes 6 to 8 (but i'll keep the details for my alternative season theory), it's just that when i look at the consistency and attention given to her relationship with Sauron while it ruined her self confidence and reputation, i don't understand why she couldn't keep Elendil's friendship.

She needed it if only to balance her emotional state during the time she spent with Sauron, as much as the audience needed it to enlighten that she was under conflicting influences between both men and trying to find her way back to a more stable and wiser state of mind, her natural state of mind that Elendil also represented.

Their friendship would now be more than useful to soften her guilt and shame after the revelation of the proximity she shared with Sauron, and the help she gave to him without her knowledge. Something she could share with Elendil because he made the same choices as her (he saved Sauron's life on the raft and approved the queen's decision to go to war), but that she obviously refuses to share with Elrond because she thinks he betrayed her due to his fear she was becoming evil, a misunderstanding that Sauron will certainly exploit to silence and control her.

Part 3 on Sauron in Eregion is next.

[nrilliree]

https://www.tumblr.com/3leni/748347318900801536/piggybacking-off-of-this-its-insane-that-the?source=share

Yet another person who uses the words groomer abuser and pedophile in a vacuum without understanding the words for Daemon Targaryen. Daemon did not groom Rhaenyra and he is not a pedophile, either in HOTD or Fire and Blood. On the other hand, the madness of calling the rape of Aegon II in episode 8 a pathetic attempt by the writers to make him bad... uh... this person is aware that Aegon II is really violent in Fire and Blood or not ? What if, Aegon II is an asshole with one narrative goal since he is... well the antagonist ? Welcome to the reality of this story ? Moreover, Aegon, unlike Daemon, actually slept with a woman who according to the laws of Westeros is clearly seen as a child in the book. So thank you for proving that you don't know what you're talking about...

Then I would really love to understand TG's delusion that Rhaenyra doesn't deserve the throne ? In what ? Whether in HOTD or Fire and Blood, she has been prepared to be queen since she was named heir, including joining council meetings. Then she went to Dragonstone, the seat of the heir, to learn how to rule, as any male heir would. In addition, in episode 6 of HOTD we clearly see during the meeting that Rhaenyra is good, unlike Alicent, in politics. Ah but yes, it's true, according to the TG Rhaenyra is not in fact fulfilling her responsibilities as heir by going to Dragonstone... because ??? I don't know. But why expect logic from them ? And from what we know of Fire and Blood Rhaenyra managed Dragonstone perfectly and nothing in the show suggests otherwise ! Should she have found more alloy ? Um... clear my doubts, but doesn't Rhaenyra have more than the majority of the great houses on her side while the Greens barely have 24/25 ? Didn't Rhaenyra betroth her sons and therefore seal alliances unlike the TG ? Rhaenyra sent her sons as a messenger (book and show) so that would also be proof that she doesn't deserve to rule ? In what ? There's nothing strange about what she did. On the contrary, because she placed her sons in the least dangerous position since I remind you that according to the laws of Westeros, messengers must NOT be injured and killed ?! But after all the TG doesn't care about real laws... Rhaenyra, in addition, show or book, did not immediately want to make war with the dragons but through words. It’s bad too I guess because she don't acccept the usurpation by the greens ? Rhaenyra raise taxes ? It wasn't even her idea and what other choice did she have, since the Greens stole all the crown's money ?!

Did she end up not managing her reign well ? Maybe it's simply because she was fighting a war at the same time, had no more money in the crown coffers and her sons were dying one after the other ?! Leading her into a huge depression ?! Since I remind you that Rhaenyra had no problem ruling over basic Dragonstone ! So why would she suddenly have one once she was queen ?! Maybe because of everything I mentioned ?! But no ! Only Helaena has the right to be overcome by grief !

Frankly, you have to stop with this guy's excuses after a while, especially since from the TG's point of view, Rhaenyra, before her depression, is already unworthy of being queen except that as we have seen... there is no reason for that. She was educated and taught to be the future ruler of Westeros and has been designated as such for a long time, so why exactly wouldn't she be worthy of it ? She even ruled Dragonstone very well for years, so again, why wouldn't she be worthy ? She hasn't done anything that would suggest she's be a bad queen, quite the contrary. The excuse of asking for Aemond to be severely interrogated doesn't even count since in the book Alicent first asks for Lucerys to have one eye gouged out, and then Rhaenyra talks about severely interrogating Aemond, but even in the series she says that severely questioned = torture it's pure bad faith. As if Rhaenyra didn't know her father... And then what else ? That she had the sex she wanted ? This is a purely misogynistic argument which has nothing to do with his capacity as sovereign, so fuck them. Note that I didn't even address the case of the Velaryon children, which should be an obligation, since we have known for a long time thanks to GRRM drafts that even if Rhaenyra's children had been born from her marriage, she would also have made herself usurped.

I'm so tired of TG no sense...

Yeah, I've blocked this person for some time because I don't like seeing people using words they don't know the meaning of. It's exactly the same thing over and over again.

Aegon II is a sex offender - that's canon. In F&B it is a fact that he molested maids. In HotD it is a fact that he molested and raped maids. If the rumor about sex with a 12-year-old girl is true, then Aegon may have pedophilic tendencies.

These are the facts. And the rumors? According to speculations, Aemond may be a rapist because he took Alys as a "war prize". If we accept that Rhaenyra wanted to "torture" him in Driftmark, we also assume that Aemond wanted to "rape" Alys. Because we won't recognize the "true meaning" of one word and not another, right? However, the TGs are so desperate to show how evil Daemon is that they recently say that he… slept with his own daughter. Because they take the rumors that Nettles was Daemon's lover and his bastard and combine them into one :D If someone has to make up something like that to make him a perverse sexual torturer, then he has no real arguments.

As for Rhaenyra, it's simple. If you think that Rhaenyra doing exactly what every heir before her has done (and more!) is not enough and should do more… then you are a sexist. Because you think that more should be expected of women in the same position than of men in order to deserve it.

[tinyozlion]

--The Gundam Wing Drinking Game! (*you don’t actually have to drink)--

Happy Eve War Armistice Day, everyone! As we all gather around the warmth of a flickering screen with friends, family, or discord buddies to celebrate the beginning of True Peace between Earth and the Space Colonies-- WHICH WILL SURELY LAST FOREVER-- why not play a little festive anime parlor game? This can be played with beverages, snacks, points, or the penalty/reward system of your choice!

THE CLASSICS— take ONE any time:

1) Someone shouts: "IT’S A GUNDAM!" or "THAT’S A GUNDAM!" 2) Magical Gundam Transformation Sequence 3) The BFG: the buster rifle beam canon does what it does best. 4) Relena Yells At The Clouds 5) "Omae o korosu!": Heero threatens to kill someone and then doesn’t. 6) THAT'S SO FETCH: Duo calls himself the God of Death or says one of his catchphrases. 7) BOOBY TRAPPED: Heavyarms fires its chest missiles. 8) SAFETY FIRST: Quatre wears his goggles. 9) GO-GO-GADGET: Wufei uses the dragon claw extendo-arm.

THE SPECIALS— take TWO whenever the following occurs: 1) A fruit or vegetable is given meaningful screen time. 2) Episode title is the opposite of what occurs in the episode. 3) VA Hall of Shame: a voice actor fumbles a line or really chews the scenery. 4) This Is Big Nose: An impossibly silly military call sign is used. 5) Someone with Special Eyebrows conveys normal information in a straightforward way. 6) FOUND FAMILY: The Maganac Corps shows up to save the day. 7) Bee-bee-bee-bee-bee-bee-bee!

SING ALONG AT HOME— you MUST CHANT whenever:

1) KAIJU SHOT! KAIJU SHOT! a mobile suit looms into view of a window and horrified onlookers. 2) CRAB! CRAB! CRAB! CRAB! any time you see a MS Cancer or its aquatic friend group. 3) CLOWN! CLOWN! CLOWN! CLOWN! any time you see a clown. 4) HEEEEEEROOOOOO: you know what to do. *Stackable with article 1 section 4. 5) PUSH THE BUTTON FRANK: an ominous button is pressed to devastating effect.

POUR ONE OUT— take TWO and go "Oooooo, YIKES!" whenever one of the following occurs:

1) Someone REALLY should have locked their mobile suit hatch. 2) One Day From Retirement: a hapless schmuck gets got immediately after giving the all clear. 3) A gross failure to correctly estimate the impact tolerance of gundanium alloy despite all documented evidence. 4) Heero takes it on the dome or otherwise hits the ground at speed. 5) Duo gets used as a punching bag. 6) The Bright Noah Special: someone gets slapped or hit in the face. 7) Brutality: A mobile suit makes direct lethal contact with a human target. 8) Red Card: a fencing move does damage to a person or their equipment. 9) The Can Opener: Something gets split in half by a beam or heat weapon. 10) Fuck This Thing In Particular: A mobile suit (or other vessel) self detonates-- *stackable with article 3 section 5. 11) Up-Skirt Shot: A mobile suit or its pilot gets an unflattering camera angle.

HALL OF FAME— FIRST ONE TO SPOT one of these gets a freebie:

1) BRAND NAME: shout the Improbable Brand Name™ featured on background signage or product. 2) QUICK CHANGE: A character somehow gets into or out of a space suit off screen with no indication how. 3) GOOD BOY ALERT: There's an animal on screen (end credits don't count). 4) THE FUTURE IS NOW: State of the Art 90's Tech in use. 5) IMPORTANT PERSON SITTING AT A DESK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF A ROOM WITH A LARGE WINDOW BEHIND THEM: An important person sits at a desk on the left side of an empty room with a large window behind them.

EXTRA CREDIT: SLAP THE TABLE and call "DID YOU KNOW" to win a chance to make the FRIEND OF YOUR CHOICE take a penalty-- IF:

1) You can correctly identify one of the main voice actors in a bit role. 2) You spot an easter egg or reference to something from Universal Century. 3) Space Physics Don't Work That Way: you can explain why physics don’t work that way in space. 4) Actually Physics DO Work That Way: you can explain the science or theories behind an element of space tech, tactics, or engineering. 5) You can name a real-world location used on a map or background shot.

Happy holidays, enjoy responsibly, and have fun! -Wesley, and to a lesser extent, Tinylion

[nenyabusiness]

Screenshot 1: "Adrift”, Episode 2 Screenshot 2: "Alloyed”, Episode 8

Okay, so, I have another “is this symbolic or am I just looking way too deep into things that are just there for the aesthetics” thing. These two pictures are completely unedited. That’s exactly how the light/darkness gradients look in the show. So, here we go. Halbrand/Sauron made a nearly flawless recreation of the raft in his illusion. The only difference (that I can see) is the lighting, which makes me think that there’s something going on here.

In the second episode, Galadriel is hellbent on convincing Halbrand/Sauron to return to the Southlands, pushing him back toward the darkness that he just left behind.

In the final episode, the situation is reversed. Halbrand/Sauron has relapsed, and he wants to drag Galadriel down into the darkness with him.

Symbolism...?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯