#i've realized i haven't giffed this episode

[linusbenjamin]

Lost 4.05 | The Constant

[respectthepetty]

Pride Petty Watch

Long story short, I owe the BL gods, so I'll be watching TWO series from my Petty List during the month of June. This list includes shows I haven't watched for purely petty reasons, so I'm asking the crowd to pick the two shows I will watch from all the MAME series, some censored Chinese bromances, a few sexual tension-filled Korean bromances, and one wild card.

I'm making my first ever poll, so whichever two series get the highest numbers will be the two I watch. And for all the kind people in the crowd, this is not the time to think about me. Pick your favorite. And for all the people who I annoy on the daily with my wild ass takes that piss you off, pick TharnType. But there is a possibility of a secret thirteenth option that would hurt me much worse . . .

The petty ass reasons are below the poll.

Disclaimer: If you're going to read the petty ass reasons, I need you to understand these are PETTY ASS REASONS, so don't try to hit me with 2,000 words about why me not watching censored bromances is a problem or why me not liking your fave hurts your feelings. Nah. Pick a show!

MAME

Love By Chance

This show came out at the end of 2018, and I watched the first episode, maybe first two, and thought it was boring. Then, in 2019, I saw a GIF of the locker scene, so I recommitted. I made it past the first episode just when the PerthSaint drama started spilling out everywhere, so I chucked the deuces and haven't returned since.

TharnType

For some reason, I couldn't find the first episode when it aired. Then, I found out how the first episode ended. Then, I found out about Type's past. Then, I just kept finding out more awful stuff until eventually the MewGulf shit finally hit the fan, and I was still reeling from the PerthSaint drama (and the emerging ZeeSaint chaos). At this point, I've built this show up so much that I'm afraid to see what it is actually about.

Don't Say No

A story of another GIF of a locker room scene sucking me in! After the first two MAME pairs blew up, I believed her shows were cursed, so I opted out of watching this one even though I thought it would be the one to vibe with me the most. But the biggest reason was because the main characters came from TharnType, so I felt like I would have to watch TharnType to understand this show, which was a big hell nah.

Love in the Air

I watched this through mutuals on my dash, so I feel like I did watch it. It is also the highest rated MAME series, so I had faith in it. However, when I found out about Sky's past, TharnType's ghost popped back up, and I realized this demon of a show is gonna haunt me in every MAME series.

The Wedding Plan

Y'all hated one of the leads so much while it was airing that I now hate him, and I don't think I can let that go, so I'm coming in with pre-hate and TharnType's ghost, but on top of that, some of y'all said it was boring. But what is boring in a MAME series? Consent? Not kidnapping someone? I never got answers, so I'm very conflicted about this show.

Censored Chinese

The Untamed

It's color coded, but FIFTY FUCKING EPISODES! What is this shit? Grey's Anatomy? The fuck! Second, once China pulled Addicted, I was holding grudges for life because it crossed from entertainment censorship into real-world oppression, so I could not bring myself to support media from a country that openly discriminates against the queers when I live in America where our highest court is just one Supreme Court Justice away from making us all live in the damn Mojo Dojo Casa House.

Word of Honor

It's color coded, but THIRTY-SIX FUCKING EPISODES! What is this shit? Supernatural?! The fuck! Second, I don't know the difference between this and The Untamed. Both are color-coded, one of them has a lot of uncles (?), one of them has awful facial hair, and they all have pretty outfits. Every time someone makes a reference about these shows, I just nod the same way I do when people mention Star Wars because none of it makes sense.

Guardian

I spent two years believing Killer and Healer was Guardian. I haven't watched either, but I thought they were the same show. Honestly, if this show wins, I might just watch Killer and Healer because I will forget they are not the same show. Don't they both solve cases? And because it's China, past lives must be involved, no? I'm looking at their MDLs as I write this, and I'm still not convinced they are different.

Stay with Me

It's color coded, but I know how it ends, and word on the street is that IS the ending since a second season seems unlikely. China couldn't just let me be hurt over Addicted, the original. No. Gotta hurt me again with Addicted, the remake. Rude af.

The Spirealm

First off, SEVENTY-EIGHT FUCKING EPISODES! What is this shit? Law & Order: SVU?! The fuck! I know how this ends, and it ain't happy! I don't care how people are trying to spin it, so to sit through SEVENTY-EIGHT DAMN EPISODES just for that ending already has me irate. And don't try telling me Viki combined episodes so it's only thirty-four. That's still a lot. However, everybody who has watched it says it's phenomenal, so is the pain worth it or are these people all lying so they convince themselves it was worth it?

Korean Bromance

Beyond Evil

With most Korean dramas, I feel like I missing something important. Like some part of the story does not click with me and I stay lost for the rest of the show. I suck it up for the queers, but the not-queers-but-it-is-queer shows . . . nah, and especially one about cops . . . (-_-). Also, The Worst of Evil just showed, and it was another reminder that I need these cops to quit their jobs and just screw each other. Embrace "Be Gay. Do Crime"

The Devil Judge

I know enough about Kpop to know GOT7 would not let one of its members kiss a man in this show. I looked at those GIFs of Jeff Satur and Jackson Wang on their show knowing damn well that if Wang got too close to Satur, an entire management team would have ascended from hell and kidnapped both of them, so the promo for this show was so wild because it felt queerbait-adjacent, and I was salty about it.

WILD CARD!

This option will be automatically unlocked IF this stupid little poll gets 216 votes, so I have high hopes this will not happen since I ain't that popular and I hate this wild card which is . . .

SOTUS

This show is my original TharnType. It came out in 2016. I watched it live. I watched the sequel. I remember neither. New was in it? Off was in it?! WHAT?! I have no memory of this show except Krist wiping his mouth, and I have carried that with me for eight damn years. I loved Be My Favorite, so I thought I moved past whatever strange grudge I was holding against this man who doesn't know I exist nor care, but then I saw that trailer for The Ex-Morning, and unlike Elsa, I can't let this shit go, so I'm willing to play Jumanji and go back into the jungle to finish this once and all.

So what it's gonna be, mi gente. Which demons am I facing for Pride and what shows do I get to stay petty about? Help me decide!

[becauseimanicequeen]

Up Poompat Appreciation Post

This is inspired by this post by @clairedaring which almost physically hurt me because it's so sad.

Therefore, I'm reporting for duty to gush about Up Poompat for a minute or two (or ten) because I want to and because Up is amazing and deserves all the praise I can give him.

There's just something about Up that pulls me in. I haven't previously been able to put my finger on it (I'm more of a visual person rather than a verbal one), but I think his portrayal of Ming in My Stand-In clarifies it for me the more I get to see him in it.

It's the way he portrays depth. There's something deeper, something more that goes on beneath the surface of his characters. And he does it again and again. It's most notable for me in Lovely Writer, Hoon Payon, and Step By Step, which are three very different roles.

And, on the subject of variety. This man can play a multitude of different roles and do it convincingly. It doesn't matter if it's as an introverted writer with a kind heart, an obsessive serial killer, or everything in between. He's believable in all of it. He's just that good.

To think that this loveable cutie in Lovely Writer...

Is played by the same actor as this frustrating, self-absorbed idiot in Step By Step...

Which is played by the same actor who portrays this spoiled rich brat who's always pining after what he can never have, and does so convincingly, speaks to Up's versatility.

(It took me waaaaay too long to find a gif of this particular moment, lol, but I eventually found it here.)

I personally love Up as Ming in My Stand-In (I'm not influenced by the novel, btw) because he's shown over and over again that he can portray a variety of complex characters. And the way he uses contrasts in his acting (I have no idea if there is a technical term for this because I don't know anything about professional acting), the way he has this sweet demeanor at the same time as he delivers the most poisonous line (and, sometimes you don't realize how poisonous that line was until later) is top notch. The same goes for his ability to portray a domestic life with Joe that feels genuine from Ming's side as well (which he did so well in ep 3) at the same time as we know it won't last due to Ming's jealousy (especially around Joe and Sol) and his pining for what he can't have.

Speaking of contrast, there's also the fact that Up was blessed with his angelic face, which just gives me whiplash every time his character turns out to be the complete opposite. He can literally disguise his serial killer tendencies with that angelic face and demeanor and I feel so manipulated (in a good way) when his character's true face is revealed.

And the way he uses his face to portray different emotions and shifts in emotions is amazing.

And then there's Up. As in, the person behind it all. The Up that actually lives up to his angellike face. The Up that's genuinely sweet and funny (which you can see on his YouTube channel, where he's currently posting videos with Poom but also has a lot of older ones with Kao whom he partnered up with in Lovely Writer). And the Up that sang "You are My Sunshine" in the bts of the second episode of My Stand-In. If that's not endearing as hell, I don't know what is.

This is just a fraction of all the things I love about Up (and I could spend days gushing about his chemistry with everyone he's paired up with and worked with), but since I've already spent two hours on this little post (lol), I'll save that gushing for another day.

Just know that I love Up.

[iwritenarrativesandstuff]

Trigun Stampede Character Thoughts: Vash

I've been putting off this write-up since I finished the show if for no other reason than whenever I go to analyze this funky little dude my entire brain just stalls and goes

✨ Hi, Vash. Hi. :) ✨

...anyways.

Here's a quick collection of thoughts on him now that I am finally more coherent! The hardest part of this was trying to make something readable with the sheer amount of things I could say about him. Geez.

(Please note that I have only watched Trigun Stampede! As of this moment, I am starting the manga and have not seen 98 Trigun. I thought it might be interesting to compare and contrast once I've read the manga. Bear with me in the meantime!)

Right off the bat, the show introduces us to who Vash is as a character - a pacifistic gunman who, while incredibly skilled, avoids confrontation when at all possible. When Meryl accuses him of running away out of fear, it's pretty quickly made apparent that, while it is out of some semblance of fear, it is not fear for himself. Rather, his concerns lie with other people's well-being first and foremost.

Or, really, his concerns lie near completely with other people's well-being. What happens to him is of very little consequence if it means everyone else is okay.

I want to talk about three different things when it comes to Vash, namely:

His incredible skill and competence

His terrible self-image

His solidly held pacifistic convictions

Skill and Competence

Ohhhh ok. So, I can't really comment on exact positions or maneuvers (I used to do martial arts pretty extensively, but it's obviously not the same kind and I know absolutely nothing about guns or marksmanship sorry), but I can sure tell you that I loved the way the animators had Vash move in episode 1 right before he pulls out his gun for the first time. I wish I knew how to make gifs properly because I would totally make one of that part. Even before Roberto's line that "acting brave is foolish" and "he's not long for this world" had finished, I was already convinced of the exact opposite. As someone who's done martial arts. Guys. The way he moves here.

It's a three step movement - he steps to the right, then to the left in an almost meandering way, shifting his body weight as he goes, before he grounds himself in a wide stance. It's slow, fluid, and calculated - a distinct contrast from his often jerky, exaggerated motions that we saw earlier. God I wish I had a gif. I don't think I can simply explain how insane it makes me. The animators could've just had him approach directly or run up to it - a lot of the times, with action heroes, there's a lot of flashy motion or jumping around, etc., which looks cool but isn't exactly something to be role modelling in an actual fight lol. But here? In the next episode, Nebraska mockingly says "this isn't the ballet" with regards to the dodging and spinning Vash does, but a lot of his motions... really are dance-like. He's damn near effortlessly shifting his center of gravity while remaining fluid in motion and completely balanced. No novice moves like that. He clearly has a lot of experience. For me watching, Roberto's line was refuted before he even finished it.

...which of course makes it even funnier when he realizes he's out of bullets. Oh, buddy. You looked so cool for a second there. Hjhdfnv

Really though, pay attention to the way he moves while fighting or shooting. He's always well-grounded, and the more serious the situation, the more fluidly and less exaggeratedly he moves. It's so, so cool. I don't know if I've quite seen that kind of motion in animation before, especially cgi (though it is possible I just haven't seen enough too...hehe...).

The episode 12 fight too! Again, Vash is balanced, even as he's being knocked backwards. He falls correctly, and allows his body to move with the gun. All his motions are precise and fluid. Contrast that to Nai, who is, uh... totally unbalanced lmao.

And then the way he tucks before he jumps out the window! The animation actually convinced me of this guy's over 100 years of experience. I actually believe it.

What's nice is that Vash, too, is aware of his own skill. He moves with a lot of confidence, and he clearly has a great degree of trust in his own ability to fight and shoot without seriously harming anyone - not once does he show the slightest bit of doubt in his abilities. One might expect, given Vash's refusal to kill, that he might be worried about accidental injuries when in the middle of a gunfight - but he isn't. Ever. The only way I can interpret this is complete confidence in his own abilities, and he most likely trained hard to specifically ensure that this would never be a concern. The trope of "character who doesn't want to fight or hurt people turns out to be really insanely skilled/strong" is always cool and fun, but in this context it's really a neat take on it, since I feel it is only because he refuses to kill that he intentionally developed such god-tier level marksmanship - I am going to go out on a limb here and assume it is much easier to accidentally inflict serious injury with a gun than it is to actively avoid doing so lol. He probably worked at being a really good fighter and gunman specifically so he could avoid killing.

I also find it kind of refreshing that he never calls his skills into question, since that does tend to happen with characters who have a poor self-image or low esteem. Which, uh, takes me to the next point.

Self-Image

Yeah, Vash's self-image is kind of in the gutter. He places the blame for all the tragedies that follow him on himself, despite the fact that he always puts in his full effort to prevent them from happening.

The majority of this ties back to his feelings of culpability for the fall. I want to direct your attention to the scene where Vash is digging the tally marks into the wall in episode 8 - it can't possibly be the number of days that have passed since we see the transition of the sun only twice and Brad looks shocked when he sees the all the tallies (which he wouldn't be if they had been there for that many days). With the way Vash's tallies look a bit like crosses and the fact that he greeted the people in cryosleep on Ship 5 by name in the first episode, suffice to say, he is probably making a tally of all the people who didn't make it through the crash - people whose deaths he feels personally responsible for.

Really, I wouldn't consider Vash even remotely responsible for any of that - he had the access codes but like. Zero intent or knowledge of what Nai was about to do with them. Regardless, Vash carries the guilt from it in the way Nai won't, because in his mind, someone needs to take accountability. Also important to remember is that the only reason any human being still lives on No Man's Land is because of Rem's sacrifice. Vash needs to maintain his belief in the capacity for human kindness and his no-killing code, because if he doesn't, her sacrifice would be in vain. He keeps her values and beliefs alive. She's in everything he does. Even hollowed out and stripped of his memories and identity, the mass of roots and flowers that engulf July take on her likeness.

So, really, in addition to Vash just being a generally compassionate soul, his staunch pacifism is a refusal to betray her beliefs and let his mother figure die a second time. I need to fucking lie down.

With all this strain he puts on himself, it's really not surprising that when tragedy inevitably strikes, he is very hard on himself, and from what we've seen this actually manifests in a set of consistent self-punishing behaviours - I am of course referring to episode 3's "I don't deserve to cry" and his refusal to eat in episode 4 (despite apparently needing to, unlike Nai). This is very similar to what we see in episode 8 with him as a kid, where he goes somewhat blank (no crying, no anger, all his negativity directed inwards and at himself) and refusing all food except what little he needs to survive because "it's a waste".

The worst part of this though, to me, is that we see from certain throwaway bits ("one bullet is two slices of pizza/two dozen donuts!", his kid self's eagerness at the sight of the birthday cake and the spread of food, his first question on seeing the geranium being to wonder if it is edible) that he not only needs to eat but also seems to enjoy eating - so his refusal to eat is not only a denial of a basic necessity but also of one of the few things he genuinely likes that he will allow himself to partake in. In the context of Rem framing food as something to share with everyone, it also makes me wonder if his self-denial is something along the lines of "I don't deserve to share this with them". In that sense, it's really important that Luida echoes a similar sentiment as Rem (implying she wants to share this food/include him, and that some of Rem's views survive in these remaining people).

I do wonder if, because food is associated with sharing to him, that it has something to do with needing to "earn a place at the table" in a way. While I think Luida was trying her best to juggle a lot on Ship 3 behind the scenes after the fall and clearly didn't want to keep Vash locked up like that, the crew only started treating him better and trusting him after he found a way to help them. The unfortunate view that Vash receives then is: "I need to earn their trust by being helpful." Vash is a chronic people pleaser - I can't think of a single point where he does something solely for his own benefit. He has no desire to scare or harm anyone (quite the opposite!) so he goes out of his way to be as helpful and non-threatening as possible - hiding his true nature as a Plant (to such an extent that he doesn't know anything about his powers and has effectively sealed them away - he's practically human), masking his facial expressions by cleverly hiding his face or letting the light reflect off his glasses, trying to laugh off his competence as luck and his scars as embarrassing.

Is it because he doesn't want to scare people? Is it because he doesn't want to feel othered from them? It's hard to say. It's probably a bit of both.

Nai accuses Vash of loneliness and desiring love, and of seeking to fill that gap by appeasing humans. While I don't think this is necessarily wrong, it can't possibly be accurate as a core motivation, since Vash doesn't seem to really... accept a lot of positive interaction. Whether out of concern for others' safety, a lack of feeling like he deserves it, being secretive about his past and identity, or some combination of the above, Vash tends to leave a lot. He leaves Jeneora Rock's celebration early, tries to walk away from Meryl even as she's calling out to him, runs away from Home when Brad and Luida listen to the recording. He throws walls up and distances himself by laughing things off, or smiling, or simply not explaining anything.

I mentioned this during my live blogging while watching episode 9, but as Independents, it's intriguing to me that both Vash and Nai exist outside the cycle of dependence we see between the Plants and the humans - both of which cannot survive without the other. Nai appears to revel in this detachment, but Vash also seems to self-impose a certain distance between himself and everyone else - for all his friendliness and inability to leave someone hanging who needs help, he practices a lot of recognizably avoidant strategies. He exists on the periphery, never staying in one place too long (he can't), and treating every interaction with a certain kind of resignation - an understanding that it is temporary. He seems to expect the inevitability of being chased out over and over. The slightest of kindnesses given to him he always feels incredibly grateful for. Perhaps he feels that kindness is more than he deserves.

I honestly dread to think how he'll react once he regains his memories of what happened to July. I trust that he'll keep pushing on, as he always does, but is he going to remember that he deserves to eat and smile?

I really hope so. Otherwise I will need Meryl and Wolfwood to bonk him on the head.

Pacifism and Conviction

The thing about Vash's pacifism is that it's very difficult to tell whether it is primarily motivated by love or guilt. Vash carries an incredible amount of survivor's guilt with him and he absolutely is doing his best to keep Rem's memory alive, but I don't think it can be denied that he isn't just acting out Rem's beliefs - he really does believe in them himself. He's also genuinely compassionate and does care and become invested in the well-being of others. In the end, I'm not sure it really matters. I don't think the guilt or love can be easily extricated from each other at this point; they are both powerful drivers of his actions and core to his identity as a person, and while this is not exactly ideal for getting him to be kind to himself, they both strongly feed into his continuous choice to be kind to others.

And it is a choice, not naivety, as pacifism is so often brushed off as. Vash's compassion is something he chooses over and over again, in spite of the way he is often treated, and the way his powers hold far more potential for destruction than even Knives. Wolfwood thinks that Vash doesn't understand harsh realities and is going to receive a rude awakening but he does understand - Vash just chooses not to accept violence as the only way forward and believes that things can change and improve, and is willing to expend that energy and extra hurt into making that a reality. Nai thinks Vash is helpless and brainwashed into his belief - note the way Vash frequently appears as his child self when Nai tampers with his Gate or his memories; the implication here is that Nai sees Vash as incapable of making choices for himself and in need of protection - but not only is this horribly demeaning to Vash's personhood, it simply isn't true. Even Meryl chews him out for what looked like running away to her early on, and Roberto thinks he's going to get himself killed sooner or later. Everyone underestimates Vash, at least at first. And well, it's easy to. He's just a silly little guy! He's a bleeding heart who tries to help everyone he comes across! He talks about nobody needing to die in a world where most everyone is starving and desperate! To the people in-universe, he would look like a total fool, and far too idealistic to last long.

Except, he has. He's around 150 years old, he's scarred to hell and back, but he's still alive and he still chooses kindness. That takes a special kind of improbable mental resilience and stubborn conviction - and that's what most of the other characters overlook. Vash is, indeed, very sensitive and emotional and an idealist - he's also much tougher and more rational than hardly anyone gives him credit for. He's an excellent judge of character too!

His ideals and that stubborn faith are everything that makes Vash who he is.

This scene in episode 12 is the only true moment of triumph in what is otherwise a tragedy all around. Nai would go as far as to destroy Vash’s very identity to get his brother back, but at the cost of losing everything that makes him Vash. These ideals are the core of “Vash the Stampede”, and no matter how foolish they may seem or how little others understand his conviction, this is an identity he has chosen for himself. It’s who he is. And this assertion, coming directly on the heels of Nai trying to erase him and remove that autonomy, is an undeniable brief triumph in the midst of it all. Nai will always be Vash’s brother, and he will always love him I’m sure, but they diverged in their persons a long, long time ago, and Vash adamantly refuses to be an extension of or accomplice to his brother’s crusade of hatred… even if that means going against him.

Vash’s kindness is so necessary to a world like the one we see in the series, on the verge of extinction and giving up. Approaching situations with understanding and communication is really the only way to help improve understanding amongst others - and this is one of his biggest strengths; it's even reflected in his use of his Plant abilities (communicating between himself and the other Plants, the way he can open a path both to and from the higher dimension unlike anyone else). In this way, Vash is something of a necessary conduit. I just wish he'd let himself feel a little more tbh. He represses a lot - he canonically won't allow himself to cry if he feels responsible, any flashes of anger are brief, he doesn't stick around to have fun really. Personally, I'd like to see him allow himself grief through tears, a little bit of genuine letting loose and celebrating, and actually expressing things like irritation and annoyance next season. Perhaps that's wishful thinking.

I don't know how to accurately summarize my thoughts on Vash well enough other than to say, in keeping with the whole Plant thing, he reminds me strongly of dandelions. Bright, cheery, grow through cracks and root where you don't expect them to ever be able to eke out a living. Regarded as a weed by many but very difficult to get rid of. Hardy, resilient, and pop back up after being beaten down. Kids make wishes on them.

Anyways. Hugs him hugs him hugs him x 60,000,000,000

[iamanartichoke]

I don't know, guys, I think it may be over. "It" being my Loki era.

And it's not due to anything about the material itself, or even fandom really, I think it's just a mental health thing. Over the past year, I've had a lot of upheaval and calamities in my life that have impacted my experience as a person as well as how I interact with the world - and, by extension, how I interact with "hobbies" - so when I try to engage, it just doesn't work. It's like, for a long time, Loki and all things Loki-shaped fit very neatly into the blank space of my emotional needs puzzle. Now, it's like I'm putting the piece there and it kinda fits but not really, and even when it does, I get no satisfaction in it. Like I filled that particular piece but somewhere along the way, the puzzle changed and now there's all these gaps and holes elsewhere and I don't have those pieces. I'm pretty sure I lost the original box, actually, so now I'm at a loss and the Loki-shaped piece is intact and ideally doing what it's supposed to be doing, in its little place but it means nothing to me bc I still have an incomplete, shitty puzzle.

I ... have no idea if that makes sense, but whatever, I'm not going to revise. Anyway this is just a post to say that I'm kinda absorbing the new season on the periphery, and skimming some reactions and appreciating the gifs, but I have not made the effort to watch any episodes myself. And getting this far into it (I think we're 3 episodes in?) without feeling any real interest or need to watch has kind of made me realize that - well, I think it may be over.

I mean, this is not a "I'm leaving the fandom/tumblr" etc post, but it's really just a "hey I haven't been participating in fandom or posting my thoughts on the new season, in case anyone's noticed, and it's actually bc I haven't watched any of it yet (lmao) which is really bc I need to fix my mental health at least enough to get to a point where I can actively enjoy things again, at which point I'll probably pick it up again but right now I'm just not vibing with *gestures vaguely* all of this happening here, in Loki-town, so I'm just gonna be doing my own thing for awhile" .... post.

[slenderboo]

TW: discussions of war and death

at this point I'm sure most people have seen Jennifer Corbett's recent post featuring a gif from the new All Quiet on the Western Front movie:

I haven't really seen any discourse about this on tumblr, but as someone who has A) seen the new All Quiet movie, and B) is very familiar with the book, I want to fill anyone who isn't familiar with them on what is specifically happening in this photo, and what it could mean for The Outpost.

For context, the guy in the photo is Paul, the main character of All Quiet on the Western Front.

To explain some of the current discourse I saw under the original post on twitter, a lot of people think this is referencing the frenchman scene, where Paul mortally wounds a frenchman and then desperately tries to save him, only for said frenchman to die.

But, that's actually not the part of the movie where this screenshot is from.

Right at the end of the movie, Paul's last surviving friend, Katczinsky, gets shot. Paul carries him for miles until they reach a doctor. There, the doctor tells him Kat had died hours earlier, leading Paul to realize he was carrying his dead body that entire time.

After that, Paul quietly lines up to march into battle one last time, now completely alone after watching each of his friends die one by one. And that is where the screenshot is taken.

Now, that's not to say the episode is going to follow Kat's story, or have a frenchman-style crosshair redemption plot, or even resemble any part of the movie. All Quiet is probably the most disturbing movie I've ever seen, and TBB is literally a children's show.

My guess is that the running theme of trying to save someone only for them to die/being completely alone is what the episode is going to center around, which would be tonally in line with The Solitary Clone and just in general Crosshair's arc.

Or yk the photo was just for effect, considering the episode is going to "push Crosshair to his extreme in a heartbreaking way" apparently, we really don't know until wednesday.

Regardless, have fun theorizing!

[itwoodbeprefect]

911 season 7 episode 3!!!

fjkdf i love when we get a little montage to introduce minor characters in the episode, and i love when that's fun, and i think this family is fun (corey!), but they really got me when the grandmother went "we need to get to the lifeboats. i want a good seat!"

the thing about 911 is. the thing about 911 is that at some point i WILL end up crying a little from the stress of the awful terrible horrible situations these fictional characters end up in

"dead men don't bleed." bobby throwing out a banger of a revenge western title

"what are you all doing! on the ceiling!!!" that's a VERY good question, norman.

i'm, let's say, a little skeptical of the real world feasability of this rope and climbing rescue plan bobby is executing, but i do love when 911 goes hey! what the fuck! enjoy some action movie shenanigans!

"wish buck could have seen you do that." "honestly, i would have much rather seen buck do that." <3

love the way maddie is trying to have a phone conversation with chim but buck and eddie keep half joining in, like kids in the back seat of the car only catching half the conversation between their parents.

"so who's missing, bobby and athena or hen?" "yes." one of those lines that's extremely obviously something the writers set up for themselves, but i can't fault them for it, because i will admit i do like a corny overused joke.

"how are you feeling?" "like my world's been turned upside-down." man, this is a guy who knows how to milk his situation for fitting witty comments. first the whole gambling thing, now this.

"hen, where are you?" oh, she's just doing illegal paperwork. <3

dear god. so far, counting the communications officer who died last episode, this is turning out to be a survivable emergency unless you're a black man.

OH. OKAY.

so this is where tommy shows up!!

"could be why i haven't been getting your christmas cards." fdjkfd.

i felt like i'd probably seen every scene with tommy in it giffed ten different ways by now, but i did NOT see much of this, or realize that this is how he came back into the picture. good for him. he's immediately making up for past bad behavior by randomly having hen's back.

oh, of course. not random!! it's family, doing ill-advised heroic things that should get them fired togetherrrr. <3

"oh, i think this is an open channel." "do you, buck? do you really?" fjkdfd.

awwww. the 118: WHO CARES. 💪

always a fun time when the guy behind the controls of the helicopter says you're probably all going to die anyway!

lola: "i've never been with another man." norman: "neither have i!" ?? evan buckley, SECOND bi character this season

mr. doctor stepping up!! love that for him!!

"well, unless you feel like swimming back, that's all we've got." i do love this personality they've given tommy!

also, i realize tommy's last name is kinard, which has entirely different origins, but i keep hearing canard, as in french for duck, which would be kind of funny for a man flying over water.

tommy being stupidly willing to go along with the 118's stupid let's-just-maybe-all-die-here-for-hen's-hunch plan! i adore that this is how we're introduced to him again, it's so good, hard not to immediately love him.

guy who's been very rightfully and realistically skeptical of their chances of survival from the start: "but there's nothing out there." [helicopter noises] < continuing the tradition of characters with a normal reasonable view of the world being smugly proven wrong on this show, fjdkfd.

the thank you for choosing oceanis blue last words, oh my god. very goofy.

"i'm not supposed to go with strangers." corey, i love you.

"what are we gonna do?" "we're gonna keep trying." damn if that isn't bobby coming up with a way better line than buck's off the top of his head. the 118: we're gonna keep trying.

fjdkfd sorry but if you're bobby trying to rescue a little kid and the door above you closes up and you can't get it open and the water keeps rising and you're about to drown (again), and then the door DOES suddenly pop open and buck and eddie in full gear are grinning down at you when there's supposed to be absolutely ZERO chance of them even being on this sinking ship in the middle of the ocean in a hurricane to begin with, i think that maybe, for at least a quick second there, you might think that this time you finally did die.

ohoho! see this, of course, i did see giffed.

hen thanking maddie is good. bobby calling hen captain is great. bobby and athena getting back home and taking their fast food into the bedroom is lovely. love when there's at least a little time to wind down from the episode. <3

[booksandabeer]

8 Shows To Know Me

Thank you to the lovely Em @between-a-ship-and-a-hard-place for tagging me! I love doing these, although I sometimes tend to get a little lost because how can I pick only eight? There are so many! Ok, I'm forcing myself not to overthink this, so here we go:

My So-Called Life

God how I loved this show as a teenager. I was a bit too young for it when it first aired, but once I discovered it a few years after it was cancelled (this is really an all-time top contender in the 'tragically cancelled too soon' category), I watched it over and over again. When I was 13, my entire wardrobe was modelled after Rayanne Graff--hair, clothes, everything. I even carried lollipops around with me! I wanted to be her so bad. I also very obviously--though not to me at the time--had a giant crush on her. Oh well.

ER

I put this here because ER was the first TV show that I can remember actively following week after week. I haven't seen an episode of it in years, so I have no idea if it holds up, but it was such a staple of my tv diet for more than a decade (15 seasons!) that I can't not mention it here.

Severance

Probably my favorite (new) show of last year. As someone who spent years working an office job, slowly climbed up the corporate ladder, and then one day blinked and said "fuck this shit, I'm going back to university!", this show spoke to my soul. The way it examines the absurd and often dehumanizing elements of "workplace culture" and all the hierarchical and interpersonal bullshit attached to it in such a smart & funny way made me swoon with admiration. Also, this could've gotten in on aesthetics alone because the production design on this show is fucking fantastic.

Wynonna Earp

I love this show but it really serves as a stand-in here for a whole bunch of slightly pulpy, slightly campy, queer genre shows that often have a bigger heart than budget, of which I have watched many with GREAT enthusiasm (see also: IWtV, Shadow & Bone, the first season of Sleepy Hollow, etc.) It also gives me an excuse to use this gif of Melanie Scrofano wielding a sword.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Listen. I'm not saying this is a good show. But have I watched it? Multiple times even? Yes. I have. I mean, Bucky fucking Barnes is in it, and I happen to have no self-control and a huge capacity for torturing myself when it comes to this character. The brief here was not to list 'The Best' shows, but the ones that say something about me. And well, it would be ridiculous to pretend that the MCU--for better or worse--has not made up a huge part of my media consumption over the past 15 years.

Band of Brothers

I have lost track of how many times I have watched these 10 episodes in my life. Other people do a yearly rewatch of The Lord of the Rings, I do one of BoB. I realize that's a little weird maybe, but the hold these characters still have on me after all these years is insane. No one will ever break my heart like Eugene Roe in the "Bastogne" episode. Also, this is a great example of how I tend to hyperfixate on topics that I had no previous interest in once I see a movie or a TV show about them that I really like. I've read so many books about D-Day. *shakes head* (see also: The Terror, Chernobyl, The Serpent)

The Last of Us

*points to pfp* You didn't think this wasn't going to be on here, did you? Of course it is! I LOVE the game this is based on with all my heart. I've spent countless hours playing it. I even wrote a paper about it! I was so, so nervous about the adaptation, but it turned out to be better than I ever dared to hope.

BoJack Horseman

I'm not really into cartoons. I'm not really into half-hour comedies. I would have never watched this show if a friend hadn't quite literally sat on me one day, and forced me to at least watch one episode. And you know what? It's really funny! It's also one of the smartest shows about existential loneliness and depression I've ever seen. It's at times almost unbearably painful to watch. And it stars a cartoon horse voiced by Will Arnett. Who would've thought? Not me!

No-pressure tagging: @somanywords, @tessabennet, @village-skeptic, @burninblood, @maplefiasco, @aimmyarrowshigh

[y0itsbri]

wooooah looks like i have some ketchup to do! 🍅

tagged by the beloved @creepkinginc @mmmichyyy @milkovetti

rules: list eight shows for your followers to get to know you better.

stranger things

shameless

killing eve

bob's burgers

modern family

new girl

the good place

rupaul's drag race

tagged by @celestialmickey @energievie @mmmichyyy @vintagelacerosette for Tag Game Tuesday Wednesday Day!: Fandom Edition 💫

your name: bri

your age: twenties

your first fandom(s): maybe selena gomez or icarly?? but twilight was the main one! with sprinkles of the hunger games and divergent. omg then youtubers like o2l... miley cyrus, ariana grande, justin bieber, then one direction, harry styles, queen

your current fandom(s): right now mostly stranger things (steddie brainrot has me in the TRENCHES). i also keep tabs on the maneskin, maya hawke, aftg and greta van fleet tags.... young royals gifs keep pulling me in too....

how did you first get into fandom? watching the movies wasn't enough. must see everyone's art and theories

how long have you been engaging with fandom spaces? i've always been not normal about something or other. but rly have only made meaningful connections w people in gallavich fandom <3

how often do you read fanfics? part of the relaxin' routine -- so as much as i can

top 3 characters from your current fandom(s): steve harrington, eddie munson, robin buckley

have you ever written a fic for a fandom? yuh (link in bio)

have you ever drawn fanart for a fandom? if so, drop a link! yuh (link in bio)

share a personal headcanon that you feel very strongly about: eddie munson is alive and well he told me himself :-)

you’re trying to convince a friend to get into your current fandom(s) with you. what episode, clip, or scene are you showing them? the gossip music video!

and finally, what does fandom mean to you? seconding macy w community and creativity!

tagged by @celestialmickey @heymrspatel @vintagelacerosette for Tag Game Tuesday ✨

name: bri

age: twenties

where in the world are you? oh my god so i moved here like a year ago but i just realized i live in the SOUTH. like deeeep south (usa). i'm a southerner now????

the meaning behind your URL: yo! it's a me!

your second favorite color: i simply cannot rank the colors

any pets? cat n hermit crab that i just spent so much money on today sdfhljksdfh happy babies happy life

favorite season: fall

last thing you read: daisy jones and the six

last song you listened to: 2 minutes to midnight - iron maiden

what are you wearing right now? black socks with neon green ghosts on them, sweatpants from middle school that my mom described as 'very 80s', a smashing pumpkins oversized t shirt, a brown and blue plaid sweater, a red jasper crystal necklace, a red guitar pick necklace, hair in pigtail braids. also glasses. gotta tie the image together

a hobby of yours: strummin on the guitar

your comfort show or movie: watched abbott elementary on my last sick day and that was nice!

and finally, what are you up to today? runnin errands on my day off

tagged for a picrew by the dearest @vintagelacerosette @ian-galagher

anotha picrew by @creepkinginc @ian-galagher @vintagelacerosette

i rly love the vibes on this one

aaaaaaand tagged by @mishervellous 10 songs/10 people tag game 🎵

cold as ice - foreigner

paranoid - black sabbath

i was made for lovin' you - kiss

light my life - greta van fleet

masculinity - lucky love

modern love - houndmouth

m - the cure

head over heels - tears for fears

mama - mcr

square hammer - ghost

tagging all y'all who haven't been tagged or smth or other from this list (yes you i'm looking at you)! also the besties @pinkmatter-mp3 @grumpymickmilk @scarcrosseduntouched @gallawitchxx @gardenerian <3

[owlbelly]

withthingsunreal

i was incredibly dubious of the good omens casting but oh my god. michael sheen. he's so good he's so cute i could fucking cry. audible made a full cast audiobook and he was aziraphale and i bought it just because i needed more of him forever.

yeah i've never really seen him in anything but he DOES make good faces in all these gif sets...it was mostly that i had such a distinct mental image for Crowley & Tennant is sooooo far from it haha. like i'm sure he's funny! i never watched any Dr. Who so i also have hardly seen him but i hate...all the hair they've given him...what. why. that's a petty reason not to watch something & it's not the only reason but i still can't! get over it!

slettlune

augh, same! same for everything. i even watched the first ep of go s1 when it came out, and realized like no that did not work for me. i know i probably should have given it a fairer shot but i still haven't watched any more of it

i know so many people who fall somewhere on a scale of "loved it unreservedly" to "enjoyed it while thinking it was pretty eh" but i just couldn't be assed i guess! maybe i can be assed now but if i also can't get through one episode of it, i will just content myself with the fact that Gaiman was eventually pressured into going back on all his bullshit about why they couldn't be gay (angels are sexless? GAY BY DEFAULT skill issue etc.)

[the-marathon-continues-nip]

I was in the supercorp team… but you all are giving me fandom envy

hey buddy!!!! I haven't seen supergirl but I've always loved the gifs of super Corp, Kara seems sweet and lena seems so kickass!

and haha, the grass is always greener I think however the mdzs/wangxian fandom is pretty fun. it's so large that I can literally just lurk, read fic and Have Brain Rot.

the story is so expansive that once you realize you like it, you're in too deep. I always recommend giving it a go because there is something for everyone. there are excellent fic writers too and a lot of them a wlw who write the ship as is and also as f/f so it's like you have the most popular fic writers who also write f/f content (we are so spoiled in this fandom!)

just fyi most ppl watched the Netflix show, however its based on a novel that is the 'real' story...the series of Netflix had to be adapted to censorship so the plot line is a bit different but the overarching themes are there. there is also a donghua (chinese animation/cartoon) version and YouTube should have free episodes as well (the cartoon is great with the supernatural stuff, the cgi in the live show isn't the best but the actors in the live action sold their relationship even with censorship!)

[becauseimanicequeen]

I read your hilarious post on your bad taste and couldn't believe you mentioned Xena. That was my favorite show as a child too! We have similar taste in qls too.

What are your favorite ql characters though? I tend to like the darker kind. It would be interesting to read your thoughts.

Have a nice day.

Hi, Anon.

Glad to meet a fellow Xena lover.

When it comes to QL characters, my taste is similar to the QLs in that post you mentioned. I’m usually drawn to the bad bitches. So, here are the…

Bad bitches that have me in a chokehold.

My memory is a bit fucked, but these are the ones I can remember off the top of my head right now.

*spoilers ahead, so read at your own peril*

Tan/New (DFF)

Everything started with his brother disappearing and ended with him torturing the people responsible with their worst fears and deepest secrets. All the while having a backup plan knowing his closest ally would turn on him. New is no dumbass. He's a determined, prepared, avenging manipulator. And this bad bitch was determined to avenge his brother (and his own suffering) even if it killed him. I don't know about you, but I love a man who knows what he wants.

Todd (Not Me)

On the topic of manipulation... This prince charming put his lover (you can't convince me they weren't) into a coma while manipulating his lover's twin brother to join a gang whose mission is to take down the man who stands in the way of making Todd the king of Thailand's business world. Master manipulator at its finest (and he's fine as fuck). What's not to love?

Black (Not Me)

He was put into a coma by his lover (again, you can't convince me they weren't) and paid back in the same coin because this bitch is petty as fuck. And I love him for it.

Ai Di (Kiseki: Dear to Me)

This colorful and feisty little shit had me in a chokehold from the first moment I saw him. He runs head-first into fights, can kick ass (and do), and is often manhandled by his "adoptive" brother/best friend/crush while kicking and screaming. And let's not forget he's petty and admits it.

Vegas (KinnPorsche)

This bitch with daddy issues is a walking, talking toxic issue from start to finish in KinnPorsche. He drugged Porsche to assault him (and get under his cousin's skin), killed Tawan whom he only hooked up with to take down his cousin, captured and tortured Pete only to fuck him when the pet hedgehog died, not to forget he sat in Tankhun's seat at the dinner table (I mean, where are his fucking manners? lol)... And this is just a summary. But it's also because of all of this that Vegas is my favorite character in KinnPorsche.

Boston (Only Friends)

He's a slut. That's it. He doesn't need more context. Give me a slut, and a toxic one at that, and I'll love them forever. I know, I've got issues... But so does Boston, which is why I love him.

And the most recent bad bitch to come into my life…

Ming (My Stand-In)

It's too soon for me to say anything substantial about Ming (since only one episode is out and I haven't read the novel). BUT. It took less than an hour for this man to grab me by the throat... and I let him. It took him less than an hour to claim ownership of my soul... and I let him (I even begged him to during the scene in the gif above). This man is trouble. And I love trouble. I won't defend his actions, but I will love him.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I need this bad bitch to break Joe’s heart into a million little pieces (because we all know it’s happening anyway). I need him to be toxic. I need him to be a problem. I need him to the THE PROBLEM.

And when he realizes what he's done, I need him to pay for it by crawling through hell, only to beg on his knees for forgiveness when he realizes Joe is back, and then pay with his own blood when he tries his utmost to stitch Joe’s heart back together. Just give me the pain!

I love every single one of these characters. And I love that I love them.

I know, it’s a me-problem. But at least I'm aware of it.

I’m sure I’ll remember more characters that have me in a chokehold as soon as I hit publish on this. But, at least this is a start for now.

Thanks for your ask.

[montygreen]

seeing that you reblogged nhie...i could ask what are your thoughts on this season? I've been waiting to ask since yesterday because i wasn't sure if you've seen it yet.

I binged the entire season yesterday HAHA, I haven't had a chance to gif it yet since I both wrote a fic for it and I've been a bit distracted by my interest in another show.

I really enjoyed it, honestly more than season 2.

I thought Devi, Ben, and Paxton in particular had SPECTACULAR growth. I think this one of the few times where having a small time jump has really positively served the narrative.

I LOVED Ben's POV episode (my favourite episode of the season I think?) And I really enjoyed how he and Paxton became friends.

I was thrilled they brought back what I love the most about Ben and Devi, that being their amazing banter, which I thought was a bit lacking in season 2. And I thought the season ended on a great note for them too.

I thought Devi's relationship with Paxton was handled well too. I knew it wasn't going to last, and he was a really good boyfriend to her while they were dating, but she really did need to love herself before she could be in a relationship, so I'm glad that was something she was forced to realize.

Kamala's storyline was good as well, I liked how she grew and finally seems to have a stable relationship that she's happy in (because god, her romantic life was MESSY).

Eleanor and Trent were surprisingly cute too, I don't absolutely love them, but they had some pretty good moments.

I loved Nalini standing up for Devi, and the growth in their relationship but I do wish she'd gotten a friend who wasn't a total tool.

Aneesa had a good storyline too, but I was a bit upset with how she totally disappeared/was sidelined at the end of the season.

Overall, I mostly enjoyed the season, definitely had some great moments and some great growth for most of the characters!

[gillianthecat]

Current WatchList Game

thank you for the tag @kireshai! I love your gifs, especially the tiger tattoo ;-)

Currently Watching

About Youth - I'm just about to watch the two new episodes, so I'm not fully up to date. But I adored the first two. I love all the characters, and the show keeps surprising me.

My Only 12% - I'm really excited to see where this one is going, although I'm assuming heartbreak is coming. But I love how real and grounded it feels, and all the friendships.

The Eclipse - I love many things about this show (and have written a lot about it), but something I adore is the way it gives equal weight to the queer romances and to its political story.

Takara kun to Amagi kun - After episode 3 I wrote: "[it] continues to be amazing. It’s such an intimate little show, focusing so closely on these teenagers and their emotions, and it does it so well."

War of Y - I had lots of feelings about the NottPan arc in New Ship. I will probably keep watching, at least if I end up subscribing to GaGaOOLaLa, but it's not a priority.

edit 9/6 - I forgot I'm also watching Love In the Air. edit 9/29 - oh, well, that's embarrassing. I just realized I used the poster for the wrong About Youth, and somehow didn't notice that a) it had none of the right actors, and b) it was in Korean. 😳 In my defense, both posters are pink and have "About Youth" written in a cursive script. And, honestly, I think the Korean poster fits the vibe of the Taiwanese show better than its own poster does. I only discovered this because Son Woo Hyun from To My Star is in the Korean one, and now I want to see it too but I can't find any info on it.

I think that's it for shows that are currently airing? I tend to be a binge watcher otherwise, although I've started and stopped but plan on finishing:

Not Me - I wasn't in the headspace for something so intense when I started, but I'm excited about it! Cutie Pie - It looks like ridiculous fun of the sort that's best in small doses. (my thoughts on its genre here), and Minato Shouji Coin Laundry - it looks really fascinating. Shin is the type of character that I find extremely annoying, but I think if I watch it after it's all out, and after reading everyone's analysis I will be able enjoy it And possibly Lovely Writer, if I ever get in the right mood to push myself through the last two episodes. I want to like it, but I just haven't been able to.

Currently Rewatching

There's still so much I haven't seen, I'm not rewatching anything yet. Although I have returned to parts of Blueming and Semantic Error as comfort shows, but without rewatching the whole thing through.

Looking Forward to Watching

I can barely keep up with what's currently on, lol. Although I am excited about Wish You Luck, which @lelephantsnail reminded me of, featuring my beloved background actor Tonnam in a leading role finally, and a fascinating looking post-apocalyptical premise. It's a year away though, so who knows if it will even come out. There are also a billion older shows that I'm looking forward to, I won't even try to list them here.

I'm not sure who's already done this? But I'll tag @moonchildridden @halfmoon-trueself @lelephantsnail, @placetneplacet @technitango and @dimondlite. @negrowhat and @heretherebedork, you've probably done this already but I'll tag you anyway. Anyone who sees this and is interested, consider yourself tagged!

[kitkatwinchester]

BROOOOOO

THE CONNECTIONS!!!

OMG!!!

THE PUZZLE PIECES FALLING INTO PLACE!!!

That's SO CRAZY!!!

It explains exactly why she was able to be the Darach, because, just like I said, she knows both sides.

She knows everyone.

She was Kali's emissary. She knows her. She knows the Alphas.

She was saved, unintentionally, by Derek in the killing of his love. She knows him.

She was found by Stiles' dad. She knows him. She knows Stiles. She knows Scott.

All she had to do was insert herself back into the fold, and wait.

That's INSANE. AHHHH I love it when things come together like that.

I mean, I hate that this is what we're left with as a result, but I LOVE seeing all of the puzzle pieces finally click.

That said, is there anyone in this show that I'm NOT gonna end up feeling bad for at some point in time?

Kali loves Jennifer--sorry, Julia--and couldn't bear to kill her.

Julia was betrayed and almost killed by somebody she loved and cared for, and just like she said (BECAUSE THEY SAID THE TITLE OF THE EPISODE!!), she was always overlooked. Overlooked, and underestimated, and she doesn't want that to happen to her or anyone else ever again.

Can we really blame her for her actions? Of course I don't excuse them, but I get why she's doing it, and...I don't think she deserves to die.

I also don't think we should side with her and let her make the last three sacrifices to officially defeat the Alphas.

But I don't think we should kill her either.

And I also honestly don't want all of the Alphas to die either.

I mean, okay, I think Deucalion is gonna NEED to die, because I think that's the only way Scott and pack DON'T die, but I'd feel bad about it.

Aiden can die. I care a lot less about him.

BUT DON'T TOUCH ETHAN AND KALI! Them, I feel bad for. Leave them alone please.

Also I just realized I can answer my own question.

Gerard. Gerard is the one person that I am never, ever, EVER going to feel bad for.

He can die.

He can be mutilated and torn apart.

He can be burned at the stake.

And I would CHEER.

But anyone else, I'd feel at least a LITTLE bad about. Some more than others.

Also as a very quick aside, I absolutely loved hearing about all of the lore, too. The legend of Baldur was fascinating. I didn't know any of that.

Anyways.

I don't know what gif to put here, I talked about so many people...

Eh. Force of habit. ;)

(You know I love my boy. <3)

Update: OMG ISAAC I LOVE YOU!! Isaac: "She's kind of hot." Everyone: *stares at him* Isaac: "No it's...just an observation." I've missed you, baby!! I feel like we haven't seen you much recently. Also gotta give full credit to the way the creepy, ominous music just, like, full-stopped when Isaac said that. BEAUTIFUL comedic timing lol.

[bellamyblake]

makes me sad how little bellarke fics are being made/updated nowadays :( I know it’s natural for fandoms to slow down once the show ends but tbh I didn’t expect it to be this bad, as an author yourself do you think it might be due to the terrible show ending or is there also lack of engagement from the readers?

I think a lot of people pulled away after the finale, that's true but there's also some who did that and after some time came back upon realizing that this final isn't *their* final. Of course that does play some role into it and I understand that people aren't like me, at least not most, I can just ignore it and keep doing what I love, writing fanfic and making gifs. I just love doing that. But others can't because of this and I get it. I've always been able to pull myself away from the narrative, even when the show was still going on. Also over the years I see some stuff differently and come to consider points I haven't before but most people don't do that.

I think part of it is also the culture we live in nowadays. When I first came on Tumblr someone having a multifandom blog was like nah, I won't follow that, I want one specific fandom or two not a whole bunch of them. Now things are different-almost everyone's multifandom and people jump from one thing to another in matter of weeks if not months. It's just the new culture, mostly inspired by the Netflix-and-the-alike providing content. The competition is to post major show after major show or remake something or to make a continuation or a prequel of something that people loved. but the idea is that people loved that one specific OLD thing and they go there because they are nostalgic.

Overall I think the generation changed, and younger folks but not just prefer to jump from one thing to the other without sticking to something. I personally and I know there's also others like me even if they're not a majority, like old stuff, the way things used to be, one episode every week, one or two major fandoms and other stuff they liked. I know that I am like that, I prefer rewatching older shows than watching anything new that doesn't really speak to me and move on to the next a month or two after. I still find more sense in shows that come weekly like All American, SEAL team and others that I follow aka cable shows, than any dragon stuff or period drama things or witch stuff that cast one or two famous names to get the major viewing and hook people up enough to watch their stuff, drop two seasons and then stop it. ( I also have interesting observations on the handmaid's tale and i make them only because I know bruce miller, the executive was the one who was in the writer's room for the 100 and he was the reason why the show got better over time but I find flaws in him too and I find some interesting conclusions there when I watch for myself, anyway that's not important)

I think it just depends on what people like nowadays. I know not as many post fics or headcanons or gifs about the show but I still love writing my fic every day and getting something out there. I love those characters, I love the actors who played them and follow their careers. Most people don't do that. And I think that's one reason why. Then again sometimes after a bad ending some time needs to pass before people can start creating for it again. Just to shake things off. I think the core remains that there's no other couple like bellarke in any other show I've watched. There's similarities and people find them in couples I don't and didn't even back when the 100 was still on (say like Math/ias and N/na from what is it now Sh/adow and bone when I remember the bellarke fandom hated that couple back when the books were out but somehow ppl compare them to bellarke now?? which super weird). I've seen some authors get inspired and write for them again but yes not as many do anymore.

With fanfic there's also that people tell you how to write your fic now. It's not like before in FF.net when you posted and there were no tags, no warnings nothing like that and if people didn't like something they didn't read it.

Simple as that.

For example I'm now afraid to post new chapters of my ark!AU cause I know what I've written and I'm certain people will yell at me about it and that just makes me not want to post it. Other's comments are just *update* and that does little for your motivation.

There's also the fact that there's no fanfic blog to promote writers in this fandom nowadays, even if they're not as many, there's just nothing to bring them together. I know of ppl on twitter who write who I don't see here but they post chapters. There's also no fanfic awards or anything like it to help promote those who write. They're not as few as we think. I believe ppl post and they post good stuff but no many know of them.

Then there's also the issue of smut. A bellarke fic with 90% smut that is posted now gets 10k hits. One that is modern AU or something else gets say 500 hits. So there's the issue of that too on a deeper level.

Overall, I know the fandom is smaller now but frankly, I enjoy that. I don't have the rush to compete with something (I always did better on hiatuses than on showdays) and I know it's something that it's over but I am content creating for it even for 20 people here and 50 on twitter and 30 on Ao3. I'm in no interest of following big netflix productions. I watch them but they do little for me. I just don't feel the soul in them. Maybe i'm old but that's just me.