#immortalthunderstorm

[navree]

Have you watched Rome (HBO)? If yes what's your opinion on it?

I've watched some of it, but to be honest I didn't really like it. They got things like how society operated in that time, and I think Ciaran Hinds is an incredible actor and did his best with the material he had, and if you just want a good drama and don't know anything about the period and the actual history that went on, you'll probably like it. Plus, James Purefoy was genuinely perfect casting. It's why I wish that the show was better than it was.

Problem is, I do know the history. I know the history quite well, because the general fall of the Republic and rise of the Empire is an incredibly interesting time and Augustus is one of my favorite people to read about, from a historical perspective he's fascinating. And the show bungles a lot in that regard. I've never been a particular fan of "we're going to invent these fictitious characters and make them important to the historical narrative" type things, and the combining of characters caused some major problems for me personally (combining Atia Balba with Fulvia to create the show's version of Atia was very annoying to me personally, considering how at odds it is to the historical Atia Balba), and just in general a lot of the characters felt very shallow and like they were crafted more out of a pop culture understanding of who these people were rather than actually examining them historically. Like, ooh Cleopatra is a sexually voracious and seductive minx and Octavian is a monstrous little viper, how incredibly novel, never been done before. Not like the reality of Cleopatra as someone who wasn't very attractive but was so intelligent and charismatic that she seemed leagues better than any other woman, but still prideful and stubborn enough to let it be her downfall is more interesting than cokewhore but make it Hellenistic. Not like Octavian as an incredibly smart person and brilliant politician whose complicated family life created a situation that had him latch onto Caesar as a father figure (and Caesar himself having lost a child shortly before they started getting close allowing that latching to be entirely mutual) and who started his journey to power as a personal revenge quest and whose litany of personal tragedies at a young age created the circumstances that allowed him to make colder and colder decisions for the betterment of himself and his family and his country is more interesting than wimpy deviant who can't fight. IDK, they made Livia marginally more two-dimensional than most other pop culture portrayals of her (I, Claudius your sins are numerous and shan't be forgiven), but that's about it. From someone who's read a lot about all of these people and has consistently found that who they actually were is leagues more interesting and creatively inspiring than anything anyone could actually make up, the show being composed entirely of preconceived notions with some sprinkling of "this is what I remember from Shakespeare's Roman plays" just did not do it for me at all.

Also, Agrippa/Octavia is a fucking cop out and anyone who writes it is a genuine coward. Like, you cannot tell me that out of the two siblings, the relationship you find the most interesting is the one he had with Octavia, when Agrippa and Octavian were friends since they were twelve and were completely and reciprocally so incredibly devoted to each other that it almost defies description and beggars belief. Agrippa never once tried to grab power even though he absolutely could have and was perfectly happy being nothing more than Octavian's right hand man until the day he died. Octavian's first ever political act, the thing that kickstarted his entire career, was asking Caesar of his own volition to not kill Agrippa's brother (it's complicated) and Caesar saying yes entirely because it was Octavian who asked, not only showing how loyal Octavian was to his friends but also essentially binding the two of them together for life. It was a forty year relationship of the most insanely codependent friendship of all time, either get with the program and make it homoerotic or just admit you have no talent and wanna hetify it.

[lemonhemlock]

Helloo I just wanted to pop by and thank you for all your metas on here, your way of theorising and structuring arguments is excellent and I've learnt a great deal about asoiaf / f&b which weren't really on my radar before! The way you explain things are clear and well thought-out to even casual viewers who haven't read any of the books yet. The writers could really take a page out of your book when it comes to explaining politics and lore in HOTD because I can confirm that a lot of points raised by you and other blogs on here have not been made very clear in the show without the background knowledge of the books.

e.g. "question sharply" meaning torture is something I wasn't aware of until I saw someone explain it on here and that obviously is a very important aspect especially for the change in dynamic after Driftmark. Your analysis on feudal law and the Greens' side of the argument is also always a delight to read and would potentially change many perspectives if presented correctly in the show.

While I could talk about them all day I'm really interested in hearing your thoughts/predictions on the Jace/Daemon dynamic in S2. Episode 10 touched on them having a complicated even borderline contemptuous relationship, which I actually find could be a great way to make Team Black a little more complex and interesting. Do you think this will be expanded on in S2 and in which way would you like to see it play out? Do you think Daemon would have moved against the Strong boys if they hadn't died early on?

Also, not related, but do you have any thoughts on what Daemon was trying to achieve by singing to Vermithor? I personally couldn't make sense of it.

Thanks!!

Thank you so much for your lovely message. That's high praise for someone who posts rambling rants on their blog. 😭 I can only hope that my posts can make someone question the prevailing discourse and put a little more thought into their analyses.

Now, to answer your questions:

While I could talk about them all day I'm really interested in hearing your thoughts/predictions on the Jace/Daemon dynamic in S2. Episode 10 touched on them having a complicated even borderline contemptuous relationship, which I actually find could be a great way to make Team Black a little more complex and interesting. Do you think this will be expanded on in S2 and in which way would you like to see it play out? Do you think Daemon would have moved against the Strong boys if they hadn't died early on?

It's hard to say whether that was the first time Jace and Daemon butted heads or whether it's more of a common occurrence - we'll just have to wait and see. But I do hope they will expand upon this. They have so many opportunities for interesting conflicts here - Jace being upset that Daemon doesn't abide by Rhaenyra's wishes, him rebelling because of his bastard status and gaslighting, Laenor's supposed death at their hands, the aftermath of Vaemond's murder...

Yes, I do believe that Daemon would have eventually moved against the Strong boys if they hadn't died. Rhaenyra is a young woman right now and she has many more years to live/rule, so there's no hurry. Daemon can play nice now, but when the time comes, I don't find it realistic not to expect him to push Aegon III/Viserys II up the line of succession. Either by ensuring the Strong boys get into "accidents" or by fanning the flames on the bastard rumours and encouraging unrest.

Also, not related, but do you have any thoughts on what Daemon was trying to achieve by singing to Vermithor? I personally couldn't make sense of it.

He was trying to make him dance to the beat, of course. 😎 No, but, really, since it's supposed to be an ancient Valyrian song, perhaps it's something he discovered during his research (he is shown to be very interested in Valyrian culture, same as Viserys). Maybe he discovered some texts about the creation/claiming/bonding of dragons and this song was part of that ceremony. I think it's some kind of magic spell that's supposed to prepare Vermithor for being claimed by a dragonseed, make him more receptive, so to speak.

[maryam-3]

This is the devastation left by the occupation in the place where we took refuge for a few months. We lived in fear, hunger, pain, tears and crying. The sounds of missiles and the sound of planes. We were displaced from here, and if we had stayed, we would now be with the dead, God willing, for us to have a new life. So I ask you to save us. All the places are targeted. I want to embrace my family and survive the war, and you are able to do this through a donation. Donate if $5 is our lifeline. Whoever can donate generously, please do not stop and save my family 💔💔🥺

@starridge @junglejim4322 @palistani @palms-upturned @palesora @gerbildine @gatogummie @notallmensheviks @malcriada @zigcarnivorous @zzz-zzz-zzz-zzz-zzz-zzz-zzz @zvaigzdelasas @huecycles @gvayaba @yodaprod @tamarrud @the-east-art @wolfythewitch @wellwaterhysteria @robo-writing @restlessjay @ikeofeyes @uniquevocashark @immortalthunderstorm @one-time-i-dreamt @olovelymoon-slow-answers @wetttrashbag @wpp-statuss @wormonastringtheory @wpp-sttatus @writingprompts

[prodogg]

Thank you for the tag @starstrucksnowing

What are your top five television shows of all time?

1. Avatar the last airbender (only because of her)

2. Better Call Saul

3. Breaking Bad

4. How I met your mother (trash ending but I still love to rewatch the show)

5.Naruto (my first anime)

Honestly, I watched many shows and it was hard to pic my favorites and if I’d think about it again the selection would probably change.

Tagging: @lullaebies @witheredoffherwitch @juniperhillpatient @trashfactorysstuff @immortalthunderstorm @pendragora @ara-meyy @jotterjots @waterfire1848 @ilikepjo24 and @anyone who wants to join

[cantfightfatetoo]

Tag Game

I was tagged by @sillyanshe & @chid-sen-gan Thanks girls❤

Rules: tag 9 people you'd like to know better.

Top 10 songs I can't stop listening to:

Jenny of Oldstones-Florence+ The Machine

Castle-Halsey

Fire Meet Gasoline-Sia

Bedroom Hymns-Florence+The Machine

DNA-Kendrick Lamar

Apparently-J.Cole

Running-No Doubt

Halo-Beyonce

Just Breathe-Pearl Jam

Everlasting Light-The Black Keys

Favourite color(s): Red, Purple, & Black( On Wednesdays we wear black) AHS: Coven

Favourite ships: Jonsa/ Asoiaf

Elizabeth/Darcy/ Pride& Predjudice

Thor/Valkyrie/ Aragorn/Arwen/ Lotr

Lipstick or chapstick: Lip gloss or Lipstick

Last movie: Jaws (a classic)

Currently reading: Emma by Jane Austen ( did I mention I love her because I do)

I tag: @sayruq @senoritabelladonna @porcelainivorysteelwitch @selfproclaimedunicorn @weirrwood @magfreak @immortalthunderstorm @infinitegraces @sherlokiness

[selfproclaimedunicorn]

Tag Game!

I was tagged by @chid-sen-gan, @cantfightfatetoo, & @immortalthunderstorm. Holly hell guys, thanks a bunch!

Rules: tag 9 people you'd like to get to know better!

Top 10 songs I can't stop listening to:

Killer Queen by Queen

Don't Stop Me Now by Queen

Seven Devils by Florence + The Machine

Cosmic Love by Florence + The Machine

Doctor Feel Good by Mötley Crüe

The Maiden And The Selkie by Heather Dale

Outro by M83

Froot by Marina

The Wolf by Fever Ray

Emperor's New Clothes by Panic! At The Disco

Favorite color(s): red, light pink, mint, teal

Favorite ships: Podsa (GoT), Jaime/Brienne/Tormund (Got), Sasa/Jeyne (ASOIAF), Haruka/Michiru (Sailor Moon), Klaus/Dave (TUA)

Lipstick or chapstick: Lipstick! Love to hoard it, love to use it

Last Movie: I seriously never watch movies. Like, catch me in 6 months the answer will still be "The Dirt." Last show I watched though, there's a little variety there

Currently Reading: The Other Tudors: The Mistresses and Bastards of Henry VIII by Phillipa Jones

I tag: @tracinyad @alesbiankissedbyfire @vamprlestat @geminispark96 @somethingfunnyandunique @the-lazyalchemist @pixilicious @cosmicdisastr @vampiremomfriend

[allsoundsasscreed]

Hey may I ask where you have the hidden audio from? Because I don't remember seeing it in Rogue. Thanks!

That's what hidden audios are. It's not in the final cut of the game. It's tucked away in the audio files.

[navree]

@immortalthunderstorm this is so kind of you to say thank you so much!!! glad everyone likes reading it as much as i loved writing it 🥰🥰🥰

[selfproclaimedunicorn]

Playlist Tag Game

playlist tag game the rules: we’re snooping on your playlist. put your entire music library on shuffle and list the first 10 songs then choose 10 victims.

I was tagged by @vamprlestat

crushcrushcrush by Paramore

We're Off To See The Wizard from The Wizard of Oz OST

What Right Have I by Emilie Autumn

All The Way by The Gregory Brothers

Zombies Ate Her Brain by The Creepshow

Analog Boy by DBMK

Despite What You've Been Told by Two Gallants

The Cave by Mumford And Sons

Kodachrome by Paul Simon

Are You Satisfied by Marina

Tagging: @the-lazyalchemist @tracinyad @immortalthunderstorm @hexthewriter @cantfightfatetoo @nancywheelxr @voidandsilt @itsfuckingivan @chid-sen-gan @somethingfunnyandunique

[selfproclaimedunicorn]

Oh? That's neat! I should look that up, thanks @immortalthunderstorm!