#its been a good bit since i watched the eps referenced so my feelings might change when i get to them in my rewatch

[beardisable]

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD okay.

so i watched the 8 hour jack stream(jesus) aka watched genloss top to bottom again and listened to his theories and stuff(i really vibe with the "kidnapped as kids" angle more now) and started thinking about some theories he and chat mentioned and.

now im thinking with like. ok its probably a pretty common theory, this post was what prompted this additional idea of mine actually, but ill explain it a bit: the theory that, since sneeg and charlie can come back over and over again, and they have referenced like, refusing to do the cooking challenge in ep 1, and how charlie was playing the mouse trap but ate the cage, they have obviously done the same kind of scenes we saw ranboo do, right. and then in the Announcement video we see the same kind of "missing poster" type headshots of them, with the caption "Found them!"

i dont remember exactly where it was confirmed that showfall made the missing person posters, but like. yeah. these images are for missing posters like ranboo had. and with sneeg being caught by the security in ep 3, he had tried to escape, just like ranboo and charlie. and i feel like this wasnt the first or last time they have tried this!

also, during that screenshot the announcer says "our hero will meet a cast of crazy characters, who you may recognize", aka the audience has seen these "actors" before in other things! this is their first live show but what have they made before...?

then, with one of the Very first lines Ranboo says in the first episode, "it wasn't supposed to be like this"... showfall/hetch made it seem like this is ranboos first show and he's being tested for how well he does as The Hero.

I dont think what we saw is Ranboos first time starring in a showfall production.

its the first live thing like the announcement video said but i think hetch lied when he talked about how its a test, i think Ranboo's been here at least a few go arounds, if not tens/hundreds/thousands of times. WHICH MEANS in the end when he gets his memories back... theres an infinite amount of possibility of things they could remember for what they have been made to do in the past :) Bc remember, while this is comedy->horror, it was still relatively tame and non-explicit (at least by my personal standards?) so it is quite possible they have been in more R rated horror stuff, slashers, gore, actual saw, some kind of even worse psychological horror things, but also that they might have had incredibly good experiences like love and joy and community and anything positive too, and to remember all that in a rush... oh boy so i believe it is a circular reproduction, maybe they run through scenes repeatedly over and over while perfecting every little detail and getting different takes of genuine emotion but every time Real and a First experience... some kind of purgatory(omg christian hell reference) or endless torture or such...

ok that got really maybe unneccessarily angsty so heres my other thought:

i love me a fucking colour theory and colour symbolism! it bothered me a bit how like. in the promo game we get ranboo, then green friend/the villain(obviously charlie, tho the villain part still confuses me a Bit since its not quite true?), the blue friend/the taken(obvs sneeg) and then the red stranger/the saviour. and like it would logically follow that the red is hetch right?

jack when theorising said the titles are self descriptive, which i buy into, at least for the first episode context, charlie is the villain role, sneeg was taken(put in a cage and later snatched by the sharkciclester), and hetch was trying to help and save ranboo from this situation! but then in the second ep we also have red puzzler, and red niki? i WISH niki had. any kind of bigger role to build a Saviour type off of her but i dont think she does :( the puzzler is an option, since they make it seem like the puzzler tries to save ranboo? and thats actually a whole other thought like. since we know hetch was not actually helping ranboo, was the puzzler Genuinely helping them, and somehow showfall found out and killed him?? idk ANYWAYS that colour coding falling apart a bit made me think about how ranboo is also red!! rgb trio yknow??

if the titles are self descriptive... well i dont think Ranboo really felt like The Hero much, especcially not in the end...

I think Ranboo is actually meant to be the Saviour.

Esp with the jesus coding! I believe this kind of thing has happened many times before, with sneeg/charlie/ranboo/others realizing that shits fucked, and trying to escape, only to be caught and put back in the production. I think Ranboo(main character syndrome) was in a previous iteration the Saviour, who tried to help sneeg and charlie and others get out of there, to save them, save everyone. but they failed. got captured. once again waking up again with a "it wasn't supposed to be like this..."

and so the cycle continues, and the content wheel keeps spinning.

(ive only been in tumblr tags so feel free to link me any other ppl who arrived at the same conclusion)

[taocastleprincess]

shaman king (2021) ep 1

i said i was going to type smth up last night but teaching is literally so exhausting sooo i'm here now!! i have watched the episode like a million times since Thursday LMAOOOO i think i mostly have the dialogue memorized, that's how much i've watched it. i'm just so happy though, i've been a lifelong fan of SK, i was obsessed w it in my teens (still am but i was on a DIFF LEVEL in HS), and i'm just SO HAPPY we finally got a reboot!!! Shaman King deserves a canon adaption, so glad that Takei got it :)

this post got super long rambly so my thoughts/glows/concerns are under the cut!

gonna start w the GLOWS

-- honestly, i am in LOVE w the new OST!!! i have had it on repeat since it was released in Japan!! Megumi is a godsend and i feel like both the OST and the ED kept the same vibes as the og adaption OSTs and EDs. can't really explain why that is but the melodies and the feelings you get from the new OST are very authentic to the SK-verse.

-- the animation is absolutely beautiful and i could hardly focus on anything else the first 2 times i watched it. i was really scared about how the animation was going to look bc so many weird rumors about the animation team were circulating on twitter but it is nearly perfect. they stayed true to Takei's style and the background scenery is out of this world. i also think all of the characters look brighter and more... like them? like, i love the og SK but even as a kid i felt like the animation did not really capture any of the characters (especially Yoh, Ren, and Joco) in their true essence. Like, it was just very dull and didn't accentuate any of their key features. The reboot is beautiful and I love the way certain characters' eyes are drawn. I thought that the look of Ryu's crew was a great example of the animators highlighting and emphasizing defining features of certain characters. They aren't major characters at all but we know they are important to Ryu (and his story) so their designs are given their rightful due.

-- i know that a few people didn't appreciate the beginning scene of the episode for a myriad of different reasons and i find them all totally valid and understandable, tbh. however, i think the opening scene was really great. i had a few problems w it (i do think the 'chosen one' set-up for Yoh was heavy-handed and weird bc i don't think the source material really wants us to believe that Yoh is the stereotypical 'chosen one' and i think it pushes back on that trope quite a bit but i'm open to hearing diff opinions on that) but overall, i think it gives a very cool and mysterious set-up for the anime. i don't think it does much to spoil the eventual ~Hao is Yoh's twin!!~ reveal because, to me, personally, it wasn't that big of a reveal/plot twist. what i WILL say is that the opening scene was very diluted in comparison to the manga vers and that was a bit disappointing but i think they might revisit the scene/make it more dramatic later on in the series when there is more context around the events of that night so that may just be a little tease, you know?

-- this should not be shocking to read from an account that is named 'taocastleprincess' but... AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH THE ENDING SCENE WITH REN AND BASON WAS SOOOOO PERFECT AND I DIDN'T EXPECT IT!!!! ON MY FIRST WATCH I RAN IT BACK LIKE 300x!!!! THEY BOTH LOOK AMAZINGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!

moving on from glows and to CONCERNS, i spy a lot of possible issues w pacing, character development, and authenticity. the series is currently only slated for 52 episodes, a whole 12-eps shorter than the OG adaptation, and the entirety of the series is supposedly being adapted so... 52 eps for 300 chapters? to me, that seems extremely rushed even with best-case scenarios. i have read opposing views on twitter, people think that 52 eps is just enough if they cut 'filler' and 'stick to the most important arcs.' i don't think i can agree with any part of that argument. i really think that it's a REACH to say that Shaman King has filler chapters or filler arcs. there is a purpose for each and every chapter/arc in the series. plot development, character development, foreshadowing, etc. those all hold distinct and important purposes and the love, thought, and time put into the SK manga is exactly why people love it. 'filler' does not have a true narrative purpose, it only serves to lengthen the story, so to say that there are scenes/chapters/arcs that can be glossed or skipped over you would have to make the argument that they have no narrative purpose or bearing on the story. i personally think it would be extremely difficult (near impossible) to make that argument for anything within the og 300chap work but, again, i'm open to seeing if anyone can change my mind.

the first episode of SK flew through and glossed over a lot of important scenes for character study/development. by the end of the first episode, you don't really understand or relate to Morty as one might have done after the first episode of ogSK. and although Yoh is supposed to remain mysterious/confusing/weird for the first couple of chapters/eps, at the end of ep1 there is no GRAND interest that has been developed about him. The first episode operated at a breakneck speed and to its detriment. the characters so far are extremely flat regarding everything beyond character design. the viewer is hardly invested in the partnership between Yoh and Amidamaru because there is (little to) no build-up of their partnership and both of their characters are... not real to us yet. even the scenes regarding Amidamaru's past and his friendship with Mosuke doesn't affect or interest the viewer at all because it is referenced, addressed, problematized, solved, and wrapped up all within 3.5 mins.... huh?

what REALLY destroys me, though, is that the anime seems to be foreshadowing that Manta's character will be playing a backseat role.... the first couple of adventures are from Manta's perspective. he asks the questions that we have, situates us in this very weird world and helps to world-build without it being obvious or heavyhanded, and we start to understand the nuances of his character. none of that was present in 2021 ep1. it kinda felt like Manta was a plot device instead of a character. granted, like i said, none of the characters feel real yet but Manta getting this sort of treatment so early on is dismaying. i really do feel like Manta and Yoh's (developing) friendship and trust in each other is the heart of the first quarter of the series (and is continuously referenced and exalted throughout). rushing through (or, really, just straight up cutting out) the first couple of subplots/mini-adventures that they have together feel really weird and detrimental to the overall tone and purpose of the series. those early adventures cement so much and really lay the groundwork for the rest of the story. it's disappointing that they didn't get their due.

this isn't a very organized review/breakdown, i'm just typing as i think, but to sum up what i am REALLY worried about is this: if the series continues at this extremely crazy pace, i'm a bit worried that the characters will never feel fully developed. not only that, but SK has a lot of heart-wrenching scenes and also a lot of scenes that are beautifully filled with hope and care. i just don't see how those scenes are gonna hit quite as hard or even as they SHOULD if the pace doesn't slow down and let us really sit with these characters and their feelings and motivations.

i mean, i know that this is only the 1st episode of a 52ep series but a lot of things don't look too promising... anyway, these are my initial thoughts/concerns/feelings. i'm way too busy to actually sit down and plan out all of my millions of thoughts but hopefully this was good enough!

[straykidsupdate]

STRAY KIDS INSPIRE THEIR GENERATION TO PICK UP THE MIC

K-POP’S YOUNG DISRUPTORS NAVIGATE ADULTHOOD ALONGSIDE THEIR FANS

Stray Kids are fighting with their fans to determine who adores the other most. The fans started it, erupting into an impromptu chant inside Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles: "We love you! We love you!," they shout, repeatedly. The sound is deafening, catching the boy band off guard. The eight members retaliate with their own impassioned chorus. "We love Stay," they respond, referencing their legions of international devotees. Both sides scream until, ultimately, Stray Kids admit defeat; they stand awkwardly onstage, apparently unsure how to receive the unrivaled adulation. Bang Chan, the Korean group's steadfast leader, looks around the venue in awe, while sensible vocalist Seungmin makes a heart with his hands and points to the crowd, resolved to have the last word.

This is not the first time Stray Kids has lost the battle of who-loves-who. It’s happened in cities across the United States, from New York to Dallas, amidst their District 9: Unlock world tour. It's canon, chiseled into the group's short but colorful history, alongside such viral moments as "Seungmin in the building" and "I'm not gonna leave you behind." Displays of affection between idols and fans are nothing new but, with Stray Kids, they’re never forced.

"It doesn't matter how old you are," Bang Chan tells the crowd mid-show, intensity building with every word. "It doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl, or whoever you choose to be. It doesn't matter where you're from — everyone is welcome in our special district."

Two weeks prior to this performance, Stray Kids — Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N — are gazing from a conference room in a Times Square skyscraper. The sky is gray, but that doesn't deter Hyunjin from posing for a series of selfies against the floor-to-ceiling window. As the lithe dancer works his angles, his bandmates are scattered throughout the room. Han props his phone against the room’s A/V controls to watch an anime; Bang Chan hunches over his own phone, thumbing the screen intently; Lee Know rests his eyes; and Australia-born Felix gossips about last night's Grammy Awards. Like any teen, he's obsessed with Billie Eilish, and her historic Grammys sweep is hard for him to fathom. "Can you believe it?" he says, eyes wide and sparkling. "She's only 18. It's amazing."

But at 19, the deep-voiced rapper, whose delicate features betray his cherry-red hair, has similarly found success at a young age. Within a year of their 2018 debut, Stray Kids received 11 rookie awards and released five EPs. In fact, while Eilish and her brother Finneas were crafting homemade beats in a Highland Park bedroom, JYP Entertainment's tenacious boy wonders were honing their own unique sound in a small studio in Seoul, South Korea. Members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han comprise the group's primary production trio, 3RACHA, and they've been making music together since their trainee days in 2017. Introspective early tracks like "Start Line" and "Runner's High" laid the foundation for Stray Kids' sonic identity: With the disruptive power of punk, they deliver astute, poignant lyrics about the bristly experience of growing up and its side effects.

"The things we worry about and the things Stay worry about — we share a lot of the same struggles," Han tells MTV News. "Even though our ambitions are different, we work hard just the same. It becomes our inspiration musically." As the creative force behind two of the group's more vulnerable cuts, "19" and "Sunshine," the 19-year-old rapper reveals his innermost thoughts and anxieties to the fans. But that honesty can be frightening.

"It's nerve-racking for us," Bang Chan says. "Sometimes we think, 'If we talk about this, will people understand? Will they relate?' We're always thinking about how we can reach people through our lyrics because we want our music to help."

That empathy has been woven throughout their music from the beginning. Stray Kids’ first singles, the pre-debut track "Hellevator" and the darkly riotous "District 9," are full of angst and aggression, soundtracks for those who balk at societal pressures and follow their own rules. "My Pace" is an empowering anthem teeming with energy and affirmations. ("Don't compare yourself with others," Bang Chan sings on the hook. "It's OK to run slower.") Songs like "Voices" and "Side Effects" offer an intimate glimpse into the tumultuous mind of a young person still figuring out their place in the world, while "Miroh" and "Victory Song" are bursting with big sounds and youthful bravado.

"Young people today may feel a bit trapped, like you're constantly being told what to do and you feel like you can't speak for yourself," Bang Chan says. "So we want people our age to feel comfortable speaking out and talking about what they think."

By encouraging their fans to examine their own growing pains, to feel everything, they ensure that their message is never didactic. "All strayed steps come together to make a new road," they say at their concert. And with their latest release, "Levanter," off their sixth EP Clé: Levanter, Stray Kids come to the understanding that the journey is more meaningful than the destination, and the path ahead is ultimately theirs to define. So they double knot their shoelaces and dash full-speed ahead. "We might not know what the actual goal is, but as long as we're running hard and we're running as a group, whatever comes is going to be good anyway," Bang Chan says. "We just wish that a lot of people out there could listen to our music and get a lot of energy and hope from it."

Like 25-year-old Selina, who connects to their lyrics because she's "still on that journey of figuring out what I want to do and who I want to be," she says, clutching her Stray Kids light stick (a compass, now featuring Bang Chan's name written on the handle) outside of Microsoft Theater. Her friend Joseline, 18, likes that the members "have other priorities and interests outside of being a K-pop idol" that they reveal through daily Instagram posts, livestreams on the V Live app, TikToks, and weekly YouTube videos and vlogs. "He's not just Han from Stray Kids, he's Han Jisung — rapper, producer, and person," she adds.

For Kambree, 17, the group has a "positive vibe" that makes her feel happy and accepted. "They make us feel like family, no matter who you are or what you look like," she adds. Her best friend Lexxie, 17, says Stray Kids "make me feel like I'm not alone with my issues." And So Yun, 30, finds their mix of "hard-hitting EDM" and "super angsty" lyrics reminiscent of the emo bands she listened to in high school. "It's the same rebellious spirit that I felt as a teen when you want to be your own person and figure out your own voice."

Their music has given Louis, 30, a newfound perspective. "I like the ['Levanter'] lyric, 'I want to be myself, I don't care' — that line resonates with me because we live in a society where people try to mold you, but at the same time, I just want to myself and at this point, I really don't care!"

Best friends Ella and Jazlynn, both 19, met online through their mutual love of Stray Kids, and they've customized their light sticks with glitters and holographic stickers of their favorite members' names. "Half of the group is technically my age, so I can look at them and see how successful they are, and it gives me inspiration to work harder," Jazlynn says, an I.N banner at her side. And while they do feel comforted by the authenticity in the group's songs, as Ella explains, it's who they are off-stage that many fans connect with most. "When you see Felix do the Renegade, it's like, 'I do that too!'"

Their ability to ignite the stage with powerful performances while staying true to themselves behind the scenes — as both K-pop's reigning meme kings and young men navigating adulthood — is what makes Stray Kids so relatable to a generation that experiences much of their lives online. "This generation is comfortable being alone," Changbin says. "We have our phones. We don't always need to be talking to each other to be together. Sometimes a text is fine."

And they're pretty normal, too. Bang Chan and Changbin watch videos from Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival to help clear their minds in the studio; the tracks "Road Not Taken" and "Stop" are the direct results of such self-care. Han's idea of a perfect day would be to "not come out of my room for 24 hours." If he could spend all day watching YouTube videos, he would. In fact, he says "Sunshine" was inspired by a scene in the Korean drama Boys Over Flowers, where the main characters travel to an idyllic private island. Though Han’s larger-than-life presence dominates the stage, he identifies as an introvert and admits he hopes to "overcome" his shyness. "On my ideal perfect day, I'd try new experiences and meet new people comfortably," he says. "You can do it!" Bang Chan adds, encouragingly.

Youngest member I.N makes time to go shopping, though he prefers to "chill" on his days off. And when Felix isn't playing video games or destroying kitchens with Seungmin, he frequents Seoul's finest dog cafes. "We have so many dog lovers in our group," he says, smiling. "I've been looking at a lot of dogs, and I feel like they help you feel better. I really want a dog with the team." Jisung points at Seungmin, whose nickname is "puppy," and Bang Chan adds, "We already have one." Seungmin scrunches his nose and says, "No way!" (But Han insists he's a "really bad boy.")

Meanwhile, Hyunjin, who’s known by fans for his theatrics and commanding stage presence is extremely open with his emotions. He frequents V Live, where he offers personal advice to viewers of his video series Hyunjin’s Counseling Center. But the 19-year-old admits that opening up to Stay has helped him, too. "I don't always have a lot of confidence," he says. “When I want to be comforted or when I’m feeling kind of sad, Stay are really good at consoling me. I want to be able to repay that comfort in full."

"The connection between Stay and Stray Kids would be family," Felix adds. Han jokes that they're the "annoying and mischievous" little brothers. But it's that sense of connection, among the group as well as with their fans, that has cemented Stray Kids as the vital voices of their generation.

"The struggles we're going through — anxiety, stress, school, love — they tell us to take our time and see where our path leads," Selina says. "It's OK to stray from it. Just stay true to yourself. I always associate that with them. The idea of 'You Make Stray Kids Stay' is to find out what it is that grounds you and just keep going."

And Stray Kids don't plan to slow down any time soon. Having wrapped their Clé series at the end of last year with Levanter, 2020 offers an exciting fresh page for new musical experimentations, starting with the three original unit songs the group produced for the tour. "Wow" is a sexy R&B track from dancers Lee Know, Hyunjin, and Felix. It's also their first explicit love song. "We wanted to try a sexy song because it's a special stage," Hyunjin says, explaining that the dancers worked on their own lyrics in addition to helping with the slinky choreography. "We wanted to include moves that we haven't tried before," Lee Know adds, noting that they wanted something sexy and powerful. "So it was a new experience."

"My Universe," featuring vocalists Seungmin and I.N with an assist from Changbin, is a bright pop ballad. "I always wanted to try something like that," I.N says, eyes smiling. Seungmin tells Changbin from across the table, "Thanks for helping." And 3RACHA's "We Go" oozes confidence over a scorching trap beat. "We made 'We Go' last time we were here [in the United States]," Bang Chan says. "We made around three to four songs in one day… The performance is really fun as well. And those two [he points to Han and Changbin] got to have the chance to use Autotune live."

They also released their first English singles in January, a process that rapper Changbin, known for his furious flow, calls "difficult." ("It was fun," Hyunjin argues beside him.) "I was listening to Changbin's rap [in 'Double Knot'] like, 'Why is this so fast? What am I going to write?'" Bang Chan says. "I tried to write it as easy as possible so that he could speak it well. I'm really glad that they could record it really well for me."

In March, they'll debut in Japan. And there's another mixtape project in the works, kicked off by the digital release of "Gone Days," a relaxed, Autotune-laced anthem for the "OK Boomer" generation. A play on the Korean word kkondae, it describes someone who pushes outdated ideas and expectations onto another based only on their age and status — and signals the arrival of a bold new direction. "I think [young people] now just need to be more comfortable with themselves," Bang Chan says of his inspiration for the track. "By being yourself, you never know what's going to happen."

"I always believe that one person can change the world," he adds. "So if you have a thought or an idea, just let it out. Because who knows? You can make the world a much better place."

[theuniversitychallengereview]

UC 49.28-32, QF Mega-Blog

What better thing to do, when forced to stay at home during the outbreak of a global virus that threatens not only millions of peoples lives but the very fabric of society as we know it, than catch up on watching and writing about the quiz show whose previous four episodes you had missed for various reasons, all of which seem frivolous following the outbreak of a global virus that threatens not only millions of peoples lives but the very fabric of society as we know it. Also, I kept seeing that Twitter meme about Shakespeare having written King Lear during the plague quarantine and fancied getting involved.

Its also the only sport of any kind that can be found on TV for love nor money (apart from the Turkish Superlig, which for some reason thinks itself immune). Maybe the Premier League should try out pre-recording like the Challenge, for precisely this kind of situation. Just get Salah, De Bruyne and all the boys together for a few kick-abouts, film a few goals and slide tackles and all that, and keep the footage for a rainy day. Or send a camera round Serena Williams’ gaff, log a couple of serves and forehands, cut it together - BOOM, there’s your Wimbledon final if Greta decides tennis is too carbon-heavy.

All I’m saying is, you’ve never seen University Challenge postponed due to a  global virus that threatens not only millions of peoples lives but the very fabric of society as we know it (although, as I write this I’m realising that the recordings of next years show will probably be delayed. Shit)

Episode 28 - Courtauld vs Imperial

Whenever I’ve not written one of these for a while it takes me a while to figure out what the heck it is I’m doing. Like, what do I usually write about? How have I managed to put out 118 of these? Do you reckon Shakespeare felt the same way when he was between plays - would he sit down with his quill and parchment and wonder aloud, ‘What the fuck is an iambic pentameter and how do I find one?’ (If I 1: knew the answer to that question; and 2: could be bothered, then I would have written that question in iambic pentameter, but you should know by now you’re dealing with one lazy blogger).

Anyway, Imperial had blazed aside all before them in the opening two rounds, thanks in no small part to the efforts of mercurial star Brandon, whose laconic style has drawn unfair criticism as arrogance. Thats how it always goes with the social media juries though - if a contestant displays any level of confidence above the bare minimum then they’re too big for their boots. But then if they grin and seem really happy when they get an answer that’ll probably annoy some people too. Almost as if they can’t win and there’s no point playing this game to appease the kind of people who get annoyed at kids on quiz shows.

The Courtauld side fall into the grinning category. They all four of them seem genuinely delighted to be on the show, and even more delighted that they managed to win two matches and make it to the quarter finals - their second round defeat of Glasgow a particularly impressive performance.

Glasgow were a good side, but Imperial are a different gravy, and Courtauld, after a neg on the opening question, seem like rabbits in the headlights (when they should have been at home, the whole country’s on lockdown, dammit Peter!) as Brandon sycthes down question after question, fearful to fall further below zero in case they can’t make it back up again.

For a while it looked as though that might end up being the case, as Imperial pranced into a hundred point lead within six questions, but Haigh finally stopped the rot, and Courtauld would add some respectability over the rest of the episode. In truth, it was clear from that point onwards that the race had been run, and Brandon seemed to relax from thereon out, and his teammates picked up the slack, though that seems like doing them a disservice, as they all seem very accomplished in their own right.

Final Score: Courtauld 75 - 240 Imperial

Episode 29 - Trinity, Cam vs Corpus Christi, Cam

Right, on to the next, and for Ep 29 we had our first Cam-Cam slugfest of the series. There had already been plenty of Ox-Cam derbies of course, you can’t move for them half the time, but no inter-collegiate battles thus far. Whoever won would become the first side to reach the semi-finals, with Trinity having beaten Manchester and Corpus Wolfson in their respective opening quarter final clashes.

Stewart, who doesn’t look like he would be out of place in the Byzantine Empire, gets Corpus off the mark with ‘Byzantine’ (I have basically no idea what this comparison would actually mean, or if it is in fact a sick burn, but I feel like he has an old-timey medieval look about him and felt like this should not go unaddressed. Like, he wouldn’t look strange wearing a tunic, would he?).

Russell and Wang increased the lead before Hughes got Trinity into the game with what looked like a semi-guess on a maths-y starter. Paxman, who clearly enjoys toying with the Corpus captain, then gets Wang for the second match in a row with a double serving of Boomer sarcasm. When Wang rather dejectedly says, ‘Its not Isaac Asimov, is it? No’, the quizmaster further interrogates him as to whether he was giving a question or an answer, much in the way an irritating geography teacher would parrot ‘Of course you can go to the toilet, the question is whether or not you may’. He’s right though, and Corpus gobble up two more bonuses on sci-fi writers.

Another starter went to Stewart, and a first for Gunasekera. Corpus were starting to look comfortable, but a brief flurry from Trinity around the music round looks like it might bring them into contention. But that’s all it was, the briefest of flurries, like that random day in April or October where someone says ‘is it snowing?, and you all look out of the window, but before you can actually work out if it really was snowing or if it was some sort of white rain, its stopped.

Corpus stretch their legs now, and find themselves beyond two hundred points before Trinity turn themselves back on, which they eventually do, building up to a not-disgraceful 80 before the gong.

Final Score: Trinity 80 - 245 Corpus

Episode 30 - Manchester vs Wolfson, Ox

Because I do this on Tumblr, one of the most annoying things about doing this (and I know its dumb), and something that I think might subconsciously play into me not doing these more regularly, is that when I try and add the pictures of the teams to the post it quite often takes ages and sometimes causes the page to freeze so that I can’t save/post it. This problem is exacerbated when there are multiple episodes to get through, which makes it one of those snowballing problems that only gets worse the longer you leave it - like when you put off repying to an email until it becomes almost a monolithic entitiy in your mind. 

It only takes a few minutes to fix this - you copy and paste the text and then add the images in a different window (though there is another annoying thing where the hashtags don’t save anyway, so you have to retype the hashtags - and for some reason I always add loads of hashtags, including #JeremyPaxman - which also feels like it takes an epoch) - but its one of those few minute periods that feel like fifteen minutes. So basically, what I’m saying is that I can’t be assed adding the pictures to the post at this point. I might add them later, but for now you’re just getting words, so, so many rambling words. 

Manchester are back in the last eight for the first time in donkeys, but they stand on the precipice following a trouncing by Trinity in their QF-opener (I’ve already mentioned this in the last review, which normally wouldn’t matter, but since its directly above this one then it might seem a bit repetitive, but I don’t know if I can rely on your having remembered). Wolfson were likewise (likewise were? Are both okay) baeten by Corpus Christi (which is also referenced above, sorry) so this one was an ELIMINATOR!

Neither side seemed to realise this from the off though (I say though too much don’t I? If I had more time I’d probably edit a few down. But I’m doing a 5-episode mega-post so I don’t, though. Shit. Actually, that one was on purpose winky face) and sort of stumble through the first few questions with some atrocious work on the bonuses. 

Green thought he’d pulled a great answer out of the bag to kick start the match, but Fanny Burney Fanny Burnett is not, and Paxo decries the crowd for being amused at how close Green had come (they having let out a collective ‘oooh’, much in the same way their footballing equivalent may have done at a smashed crossbar). 

Even Jones, so electric in her previous appearances, was a bit slow off the mark tonight. On one occasion she even overruled her teammates conferred and agreed upon answer at the last moment, giving her own guess which they had dismissed, but fortunately for her they had both been wrong, so she did not look a fool.

Manchester were ahead, but couldn’t get far ahead. Wolfson were within touching distance, but couldn’t touch. Not until the very end that is. Caple took the final starter to draw them level and the gong sounded before th first bonus could be asked. DEADLOCK.

A #DEADLOCKELIMINATOR no less.

Paxman explains that a Neg on this question would hand victory to the other team without them lifting a buzzer-finger. He starts reading, no one buzzes. He continues to read. Everyone continues to not buzz. He carries on r- BUZZ. 

Manchester Rogers. Three words left on Paxo’s lips. He better be right. Kaiser Wilhelm. He isn’t. Otto Von Bismarck. An easy mistake to make, says Paxo. 

I reckon Wolfson would have picked up the drop anyway, but you can’t be sure.

My fellow UC blog, jacksonlinewritings, says that its the first time a neg has lost a tiebreak since 2002/03. 

Final Score: Manchester 125 - 130 Wolfson.

Episode 31 - Durham vs Imperial.

I don’t know if this is the first time I’ve written about the same team twice in one post before, but it may well be. Either way, you can (and probably already have) read everything I had to say about Imperial Brandon, my favourite contestant this series, further up this very page, so I don’t need to reiterate.

Durham’s Tams beats him to what I thought was a relatively easy starter on the Magna Carta (just spent a few minutes trying to come up with another word to rhyme with carta, thought it would be easy, but it was a bit harda). He gets the next one though (though) and his Captain Rich the third to give them the lead. Their opponents proved a tougher nut to crack than Courtauld though (though, and I’m not doing this on purpose. I’m just not removing them when I probably should be. They’re all coming up naturally. This is just how much I apparently use the word. If there are any others then please let me know) and cling on whenever Brandon threatens to zoom away.

Please forgive me for going on about Brandon, by the way. He’s just (I think ‘just’ is probably one, and probably ‘probably’ too) so captivating to watch. There were several times in this episode when I stopped watching the whole screen during a starter and focussed on him, expecting him to buzz in, which he duly did. Especially on the starters which are that bit more important, when Durham were (I need to do something about my tenses too, they’re all over the shop) threatening to make a comeback, you could feel certain that he was going to get it.

When the game has been won, he relaxes, so his personal scores haven’t been as high as those of others in past series, but he hasn’t needed to get more than he has done, so why would he bother? I expect if a team were to push Imperial close over a whole match then he’d easily post double figures.

Imperial join Corpus Christi in the semis. Durham live to fight another day.

Final Score: Durham 115 - 185 Imperial

Episode 32 - Jesus, Ox vs Courtauld

Phew! I’ve never written four in a night before. That was quite something. Wait, whats that, I have another one to go? Okay, lets do this - an advance warning, this one will probably (probably! Why do I feel the need to never be absolute about anything. I know for certain that this will be very short, so why must I try and placate some imaginary reader who might scold me for its being so?) be very short.

So, another ELIMINATOR. Courtauld were my favourite team of the series, but I harboured little hope for them, after such a crushing defeat by Imperial last time out, and Jesus were quick to crush what little I had left. Lucy Clarke, who absolutely relishes a buzz on the opening starter of a match, came in with an early buzz, as is her wont, and fortunately for the Oxonians she was right this time. She got the next one too, and Jesus were 45 up.

Three in a row for Courtauld captain Prance, who looks shocked every time he gets a starter correct, despite the fact that when he got the third of this hat-trick, he had quite clearly proved to himself that he knows how to answer starter questions by the fact that (the fact that Ducks, Newburyport) he had got the previous two. They were ahead now. Dare I dream?

No, I daren’t. Jesus quickly stole it back, and did not let it go. Courtauld stayed fairly close, but could never again broach the gap, struggling on the bonus questions whenever they got in. Perhaps on another night they might have stood a better chance (with a bonus set on collage art, which Paxman reckoned they would have knocked out of the park, going to Jesus), but tonight (its not tonight at all is it, not for me and not for you) was not their night.

And breathe...

Final Score: Jesus, Ox 135 - 90 Courtauld

If you’ve stuck with me through all of this, I’m frankly amazed. Thank you, and if you need something to do during self-isolation, there are like 6 whole series of the Challenge on YouTube. I haven’t reviewed them all, but thats probably for the best though.

[ayanak-archive]

Arcs and Eps Allura Deserved

A lot of what bothered me about Voltron while I was watching and for the most part genuinely enjoying it is that I kept getting let down by what seemed like obvious groundwork just never getting followed up on, particularly concerning Allura.

It felt like they were setting up great things and time after time I’d get excited for them to happen and let down when they didn’t... so below are some examples of stuff Allura should have done in Voltron, that would have felt more natural than the show’s actual progression. I think the show held me so long because I thought there was no way these things weren’t gonna happen... until they didn’t.

The Balmera / Haggar / The Black Lion / Zethrid / Zarkon and the Original Paladins / Romelle and the Colony

The Balmera:

We’ll start light. One of Allura’s first displays of both her power and heart was right in the first season, when she healed the entire Balmera planet. It was a great character-establishing moment, and a really good episode.

The very next season, Allura returns to the Balmera alone, and the creature they subdued the last time comes alive. I was very excited; I was sure that it was going to be an Allura-centric episode about her defeating the Ro-Beast, especially since it followed several paladin-focused episodes, as well as an episode where Coran makes Allura stay on the ship for her safety (Space Mall).

It would have been a great call-back to season one, as well as a great character-building moment for Allura to have solved this problem by working with the Balmerans to protect the planet once again. Instead, Voltron swoops in immediately and hits it a bit. Yawn.

Haggar:

Probably my biggest pet peeve of the show at any time was that Allura and Haggar were not more obvious foils of each other, or at least that their arcs weren’t more tied.

I had picked up some pretty clear foreshadowing in Season 1 that Allura was going to fight Haggar later, which turned out to be true the very next season, but didn’t feel tied enough to their prior interactions. The foreshadowing in question was the scene where Shiro and Hunk are fooled by Haggar’s mirrored self trick, something Allura sees immediately through. A good tie-in would have been for them to fight one-one-one, long enough for Haggar to realize her normal methods weren’t going to work on Allura, and they could have referenced the scene where Allura blindly charges at Zarkon, stopped easily by Haggar. Instead, Allura hits her a couple times and deflects one blast of dark magic. The magic was significant in its own moment, but the scene did not tie backwards at all, when it easily could have.

Tie-ins to earlier episodes aside, the show generally missed the opportunity to tie into its own backstory with Haggar and Allura. Even before the reveal about Honerva, Haggar being Altean was already a significant detail that surely should have made Allura way more occupied with her than she was. I remember listening for the moment when Allura would tell Coran that the Witch was a surviving member of their species, but instead she kind of mentions it in passing to the paladins and moves on. She mentions Haggar from time to time, but while the writers found it important that Keith have significant interactions with other Galra, they didn’t seem to think Allura should care as much about her own Altean history.

The Black Lion:

The Black Lion arc was a very previously debated one, so I’m sure I’m not saying anything new with my opinion that while the switcheroo worked OK, it was kind of dumb. Even if you still wanted Keith to man the Black Lion, why would they specifically set up Alfor as the Red Paladin only to give that role to Lance, especially after making a point to say that Lance really liked being the Blue Paladin. I’d support putting her in the Red Lion with the opinion that the purposeful arc was Allura learning to take a step down from being the princess and learn to follow as part of a team, but really it just seemed like an insult that she never got to lead her own people, and now her limited role in leading the paladins as pilot of the Castle was being stripped from her as well.

It would have been a much better arc for Allura to take control of the Black Lion, assuming she was already prepared to lead, as she was meant to lead her planet someday. In the process, she learns she has a lot of work to do, and finds herself earning her title as a leader, instead of it just being expected of her.

For the episodes when Keith was gone, Allura can willingly surrender the Black Lion to Shiro, proudly piloting her father’s lion in the meantime. Add some extra depth when she’s piloting Black by giving her some angst about Zarkon, who she has a clear desire to kill; she had no interesting backstory around the Blue Paladin, but she did around both Red and Black, yet she got neither.

Zethrid:

I’ll jump back to a less deep one for a minute. Why did Allura not fight Zethrid!! It’s basic interesting writing that when one crazy strong woman says she’s gonna fight another crazy strong woman that those two crazy strong women should fight!! They left me hanging for seasons on this one guys. I didn’t even consider that Zethrid had died in season 7 because she hadn’t fought Allura yet. Allura never fights her but you know who does, twice? Keith! Why does Keith get all of Lotor’s generals. And most of the other big plotlines that should go to Allura...

Zarkon & the Original Paladins:

I’m not sure how much to write on this one except that you’d think Allura having known the original paladins would have come up more. We get that she was close to her father, but don’t even learn he was the Red Paladin for ages. She’s angry at Zarkon, and clearly feels betrayed, but the fact that he might have been a friendly figure in her childhood before killing her father is not really brought up. She also doesn’t really reference much about any of the other paladins, despite presumably knowing them her whole life.

Romelle & the Colony:

I feel very strongly that Allura’s arc should have ended with her ruling the Colony. She proved she was a good leader in the absence of having anyone to rule, in her goal to avenge her people by preventing what happened to them from happening to anyone else. She has genuine compassion and caring, as well as good diplomacy skills. Had she led Voltron, they could have tied in her gained leadership rules as helping her to become a better leader than she was at the start of the show.

Instead, everyone kind of ignores her every time she expresses a desire to make sure her people aren’t being wiped out for the second time, and the show kind of leaves it at that. Lotor rules her people, and Haggar rules her people, but since Lotor’s rule was all backstory and they didn’t work hard enough to tie Haggar and Allura together until kind of at the very end of the show, it didn’t really mean anything.

She doesn’t even really interact with Romelle all that much. She trusted her enough to turn on Lotor, but other than that we got very little meaningful interaction with the two of them. She wasn’t even lobbying to have Romelle travel with her on their journey back to earth. You’re telling me Allura, who was excited to have being a girl in common with Pidge, was not visibly excited to meet another Altean woman her age??

I’m sure there’s so many more I could think of if I watched the show again, but nothing demonstrates to me more that the show didn’t give enough of a crap about Allura than thinking of all the times that I was sure she was going to be involved in a plot point and she wasn’t. Feel free to continue discussions in reblogs or reply with more examples.

[cancerously]

A Guide to The Adventure Zone metaplot

So recently, I re-listened to the entirety of TAZ in prep for the ending and took notes; as we head into the finale next week, I wanted to share them! This is a comprehensive look at every plot thread, bit of foreshadowing, and yet-unresolved ideas as we head into endgame. This involves heavy spoilers through the most recent episode (66) and assumes you have already listened or read the content before.

The full is under the cut!

A QUICK NOTE: Transcripts of every episode can be found here, and while I didn’t include timestamps, the “front/back half” description here refers to before or after the ad break, which the transcripts note the location of.

Without further ado, we start with...

Episode 5 (Here There Be Gerblins: Chapter Four), the first half- Taako gets the Umbra Staff; it’s funny to note it chucked Merle across the room first, and also that Taako whiffs a fucking arcana check on it and just eats a bit of the robe, which will probably never come up again but in my heart of hearts it was. Also, Merle's first Zone of Truth and the first time the Bureau is mentioned.

Episode 7 (Moonlighting: Chapter One), the second half- Intro of the Voidfish, Johann, and the specifications of the first inoculation. Lots of tiny tiny details about the Relic War. I’d give specific timestamps but I really just rec reading the transcript in full from the Voidfish intro on. Episode 8 (Moonlighting: Chapter Two), the first half- Lucretia's intro! Again, lots of tiny details, though the characterization here is all over the place because the boys don't know what the hell they're doing yet. Regardless, the important thing here is what Lucretia tells them about the relics, the war, and the timeline- and with what we now know from the future, she’s telling the (partial) truth. (Taako also makes a joke about the last relic being Love, which is funny re: ep 60 and the way the Starblaster works as powered by bonds). The second half isn't as important, but it DOES involve Magnus' first robot arm-ripping AND the first time the Umbra Staff responds to Taako; important to note that it’s described as "warm". Episode 17 (Lunar Interlude I: Carnival Chaos), the first half- What we now know to be the first appearance of the Hunger's scouts at the carnival- it’s never explicitly explained, but I believe the effect was so prominent because the Moonbase isn’t on the ground and therefore closer to the edges of the plane. It’s important to keep in note Lucretia's reactions to all of this; episode 17 takes place a week after the boys bring back the second relic, and adding that to Lucretia’s staff, having 3/7 relics means almost half the Light was assembled and that’s as much as the Hunger needed to find this plane- which starts our timeline of a year until episode 59. Episode 18 (Petals To The Metal- Chapter One), the second half (though honestly just the last 5 minutes)- Taako Blinks into the ethereal plane for the first time, and the Hunger is there, watching (as we see mentioned later during Stolen Century). It’s important to note that Griffin mentions later in ep 28 that the Petals arc only took place a few days after the Midsummer Festival.

Episode 27 (Petals To The Metal- Chapter Ten), the second half (Sloane's fight onward to the end)- A few interesting things here. One, Taako's Extra Big Fireball from the umbra staff is of note; it could be the Arcane Core but it's just as likely Lup's first influence (if we don’t count it responding to him in ep 8). Also, the last 10ish minutes with Captn. Bane and the first appearance of Lich Barry. The verbiage here is of specific note- he describes the pull to the Relics as a "hunger". Episode 28 (Lunar Interlude II- Internal Affairs), all- This is where Griffin has obviously finished the plot and where he intends to start putting the work in motion towards the overarching plot. There’s a LOT of schtick to parse through at the start but what’s primarily important is what Lucretia says about the red robes- that they’re ones who created the Relics, and never to even speak to them- isn’t technically a lie. We also know that the 2 days the boys were gone is when Barry took over Pringles to get into the moonbase, and from there on out was kicked off through magic- likely why he went to approach them directly before they made it back. Also, ANGUS MCDONALD BOY DETECTIVE’S REAPPEARANCE I’m sorry I love him so much I had to mention him somewhere. There’s also a lot of Voidfish info here- Johann's speech (about being forgotten, the Voidfish's first response to Magnus (WHICH KICKS MY WHOLE ASS WITH EMOTION) and its song, and Lucas' jab of "What if it reproduces asexually and pops out a baby that makes us forget about it???" Ha. Haha. Ha. The second half is all character building, but it IS the first mention of the Flaming Poisoning Raging Sword of Doom and the fucking Glutton's Fork which continues to haunt me for all the vore it added to this podcast. The actual important thing here is the end of this episode is where Garfield makes off with Magnus' shield... and blood, so that’s our timeline on the vat in the back (a full year, since Petals took only a few days after the Midsummer Festival). Episode 29 (Crystal Kingdom- Chapter One), in the middle before the break- The IPRE badges under the Candlenights tree. While it’s possible Barry left them somehow when he was possessing Pringles there’s still no good answer as to how these got here and it just Never Comes Up Ever Again. This is also where we learn Lucretia's name, and it’s important to note her reaction to people using it- especially the boys, in the sharp way we see her try and disconnect. This is also the first time we ever see her writing in her journals. Episode 35 (Crystal Kingdom- Chapter Seven), all - The Cosmoscope. Our first explanation of planes, other worlds, and “possibly” planetary travel, and is important for noting how Griffin describes the planar system. Also, Barry again, who continues to use the phrase "hunger of all living things" and "the light of creation itself" and I'm a little mad I didn't put THAT one together until writing this. Additionally, Barry's noticing of the umbrella and Lup- "You found her", before he's wreathed in flames (which is likely what Paloma refers to in her later prophecy to Taako in episode 49). Noelle also has her subsequent lich scanning, of catching Barry... but also possibly Lup, as it’s the same wording Kravitz uses later in episode 50 when the Umbra Staff starts to respond. One of the mirrors in Lucas' trash bin, as well, had the Hunger scout's eyes inside- Black Opal, that “didn’t resonate with any planes”; Griffin later describes the Hunger as the 13th plane, and Magnus took this mirror, so maybe it can be put to use later on. Episode 38 (Crystal Kingdom- Chapter Ten), in the middle- Kravitz' discussion of how many times the boys have died- Taako (8), Magnus (19), and Merle (57). Magnus says "he think he'd remember" if he died that many times- again, Ha, Haha, Ha. Also, if you're looking for fun, Magnus eats the fucking Philosopher's Stone in the last 15 minutes.

Episode 39 (Crystal Kingdom- Chapter Eleven), the second half- The big thing here is obviously Maureen's Prophecy at the end and the setup for our 7 person team, as follows: The Twins (Lup and Taako), The Lover (Barry), The Protector (Magnus), The Lonely Journal Keeper (Lucretia), The Peacemaker (Merle) and The Wordless One (Davenport). This also sets the groundwork for the Voidfish only being able to erase things from living creatures (a la Barry's Lich form knowing things outside of his body he can't know in flesh unless inoculated). Additionally, Lucretia's bit about the destruction of the cities informs her character and motivation a LOT and I feel is important for understanding that (especially since, from the things we hear in episode 66, all the incidents mentioned are primarily things that happened to the boys’ relics). It's also entirely not relevant to the metaplot, but getting the Philosopher's Stone out of Magnus here is such a good bit. Episode 40 (Lunar Interlude III- Rest and Relaxation), all, esp. the end of Taako's and Merle's segments in the first half- The end of Taako's segment has the Umbra Staff burning L U P in the wall- which he doesn't recognize at all and it  kills me all the time. Its also interesting that the cantrip Angus casts right before that scene is Produce Flame. This may also be where Angus starts investigating the Bureau as a whole and starting to figure things out as he mentions in episode 59. Aside from that, all the boys have important character builders here, but at the end of Merle's talk, Lucretia's note about her adventuring days is very telling- how she "lost dear friends over her choice, but it was the only one to make". This is one of the clips referenced in Lucretia’s bit in episode 66 and it just ends me. Also, again, no relevance to the plot, but the Leon bit here is my favorite one the boys have ever done with the candies. I just fuckin' lose it. Episode 41 (The Eleventh Hour- Chapter One), the very beginning and very end- Griffin drops some Voidfish info, and there’s a little reaction during Boyland's remembrance rights that might be important (about how the Voidfish processes information) Remember- the Voidfish can help the brain implant info, as well as erase it, as we see played with later in episode 64. Also the tiny line at the end from June as the boys enter Refuge- "It's you" as she recognizes Magnus. Episode 42 (The Eleventh Hour- Chapter Two), the very beginning and very end- Tiny bit of discussion regarding the Red Robe when the boys enter Refuge and see the statue. The other thing of note is what Griffin says as the first loop in Refuge comes to an end- "There’s something about the dying that’s familiar." There's been a lot of Istus associations with the planar jumps, but this could also be a reference to Magnus being the one who made the Chalice. Regardless, this was an important early plot call-out. Episode 45 (The Eleventh Hour- Chapter Five), the middle (right before the ad break)- Paloma's Big Prophecy from the black crystal- its description is the exact wording Griffin uses to describe the Hunger later, and describes two things we see in the future, the "sea of tar" from the Astral Plane (episode 57), and the ash being a destroyed world minus the Light of Creation (episode 61). Paloma’s words to Taako being “Remember: there is always a third option”. This is one of the BIGGEST unresolved plot threads heading into the finale and should be kept heavily in mind as the setup for endgame. We may have gotten a reference to it again in episode 66, from Magnus, but it’s uncertain. Episode 47 (The Eleventh Hour- Chapter Seven), the first half with Istus and also the very end- Meeting Istus!  This entire scene is important but things to note here: she mentions the boys don't exist in other iterations of the multiverse, and mentions they have been her agents for "a long time", likely discussing the Hunger, though it's unclear if she even knows the full extent of it as she seems baffled by their existence. We don’t have a clear idea of if the gods exist over the entire multiverse or there’s different iterations for each plane. Also, gods say fuck, and that is wonderful. Its also important to remember what she gives the boys: Merle's time travel orb (which has not been used), Taako's bag of necessity (which ABSOLUTELY still hasn't been opened) and of course, Magnus' Chance Lance. The final thing here- Istus disappearing and saying she can grant them the time to make "a difficult decision" in the future; this is also unresolved going into endgame. Also, at the very end, the Temporal Chalice speaks of being The Light Of Creation. Its our first insight into the Relics being linked, and it's an important note that these things REMEMBER a time before this plane, and therefore have some form of sentience; this may also come into play with the final confrontation with the Hunger. Episode 48 (The Eleventh Hour- Chapter Eight), the first half- The big backstory episode! The jumping-off point is obviously all the static in the boy’s memories which helps us establish exactly when the boys arrive/what takes place before and after the war. This is where we get our solidified timeline- Griffin mentions in Magnus' part the static is "about 12 years ago", and Julia's death was "5 or 6" years ago. It should also be noted Taako's extra pockets of static forgetting, which is of course Lup. It’s also funny to note at the end of the ep that the boys mention missing Barry and being "genuinely regretful" that he died in Phandalin, which at this point was definitely a joke but great accidental foreshadowing, guys. Episode 49 (The Eleventh Hour- Chapter Nine), the second half- Lich Barry's back! With the whole "do you trust me" scene, where we hear Barry's voice as he tries to address Lup- from what we’ve seen, it seems less like he knew she was in the Staff, and more trying to reach out in a desperate attempt to keep his Lich form together. He also talks about the Hunger again. Also, Paloma has one more prophecy for Taako: "In your hour of greatest need, you will find the power that you seek from the man wreathed in flames." This is likely referring to Barry as he burned in ep 35, and this may be an allusion to trusting him. Also there’s the last 6 minute epilogue- Magnus' scroll (revealing he’s a Red Robe and made the Chalice), Merle noticing the stars beginning to go out (now that we’re about 2/3rds of the way through the year since episode 17), and Kravitz is back, which I adore but has little significance to the metaplot. Episode 50 (Lunar Interlude IV- The Calm Before The Storm), the first half- The end of Taako's date (with the Umbra Staff attacking Kravitz), the end of Merle's section (Lich Barry saving Merle's kids) and Magnus' whole character section for the Voidfish swim. Griffin hammers VERY hard on Mavis being 12 in Merle's section, and not much older than Mookie, and this is further defined proof from what we hear in episode 66 about being in this plane for 12 years. Meanwhile, the Kravitz section relates to Lup being in or controlling the umbrella (which seems more like controlling, from what we hear in episode 58), and Magnus' section is our big "there's a second Voidfish" reveal, along with the visions from the Voidfish (that we now know are the actions Magnus takes in ep 64). This is another one where I just advocate reading the entire transcript/relistening to the whole section because it’s full of little details. Also, again, no real big plot relevance, but Taako cons Garfield out of the sword at the end, and I laugh until I cry every fucking time. I also adore the implications that to regrow the Magnus Body, Garfield needed some Real Magnus Sideburns for the vat. He takes blood, skin, and sideburn. The three things you need for a genuine Magnus. Episode 51 (The Suffering Game- Chapter One), the first half and a bit at the end- Now we're getting into the shit; Lucretia sends them out TWO DAYS before the next midsummer, as close as she can manage to not sending them to Wonderland at all before the Hunger's arrival, and only after rigorous training. She is genuinely scared that this is where she’ll lose them, where it felled her. We also get the age reveal for Lucretia, and Magnus breaks in to see Robbie and figures out he was possessed by Lich Barry. This is also where Merle's spells start going fucky, as the Hunger starts to assault the surrounding planes (including the plane where the Gods reside). Episode 53 (The Suffering Game- Chapter Three), the first half- Taako sees the Hunger's scouts in the Ethereal Plane; it’s all over, as compared to the bits of it in episode 18, signifying its closeness to the plane. Plus, Cam's later discussion of liches is our first look at knowing about Barry and Lup’s physical state, and the whole "trust Barry, love Barry" sequence in episode 58 sustaining his soul, even in a mortal body. Episode 56 (The Suffering Game- Chapter Six), a bit at the front, a bit at the back- There’s a lot of unmentioned stuff Barry is doing here that’s largely unimportant, but the thing to notice is Merle's call to Pan- he’s not answering, he’s not there. We know that due to timeline the boys spend less than a day in Wonderland so this is incredibly quick. Later, we get a note how Edward and Lydia used necromancy to make Wonderland- obviously, Barry has to be a necromancer to be a lich, but this is our foreshadowing about the Bell being his relic. There’s also the scene of seeing the astral plane covered in that tar when Taako saves Magnus during Arms Outstretched, just as Paloma predicted in ep 45, where Kravitz is having a no good terrible bad time.

**NOTE: From here on out, descriptions will be referring to whole episodes.** Episode 57 (The Suffering Game- Chapter Seven)- We're IN it now; from here on out we’re looking at full episodes of straight plot. Magnus' visions are important details to the world everyone came from (2 suns, purple sky), plus that the Chalice is absolutely Magnus' relic. Also, of course, The Barry Bluejeans Reveal. We also have the hammering home of how little time the boys spent in Wonderland, since Barry says “tomorrow will be fateful” for the Hunger landing, so it had to be less than a day. Theres also Magnus' other visions: the Starblaster escaping a plane and the Voidfish and a book- what we now know to be the last time Magnus saw the Voidfish as Lucretia erased his memory in episode 66. Episode 58 (Lunar Interlude V- Reunion Tour)- Damn near Everything. Barry's story is the most important at the start- our knowledge that he doesn’t know where Lup is. There’s also the heavy implications here that Lucretia has the ship (though she may not anymore). There’s so much here to unpack I advocate just listening to the whole sequence This is also important to detail how Barry thinks of what happened between him and Lucretia- he says she "vilified" him, obviously very hurt by Lucretia taking this into her own hands. My original notes (before ep 66 dropped) involved thinking of Barry and Lup running off together and it hurts, my heart hurts, everything hurts. And speaking of my heart hurting, there’s Lup's interjection from the Band of Telepathic Thought, detailed as “coming from a cave a few hundred meters away”; Griffin specifically said that Barry’s cave in this episode was VERY close to WaveEcho Cave, implying that not only is Lup alive in her Lich form, she’s not IN the umbrella- just controlling it. Theres also Kravitz in the Astral Plane, which is important to see how the Hunger is taking down the other planes in the system. The very last sentence of this ep may also be John's first technical appearance in the podcast as we formally meet The Hunger. Episode 59 (Lunar Interlude V- Reunion Tour- Part Two)- What ISN’T happening here, to be honest. Magnus' voidfish swim (which we now know to be ep 64's contents), the reveal Lucretia isn’t destroying the relics and what she voidfished, the whole thing about everyone being from another world, LUP,  DAVENPORT, JUST. ALL, CHRIST, ALL OF IT. This is honestly the episode where so much pops off I can't make like play-by-play things because there is just Way too much content. If you're looking for a Very quick thing to refresh post-Stolen Century, listen to Lucretia's ending speech, and the epilogue at the very end after the MaxFun plug, but we all know this one is just Shit Pops Off: The Episode. Episode 60 (The Stolen Century- Chapter One)- Again, so much. A few cliff notes- this is where we learn the Light of Creation fell in that world a year before, so with the Hunger coming they just got very very lucky (and/or here comes Istus to preserve like, all life and fate). Davenport's discussion of bonds is also important, and likely a good allusion to how the endgame is gonna play out- "Bonds are what power this ship, and its what’s going to allow us to go to places we never even dreamed of." (funny ref: Taako's power of love joke in ep 7. Accidental foreshadowing is so good.) There’s also the realization of no permanent deaths right at the end here. Episode 61 (The Stolen Century- Chapter Two)- We find out our basic tenants of the journey- the Light falls when they arrive, a few days later the scouts appear, The Hunger comes 1 year later, and if they can't pick up the Light, the plane is destroyed and the Hunger gets stronger. This is also where it’s named (thanks Lucretia). I love this episode when it comes to character building and solid character choices- Merle's chronicling and the congregation at the end of the mushroom cycle, plus Lup and Taako's argument with the robots are fantastic example of what sets them apart. This is around the time the Mcelroys start acting really really hard and it has not stopped killing me. Also, "light them the fuck up" and "she thinks of her friends, and she prays for sunrise" ruin me completely. I want to say  Lup also puts forward what feels like a lot of foreshadowing for her survival- pushing on how she believes those consumed by the Hunger can be saved. Griffin Mcelroy, you owe me one Lup, and I plan to collect. You better believe, Griffin Mcelroy. Episode 63 (The Stolen Century- Chapter Four) - The obvious most important parts here is the Parlay technique- Merle's communications with The Hunger, aka John, and what he wants/how the Hunger came to be (and of course, what Merle holds important to him in their journey). This also seals down Merle's role as The Peacekeeper in the prophecy. The verbiage here that Griffin uses is important- that John is tying planes on through bonds, and bonds are what give it power, in the same way the ship uses bonds to jump from plane to plane. It should be noted this episode starts at cycle 30 and goes to 47 (tho Griffin also says Merle is killed "a few dozen times", so it’s likely episode 64 happens before the final scene with John). Other things to note- Taako's food bond, which is yet unresolved, and better not be the Taco Quest so help me god. (My gay heart is hopeful for Kravitz.) UPDATE: A keen-eared listener pointed out this scene is underscored with the track The Cosmoscope- supposedly the song playing when Kravitz appears in the mirror. I haven’t confirmed this myself, but I WANT TO BELIEVE. Episode 64 (The Stolen Century- Chapter Five)- [bangs fists on table] VOIDFISH EPISODE VOIDFISH EPISODE VOIDFISH EPISODE!!!!!!!! I'm mad at how balls-to-the-wall Travis is about this characterization and how much it kicks MY ENTIRE ASS. Important things here: the other Voidfish are gone, absorbed into the Hunger; Lucretia learns about inoculation here and absolutely keeps it a secret, and that the Voidfish can directly implant memories, not just erase them, though it is unknown why the Voidfish doesn't do this in their plane. It’s possible they can’t outside of the plane it was made in (though that seems unlikely), or that it requires more Voidfish to do? But I think this should be kept in mind as a potential future option for undoing the second inoculation. I also just adore that Davenport sings? It has nothing to do with fucking anything but I love that he does it’s just Good. We also see the possible coining of Magnus’ tried-and-true line; Magnus rushes in. Episode 65 (The Stolen Century- Chapter Six)- The entire trial scene is pretty important character building here, but the very end is the most important (with the long overlapping prophecy), “The six of you will fall short of glory, so it is known, and so it has always been known". Plus, Lucretia's segment about creating a “barrier” is the start of her plan as referenced later in episode 66. Griffin gives more specifications of how the Voidfish works as well, with remembering the action, not the information. Also, we finally have Lup and Barry becoming liches- and Taako being the main thing that anchors Lup to herself, not just Barry, probably explaining why the Umbra Staff has been responsive to only him Episode 66 (The Stolen Century- Chapter Seven)- This episode is all timeline breakdown. We start with the magical items for the boys (Taako's Krebstar magic glave, Merle's Gilley stick, and Magnus' Bearface helmet snd "#2thnecklace" pendant which will be coming back quickly). We also now know Lup made the Umbra Staff. This is where we get the ideas for the Relics, too- we know it was Barry and Lup's idea, and everyone agrees, but Lucretia, who was working on a barrier (as referenced in ep 65). There’s an interesting line in this conversation- Magnus wishes they had “a third option” of beating the Hunger and killing it. While we can’t promise proper forshadowing from the Boys since Griffin wrote the end, it would make sense if he’s referring to Paloma’s Prophecy to Taako in episode 45. We also have proof of who made which relic- the Phoenix Fire Gauntlet (Lup), the Oculus (Davenport), the Gaia Sash (Merle), the Philosopher's Stone (Taako), the Temporal Chalice (Magnus), the Animus Bell (Barry), and the Bulwark Staff (Lucretia); I pick this spelling in particular because a “bulwark” is a defensive wall, but can also be used to refer to “an extension of a ship's sides above the level of the deck.”. I also just love Griffin trying to retcon Merle's family to cover his ass from the Gerblins arc. Everything else is final timeline clarification- it’s 10 months after they land in this plane until the Relic War starts, and goes another 10 months past that until Lup disappears; Lucretia then erases everyone’s memories 4 months later, at the 2 year mark. leaving a 12 year timeline in this cycle, as suspected in ep 50. We have confirmation that Lucretia found out about innovation in episode 64 too. The end of this ep is the final timeline breakdown- Lucretia placing everyone in these worlds, spending 8.5 years recovering the staff and creating the Bureau, half a year until the Voidfish makes the baby, and then a year on the timeline of the rest of the podcast. And now we're back in it, right where ep 59 left us, ready for it to all pop off.

I hope this helps in your relistening and prep for the finale! This is it, everyone!

[thisisevenharderthannamingablog]

6.12 Murder Most Foul

Quite the divisive episode this turned out to be. I admit, I had discarded the theory that they were going to go with Killian as the murderer, and although they obviously will resolve it, I can’t fathom how they might do so without feeling cheap.

That wrinkle aside, this was a far better episode than either of the ones preceding it. (Hell, the inclusion of badass Ruth alone lifted it over that bar.)

In the past: Robert and Ruth face a terrible decision. The twins are sick and will not survive the oncoming winter without medicine they cannot afford. Rumplestiltskin has a deal: give up one twin to be adopted by King George, and both can live. The choice is made by a coin toss. David stays; James goes.

Years later, drunk and broke in a tavern, Robert gets slapped in the face by opportunity when King George shows up. His son has gone missing, and whoever returns him will be richly rewarded. Robert bids farewell to his family, promises that he return to them as his true and whole self, and goes to Rumple for James’ location: Pleasure Island.

In this land of exotic temptation, Robert finds James with some help from Pinocchio. Robert proposes to take him home to his birth family. James does not like George, and is happy to agree, but of course they are intercepted before they can leave the island. Robert’s attempt at defiance avails nothing. James is whisked back off to the palace; Robert is whisked off to be disposed of by some of George’s soldiers.

Killian happens along and kills the soldiers and Robert for Reasons.  

In the present: Everyone celebrates Emma’s victory. Later, outside the house, David sees his father’s ghost, reviving his determination to find out how he really died (see 6.03). Snow is not around to urge him to give it up; he recruits Killian into helping him.

Killian, meanwhile, is most concerned with how to ask David for his blessing before he proposes to Emma, and goes along with the plan mainly it seems in order to keep David out of too much trouble.

Meanwhile, Regina comes to reluctant grips with the fact that this Robin is not her Robin but a very different man who really really wants to kill Nottingham and also he kisses weird, and that she may have made a mistake bringing him to Storybrooke.

Zelena shows up just long enough to warn Regina against letting him think that he has any claim on Robyn. Robin steals some “powerful” stuff from Regina’s vault.

While Killian distracts Emma, David steals some magical supplies. He and Killian make a potion to work out where the coin was the day Robert died, giving them the Pleasure Island connection; they visit August. August confirms that Robert was there for James, and that he was sober. He also mentions that he didn’t put all of his own story into Henry’s storybook; there are a few pages he kept back, and if he can find them, they may have more information about Robert.

Charming concludes that George must have killed Robert. He cuffs Hook to a bike rack and goes off to confront his twin’s adoptive father. George admits to having ordered Robert’s death. David gives George a knife and demands that he fight for his worthless life. Killian intervenes (so much for that cuff! Emma probably gave him a key), and a second, more intense confrontation ensues, this one over the question of what man David wants to be. Charming breaks down and abandons his murderous quest.

Later that night, at the docks, David tosses the coin into the water; his father’s ghost is put to rest. Killian joins him and asks his blessing to ask Emma to marry him, which is granted (duh). Ring in hand, Killian heads home, only to be stopped by August, who found those pages of the storybook. Those happen to show Robert’s face... which Killian recognizes as being that guy he killed that one time.

Buzz well and truly killed, thanks a bunch, August.

Parallels: Robert and Charming are both presented as having lost their way, their families in danger of destruction. Both men must face a choice and remain true to themselves. Robert is aided in this by a regretful Rumple, and Charming by Killian.

The title of the episode is a reference to Hamlet, although it’s a bit of a stretch to say the least. They both involve the ghost of a murdered father. (Given what we know about the Underworld, does this mean that Arthur has the phones running again?)  

Robert’s ghost says, “Family is everything,” a line used by King George to Snow in 2.03.

The Pleasure Island location is from Pinocchio, and referenced in the page August was typing in the end of 6.11. Pinocchio plays a guide role in both halves of the story -- a reluctant, lying guide in the past, and a more mature and rueful one in the present.  

Charming being six at this time, since Pinocchio became a real boy at most a couple of years before the Dark Curse, at which point I would guesstimate Charming was supposed to be around 20, that’s at least a decade of wooden-Pinocchio shenanigans for Gepetto to endure. Yikes.

Representing fate with a coin toss is a very old mechanism. I love when this show gets all classic with its symbolism.  

Wardrobe Department:

In Hindsight: The setup represents a bit of a retcon to the twin-trading dilemma as originally given by Ruth back in S2, but I can live with it. George is now responsible for ordering the deaths of both of Charming’s parents, which seems worth promoting him from enemy to nemesis.

We never find out the name of George’s queen -- presumably she had died by the time of the episode’s main action -- but that emphasizes how exclusively this plot is focused on fathers and sons, a theme that will carry through into 6.13 with Rumple and Gideon. “Family is everything” might as well be the theme of the show.

I really liked Robert appearing at Rumple’s place with nothing to pay; it puts the scene on an entirely different footing than their first encounter, and if it does not entirely remove the transactional element -- “You owe me” -- it does alter the resonance. This is not about money, not about anything material, not even about life or death, but about fatherhood in its purest form, the need to protect one’s child. That is a uniquely potent approach with Rumple in this context. (Of course the whole situation was Rumple’s connivance to begin with, but I think that by virtue of Robert being willing to make the deal, Rumple would argue that Robert deserved to be treated that way before.)

Having Zelena show up to deliver a patently obvious piece of information -- since Robyn is not his child by any definition, the entire scene was unnecessary -- seems like it can only have been intended to pave the way for future Robin 2.0/Zelena interactions.

Other than being certain that it will all end in tears, I’m curious what they have in mind for this plot. It was an interesting choice to say the least to place the healing scene in the crypt. Her attempt at a fresh start was doomed from the get-go, Robin wearing a dead man’s clothes in the place that symbolizes death-in-life, surrounded by the towering evidence of Regina’s past and her continued power-hoarding. She might regret the hearts, at least when reminded about them, but she has yet to do anything about it. I hope Sean had fun, anyway.

I liked the repeated shots of David watching Snow’s video on his phone; it really emphasized how isolated he feels. (I’ve seen a fair amount of annoyance over how Snow’s only waking scenes this ep were with Regina, but it fits with my assignment of the Devil’s Advocate role; Regina is currently under the sway of false hope, and it’s Snow’s job to argue with her.) Those moments preface Robert’s first two appearances to David. Can the ghost only appear when David is feeling particularly low and alone?   

“The one time I need you to be that guy” - thing is, David, you can’t be “that guy” just “one time”. It was a tough habit to break, and one Killian has no interest in resuming *cough* because you end up doing regrettable things like killing random civilians for murky reasons *cough*. I have seldom been so delighted by a line of dialog in this show as I was by Hook’s that he would try to dissuade anyone who set out on a course of vengeance. This really is the clearest possible marker of the changes he’s gone through, from thoughtless killer to someone who prioritizes others’ healing.

On the reverse note, David was being such an asshole, and I loved it! C’mon, bro, it’s just me, what are you, chicken? Fine, I’ll do it by myself (you loser, you’re not really my friend). It’s all painfully, deliciously adolescent -- he needs a lookout so he can conduct a petty theft! -- and so Back to Pleasure Island we go, to the voice of temptation. I loved all of the Charming scenes in this episode; Josh really cut loose, and it was glorious. (I should also note that I appreciated David’s apology later on for having put Killian’s relationship with Emma in jeopardy; that was a nice, clear touch.)

So Emma does her magic research out in the shed now, and not in the basement/dungeon. Check. That whole scene was golden, even with the undercurrent; turns out nothing is so distracting as full-on honesty. I could watch sunny, smiling Emma for hours. More important than defeating Gideon is that she’s defeated her own fear about her fate. She’s glowing with happiness, ready to enjoy life as it comes, content with her son and her lover. We are on the precipice of the final fulfillment promised by the Hero’s Journey. *happy sigh*

The Science Bros scene was a perfect moment of relative lightness in an episode that could easily have gotten bogged down in itself. Well done, show! See, you can do physical comedy without making fun of people. Amazing.

The bit between David and George and then David and Killian was just SO GOOD I actually don’t have much to say about it? Every instant of emotion was beautifully wrung out of those two confrontations. Moments like this, when we get to see Killian, who faced all of his worst battles alone, being a rock for his loved ones in their moment of testing -- that’s when I love this story.

I also love George, they could have done so much more with him as a villain. Some day I will write that fic (haha). Anyway, since Storybrooke doesn’t seem to have any other place to store long-term prisoners, I assume Isaac is next door.

On to the conclusion.

Hm. Well, if I must.

I’m sooooo tiiiiiiiired of Killian confronting something evil he did in the past, guys. So tired of David in particular throwing “pirate” at him like S4 and 5 never fucking happened. So tired of angst faces and secrets and angry confrontations. This whole situation is a painfully close retread of 6.06, right down to the age of the piratically orphaned boys. At least Killian had a motive for killing Brennan, whereas this setup is so random as to appear both pointless and contrived, so, uh, D- for effort, writers.

As I complained earlier this week, this would have been a Shocking Revelation back in, say, S3, before CS was a solid thing, before they had gotten used to being more or less constantly haunted by Killian’s past.

Really, they should just put a box up on the porch in which people can leave a short form explaining their grievance and their preferred form of restitution: blood, treasure, or saving their life/loved one/sanity please choose only one because episode length.

As it is, we know CS will be fine -- we don’t need the Swoopy Camera of Love Kissing, but I won’t complain about it.

We therefore know that Captain Charming will be fine. This whole “complication” is just wasting time that could be spent on something more interesting or more fun or both, like picking out something other than a plain, standard engagement ring for a fairy tale couple that has such a distinct aesthetic, both of whom have a series-long history of sentimental statement jewelry and one of whom wears a ton of rings, but that would require them remembering that S5 happened, which appears to be against the rules--

Ahem.

Okay. He’s feeling urgent about this. I can see him wanting to get something new, something that doesn’t have a Past because it’s supposed to be about their future. The only place in town that sells EF-style stuff is the Croc’s, which is a non-starter, so it would have to be whatever serves Storybrooke for a modern jewelry store, but even in a town this size, they should have SOMETHING a little unusual. The guy is the standout clothes horse on the male side of the show; he owns forty dark shirts in different but equally subtle patterns; don’t tell me he can’t pick out a ring with some flair.

Anyway. Maybe he’ll pick up something cooler when [spoilers redacted].

In under the wire again, as we prepare for tonight’s episode! I think this next one will signpost Rumple’s final fate in the series, so I am prepared to be interested in what happens even though my emotional investment is zero.