#pal meta

[crimeronan]

it kind of gets overshadowed by the horror of the rest of the episode, but. how funny is it that hunter Takes Off His Mask to yell at luz in the beginning of hollow mind. he's the perfect boy i just-

sorry i know it's my usual agenda rearing its head but i do think this is adorable. the Second the rebels are gone, hunter is like well fine. you just tackled me and fucked up my whole arrest and you're an anarchist shithead who constantly ruins my plans. but i KNOW you aren't going to attack me. for some reason i trust you implicitly. i don't need full armor here. what i NEED is for you to see JUST HOW LOUDLY I'M FROWNING-

[starflungwaddledee]

this is probably why meta knight moved the conversation to the hallway

based on @das-a-kirby-blog's comic based on my comic. comic inception. colour palettes are from das.

[theerurishipper]

The dichotomy between loving Bruce Wayne's uncompromising refusal to take a life and loving that Dick Grayson's death is the only thing that can drive him to kill

[mikaikaika]

"I love how in the animatic it's just couples and then it cuts to me and I'm just alone" Tubbo says while shielding his hurt amidst laughs. Phil brushes it off as normal Tubbo banter and others around him play it off as his normal humour with pats on his back.

But no one knows about the repeated walks Tubbo takes to the mailbox praying to every power in the universe for the light to be on, only to be met with disappointment yet again and again. No one knows that the tattered necktie that now serves as an armband once used to be a symbol of ambition and resilience that Tubbo once held as he embarked on a journey to look for his crush despite all odds. No one sees the ashes of sadness that the embers of hope have left behind as it slowly flickered off with every passing day.

Unspoken promises, whispered names, and hopeless prayers in the obscurity of the night are all that's left in the place where flowers and love once bloomed unbridled.

[pinkd3mon]

This had context but I refuse to tell anyone

[doks-aux]

"Rambley's actually evil!!"

Okay? And?? He's my special little buddy, he can do whatever he wants, including atrocities.

[fortjester]

the prevalence of "yes or no" in The Locked Tomb Series

bonus!:

[quantumcartography]

Daniel and The Uninvited Guest

PALAMEDES     (As if reciting) “And her body was like the chrysolite, and her face as the appearance of lightning, and her eyes as a burning lamp: and her arms, and all downward even to the feet, like in appearance to glittering brass.”

I was writing about something else entirely when I dug into the context of this quote and it rocked my whole socks. Context for those who don’t remember it: in this scene, the Voice that Palamedes has been talking to finally reveals herself as Dulcinea. After admitting his love for her and promising to find her on the shores of the River, he asks to see her “for the first time and the last.” He then has a light shone on him and he recites this quote from Daniel 10:6. After that, she asks if she was cute and Pal responds “You’re perfect.”

I am, needless to say, obsessed with this scene.

Now, the book of Daniel is one of apocalyptic prophecy (apocalypse here meaning a truth being revealed to a person by way of a divine source.) At this point in the Bible, the Jews have been captured from Israel by the Babylonians and have been displaced into Babylonian territory. The book recounts the visions of prophet Daniel that allude to the eventual restoration of the Jewish people to their homelands under the reign of Cyrus the Great. In Daniel 10 specifically, Daniel is mourning for Israel by fasting for three weeks when he is visited by an angel who tells him that he is fighting to return him and his people to their homeland. Daniel 10:6 is a description of this angel, who in the passage isn’t called an angel but vaguely referred to as a “certain man.” Only Daniel can see this certain man but all the men around him are gripped by fear and run away and even Daniel was terrified throwing himself face down and trembling at the sight of this certain man.

As a quick aside, I learned something from the magnificent Dan McClellan, a biblical scholar who is very active on TikTok and YouTube, about angels in the Old Testament. He recently posted a video discussing this in detail but I will try and do it justice. The theory among biblical scholars is that many instances where angels are present in the Old Testament were originally instances of God themself appearing before a person. That’s why these excerpts have people seemingly talking directly to God and why these angels inspire such fear because it’s assumed the only time a person would see God is when they die.

So this quote in this context, is when Palamedes is stuck inside the body of Naberius Tern and fighting against Ianthe’s soul for control. The reason why he’s doing this is to hopefully find a safe place for the Sixth House after spending months being held by Blood of Eden as political captives. While in this fight with Ianthe, he’s helped and supported by the soul of Dulcinea who he describes looking like an angel. Not an angel in terms of beauty or grace, but as unassailably powerful, perfect and righteous as dawn's first light, a face made of precious gems that cannot be cut and a body made of brass like the finest armor. This is a form untouchable by flaw or fault.

The two narratives have clear parallels. They are stories about a people's restoration and salvation. And since this takes place in the middle of Nona the Ninth, the connotation is clear that he will live to see his people saved and returned home. And he does, he becomes Paul and they guide their people back to the Dominicus system. But this also underscores just how much he loves her. He loves Dulcinea like an angel. He loves her like a homecoming. He loves her like a vision of rapture in the wasted desert of his enemy. He loves her like the promised end of death itself. He loves her like the indelible weight that love brings on one's soul.

[das-a-kirby-blog]

Hear our pleas and cries HAL, make a Kirby RPG

[that-ari-blogger]

The Turn Of The Seasons

If you were to look at an episode of television, or any self-contained story for that matter, the first few minutes would probably establish the themes and core questions of that story. For an overt example, Star Wars tells you outright in its opening.

Obviously, you can apply this analytical framework to a series as well, with the first episode setting up the plot of latter episodes. The second season of She-Ra and the Princesses Of Power begins with The Frozen Forest, and I would argue that it establishes three core themes: Consequence, change, and harmony.

Let me explain.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Here is something interesting about She-Ra and storytelling as a whole: Themes aren't separate. There aren't moments where change is the entire focus, for example. All of the themes weave together to tell the story. Think of it like the rgb colour wheel, every part of this story has bits of each theme in it to form a whole. It may focus on one element, but the others will still be there, influencing the scene in minour ways.

With that said, I am going to try and talk about the themes separately for a moment, before bringing them all back together. I will talk about the constituent parts of the story, and then see the end result. I just feel it is important to understand that the separation is artificial.

Consequence is a theme carried over from the previous season and the series as a whole. Although, where the first focused on the overarching cycle of trauma and abuse and the direct result of that, this season focuses in on the consequences of specific actions on the world on a whole, and on the fallout of the story up to this point.

First, the framing of this episode. The Frozen Forest takes place not long after The Battle for Brightmoon, and so the Whispering Woods is still recovering from the ice that nearly destroyed it. This is a series that engages with the fallout of spectacle, and now, even though they have won, the princesses are on the back foot. Where the Woods Provided a border, now the alliance has to hold off the attacking army itself, and it is spread thin trying to do so.

Meanwhile, Catra and Adora are dealing with the consequences of not learning the lesson of the previous season. Adora is still working for Light Hope, and still processing Catra's words at the end of the previous season. Her response to any new development in the Horde is "ah, Catra," and her self-confidence has been eroded, and Light Hope has found that as a weak point and is keeping pressing.

Catra, on the other hand, has moved past Shadow Weaver. Right? She has defeated her in single combat and now her abuser sits in a cell, in shambles. So... why am I talking about it?

Unfortunately, that's not how healing works. Moving on isn't as uncomplicated as hitting someone in the face. Catra hasn't quite worked that out, so she goes to Shadow Weaver to gloat, and Shadow Weaver reads her like a book.

"If you're doing so well, why are you here? It's Adora, isn't it?"

But how does Catra respond?

"I let her win one.  We're gaining ground, and our armies are growing!  When they're ready to roll out, I will be at the head!!  And you'll be here rotting. Thanks, I needed this."

She lies and she blusters, because Catra wants to feel powerful, so she puts Shadow Weaver down. But, does she want to feel powerful? Is that the core desire going on here?

I would argue for something else. I think that Catra wants to feel safe, and she has associated control with that safety. I think Catra lashes out because she feels herself losing control and gets scared. That last line, "I needed this". I don't think its entirely a lie. Catra did need that, at least in her mind. She needed a moment to release all of her anger, but I don't think she recognises that. I would argue that Catra just said that to try and get at Shadow Weaver, to try and tell her that she hadn't won, being correct was entirely accidental.

There is also the fact that Catra's only release is letting out her anger at Shadow Weaver, and whether or not that is healthy is debatable, but what happens if Shadow Weaver was to escape. Where would all of that anger go?

Catra also leads into the theme of change rather well, specifically with her treatment of Lonnie, Kyle, and Rogelio. Once again, Catra has tried to move past Shadow Weaver, but here we show where she has gone after that. Catra is taking her authority the only way she knows how; she is becoming Shadow Weaver.

Back on the princess side of the war, there is a meeting about a change in tactics. Things have been going ok for the alliance, but nobody is sure how often they can continue, so Bow proposes a new strategy, and we see what that means to him. Intelligence comes in various forms, and while Entrapta is the inventor and scientist, Bow is a strategist, capable of maintaining a big picture perspective eternally. So, Bow suggests doing something different, a tactic that won't win the war, but it will buy time to figure out the next step. Bow also prioritises a change in perspective, focusing on knowledge about the opponent, believing that will inform his decisions.

Glimmer is also changing, and her development is mirroring Catra of all people. Overly Sarcastic Productions has a video on the parallels between these two characters later on in the series, but it is neat how early that starts. Glimmer takes on a role that is a lot like her mother in this episode, specifically in her relationship with Frosta. She becomes overprotective, and panics when Frosta gets herself in danger, and because she is Glimmer, her instinct is to push away responsibility. She is rebellious, so it takes her intentionally thinking about her actions to develop and apologise.

I’m sorry I yelled. It's just -- I guess you remind me of... me.  And I can do some really dangerous stuff sometimes.

And this weaves in with the final theme of this episode and this season: Harmony. Specifically harmony with each other.

The opening of the episode shows how the alliance is all made up of individuals who are formidably fighters, but who's miscommunication is holding them back. The band is together, but they ain't playing the same song, so what's the point? This episode shows them why they need to think as a team, and the conclusion where the power of friendship literally saves the day shows this off. Magic in this world is associated with that harmony between princesses, and so when they achieve it, the magic rewards them.

It is telling that Entrapta, Scorpia, and Catra do have this harmonious relationship already, and to me it actually looks like more of a found family than the princesses. These are people who all feel safe around each other, and in this episode at least, Catra actually shows some healthy behaviours towards those in her life. She is supportive of Entrapta, if a little overbearing, for example, and the scene of all of them watching tv on the couch deliberately evokes that familial atmosphere.

All of these moments connect with other themes as well. Adora's attempts to get over Catra are the collision of change and harmony, for example. She wants to get over Catra, but there is that loyalty there. The war council shows the consequences of the Horde, the need for a change, and the complete disharmony of the alliance.

But, the scene that, to me, shows the three themes in full, while letting them both individually shine and mix with each other, is that final scene of the episode.

Consequence: Entrapta's "death". Change: Entrapta's "death". Harmony: Entrapta's "death"

The desire for change stands on its own with Bow trying to adapt his methods and taking a more scientific approach to the war.

The consequences are on display from the previous season and the episode up to this point. The bots are getting better, and the war is getting more tense.

The harmony is on display through what got Bow here in the first place. The fact that it took the entire alliance to bring down the bot and let Bow take a look inside it.

But that all comes crashing in on itself with the reveal, and how it is framed. Often, a fake out death would be brushed off, but here Bow dwells on it. A single change has altered the way he sees both the consequences of the previous season, and the harmony of the princess alliance. Suddenly, he has more agency in Entrapta's fate than he realised, and Marcus Scribner kills that final line.

"Hold onto your hat, Future Bow. Entrapta's alive, and we left her behind."

Final Thoughts

Thus begins another season of She-Ra, and I do like this episode as an opener. The themes are really well done and its telling that, when you think about it, everyone in that War Council Meeting was right, and wrong. Perfuma was right in that they needed cohesion, Mermista was right about needing that change of perspective. Its just the ways that they went about it that was wrong, because teamwork takes time and understanding of each other's boundaries, and the group hadn't worked that out yet.

Next week I'm tackling Ties That Bind, so stick around if that interests you.

Previous - Next

[crimeronan]

hunter's fighting style being "just hit and kick them as fast as possible so they can't grab their staff" is especially funny BECAUSE LUZ USES THE EXACT SAME TACTIC ON HIM.

she IMMEDIATELY tries to murder him by rocketing him out of an airship & then when he survives and is like "lmfao, i have magic, dumbass. i wouldn't expect a human to get that-"

she's like "aight bet" HURLS HIS STAFF INTO THE ABYSS. HOW YOU GONNA DEAL WITH MY SCRAPPY FIGHTING STYLE NOW GOLDEN GUARD

there's a moment where hunter actually laughs aloud in apparent rage and disbelief & i DO think he was pissed off and about to throw hands, but also. I THINK HE'S JUST. GENUINELY IMPRESSED??

he's like oh my god. fucking NOBODY except me has EVER tried that dumb shit before. oh NO. this girl is so FUN.... it sucks that i have to kill her with my bare hands. ah well!

when was the last time i mentioned that hunting palismen is perfect. or that luz and hunter are perfect. theyre literally jsut. they . i . theyre . GOD.

[latibvles]

FANCAM TAG

thanks @wexhappyxfew & @hesbuckcompton-baby for the tag <33 i had a whole lot of fun with this. as a video editor this was very fun to think on. also please ask me meta questions they’re so fun. will be tagging @xxluckystrike , @upontherisers , @shoshiwrites , @mercurygray & @derry-rain for this >:) ( no pressure )

Rules: Pick 5 songs you think would be used for fancam videos if your OC was canon and tag 5 people.

—

the archer - taylor swift ; the bridge but it’s viv’s stalag spiral over not being able to do much of anything in the stalag.

tough love - gracie abrams ; mouse hole girls being cute! it’s what we deserve. “no chance I waste my 20s on random men not one of them is tougher than all my friends.” :)

like that - future, metro boomin, kendrick lamar ; sexy viv edit. plot twist from buck / rosie / bucky to viv. “fuck the big three it’s just BIG ME!” for y’know . feminism.

i wanna be yours - arctic monkeys ; that edit trend but it’s june and benny and every time he’s making heart eyes at her onscreen. it’s that serious.

softly - clairo ; cute Carrie edit. BABY FAWN WHO NEEDS HER CHEEKS PINCHED!

honorable mention : willie getting back in the pilot’s seat to daddy’s home, a-la-this style

[cheezekennith]

We got the teachers but they're friendly, they won't hurt or kill you

part 4/7

Also this is just some random goofy ahh headcanon of meta knight (please dont take it too seriously)

[mikaikaika]

I feel like the whole Tubbo-Quackity-Fred fiasco is just a whole bunch of unfortunate circumstances and everyone has valid reasons for their actions.

Tubbo has no reasons to believe Fred betrayed him and here comes Quackity with fabricated images and with a book that does not even seem like Fred wrote. He does not know Quackity's reasoning and from his point of view it just seems Quackity is just interfering in a place where he has no place to. He trusts Fred wholeheartedly and now seeing how Quackity has a whole investigation/stalker room for them of course he doesn't trust Quackity.

Quackity on the other hand, has faced so much torture and evils at the hands of the Federation to the point that he can read or write, has lost memories of what his life was and left him estranged from the whole island. So he is completely valid in his reasonings in trying to prevent Tubbo or someone else to end up with the same fate. However my only concern is who is it that handed him the fabricated images and that person might have other motives for this.

Fred completely trusts Tubbo and is trying his best but he is literally stuck between a rock and hard place. On one hand, Quackity has them encaged and is threatening not just their whole life and also Tubbo's - someone she cares a lot about. On the other, if the Feds find out how close they have gotten to Tubbo especially after he was already exiled once ; god knows what they are gonna do to him. Now we as viewer have some inclination that Fred doesn't like the Feds but even for us its merely a theory much less for the islanders.

All three of them are completely valid in their reasonings for their actions and there doesn't seem to be a wrong or right person. It's just wrong people wrong time.

[angelsdean]

gonna be big in my Writing Posts era now that i've finished rewatching s1. lots of things to say. gonna be going back and fine-tooth-combing everything. we are Digging in. we are Dissecting. we are Discussing.

[lillotte17]

playing Bull's loyalty quest for the 5 hundredth time, and it sort of just struck me that the whole thing is actually hella suspicious.

The Qunari want an alliance, but the one (known) agent they have in the Inquisition, his personal band of Mercs, and the Inquisitor are the SPECIFIC people they want on this dreadnought run? The exact sort of mission that is messy and dangerous, where it is very likely things will go wrong and people will be lost?

AND the agent they pick as a liaison is someone who knows Bull VERY well. Someone Bull saved, and therefore someone he has a soft spot for. Someone he's more willing to trust.

Gatt said that this maneuver would only work with a small group because otherwise the smugglers would see them coming, but they still could have had more people. The coast was heavily wooded and full of caves, there were places to hide small bands of agents. And there is no reason the Qunari would be limited to only sending one man of their own to cover the ground team.

Gatt also knew which job Bull would choose for his men. He knew where the Venatori camps were. So, he probably also knew that the lower camp Bull sent the Chargers to had more enemies than they could handle on their own.

The Benhassrath set Bull up to fail.

They were probably nominally interested in an alliance, but I think this was more about getting Bull back and testing his loyalty than actually extending a hand. If the Qunari REALLY wanted an alliance, they would have gone farther to make sure there was no way this mission would fall apart, and in their pragmatism, they would not throw the whole alliance out over the loss of a single ship, either.

They were never really going to make friends with the Inquisition. The whole things was a trap.