#side story spoilers and epilogue spoilers beware

[apric0tfield]

I'll do anything for your happy ending.

Based on this tweet

[kanghera]

Some completed manhwas that I have read *may contain spoilers*

***I’ll keep editing this post***

My gently raised beast 

Length: 93 chapters + 13 side stories Art: good, one of the best ones Genre: supernatural characters (beast), fantasy, European themed (duke, emperor, princess etc) Recommendation: swoon worthy, good plot and backstory would recommend Notes: initially it can get a little disinteresting as for 30 something chapters the ML and the FL are just young children however the build up is worth it

The tainted half

Length: 40 chapters Art: absolutely beautiful Genre: ancient Korean or Chinese themed, concubines, kings, some supernatural phenomenons, fantasy, contains sexual themes Recommendation: definitely recommend, very unique plot different from typical historical manhwas, also it’s short and easy to follow  Notes: the ML and the antagonist are twin brothers hence they essentially have the same facial features however the hair, plot, direction and dialogue makes them distinct. The ML is also extremely swoon worthy and one the best long haired ones in a while (don’t worry even though they’re twins the antagonist is nothing in comparison)

The double agent 

Length: 73 chapters + 3 side stories  Art: definitely pretty, we love platinum hair MLs Genre: modern historical manhwa, detectives, spies etc. European themed, tragic themes, contains sexual themes  Recommendation: if you enjoy plots with tragedy some action and vague romance, would recommend  Notes: can be disturbing initially, but the conclusion from the MLs pov is beautiful, does contain toxic themes but we love little bit of that, it’s kinda like trust the process but not quite 

Beware the villainess 

Length: 92 chapters + 36 side stories  Art: extremely beautiful, the outfits are amazing and the ML is the best long blue haired in all of manhwas Genre: European themed, transmigration, fantasy, supernatural (wolves?) Recommendation: would recommend for the romance since it’s expressed little but it’s swoon worthy. May become lengthy after a stretch however there is a strong plot that is followed  Notes: one of the reasons I didn’t drop this manhwa was bc it was already completes including the side stories. The only thing motivating me to continue was to see more romance between the ML and FL and also the ML is stunning and down bad. Also there are very few mahwas about wolves or animal transformations so I kept reading this one.  I really wanted some more skin ship but felt like it was too little and expressed too and late.

Love advice from the great Duke of hell

Length: 131 chapters + epilogue + afterwords Art: wasn’t impressed at first but honestly it’s pretty neat for being sketch like and adds to the humour and aesthetic  Genre: the true definition of supernatural meets romance meets comedy. And this shit is funny. Like funny funny. I’ve had to suppress my laughter funny. The plot is unpredictable af.  Recommendation: Highly recommended for all readers. It’s just simply peak in its game. I believe all readers that like action, supernatural (devil, duke, occult etc.) romance and humour will enjoy this  Notes: the only manhwa that I wish I had been following along as the chapters were released usually I like to binge the whole manhwa but this one was honestly a ride with all the cliffhangers strategically put to make to continue scrolling. Also one of the best ending I’ve read extremely unpredictable. One of my most highly recommended manhwas even to new readers. The laughs are amazing.

Him & him & him 

Length: prologue + 16 chapters + 6 side stories Art: it’s good the MLs are cute  Genre: it’s smut, heavily sexual themes, sex partners, threesomes etc. the FL leads a typical office life, reverse harem  Recommendation: if you want some smut with a vague plot, or if you prefer short smut stories Notes: I wanted a better ending, although it remains harem. The smut had a potential to be way more kinky (since I’ve read many more creative ones). Two of the MLs are twins and the other one is their uncle which may sound weird but with the hot art and smut it’s not.

Mythical errand 

Length: prologue + 83 chapters Art: I love it. It’s pretty distinct and unique, the blushes are too cute, and the MLs blushes are 😩 Genre: historical (Korean era), mythical, college students, mythical beings, modern setting, comedic elements and romance  Recommendation: It’s really funny and entertaining, for a person new to webtoons and mythical creatures it’s a fun experience. But if you’re looking for harem ending then I have to reveal that it’s not one. Notes: the first season was amazing I had been obsessed, however it went downhill from then onwards. It’s alright to pick a ML from the two however the ending for the second ML was not satisfactory and it felt rushed and forced. Also the moments with the ML were not enough. In fact I had been thinking of way more creative continuations as I had been waiting for daily pass.  My dear cold blooded king

Length: chapter 0 + 161 chapters + afterword  Art: stunning, the MLs are hot Genre: historical, some action, romance obviously, certain mature themes Recommendation: yes, one of the og emperor trope manhwas. There’s a ML and a second ML and fortunately she ends up with whom I wanted her to. Nota damsel in distress FL  Notes: it’s been too long since I read this, one of the first manhwas I ever read. Was already concluded when I read it so was fun binging though the less interesting chapters quickly 

Rewriting the villainess

Length: 62 chapters + afterword

Art: pretty, the characters are too cute, the only green(?) haired FL manhwa that I know as of now

Genre: Korean school setting, also a little medieval, body switching typa isekai I’m not sure, the FL like switches with a character of the manhwa she wrote, so it’s supernatural, romance and fantasy 

Recommendation: I do recommend reading if you enjoy an average looking FL

Notes: A little different from the plot lines of other villainess manhwas but not too crazy, it’s short, although I didn’t expect how long the manhwa would actually run for as I had been following it (catched up again after skipping a few weeks). I wish they explored the other lead and his attachment to Liza.

Lullaby 

Length: 48 chapters + afterword 

Art: pretty, the FL could have been prettier, her hair seemed almost grey in certain panels, the FL is extremely hot, his facial features are like the typical back haired FL in manhwas (which is one reason why I began reading this) and that panel of him in the traditional Korean clothes is hawt hot (the second reason)

Genre: fantasy, demons, supernatural, ceo, employee, office, romance 

Recommendation: for binge reading some fantasy, could get a little stretchy or rushed at times

Notes: you could totally just binge read the chapters where the ML and FL interact or just scroll to the outfits that I was talking about earlier.

Romantic flow 

Length: 50 chapters

Art: good, very professional, the ML is really fucking hot

Genre: romance, office romance, misunderstandings, ceo, lawyer, contains sexual references

Recommendation: short, easy to follow, recommended if you want some plot with hot ML, or if you like dark straight haired FLs

Notes: I personally only read this for the kissing panels and sexual panels and otherwise just skimmed through the rest

There must be happy endings

Length: 109 chapters + 3 side stories

Art: very beautiful, almost too pretty

Genre: time rewind, married, ceo, company stuff, angst, domestic abuse(only referred)

Recommendation: classic for a time rewind manhwa or if you like pretty art or you if want to read about married leads

Notes: initially began reading this having no idea that it’s a time rewind, I just thought the that the characters were too pretty to be ignored. I especially loved the concept of the möbius strip.

Dahae’s Dream

Length: 34 chapters + authors note

Art: Stunning, the FL could be prettier, but all the MLs are stunning

Genre: (don’t worry there’s one endgame if you’re not into harem), there isn’t an actual reverse harem, she does not sleep with multiple men at once, but she does sleep with them consequently. Its obviously smut, it’s obvious but I didn’t see the genital visuals closely, you know, like the other manhwas. Is a little supernatural. Office romance, there’s also a cafe trope, director trope and celebrity trope.

Recommendation: definitely, it’s super hot and sexy and it’s short, but I feel like the story could have more, like it’s not over yet, we didn’t get enough of the endgame.

Notes: I wish the drawings were more explicit, bc the characters are hot af and it would be better if they had a more defined ending. And of course it’s too short. Like I just binged this in half a day and to immediately write down its review. Other manhwas that ill review in the future are the ones that I read like almost 2 years ago.

[bellevillenaty]

An explanation to the main loop in ORV

- Beware of spoilers of the novel's epilogue -

I come to explain in the simplest possible way the loop that happens in ORV for those who want a more concise and less "philosophical" answer of the whole thing. But I must say that ORV, in general, is drawn to the philosophical side of human existence and that mainly revolves around its protagonists, because this is the story of Kim Dokja and a few other people, so don't expect a precise reason why things are the way they are.

With that out of the way, I'll explain mainly the three "main existences" in ORV which are: Secretive Plotter, tls123 and the Most Oldest Dream (not in this particular order) and how they are connected

[[….Oh, you sad, pitiful child.]]

[[Oh, hear ye, my dear god. I have endured a truly lengthy period of time just to meet you, but….]]

[[You are this universe’s most powerless existence, aren’t you.]]

...

[[….Is that why you needed us? This is a very cruel request for help, indeed.]]

...

[[You couldn’t even control your own imagination, is that it?]]

Chapter 515.

Some might consider that the Universe, or at least the entire tragedy of TWS, begins with the existence of the Most Oldest Dream because of this single sentence uttered by the 999th Uriel.

A child who had suffered years of abuse, neglect, and terrible trauma made a fictional story come true. That child dreamed to escape his own reality and forced himself into fiction to do so. By repeatedly saying "I am Yoo Jonghyuk," Kim Dokja gradually brought that man's story to life. But how did this child gain such power? How could this little child be the "Creator"?

...However, This story already existed and Kim Dokja just read it somewhere. So, if not the dreamer, who is the true creator of this universe?

At this point, many people who read ORV, just like the 999th gang and Secretive Plotter, are confused by the loop created by Han Sooyoung from 1863th turn, also known as the tls123.

The perpetuation of cause and effect "begins" in the 1863th turn, but also doesn't.

“Is this the price of the Outer World Covenant that you received? In exchange for killing Yoo Jonghyuk, you will get the power to make your own world?”

Kim Dokja to the 1863th Han Sooyoung - Chapter 295.

To recap, Han Sooyoung makes an Outer World Covenant with Secretive Plotter on the third turn and, like Kim Dokja, is taken to the 1863rd to kill Yoo Joonghyuk. However, unlike Kim Dokja, only one of Han Sooyoung's avatars is sent there, with the other one continuing to exist on the third turn.

Han Sooyoung's idea of "killing" Yoo Joonghyuk of that turn was to put him in deep slumber for eternity and thus create a new story out of the original story (out of Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World) without him.

This implies that not only will she be able to push the boundaries of the original story that the protagonist himself failed to pass and go beyond the Final Wall, but she will also gain the power to create a brand new world. Perhaps when making the Outer World Covenant, Secretive Plotter had no idea of the details as contracts made within that Universe can have multiple interpretations and can be easily manipulated, even unintentionally.

Her ability also includes writing the Three Ways to Survive that Kim Dokja read and, with that, the combination of her power and Kim Dokja's dream allowed them to turn fiction into reality.

But, again, how did tls123 experience a story that was supossibly created just after her own existence? Yoo Joonghyuk's life already existed for Han Sooyoung to write about it, so she cannot be the creator.

Plus, if it weren't for her meeting Kim Dokja in the 1863th turn and the desire to see him survive, Han Sooyoung wouldn't have written TWS in the first place and would simply have continued her story beyond the 1863th turn.

“Something felt off to me about this world.”

It was my first time hearing such a shrewd tone of voice coming from him.

“One day, I suddenly came into existence in this world.”

0th Yoo Joonghyuk to Demon King of Salvation - Chapter 525

A conveniently-crafted life, a series of adversities created solely to become a tragedy later. This quote about Yoo Joonghyuk could explain his whole character, at least in the reader's mind.

After all, what is the reason for the existence of this character. Who is Yoo Joonghyuk? This question was on Yoo Joonghyuk's mind from the 0th turn all the way to the Secretive Plotter.

His life happened out of nowhere, and also, out of nowhere, thrown into the tragedies of a novel. On his first time in the scenarios, an unknown being helped him immensely using it’s strange knowledge about everything.

And after that, Yoo Joonghyuk felt that his life had been completely taken care of by someone else. As a final request, he wished to learn the truth about this world and himself.

But he was also curious about the existence of the being who had assisted him, and as a result, Yoo Joonghyuk regressed.

My interpretation

⸢The night sky was reflected in Yu Jung-Hyeok’s eyes.⸥

As if he was a child wondering about his origins, Yu Jung-Hyeok estimated where in the sky the [Wall] might be and extended his hand towards it.

He’d become the ‘Secretive Plotter’ someday, and…

….And at the same time, also become the 1864th turn’s Yu Jung-Hyeok that I knew.

Chapter 525.

For me there is a loop within a loop. Yes, Yoo Hoonghyuk would become Secretive Plotter and he would also become 1864th turn's Yu Jung-Hyeok, but not the ones we know.

Because, at the end of the day, they're both people from different universes. The Secretive Plotter is no longer a character within a novel for thousands of years, the fact that he has the power to travel to other turns and, above all, change many things from these turns (Outer World Covenant with 999th Yoo joonghyuk, and other Outer World Covenant with Han Soyooung and Kim Dokja) already shows that Yoo joonghyuk's will is what changes everything.

Yoo joonghyuk is the most powerful being.

He makes the decision to become a Regressor. Because he is a person who came from nothing and became everything.

He becomes a protagonist in an author's story, and he becomes a protagonist in a reader's story. Is there anyone more powerful than a protagonist?

Is there anyone more powerful than a protagonist who regress?

Yoo Joonghyuk is a real person, who became a legend, and finally became a protagonist. The loop occurred first with Yoo Joonghyuk himself and then spreading to those around him.

There is a dialogue between the Secretive Plotter and Yoo Joonghyuk from 14864th in which the Secretive Plotter says the following thing:

[…]

[[Did you know? There was this young boy in the front-most subway car that always died during every regression turn.]]

That question came out of nowhere. Yu Jung-Hyeok naturally recalled the events of the subway train. The very first scenario, the very first encounter with Hell that he had to experience every single time.

However, Yu Jung-Hyeok didn’t know anything about such a boy. Because, there were simply too many people who died in that manner back then.

[[While regressing several times, I tried to prevent his death, but it was impossible.]]

“…..”

[[He was really a young boy. Younger even than Yi Gil-Yeong. However, even such a child had to ‘prove his credentials’. For all of the 1863 lives, that child couldn’t even put up a proper fight and had to die. He died, and died, and died over and over again.]]

Chapter 458.

There's a theory that this boy was the Most Oldest Dream, however why would the supposed "God" of this world be dead in every regression that the Secretive Plotter faces on, and more importantly, why didn't our own Yoo Joonghyuk know about him?

There is a chance that such a boy will only appear because that is how the 1863th Yoo Joonghyuk wants it. Because the Secretive Plotter wanted it.

Secretive Plotter's greatest desire was to find the ‘creator’ of his tragic life and kill him.

It is strange, yes. But it is worth mentioning that our own Yoo Joonghyuk is someone who is in a new story created by himself and therefore he does not know this boy.

Remember? Our Yoo Joonghyuk is someone who has fled the novel story and is no longer a protagonist. The 1864’s turn Yoo Joonghyuk is no longer a character.

He escaped the barriers of TWS wanting to live that life shown by Kim Dokja. Living that turn that seemed perfect and so he did. From his own free will, he regresses and is now living that life.

As Yoo Joonghyuk had wished, he unwittingly erased his memory of all of his past lives and started a brand new story. And we all know that the Regressor Yoo Joonghyuk's life begins with the third round, but now, with Kim Dokja by his side, just as he wanted.

Unlike the Secretive Plotter that always wanted to find and kill The Most Oldest Dream, our Yoo Joonghyuk's wish was to find someone in particularly and fight alongside him. (Thus, the 0th turn Yoo Joonghyuk who Dokja thinks is the one he knew and our own Yoo Joonghyuk from 1864th turn. Both choose to regress for this reason).

The timeline will only move according to Yoo Joonghyuk's will (mostly), which is why the loop thing is so confusing when it comes to the other two.

Without Yoo Joonghyuk, neither Kim Dokja nor the Three Ways to Survive story would be possible.

As one of Kim Dokja's very first statments about Yoo Joonghyuk is:

"The first way to survive this ruined world is this man."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think I lost my hand here and I still have A LOT to say about, and I haven't even mentioned the Dokkaebi King or the Winny King yet and what they meant to this whole thing.

Did you guys have any opinions on this take? That’s my interpretation and maybe in the future I update this on a re-read or when I come with new ideias.

Because in the ORV story itself it is said that if you read it again, a new perspective is created.

(I also post this on Reddit)

[gravitasmalfunction]

One last Immortal Samsara whine and I'll be done, honest. (Beware spoilers!)

The ending didn't pay off as promised. I wasn't expecting a happy ending as such but I was expecting more from the main couple as a couple before the final showdown, at least. I feel I am being promised *something* when both leads go into the final battle wearing wedding red, and then they didn't even do much fighting side by side!

Then there was the unresolved issue of Yumo and the South Sea Dragon Queen's soulmatehood; at the very least I was expecting the soulmatehood to be revealed, but it never was? What's the point of unrequited soulmatehood if the oblivious party never finds out? Missed opportunity much?

Yumo finding out about the soulmate business would have added some extra meaning to Yandan's final decision to yeet herself into the void after Yingyuan. If Yandan knows Yumo has a soulmate, but has chosen to devote himself to Yandan instead of her, then Yandan's choice to stay or go has an extra dimension. The story already tells us if she stays, Yumo will continue to chose her, even though he knows his feelings for Yandan are unrequited. Revealing the soulmate issue means more delicious angst at that critical moment - Yandan removing herself from the equation means Yumo can move on from their codependent relationship with honour intact, and finally get around to the legacy of leadership he's been avoiding the entire show. Also please give me a character who gets to carry on and succeed, for the catharsis if nothing else. Please show me the world still contains hope for change and rebirth and life carries on even after our leads have met their inevitable ends!

Maybe I am missing a bonus epilogue or something but the official ending was a fizzer, and I don't think it did any of the characters justice, except for maybe Yingyuan's dad, who, honestly, who gives a shit about him? It's not his show! Except he is stupid hot being evil and rocking that white/grey wig. But it's just salt in the wound of finding out I spent 50+ episodes on extruded xianxia product when there could have (never been because censorship etc but whatever) instead been an epic dubcon secret identity distant enemies to lovers to intimate enemies time-loop tragic romance.

[mysmistree]

A simple reflection of Neil Gaiman's American Gods.

I will speak frankly, so readers beware spoilers.

I literally just finished this book 10 minutes ago, and thoughts are flooding my brain.

It was a spectacular adventure. It was interesting, it was strange. It was more adult and treated me, the reader, as more adult than most books I've read. (The part with the Ifrit especially was stunning and entertaining.)

I completely misunderstood the title when I glanced it in a bookstore, taking it as something like "Those who are gods in America", like say a rich stockbroker might be a god, or a CEO might be a god, metaphorically, to some.

I now understand it was about a world in which there are old gods, Norse and Egyptian, African and Slavic, and then there are American Gods. All treated diametrically opposed when they are not really on different sides.

I was startled by Media. I was disturbed by The Technical Boy.

I loved and hated Mr. Wednesday.

I did not know who Mr. Nancy/Anansi was when I was reading, but I asked a friend at work if he'd ever heard of such a man, and boy did he have tales to tell me about him. He, you see, has been raised on the legends of Anansi, and went into wonderful detail that I never would've even heard if not for this story and my question.

Through googling I've learned more of the Zorya sisters, and of Chernobog and Belogbog, which made the epilogue of the story click so beautifully with the little things such as what color of the checkers pieces Chernobog preferred to play as.

I was dissapointed to not see in any deep capacity any Greek gods, but now on the other side of the book I was so much more thrilled to become fond of new ones.

I was wonderfully pleased to see old gods who I knew well, Mr. Wednesday and Jackal. I loved how very rarely if ever that the name Odin appeared in the book despite his prominence in the story. It left me somewhat off-balance about how faithful the godly story was before being assured by the end that it was as earnest about the gods as I can imagine anyone to be.

My favorite characters were, unquestionably:

Sam, the charming hitchiker girl who dared to wave flags with a kiss and cast things in bronze, and I adored seeing a lesbian in writing as I had not run into this very much before diving back into books as an adult.

Mr. Ibis, of the Ibis & Jackal Funeral Home. I have never felt more comfortable in conversation with ideas so close to, and involving, death. I also could not help but squeal when Shadow placed a call to them specifically. He was wonderfully put-together and down-to-earth, and I loved in the scene with the scales and the feather how he reflected on his own "image" of himself, as one who writes little histories and stories of people.

And Mr. Nancy. I'm an American-born girl and have never been outside of it, so the only image I have for explaining his attitude is something akin to a "Louisiana swagger", but he certainly rocks it with absolute style. I loved that he is so frequently noted to be wearing bright-yellow gloves, and I am not sure but I recall him wearing much more yellow very early in the story. He was charming and sweet, and felt much more aware of how gods were to the world than most of his peers, such as Mr. Wednesday. (With perhaps Mr. Ibis and Mr. Jackal being equally aware to Mr. Nancy, though far less interested in their god-hood than in their simple living.)

As I listened to this in audio format, I also want to say that I loved all of the voices. Being able to recognize them made pure magic out of hearing their dialogue. In the town car that came to pick up Shadow, I cannot recall nor recognize the moment the driver and his companion became Mr. Nancy and Chernobog. The shift was so smooth, subtle, and quick, and I was thrilled to be there for it.

Overall the book was strange and peculiar. Death did not feel like a theme as much as a companion through the book. Laura's death, Laura. The Funeral Home. Sacrifice upon the tree. The wager with Chernobog. Everything, EVERYTHING, was conjoined with death.

I am not completely sure what the book is about. It felt like it was about loss, about fate. Like it was about symbols and meanings. It felt like it was about deceit and grifts.

It was splendid. It was a hard start getting to know who Shadow was as, from the first, he was dealing with so much. But it was wonderful.

It was amazing.

AND THE GALL OF NEIL GAIMAN TO END MR. TOWN WITH BUT A SINGLE LINE THAT ONLY SAID:

"So she did."

THE GALL. IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

I felt rewarded, as a reader, for recognizing what that meant. It wasn't a secret, by any means, but it wasn't clear. That line alone without context can mean anything. and yet I felt so appreciated, so seen as a reader for paying attention.

Like yes, I knew what happened before. And so I knew what this meant when the time came. I loved that it did not need to be doted upon. It did not need to be re-explained.

He asked her to show him, so show him she did.

I have deeply, deeply enjoyed this book. I believe in this moment that it was a good book, and I am thoroughly pleased to have gotten to the end. This is now the third book of Neil's that I've read, the other two being The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and Neverwhere. Both wonderful books, but fundamentally different books to American Gods.

Though I vaguely recall from Neverwhere, the line:

"As old as my tongue, and slightly older than my teeth," which also appears in American Gods, and is now forever in my memory.

This is my longest and most detailed post, but I have enjoyed this book immensely. I recommend it to any who have a love or fascination with old gods, and quite especially to those with a fascination with learning about more.

It was a lovely book. It was a strange story. It was a crooked game, but it was the only game in town.

And I absolutely loved it.

[olicitytropes]

Olicity Tropetastic Awards: Season Seven

The time has come to talk of many scenes.

Of bows and arrows and superheroes.

Olicity’s reunion and the baby we knew was a Queen.

But wait just one minute,

Before we go and do all of that...

We thank you all for the time you have shared.

The elevators you have climbed,

The episodes you have faced and scared.

We will keep your stories in our hearts for always,

And we hope that you can too.

Because they would not be bigger than the friggin’ universe

If not for all of you.

-xoxo Ellie, Caitlin, Sascha, Mary, Beccie, Meegan, and Alli (and of course Emily Bett Rickards since she wrote this poem first;) )

@memcjo’s recs:

as darkness falls (a spark resides) - @alexiablackbriar13

It's been two weeks since Felicity found out she's pregnant, and she hasn't told Oliver yet.

Plagued by nightmares about being attacked and the baby being hurt, Felicity struggles to sleep.

After Oliver witnesses one of her post-nightmare panic attacks, she finally tells him about the baby.

**Award: Best Use of Angsty Angst Followed by Sweet, Sweet Olicity Moments**

two pints of mint chip it’s a girl - @alexiablackbriar13

missing scene in 7x22, before olicity move to the cabin. dr schwartz gives felicity an ultrasound, and our bigger than the freaking universe couple discover their baby's gender

**Award: Best Use of Touching, Loving, Sweet Olicity**

Run Away With Me - @dmichellewrites 

This is basically everything I hoped season 7 would be after the prison arc, but unfortunately we didn't get to see it.

Join Oliver, Felicity, their friends, and family as they navigate their lives together post-Slabside. They really can have it all. Watch them balance being heroes, parents, and still manage to hold down day to day jobs. Enjoy their slice of maximum domesticity, and take a peek into their home life together with their four children.

**Award: Most Kickass, Joyous, Amazing Olicity Finding a New Life!**

We Don’t Have To Talk About It (We’ll Find Another Way) - @smoaking-greenarrow

Felicity is at Slabside to pick up Oliver, to finally take him home...when all hell breaks loose

**Award: Most Awesome, Badass Oliver and Felicity Going Through Hell and Back to Find Each Other!**

Come & Talk To Me - @hope-for-olicity

I wrote this story as a fix it for the things I felt the writers forgot or screwed up since Oliver got out of prison. It mainly focuses on Olicity but it also deals with their relationship with Diggle.

**Award: Best Use of Oliver and Felicity Facing Their Fears and Finding Each Other All Over again~ SWOON!**

Dear Felicity - @smoakmonster

A series of letters Oliver journals to Felicity from prison.

**Award: Best Use of Oliver Finding His Voice (and making me cry)**

Nothing Breaks Like a Heart - @by-mintsea

A mid season 7 and Elseworlds Crossover fix it fic. Silences, missing scenes and rewrites from 7x07 through end of crossover.

**Award: Best Us of Oliver and Felicity Fighting for Each Other and Their Family**

@blondeeoneexox’s recs:

The Other Side (of a world without you) - fanfics4you

She stares at the sky, the moon staring back at her. She holds her daughter in her arms as she starts to talk about him. She hopes wherever he is, he is safe. She hopes that he knows. That she still loves him, that he has a daughter who loves him so much, a son who lives far away from this world, leading the normal life he always wanted. She hopes that he knows he isn't alone.

He stares at the sky, his fingers caressing his wedding ring gently. The night is full of darkness and he feels so lonely. He has everything here, yet he has nothing. He sees a shooting star fall from the sky, and he finally smiles. His hold on his wedding ring tightens as he reminds himself why is he doing this again. He knows.

In which Oliver Queen and Felicity Smoak spend twenty years apart and then a lifetime together.

**Award: Best Cry Your Eyes Out Til They Hurt Fic**

The Microchip Chronicles - CSM

Post 713. Follows the next nine months of Felicity’s pregnancy.

**Award: Most Domesticated, Blissfully Happy Pregnant Olicity That Definitely Should Have Actually Happened**

The Other Side of a World Without You - MachaSWicket

SUMMARY: Arrow S7 finale SPOILERS ahead. Beware!

**Award: Best 20 Year Reunion I Could Ever Ask For**

The Legacy of a Queen -  inlovewithimpossibility

Series of one-shots from a future AU where Oliver and Felicity are able to raise their children after they defeat the Ninth Circle and Oliver hangs up the hood

**Award: Best ‘What Could (SHOULD) Have Been Fic**

The Hardest Part - @smoaking-greenarrow

Prompt: What if Felicity found out she was pregnant with Lucas after Oliver left and she'd have to raise both of their kids without him. Then Oliver would come back five years later to check on his girls only to find Mia playing with a slightly younger boy who looks exactly like him.

**Award: Most Heartbreakingly Beautiful, Sob-Worthy, Amazing Post-S7 (That Was Absolutely My Fault) Fic**

strange behaviors - @alexiablackbriar13

the 5 times john diggle noticed oliver queen and felicity smoak's latest weird behaviors and the 1 time he figured out what was causing it (spoiler alert: it's fetus mia smoak-queen)

**Award: Cutest Uncle Diggle Reaction to FINALLY Figuring Out Olicity’s Weird Behaviors**

@it-was-a-red-heeler’s recs:

bliss within madness - @alexiablackbriar13

“Hey, Mia. It’s your dad,” he whispered. Pausing, he added, “Mia or Lucas. We don’t know exactly who you are yet. But I promise you, your mom and I are gonna love you to the stars and back no matter who you turn out to be. I’m gonna call you Mia for now, though.” He kissed Felicity’s stomach softly, humming under his breath at the heat coming from her skin.

**Award: Best Beautiful, Blissful Domestic Olicity Moments**

Clean Slate - @smoakmonster

What happens when Oliver loses his memories of Felicity and William? How will this hurting family heal when he finally returns home from prison and doesn't know who his wife and son are?

This series is based on speculation from the Arrow 7x05 trailer that was released on Nov 5. As such, this short series will start in speculation and will likely shift to canon divergence or even au depending on what happens in the next few episodes. Future tags will be added accordingly.

**Award: Oliver Fighting His Way Back to His Family (Amnesia Tropes Are My Jam!) Award**

@msbeccieboo’s recs:

no heart for me like yours - inlovewithimpossibility

After weeks of chaos following Oliver's release from Slabside, Oliver and Felicity finally have a moment to sit down and discuss how they move forward from here

**Award: Best Gorgeous, Sleepy and Oh-So-Wise Oliver Moment**

Deep Water - @it-was-a-red-heeler

A Season 7 Speculation fic.

**Award: THE BEST S7a Do-Over (also the Delicity We All Deserved)**

At Last - @jesileighs

He hadn’t really even noticed there was a change in Felicity until the chaos died down, and even then it took him a couple of weeks to look past the excuses and the way she brushed off his attempts to talk. When he kissed her she pulled away almost immediately. When he reached for her hands she found a way to keep them busy. When he’d make his way to their bed at night, she would make an excuse to stay up and every morning when he woke up she was already gone from beside him. He told himself they were both readjusting. Things needed time to settle. They’d both been through so much.

**Award: Most Beautiful Reunion That We All Wanted But Never Really Got In Canon**

@smoaking-greenarrow’s recs:

Two - @nodecaff4me

Post Episode 7x07 ficlet about the first hours after Oliver stepped out of the gates of Slabside.

**Award: The Focus on Felicity’s Emotions That Should Have Been in Season Seven**

Renewal - @juliesioux

This first bit leads into the story we might never get and I wanted to explore the loneliness Felicity must have felt and the urgency she would feel to go and find him once she could.

**Award: Epitome of ‘Bigger than the friggin’ universe’**

Learning How to Win - @juvinadelgreko

At the end of Arrow S7, Oliver and Felicity retire from the vigilante life only to be interrupted by the Monitor and Crisis on Infinite Earths.

They deserved better. Here’s my take on what better looks like. Begins shortly after Oliver and Felicity moved into their new home.

**Award: Sweetest Life Win That Olicity Deserves**

No Sex Until There Is Hair - @hope-for-olicity

Oliver shaves his head again and Felicity is NOT a fan.

**Award: Best Felicity Completely Understanding Oliver Moment**

@tangled23works’ recs:

Holding On and Letting Go - @smoaking-greenarrow

Oliver is finally home. But he’s not as close to his wife as he’d like to be. To move past the choices he made, both of them need to get a few things off their chests.

This fic can be enjoyed on its own, but if you’ve read The Longbow Hunters, it can also be read as an epilogue for that story.

**Award: Best And Most Sincere Apology By Oliver Queen**

The Longbow Hunters - @smoaking-greenarrow

Based on the set photos from 7x02 and my imagination :)

**Award: Most Badass Felicity With A Plan**

whenever you’re ready - @alexiablackbriar13

Mia and William from 2040 travel back in time to 2019 to access an uncorrupted version of Archer. Oliver and Felicity investigate a break-in at the bunker only to find their children from the future bickering. Emotional confrontations and conversations ensue.

**Award: Most Heartbreaking, Angsty and Beautiful Family Reunion**

[bravadoseries]

I'm a little confused about what the movies/tv shows timeline would look like for the series, could you clarify?

So, pre-Avengers I think Audrey makes a variety of cameo roles.  She’s in the Iron Man films briefly, she’s featured in an epilogue of Captain America: The First Avenger, I know this technically isn’t first but she plays a minor role in Captain Marvel.  Generally, she’s just kind of present in a lot of the movies before she becomes a lead.  

The way I structured this list is so that each movie that’s canon is just listed with its corresponding fic, but all the ones I’m making up have a little summary too lol.  Spoilers below so beware of that.  I hope this helps!

2012

The Avengers (May 2012) – covered by Monachopsis

Cross-Country (July 2012) – this one would look like the oneshots/shorts that Marvel used to make about its side characters, but it covers Steve’s birthday and the road trip that Steve and Audrey take cross-country

Lady Liberty: Legacy (September 2012) – this covers the arc of Nodus Tollens that I just finished, which is about Audrey’s mission in Europe, DIVUS, Delphine, etc.

The Tower – Season 1 (October-December 2012) – This show focuses on the found family aspect of the Avengers and is like a dramedy.  In my head, I picture it as being filmed as a mockumentary with little talking heads because I like those and I think it suits the format well.  Content wise, I feel like it airs on ABC.  Takes place from October 2012-December 2012, runs for 8 episodes.  

2013

Black Widow: Opus (January 2013) – Covers the Siege of Chicago, another arc I write about in Nodus Tollens.  Explores Natasha’s backstory with ballet and kind of has Black Swan meets Atomic Blonde vibes.  Set in January 2013

The Tower – Season 2 (June-August 2013) – Picks up where its predecessor left off and runs for another 8 episodes.  It also corresponds to Nodus Tollens and builds/develops Audrey’s relationship with Bruce as well as Steve’s relationship with Darcy

Thor: The Dark World (2013) – Set November 2013, also corresponds to Nodus Tollens lol (this book is long)

2014

Agent 13 (February 2014) – Marvel oneshot about Sharon Carter, Audrey, and the transfer to DC, as well as Peggy’s legacy with SHIELD

Captain America: The Winter Soldier(April 2014) – corresponds to 

Hawkeye(s) – (May-August 2014) – Kate Bishop and Clint Barton work cases in Los Angeles, where they meet America Chavez and other members of the Young Avengers.  I’m not totally sure if I’m gonna write this or not, but basically it corresponds to Matt Fraction’s Hawkeye comics. This one is an action-comedy, like if Community met Veronica Mars

The Falcon – Season 1 (October-December 2014) – Okay I’m just a little Sam Wilson stannie but I feel like they should have done more with him, so this series focuses on him primarily, but features Steve, Audrey, and Natasha as side characters. They’re looking for Bucky, but it’s also about him living in the tower and falling in love with Olivia Perales. This corresponds to a spinoff oneshot (probably 10-15k words long) called Fear of Flying.  It airs on Netflix and receives rave reviews for its bingeability.  The tone is comparable to Scandal or other Shonda Rhimes dramas.  

2015

Agent Carter – Season 1 (January-March 2015)– this is what it is and it corresponds to Midsummer, which is just a series of oneshots about Audrey growing upu

Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 2015) – Corresponds to Aurora

Quicksilver & the Scarlet Witch (released June 2015) – set throughout 2015; about Pietro and Wanda’s adjustments to their new lives as Avengers.  They’re both like 19? 20? This is written like a sitcom, kind of like what they’re doing with WandaVisionbut without Paul Bettany bc I hate that little man….anyway this technically takes place at the same time as Elysian but tonally they’re very different because Elysian is about Audrey going crazy and grieving Bruce’s “death” but the show is about the twins and their relationships with each other and an assortment of other employees from the base, who aren’t superheroes but are like medics, etc.  I think the tone is like Scrubs 

2016

Agent Carter – Season 2 (January-March 2016) – same as the above; about Peggy’s life in LA kicking ass and her romance with Sousa

Captain America: Civil War (April 2016) – this corresponds to Allegiance, while also unpacking unfinished business from Lady Liberty: Legacy and Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The Falcon – Season 2 (September 2016) – this is about Sam, Bucky, Steve, Nat, Pietro, and Wanda’s life on the run, but it especially focuses on Sam and his own missions/the villains targeting him.  Tonally, still Shonda Rhimes.  

2017

Lady Liberty and the Angels of Mercy (February 2016) – Marvel’s second R-rated film, but the MCU’s first.   Think about it like Birds of Prey in terms of general vibes.  Set immediately after Civil War and features an epilogue that connects Audrey to Thor: Ragnarok.  The story is set in Los Vegas.  Corresponds to Eternity, which is even longer than Nodus Tollens 

Defenders – Season 1 – features overlap with some of the characters from Angels of Mercy as well as Annie Esposito, a mob princess of New York.  Corresponds to Pernox

Thor: Ragnarok (November 2017) – Happens as it does, except for the part where Audrey has a short-lived romance with Loki and the part where Audrey and Thor realize that they are connected in their powers.  Considering including Lindsey Dubois in this just so I can have a romance play out between her and Valkyrie (Janelle and Tessa 4ever…) but also, I might not. Corresponds to Eternity

2018

Avengers: Infinity War (April 2018) – So yeah they fight Thanos, etc.  I’m changing the way Thanos is portrayed though bc I could not get over how he looks like a thumb long enough to actually feel afraid of him so this time he’s played by John Hamm and he’s a lot more well-connected than we all thought he was.  Also, the children of Thanos are actually all children because um I think that ups the creep factor some more.  Corresponds to Eternity as well

The Real Hawkeye (October 2018) – Kate Bishop and America Chavez fighting crime.  After the snap, there’s a spike in crime against vulnerable people who have lost their caretakers.  Might be set in a cult that actually worships Thanos?  And promises that it’s all a very good thing, what’s happened?  Very much a noir, might even be in black and white a la The Lighthouse.  

2019

Lady Liberty: Resurrection (January 2019) – Audrey wakes up on the other side of the universe after being kidnapped and decides to make her way home.  Featuring Carol Danvers, Loki, Nebula, and Valkyrie. Corresponds to Eternity and kind of feels like Star Wars/GotG 

Avengers: Endgame (April 2019) – Does not happen as it was written, because it was written like trash, but the same stuff needs to happen.  They fight, they win, etc.  Corresponds to Eternity.  

2020

Black Widow: The Long Thread (whenever covid ends 2020) - just the existing Black Widow movie lol

2021

Avengers Academy – Set 20 years in the future, Avengers Academy is a TV show that follows the next generation of heroes.  Kind of soapy, kind of witty.  Like if Riverdale was good.  Driven by an ensemble cast: Margo Banner (Bruce & Audrey’s daughter), Anastasia Barton-Romanoff (Natasha and Clint’s daughter), Morgan and Leo (Tony and Pepper’s kids), and some others I have not invented yet.  

[saranghanuuu]

Crash Landing On You Kdrama Review ♡

Crash Landing On You tells the story of rich heiress and fashion company CEO Yoon Seri who, because of a paragliding accident caused by a tornado, landed on the North Korean side of the DMZ. There she meets Ri Jeong Hyeok, a skilled North Korean army captain and only son of the Director of the General Political Bureau of North Korea. As a dutiful captain that he is, Jeong Hyeok contemplates to get rid of Seri before the State Security Department discovers her. However after he validates that her landing in the North is nothing but a mishap, Jeong Hyeok decides to hide and protect her - putting his life and honor on the line. The series covers their adventure in seeking out ways for Seri to return home to the South, Jeong Hyeok's reason and mission in joining the North Korean army, and their fateful love in the process.

A lot of friends in my circle have been urging me to watch Crash Landing On You but I was too afraid to start it. It's not that I resist harboring another emotional attachment towards this ongoing drama which everyone describes as really good. Rather, I more of feared the sensitivity of the topic it touches. Themes involving North Korea is no stranger in South Korean series and films and more often than not, North is being portrayed negatively. I've been an ambassador of South Korean culture and tourism in my country for years now and I am clearly aware about the political and military conflicts between the two nations. Considering all that, I tried avoiding this series at all cost.

Then came the Lunar New Year holiday - Crash Landing On You is on temporary hiatus, stopping at episode 10, and I happen to read an entertainment writeup stating that Seri managed to go back to Seoul (see? I'm updated regardless). I still remember how this news made me heave a sigh of relief and brought a little excitement deep in my heart, though didn't budge me enough to witness the nightmare she went through over the past 9 episodes. In the midst of all the media buzz as well as viewers' anticipation for the upcoming episodes, a lot of features and commentaries about the drama were released. From there, something finally piqued my interest to give Crash Landing On You a shot - and it's an article about a North Korean defector sharing on Youtube how well-made the drama is and that 60% of its portrayal of North Korea is accurate. Ze Korean-culture enthusiast in me suddenly became thirsty for profound knowledge about this topic, so I went on and watched her and other videos of North Korean Youtubers (who some personally became consultants of Crash Landing On You) reacting to the drama and applauding its depiction.

My Two Cents (Beware of slight SPOILERS!)

Overall a well-thought drama. The scripts are well-researched. The filming locations are well-chosen. Yes, Switzerland. Based on my research, this is one of those countries where both North and South Korea have bilateral relations with which made it a perfect spot for Jeong Hyeok and Seri's fateful first meeting. Well-directed. Well-casted. Well-acted. Oh well.

Unlikely theme comes with an unpredictable storyline. I would have never guessed what happens next until the episode actually came. A drama that will keep you intrigued till the end.

The facts are clear - Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin's chemistry is beyond question. Perfect pairing I may say. Both actors are on the same league.

Ri Jeong Hyeok and Yoon Seri are custom-made for each other. If they're not together then who else will be their perfect fit?

Adding epilogue at the end of each episode is far more better than out-of-the-blue backflashes.

Side characters aren't just for the sides. Gone are the days of third parties, when most side characters connive to torment the leads until they bleed, when the supporting leads hate the idea of our mains' happily ever after. Supporting characters lived up to this calling and indeed became our main characters' support system!

Effective antagonists. Their corrupt intentions are clear that their downfall is one for the books. The nerve of them all!

Second leads' romance are as intense as our main leads, though not as happy as we wish them to be. Sigh... My pity goes to Seo Dan. Beneath her snappy attitude and hard exterior lies a naive and loyal woman who wishes for someone to reciprocate her love. She doesn't just fall in love, she falls hard.

Captain Ri's squad and North Korean village ajummas are the true bias-wreckers! Betwixt and between all seriousness are the comedic relief they bring.

I was hostile towards Seri's eldest brother and his wife at first tbh. Nosy people is one of my greatest pet peeve. Who would've thought they'll grow on me towards the end? Geez.

Fictional, but gifted us viewers with a realistic ending. An on the nose finale that we can never question. There are more pleasant ways to finish the series, but given the present socio-political circumstances in Korea, the writer's ending is far more substantial. Don't worry, if you're wishing for a wedding and twins too, you're not alone.

Most favorite scenes (this was hard to answer) in random order

"A single step is okay" kiss

"We have Vivian, Venus..."

Hospital kiss in the rain (not really kissing in the rain, but yeah, y'know what I mean)

Jeong Hyeok's drunk promise

"Stop pointing the gun at my fiancee"

Showing the scars kiss and the funny scene that follows it

First awarding ceremony - "he chose corn over money" HAHAHAHAHA

Reunion of Seri and Captain Ri's squad in the South. So touching awww!

Senior Colonel's wife's birthday celebration. Seri is so witty here!

Averting the crisis - the South Korean drama way

"Bodyguard? I'm not protecting you. I'm keeping my eyes on you."

Captain Ri tying Seri's hair and the funny scene afterwards

Squad progress meeting at the sauna

Captain Ri and the squad protecting Seri like Men in Black

NIS reviewing Captain Ri's CCTV footages. They're meeting about compromised security and did this HAHAHAHAHA

Crossing the military demarcation line goodbye hug. This is too powerful. Both North and South became witnesses to their love. Aackk-

WITHDRAWAL HAS BEEN REAL. Imagine I was initially reluctant, but now I'm sending this drama off with a heavy heart. Crash Landing On You is one of my many firsts - first North Korean-themed Kdrama I've seen, first ongoing series I finished in 2020, first Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin drama I watched in 10 years (after Secret Garden and Personal Taste). This drama is extra special that it helped me broaden my perspective about Korea. I'm now considering of visiting DMZ on my Korean trip this spring... Even going on a Pyongyang tour maybe... But that's another story. Ciao!

Photo credits: tvn 드라마(drama), Soompi

[ibitchytimemachine]

Chapters: 45/45 Fandom: Dragon Ball Rating: Explicit Summary:

Future Bulma gets herself and Trunks in a lot of trouble when she 'borrows' a time machine from a visiting time traveller. Her world is turned on it's head when the identity of the time traveller is revealed. It starts slow, but then comes a twist and it hits 'like crack' I'm told. Contains time travel, sci-fi, romance and action! Rated M for language and sexual content.

So I was introduced to this fic because I read this sexy and hilarious piece from the same writer. I will not lie, I really loved this story but I do have some criticisms of it. First to the things I liked, below the cut! Beware of spoilers!

I liked the style of writing this author has. Even when reading a Midsummers Nights Dream (the one I linked second) I noticed the careful use of words and how playful the writing is. Even though Broken Down Universe is serious, it still has a playful quality to it. The characters are going through real issues, there is real heartbreak, there is real suffering and the characters are going through real hardship. You can feel the characters trauma, terror, pain etc. But these characters have not given up. Bulma has had everything taken from her, she's lost her parents, Vegeta, her friends, including ChiChi and Goku. There are very few “people” left that are around for her, and you can barely say they are there for her. Then she looses Trunks.

The world building is great. The disparity between the timelines is vividly described and feels complete. Character development is good. There are complete arcs and characters only feel as two dimensional as they do in the anime. Side characters grow an enormous amount in this tale, and it is refreshing to see other people get development in a VegeBul fic. The way18 specifically is written very nicely and is believable. Little details like her stealing nail polish from a different timeline and being afraid of rejection feel genuine. 

This writer took on a HUGE task of trying to explain time travel. It gets complicated, as it should. I think the writer took a risk for writing the back and forth of the time loops the way they did. The italicized writing feels more complex than it should have been. Possibly a beta reader or some editing could have simplified it simply by writing the loops in chronological order. This may have knocked out the need for a huge authors note at the end of these chapters to explain what happened. I understand the idea of writing it this way for effect, style etc, but I think it muddles an already complicated plot. 

I also wish the writer would have let it be an unhappy ending! When Bulma finds her letter it is this huge heart wrenching moment, I might have misted up a bit. Then you realize there are several more chapters left and the anxiety of the moment leaves a bit. I know it IS a HUGE risk for the VegeBul community to not have a happy family ending, but I liked the idea of this particular reality being more real. We don't always get the things we want. Sometimes we are left pregnant and alone. Sometimes we are heartbroken and things are gritty. I think the beauty of a sad ending could have been not that Bulma is broken because she doesn't have her man, but that yes there was a set back and through her own hard headedness, workaholic, pushy, go getter attitude she survived and rebuilt her life with the people around her. Through all odds she finally made good with the androids, and the towns folk like her - hell in the epilogue she was creating energy coils for the world - she could have raised her children and made a life for herself without Vegeta. While I love this pairing and want them to always be happy and fairy tale etc, I think this story’s apocalyptic setting and dirty, gritty feel could have had a successful “sad” ending. Even the sad ending would have still been happy (fish) she had Trunks back and she was rebuilding, plus the Kai gave her the ability to have the twins. 

Ultimately I think this story was a success. The characters were real, the setting was real, the plot far fetched, but hey so is the canon. This AU has a ton of potential, even for continuations. It would be neat to visit back after the twins grew up a bit more to explore how these half aliens are fitting into this world. If what you want is a hard hitting, sad, as real as these characters can be kind of story this is one you should read. @dragonbabezee

If you liked this review, after you check out this fic, head over to my A03 and check my stuff out too!

[crysdrawsthings]

30 Day SWTOR OC Challenge (20, 21 - Moruhin)

Day 20: Conclusion

How did they want their story to end? How did it actually end in the Class Quests (Chapter 1-3)? What about Shadows of Revan? What about KOTFE? KOTET?

Day 21: Coda

How do they change after their story? What is their “epilogue” like? Is it different from canon?

The Outlander: Are they the “Outlander” or do they have another part in the Alliance? Do they leave the Alliance or stay? Do they still consider themselves a member of the Sith or the Republic?

Contains AU stuff, so beware. Also spoilers.

So, dream ending for Moru is, as I perhaps mentioned somewhere, becoming extremely powerful and as immortal as possible. Ever-youth for bonus points, but not really necessary, there is a lot of ways to deal with aging. 

So from a certain point of view it can be seen like no ending at all. Like, you know, never ending story. But I guess if there mast be an ending it must something so Extra (tm) and unthinkably world-changing that she will be remembered to the end of days. Like, die but take that blasted Republic into the Void too. Or something like this world effecting.

Her story in first three chapters ended quite close to canon story. Darth Nox, Dark Councilor. five companions, some connections and a bit f personal powerbase.  Against canon Thanaton and Zash ended alive, some other changes (can’t came up with everyone right know). Also, ya know, that part about Vitiate-senpai. AU is so AU. 

SoR is happened in a far more different way that vanilla happened, KOTFE|KOTET not happened at all. 

During her story... Well. Came in some kind of inner peace with her spirit word related abilities. Like. No need of more EXTRA SUFFERING from using it. Hmf. Discovered these abilities in the first place. what surely had it’s toll on her mental state and character. Also, talks while sleep. Constantly.

Also meet GrandPa Kallig and finally get an verification of her “royal” roots and all that stuff, that possibly were troubling her. Bot that she was in an strong need of one, but... It surely helps.

Rise to the very top of sith hierarchy, observed Empire from many sides, come with her own view on it and how it must be. Also get some important connections, lover and, even various kinds of friends. And enemies. More enemies, obviously.

[doctorwhonews]

Oxygen

Latest Review: Space, the final frontier - these are the opening words of Oxygen, spoken by the Doctor, over a stark visual of two individuals floating lifelessly in space. The monologue might be an homage to that other long-lived sci-fi show, it sums up this episode perfectly. In space, we need oxygen to survive. Welcome to a universe where oxygen is a commodity. It makes perfect sense. In space, oxygen is just about the single most precious thing there is. Welcome to Oxygen.   BEWARE - THERE WILL BE SOME SPOILERS.   The pre-credits sequence has to be one of the creepiest yet. We find two people working their way around the exterior of a spaceship, their oxygen running dangerously low. One sees a shadow of something that is behind them flickering across a bulkhead. She turns and sees zombies, lurching zombies in helmet-less space suits, looming towards her through the dark vacuum arms outstretched. Her companion turns to see what is happening and sees that she is also now a zombie and is clawing mercilessly towards him . And then Murray Gold's theme kicks in. Back on Earth the Doctor is meant to be giving a lecture on crop rotation, but is actually,  quite aptly, giving a lecture on the effects of space on the human body. This is quite a handy and very timely lecture that will become a practical experience later in the story. The Doctor though has very itchy feet (no surprise there) and wants to escape the university and his duties to The Vault. It doesn't take long before the Doctor, Bill and Nardole find themselves in the TARDIS, answering a distress call. The trio materialise on a spaceship (which of course is the ship that featured in the pre-credits sequence) and find that it is a mining ship, that at first seems deserted (don't they always). After further exploration they find a dead crew member in a space suit, anchored to the floor by his magnetic boots, which are forcing the corpse to stand upright, leaning slightly to one side (this is such a simple, and creepy effect). It's quite a grisly sight that upsets Bill massively, in fact, she looks truly terrified by the scene - which makes her very human and incredibly relatable. Here is where the horror starts. In true, classic Doctor Who style there follows, of course, a lot of running down dark corridors, doors that won’t open, screaming, panic and facing up against all the odds. Oxygen is a base under siege story where the threat is already in the base. The tension really is palpable, if this story doesn't send the kids scuttling behind the sofa, asking their parents if it is safe to come back out yet, I don't know what will. Pearl Mackie as Bill continues to excel. I absolutely adored her when she was testing the gravity on the ship, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. When the Doctor tells her that the gravity is artificial, she disappointedly points out that it doesn't feel like space. She then looks out a window in pure wonder and takes in the rest of the ship and the stars, "NOW it seems like space!" she says in pure wonderment. On the flip side of her initial of course is her terror at the threat, which is truly palpable. And yes, when her space suit starts to malfunction, she is so very good that it will leave you breathless. Peter Capaldi puts in another performance that cements home to us all that he will be missed when his time eventually comes. At points during this story, it feels as if the Doctor is out of his depth, which is something that immediately puts the viewer on edge. Plus there are actual ramifications to his actions and heroics that seem as if they will carry on into the next episode, and possibly the rest of the series. Now THAT gives you a story with depth. Wait for his reaction to an unfortunate incident with the sonic, its classic. The guest actors are all very good, with Mimi Ndiweni being the stand out as the straight talking Abby. The show is brilliantly directed by Charles Palmer, who makes the tension and events very real. Palmer has worked on Who before with credits that include The Shakespeare Code, Family of Blood and Human Nature. Oxygen contained some of the best direction I have seen in Who, and Palmer's style was, for me,  very reminiscent of Graeme Harper. Palmer knows how to handle Who, and it shows in buckets. Oxygen is written by Jamie Mathieson, who is, of course, an old hand now, and boy is this evident. Once the TARDIS crew materialise on the ship the action DOES NOT STOP until the epilogue. Everything is believable and well thought out. From the tech to the characterisations of the guest stars. This is sterling stuff. However, there is a little bit of guff. I truly hate to single him out, as I think this may be Moffat's brief for the character and not his fault, but Matt Lucas's Nardole has started to grate on me. At the beginning of this story, he is brilliant. I adored how persistent he was at trying to get the Doctor back into the TARDIS and back to Earth to watch over The Vault. But as the episode went on, he just became the obligatory comic stooge. I've never been a fan of an obvious comic stooge, so this might be just me. There is also another reset button that puts right MOST of the carnage, but without re-setting, there really would have been no way back. Negativity aside, there is a lot of continuity in this episode, for starters the nod back to the second story of classic Who (I don't need to tell you which one!), where the Doctor lies about the fluid link. There are also a number of ongoing themes, Artificial Intelligence being one of them, and racism another. As a viewer, you are not quite sure where to look when a blue alien accuses Bill of being racist. Bill is obviously mortified, but at the same time realises that her actions did cause offence finding that the boot on a very different foot. As well as continuity, there is a familiar feel to events. The space suits reminded me of those in Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead, especially with the flashing coloured bars that show the level of oxygen left. The gritty interior of the space ship harked back to The Impossible Planet and The Satan Pit. I was also reminded at points of The Robots of Death  and The Sun Makers. While on the subject of capitalism, there is an instantly classic line in Oxygen that sums up the whole of this story - "We're fighting the suits!" I thought last weeks Knock Knock was a bit of a misstep, yes it was a good story, but it all unraveled rather quickly in the end. I always judge Who by it's re-watch value, and I can't see me revisiting Knock Knock again anytime soon. Oxygen, however, has the feel of an instant classic, the best in the season so far, and probably up there in my top three Capaldi episodes. I promise - Oxygen will leave you breathless and is sure to absolutely max you out on that adrenaline.   http://reviews.doctorwhonews.net/2017/05/oxygen.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr