#so prepared to write onward at the writer's group tonight

[lordsardine]

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[tbhwhocaresanymore]

Nancy Drew 2x2

Me in my naïveté: surely, the Nancy Drew writers, the best writers the CW has on staff, have run out of ways to bring back past moments and episodes that seemed unimportant at the time.

ND writers: Bitch you thought?

Y’ALL

When I say tonight’s episode made me absolutely lose my actual goddamn mind that is not in any way an exaggeration. My brain physically pried itself out of my skull and ran away down the street.

Jesus Jedediah Christ the way they brought back those five people/ghosts who at the time seemed absolutely unimportant and sent me so entirely off my rocker if I even attempt to think about it for more than two seconds I’ll spontaneously combust so we’re going to have to work around it.

First off, no surprise: HANNAH GRUEN. My bae. My wife. Love of my life. You were only there for two minutes but they were exquisite.

Second I fucking KNEW that dude from the Marvin funeral episode was important. If you’ll recall from my review my theory at the time was that maybe HE killed Owen, but you know what this was so much better.

Okay, to business. At the beginning when Nancy is seeing all of the scratches on Douglas Marvin’s grave and then we zoom out to kind of see the Aglaeca in the side of the frame, and then zoom out more and it turns around and LOOKS at us doing that creepy little swaying thing? POETIC CINEMA. Riverdale wants what Nancy Drew has.

That “unfortunate first meeting” George had with Nick’s mom and her subsequent attempts to prove herself, culminating in Millie giving her the dumpling recipe? Adorable. Speaking of the mom, I do indeed hope we see more of her. Her and Nick’s moment at the end of the episode where he talked about seeing her cry in the courtroom absolutely broke my heart. I can’t handle the thought of him not at the very least having the occasional phone call with her from this point onwards.

To be entirely honest almost every scene with the mom broke my heart. When she was talking about how she and her husband raised Nick to always do everything right and lost him anyway? Hhhhhhhhhhhhh it hurts. The writers said they would be keeping BLM in mind while writing this season, like how they kept Me Too in mind for the first one, and I was a little worried it would be hamfisted. But if they continue as they did tonight it will be nothing but beautiful.

Guys. Guys. I know I said I had no idea how to talk about it but I have to talk about it. That scene in the orphanage. When they find the photo. And Nancy realizes she has seen all of those ghosts before.

GUYS.

EPISODE 3.

SINCE EPISODE THREE THE WRITERS HAVE BEEN PLANNING THIS.

GODDAMN DO WE LOVE CONTINUITY AND FOLLOWING THROUGH ON PLOT LINES AND WRITERS WHO KNOW WHAT THE FUCK THEY’RE DOING. I WANT TO FIND THE SHOWRUNNER AND KISS THEM ON THE MOUTH.

Ahem.

Anyway.

I thought Carson and Ace had some really nice moments this episode. i.e. “The guy at the store said it was a one man job.” “I think the guy at the store lied to you.” I am, however, curious if Nancy is going to ever bring her father in on the fact that supernatural beings exist and that she deals with them on the reg. Like I know he helped them out with the coma ritual with McGinnis (McGinnis come back 😭😭😭) but they never really brought it up with him again, and he’s been like kept out of the loop on it all ever since. I’m just wondering if he in fact actually knows and is just remarkably calm all the time, or if he’s in denial, or what. But tbh I do have a very strong amount of sympathy for Carson, and I really want him and Nancy to get back on good terms. At the end of the episode when she brought him the coffee and stuff I teared up a little. I’m an adult, I can admit it. Maybe it’s just because I’m such a massive fan of the books, where she and her dad were so close, but having them at odds especially after they started out that way, is painful.

Speaking of the books.

Fernwood orphanage. Hhhhhh writers I see what you did there. But for those of you who don’t know, in Nancy Drew #9 The Sign of the Twisted Candle, Nancy Bess and George stop at a roadside inn/bed and breakfast type place. At the inn is a 100 year old man named Ada Sydney who Nancy befriends, along with a young orphan waitress named Carol Wipple whom Ada has a soft spot for. The next day he dies, and turns out Carson is his lawyer and Nancy goes with him for the will reading. Long story short, Carol is apparently his granddaughter and he leaves her like EVERYTHING, but when she was young she grew up at, drumroll please!

FERNWOOD ORPHANAGE. I AM DECEASED.

And the Stratemeyer woods? For the same people, Stratemeyer Syndicate was the place that published all the Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift books, etc. You will not be able to find them today however, as they were bought by Simon and Schuster in like 1987.

Back to the show.

When Detective Tamura (aka The Inferior McGinnis Who Can Rot In Hell) said the skeleton was Buddy and NOT KJ (AJ? I’m deaf) I got suspicious. And then as soon as they played the record and only five ghosts showed up, I was all ‘HOLY SHIT HE IS ALIVE’ and then he WAS. At the end of the episode, when they saw the flowers on the graves? You guys I was LOSING. MY MIND. And then the note saying “forgive me -kitsune” aaaaaaah. I am in fact afraid that he wants forgiveness because he sacrificed the others to save himself, but I am praying the writers do not do that to me.

I’m interested in finding out, assuming we meet KJ/AJ next episode, WHY the 1975 group reached out to the Aglaeca in the first place. Nancy and Crew did it because they needed Lucy Sable’s bones from 20 years ago to get Carson off the hook for murder, I am assuming these guys had at least as good a reason. And the Aglaeca herself. Dear god you guys. Odette Marvin. I’ve been saying and we’ve all known for a while, that she was wronged by the Marvin family. But Lordy that’s extreme. Listening to the overlaying recording? They low key abducted her, stole her fortune, her chaperone and the captain betrayed her, she was presumably bound hand and foot had her head shaved and got thrown into the ocean. I think I might be a little murderous too ngl. Although it begs the question, why exactly did Douglas Marvin have her painted into the hall of tragedies? I don’t think it was to gloat. Maybe Odette haunted him after the fact and added herself into the painting? But my favorite theory is that Odette as the Aglaeca started killing all the people who were in on it, her chaperone, the captain, etc., (I assume there were six) and Douglas saw the others dying and painted her into the portrait as a way to warn future generations of Marvins, rather than fess up to what he had done. I also want to know the deal with the first women to summon her, and the mirror? There is potential there I KNOW IT.

If you’re not a Drewson shipper feel free to skim this paragraph but guys Nick and Nancy are soulmates it’s confirmed. I’m not even kidding guys I was in no way shape or form prepared for the amount of Nick x Nancy content I got tonight. When Nick is at her house and they mention how they skipped friendship the first time around? “We skipped a lot of things the first time around.” DEAD. And then later at the Claw, when Nancy and not George came to comfort him post fight with the mother? And then he saw that look Nancy gets where her eyes flit around cause her mind is working overtime? *chef’s kiss* My prediction is they will spend this season building up a strong, solid, foundational Nancy x Nick friendship and then when they give the romance a second go they will be so. much. stronger. I’m guessing season 3 will be spent in a bit of a complicated love triangle with Nick and Nancy (re)developing feelings for each other while still having them for George and Ace, making the eventual payoff all the more delightful.

I close this review - which was admittedly less of a review and more of me shrieking incoherently - off with a plea to the writers.

*eyes turn black*

WHERE IS DEAD LUCY

WRITERS

WHERE IS SHE

IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR. FOR TEN MONTHS NOW I HAVE GONE WITHOUT HER. SHE HAS BEEN GONE SINCE EPISODE 16. NO SCREAMING. NO CREEPY CRAWLING. NOTHING. WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER. BRING HER TO ME.

*shakes self* Glad to get that out of my system. See you all next week for 2x3, The Secret of the Solitary Scribe.

[scourgewins]

Mafia AU (Part 2.2)

(Ugh!! Finals had me distracted, folks, so apologies for that. I STILL haven’t finished Part 2, but at least I finally got this section finished. WHY WAS THIS SO HARD TO WRITE? I don’t know, I hope it’s good. If you’re a writer, I think you can understand the frustration I’m feeling.)

(Warnings: Guns, blackmail)

(If you need to catch up: Part 1 and Part 2.1)

The pale moon was just enough to light Sammy’s way without rendering him completely visible. He flipped the collar of his coat up to keep out the chilly night wind, while checking to make sure no one had spotted him. He’d had to slip through a window on the lower floor in order to make it past Shawn and Thomas (who were on guard duty) unseen. The musician’s gaze flitted up to the upper floor of the headquarters, to see several lights on in the bedrooms; it looked like no one was getting any sleep tonight.

Sammy had spent most of that day helping tidy up the parlor and board up the windows. After that, he’d been on guard duty for two hours alongside Wally, who was prone to talking, and talking a lot. The musician had wondered if he could blame someone else in Joey’s gang if he shot the prattling idiot, but figured he shouldn’t chance it.

True to his word, Henry had tried to keep an ink shield around those on guard duty, which could be seen as a faint dark shimmer in the air around them. Every now and again the shimmer winked out, so Henry could take a breather. Joey didn’t attack again, though, as Sammy had expected. He’d probably wait to hear Sammy’s report before doing anything further.

It was about 11 in the evening right now, so Sammy didn’t find it likely he’d be spotted by passers-by. Many people would be at the speakeasy, though, and Sammy took a detour that set himself at a distance from it.

Sammy always liked to vary the path he took to Joey’s headquarters, so no random citizen would notice him walking by the same way all the time. This time he went on a long, looping walk around the speakeasy and down a side street that would take him directly to headquarters. He hadn’t taken this route in a long while.

The streets were quiet as Sammy progressed onward, the only sound being his own breathing and footsteps mixed with cars in the distance. This made it easier to hear the whisper emanating from around the corner ahead of him.

Sammy stopped in his tracks and instinctually moved to hide behind some trash cans, careful not to make any noise. The voice of the whisperer sounded familiar, and Sammy’s ears strained to hear what was being said.

“I had to protect you, Winona.” Norman?

A female voice spoke, Winona’s voice, “But now Bendy suspects you, and if he tells Joey-”

“I explained things to Bendy. He thinks I just accidentally bumped him with my gun.”

Sammy’s mind flashed back to this morning, remembering how the bullets had somehow completely missed everyone, with no explanation.

“You, a trained gunman, accidentally bumped him with your gun?” Winona repeated, “He’s not going to believe that.”

“What was I supposed to do?” Sammy had never heard Norman sound so agitated, “Let him shoot you? There were no other options.”

There was silence for a while, during which Sammy held his breath, afraid to make the slightest sound. At last, Winona spoke, her voice gentle.

“I know. We’ll just have to be more careful from now on.”

There came a long sigh, then, “I love you, Winona.”

“I love you, too, Norman.”

Sammy could not believe what he was hearing. Not only was Norman betraying his own side, but he had actually said, “I love you.” Both realities were equally astounding.

“I’d better go before I’m missed.”

“Yeah,” Norman sounded reluctant.

“I’ll see you soon.”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t forget what I said.”

“I won’t.”

Another moment of silence, then Winona was walking down the alley Sammy was hiding in. Sammy crouched lower, hoping he was in enough shadow that his bright blonde hair wouldn’t betray him. Winona walked past, her gaze lowered, brow furrowed. Sammy watched as she reached the end of the alley and looked up and down the street, stepping cautiously out. She was probably just as wary of being spotted as Sammy was.

Once Winona was out of view, Sammy turned his attention back to Norman, who had watched her leave. The musician couldn’t read Norman’s expression from here, but from the way his fists clenched and from his stiff posture, Sammy could guess he wasn’t smiling.

The astonishment Sammy felt at what he’d seen was slowly being replaced with something else, and a grin spread over his face.

A sigh escaped Norman, and the gangster turned back toward Joey’s headquarters. Rising to his feet, Sammy silently followed, quietly taking his pistol out from his coat pocket. When they’d reached the backstreet leading to Joey’s house, the musician paused and cleared his throat, raising the weapon.

In the blink of an eye, Norman had whipped out his own pistol and was aiming it square at Sammy’s face. He faltered, however, when he saw who it was.

Sammy felt his grin widen, “Hey, Norman! Fancy meeting you here on this fine, romantic evening.”

Norman’s jaw clenched. Still with his gun leveled, he moved closer to his fellow gangster, his dark brown eyes appearing even darker in the dim light and with his cold expression.

“What do you want, Sammy?”

“Just to talk. You’ve been doing a fair bit of that.”

Norman’s glare was like ice, “What do you know?”

Just like Norman to immediately get down to business, “I know that you’ve been talking with a girl from our enemy’s side, Winona Franks to be precise.” When Norman remained silent, Sammy continued, “I know that the two of you seem to have an… intimate relationship. Do you meet up with her often?”

Norman looked close to shooting Sammy, but Sammy knew he probably wouldn't. Probably. “I know that you’re the reason why she and Lacie and Jack aren’t dead. Lucky break, having Winona on guard duty.” He paused, “Have you told her about me?”

Norman’s grip on his pistol was so tight his hands began to shake, “I haven’t told her anything.” he growled.

“You sure?” Sammy looked Norman dead in the eye. It was imperative that Sammy’s identity as a spy not be disclosed until the proper moment.

“I haven’t told her anything.” Norman repeated, saying every word slowly and deliberately.

“Well, then we’ve got nothing to worry about. Except of course for the small matter of your betrayal.”

Norman’s expression didn’t change, “If you tell Joey about me, I’ll tell Henry’s side about you.”

“It’s only a matter of time ‘till they find out, Norman.” Sammy waved the threat aside with his free hand, “And besides, do you really think that if I told Joey you’d be able to escape to Henry’s? The Butcher Gang would be on you in two seconds.”

“I’ll find a way.”

“I doubt it.” Sammy said, “The only option would be to kill me, though of course I’d kill you, too.” He glanced meaningfully at his pistol, “And even if I didn’t, Joey would find out. He’s always able to detect when someone’s guilty.”

“He hasn’t detected me yet.”

“True, but I doubt as major a crime as one of his gangsters killing another of his gangsters will slip away unnoticed. Joey will most likely kill you, and what will your precious Winona do then?” Sammy felt his lips twitch in a smirk.

For a split second, Norman looked like he was going to pull the trigger, and the musician felt his finger muscles tense as he prepared to do the same. But this brief resolve dissipated quickly. Sammy continued talking once he was sure Norman wouldn’t make a move, “I might be persuaded into silence, however.”

Norman shifted his grip on his gun, “What do you want?”

“What do you have to offer?”

Norman was silent a moment, “I’ll give you a cut of my pay.”

“How much are we talking?”

“Fifty percent.”

Sammy pretended to think for a few seconds, “Is that all?”

“I can’t give you more.”

“I think you can. The way I see it, you’re betraying Joey, the man who pays you; therefore, the money isn’t yours.”

“It’s not yours either.”

“It doesn’t matter whether or not it’s mine. Pay me or I’ll tell Joey all about your little Romeo and Juliet story.”

Norman didn’t speak for a long while, and Sammy was about to repeat his demand when the other gangster finally said, “Fine.” his voice flat.

Sammy’s grin returned to its full force, “Perfect. Let’s get back to Joey’s, then.” With his pistol, Sammy gestured for Norman to keep walking. Norman slowly turned around, lowering his weapon.

Sammy smiled. He hadn’t had a confrontation like that in a long time; he’d forgotten how fun it was watching the other person squirm. He supposed he’d have to be a bit more wary around Norman from now on, though. Norman was a crafty man, who was probably already plotting some sort of way out of his predicament. Sammy couldn’t think of any way out for him, unless he fled the city. But then he’d be leaving Winona, which, from what little Sammy had seen of them together, was probably not an option he cared for.

It was still baffling to Sammy that Norman, of all people, would fall in love. He was perhaps the least approachable person Sammy had ever met, and yet he was risking his life for some girl. Love has weakened him. Sammy thought to himself, just as his mind brought up the images of Susie and Matt. He tried to banish this unwelcome intrusion into his thoughts, but they refused to leave. Sighing, the musician tried to focus more on the trudging Norman ahead of him. Affection has not made me weak, he told himself, I’m still going to fulfill my duty. Joey’s side was the winning side, for sure. It would be foolish to leave it, not that he wanted to join Henry’s group of imbeciles anyway. No, he was right where he wanted to be. Besides, Norman’s paycheck is more than enough reason to stay, Sammy thought, smiling as he considered what he’d do with the money.