#two very brief scenes for robert

[bobbie-robron]

Edna reckons more Dingles have descended on the dales.

Oh, they’ll take over this village one day and then it REALLY will be time to up the stakes.

Val and Paul show off the new drapes in the Sugden home. Edna, Pearl and Betty are in fine form gossiping about the new Dingle baby and Edna (MVP of the episode) is very spot on about things. Hearing all the gossiping from the trio, Jack PROUDLY announces Andy is the dad and he’s thrilled (Robert is far from that),

13-Jun-2005

[mariocki]

New Scotland Yard: We Do What We Can (2.11, LWT, 1972)

"I have to be careful."

"You're big and ugly enough to look after yourself."

"Not with this little firm I'm not."

"Which firm?"

"Jimmy Sutton's. He don't believe in straighteners. Goes in for surgery."

"Surgery?"

"Amputation with a sawn-off shotgun."

"Ah. Well, you can always apply for a claim at the Criminal Injuries Board."

"I wouldn't have a leg to stand on, would I?"

[gayvephelis]

RISE TWITTER QNA! no major news or announcements, but here's a list of new information and confirmations:

S3 could be brought back as a retro show in the future, but it probably wouldn't happen anytime soon (focus is on mutant mayhem at the moment)

it was never decided whether capril would be friends or girlfriends (due to rise's focus on platonic relationships)

council of heads! they're in power, but a lot of influential yokai (like big mama) aren't easily controlled, and "game the system"

despite not having his dual katana, supposedly f!leo DOES still have mystic powers

ron corcillo would love to see a spin-off focused on the caseys (if rise were ever continued), and likes the potential of a raph + casey vigilante duo

the turtles got their names after splinter's love for renaissance art

big mama's henchman WAS planned to be the missing sister, and rather than venus de milo, she would've been named after a female artist (possibly frida kahlo)

for halloween: raph dressed up as a kitten, mikey as a lion, leo as a rockstar, and donnie as j. robert oppenheimer

the mystic weapons stolen from draxum acted as a conduit to help the boys unlock their innate mystic powers with a "little boost"

they didn't realise mayhem's potential as a character/force until too late, but it could've been fun to do some stories of him being an operative (a la perry the platypus)

there weren't any planned stories for side villains (aside from the foot's cupcake shop), most focus was on the turtles

not much on casey jr's backstory, just that cass and the turtles were fighting the krang and leo raised him as a warrior. casey jr only has brief memories of cass from when he was very young, and was mostly raised by leo

there were definitely six baby turtles (two sisters)! and the turtles were gonna split up to rescue the one with big mama and the one in "the dimension", but they never planned much of it out

there's most likely a time gap between the rescuing leo and the ending scene of the movie, as "after a fight like that, [everyone] would definitely crash and need some recovery time"

there would've been more big mama in future episodes, and stinkbomb was planned to return

since the turtles became known to the public at the end of the movie, they'd have to fight to retain their reputation. this and their reception to criticism/backlash would've become a major arc.

on brother rankings: mikey is definitely raph's favourite, and they all look up to raph

the stronger someone's ninpo is, the greater the drain on their energy is (as seen with f!mikey and karai)

there wouldn't be much threat on villains going after casey jr's future intel, because most of it would've been rendered obsolete

nickelodeon would never give up the rights to rise, but they could license it to a partner company (such as IDW for a comic!)

as previously mentioned, the 2nd sister would've been trapped in "another dimension" and venus/frida would have to be won over by "helping her see that she had been brainwashed [by big mama] as a child" (and redeemed)

given more time, the show would've fleshed out: the hamato story, the hidden city's origins (krang spaceship that crashed into the crying titan being the source of the ooze, its fuel being what gave the yokai mystic powers), and would've used the rat king (who ron corcillo would've liked to be a powerful yokai with rat-like abilities and some form of mind control, who could've threatened the council of heads for power in the hidden city)

as far as we know, the turtles (aside from leo's spanish) only speak english (and even their english is sometimes a bit off)

rise probably wouldn't have ever "gone dark", but after the turtles were publicly known and full-time heroes, it might've had more of an extended plotline

the turtle's casual clothes somewhat reflect their music tastes (r&b for raph, glam rock for leo, techno (and 80s) for donnie and boy band for mikey)

future heights: mikey grew a bit and then shrunk under mystic strain, leo was at least 6ft, donnie a little taller than leo, and raph at least 6'6

mikey's powers could get pretty intense, which could've resulted in some multiverse episodes (ron corcillo would be most inclined to do a 12 crossover, but any could work). while leo portals short distances, mikey's cross space and time (with great effort)

given more time, how the turtles met april would've been fleshed out

in terms of how they take after splinter: donnie and leo have a lot of his cockiness, raph his courage and sense of duty, and mikey senses him missing his family (which is part of the reason of why he tries to hold everyone together)

given more time they would've done more with the transfer of leadership from raph to leo (and originally the plan was to draw that out over S3, rather than the abrupt S2 ending). they would've been co-leaders for a while, and at times mikey or donnie would lead (they aren't really a group with just one leader archetype)

there were plans for april to have more time with the specific turtles other than donnie (like how the gumbus was focused on her mikey and leo)

the cast's mystic abilities would've increased over time, and splinter has a lot of power that hasn't been revealed (as he spent a lot of time in the hidden city in his past)

venus/frida would've been very disciplined and so serious that's she's funny, and the dimension sister would've been "a little kooky"

there weren't really any plans on how the turtles would look in cloaked human forms, just that they'd resemble lou jitsu and may be inspired by their VAs

mikey is the only brother who can fully pull all his limbs and head into his shell (being a box turtle)

any usagi appearances would be a rights matter, and depend on collaboration

on timelines: april is 16 at the start of the series and 18 in the movie, but exactly how much time passes isn't confirmed

ron corcillo would've liked to do more donnie + raph episodes, like one where despite how donnie considers himself smarter, raph ends up beating him in common sense and emotional intelligence

f!leo didn't go with casey jr to the past due to being mortally wounded in his bleeding side

given more time there would've been more flashback episodes with the turtles at various ages

though he'd never admit it, hueso has a close relationship with leo

in early S3 there would've been an episode of setting up the new lair

mystic warrior f!mikey is pretty old (maybe in his 70s), and is strong enough to use basically any mystic power, but at great cost to him physically

no major plans with bishop, but once the turtles became more well-known he could be a bit of a thorn in their sides (like j. jonah jameson to spiderman)

there might've been some redemption from big mama, but also some relapses into her "villainous ways"

given a full season, karai would've been alive for longer, and would've trained the boys for a number of episodes

confirmation that some of early s1 aired in the wrong order (which the writers weren't happy about)

in rise, there's always an unpredictability as to how sentient a mutant will turn out to be

raph probably wouldn't be super uptight about swearing, provided the boys weren't offending anyone

there weren't any plans for romantic relationships (and DEFINITELY never an april-turtles love interest), but if they had ever tried something eventually it would've been with the same species

there were no specific plans for alopex, rita, or rennet, but anything's a possibility

in terms of the 1000 years ago krang/mystic timeline, the spaceship crashed first (possibly spawning the yokai), and other krang followed it, drawing in the invasion

that seems to be about it but if there's any more i'll do a reblog with additions

[staticwaffles]

My thoughts on the second season. Not looking to start a conversation here. I just want to get my thoughts and feelings down.

Overall:

The show looked amazing. Somehow better than the first season.

The production and design teams deserve all the awards.

I loved the cinematography.

I definitely felt Britell's absence but I thought Roberts did a decent job with the soundtrack.

The cast give some of their best performances ever this season.

The highs of the season were very high (Ghorman arc, Mon's speech), but the lows were very low for me (writing choices for some of the characters and the time jumps).

The three episodes a week thing was brutal and I really wish we had one episode a week instead. I wanted to sit with an episode for a week to dig into it and discuss it with my friends. It also sucked having this season end so fast after waiting over two years for it.

The first season will always hold a special place in my heart, and I wish deep down we were given five seasons in that style, or at least three seasons. I felt the second season, particularly from a character standpoint, really suffered from the time jumps.

If the first season is a 10/10 for me, then the second season is an 8/10, and it is very much carried by the Ghorman arc. For me, personally, the show succeeded in the story it wanted to tell, but didn't quite hit the mark as a Rogue One prequel.

Below are thoughts I wrote down after watching each arc, and then again after the finale. Warning: I yap a lot and don't make much sense.

Arc 1:

I have a weird relationship with this arc. It was very enjoyable, but the first two episodes felt like a bit of a departure from the usual tone of the series? And in retrospect, this arc felt really weird in the grand scheme of the season (and even the show). Not sure how to word how I'm feeling here.

I loved the opening sequence. Cassian's speech to Niya. Learning on the job when flying the TIE. It looked incredible and was a great way to open the season.

The acting of the two "leaders" of the Dipshit Brigade was not on the level of this show. Apologies, but their performances do kind of take me out of it.

Ben is great as Krennic (as expected). I like how they are setting up Ghorman here.

Bix being an older sister to Wilmon is very special to me and I love that dynamic.

"I'VE BEEN UPSIDE FOR TWO DAYS!" I am so sorry Cassian, but I laughed so hard at this part. I loved it.

Oh my gosh the dinner scene. Syril laying on the bed. Incredible stuff.

Bix has been through a lot, so I'm not sure how I feel about that scene happening to her character. However, I give kudos to the show for calling it what it is.

I liked seeing the wedding but I felt that too much time was spent here? Also RIP Tay.

Pretty sure they just wrote off B2 here. At least he's alive?

Brasso :(

Footnote since I've watched the finale. Did they really not once mention B2 or Brasso at all after this arc??? I was a little shocked Cassian didn't toast to him with Vel. These were both beloved characters and then they were just...gone. I know B2 made a brief appearance at the end, but come on.

Arc 2:

This arc was much more Andor-like than the first. But all three episodes being released was brutal on my first watch. There was SO much information to process.

I can't stress this enough. Ghorman looks AMAZING. Practical sets my beloved.

This arc solidified my love for Kleya. She is up there on my list of favourite characters. And Elizabeth is knocking it out of the park with her acting. This was further cemented for me in the finale.

I'm really enjoying what they are doing with Syril. As well as Dedra.

Cassian going undercover as Varian Skye and code switching was everything to me. I need more of this.

Mon and Krennic going at each other in a verbal fist fight oh hell yeah.

Bix and Cassian. Where to begin. They're cute, and Diego and Adria have great chemistry, but I am not liking the direction they are taking with Bix and how they are writing her. The revenge scene was cool I guess? But it happened very suddenly. I needed more build up to it.

Not going to lie, I was expecting Cassian to be more committed to the cause at this point given what happened on Ferrix, his reaction to Nemik's manifesto, Narkina, and the whole "kill me or take me in" thing. I also felt he was rather largely absent from this arc?

Cinta's death. Oh boy. Just why? It was way too soon after they just reconciled. Vel and Cinta have hardly had much screen time at this point. I think it was at this moment I realized how much the time jumps were hurting this season as a lot of character development takes place off screen.

Arc 3:

Easily the best arc of the entire season. Episode 8 and 9 deserve the high praise and ratings.

They really like making Cassian shirtless in episode 7, huh? I'm not complaining.

More Bix and Wil sibling dynamic ahhh my heart.

Yavin looks great! I just wish we got to see more of them setting up the base and recruiting people. Again, the time jumps are taking these things away from us.

I actually quite liked the part with the Force Healer. Cassian being the "messenger" and "there's some place he needs to be" bit. They also played a stripped/slowed down version of the music that plays when he dies 1) during that part, 2) when Bix tells him later what the Force Healer said and they hug, 3) when Bix tells Vel "he'll be there when you need him", and 4) when Cassian is telling Bix he's done and that "there are still places to go to", and yeah that broke my heart :(

Episode 8. What can I say. An absolute masterpiece. I don't think I'll ever stop hearing the Ghor singing their national anthem and Dreena's broadcast.

Syril and Cassian's fight was incredibly well done and well worth the two season long build up. Also Cassian going "who are you?" had me screaming.

I also thought Syril was very well written over both seasons. I understood his motivations and his reactions. I thought his ending was well done. Huge props to Kyle for absolutely killing it as Syril.

And then Mon Mothma. Oh my gosh. What an amazing character. She has been one of my favourites since the first season. And I really like how this show has given so much more depth to her character. Genevieve O'Reilly deserves all the awards for her performance.

Speaking of Mon, her speech was incredible, and I loved the use of Eulogy here. There's a small part of me that wished she got her own epic monologue soundtrack, though.

Mon and Cassian on my screen together. I really needed this. I also like how Cassian extracting Mon showcases why he is the guy for the job.

I quite like where they're taking Cassian here. Like I said, he's the guy for the job, but he doesn't want to be the guy. I didn't quite fully understand this until his discussion with Kleya and then later with Luthen where he says, "I make my own decisions" and Luthen responds with, "Is that what you've been doing?" Cassian is someone who wants to make his own choices, but hardly gets to. Ever since Maarva took him from Kenari, it's mostly been others making these major life choices for him. I see the impact of this when he lets Wil go find Dreena. Even though it kills Cassian on the inside, he won't take that choice away from Wil. Then in Rogue One, Cassian finally makes his own choices. Idk this take on Cassian makes him more complex and human to me, and I really like it. It also strengthens the parallels between him and Jyn.

My two complaints with the above point is that 1) this should have happened sooner in the season, and 2) his relationship with Bix is just not done well enough for me to feel that it's the major thing holding him back from being fully committed.

Speaking of Bix, she is pushed to the side this arc. She's an amazing mechanic, so why couldn't there have been scenes of her teaching new recruits? Or doing a weapons assessment? Or just doing something that contributes to the base? Her speech at the end, whilst sad and well acted, didn't really stick the landing with me. I like her character and just feel she deserved better :( also Adria does a great job playing Bix and I wanted to see more.

Same with Vel. I needed to see more of her here. Maybe a discussion with Bix about Cinta, Brasso, and all the others they've lost (edit: this took place in the last arc, but with Cassian instead of Bix. I'm glad it happened but I'm still salty at no Brasso mention).

At least K2 is here. I don't mind the way they've introduced him into the series, I'm just sad we only get one arc with him and Cassian together. He really needed to be introduced sooner for me.

Despite my grievances, this arc was phenomenal.

Arc 4:

Episode 10 was amazing. Luthen, and especially Kleya, were some of the biggest highlights of this show for me. It was a risk putting an episode like this in the final arc, but I think it ultimately paid off.

The rest of this arc was enjoyable, but it felt like a "oh shit we need to tie into Rogue One" arc. It was a bit jarring getting into this after Ghorman and Mon's speech in the previous week.

Having Melshi, K2, and Cass together on my screen is something I'm so grateful for (be still my secret little Melshian heart). I loved all their scenes together. Also, more Melshi is always a good thing!

Speaking of K2, I do wish we had more of him. I understand the decision to not bring him in earlier, but I still feel disappointed.

Cassian throwing himself over Kleya to protect her? Obsessed.

Goodbye Bryar pistol :( it doesn't look like he had it with him after extracting Kleya.

Loved Vel and Cass toasting to some of those who have fallen (still upset at no Brasso mention, though). And I loved seeing more Vel on my screen, especially with Mon and Kleya.

Holy shit that ending for Dedra. That interrogation scene with Krennic was terrifying as well.

Nemik's manifesto again!!!!!! And WOW that ending for Partagaz.

I was a little shocked at there being no Jyn mention? Or at least something alluding to her existence? I'm glad they mentioned Galen at least.

Not sure how I feel yet on Cassian's characterization in the show. I enjoyed a lot of what they brought to the character, but I felt like he didn't get as much development as he did in the first season? I guess I'm a little disappointed, but overall satisfied. Ultimately, I was hoping for better in the final season.

Loved the little montage at the end though of Cassian walking through Yavin to depart for Kafrene. I sobbed. He also watered his plants beforehand. And yes I cried at that.

Not particularly happy with the baby scene. I feel like Bix, in general, deserved more screen time (independent of Cassian) and better writing if this is where they were taking her. However, I'm just not a big fan of this trope in general...

I'm happy Wilmon is alive and with Dreena.

B2 my beloved!!!!

I am definitely due for a Rogue One rewatch soon.

[mysaintkitten]

It’s All Yours | Davin McDerby x fem!reader

prompt: car sex with davin lol (NSFW, no minors)

WARNINGS: slight references to sunburn plot, fingering, brief nipple play, unprotected sex (p in v), car sex, slight praise/degradation??, slight come eating

word count: 1.9k

roberts party was a bust. as soon as carolyn returned home, everyone quickly fled the scene. what originally started as a really nice get together, quickly became an overwhelming party, which then got shut down not long after. while everyone else had scattered elsewhere, all there was left was you and davin, sitting in his car. during this summer, a small fling had started to form between you two. nothing too crazy, no sex, barely even kisses, just flirting and palpable mutual attraction.

despite you all coming together as a group, you were alone with just davin, which rarely happened. but, you decided to make the most of the situation.

he broke the silence between you two by asking, “soo .. got any plans for the rest of the night?”

you shake your head no, “do you?”

“hm ..” he thinks, “i dunno, maybe, might try and pick up a girl.” he smirks smugly

you raise your brows, “pick up a girl?”

he nods and sighs, “been a bit of time since i’ve chased some tail, could really do for some company.”

he’s kidding, kind of, you can just tell. in the time you’ve spent together you’ve gotten good at reading him.

“chase some tail..” you repeat, laughing at his choice of words, “what are you? fifty?”

he scoffs, acting fake offended before saying, “you’re just mad that i can even get tail. aren’t you like a virgin?”

you roll your eyes, “no, i’m not, i just don’t normally give it up easy.” you teased,

he licks his lips before taking a moment to reply, looking over at you, “what does it take for you to give it up, y/n?”

“why do you wanna know, mr. mcderby? are you interested in getting in my pants?” you laugh, nudging him playfully,

he doesn’t reply. his eyes are fixated on your face, darting down to your lips every now and then, and finally after what felt like hours- he leaned into kiss you.

although it surprised you, you weren’t opposed in the slightest, eagerly kissing him back.

he moaned softly into your mouth, bringing one of his hands up to your face to cup your cheek. it didn’t stay there long though, as he started to migrate lower, he halts his actions and pulls away.

“is this okay?” he asks, wanting to be absolutely certain that you plan on following through.

you laugh softly at him, “such a gentleman..” you breathed, leaning back in to kiss him again- but he leans away

“if you’re comfortable with keeping this going .. we’re gonna have to move to the back, love ..” he purred, his voice low, but sweet

things started to suddenly become very real, and what initially started as a lingering sense of arousal quickly progressed into a distinct warmth between your legs.

while biting your lip, you crawl into the backseat. once there, you lean back against the car door, watching as davin does the same.

once he��s between your legs, he wastes no time continuing with the kisses, but this time they’re a bit different.

eager. hungry. you can really tell what his intentions are this time. he briefly pulls away again, making you whine in disapproval.

“can i take these off?” he asks, placing his fingers in the waistband of your pants. without saying a word, you lift your hips and indirectly give him your consent. it’s at this point he’s fully solidified that you’re game, and that he likely won’t have to ask for your permission anymore tonight. he slips them off and discards them on the car floor, quickly unzipping his pants to do the same.

you take it upon yourself to strip yourself of your shirt as well, revealing that you weren’t wearing a bra. he left you in just your undergarments. he grins at you, following your lead and taking off his shirt as well.

he leans back into kiss you. bringing his hips closer to yours and placing his hard, clothed cock directly between your legs. you moan quietly at the sensation, just before he begins to roll his hips. applying a more than satisfactory amount of deliberate pleasure.

your hands start to roam, they started slung around his neck, but they’ve quickly made their way around his upper body. feeling up his pecks, shoulder blades, back, then slowly down to his navel, sneaking your hand into his underwear, directly palming him.

he groans into your mouth before chuckling lowly, “so much for ms. doesn’t give it up easy ..” moving down to kiss your neck, continuing to grind into you.

this only continues on for a few more moments before he pulls back and starts to tug on your underwear, “need these off” he mumbles to himself before dragging them off and tucking them behind him, as opposed to discarding on the floor with the rest of the clothes.

he glares at your exposed, wet pussy and exhales softly, soaking in the sight beneath him. he kisses your neck again, but begins to creep down to your collarbone, and chest, where he pauses for a moment before sucking gently on your nipple, circling his tongue against the hardening bud. he uses his hand to grip the other.

“da-vin ..” you moan weakly, gripping the seat beneath you as you feel yourself becoming even wetter. he hums in approval before snaking his other hand down between your legs, sliding his now slick fingers up and around your clit and opening

you whine and begin to involuntarily shift beneath him. without warning, he slips a finger in, making a high pitched groan escape your lips. he starts to fuck you with the lone digit, taking his mouth off your tit to look at your expression, analyzing you deeply. he wanted to make you feel good, really good. normally when davin hooks up with people he doesn’t give much thought into foreplay, but with you he wanted to make sure you thoroughly enjoyed every single moment of this.

him seeing how much you were enjoying his touch made him harder, which he didn’t even know if that was fully possible.

while still examining your face, he slips in another finger, making your mouth hang open as small breathy moans fell out.

“god, davin!” you huff, he glances down at his fingers, watching himself finger-fuck you. he watches as his fingers glisten from your slick, he can feel you tense around him, he can hear how wet you are, his head is reeling.

he pulls out his fingers and places them into his mouth, sucking the arousal off of them. you watched as he did this, and you realized he wasn’t even doing that for you, he himself needed to taste you. he discarded his own underwear and his hard, flushed cock sprung out, standing to attention with a small bit of his own arousal glistening at his tip. he pumps himself weakly while looking at you, using his free hand to feel around your stomach and hips.

just as he’s about to put himself in, you stop him.

“do you have a condom?” you ask, rather breathlessly. you didn’t want to be a buzzkill right now, but you’d rather be a buzzkill than pregnant.

“not with me, baby” he starts, his voice quiet, him calling you baby made a knot form in your stomach, even though you knew he was only calling you it because of the circumstances, “but i’m clean, and i assume you are too, and i promise on my life i’ll pull out.”

with any other person, you would’ve said no, but davin looked too good and everything felt too nice, so you let it slide.

he resumes, running the head of his cock along your wet opening, groaning at the sensation.

“do you always get this wet? or am i just making you feel that good, baby?” he praises,

“i-i think it’s a mixture of both ..” you reply, finding it hard to make conversation when all you want is for davin to fuck the daylights out of you.

he seems to like that response as he chuckles lowly, slowly sliding himself inside of you, “guess i’m gonna have to use this pussy more often, aren’t i?” he says, leaning into your ear, his hot breath making your body jitter beneath him.

your hands make their way to his back, digging your nails in slightly as he begins to pick up his pace, fucking you roughly.

you feel almost breathless, as if each thrust was pushing all the air out of your lungs.

each time his hips connected with your thighs and ass, a moan would escape your mouth mixed with shallow breaths and small unintelligible phrases.

davins ego was through the roof, he thinks that even if he wasn’t fucking you, if he was just able to see you acting like this- he’d come in his pants. but knowing that him and his cock was making you feel like this, he felt a new sense of pride.

he tries to kiss you while still pounding into you, placing his lips against yours. you don’t kiss him back and continue to whine, not because you don’t want to kiss him back, but because the way he’s fucking you is making it difficult for you to do anything that requires even the slightest bit of brain power. mid kiss, he places his thumb between your legs and rubs quick, tight circles on your clit, making you nearly shout at the overwhelming amount of pleasure.

he’s still trying to kiss you, laughing breathily as you continue to fail to kiss him back. he pulls back, picking up his pace with both the thrusts and his thumb before saying, “poor girl, cock feel too good inside ya? can’t even kiss back because it feels so nice?” he taunts, knowing exactly what’s happening here

he feels you clench around him and drench him even more, making a guttural moan fall from his mouth as his jaw hung slack. at this point, your slick has definitely travelled down past your ass and down onto the car seat below you- but you couldn’t care less.

“davin, dav-in ..” you whine weakly, “‘m gonna come, don’t stop, please don’t stop!” you ramble, truly not even processing that you’re talking right now, your body almost going in autopilot at the influx of intense pleasure.

davin smirks proudly, exhaling breathy puffs as he screws his eyes shut, “come on my cock, baby. it’s all yours.” he praises, the mixture of pleasure emanating from your pussy mixed with the pain of your nails digging into his back, he was on the brink of coming as well.

his words are what send you over the edge, moaning loudly and whorishly on his cock as you come, legs shaking violently

he feels almost lightheaded, your cunt clenching around him was his final tipping point, “just like that … just like that .. good girl ..” he praises, his thrusts becoming weaker and more irregular.

moaning loudly, he pulls out and pumps himself, quickly shooting ropes onto your pelvis, stomach, and chest, huffing loudly as he rides out his orgasm in his hand.

once coming down, he looks at you, sweaty, messy, covered in his cum, he tutted and shook his head.

“dirty girl” he starts, swiping up some of his come from your lower stomach onto his finger, “made such a mess. go on, clean up after yourself.”

through half lidded eyes, you suck his come off his fingers, swirling your tongue around them before pulling off with a slight pop.

his mouth hangs slightly agape in awe, feeling his cock twitch at the little act you just preformed for him.

“keep that up, and we won’t be leaving this car tonight.”

[goodqueenaly]

Who do you think Hoster was looking at for Lysa, before the Petyr Incident? There are relatively few Lords Paramount, and most of them and their heirs were taken. Would he consider his own bannermen? Other people's? Maybe a cross match back to the Whents?

We know whom Hoster wanted Lysa to marry in the months (and perhaps years) leading up to the tourney of Harrenhal:

Jaime, meantime, had spent four years as squire to Ser Sumner Crake-hall and earned his spurs against the Kingswood Brotherhood. But when he made a brief call at King's Landing on his way back to Casterly Rock, chiefly to see his sister, Cersei took him aside and whispered that Lord Tywin meant to marry him to Lysa Tully, had gone so far as to invite Lord Hoster to the city to discuss dower.

"You asked me to reward you for your efforts in the battle," Lord Tywin reminded him forcefully. "This is a chance for you, Tyrion, the best you are ever likely to have." He drummed his fingers impatiently on the table. "I once hoped to marry your brother to Lysa Tully, but Aerys named Jaime to his Kingsguard before the arrangements were complete. When I suggested to Lord Hoster that Lysa might be wed to you instead, he replied that he wanted a whole man for his daughter."

Jaime could see archers moving behind the merlons on the castle ramparts. Above them streamed the banners of House Tully, the silver trout defiant on its striped field of red and blue. But the highest tower flew a different flag; a long white standard emblazoned with the direwolf of Stark. "The first time I saw Riverrun, I was a squire green as summer grass," Jaime told his cousin. "Old Sumner Crakehall sent me to deliver a message, one he swore could not be entrusted to a raven. Lord Hoster kept me for a fortnight whilst mulling his reply, and sat me beside his daughter Lysa at every meal."

What Hoster imagined for Lysa between the tourney and the outbreak of Robert’s Rebellion (as well as her pregnancy by Peter Baelish, whenever Lysa revealed that vis a vis the start of the war) is uncertain, though I think it’s important to keep a few points in mind. Number one, this period was likely pretty short, certainly relatively speaking; if the “false spring” of 281 AC lasted only two months, and baby Aegon was born by the end of 281 AC or, at the latest, at the very very beginning of 282 AC, there may have been only a handful of months for Hoster to consider Lysa’s marital future before the next major bombshell on the political scene (followed by the more personal, but perhaps nearly equally shocking to Hoster, bombshell of Lysa’s pregnancy news). However long Hoster had been considering and planning the now-impossible Lysa-Jaime match, I doubt he had nearly as much time post-tourney to think about what he was going to do with Lysa nuptially. There were likely, as you mention, no obvious replacements who would serve the aims of the southron ambitions bloc, nor any obvious candidates Hoster may have considered sufficiently grand enough to match with the future sister-in-law of the Lord of Winterfell and indirect relation by marriage to the Lord of Storm’s End (and that’s without Hoster perhaps worrying that any marriage he arranged for Lysa too quickly after the tourney would be seen as trying to hush up a scandal - Hoster trying too hard to prove that Lysa was desirable, when Jaime Lannister had for all appearances chosen to go celibate rather than marry her). Indeed, that Hoster summarily and haughtily rejected Tyrion as a bridegroom for Lysa, presumably in this pre-war period, demonstrates that Hoster was not feeling so anxious about Lysa’s future that he needed to rush into just any aristocratic marriage for her (certainly not that he and a number of other Westerosi lords considered an insult).

Maybe more importantly, certainly from a political perspective, Hoster may have been less interested in trying to broker a match for Lysa in this period and more interested in performing damage control and shoring up the future with his allies in the southron ambitions power bloc. To all the world - certainly all or virtually all the attendees at Harrenhal -  Rhaegar had looked like he was trying to make Lyanna Stark his mistress, grossly publicly insulting Robert Baratheon and the Starks (among others) - and with the Starks the fulcrum of the southron ambitions bloc, Hoster may have feared that the web of nuptial alliances on which that bloc rested its future was in jeopardy. Too, with the king and his heir so dramatically and publicly at odds - and with Aerys so shockingly declined in appearance and personality, as evidenced by his attendance at the tourney - Hoster may have suspected that open conflict between the king and the crown prince leading to civil war, or a proxy conflict for their antagonism erupting into civil war, would come sooner rather than later; if the ultimate aim of the southron ambitions power block was to change the political power dynamic between the Iron Throne and its major vassals, this sort of conflict may have seemed like the ideal, or only, opportunity to do so. Securing the bloc before any move would be undertaken would mean securing those established and planned, but not yet completed, marital alliances - first Brandon and Catelyn, then Robert and Lyanna. Perhaps, in this flurry of politico-nuptial activity, Hoster considered the identity of Lysa’s future husband of secondary importance; Lysa, still only in her early teens, was not so old (even by Westerosi standards, *eyeroll*) that Hoster needed to fear her being left a spinster while he attended to what he may have considered more pressing matters.

[bikinibottomdayz]

JANUARY 25, 2025 RELEASE

All my videos can be found here, full release under the read more! I am also offering the two Maybe Happy Ending videos as a bundle for 30 USD!

ORDER FORM HERE

This release includes: The Notebook (closing), The Roommate (closing), Parade (tour), Maybe Happy Ending (post-opening bundle)

MAYBE HAPPY ENDING November 20, 2024 (M) | Broadway | 4K MP4 (7.82GB) | bikinibottomday’s master Cast: Darren Criss (Oliver), Helen J. Shen (Claire), Dez Duron (Gil Brentley), Marcus Choi (James & others) Notes: Excellent 4K capture of this show post-opening! Some wandering / readjustment and unfocusing throughout. Includes curtain call and the post-show BC/EFA speech, audio is fed from external source. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBSwi8 | ASKING $20 USD NOT FOR SHARING EXCEPT THROUGH ME UNTIL JULY 17, 2025

MAYBE HAPPY ENDING November 24, 2024 (M) | Broadway | 4K MP4 (7.82GB) | bikinibottomday’s master Cast: Darren Criss (Oliver), Helen J. Shen (Claire), Dez Duron (Gil Brentley), Marcus Choi (James & others) Notes: Excellent 4K capture of this show! Some wandering / readjustment and unfocusing throughout. Includes curtain call and the post-show BC/EFA speech, audio is fed from external source. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBSS8i | ASKING $20 USD NOT FOR SHARING EXCEPT THROUGH ME UNTIL JULY 17, 2025

THE NOTEBOOK December 15, 2024 (E) | Broadway | 4K MP4 (8.89GB) | bikinibottomday’s master Cast: Maryann Plunkett (Older Allie), Dorian Harewood (Older Noah), Aisha Jackson (Middle Allie), Ryan Vasquez (Middle Noah), Anna Zavelson (Younger Allie), Benji Santiago (Younger Noah), Andréa Burns (Mother/Nurse Lori), Carson Stewart (Johnny/Fin), Yassmin Alers (Nurse Joanna/Others), Chase Del Rey (Lon/Others), Hilary Fisher (Sarah/others), Dorcas Leung (Georgie/Others) Notes: Good 4K capture of this show’s final performance. Left side is often heavily obstructed, with most of Older Allie and Noah’s scenes in Act One not visible, and a few other far left moments. Increased moments of wandering and unfocusing. Includes brief show stop in Act Two. Includes curtain call, audio fed from external source. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBV83d | ASKING $18 USD NOT FOR SHARING EXCEPT THROUGH ME UNTIL JULY 17, 2025

THE ROOMMATE December 15, 2024 (M) | Broadway | 4K MP4 (7.32GB) | bikinibottomday’s master Cast: Mia Farrow (Sharon), Patti LuPone (Robyn) Notes: Excellent 4K capture of this show’s final performance! One head obstruction that is worked around very well and doesn’t block off any action. Some moments of wandering and unfocusing. Includes curtain call and the post-show speech, audio is fed from external source. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBVcap | ASKING $20 USD NOT FOR SHARING EXCEPT THROUGH ME UNTIL JULY 17, 2025

PARADE January 11, 2025 (M) | Second US Tour (Schenectady, NY) | 4K MP4 (10.03GB) | bikinibottomday’s master Cast: Max Chernin (Leo Frank), Talia Suskauer (Lucille Frank), Ramone Nelson (Jim Conley), Chris Shyer (Governor Slaton), Evan Harrington (Old Soldier, Judge Roan), Jack Roden (Frankie Epps), Andrew Samonsky (Hugh Dorsey), Michael Tacconi (Britt Craig), Jenny Hickman (Mrs. Phagan), Oluchi Nwaokorie (Angela), Robert Knight (Newt Lee), Olivia Goosman (Mary Phagan), Griffin Binnicker (Tom Watson), Brianna Javis (u/s Minnie McKnight), Bailee Endebrock (Monteen & others), Ben Cherington (Officer Ivey, Thomas Blackstock & others), Emily Rose DeMartino (Essie & others), Alison Ewing (Sally Slaton), Caroline Fairweather (Nurse, Daisy Hopkins & others), Trevor James (Young Soldier & others), Sophie Manicone (lola Stover), Trista Moldovan (Nina Formby & others), Prentiss E. Mouton (Riley), Ethan Riordan (Mr. Turner & Others), Jason Simon (Det. Starnes, James Gantt & others), Brian Vaughan (Luther Rosser, Mr. Peavy) Notes: Excellent 4K capture of this tour’s first preview! Increased moments of wandering and unfocusing. Includes curtain call, audio fed from external source. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBXNQY | ASKING $20 USD NOT FOR SHARING EXCEPT THROUGH ME UNTIL JULY 17, 2025

[everythingisawayoflife]

Neil's Death & The Symbolism Within - An Essay

OKAY LIKE A FEW PEOPLE SAID I SHOULD SO LET ME TALK ABOUT THIS, its gonna sound like nonsense. this is a repost so it gets more visibility! Trigger Warning for discussions of Suicide, Self-Harm, Mental Health. Please read at caution cause I discuss a lot of sensitive stuff here.

So my scene analysis paper was exactly as it sounds, we watch a movie of our choice, and analyze it from our textbook, America on Film: 3rd edition. I chose Dead Poets bc it had been a minute since I’ve seen it and I also have seen it enough times to be able to analyze it. So I chose Neil’s suicide. a very chilling scene that when broken down, says a lot, for saying very little. so first lets get into the biblical allegory.

When we first see Neil, he opens his window and slowly puts his Puck crown on his head, like so:

This combines two major elements of the main biblical parallels at play: The Agony in the Garden and one of the major Instruments of the Passion, The Crown of Thorns. For those who have not grown up around Christianity/don't pay attention to it, here are some brief yet thorough definitions of the terms I just threw around:

Agony in the Garden: The night Jesus and his disciples spend in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus spends the entire night praying and wrestling with his inevitable crucifixion. Some scriptures add that he was sweating blood during this but it depends on which translation you read. The Agony really shows Jesus' human side and can best be seen in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar's most pivotal number, Gethsemane, which I've linked here.

The Passion: A collective name for the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. Essentially all of what Easter is. Passion's archaic definition is suffering.

The Instruments of the Passion: Notable relics and icons from the Passion. These include the Crown of Thorns, the cross itself, Holy Lance, Veil of Veronica, and more.

Anyway, the entire first part of the scene shows Neil, who moves slowly and deliberately. No one else in the entire house is awake and he has become one with nature, by opening his window and feeling the winter breeze. Neil bows his head, presumably IN PRAYER, before we cut to the next part. While Christianity has become decentralized in households across America, it was still very crucial in 1950s America, especially in WASP-y domains. So, it would be correct to assume Neil's family is Christian, especially of how Welton is structured (i.e. the main meeting hall is basically a chapel, they sing hymns, etc.).

Jesus Christ was crowned with thorns as a way of mocking him. He was put on trial because according to the Romans, he claimed to be a God, which because the Romans adhered to their set pantheon, it was considered sacrilege and blasphemy. Jesus only ever responded (again, depending on the translation), "You say that I am." So they wanted to mock his authority and placed that crown on his head. Neil is essentially mocking his own authority because the entire movie he has tried and failed to have authority over his own life. His father continuously shoots him down and refuses to listen until the final break when he tells Neil he is sending him to military school. For Neil, he believes it was foolish to think he could even persuade his father just a tiny bit. He expresses this from the moment we first meet Mr. Perry to the final argument.

Where Jesus wears a crown of thorns, Neil's crown is woven with what appears to be fruits and maybe flowers. Flowers and fruit have had sensitive and romantic connotations throughout all of history and are often represented in classic art and literature. Neil is making this sacrifice in the name of art. If you notice throughout the entire movie, anytime death is mentioned, the camera is focused on Neil. It is brilliant subtle foreshadowing and it eats me alive every time it happens. Neil knows what he is about to do. Robert Sean Leonard played this scene beautifully and I so badly want to discuss all of this with him.

Continuing on, we watch Neil make a silent descent down the stairs and he is entirely shadowed. This gives the audience the implication that we already see a ghost:

Neil needed theater like he needed breathing and when theater was taken away from him, his life force was gone. The whole of Neil already died. We see this resignation with his final line:

"I was good. I was really good."

Neil already views himself as dead. He speaks of himself in the past tense. So Neil walking silently through his house as if he were already a ghost is so haunting. I mentioned earlier that Neil knows what he is doing. In Christianity, suicide is considered a sin. We see this in The Divine Comedy, an Italian narrative written by author Dante Alighieri in the 1300s CE. In the first and most famous section, Inferno, when Dante and Virgil arrive in the Seventh Circle and come across those who have committed suicide where they have been turned into trees. The only exception to this is Judas Iscariot, who is being feasted on by a three-headed Satan. Now again, Judas dies two different ways depending on which biblical translation you read but typically the narrative is this:

Judas turns Jesus into the Sanhedrin for 30 pieces of silver and when he discovers Jesus is to be crucified, Judas hangs himself.

In Biblical times, despite suicide being marked as a sin, in Judas' case, because he wanted redemption from his bad act, it was viewed as an acceptable death. So for Neil, this suicide is a redemption for betraying his father. A small parallel, maybe even a bit of stretch, but it is there for me nonetheless.

Back to Jesus, Neil's descent down the stairs also parallels to the walk along the Via Dolorosa or the Way of Suffering. It is the path Jesus walked to his crucifixion, a long and arduous journey. The walk is about 2,000 ft (600 Meters in Metric) yet this is a man who has been beaten, starved, tortured, who was also tasked with carrying his own large wooden cross, and Neil has his own cross to bear: The emotional weight of what he is about to do. It was a slow and painful walk for Jesus and its a slow and painful walk for Neil. Skipping ahead, Neil finally arrives to his destination. The choice to do it in his father's office was absolutely on purpose. Neil comes back to the spot he emotionally died, the moment he lost everything. We get just a brief bit of hesitation for Neil. He fiddles with the key to his father's desk. He holds it gingerly and turns it over in his fingers a few times before reaching down to unlock the drawer with the gun. This goes back to the Agony in the Garden, which again, is best expressed in Jesus Christ Superstar's Gethsemane:

Why I should die?

Eventually, Jesus resigns himself to die:

Alright, I'll die! Just watch me die! See how I die!

Neil does not go silently. I don't know if I'm hallucinating or have really keen hearing, but I swear you can hear the tail end of the gunshot simultaneously as the dirge-like music cuts and Mr. Perry gasps awake. I might just be making that up but I don't know tbh. But anyway, while Jesus resigns himself, the following lyrics express frustration with God and the life that was already planned for him when he has a selfish sense to live. This song and musical really delve into the debate of how much human and God was Jesus Christ and it really opens the door for his human side. He expresses selfishness and a want to abandon his mission. He is hesitant to die. He is hesitant to die painfully. Like I said earlier, Neil hesitates ever so slightly.

Then I was inspired

Now, I'm sad and tired

After all I've tried for three years

Cause not only is God, well, y'know, GOD, he is also Jesus' father. A father who had planned out a whole life for his son and while his son goes along with it, he has a desire to live outside of that. Sound familiar? And I really am trying not to be sacrilegious or anything! I grew up in a Christian household but outside of that, theology has always interested me and I've learned to view it from an academic standpoint. As for my beliefs now, I'm still unsure, and I don't think I ever will be sure and I think that's okay. We're getting off topic, so let me get back on track.

The final time we see Neil alive is him sitting at his Dad's desk, gun wrapped in cloth with Neil gripping it:

He looks sure, with maybe just a flicker of sadness. The entire scene Neil has looked serene. And not like the calm kind of serene, the morose kind. Solemn, I think is a better word for it. Neil's soul has died. Neil is about to crucify himself and become a Dead Poet. He has fulfilled the purpose of the poets they read about in the Society. He lived life as full as he could only for it to be cut down so short. That's the tragedy of it: Neil had so much life to live and so much more to contribute to the arts. But Neil's father killed that passion, killed that love. Earlier in the film, Keating recites the Whitman poem, O Me! O Life! In summary, the poem essentially states that life itself is what makes life worth living. It's a question and answer poem. The speaker wonders what about life is worth living when it is full of constant suffering. They get an answer: life itself is. You being here on Earth and having an identity is what makes it worth it. Neil doesn't see that worth anymore. Life without the arts, his friends, Keating, is not worth living for him anymore. I really recommend reading that full poem, linked here, it is so gorgeous despite it being so short. That sweaty-toothed madman had a gift.

I think that's pretty much everything. There have been a MILLION think pieces on Todd and Neil's whole relationship (TLDR: those boys are GAY) so I didn't get into it here, mainly cause I wanted to focus on Neil and the real meat of my rambling, which was the Biblical allegory. I feel like I said a whole bunch of nothing and it might not make sense to me in the morning but it feels good to get it all out. I love this movie and I love Neil and I love Biblical allegory.

I also hope that this post communicates that suicide is not the answer! Please reach out if you have feelings that make you feel unsafe or need someone to lean on. My DMs are always open and I will leave the major crisis hotlines if needed.

988 - Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call for support

741741 - Crisis Text Line, text TALK to speak to someone for support.

[lurafita]

Malec meet pre-canon divergent

(considering tv-show canon only, as I don't know much about the books) I personally found it a little weird that Alec and his siblings had to be briefed about the High Warlock of their territory, by Hodge. Shouldn't Alec, as the acting head, have been aware of the most prominent downworld leaders in the city his institute is in? Wouldn't Magnus have been in the institute before, for ward maintenance or things like that? Wouldn't they have had to call him to close rifts that demons were popping out of? (Not like those kinds of things were ever shown or discussed in the show, but then again, the show was very stingy where details and backgrounds were concerned.) Anyway, I would like to propose a series re-write, where Alec and Magnus get to know each other pre-canon, and Magnus has the chance to bolster Alec's self-worth and confidence a little. And then exploring what effect this might have, as Alec wouldn't be such a pushover where his siblings are concerned. (I actually just really like re-writes of given plots that explore changes to said given plot, so that personal guilty pleasure might heavily play into this prompt…. 😉 )

possible scene:

They could meet on site for rift closure, and Alec is laying down a plan of attack, because some demons have already gathered. And then Jace is trying to propose another plan (that's less tactical than Alec's was and more of a 'run in head first' kinda deal). And Alec is not confident about his own plan versus Jace's, and he is about to give in, but then Magnus is like: "I agree with the pretty boy." And Jace smirks and goes: "See, the high warlock thinks it will work." And then Magnus goes: "Oh no, I was talking about his plan. Yours sucks."

-

I think, if a relationship between them (platonic heading for romantic) exists for some time, Magnus would probably let slip about Maryse and Robert having been in the circle. Not in a malicious way. I think Magnus assumed that Alec knew. So maybe one day Magnus offers to check over the wards, and Alec accepts and wonders loudly about why his parents didn’t commission check ups for two years,

and Magnus just "Well, they have tried to limit their business with downworlders as much as possible. Which isn't surprising, seeing as many of us feel that they haven't been sufficiently punished for their crimes while they were in the circle. But it's not as if I would have refused the job. I might have overcharged them, … Alexander? You look pale, is something wrong?"

-

I just see them having lots of little conversations that help build Alec up, while not just being simple compliments. Like, when Alec doubts his leadership qualities and asks Magnus about his opinion, as Magnus has fought in a few wars and known a few figureheads. "I believe being a good leader comes down to knowing and trusting in yourself." "Shouldn’t that be 'knowing and trusting my people'?" "That, too. But it's important to know your own strengths and weaknesses. For example, I'm one of the most powerful warlocks out there with a deep and varied understanding of my craft, and I look dashing in silk. I'm also impatient, occasionally vain, and I can be quite petty. Now what about you? Let me start you off. You are afraid." "Wow, didn’t think you would start with a weakness." "I didn’t. Well, maybe a little bit. Fear can be both. But in this case, I meant it as a strength." "How?" "Think back to our first meeting. The fear of not knowing what the situation was we were walking into, made you come up with a strategy that allowed us to assess what was going on, while also ensuring minimal collateral damage. What do you think would have happened had you been as cocky as your parabatai, and stormed right in?" "… We wouldn’t have known about the circle members, or the back entrance. The perimeter wouldn’t have been secured. The teen warlock might have become a victim to a shadowhunter blade, had you not had the chance to see the enslavement collar on her." "See? You have good instincts, Alexander, and a great mind for tactical manouvers. That is something you should trust in more."

[josephscoat]

“Fowl play’s a foot!”

THIS JUST IN― On the 22nd of June 1920, there’s been a murder at the Ostend Pier, the victim was a 33-year-old bird vendor by the name of Jerome, alias “Jerry” Gar.

His wife Deborah had gone to fetch him from the pier where he used to work at around 2 a.m., thinking that he’d stayed out late drinking with colleagues; instead she had found him fatally shot in the head, bruised and battered with multiple cigar burns littering his neck and back. On her run to go get help, she had reportedly saw two dark figures fleeing away from the scene of the crime, suspected to be the killers.

“I don’t know why they decided to kill my husband; he’s an honest man, he didn’t do anything to anyone!” Mrs. Gar testifies to the Heron Heralder.

Local authorities were soon alerted, and are currently investigating the area as of 8 a.m.

More news to be announced.

Meanwhile, newly divorced Robert “Bobbie” Milou had acquired a peculiar pet cockatiel after spending a drunken night out on the pier.

Despite being quite fond, he had refused to take him in; not being in the right place to take care of a bird.

He’s left his wallet behind somewhere and plans to retrace his steps from the previous night to find it― returning the bird too while he’s there.

Though it seems fate has other plans, as the vendor he’d bought Tintin from was murdered and the bird had some involvement with it.

After a brief scuffle with the police, due Tintin and by proxy, him disturbing an ongoing investigation, he now has to work with the law in order to find out who and why did they kill Jerry Gar — a humble vendor who just made a living by selling birds and according to those that knew him, claimed to have never made any enemies.

This the plot of me and @professorcalculusstanaccount 's story titled the ‘The Budgerigar Burglars’ — a role-reversal AU we've been write-shopping for about a year now. It sets on the premise of if Milou were a mute, divorced, alcoholic old man and Tintin was a cockatiel with the intelligence of an African grey parrot.

I’m lowkey nervous but all the while very excited to post, since this is my first collaboration and also because it's the first longfic I’ve ever written (to put into perspective, chapter 1 is 4200 words long atm and I have yet to finish it lol)

Chapter 1 might come out on Dec, 14th or Jan, 5th — we'll just have to wait and see!

[electronickingdomfox]

"Final Frontier" review

Novel from 1988, by Diane Carey. Not to be confused with the novelization of "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier", or Carey's "First Frontier", which is the one with the dinosaur on the cover. There may be no dinosaurs in this one, but it was pretty great nonetheless (and crazy as it may sound, I don't think that dinosaurs would have made it better in this case).

The story focuses on a so far unrecorded period in the Enterprise's life: that of its first mission. And by that I don't mean Kirk's first mission aboard. Not even Pike's. But its very, very first mission under the command of Robert April (from the Animated Series), alongside Kirk's father: George. There's tight action, ideological dilemmas, some funny humor, and Romulans (both good and bad), that borrow heavily from Diane Duane's Rihannsu series. The frame story, on the other hand, has Kirk reading his father's letters during shore leave, in his childhood farm of Iowa. While he reflects upon his life choices in the aftermath of Edith Keeler's death. The brief frame chapters, inserted between the main story, present thus a poignant, quiet counterpart to George Kirk's adventures.

I really liked the development of the new characters in this one, and had the impression of knowing them quite well, despite not appearing in the series (or barely at all). Robert April is the laid-back, gentlemanly and ideallistic Captain, and a clear counterpoint to George, the pragmatic man that sports a more militaristic approach for Starfleet. The narrative tends to side more with George's views, as April's decisions are usually ineffectual once the Enterprise enters hostile territory. Though ultimately, both of them end up understanding and adopting parts of the other's philosophy. In fact, at the story's climax, they're forced to stand up at the opposite side of their initial worldview. Thus, Jim Kirk is presented as the more succesful, balanced combination of both (it's a bit like Spock and McCoy's "reason vs. emotion", but translated to politics). Sarah Poole (April's wife in TAS) also appears as the ship's doctor; she has a lesser role, but was given considerable depth nonetheless. George's pirate-like friend, Drake, usually offers the comic relief. While the staple "noble Romulan" and "devious Romulan" are represented by t'Cael and Ry'iak, respectively.

In many ways, the Enterprise could be considered the main character, though. The story follows her baby steps as a yet-not-finished starship, her coming-of-age after being severely crippled and defeating her enemies against all odds, and finally her official baptism. There are sections in which the ship is even personalized as a sentient being, like a chilling scene where her memory is tampered with. Also, April and George act like two dads that can't agree about their child's true vocation.

I can't think of much to criticize this time, though there's a moment where it's stated that the Federation's constitution is directly based on the USA constitution, as the "prime example to follow". I don't know if this is an original idea of the novel, or if it ever was Roddenberry's intention (which could be, judging by episodes like "The Omega Glory"). But the whole thing was pretty eye-rolling...

Spoilers under the cut:

George Samuel Kirk (Sr.) and his friend Drake Reed are bored security personnel at a starbase. Until one day they're kidnapped by three mysterious individuals, who leave them unconscious. Upon waking up, George and Drake find themselves in the cargo hold of a small ship, and once they break free, George discovers it was his old friend, Captain Robert April, who ordered their abduction. April is gathering his most trusted friends (among them Dr. Sarah Poole, his future wife) for a special rescue mission (well, maybe he could have ASKED them!). A colonist ship has been stranded in the middle of an ion storm, and Starfleet has no means to reach it before hundreds of families die aboard from radiation. Thus, April has been tasked with testing a new, revolutionary ship, much faster and bigger than any other at this time: the first starship (you know which one, right?). This is the only way they could save those colonists in time. And George is introduced to a majestic first view of the Enterprise, still lacking a name, when they approach dry dock. April intends George to be his First Officer, as he values his insights above anybody else's. However, the views of the two men about the role of the starship soon start to clash: April wants it to be perceived exclusively as a tool of peace and exploration; while George argues that its weapon capacities shouldn't be overlooked, in order to defend the Federation.

At the same time, we're introduced in some chapters to Field Primus t'Cael and his Romulan warbird, in another sector of space. T'Cael is dealing with intrigues aboard, instigated by an upstart spy from the Praetorate: Ry'iak. Dispirited by the growing suspicions of his crew, t'Cael has become rather seclusive, though he still counts on the loyalty of Commander Idrys. The Field Primus' moderate views have made him fall out of favor with the Praetorate, as t'Cael doesn't think that the Federation has hostile intentions against the Empire, and disapproves of the stealth attack the Praetor is planning.

For its part, the Enterprise has finished preparations for departure. However, soon after they leave dry dock, there's a catastrophic failure of the sealing elements in the warp nacelles. The only two options seem to be, either ejecting the nacelles (and thus losing warp capacity to rescue the colonists), or let the ship explode. But George doesn't believe in no-win scenarios either, so he pressures one of the engineers to think creatively and find an alternative. Using the energy from the shuttles to seal the leak at the last moment, they manage to salvage the nacelles. Nonetheless, George is suspicious of the failure happening right at the most critical moment, so he asks Drake to investigate the engineers, as chief of security. Drake tries to find a saboteur (not very subtly) among engineers Saffire, Graff and Wood, but finds nothing incriminating. Despite Drake not knowing, the reader does in fact find out who's one of the saboteurs soon thereafter, as Saffire breaks into the starship memory banks and tampers with the systems. The malfunction is delayed until the ship enters the ion storm, at which point there's a massive failure of the warp engines and the artificial gravity. April receives a head injury, while the ship is hurled light years away, into unknown territory. Well, not so unknown: they appear right in the middle of Romulan space, and face to face with t'Cael's warbird.

Confronted with the massive starship, the Romulans start fretting over a possible attack from the Federation. But t'Cael chooses to believe April about their ship being disabled and there out of accident. As a show of good faith, he agrees to meet with the First Officer (as April is too injured), in neutral territory on a nearby planetoid. However, once t'Cael gets off the ship, Ry'iak seizes control of the warbird and kills Idrys (a death that took me by surprise, to be honest). Then, he starts shooting at the planet from orbit, attempting to kill t'Cael too. Since humans and Romulans had never seen each other before, George mistakes t'Cael for a poor Vulcan prisoner. And there's a rather comedic scene, where he "rescues" the Romulan from enemy fire. Once the mistake is cleared, George has to overcome his xenophobic sentiments and cooperate with t'Cael to escape the planetoid. The escape involving alien wolves too.

Eventually, the starship manages to rescue George and t'Cael, using the new transporter technology (well, they accidentally transport an alien wolf too, which creates a bit of a mess). T'Cael agrees to help the Federation against his disloyal swarm of warbirds, as he believes that, if the starship is captured, this will precipitate war between the Empire and the Federation. In the later chapters, there's a pretty intense battle between the Enterprise and the Romulan swarm. While George uses a very Kirk-like bluff to discourage further attacks from the Romulans (which, in turn, explains the eventual development of the cloaking device). With the saboteurs finally captured (and in one case, destroyed in a very grisly way), and the warp repaired, the Enterprise can finally return to home space and rescue those colonists.

Spirk Meter: 4/10*. Spock expresses his grief about Jim's decision to quit Starfleet after Edith's death. And at this moment, McCoy understands how much the ship and Jim mean to the Vulcan: "more than a career, more than a refuge, and certainly more than McCoy had ever guessed". Later, when Kirk regains his confidence and chooses to stay as Captain, Spock looks at him in the bridge and acknowledges his "deeply personal synthesis between himself and Jim Kirk".

However, the relationship between Kirk and McCoy is given far more prevalence throughout the novel, and that's why I'm separating the two dynamics. McCoy won't leave Kirk alone in Iowa at his moment of vulnerability, despite Jim's wishes. At first, he tries to lure him with an invitation to have dinner together. And when this fails, he just pops up in the barn, offering "mouth-to-mouth" resucitation (of all things!) if Jim doesn't answer him (unfortunately for poor McCoy, Kirk doesn't seem too eager to receive a kiss from him). Later, McCoy tries to comfort Kirk about Edith Keeler's death, and share his pain, while Kirk assures McCoy that her death wasn't his fault. He also says that McCoy was worth everything. And once Kirk announces his decision to leave the ship, McCoy gets very emotional and tries to reason with him. Just then, Spock appears in the barn and wonders if he's "interrupting something"; to which both of them answer that yes, he's interrupting. For a novel that doesn't actually deal with the TOS characters, they surely managed to cram as much homoeroticism between Kirk and McCoy as possible...

Apart from this, George Kirk has several things in common with his son. Not just being an absent father... but also having very "intense" relationships with his male friends. There's a bit of it with Drake, that April brings along, not because he has much use for him, but because he can't separate him from George. Drake also waltzes into George's quarters and plops into his bed as if nothing. But most of all, George and t'Cael develop a very, veeeery close relationship (for good or bad), and have all these tense stares at each other, and this desire to protect each other. Just so you get an idea of what I'm talking about:

"Like me, George admitted to himself, unable to bury the color that rose in his cheeks and forced him to look away from t’Cael for a moment. When he looked back again, there was a touch of melancholy on t’Cael’s face. [.......]

George moved closer, hoping his eyes conveyed the depth of his promise. Solemnly he said, “Whatever it takes, however long it takes, I’ll personally make sure you have a place in the Federation. I owe you that,” he added, moving still closer. “In fact, I owe you more.”

A sudden, unexpected warmth came over t’Cael’s face, and he broke his communion with the monitor to look affably at George. “That’s kind of you. It will be difficult.” [............]

Allowing their intimacy to linger, George returned the grin,"

Huh, George, didn't you have a wife and kids back at home???

*A 10 in this scale is the most obvious spirk moments in TOS. Think of the back massage, "You make me believe in miracles", or "Amok Time" for example.

[bikefuckersoftheworldunite]

whats your favourite movie of all time??

I love ur movie tag👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩

[very sorry, this got very long and it’s not been proofread 🤪]

I have two favorite movies of all time (ok, actually, many more but these are the 2 major ones)! both directed by the same person! I oscillate wildly between which one I love the most all the time, but it really mostly depends on which of the two I’ve seen more recently…..anyways, the movies are

Heat (1995) and Manhunter (1986)! both directed by Michael Mann:)

Heat (1995)

what is this film? is it a 3 hour action thriller, a crime drama starring such hollywood juggernauts as al pacino and robert de niro, or a heist movie featuring one of the best shootout scenes committed to film ever? neither of those things:) or rather those are the least interesting things about this film, but somehow the general public and most of the reviews only talk about that. which is a huge shame! so, what’s it Really about then?

it is very much about existential loneliness and desire to be seen and understood by someone else. told through the lens of a “los angeles crime saga” because Michael Mann absolutely does like the aesthetics of those kinda films, but that’s just window dressing, guys come on! yes, the heist and the following shootout are absolutely iconic but what about the underlying themes guysssss!!!

it is about two people finally meeting in person, after eluding each other for over an hour of movie’s runtime; sharing a very brief scene together, when you consider it against the movie’s overall length, and that brief moment being the most significant moment of connection they’ve ever experienced with anyone in their entire lives. and then, it’s over and they part ways again…..or do they?

and what if those two people were a crime detective* and a criminal* he was trying to catch*. and the director considered them to be each other’s soulmates pretty much……what then….

* and what if the film challenged such notions as what it means to be a criminal and a cop. and actually didn’t cast one as the hero/protagonist and the other as the villain/antagonist and instead subtly illustrated why some resort, or rather are forced, to the life of crime in capitalist society…..

and what if this movie was one of the most Romantic films of all time…..in the sense of romanticism, not romance! although, if you really Perceive then yeah of course there’s romance too, you just won’t find it in the movie’s heterosexual relationships*……

* bc most of Mann films are centered around a pretty specific type of masculinity and the way it’s shaped by usa-american capitalist and patriarchal society. And the way women, more often than not, are collateral damage in lives of those men…..(the way it affects mann’s female characters is another topic of discussion tho, but let it be said that women in mann’s films have never been fridged or used for manpain, or sexualized).

but the relationship and the whole notion of romance between neil and vincent are very much of not to be/not in this universe variety. time is luck in Mann-verse and relationships and moments of true intimacy and understanding are often fleeting and far in between. it is just not a possibility for these characters, being who they are. and both vincent and neil are dead set in their perceptions of themselves and life in general…..and so the ending is quite tragic, for them both:))) anyways, so much of the connection between these two is portrayed indirectly, in between lines and not thru actual on screen interactions. and it is very much on purpose!

every time I see this movie I cry when the final credits start rolling! I’d be sitting there and just bawling my eyes out! it’s just an immensely emotionally affecting film for me.

would I recommend watching it? yes, absolutely! it’s is truly Great Cinema. but also….the thing which Michael Mann is that you either get it or you don’t! To me, he’s the only director whose movies truly get me! they are for meeeeeee and no other director appeals to my sensibilities as much as Mann! Even down to the way Mann utilizes the color Blue in his films! To others, heat (1995) is just another heist movie for dude bros……

btw, first time I saw this I rated it like 3,5 out of 5 but loved the ending because I’ve never seen something like this in “crime thrillers”. then after some time, I rewatched it and loved it. then, rewatched it again and loved it even more. I’ve seen heat (1995) 9 times i think and I cannot wait to rewatch it again. there’s so much going on at all times! and all Michael Mann films are extremely rewatchable (to me).

Wanna end this post with the quote from Mann himself:

oh, forgot to add: the cast is superb, the script is great, the cinematography and sound design are stunning and the ost absolutely rocks!

ill talk about manhunter (1986) later maybe

[scotianostra]

On August 6th 1796,the Scottish artist David Allan died, he was known as The Scottish Hogarth.

Allan was born in what once was the busy port of Alloa on the river Forth where his father, also David, was the Shoremaster in charge of the harbour.

David had a rather unfortunate childhood; he was born prematurely and his mother died shortly after his birth, he survived two accidents in his early years which threatened his life.  He displayed an early talent for drawing which led to his expulsion from the parish school when he drew a caricature of the dominie in the act of caning unruly pupils, dominie is an old Scottish name for a schoolmaster.

In 1753, Robert Foulis, a publisher in Glasgow, founded the Academy of Art and Design which was granted a room in Glasgow University.  The Academy was essentially a charitable institution supported by local wealthy merchants with encouragement from the aristocracy including the Duke of Argyle and Lord Cathcart.  In 1755, two years after its foundation it had only ten pupils who paid 1½ guineas a session.   In that year David Allan entered the Academy at the age of eleven as an apprentice bound to Robert Foulis for a period of seven years. He was supported no doubt by Lord Cathcart whose estate, Schawpark, was adjacent to Alloa.  Lord and Lady Cathcart became aware of Allan’s artistic ability at an early age and gave him encouragement and financial support throughout their lives.

The Academy enjoyed only a brief existence until 1775 when financial difficulties led to its closure but during its short life it fostered a number of young students who rose to eminence including David Allan and his close friend and contemporary James Tassie. Allan completed his apprenticeship and continued to study at the Academy for a further two years becoming a master of the skills of engraving and etching.

To complete his education, it was felt that Allan should attend one of the continental schools.  In 1767 he moved to Rome, where he lived for ten years; this was the most successful period of his life. In Rome, Allan painted ambitious historical pictures, portraits, caricatures and genre scenes. On returning to London in 1777, he spent two years trying to establish himself. Unsuccessful and ill, he returned to Scotland where he specialised in painting family groups. He also produced book illustrations and was appointed the master of the Trustees' Academy at Edinburgh, as well as illustrations for publications by Robert Burns and Allan Ramsay.

Allan collaborated with Burns through George Thomson: with the 1793 commission for Thomson’s song collection, the artist produced more than 100 drawings in oval format. Burns saw in Allan’s work a spirit similar to his own. The poet wrote to Thomson in November 1794:

I look on myself to be a kind of brother-brush with him. – “Pride in Poets is nae sin”, & I will say it, that I look on Mr Allen & Mr Burns to be the only genuine & real Painters of Scotish Costume in the world!

Burns owned a copy of Allan Ramsay’s The Gentle Shepherd as published by Foulis in Glasgow in 1788. . In 1794 he described David Allan as a “man of very great genius”, and marvelled that he was not better known than he was.

Allan married Shirley Welsh, herself a keen art student, and a great admirer of her husband’s work, they had five children only one of whom, Barbara, reached adult life.

Burns died on 21st July, and was closely followed by Allan, on 6th August 1796.

Allan is buried in the Old Calton Cemetery, Edinburgh, not far from the grave of David Hume.

The first three pics are from my visit to The Scottish National Portrait Gallery las week, the others are from the ilustrations he drew for Burns, my favourite being the "Battle of Killiecrankie" one, another link to a recent post. The final pic is also my own from a visit to Old Calton Burial Ground.

[ciellery]

I wrote this about a month or so ago, didn't get to share this here though.

Anyways, uhh, scrapped scene/concept for this AU :D

"Many had cheered as a new king had been crowned. A young man in the age of 16, forced to rule after his Father’s ship sunk, now stood tall in front of his people.

…

With the help of the King in the North and Protagnsts’ clever explosive trap, he had managed to survive that siege victoriously. The very thought put a smile on Ryan’s face as pride and satisfaction filled his chest. He was—is a great king. He had led his people to victory, and he will continue to do so by sitting in the Iron Throne.

His smile faltered and fell.

Ryan couldn’t lie to himself. He may had gone from this battle alive and victorious, but he had lost Welcomin in the hands of a member from Shadow’s army—he had lost a significant amount of his people already. Were it not for that trap, he would have completely failed. He would have lost his kingdom. He would have died, his story forever tainted by the fact that he had let Dorne be conquered.

But he had not, for he is here standing in the midst of his Kingdom without a heart lost to anyone. He had not been conquered, not like Sean had.

Ryan clenched his fist and the young king marched forward towards the barracks, hands folded behind his back, posture right as rain despite the subtle hint of fatigue—just like how he was taught. His Father would be proud, or, at least he’d hoped.

“Ryan.” a knight not of his own greeted, bowing deep with his hand on his chest. Ignoring the slip-up, Ryan gestured for him to stop. “What brings you here this at this hour?” the soldier asked, voice as serene as ever.

He glanced at the door dividing the two of them from a newly revived Sean before turning his head back towards one of the man’s soldiers. “How is he doing, Robert?”

------

Ryan would ask him abt how he feels about his and Sean’s kingdom being conquered and all that, Robert would say “Truthfully, it is upsetting that our kingdom and everything we’ve worked hard for is no longer in our control, and the fact that Sean also lost another life. It would take some time to get used to, that’s for sure.

… But, that was an impressive trap, one that we hadn’t seen from a mile away.” And he reached out on Ryan’s head, pausing for a brief moment until the other took of his crown and ruffled his hair.

“Great job.” Robert said, tilting his head a bit and giving the younger a soft smile.

Ryan replicated it as pride and content filled his chest."

I once again thank @ice-cap-k for proof-reading this fic. Mah friend, you are a savior. You're the best.

[legally-brief]

MOVIES WITH MEN IN UNDERWEAR (This is outdated- website shutdown early 2000’s)

“C”

Caddy, The (1953) Dean Martin walks into a darkened room in his white boxers, as everyone yells ‘Surprise!’ for a birthday celebration. Dean exits the room fast.

Caddyshack (1980) Michael O’Keefe

Cadence (1991) (Count a Lonely Cadence) (Stockade) Drama with endless scenes of Charlie Sheen, Laurence Fishburne and other US army prisoners in their army-issue white T-shirts and boxer shorts. Includes a long "emergency drill" scene out in a field at night, in the rain, with four of the six in only their underwear and boots.

Cagney & Lacey: True Convictions (1995) (TV) The women detectives go to arrest a guy at home, and he comes downstairs in his underwear.

Calendar Girl (1993) Jason Priestly, two other cute guys, mid movie, chase Marilyn Monroe to the beach and strip to boxers then naked; quick shot of his pecker.

Campus Man (1987) Making a male calendar. Lots of hunks

Candy (1968) Richard Burton is seen in wild-patterned silk boxer shorts.

Can't Hardly Wait (1998) After knocking them out with homemade chloroform, William's geeky friends strip him (Charlie Korsmo) and Mike (Peter Facinelli) to their underwear and take incriminating photos of them.

Can't Stop the Music (1980) Very bad Village People movie. Guys in briefs in the locker room scenes.

Canterville Ghost, The (1944) Robert Young and a platoon of men in their boxers and undershirts run around scared, as Charles Laughton haunts them. Robert Young boasts to the other soldiers on the army base. They pin him to the ground and take off his jumpsuit leaving him in white boxers and an undershirt. There's an extended scene where he hides behind the soldiers to make passerbys think he is clothed.

Cape Fear (1962) Suspense thriller. Robert Mitchum is subjected to a police strip search, but is unfazed and remains menacing in his full-cut white boxers and panama hat.

Cape Fear (1991) Robert DeNiro, searched by police, in red briefs.

Captain Ron (1992) Comedy. Kurt Russel in his briefs.

Car Wash (1976) Award-winning hit comedy. In early locker-room scene, guy drops his pants and shows his eye-catching white heart-spotted boxer shorts (and he seems to have something written on them). His co-workers immediately make fun and embarrass him - one holding the guy's trousers down so they can all get a good look.

Career Opportunities (1991) Comedy. Quick shot of a young guy in boxers and socks at the beginning of the movie; the same guy is later shown rollerblading around a department store wearing boxers.

Carnal Knowledge (1971) Jack Nicholson. Art Garfunkel was in his jocks too.

Carry On Constable (1960) A Street thief steals a bobbie’s suspenders, and his authoritarian trousers slip down while on patrol ... a comic scene indeed!

Casino (1995) Joe Pesci’s character and his brother were clubbed bloody before being stripped to their coloured Y-fronts and then buried alive. This happened near the end of the movie.

Casper (1995) Family comedy fantasy. Pullman is chased by ghosts. They grab swords and cry "All for one and one for all! Catch your pants before they fall!" They cut his belt, his pants fall down to his ankles, and he hops away in his boxers.

Casual Sex? (1988) Comedy. There are two good scenes with men in tighty whities.

Cat Ballou (1965) Comedy western. Lee Marvin in a white union suit, getting fitted for new clothes.

Catfish in Black Bean Sauce (2000) Comedy drama. We see Michael in his underwear and Dwayne in his boxers. Samantha then arrives and thinks that something is going on between the two men (there isn't).

Cell, The (2000) Suspense thriller. "We see Carl's father in his jockey underwear".

Chain of Passion [?] VERY hot scene at end of movie

Champ, The (1979) Jon Voight, though drunk, insists on taking off his own pants in this tear-jerker. Jon wears patterned full-cut boxer shorts in this scene.

Change of Heart (1938) Michael Whalen, wearing white boxers and garters, sews a button onto his trousers in from of Delmar Watson.

Chaplin (1992) Robert Downey, Jr. Quick scene of him in old fashioned boxers as he gets a costume together in studio wardrobe.

Charlie Chan at the Circus (1936) Chan’s #1 son gets temporarily kidnapped by gangsters, who pull him into car, strip him to A-shirt, striped boxers, shoes socks and garters, and then push him out of car in his underwear.

Chasers (1994) Billy McNamara in white briefs - two scenes - both great. Also has Tom Berenger in blue boxers. Billy’s pretty hot!

Chasing Amy (1997) Ben Affleck lying on the sofa with a naked Joey Lauren Adams. He is wearing boxers and some dirty looking white socks.

Checkered Flag (1990) Drama. Good rear view of guy's blue patterned boxer shorts in a stand-up, pants-down sex scene.

Chef! (1999) Documentary. A vigilante mob attack a 16-year-old boy who had stolen some chickens; the youth is stripped to his underpants and humiliated. "It is easy to imagine what might have developed if the filmmaker (Jean-Mari Teno) and his camera had not been present. Teno comments 'The paradox of this country is that the national sport - far more popular than soccer - is the plundering of resources by our heads and chiefs, yet a youth was nearly lynched for stealing one hen and four chicks'. Teno wonders if the powerless in the face of massive injustice take out their rage on those less powerful than themselves".

Choirboys, The (1977) Charles Durning and Asian guy go swimming in white briefs (Durning has a T-shirt). Locker room scenes too.

Chung King Express (1994) Romantic comedy drama. Nice cop (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai) in several scenes around his flat in white singlet and briefs.

City Heat (1984) 30s gangster comedy. Burt Reynolds in his underwear in a bedroom scene with Madeline Kahn. Also, an old guy glimpsed in the back of a car in his underwear, socks and garters, after Clint Eastwood steals his clothes, and another guy on a bed in underwear, socks and garters.

Class (1983) Comedy. In a prep-school prank near the start of the movie, Rob Lowe locks Andrew McCarthy out in the quadrangle in women's underwear. Lowe is also seen in pale boxers in a later scene.

Class Act (1992) Teen comedy. Christopher "Kid" Reid falling about in his white T-shirt and pale boxers, getting dressed for a date.

Clay Pigeons (1998) Clay goes to Amanda's house, but finds Lester (Vince Vaughn) there (in his underwear).

Clean and Sober (1988) Brian Benben (before "Dream On") climbs out of his sweatpants before Michael Keaton, revealing his classic white jockey briefs.

Clockwise (1986) Comedy. Headmaster John Cleese, needing clothes, has to go along with his student's plan: stopping in the woods, the schoolgirl gets Cleese to takes off his monk's habit, and persuades Michael Percival to strip to his underwear and put the habit on. Headmaster and schoolgirl then grab the guy's clothes and run to the car, Cleese in his underpants.

Clockwork Orange, A (1971) Alex (Malcolm McDowell) plods around in his underwear and is surprised to discover his "Post Corrective Adviser" Mr. Deltoid in the apartment. Deltoid is happy to have found the young boy before he has had a chance to get dressed.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Richard Dreyfus is wearing his light blue boxers and is bent over a bathroom sink when his young son paddles his butt with a ping pong paddle. Richard makes a funny face in reaction.

Closer You Get, The (2000) Comedy. Kieran (Ian Hart), and Mickey (Dessie Gallagher) seen in their underwear.

Clown, The (1952) Red Skelton is a washed up comic who loves his little boy, Tim Constadine. Red displays himself in boldly striped full-cut boxer shorts.

Clownhouse (1988) (TV) A 13 year old boy walks around in only pajama bottoms, then wets his bed when frightened by a dream. In the morning his butt is seen as he puts on underwear. He is then seen in underwear and a tee shirt. Later he is seen taking a bath, but nothing is shown.

Clueless (1995) High-school comedy. Makes a great visual gag out of the way Dion’s way cute boyfriend Murray (Donald Faison) carries the low-slung jeans fashion to its extreme. You always think they’re about to fall, but sadly, as in real life, this never quite happens.

Coach (1978) Soaked after coming in from the rain, Michael Biehn strips down to blue briefs.

Coca-Cola Kid, The (1985) Erik Roberts sitting on the couch talking on the phone in WHITE briefs.

Cocktail (1988) Tom Cruise, in white Hanes. Nice.

Cold Heaven (1992) Long first scene is of James Russo in white briefs and a T-shirt. Later in the movie, Teresa Russell pulls his pants off him and pulls him onto the bed.

Cold Sweat (1993) This unremarkable thriller is brightened by the presence of Adam Baldwin. Baldwin kills a man, and then strips to his boxers while burying the corpse, to avoid leaving incriminating evidence.

Color of Night (1994) Bruce Willis in shorts, in the pool, totally nude--even shows his penis. Also a shower scene, and a scene with him being nude and putting on jeans.

Color Purple, The (1985) Multiple award winning drama, including, if memory serves, a scene where Danny Glover dashes back and forth in his underwear, demanding his wife find various items he needs.

Comfort of Strangers, The (1990) Several scenes of Rupert Everett in boxers and birthday suit.

Coming to America (1988) Romantic comedy. Glimpse Arsenio Hall in white singlet and blue undershorts when Eddie Murphy tells him to get up and pulls back the blankets.

Commando (1985) Action. Arnold Schwarzenegger, stripped down to his little brown bikini briefs, rows a boat ashore.

Coneheads (1993) Sci-fi comedy. Two earthlings are taken to the coneheads' planet and presented to the leader -- in their gartered socks, undershirts, and boxer shorts.

Conversation, The (1974) Gene Hackman changes his pants while talking to his landlady on the telephone, revealing that he’s wearing classic white jockeys.

Cool Hand Luke (1967) Tons of scenes of the prisoners in their underwear. Paul Newman always in boxers, one guy always in briefs.

Corruptor, The (1999) Vu (Byron Mann) in his underwear.

Corvette Summer (1978) A young Mark Hamill crawling around in a prostitute’s van, shows a good glimpse of lots of boxer shorts sticking out over the top of his jeans. A fun movie for Hamill fans. (Mark Hamill did this movie one year after Star Wars).

Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) Comedy. Tall, blond cop is seduced by a woman who gets him to strip to his socks and underwear (print boxers, white undershirt) and eventually to nothing but his socks. She grabs his clothes and runs out of the apartment - he chases after her, but ends up embarrassingly locked out in the corridor in just his socks. Another underwear scene follows immediately as cops question a guy in his print boxers and dirty white undershirt.

Coupe de Ville (1990) Comedy/drama. Two scenes with co-lead in white briefs - once as a young boy, and then ten or fifteen years later.

Courage Under Fire (1996) Lou Diamond Phillips wearing only a jock strap. Nice shot of him from the side as he pulls up shorts over his firm bare ass (tan line visible).

Cowboy Way, The (1994) Action/Comedy. Woody Harrelson in underwear a couple of times, and also a nice butt shot.

Creator (1985) Vincent Spano in white boxers, twice.

CrissCross (1992) David Arnott (very cute) gets out of bed wearing only his briefs. It’s kind dark, but still nice.

Crow, The (1994) Supernatural revenge fantasy. In a scene lasting several minutes, Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) pays a visit to sympathetic cop Albrecht (Ernie Hudson) at his home. This handsome, black police officer is in his cop cap and underwear - white T-shirt, grey-striped boxer shorts.

Cruel Intentions (1999) Sebastian finds Blaine (Joshua Jackson) and Greg (Eric Mabius) in bed together, both in their underwear, and takes a picture to blackmail Greg. Sebastian enters Kathryn's room to find her in bed and a guy under the bed, whom we then see leaving in his underwear.

Cruising (1980) Pacino calls at a door which is opened by a guy wearing a white trimmed blue pair of Jockey briefs and a matching singlet (A-shirt). Good long shots of the Y-front, buttocks and chest.

Crush, The (1993) Alicia Silverstone taking off her underwear while he is hiding in the closet. (huh?)

Cry-Baby (1990) Johnny Depp. Great scene of Depp hanging from ceiling showing his FOLs. Writer-director John Waters revealed that Depp wore not one but three pairs of underpants for the 'whoops-we've-gratuitously-ripped-his-trousers-off' scene. No unsightly bulges there!

Cuba (1979) Drama. Handsome young Cuban man comes home, strips as he crosses the lawn, and dives into the swimming pool in his trim white boxer shorts.

Curse, The (1987) Wil Wheaton is seen at 14 in only underwear.

Cutting Edge, The (1992) DB Sweeney in white boxers at beginning.

[teriwrites]

Beneath Alder Creek: Part 6

My Live Reactions to Reading Through My 2020 Novel

Chapter 23

And this is where we will probably see the pacing start to completely run off the rails because we're only about halfway through the novel rn

Right, where were we?

Step aside, useless golden fae, a REAL aide has entered the chat

Oh, great, the perfect subject to decompress the awkwardness: the topic y'all were fighting about before everything went down

Laying out everything you need to get done in a list a mile long

Easy!

"Do not go far from me," Enid warned.' 2020!Teri WTF bro OUCH

Winnie's plan: elaborate disguises involving costumes

Taliesin's plan: an intricate 20-step process to accomplish the first of multiple parts

Winnie ends up taking a nap while they're waiting for Enid, and we get a brief scene that's not actually from her POV but from Taliesin's

I love being able to write two fae conversing as fae

Chapter 24

Winnie's trying to nap and it is Not working

'Rest did not come easy. Her body had finally adjusted to sleeping over tree roots and uneven ground, and the mattress beneath her back was less comforting and more suffocating, like she would sink through and be swallowed up.' that'd be such a fae mattress thing to do - but also! I've written before about the ways a mattress can feel too soft when you're used to a less comfortable surface

Nap time having failed, she wants insight

You know things have gotten dire when the comic relief has suddenly gotten serious

‘At least, if his demeanor had changed, his insistence on vague and unhelpful replies was the same.' same ol' Tal

He didn't need to be helpful, apparently, Winnie's able to piece it together herself

That doesn't sound good

I mean, she makes a good point there

There is trouble brewing

Nope, no longer brewing, it’s here!

Winnie winds up in the ballroom

‘And it was as [Taliesin] had once told her, that the stagnation of the Fae was balanced out by extreme change. Winnie stared into the stoic woven eyes of Queen Rhiannon. She hadn't held the throne forever. There had once been a time before her rule, and what was surely a tumultuous adjustment once she'd taken power. Even the Courts themselves were the fractured remnants of a once-blissful unity. How could they be expected to remain fixed in place when their very undercurrent was one of transition?' (okay this is what I was referencing earlier when I said there are reasons I view the courts system as something of a mirror - they were once seemingly a singular court, and after they splintered, they became two sides of the same coin)

But enough musing - back to the plot!

This is surely going to go well

is that a fucking Beatles reference in my Edwardian gaslamp fantasy??

If you think it's cheesy to include a reference to a song I love, just wait until my 2024 novel!

That very much so pulled me out of the otherwise intense scene lol

:(

Chapter 25

'The woods of the Dusk Court were dark and dense, thick with underbrush that raked against Winnie's bare arms and barbed itself into the fabric of her skirts.' this is like the flip side of that one Robert Frost poem

'the woods are awful, dark and dense/but i have left without defense/to save my brother from foul events/to save my brother from foul events' or something idk

Anyways, we lost!

Dozing off at the base of a tree is literally never the right answer, Winifred

Lo and behold, napping at the base of the tree has led to a seemingly never-ending cycle of nightmares

This is what you get for sleeping under a mysterious tree, Winnie

And now a branch of the tree has just snapped out and smacked her in the face, for added measure

There's obviously only one response to that: 'Winnie reached out to grab the end of the branch and snapped it at the joint of a twig.'

'A single gust of wind blew past Winnie's face, shrieking in her ear like a kettle before dying back to relative stillness. In its wake, however, the canopy overhead had shifted, and a beam of light streaked across Winnie's hand on the tree branch. Where the damage of the living oak should've shown green beneath the bark, some sappy substance began to pool onto Winnie's palms, staining them a bright red. She pulled her hand away in horror, streaks of crimson nearly glowing against her skin.' (you've gone and made the tree bleed!)

*DING DING DING* I think she’s finally coming to understand the weight of the decisions she’s been making this whole time

Also, remember when I talked about her last conversation with her mom (in part 2)?? Oof

Facing a wall of brambles, huh?

Man, if only you had a dude who's like made of metal or something idk

Ending Thoughts:

And thus, the pacing of the story begins to run off the rails. Firstly, these chapters getting significantly longer means that what's intended as the third act of the story suddenly takes up like 50% of the actual pages. That said, we're over halfway through the notes, I didn't want this to wind up being like a trillion parts long. That'll be for the second draft lol That said, I do like the general trajectory and a lot of the content itself. Taliesin and Winnie are both working with what they know, and neither of them are entirely wrong to do so. But they're not right, either, and not working with each other to figure out a solution. They're both idiots, and that's why this story works so well lol