#you could have a scene where she’s like… wow i’ve been learning about these people so much i almost feel like they are my real relatives

[areyouwho-ithinkyouare]

the thing about the Anastasia stage musical is that like…….. as a story it’s a real improvement on the original film. way better construction, stronger characterisation etc etc etc. but…. the same choices that make it technically a better narrative also have really weird knock-on effects on the message.

Replacing rasputin with a communist party officer who’s father was one of the ones who executed the romanov family??? UGH that’s so good that’s so juicy the dynamic between the villain and Anya is SO much more interesting than in the original film. But it leads to scenes like Still/The Neva Flows where it’s like.

“The Romanov’s were given everything and gave back nothing until the russian people rose up and destroyed them!”

*girlboss voice* “All but one. I am my fathers daughter”.

And i’m just… ok but he’s right though. He’s absolutely correct there. Factually he is accurate. But she’s the protagonist and he’s the antagonist so the framing is that she’s the one we should be rooting for here. There’s no point where Anya is like “wow my experiences growing up poor and destitute and orphaned have made me morally uncomfortable with the idea of claiming my place as the daughter of the tsar and that’s going to influence my decisions and actions”. She’s just like. Oh cool i get to be a princess??? neato.

[lolirock4ever]

Let's talk about the "Iris killed Mephisto" situation

With season 3’s possible (and hopeful) arrival, I thought this post might be necessary.  I’ve been going through a lot of old lolirock posts, and the amount of people that seem thoroughly convinced that Iris was responsible for Mephisto’s death is absolutely astounding. Like, have we watched the same scene? You could attribute her a small fraction of the blame, sure. But all of it? It seems to me like some of yall (in a very Praxina fashion, may I add) just want someone convenient to blame. 

Like, I’m all in favor of the “Iris killed Mephisto” jokes, like, keep making them, I love them. But… it should stay that way… a joke. Because some people seem to have taken it quite literally. 

I think I’ve read something similar somewhere before but, Mephisto’s death was not only one person’s fault. That was the point. It was a combination of variables that all ended up going tremendously wrong for the twins, BUT, one in which NONE of the characters involved had any intention of contributing to. 

You wanna blame people? Sure, you could blame Iris. She was the one that allegedly couldn’t control her Shanilla form. She was the one who sent the blast that, when collided with Gramorr’s own energy force, hit and shattered the big, shiny, and mildly explosive rock, that was going to fall onto Praxina, before Mephisto yeeted her away like a ragdoll and took on the blast himself. Wow. Does that not sound far fetched and awfully convoluted? Yeah, because it is. If anything, you could say that Iris indirectly and totally unintentionally contributed to Mephisto’s death. 

And you know what? While we’re on the subject of blaming, why not blame Gramorr? He was the one who started this whole mess for everyone. He is the reason that battle was even happening in the first place. The energy Iris sent collided with HIS magic, causing the blast, so, logically speaking, he should also be blamed, right? Did he mean to “kill” Mephisto? No. Though if I’m being totally honest, he probably wouldn’t have cared either way, but still. I’m not sure he even noticed that was even happening. But it also wasn’t his intention. 

Oh, do you wanna blame someone else? Great! How ‘bout we blame Praxina herself? If she had just left with Mephisto, like he wanted, instead of “wanting to watch” (what the heck was that about anyways? babygirl, i love you but TF?!), they wouldn’t have been anywhere near the blast when it happened. And then, to save her from her own recklessness, Mephisto was the one who got screwed. 

Heck, we can even blame Mephisto himself. He was the one who decided to jump in front of his sister to save her, wasn’t he? No one made him do it. 

See? We can blame pretty much everyone. OR we could rip the page we took from Praxina’s blame book, crumple it into a ball, rip it to shreds, and throw it off of a bridge. No good comes from trying to find a non-existent scapegoat, and that’s something that some of you, AND Praxina alike, are going to have to learn at some point. Sometimes things aren’t just black and white. There are shades of gray (this is so cliché, but it’s true).

But let’s backpedal, shall we? Imagine Iris was actually the one who undoubtedly, yet accidentally killed Mephisto. I’m gonna ask the real question now. Why should she care? I love the twins more than anything else, obviously, they are my favorite characters in the show, and I feel awful about what happened to them. But they’re not exactly saints. I’m not even going to list all the awful things they did to the princesses, and Iris specifically, because we'd be here forever. But I’ll use Princess Brenda as an example. You know, the episode where Mephisto and Praxina basically “killed” all of Iris’s friends, AND the love of her life, just… because. And they did all that, 1) on purpose; and 2) did not feel bad about it in the slightest, and even gloated about it. Like, they were thrilled. So how exactly is this any different? If anything, it’s way worse. Iris indirectly and completely unintentionally killed Mephisto (as stated above), with lots of other people to be blamed for it as well, AND, she even apologized to Praxina, and said she felt sorry about her loss. She obviously didn’t feel good about it.

What I think screwed her over with certain members of the fandom was the “But you can’t blame me for it.” line. Because maybe I don’t know, YOU CAN’T. Also, what was she supposed to do? She knew it wasn’t fully her fault, as she fucking should. So should she just drop to the ground and cry her eyeballs out, and mourn the loss of her enemy who had consistently made her life a living hell for god knows how long? Like, are some of y’all mental? And it’s fucking hypocritical of Praxina to expect anything more than that from Iris as well, considering everything they've done to her (but, then again, Praxina IS a hypocrite, not a single surprise there).

At the end of the day, neither Iris, nor any of the other princesses owed Mephisto (or Praxina) anything. They didn’t owe him their grief, their mourning, they didn't owe him shit. Because, guess what? A lot of yall aren’t prepared to hear this but. Mephisto enjoyed screwing with the princesses' lives just as much as Praxina. No consideration whatsoever about anyone they had to trick, backstab or hurt. Yeah, Gramorr was making them do it. But they sure as hell were having a blast through it all. In fact, only near the end, when Gramorr was yapping about planetary enslavement or whatever, did Mephisto actually start to kinda realize the gravity of the situation (while Praxina was still on cloud fucking nine). Which- props to him, I guess. I think he was realizing that all of that wasn’t just some big elaborate joke. I think I’ve made a meme of this in the past like, “Wait. You guys are actually evil? I thought it was a joke.”, and this basically perfectly sums up what I think was going through his brain at that moment. That’s why he was so apprehensive till the very end. That, and also the fact that he was then starting to realize that him and Praxina were not any different from Lev, or Jodan, or any of the other minions Gramorr lied to and exploited, to do his dirty bidding for him. They, too, had been expendable, tricked into devoting their entire lives to someone who filled their heads to the brim with nonsense and empty promises of grandeur, when, in reality, he wasn’t actually planning on following through with anything. Why would he? After all, they were just cheap, stupid merchandise.

Still, none of that removes the fact that both Mephisto and Praxina were bad people. Yes, they were kids, so there was obviously room for growth if put in the correct environment, but nonetheless. And I agree with people when they say that Mephisto had more good in him than Praxina, but that still doesn’t make him a good person. The problem is that people like to babify him, and that kind of takes away all the complexity that makes his character so beautiful.

You can love a character and believe they deserved better, while also holding them accountable for their actions and acknowledging they weren’t perfect. 

This is going to sound insensitive as hell but the twins made their bed. Now they have to lay in it (well, Praxina has. Mephisto… well, he can't really lay on anything, can he?- because he is- ya know- dead, but… whatevs). 

Iris could’ve even not shown a single ounce of sadness for what happened to Mephisto and she still would’ve been well within her right to do so. Of course, she is objectively “good” so the expectations for her to do “good” are much higher than the bad guys. The villains are “objectively bad” so whenever they do something only slightly itty bitty nice they’re immediately reduced to “misunderstood” or “poor babies omg uwu” or “they didn’t do anything wrong ever”. Because for them the bar is on the floor, the expectations are low, they don’t need to do anything. For christ sake, let the protagonists make mistakes, allow them to not be perfect, to have dimension. Y’all can’t handle it, can you? Either Iris is a bitch for “killing” poor wittle baby Mephisto or she’s a, quote on quote, “Mary Sue”. Like, pick a lane and leave female characters alone. Let them be complex, let them lose their marbles, let them make mistakes and learn from them. This goes for Iris, but for Praxina too. 

She’s gonna fuck up a lot in season 3, we all know it. She’s gonna do unspeakable things, and I fully believe that, at some point, she might even get past the point of no return. Because she’s human too. Because, right now, she’s all alone without the one person that was always there for her, and that she always took for granted. This doesn’t have much to do with the original point of this post, maybe I’ll elaborate on this later, but I think that one of the main conflicts that Praxina is going to deal with this season is GUILT. The guilt of knowing you didn’t appreciate someone enough while they were there, that you took them for granted. She’s gonna think back to all the times she yelled at or hurt Mephisto (yes, most of that was your usual sibling stuff, but she did take it too far sometimes), and that’s gonna fucking break her. You just know she’s going to have those memories replaying over and over again in her head 24/7. And that’s gonna fuck her up badly. 

She’s still a bad person, but she has layers. She is a complex human being, always, but now more so than ever, and y’all better keep that in mind (also, please please please @teamlolirock, you have the opportunity to do something great with this, maybe even something a little darker to get different audiences for the show as well, and peak the interest of people that aren’t all that familiar with the show yet, please do not waste it, DO NOT squander this potential). 

Also, might I add, I loved how in character for her it was that she immediately blamed Iris for the whole Mephisto thing. Like, if there’s something Praxina has never done during this whole show, was take the blame for anything. That’s her Achilles’s heel, one of her biggest fatal flaws (that and her ongoing hypocrisy. pride too), and of course this situation would only exacerbate it. Well played, @teamlolirock, well played. Here, take my hat. 

Anyways, Banes is the true bitch, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he turned out to be the big bad boss, and I don’t see people discussing it enough (I might make a post on this too when I have the time). 

With that being said, if you’ve read this far, thank you, and I’d like to know your thoughts. If there’s anything this fandom is missing is some good old’ character and world building dissection. Have a good one.

XOXO

[rebeccalouisaferguson]

Rebecca Ferguson: “ On Top with Tom”

Tom Cruise is famous for finding his female leads always himself. How is happened with you?

Exactly like that. Tom and Christopher had watched hundred thousand  casting tapes and then asked several actresses for the next round, me among them. And when I met with Tom we lost ourselves in conversation immediately. We talked about everything - the film, our roles and life itself *laughs*. Somewhere Christopher said: “Maybe we can start with audition?” and Tom said, “it’s ok, she got the part!” 

Were you a bit intimidated to be filming with the world famous start Tom Cruise?

You know, I live in a small village in Sweden where you learn not to judge people by their image *laughs* I love meeting people and I try to see everyone if possible without prejudice. And with that in mind I met Tom for the first time: the only thing I was afraid of is not getting the role. But as mentioned Tom and I understood each other right away. I really like him a lot, he is unexpected and he is honest. 

Can you tell us a little bit about your character?

Ilsa Faust is a top agent, born in Sweden and recruited by the british secret service. When she meets Ethan they both understand that they are each other’s match (they are equals). But neither Ethan nor the audience know till the end who she is working for, she is quite mysterious.

And quite strong - did you have to train a lot before the shoot?

Yes, for months six hours a day six days a week. Everything was perfectly planned and organized: Pilates, weights lifting, fitness and of course martial arts. It was hard but important. For this kind of film you need enormous amount of strength and stamina, But I admire Tom who is almost always in training. He gets through his fitness program and he is also producer, actor, he is taking part in editing...I do 1% a day from what he is doing and fall in bed dead tired! But I also enjoyed training a lot. I like moving.  And I could really test my limits and have learned things that I never thought I was capable of doing. 

For example?

I've learned to hold my breath [under water] for 4 and a half minutes. I had severe vertigo before this film and had to film a scene where we jump from 35 meters high. I mean before that I haven't even stepped foot in the elevator *laughs* There was my phenomenal stunt double Lucy Cork, but you know, Tom does all his stunts himself - I was really disappointed if I couldn't keep up. And now when I watch the scenes, I think: “Wow,  I actually did it!”.

What else did the trainings program give you?

I was feeling super. To build muscle strength we had a to keep a strict diet, we were given instruction what and when to eat. So everyday I had a thought through nutrition program that was tailored to my training with the best scientific nutrition knowledge. And it really worked - never in my life have I been feeling so well physically. 

Translated from German by @edwardslovelyelizabeth for @rebeccalouisaferguson. For the scans special thanks to @kiwirazzi on Twitter.

[sarahnotjmaas]

Kingdom of Ash

Struggling to get into this one

Awww Rowan and aelins babies

This book feels like all my sweet babies are grown up 😭

Omfg is Yrene pregnant?? Is this the book they all have babies? Idk if I’m gonna like that

Dorian is gonna learn how to shift!! Wait last fall? This all happened so fast! 8 books of drama in like two years?? Jesus

I’m 100 pages in and needing more!! The last two books ended with so much action to be had it feels like nothing is happening!

Okay Manon is looking for a way to connect with the Cochran and her great grandma literally told her ‘we got our fire cuz Brannon GALATHYNIYS gave it to our queen your great great great great great grandma’ and you’re literally allied with Aelin Galathynius….. I read that and said ‘whoop there it is’

Yay Aelin is back!! Taking her scars is FUCCKKKED

I have been slacking on note taking but I’m like 400 pages in now and Aelin and Yrene finally met!!!!! I’m so ready for Aelin to start kicking ass again!

Oh and I hope Lysandra is okay….

So many story lines finally coming together!

Queen of witches🥹

Okay I’m getting sick of Aelin not using her power!! People are DYING Aelin! Get it together miss ma’am

When is it gonna be revealed that Elide had dope powers? I know it’s gonna happen

Okay Elide your man just got cut down, now would be the time to be a powerful badass

What a stupid reason for Aelin to not be using her powers. You’re literally at war lol

Manon and Dorian always get me!!! Ugh she loves him and just wants him to stay and not sacrifice himself!! Me toooooo!!

Forget any bad thing I’ve ever said about Elide and Lorcan, they’re precious 😭😭😭

Why doesn’t Yrene use the tower to cure all the valg

Don’t ask me why I go over huge plot points and don’t feel the need to document my emotions but Lorcan gives Elide a foot rub and I’m 😯🤭📝✍️ But seriously me too girl, a man giving you a foot rub is sensual as hell iykyk lol

The way that could’ve been so hot and SJM just blue balls the shit out of the reader. It’s fine I’m fine. She just got my heart racing just to go into one of Aelin’s fucked up nightmares 👍🏻 cool cool cool

Aelin and Dorian have all 3 word keys…

No one has died yet and I don’t want anyone to!!! I’m so scared I have 250 pages left, I know what feelings are coming for me I just don’t know why yet wait did Dorian learn how to use portals from Maeve!?!? Could he transport the army. My boy is the most powerful mf in the books

Not Abraxos. Bitch I’ll throw this book out the window. PETRAH!!!!! Bitch that was So badass fuck Iskra

Wtf!!!!! The entire 13!?!? No I fucking can’t wtf!!! Seriously what the fuck

Waaaahh😭Dorian and Chaol

They’re not wasting time on a vote… really?

I’m hyperventilating reading this unfold. Please don’t kill Dorian or Aelin for this stupid gate

‘My name is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius and I will not be afraid’ WAAAAAAHH 😭

The king saving Dorian and telling Aelin her parents are proud 🥲 I’m not ok

Snow capped mountains under shining stars. Where A winged Fae male stood beside a heavily pregnant female, gazing at those very stars. 👀👀👀👀

Wow Rhys saved her

Chapter 100 wow I’m so proud of myself

So quick recap: Stones are gone no longer in play and gate is shut meaning erawan can’t ever return to his brothers of bring them to him. BUT he and maeve are still strong scary muthafuckas who have like 100k soldiers a bunch of witches and 6 spider fuckers cool 👍🏻

Oh no Murtaugh

It’s about time Lysandra and Aedion! You’ve literally lived eachother for like 4 books now

Aelin has missed her entire war. It’s literally her war on her land and she’s been absent for like all of it.. I’m glad she saved Anielle but her own home needed her weeks ago

Darrow naming Evangeline his heir got me all teary eyed and shit

Omfg Gavriel!!!! No no no why do I even read SJM books they just hurt me

All the battle scenes are so bleak, they’re getting smeared in this war!! I don’t see how they’re going to pull through tbh I’m waiting for a big Aelin scheme but idk if I can take another 100+ pages of them getting they butts whooped

Ugh ‘And she will not be afraid’ that’s gonna stick with me forever

I’m so close! They did it! Chaols reading a letter from his mom and his wife literally saved the world 😭

I’m unwell.

[chrysalis-the-butterfly]

Lola: A Poem

Continuing from the Jessica Rabbit poem I posted last week, here's a poem about Lola Bunny. I tried to capture the idea that there are loads of people talking about who they want Lola to be, while Lola herself has this uncertainty over who she truly is. I welcome constructive criticism on whether I've achieved that!

Also, I headcanon Roger and Jessica Rabbit as being Lola's parents, so there's that too.

Lola!  Wow, Lola!  How many points is that now?  Really?  Are you sure?  That’s amazing, Lola!  You could play for the NBA!  I mean it, Lola!  No, I’m not just saying that because I’m your daddy, silly Lola! 

Lola, your father’s with his friends, your brothers are at band practice, and your sisters are at the library.  Looks like it’s just you and me.  I have a suspicion I know what you want to do, Lola.  Do you want to shoot some hoops, Lola?  I thought so, Lola.  Let your mommy go grab the basketball and then we’ll head out to the skate park, Lola. 

Lola?  Is that the name of the girl over there?  Lola? 

Lola!  Great shot!  You’re perfect!  You’re just the girl I need, Lola.  Your parents are in the movie business, aren’t they, Lola?  Well, I’m making a super-cool movie about basketball, and we need a strong female character, someone all the little girls can look up to – and that’s where you come in, Lola.  You sashay in, you talk sassy, you dunk a shot, you sashay out – you’ll be a sensation, Lola!  What?  No, of course that’s not all you’ll be doing!  You’ll be a very important character, Lola.  What do you say, Lola? 

Lola, here’s your costume!  Yes, it’s a crop top.  No, it’s probably not NBA-approved.  But it’s a movie, Lola!  Not everything has to be completely true to life!  Okay, let me explain.  All the ladies are wearing crop tops, Lola.  Girls can’t afford to be demure and innocent anymore.  This is a scary world now.  There’s all kinds of new diseases.  And we ladies have to educate ourselves.  And then we have to let the boys and the men know that we have brains and we’re not afraid to use them.  We know our rights, Lola.  We won’t settle for bad men who give us diseases, will we?  And this crop top, silly as it sounds, sends a clear message, Lola.  You’re not ashamed of your body.  And you control what happens to it.  You’re a strong girl, Lola.  You’ve got spunk, baby, and we want to show that off, Lola. 

Lola!  Left, Lola!  Right, Lola!  Hop, Lola!  Skip, Lola!  Jump, Lola!  And cut!  You were brilliant, Lola!  Everyone, you could learn something from Lola. 

Lola?  No, we don’t need you anymore.  Go back to your trailer.  We should probably do a couple of reshoots of the damsel-in-distress scene, but that can wait until tomorrow, Lola. 

Lola!  Yeah, like that, Lola!  Good girl!  Looking great, Lola!  Higher.  Lower.  No, lower than that, Lola.  Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, these are all for the promo images.  What do you think I am, Lola? 

Lola, isn’t this wonderful?  The leading lady, my little Lola!  You’re a star, Lola!  I knew you could do it!  Look, you’re on lunchboxes, Lola!  You’re on towels, Lola!  Everywhere you look on the beach, people are lying on Lola!  Heh, now that you’re famous, you won’t forget your daddy, will you, Lola? 

Lola?  Did you want to talk to me?  Yes, it has been quite a while since your last acting job, hasn’t it?  I’ve seen you pouting.  A mother knows, Lola.  I understand you’re frustrated.  But this is how show business works, Lola.  Sometimes you’re drowning in work, and sometimes there are dry spells, but that’s just how it is.  At least you’ve also got your smarts, not just looks.  So if this doesn’t work out, it’s okay.  You don’t have to be an actress forever, Lola.  You can be anything.  You’re a strong girl, Lola.  You’ll bounce back.  I know you will.  Lola? 

Lola!  Just the woman I want to see.  We’ve got a great new part for you, Lola.  You’ll be playing the same character that made you famous.  It’s just like your debut role all those years ago.  But, uh, we have made a few changes, Lola.  She’s a little … loonier, shall we say.  She’s scatter-brained, she’s ditzy, she’s a dumb blonde.  It’ll be fantastic, Lola!  What do you mean, she’s completely unrecognisable?  It’s fine!  You’re a new Lola!  A better Lola!  You’ll truly be part of the gang now!  When you first showed up, you didn’t get to join in the slapstick with the boys.  But now you’re loony and you’ll fit right in with the other loonies, Lola! 

Lola?  What was that, Lola?  You’re leaving?  Where are you going, Lola? 

Lola, sweetie, okay, okay, I know it’s been a little while, but we’ve got another role for you.  And this time it really is like your debut role, Lola.  You’re the Queen of Basketball again.  We’ve just changed the costume a bit.  A longer top.  More modest shorts.  You understand, don’t you, Lola?  We can’t have little girls running around in crop tops, Lola.  What kind of message does that send, Lola? 

Lola, why don’t you smile anymore?  What’s on your mind?  Talk to me.  I’m your mother.  I can’t help you if you don’t use your words, darling.  Lola?  Lola? 

Lola looks different, I’m sure of it.  Eh, probably for the best – I never liked that Lola.  She’s a bad influence.  Look what happens to the boys when they look at Lola.  They can’t control themselves around Lola. 

Lola, everyone’s talking about you.  You’re all over the news, Lola. 

Lola, Lola, Lola.  Is it me, or does your chest look smaller?  Why are they covering you up, Lola?  Are you somehow not a strong independent woman if you bare too much flesh?  Is that what they told you, Lola?  Is Lola no longer allowed to be Lola? 

Lola watches the pundit on screen and shakes her head with the saddest laugh. 

“Who even is Lola?” 

[emitheduck]

Teenage Dream (Steve Harrington x Reader) 1/?

A/N: this is gonna have more than one part, i’m just trying to decide if it’ll have 2 or 3 parts!  Friends to Lovers, realization of love

-- “I’m just saying, I just don’t think anything can top episode five. It just has that amazing moment where Vader tells Luke he’s his father. I don’t think anything can beat that.” (Y/n) said as she learned back in the chair behind the desk, throwing the tape she was holding onto the counter. “Yeah but episode six has Leia in that space bikini and she’s smoking hot. Then those little teddy bear guys.” Steve told her as he grabbed the tape she had tossed, putting it on a cart to be shelved. She shook her head as she stood, grabbing another tape from the pile of returns so she could rewind it. “You’re forgetting the amazing scene where Han is getting frozen in carbonite and then when him and Leia confess their love, it’s just pure cinema.” “Of course you would love all the mushy crap while they’re literally kicking ass in space.” Steve mumbled, earning a slight smack on the arm as he walked by. “Dustin would also probably shit his pants if he heard us talking about Star Wars without him bringing it up first.” She shrugged. “I saw the tape when I was going through the returns pile, and we’ve been stuck talking about it for like, ten minutes.” She told him while watching the tape rewind. Nothing worse than people who returned their movies without rewinding them first. “Any plans tonight when we get out?”

Steve tried to look interested in the tape he was holding, focusing carefully where it had to be placed on the cart. He knew better than to try and fool her, as she was already staring at him, giving him that all-knowing look. “Fine! I have a date!”

“A date! Wow, I would have never guessed!” (Y/n) teased as she pretended to act surprised. Steve had been going on dates pretty much every night for as long as she had known him. And having known him for almost her entire life, to find out he was going on a date was no surprise to her. “Where are you taking this lucky girl?”

“I don’t want to answer that. You know the answer and you’re just teasing me.” Steve told her, feeling a slight bush on his cheeks as she started to laugh.

“You’re taking her out for some pizza, then going to bring her to Skull Rock and try to make a pass at her, before bringing her home.” She told him, watching him nod as she spoke. “You do that with every girl that you’ve ever gone out with, because it’s the easiest thing to do.”

Steve turned to her, clearly shocked. “What is that supposed to mean?”

(Y/n) took the tape out of the rewinding machine and put it back in its case before grabbing another tape to put inside the machine, hitting the button before she spoke. “You’ve gone through every single girl in town, and have only ever done the same date with each girl. I’m assuming when you finally find the one girl you actually like, you’re going to take her somewhere different.”

Steve looked to be at a loss for words. Sure, he’s thought about taking some of these girls on real dates. But he did at least have the mental capacity to realize that he didn’t really like any of these girls. They didn’t make him the good kind of nervous, didn’t make his hands all clammy, and surely didn’t give him that spark that something real was going on. “You’re just jealous because after all these years, I never took you out.” Steve shot back, saying the words without even comprehending what he had said. “Yeah, like I’m just begging for that to happen.” She scoffed as she snapped the tape out of the rewinder and back into the case. 

“Then let me take you out tonight. I’ll cancel with Steph, and we can go out and do something.” Steve told her as he watched her drop the tape she was holding.

(Y/n)  pretended to swoon, hand on her forehead as she leaned back on the counter. “The day I’ve been waiting for! Steve Harrington has finally asked me on a date!” She sighed dramatically before she stood back up to look at him with a smirk. “Was that the reaction you wanted me to have?”

He shook his head as he bent down to pick up the tape she dropped. “You could have just said no like a normal person.” 

“Fine! I’ll go out with you tonight and repair that broken ego of yours.” She smiled as she walked over and patted him on the back. “But I swear to god if you touch my boob, I might have to kill you.” She told him before she walked off to the back of the store.

Steve groaned as he put his head in his hands. Of course, asking his best friend out on a date wasn’t the smartest of ideas–especially when he’s had a crush on her since the fifth grade. Now he finally got the chance of his dreams, and it looked like he didn’t even care one bit about this being, maybe the most eventful night of his life. 

The little bell above the door dinged and Steve looked up to see Robin entering the shop. This meant he was halfway to freedom, she was coming in to cover for (Y/n) so that she could go home. “What’s up with you? You look pathetic.” Robin told him as she stepped behind the desk, shoving her bag under the register.

“Well, I have a date tonight.” Steve said as he turned to face her. “With (Y/n).”

Robin blinked in recognition as she silently watched the other girl leave the store, waving bye to Steve and telling him she would see him later. “You’re kidding me.” 

“Nope. We have a date. And I asked her out on a complete joke, and she said yes.” Steve told her, his head falling down into his hands once more. “What the hell am I gonna do?”

This was the only time in her life Robin seemed at a loss for words. She knew Steve had a huge crush on (Y/n) after he had told her inside the bathroom at the Starcourt Mall. Puking their guts out and confessing their love to people they believed would never love them back. “Well you’re gonna have to tell her you meant it.”

“Are you crazy! I can’t tell her I meant it!” Steve snapped at her, watching as a few customers perked up at the sound. He tried his best to look apologetic before turning back to Robin. “I can’t tell her. If I do, it will freak her out and she’s not gonna want to be my friend ever again. How do you stay friends with someone who tells you they love you?”

“Or maybe, this is your chance! Maybe she said yes to you because she really likes you too. Did you ever think of that?” She asked him, watching as he slowly processed her words.

Steve was still trying his best not to listen to her. He didn’t want to get his hopes up, and she had a really bad habit of trying to make him feel better and realize things that weren’t actually true. “That can’t be it. She probably just feels like she’s doing me a favor or something.”

Robin rolled her eyes while she propped herself on the counter to look at him. “How about, you take her on a real date and try to prove her wrong? None of the skull rock crap, don’t just take her out for crappy pizza. You’re going to have to be a little classy.”

“What, like take her to the movies?” Steve asked, earning himself a slap on the back of the head. 

“No! Maybe a sit down dinner? Enzo’s is a good place to start. They’re fancy! You know a place that has a candle at the table is fancy.” Robin told him, starting to grin while he nodded. “You can call and get a reservation, and I can call and tell (Y/n) to dress up a little bit. Perfect plan.”

Steve smiled slightly, giving her a gentle pat on the shoulder, his way of saying thank you. “I really hope you’re right about all of this.” 

“Trust me. I’ve never been wrong.” Robin smirked, grabbing a stack of tapes and walking off to shelve them, leaving Steve standing behind the desk trying to imagine the perfect date he could ever come up with. 

MASTERLIST

[gra-sonas]

Maria DeLuca has come a long way since the start of Roswell, New Mexico.

Her journey has seen so many ups and downs. Still, she finds herself in Roswell, New Mexico Season 4, at a place where she's discovering even more about herself, and star Heather Hemmens continues to play her with such warmth and determination.

Hemmens stepped behind the camera to direct Roswell, New Mexico Season 4 Episode 11, and we chatted with her about getting behind the camera again, her favorite scene from the hour, and what's ahead for Maria as the series comes to a close. Settle in and check this one out!

Whitney, good morning. How are you?

Hi, Heather. I'm great. How are you?

I'm well. Thank you. Thanks for having me.

Oh, yeah. Thanks for talking with me. Episode eleven is a big, action-packed episode. And I wanted to know what it was like directing this episode, as opposed to your first Roswell episode. Were there things you learned and could carry over into this experience?

Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. This was a huge episode because it's our 50th episode. So the script was big. There are big moments. Thankfully being a part of the show, especially from directing the previous season, I was able to carry a lot of that experience in, and those relationships I've watched develop this whole time.

So that was very easy to lock into, but we do have a new element in the show, that liminal space. So that was challenging to establish that space and the lighting and kind of the dynamic in this portal that they go through. That was really fun. There were new things to explore.

And then there were also things that are just familiar in our show that were really, really fun to revisit.

And how do you find the challenge of directing as opposed to acting?

I love directing because it's so consuming. It's really like having your hands in every different pot.

Acting is really stimulating because you're focused, but it's all about your one experience, and directing is kind of stepping back, seeing the bigger picture, and being able to manipulate the bigger picture.

So that's something that's really fun for me. It's all-consuming instead of just a myopic view that is really fun for acting but directing kicks your butt in a different way.

Yeah, I'm sure. Is there a particular scene from the episode that you're most excited for the audience to see?

There is. There is a scene that I feel myself and the fans who have watched the show from the beginning have been waiting for a culmination of certain questions and dynamics. And like I said, this being the 50th special episode, I was so honored to direct one of those moments and be behind the camera for that.

And it's a huge, huge payoff in this episode that everyone's going to, I can't say anything else about it, but when you see it, I feel like there's going to be cheering out loud when people are watching.

So, getting into Maria a little bit here. She's had tremendous growth throughout the series. She found herself in a place this season where she no longer had powers. And then she's presented with a new set of abilities that she has to explore.

Can you speak to Maria's growth and how she's feeling now about that side of herself and her powers?

Maria was bummed when she lost her powers. It was the one thing that was making her feel like part of the gang. That was what she contributed. So she was really bummed when she lost those powers. But now, with her new connection to Alex in the liminal space, it is a type of psychic connection.

She's just picking up on different messages, and she's able to do that because of how close she is to him. And that the thread of love, just someone you care so deeply about and that you know so well, is why she's able to pick up his messages because she first thought they were coming from her mother.

So her being able to connect to Alex gives her hope that she can lead the gang to find him.

Sure. And what has been your favorite part throughout these seasons of playing Maria DeLuca?

Wow. I love Maria's emotional journey, especially this season. I mean, having to go from losing her powers to losing her mother and now losing her best friend because she can't find Alex.

The way that Maria deals with tragedy and loss is so fun to explore as an actor because no matter what she's going through, she comes from a place of empowerment and never lets anything rattle her too deeply.

She stays so grounded, and it's an interesting way to interpret tragedy. Many people don't know how we would react if these monumental things happened in our lives. Right? Thankfully we don't have to face them too often, but I feel like Maria takes on thing after thing, and she handles it so well.

I've always admired that about her. And it's been just a joy to play someone with such grit.

Yeah, of course. I think she's come a long way since season one. It's been nice to see her journey, especially from then, like you said, the emotional journey.

Absolutely.

What are three words you would use to describe the experience of filming Roswell over the past few years?

Oh, exhilarating, epic, and beautiful.

I like those words. Is there anything you can tease us about Maria's storyline as we head into the final episodes?

Yes. I think there's a little flirtation brewing between Maria and Dallas that we can keep an eye on. Yeah. They have an interesting dynamic where they're friends and buddies, but that friendship has meant a lot to both of them. So we're going to see their eyes opening to the possibility. I can't say whether they go there or not.

I think they both are very grounding for each other. It was an exciting thing. I didn't see it coming this season. I was like, oh, yeah, they do fit. I could see it.

Yeah. It's been a nice surprise because they were just focused on their friendship and teaming up to find Alex and help the gang. And then they've also kind of been a shoulder for each other.

With the series ending, is there anything you wish you had gotten to explore a little bit more with Maria?

I don't think so. I don't feel like any part of her journey was missed. She got to fully flesh out the experiences that she was going through.

I would say the one thing I would've thought would've been included would just maybe have been more on her mom's passing. I felt like that was something she kind of went through behind the scenes.

And so yeah, I would say maybe exploring that a little bit, but I feel like the connection came in different ways, and it ended up being Alex, which keeps the storyline going. You can't dwell on things too long for TV, but yeah. I guess that would be it.

How do you hope that Roswell, New Mexico will be remembered?

More than the aliens, the kitsch of it all, I guess. But I think what people are going to remember is the relationships, the love, and the connection, whether they were alien or not. I think that people are going to remember the love between all of the characters. I think that was really strong.

Roswell, New Mexico airs on Mondays 8/7c on The CW.

***This interview has been edited for length and clarity.***

[acourtofthought]

It’s truly admirable not only how you isolate and portray the key elements of ACOTAR (narrative links, overarching themes, etc), but also the grace you have when confronting the slander dredged up against characters like Gwyn and Lucien. I know it’s just a book, but the one run-in I had with an anti who slandered Gwyn actually made me so angry that it took some time before I could return to the “conversation” and use ACOSF quotes to defend her.

In the time I’ve been following you, I’ve never seen you stoop to the cheap shots and pandering. I appreciate it, for the fandom. And admire it, for myself. I don’t think I’d be able to engage with this fandom without blogs like you 💞

🧼💖

This was such a wonderful message to receive, thank you for that 🥰

Yeah, it's technically just a book but you and I both know that people are making it more personal than that. Because if it were really "just a book" we'd never bring our own emotions into it. We'd be able to discuss "just the facts" and that would be it. But it's never "just a book" because we all connect with certain things from this book because of our own experiences or history or emotions. So when people attack a character there's definitely an element of attacking real people behind it especially when they are basing their attacks on things that don't actually exist in the book at all. That's the part that hurts us. If I were to say, "Gwyn needs to learn how to stand up to Merrill", then even if bothers you a little bit to hear it, you might not feel as defensive. Because I'm literally making my comment entirely about the book and the scenes where we actually witness her being bossed around by Merrill and realizing that maybe she needs to confront Merrill about the way she's being treated. But people don't stick to facts. They say things like, "Gwyn is probably lying about her SA". That's where it becomes personal. Because there's nothing in canon to support those kinds of statements AT ALL. There's no real debate that you can have over that because it's a completely baseless comment and an issue real issue SA survivors face. As there is nothing in the book to suggest it being true, all that's left is to feel like it's a personal attack against SA survivors.

It's very clear when someone has a discussion about what's going on in the actual book and when they're slandering a character because it makes them feel better about their own ship. And it's really not easy to fight against the negative emotions that makes us feel and not want to retaliate in kind. And honestly, I have wanted to make nasty comments from time to time too. Because it drives me crazy to hear the way people talk and for them not to realize how horrible they are being to actual people, to not realize how juvenile they sound. For whatever reason, I've been able to hold back and I'm glad because I know in the end, they wouldn't care anyway. To them, I'm nobody so it's not like they're going to stop and say, "wow....I really hear what she's telling me and now I feel bad for how I've behaved." The only thing I can do and the thing that actually seems to drive them the craziest, is to maintain my calm as much as possible. Because they want a fight, they want to get a rise out of me. When you don't give them that then you end up coming out on top. Not only against them but for yourself too.

[singularattitudeofasafetypin]

Oh oh tell me about Dance Magic Dance because I think about that fic a lot

Really??? Oh yay, I’m so glad! The coolest thing ever as a writer, as I’m sure you know, is to hear that someone’s been thinking about your work after they’ve read it!

I hope you’re ready for an essay! You don’t know what you’ve unleashed!

Wow so where to start? I freaking LOVE this movie! My mum showed it to me when I was really young, just randomly remembered it as a film she used to like and bought it to show me and my sister. I was enchanted!

Sarah the main character is really like me. Loves dressing up and theatre and dramatic, emotional storytelling, and I also found my little sister really annoying at the time. Perfect, right?

I also loved watching all the behind the scenes stuff on the special features! The practical effects were so so cool and I love the way the set designer was like just cover EVERYTHING in glitter!

So when Eddie Munson burst into my life in all his fantasy-loving, dungeon master glory and I realised the movie came out in 1986, what else could I do?

I was listening to the song ‘Dance Magic, Dance’ on the bus to work which then prompted me to watch the movie again after ages. Midway through I just had this vision of Eddie bursting through the door with a look of horror on his face uttering the words, ‘Are you watching our movie without me?’ The fic kinda spiralled from there.

Listening to the same song a few days later and I thought, Eddie is 100% the type of parent to try and throw his child in the air like David Bowie.

The flashback with Eddie asking Reader on a date is honestly one of my favourite bits to write! It was short and sweet and practically wrote itself. I pictured Eddie, still fragile, only just healed but having harboured a crush for so long. His recent brush with mortality having hit home that there’s no time to lose but in the moment getting flustered and reader having to finish the sentence for him.

I wanted to keep the playful nature I’d already established with their relationship largely to convey how young they both are and how not much time has really passed yet they’re still moving on and finding new life and happiness with each other.

Happy endings are just it for me and while I do enjoy a good tragedy every now and then, I always prefer it all to turn out right.

Now the masked ball scene! Oh this scene! Phantom of the Opera has quite literally from birth been my favourite musical of all time (but that’s another story for another time!) so you throw anything remotely resembling a masked ball into a piece of media and I will go wild! Add in ‘As The World Falls Down’ sung by the one and only David Bowie himself while dressed in a jacket literally encrusted with sapphires and I’m sold!

Also, as a cosplayer/fashion history/theatrical costume enthusiast, THE DRESS!!!! Aaaagghh!!! That dress is the dress of my dreams! I’ve always wanted a wedding inspired by this scene from Labyrinth so thus, reader got one!

The most romantic thing in the world in my humble opinion is dancing together! Even more so if it’s in a domestic situation!

I really feel like Eddie Munson is the one to make everything feel magical. I know I crave adventure and romance like in stories and I really think he does too! I really wanted to show him as a person who brings that fairytale feeling even after coming home from a hard day’s work with nothing more than a song and a memory. Ultimately, it’s my absolute dream to find someone like that in real life, but until I do, I’ll settle for writing him!

Oh my gosh that was long! Sorry if it was too much. Again, I’m so pleased you liked this one. I’m always afraid when I write something so specific to me that it’ll be too niche or personal that no one else will enjoy it but I’m learning that often the more personal a work is, the more people resonate with it because it has heart.

Like how Taylor Swift’s music works! It’s so personal and true to her yet it connects with so many people on such a deep level. I can only dream of being as good a storyteller as her one day.

But anyway, that’s it I think. Sorry it was long, my high school English teacher had to force me to stop rambling in my essays but here we are!

Thanks for asking about this one and thanks for reading if you got this far!

Fanfic Directors Cut

[chibitantei]

@thedetectiveofinaba sends: 3, 4 and 18 for Naoto and Yosuke!

canon questionnaire. | Open (includes my other muses if you know who they are)

3. What’s the best thing about the show/series/books/comics/etc.?

The joys have the series having anime adaptations, manga adaptations, a fighting game, rhythm game, some weird chibi 3DS games and a JRPG as canon. 

For the series overall, I’d say the identity of each game is some of the strongest I’ve seen. Every entry is distinct and while I have themes and characters I like more than others, they still stand out as unique compared to the millions of other media I see and forget. I’ve dismissed half of the main P5 cast for being boring and just anime™ characters, however, they’re still more defined and possess depth compared to most anime I’ve seen and I’ve seen a lot. The PT’s struggles can actually make me feel things, wow!

For both of them, I would say that their Social Links are some of the best parts of their character, since you’re given the opportunity to know them more. Yosuke’s shifts focus onto Saki rather than him around the middle, but I didn’t really mind because you know, we kinda need to resolve that point lmao. Naoto’s, I did not like at first because it didn’t seem to match with the struggles her Shadow talked about, but after 3 rewatches, the subtle hints finally started hitting me.

Best SL is Naoki’s though, don’t @ me.

4. What’s the worst thing about the show/series/books/comics/etc.?

I think the pacing in Golden is kind of shit. There are a lot of things that Golden improved upon and some of the extra content is good, like the beach event and the ski trip, but some of those extra scenes are just terrible. Like just knowing that a whole day I could have used to train the party or raise a Social Link is being eaten up by that stupid ass Okina Babe Hunt Yosuke suggested is fucking painful. Not only that, but it’s kind of a bad fucking scene for Yosuke’s character overall. There are a number of scenes in Golden that butcher his character, so I understand completely when people see him as a huge fucking asshole and hate his guts (not that he was saintly in the OG P4).

In general, there’s a problem where Golden flanderizes traits of a character for comedy and it’s just Bad. (I also think the Junes Concert is also a waste of time and one of the few things I’ll give the manga credit for is managing to tie it in with Rise’s Social Link.)

As for Naoto, some of the writing in P4 with her pretty questionable, but nothing pisses me off more than the almost universally despised Persona x Detective Naoto novel. I’ve seen people describe it as “Naoto learns to accept the patriarchy as correct” and honestly? yeah.

It’s bad. I hate it. Don’t even mention it near me unless you want to hear about how much I fucking hate it.

18. How long have you been writing the character?

I’ve written for Naoto since... 2018, but the first iteration of her was just terrible, that’s all I’ll say. She only really came to tumblr in 2020 and she was a little rough too. I shaved off quite a bit of her more unpleasant traits because I knew I was going to be writing with other people and I didn’t want to drag people into 20 long threads of making her be less of a bitch, but as you can see now, I’ve added plenty of flaws and she’s a polite jerk. She’s gone through a lot of improvement and my blorbo deserves nothing but the best so give me some Naoto centric fics please I am begging you.

I started with Yosuke in early 2019, but he was on and off compared to Naoto. If I wanted an ‘easier’, less troubled person to write, I would go to him. The way I write him is different from Naoto’s, so he worked as a way to reset myself if I couldn’t figure out how I wanted to write Naoto. I didn’t fully write him until 2020, when I made his blog. That being said, Naoto still takes up the brain cells so tough luck getting me to shift my focus to him (or my other muses for that matter... I miss you Dojeema).

[calypsoff2]

Eighty Three.

Rubbing the side of my face sighing out, I do feel like shit. Never did I thought I would be celebrating Christmas on my own, in the studio. I am literally alone in this place. Everyone is celebrating with their family; I mean I could have gone to VA and celebrate with my dad, but I have things to do. I got an apartment out here, I didn’t go to the home, because she would be angry at me if I have Tey, Josh and G there so I got an apartment and then I can just have people there. I’m just waiting on my kids to find a moment when they can FaceTime me, it’s horrible and I feel like shit. I didn’t even get gifts for me them, it’s Junior’ first Christmas and I am not there. I mean Robyn could have let me have one of the kids but that is asking too much from her, she won’t ever listen to me on that. I’ve been waiting for a while now; Rylee text me saying we will dad, that was half hour ago. Everything is just so dead, looking down at the paper, writing lyrics just seem to come so naturally to me, I enjoy writing anyways. Looking up and seeing that Rylee is FaceTiming me, finally. Answering the FaceTime on my MacBook, waiting for it to connect “hi dad” my smile grew “hi baby; look at you all dressed up” she got all ready “we got ready extra early for you, this is why I took so long because we were getting ready, wait dad” Rylee is running “Auntie, auntie. Please hold my phone so dad can see me, Tianna, Imani and Junior” I miss my kids so much, I’m about ready to cry “of course baby” it’s Noella; I wonder if she knows “Merry Christmas Chris” she said “and you thank you” she flipped the camera around, oh Robyn is there. Let me stay quiet, watching her fix Junior’ in Rylee’ arms “he’s big mom” Rylee said, “I know; won’t be for a second, I’m just going to step back” Ryle nodded her head “Happy Christmas dad” my eyes teared up “where is dad?” Imani said, I can’t even speak as I placed my hands over my face “dad is not here, he’s there” moving my hands away “my daddy, my dad. Hi” I heard a whisper of he’s crying “thank you” I said, flicking my tears away watching Robyn go over to Rylee, she looks nice “don’t be too long, and let Imani hold the phone too” Ryle ran over to Noella, the kids all have a tan on them “you like that dad?” Rylee asked “how do I turn the camera. Auntie, how?” Noella laughed and did it “oh yay, Imani mom said you have to talk to dad” the way Rylee said that “why is dad there?” She pointed “because I’m working baby, I have to be here” I miss my kids and just seeing the confusion on Imani face upsets me “when I see you kids soon I have a lot of gifts for you, have you opened your gifts?” Tianna shook her head “not yet, we just woke up” letting out an oh “I love your dresses, you all look pretty” the home is done up to the nines, that’s Robyn’ doing clearly.

I didn’t mean to cry but I did, just seeing my kids all dressed up in their Christmas best, just sucks right now. Tapping on Herb’ name and watching it call out, that nigga is in Barbados, and I guess it’s me now wanting to know what is happening there. He may not pick up “ayo” Herb picked up, I laughed “still asleep?” He groaned out “my nigga I just be sleeping, Happy Christmas bro. Wow, you’re having fun” he squinted his eyes “yeah, I have some nice scenes around here” looking around me “just writing lyrics, on Christmas. I know you said go to VA, but I don’t want to explain to my dad why, you know. Just too much effort so I just thought I would come to the studio. So how is VA? How is Melody?” That nigga is just hiding under the covers “good bro, she was so excited to see me, Mel’ family was like you her boyfriend. Mel said no, he’s a friend, so we on that vibe. This was yesterday but today Robyn is just doing a huge Christmas thing and we all have to come in the best Christmas fit, so I’m going there today. I haven’t seen them since being here so I don’t have anything in regards to them” I guess he been busy with Mel “but Mel was saying that Chris never learns and that Rih is like totally cut off from him, like she just doesn’t care but I can’t say, I won’t see her yet” nodding my head “how is you both going? You know it’s a big thing to be invited to her home? You know she wants a relationship?” Herb laughed “yeah I know, but she said she wanted me to be there for Melody but see how it goes. So you really not going to be doing anything?” Shaking my head “just here, it’s ok though, I’m sure I’ll live” I laughed “we know that, you been good over there though nigga” chuckling at Herb asking me that “I’m always good bro but I’m just putting my head down, you need to know where her mind is at, even if it’s bad news I need to know” Herb saluted me “have fun though, speak soon. I’m out” I said as I disconnected the call, I guess I’m going to be one lonely motherfucker.

I could have done this at the apartment, but I just didn’t want to be there alone, it’s just deafening and also I can record if needs be. Lifting my head up hearing the elevator ping, I mean there is other people here but still, they not on this floor “I nearly dropped your plate” my eyes widened “now what you doing here?” I said laughing “I felt sorry for you, and I thought being some food from Mrs Mateo own hands” I laughed out “wow Nury, how you know I was here?” She knows everything “erm, Tey. You told her that you’re here for now and that you will be going back to your apartment later” looking at her fit “it’s not very Christmas?” I said, she placed the plate down “which do you like the bikini, sweatpants or sneakers” she lifted her foot up on the table showing me her sneakers, looking up at her “the sweatpants” I laughed hitting her shoe “that is sweet of you though, bringing that, you didn’t need too” it was ever so sweet of her “it’s Christmas you should be with your family, I felt bad for you. Why don’t you just go there with them” shaking my head “nah, I have alot on here” she tilted her head “want to spend time with me?” Shaking my head “not exactly, can Mrs Mateo cook? I mean can her daughter cook” pulling the plate over to me “I can, you’re more than welcome to come to mine, and I’ll cook” watching her sit down “you know what I hate about my body, is that I have this mark here” she pointed at the side of her boob “oh right; that’s interesting. I can’t help with that” she poked her lips out “you look so sad, maybe you need to party or something” clearing my throat “nah, I just miss my kids” I shrugged “but thanks for coming out, and this” I pointed at the plate “I’m just going to the bathroom” getting up from the chair and stretched out “you so fine” I laughed mid-stretch “relax” walking around her “what you doing after this?” I asked “to yours” she’s funny, it’s like she knows I’m married but does not care at all.

She pointed at the plate “you not going to eat that?” I laughed “you might have poisoned it, I have been poisoned before you know” Nury scoffed “oh please nigga, you think I would actually do that? And then do what to you? Be quiet” I shrugged “well it’s happened before, and I haven’t seen the guy since. Crazy right, but I want to know what you are doing with yourself? Like knowing I am married but you here brining me this, I don’t get it. What you want? You want to be step mother or is it clout?” she shrugged “and I wouldn’t say clout if Rihanna knew about me I think I would be dragged through the mud now” I had to laugh “mhmm” pressing my lips into a hard thin line “be real Nury, it’s not going to happen” I said, “then why do you laugh when you say it?” I shrugged “because it's funny, that is just my personality” she looked down at my hand which made me look “your ring is off” she noticed everything “and?” shaking my head “look I am not going to play you on, I am not going to keep this going or anything, you ain’t Rihanna. You’re pretty but I wouldn’t put myself down to that” Nury’ looks offended “to that? You sure do flip flop, must be boring to be sleeping with one woman” shaking my head “ain’t nobody makes me horny but her” I retorted “I am sure I could” I instantly saw her face coming to mine and I just pushed her face away “what you doing?” I said “wow Chris” it was just automatic how I did it “nah, I said I ain’t doing that. You outta line Nury, I don’t fuck with that, just leave. Please, just go” I nearly knocked her head off “sorry” I apologised “you could have just said no, whatever” rubbing my face.

It’s so weird, I mean my life is weird. How did I land myself here, how did I ever land myself in Rihanna’s presence, I still think I am so blessed. I thank Chris for that, he has changed my whole life but being here in a private setting, in Rihanna’s family is deep, I am shook. But I am taking the blessing, I am blessed for this moment and the fact Rihanna allowed me to be here, I can’t thank her enough for it. I am sat with Mel of course, I like Mel I think taking it easy like this is the best way for us, but I do miss seeing Chris, his face is missing here, and it sucks but he is stupid. I am not sure if Rih’ way of punishing him is a good way, he is in Cali what if he does do something stupid but then again he didn’t really love her if so. It’s crazy how I am here, in this home “I just love that this boy is in a three piece white suit” Rih mom pointed at me “it’s Herbert mom, I think he is the cutest thing. He really came to impress, are you proposing?” Rih said, ow she just playing, making me go shy “wearing my Sunday best in such presence of course” Rih gagged “he is such a kiss ass, ignore him” I chuckled “she is being a hater, I like it” Mel complimented me “see, I knew you would like it. Here I am trying to impress the people of Barbados and I get booed and laughed at, wow” let me be dramatic “I love the suit, you boys should do the same” Rih mom said to her brothers “nah, we going to let him take that” Rorrey said “yeah, yeah. Hating ass” Mel is laughing but ain’t nothing to be laughing at “what are you doing Imani?” Rih asked her “I sit with you” she said “oh yeah, that is ok. You can sit with me, you can eat my food too yeah?” Imani laughed “yes please” she is cheeky “put her down, Imani let Herb eat” placing her on my lap “it’s cool” she always eats my food, I have no idea if she wants to make me go on hunger strike.

Lit ass party anyways, I mean a Christmas theme party too. I took my jacket off, I am in my shirt now after they laughed at me, looking down at my phone. Answering Chris’ call, I wouldn’t ignore him now but let me walk away from the music “what’s good?” I said down the phone “I fucked up” my eyes bulged out, he’s fucked Nury “oh shit, you didn’t? Bro” walking to the hallway, it’s quiet here “didn’t what? What you think happened?” he said, “you fucked her?” I said in a whisper “no I didn’t, you think that low of me” that is something “then what happened? You called panicking so I panicked, what’s happened?” he right I did think that low of him “man, I was minding my business, I was literally minding my business in the studio, you knew this. Nury came to the studio with a plate of food, I wasn’t going to eat that. I ain’t trust her that much but we was talking, which is fine but then she tried to kiss me I panicked and I pushed her face, kind of hard like it shocked her and it shocked me but I just reacted like that” he explained, I didn’t expect that shit at all “wow bro” what can I say “it’s because she took you for surprise because you ain’t wanting to do that, how she react?” she is a bird “shocked, she said I could have just said no but she was trying to kiss me when the only person to kiss me is my wife, I don’t play that. Yes I am a dick and I play games but for her to do that?” I cringed “damn, she might play victim. You need to see if she good. Like make it ok, then you know cut that off” Chris always get himself in dumb shit.

I can tell Chris is worried, he ain’t let me get off this phone to enjoy my time “what if she tells that I made the move and then I hit her? What if she makes a big lie up? There was nobody there besides us?” he is shook “bro, do what I said for you to do, you need to check if she good. Explain to her, you been manipulating her all this time so use your skill and make sure she good, don’t dead it. What you did was a normal reaction just relax, have a blunt” I have paced this hallway several times now, he ain’t putting the phone down “I don’t want this bro, I really don’t” I think it might be hitting him now after all this “holy shit!” I spat, Rih is right there “what, what, what?” Chris said panicking with me, but Rih scared me “not you, I got to go though. I will check up later bro, you good. Speak soon” disconnecting the call “nice to know you both made up?” she said “erm yeah, he came to Chicago and he apologised” I smiled “good, the only friend he got really” licking my top laughing, I don’t want to be between them both “and you” Rih sniggered “don’t start, don’t waste your time with explaining to him either. He may not even take it in. How is he?” She asked about him “erm not good” she nodded her head and walked off, I don’t know what that is supposed to mean but let me get back outside and check on him later.

[reconstructwriter]

Had Another Breakdown and Watched Attack of the Clones

And wow, what a B-Movie title but I’m already committed to this terrible life decision so I might as well continue. Got through the Phantom Menace so how much worse can this be?

Warning! Another long post! Also tw for Attack of the Clones shit including genocide and slavery.

The Watto scene: Not only does it double down on Watto as a Jewish stereotype – seriously, WHY?!? – but a scene where a former slave meets their enslaver after ten years of growing up and mystic training with a laser sword? I expected a lot more. Watto should’ve voided his bowels because this has to be Worst Case Scenario for a slaver! At best he was a little ‘nervous friendly’. And Anakin is already well-established as ‘man-child who Loses His Shit at the drop of a hat’. Like dude, where’s your angst and teenage fits now cause boy does this situation fit the bill! But nope, NPC fulfills their NPC duty and off they go.

Fanon Anakin vs Canon Anakin: I was introduced to the former and slowly learned what he’s really like and oh wow is he such a terrible mess of a human being no wonder Mace Windu noped his training. His Fascist statement is extra YIKES for Padme since she’s one of those Senators who’d be forced to agree. The first temper tantrum alone sounded way out of line given the relatively professional setting, let alone the creepy boundary-breaking stare. The ‘I’ve been dreaming about you for ten years’, the ‘my feelings are suffering’ speech – also taking place with him in shadow for extra broody effect. And his first genocide (I can’t believe we’re already keeping track here!) And he KNOWS BETTER is the worst thing. He admits, out loud, that he knows better and still does the thing Padme why did you say yes to this mess?

Padme being mind controlled: a fairly common fan theory to answer the above question, but in-movie Padme straight up asks Anakin if he will use a mind-trick on her (in the context of a 20 questions game so not serious). Anakin’s response is ‘mind tricks only work on the weak minded’. On the one hand, implies Padme is too strong-willed for Anakin to influence through the Force – but on the other hand this also suggests to me that he would if he could!?!?

Though Anakin was the one to suggest keeping the relationship a secret, which did surprise me so no guilting Padme about ‘wanting a marriage like a free man’ like I thought. Padme is the one who says she won’t live a lie. Good to know for future reference.

Are droids sentient or not? Dex outright says droids can’t think but I honestly don’t know if this is in-universe how droids work or if Dex is having a Cleigg-on-Tusken-People moment.

Jedi are Arrogant? Lots of people have cited Madame Nu’s confidence in her archive’s integrity as evidence the Jedi are arrogant and horrible justification of Sith crimes follows. But Obi Wan thinks there’s something more going on and Yoda encourages everyone to help find his lost planet in one of the only nods to ‘funny trickster teacher Yoda’ we get in the movie. To me this seems a hint that the Jedi are unprepared for betrayal from within. Which Dooku’s, Anakin’s and the Clones’ mind-controlled betrayals all blindside the Jedi Order.

Jango: I’ve been torn about him since I learned about him. On the one hand, understandable vengeance motive (per legends anyway), on the other hand selling his own kids into slavery and probably knowing something about the chips and genocide order because I can’t otherwise imagine the legends version assisting the Jedi.

Jango does state in-movie ‘they’ll do their job well’ in a way that sounds just a bit ominous but I don’t know if he’s being accidentally vague or deliberately giving a subtle hint he knows about the Jedi betrayal plan. If this version is just in it for Boba and the money and doesn’t have the motive of his Legends counterpart, why would the Sith ever need to tell him? Dunno, but I was surprised to not hear him say anything derogatory about his clones. I mean he’s still selling his children into slavery in a way George Lucas doesn’t grok but he doesn’t actively deride them like I’ve read in fanfic. It’s a low bar but not as low as Anakin’s.

Made for the Jedi? So the Kaminoians confirm the clone army is specifically made for the Republic but commissioned by Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas. Glad the movies cleared that up.

Scene Contrast: Kamino is Dark and Stormy with creepy sterile whiteness everywhere in complete contrast to Naboo’s sunny and lush green paradise. The clone army is grown and trained in creepy white lab while the robotic army built in a dark but organic underground hive. Obi Wan sneaks onto Geonosis through the light of day to investigate galactic concerns. Anakin on Tattooine stalks the Tusken people in the dark of night for personal stakes.

The (Other) Horribly Racist Cliché: Speaking of which, I get we’re supposed to assume Shmi was abducted but, um, Cleigg isn’t even a witness – like I initially thought – but is guessing abduction based on tracks in the desert sand and his incredibly racist bias. Are we supposed to doubt every word out of his mouth? If Shmi had been in a bed (even tied) I’d have assumed patient before prisoner.

Anakin’s Genocide: He goes off to save Shmi as ominous music plays and the suns go down, at which point he doesn’t just walk the fascist talk and do baby-Vader’s first genocide but also foreshadows his betrayal and genocide of the Jedi! Which really reinforces the Sith/Nazi and Jedi/Jewish parallel here – Hitler and the Nazis got their Holocaust ideas from White America’s treatment of our native and PoC counterparts. So too does Anakin the future Sith start his genocidal tendencies with the Native people of Tattooine.

But nobody in-universe seems to get that?!? Blorbo!Anakin authors recognize that thar was some FUCKED UP SHIT!!! (Usually by pretending it didn’t happen or re-writing the scene into something less Moral Event Horizon.) Padme’s response would fit better Anakin murdering the literally disarmed Dooku – morally wrong, against the Jedi Code but somewhat understandable but genocide? Cleigg is narratively supposed to be kind and sympathetic but he practically sent a demon after people who’s land and water he’s stealing! The person acting most realistically is the perpetrator and all Anakin admits (again) is he’s a Jedi and therefore should be better. But this still feels like he should have come back to Padme yellow-eyed and Dark Sided!

Once again, George Lucas’ racism screws up the story he’s trying to tell. Ugh. Okay, enough movie time for now. Sorry I’m a hopeless binger despite my friends and kitties’ best efforts.

[karimamk]

Movie review time, it’s been a while

So don’t hate me, but I’m gonna say it. Don’t worry darling was fucking shit. Don’t get me wrong, the idea and concept of the movie was incredible, but the only reason people actually watched it was because Harry Styles and Florence Pugh was in it. I really like her, I didn’t care much for Harry Styles, but her I expected a lot from, him not so much lol.

Let’s start by saying was Harry Styles even really in it? His character was so fucking bland it could’ve been played by a piece of toast and no one would notice. His acting was also pretty dull, but I guess that sorta relates to the character being dull himself? Florence on the other hand, I can’t see anyone else playing her character, although, I found that half her lines were either her screaming and crying, repeating things to herself, or her breathing heavily. This movie probably couldn’t been an hour and a half long if they just got to the point instead of 3/4 of the movie being these scenes. I didn’t find that any of those scenes did anything to help the film at all, it actually made me want stop watching because it wasn’t executed in a good way. She did the best she could I guess with the character she played, but I will say it wasn’t her best. The other characters, well let’s just say it was definitely made clear that they were background characters and didn’t really have an actual role to play. I couldn’t tell you any other actor or actress in this movie because of how insignificant their characters were. The movie might as well have been called Florence Pugh:1950s. Because that all it was right?

Aesthetically, the scenery and backgrounds in the movie were average. There was nothing wow about it, sure it looked nice, but that’s about it. Nothing stood out and it was just another movie, so that didn’t help keep my interest. It’s been about 2 months since I’ve watched it and I could not describe it to you, that’s how badly they relied on it, hoping that it was so perfect that people would be mesmerized by it. Like I said, it looked nice, but it was not memorable at all.

Onto the big reveal. I was forcing myself to get through this movie at this point, and by the time the big reveal came, it was a let down. It was boring, and they took their time doing it. The best part was when she was the nurse operating, that I will say was genius, the rest of the reveal however was dragged on to the point where I didn’t even care what the point of the movie was anymore. I will say that when the wife of the creator of the town, killed her husband to take over the town herself, that was great. It honestly felt sorta random, but I guess it worked with how messy the rest of the movie was.

And finally the concept. Like I said, the concept of this movie was fucking brilliant. A husband working on a secret project, in the middle of nowhere in this enclosed town that’s seemingly perfect. A 1950s wife who is suppose to blindly follow her husbands orders like a good wife, but noticing the flaws. Figuring out that something is wrong. Playing the perfect wife while secretly investigating. Eventually piecing together the clues and her memories despite being gaslit into thinking she was sick and imaging shit. Learning that the life she was living was a simulation, that her husband who claims to love her so much, took her actual life away from her, because he was so insecure about himself. The fact that he was absolutely the complete opposite of his simulation self, that was the true reveal. I think that they really tried to sugarcoat it, because that scene alone says it all. Men who are unsatisfied with themselves, force their wives into a simulation where they have everything they want, the looks and the money. They don’t care that their wife is suppose to have a dull personality, just as long as they obey their husband. They have no remorse that their wife is actually laying on a bed in a crappy little house, where he was insignificant and unemployed. The husband was jealous that the wife had a life that didn’t revolve around him, that she had a job and friends, while he didn’t. The simulation was never for the wife and him to have a good life, the perfect life. The simulation is meant to make a pathetic excuse of a man feel good about himself. But no one’s actually saying that that was the actual point of the movie, the only thing that people talk about is the sex scenes in this movie. That’s what happened with the trailer isn’t it? Out of the entire trailer, the only “important” thing was the sex scene.

Anyways yeah that’s it, like every other new movie to come out, it could’ve been great, but they butchered it so badly that I would never watch it again, and wish that I never watched it the first time either.

[ahundredtimesover]

the amount of times i refresh your page just to check for an update is actually insane. it was the same for the last chapter, just that i didn't have immediately rave on about the chapter since i was pretty stressed due to exams last week

the last two chapters were soooo good. i was literally kicking my feet in the air when jungkook was in oc's apartment. also, there's this growing gentleness and warmth that's so ingrained in this fic, and that has been so prominent in the last few chapters. jungkook and y/n both are such warm people that carry all these burdens with themselves, and just desperately want to be seen and understood. i can't stress enough as to how much human they seem.

the part where jungkook gets all scared and y/n covers his ears, and comforts him is so so incredibly beautiful. there's this understanding they have that's just so incredibly pretty to read, and to watch it unfold during times like these is just🥲🤍

the last part where y/n finally admits her being comforted by jungkook😭😭 the way i gasped (mind you i do that a lot) and a hundred different emotions crashed down on me. istg this series is the going to be the death of me. but honestly, it's one of the best romance tales i've ever read. their chemistry, their characterization as well as just the setting and all the details of the fic are so beautifully and immaculately done, mimi🤍

it's not just them, but godd i love yoongi as well. he's so precious, and seeing him genuinely root for oc gets me soft everytime, and seeing him always take care that y/n eats, even while she was home due to her sprained ankle is just so heartwarming. his little gestures are just so sweet🥹

i'm in awe of this fic and oh my god, i can't explain the pang of sadness that hits me when i reach the end of the chapter everytime.

i'm so in love with this fic, and with oc and jungkook🥹🤍✨️

also, i've been listening to stay on repeat. it's literally the only song i listen to every single damn day😭 it just reminds me of the fic and i'm filled with all the yearning of it all whenever i listen to it.

that's enough of a rant for today, and i hope you have an amazing week ahead of you, and don't forget to catch a breath during busy time since i read that you've been working extra hours as well the past week. well, take care and keep me blessed with this fic bcs it has become my elixir at this point😭✨️

HIIII I’m sorry this is late. My head’s just all over the place but WOW THIS MAKES MY HEART SMILE 🥹🥹 I love how you noted the “growing gentleness and warmth” of the fic; it’s something I tried to bring in through every single character. But especially with the MCs - OC is quite subtle; she’s not affectionate or anything but she’s someone comfortable to be around. Jk, we’re learning, has that softness in him, too, very attentive and caring but it takes so much for that side of him to surface. And these are people with their own burdens but who have so much to give, and isn’t that what we try to do as people? Thank you for pointing that out 😌😌

And I love that I could make you feel those things! Sweaaar I play these scenes in my head and I’m just happy you guys see it, too 🥹

Yoongi is another gentle soul. He’s very sweet and he’s very casual about it and that makes it better! But I wanted to show healthy friendships, too!

And Omg, isn’t Stay just so perfect! There’s this “I don’t know what it is but I need it” feel about the song that’s reflective of this story. Glad you’ve been listening to it 💕

Thank you. I’ve been trying to get rest and I hope you are, too! I hope your exams went well ☺️ I appreciate this so much!

[togrowoldinv]

Hey! could i request a florence pugh x reader story where reader is a film director and florence gets to work with her as her leading actor and they both fall in love with each other while filming but reader has a boyfriend and he is always ruining their cute little interactions until reader is tired of it and suddenly confess her love to florence

Hey! Thanks for this request! 💙 I hope you enjoy it!

The Fireworks

Florence Pugh x Female Reader

Florence Pugh Masterlist, Main Masterlist

You couldn’t really believe it the day you got the call that you were going to be directing your first film. Your dream had really started to come true. And you just as much couldn’t believe that your lead actor was going to Florence Pugh.

But here you are on your second week of filming and Florence is already starting to become of your favorite people.

“Good morning!” Florence greets everyone on set with a smile.

“Hey Florence, can I get your opinion on something?” You ask her.

“Absolutely, y/n,” Florence says and she walks with you to the cameras.

You quickly learned that Florence loves to help out with the behind the scenes stuff, so you like to ask for her opinion on things.

You’re laughing about some camera angle when your phone rings. It’s your boyfriend on the other end of the line.

“Oh, excuse me. I’ve got to get this,” you step away, but you don’t notice the way Florence’s eyes follow you. Especially when she hears you say, ‘hey babe’ into the phone.

The rest of the day goes by quickly as does the week, but it’s a Saturday and early call for everyone. You want to get in and out on Saturday’s, but there’s a lot of work to do.

It’s a long day and by the afternoon everyone is taking a break.

“How many more shots are doing today?” Your producer asks.

“As many as we can get it. Florence, are you still good?” You ask her, she is leaning against you and her eyes have drooped closed. “Florence?”

“Oh yeah. I’m here,” she says, lifting her head off of your shoulder.

“Okay. Let’s just try a few more takes and we’ll call it. It’s been a long morning,” you suggest.

Florence absolutely nails the next few takes and everyone is excited that they get to go home.

“Are you leaving?” Florence asks you as she walks by your office.

“Not yet. I’ve got to finish going over these scenes.”

“Want some company?” She asks you and you feel your heart flutter at being alone with her.

“Sure,” you manage to reply calmly. She pulls a chair up next to you.

You two spend a few hours talking and working. Mostly talking as Florence always has something funny to say about every shot. It feels nice to laugh and cut up with someone.

You’re interrupted by a knock at your door.

“Can anyone tell me where to find the director?” It’s your boyfriend standing there with a cheesy grin.

“Johnathan, hey,” you say getting up to hug hug. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to surprise you,” he says, kissing your cheek.

“I am definitely surprised,” you say.

“Oh wow, you’re Florence Pugh,” Johnathan directs his attention to Florence.

“That’s me,” Florence says with a smile. “And you are?”

“This is my boyfriend, Johnathan,” you say.

There’s a hint of sadness in her features for a second before Florence politely excuses herself for the evening.

“She seems nice,” Johnathan says.

“She is. Now let’s go get some dinner. I’m starving,” you say.

You’ve been dating him for a long time. Almost 4 years and there’s been lulls in the relationship. But the truth is every time you are with Johnathan you remember why. He’s got a goofy, academic vibe about him that you just can’t help but fall for. Although, it feels different this time. Almost like you both might be moving on even in some small way.

Neither of you say anything about it and you go back to set Monday still with a boyfriend.

“Hey Florence, how was your weekend?” You ask her as you get to set.

“It was chill. I didn’t do much after I left set on Saturday. How was your time with your boyfriend?” Florence asks you.

“It was okay. Thanks for asking. I think we’re ready for the big scene today. What do you think?”

“Yes!” Florence says, her hands clinching your arms in excitement.

“Okay, let’s do it!”

It’s a few hours later when Florence has finished the scene and you two are watching it over in your office.

“You did so amazing, Flo. This is going to be the best part of the movie for sure,” you tell her.

“You think so? I’m happy with it,” Florence says, her hand is on your arm and you turn to look at her.

You get lost for a minute in her eyes and she even leans in a little bit. You think she might kiss you, but your phone starts ringing and you both pull away.

It’s your boyfriend.

“I’m sorry,” Florence says as she practically runs out of your office.

“Florence!” You call after her, but she’s gone.

You take a deep breath and answer your phone.

“Hey, can we talk tonight?” You ask him.

Later that night you drive to his apartment and he can tell something is off.

“We’re breaking up, aren’t we?” He asks you not five minutes into the conversation.

“I think we should. We just aren’t the same people that started this relationship and I don’t know- it’s just something is different,” you explain.

“I agree. And I love you so much, but it’s just like you said different,” he says.

“I love you too.” You two hug each other one last time and on your way out he speaks again. “Tell her how you feel.”

“What?”

“Florence. You’re in love with her, right?”

“I don’t know. Maybe,” you reply sheepishly.

“Go get her, y/n. You deserve to feel the fireworks again,” Johnathan says as he closes the door. You leave your past behind.

The next morning on set Florence avoids you until you manage to get to her and ask her to talk.

“I shouldn’t have almost kissed you yesterday,” she speaks first.

“No, it’s okay, Florence. I wanted to talk to you about that actually. Johnathan and I broke up last night,” you explain.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, y/n. Are you okay?”

“I am, actually. It was time for us to move on,” you say.

Before you can lose the nerve, you lean forward and kiss her lips quickly. When you pull away, she chases after your lips for another kiss.

“And I wanted to tell you that I really like you and I don’t know how ready I am to immediately move into a relationship, but I- I just wanted you to know,” you admit.

“I like you too. And we can take it slow, y/n,” Florence says.

“Sounds great,” you say.

Florence takes your hand in hers and you feel the fireworks going off for the first time in years. You know you won’t have much luck taking it slow, but Florence is worth it.

Tag List: @gracebutnotgraceful @i-wished-for-you-too @nataliaromanova-widow @be-missed @likefirenrain @mythosphere-x @hehehehannahthings @laaurrel @xxxtwilightaxelxxx @flosbelova @yelenabelovaisthebettersister @ggrangerdanger @kkeduwjdjje @mrswidowjohansson @alotofpockets @marvelwomen-simp @maia-lightwoood @mortallytremendoussandwich @xxromanoffxx @whitemanshoe19 @peanutbutterprincess @picnicmic @wandaslittlewhore @marie45019 @inluvwithfictionalwomen @kacka84 @sammi1642 @itsyourgirlmalise @jujuu23 @hb8301 @the-night-owl-blr

[miraculouscontent]

It’s heeeeere! Another summasalt, this time with nearly twice the length of the first one!

(Turns out that not having caffeine doesn’t help me talk any slower.)

Script below:

Anonymous asked:

Thoughts on Rocketear?

Can you Rocketear the newest episode apart with your salt, my beloved Salt Queen?

Penny for your thoughts on Rocketear?

Aw, anon! You can have that for free! I'm a generous goddess.

"Rocketear" begins with Chat Noir and Carapace - just Carapace, really - holding back a pack of what I presume to be the physical manifestation of the writing staff's age, or at least a representation of how behind the times the writing seems.

Just as the dinosaurs break through Shellter. Ladybug shows up with the scientist who revived the dinosaurs in the first place and said scientist uses a whistle to calm the dinosaurs down. There's also a line from Bob Roth about putting the dinosaurs in a theme park to make money and I know what it's referencing but it's so incredibly random that it doesn't really come off as a proper joke.

Carapace was notably sad right after battle, but insisted that he was fine when Ladybug asked. Rena, sporting a... - I would like to say "new design" but it's a recolor in every sense of the word - is hiding behind part of a building and smiles after the heroes before walking off. Ladybug takes Nino's miraculous back but sees that he's still upset and asks him again what's wrong. Nino asks where Alya was and Ladybug claims that she only needed Carapace for the job, which cheers him up but only until Ladybug is already gone.

Mm, I guess Nino and Adrien relate in heroism not being enough for them unless they have their respective love interest to flirt with.

Also, I know this is an obvious set-up, but the show can't tell me that Ladybug just always brought Nino and Alya whenever she needed one of them. Season 3 required her to go to Master Fu to get the miraculouses, and unless she already knew that Nino and Alya would be in the same location - which, okay, the show does basically shove the two of them together whenever Nino is onscreen, fair, if two characters are in a relationship in this show then it's weird for them to NOT be with that person - but it just seems like a gamble, not to mention proof to Shadow Moth that the two are close if Ladybug constantly brings both of them.

Anyway, Ladybug goes into the sewer and asks Rena if she's seen any sign of Shadow Moth or his traps. Rena didn't see anything and they de-transform. Marinette is about to leave when she thinks of something, but Alya assumes it's about her new look, which was apparently not voluntary on her part and the suit automatically adapted to Alya's new role as Rena Furtive, which she has now named it as.

Marinette reminds her that this is supposed to be a secret and that they agreed that the fox has no owner. When Alya is evasive about whether she told Nino that she won't be Rena anymore, Marinette stresses that everyone needs to believe that Alya won't be using a miraculous anymore so that she can remain an undercover spy.

What's the point in changing the look if you're not going to show yourself anyway? I mean, insurance, I guess, but still.

Alya, exasperated, parrots what Marinette has apparently told her before: that she helps Ladybug with Mirage in case Shadow Moth tries to follow her so Rena can follow him instead. Marinette stresses the situation again and Alya tries to get Marinette to agree on her telling Nino that she's Rena Furtive, but Marinette refuses.

At Marinette's house, Alya talks further and explains that she doesn't know if she can lie to Nino since they don't keep any secrets--Alya, babe, you kept Rena Rouge from him and didn't tell him that you knew he was Carapace until Ladybug was forced to give you your miraculouses at the same time. I don't wanna hear it.

Marinette states that it's too late for that and also not technically a lie, but Alya gets upset and says that Nino will never trust her again if he finds out that she kept something from him. Marinette brings up how she had to keep secrets from Alya too, but they're interrupted by Tom appearing and wanting to play games with them. Marinette makes an excuse about homework that she's repeated many times, as Tom comments that the teachers give her too much. After Tom is kicked out - hang on, lemme just... - Marinette uses the moment to show Alya that she's lied to her family a lot and hasn't played games with her father in months. She states that there's no other option as they have to protect their identities, and Alya agrees to talk to Nino.

In Alya's room - I just presume at this point that Nino's house doesn't exist and Chris is an illusion - Alya tells Nino that they need to talk, but stammers and states that it's hard to talk about. Nino thinks that she wants to break up with him, but Alya assures that she loves him. She finally gets to the cover story that Rena herself made up in "Sentibubbler" and Nino understands, sad that she won't be around anymore but agreeing if it's what Ladybug thinks is best.

Is it weird that Nino respects Ladybug's wishes more than Alya does?

Nino hugs her and is confused by why Alya was nervous to tell him, as she can tell him anything and nothing will change their relationship. Alya feels guilty and hugs back, murmuring about how they don't have any secrets; that's not what Nino said, but sure, push this plot to its already predictable conclusion. I mean, I thought it was vaguely sweet that Nino switched to seriousness immediately when Alya said that she wanted to talk, but how am I supposed to be invested in this couple when their dynamic boils down to "STRONG, INDEPENDANT WOMAN who wears the pants in the relationship because her boyfriend is portrayed as a wimpy coward"? Like, the show constantly dragged Nino down to make Alya look "powerful" by comparison, and then when it comes to characters like Marinette, we get a girl who works very well outside of her relationship with her endgame love interest.

It's the fakest form of "girl power," dragging guys down to raise girls up or actually making a strong girl character but having her love interest be a weakness that creates flaws in her that weren't there originally and having that love interest be who she's "destined for."

I'm rambling, sorry.

In class, Marinette assures Alya that she did the right thing and Alya agrees. As they're leaving school, Marinette talks about how their "night walks" start soon, and Alya non-subtly talks about how Rena Furtive will be on the lookout while Ladybug and Chat Noir patrol. She stops, however, as gets excited about some pictures she took of herself as Rena Furtive, which has a lot of details that Marinette hasn't seen. I don't know whether to groan at what I just heard or remind everyone that Rena Furtive is literally just a recolor and therefore this is the writers patting themselves on the back for this design, so let's just move on.

Alya then shows Marinette her phone--AUGH, MY EYES--and suggests making a poll on her Ladyblog so people can vote for their favorite Rena design. Marinette has to stress again that Rena Furtive is supposed to be a spy and thus invisible, which Alya admits that she forgot about.

Okay, I've been holding off on talking about this, but now seems like the best time to bring it up. Alya has been a trash friend as well as a trash confidant, and her role as Rena Rouge boiled down to, "it was convenient for her to be the fox at the time it was needed." She's not particularly stealthy like one would expect of a fox, and she was easily one of the worst candidates to be told Marinette's big secret. I'll get more into this later, but I have to stress that Alya has treated Marinette no differently since learning of Marinette's identity and has already gone against Marinette's orders once before at the time of this episode airing. Episodes are constantly torn between validating their decision to have Marinette tell Alya, having Marinette be worried about the decision while the show considers her to be ridiculous for it, and then having Alya either consider or make choices that clearly don't gel well with what's good for her role. Much like Marinette, she lacks a sense of self-control and--wow, a female character who's impulsive, never seen that stereotype before.

Point being, "Sentibubbler" stressed over and over that Alya was the right choice and deserved to be both the permanent fox and the understudy for guardian, but then we have "Rocketear" here where Alya is making basic emotionally-driven errors that I'm not even remotely sympathetic to when Marinette has gone through so much worse over the course of three+ seasons.

*sigh*

Alya laments that it's hard to find new content for the Ladyblog - ah, yes, tell me more about your struggles, Alya - but figures that at least she can post stuff about Chat Noir instead of--I don't know--making fake Ladybug theories to lead people off Marinette's trail. Marinette says that it's a great idea, though Alya still doesn't look too happy. The scene then rewinds to a little bit to show a different point of view, this time with Adrien and Nino. Wait, this feels familiar, wasn't there another episode that did something like--ohhhh no, this is going to hurt.

After saying good-bye to Adrien - something I wish I could do every time he's mentioned or on-screen - Nino catches the bit of conversation where Alya talks about the Ladyblog. Nino talks as if Marinette isn't there and asks Alya out to the movies because Marinette is chopped liver and this is about Alya and how sad she is, guys.

Wow, she's turning into Adrien faster and faster.

Alya hesitates, but Marinette assures her that there's still time. Alya excitedly runs off with Nino and they watch what I presume are previews given the narrator, featuring recycled footage from the Ladybug PV. Nino is upset because Rena is mentioned but not Carapace, and the preview features Rena telling Chat Noir to forget Ladybug because it's Chat and Rena herself who are trulu made for each other.

I don't know what's funnier; the complete lack of self-awareness or the suggestion that a biracial couple would exist in this show outside of a special that gives them maybe a minute of screentime and acts more like suggestive canon anyway. I think I might've been too generous with that line about dinosaurs.

Nino is offended by the preview and Alya brushes off his comments, stating that it's just a cartoon and it's made to entertain people, though Nino himself is certainly not entertained. Can't say I entirely blame him considering that Alya doesn't really try to say anything substantial or even agree with him. No cuddling or reassuring kisses, she just gets slightly sad and turns to her phone for a bit.

After the movie, Nino is cheered back up again until he catches Alya on her phone once more. He offers to take her home, but she's distracted, and he comments that what she showed to Marinette looked pretty nice; I don't know because they didn't show it. Nino asks what it was and Alya evades the question, stating that her battery is running out. Nino is suspicious, but spots Andre's ice cream cart and the two head over there. Andre calls them his favorite couple and asks what they want, but Alya sees Ladybug gesturing for her and has to run off, giving Nino a cheek kiss as she goes which feels like too little too late at this point.

Nino catches some conveniently-placed kids arguing over who Chat Noir loves, but they settle on the fact that girls in general love Chat Noir. Nino is then seen at the Seine watching the Ladyblog's latest video, where Alya is talking up how amazing Chat Noir is. I hate to stop every five seconds to complain - okay, actually I don't - but I presume this video must've been made after the movie since Nino seems like the type who would actively follow his girlfriend's blog, yet not only is this video perfectly set up to echo the kids and the movie preview, but Alya - despite apparently caring about her boyfriend soooo much that she kept trying to convince Marinette to bend the rules - didn't even try to warn Nino or text him so he doesn't take it too seriously. It's like "Sentibubbler" with the conflicting messages about identity rules; Alya cares about her boyfriend but both isn't thinking about how he'll take the things she says and apparently doesn't know him well enough to realize that he wouldn't be mad over her keeping a secret that she was told to keep. I already talked about how they play up Nino to be the emotionally weaker one of the relationship, but then they don't have Alya try to cover or make up for that. She's been acting very much not like Alya - you know, the one who in "Sapotis" practically bragged about how great she'd be at covering for Ladybug - with her stutters and weak excuses, so I can't completely blame Nino for being upset after everything that's happened when he sees the writers projecting onto Alya as she talks about how Chat Noir is brave and funny and cute and showing all these images of him as well. I don't agree with all of his actions, but--oh yeah, speaking of which--

Nino calls Adrien and is talking to him about how Alya must be in love with someone else. Adrien dismisses the idea, as Alya and Nino are together basically all the time, and asks who she could possibly be in love with. When Nino suggests that it's Chat Noir, Adrien laughs and jokes about it being Fang instead. Nino points out the video but Adrien did see it but is overall unphased and convinced that it means nothing. Nino says that he'll find proof and hangs up, but Adrien is certain he'll find nothing. Plagg comments that Nino will find someone because Plagg's charisma has definitely contaminated Adrien.

Ugh.

Adrien expresses concern that he put on the cat's charm too much and accidentally made Alya fall for him, and decides to visit Alya as Chat Noir to be sure.

Meanwhile, we get a reference to film noirs as Nino narrates. That's the second blatant reference this episode and now I feel like they wrote this script while doing a movie marathon.

Chat Noir arrives at Alya's house and Trixx hides before Alya opens the curtains to reveal her surprise guest. Nino is nearby watching the scene with his phone as Alya wonders aloud if something's wrong. Chat assures that everything's fine, but brings up the video she posted. He insists that it made him happy, but points out that she's been following him and Ladybug since the beginning and that they know each other much better due to everything that's happened. He has some conveniently-worded dialog as he starts to say that he hopes something's just an illusion and Alya gets worried that he's about to bring up Rena. Chat continues and clarifies that he wonders if she started to feel something for him, though adds that he understands because just look at him.

UGGGGH.

Chat clarifies by making a heart with his hands, which Nino sees. Alya laughs at this gesture and states that she has a boyfriend, doing the same heart gesture and suggesting that her love for Nino is even more than that. Chat Noir apologizes - hm, I didn't know he had the capacity to do that - and hugs Alya, saying that he was just confused.

An absolutely unnecessary hug for two people who, at least in terms of their current selves, have had very little screentime together, but this is also the show where making eye contact basically means your friends and it's all just to push the plot along so Nino inteprets that Alya is in love with Chat Noir, so whatever I guess.

Alya states that Nino is far more irresistable than Chat, then adds that she doesn't even know his secret identity, and she'd never fall in love with someone she doesn't know. Nino then runs away upset and the scene cuts away to the next day where--

Wait, wait, wait, hang on a second. Two things right off the bat there.

First off, we're just gonna sidle past that "wouldn't fall in love with someone you don't know the identity of" while ignoring the existence of the love square? Not even Chat thinking about how he doesn't know Ladybug's identity and trying to excuse that he doesn't have to? This guy is that certain of their relationship?

Secondly, Nino is practically sobbing and Shadow Moth doesn't take this as his opportunity? Same guy who akumatized Mr. Pigeon 72 times and has akumatized Gigantitan more than once? What is this pacing???

But--alright, so Adrien comes into school and sees Nino, still dressed up in his detective gear, which gets ignored completely as Adrien goes to tell him about Chat Noir and Alya. Because the show doesn't know how Adrien would convey this within reason, Nino interrupts him, taking him down into the lower part of the school where he has a desk and chairs set up. Adrien goes to ask when Nino had time to do this, but Nino slams his hand on the desk to cut him off. Nino presents the evidence he took and they go back and forth, likewise with Adrien turning off the background music while Nino turns it back on. Adrien insists that it's a misunderstanding, but pleads innocent when Nino asks how he knows. Adrien states that Alya is just a superhero fan and that she and Chat Noir have nothing in common.

Again, the complete lack of self-awareness is astonishing.

Adrien repeats what Alya said about secret identities and how she wouldn't fall for someone she doesn't know - they're really ignoring this, aren't they? - and continues hitting Nino's soft spots about how unlikely it is until Nino decides to tell Adrien something he's not supposed to.

He tells Adrien, not only that Alya is Rena Rouge, but that he's Carapace. Adrien goes through a range of emotions beyond sAD for once, shocked at the fact that they know each other's identities. Nino states that they don't keep secrets from each other, except now Alya is with Chat Noir. Adrien still doesn't understand and brings up how secret identities have to be protected, or else Nino wouldn't have told him because Ladybug wouldn't agree to it.

Oh, here we go. So that's why they waited.

Nino states that it was Ladybug herself who gave them their miraculouses at the same time; not giving the reason why, of course, nor pointing out that they're temporary heroes so there's understandably some leeway. Adrien is having a moment, but manages to bring the subject back to Alya and Chat Noir, who he still doesn't think are a thing. Nino argues that it's because Adrien doesn't know Chat Noir, but he does because he's Carapace and knows how Chat Noir acts. He says that it's all flowers and confessions when Ladybug appears, but he gets rejected because Ladybug thinks that he's annoying, and she's right. He adds that Chat flirts with Rena Rouge and that's all that needs to happen, with Chat stepping in on the first mission Carapace lost in. Nino laments the loss of the love of his life and wishes to shut Chat Noir up forever; we all do, Nino, we all do. Shadow Moth finally steps in with - oh, less than eight minutes left in the episode, yikes - and Nino is akumatized into Rocketear.

Rocketear rejects Adrien's pleas to stop, insisting that Chat Noir is who he's after, not Adrien, and Adrien transforms in sad fashion despite Plagg's reminder of who Rocketear is after. Alya, meanwhile, is in the art club with Marinette - wait, since when was Alya in the art club - telling Marinette about how Chat Noir thought she was into him due to the video, which Marinette groans at. There's an earthquake and they peek outside to see Rocketear firing his tears at Chat Noir, shouting that he stole Alya from him. Chat Noir tries to tell him otherwise, but Rocketear won't listen.

Alya groans at Nino doing this, then she and Marinette set off to find a place to transform. They conveniently go to the same place Adrien and Nino were, so they see the desk that Nino had set up.

Genuine question, how seriously does this episode want me to take itself, because now when I recount all the unnecessary love square drama in my head - because you know that's where this is going - I'm going to have to think, "Nino, dressed in a detective outfit, ripped off his fake mustache and told Adrien both his and Rena's identities, and also that Ladybug was totally cool with it and thinks that Chat Noir is annoying."

Gettin' two completely different vibes here. The episode clearly wants to be important but it doesn't take itself seriously either, which it totally could while including enough jokes to keep things light. Instead, I'm just left scratching my head and wondering what tone they're going for.

Marinette finds Nino's phone on the desk - I'm calling continuity error on that one because he at no point put it on the desk, at least not on-screen - and she questions Alya on the video she sees. Alya insists that nothing happened, apparently completely unphased by her boyfriend having spied on her, and says that he wouldn't have misunderstood if he'd heard the actual conversation.

The two transform and Ladybug immediately uses Lucky Charm, receiving a projector. Ladybug is clueless and Rena Furtive suggests creating an imaginary movie like Nino. Ladybug gets an idea, remembering Alya's earlier comments, and Rena confirms that she remembers every word of it.

Aaaaand, just like that, all of the tension has been completely sucked away. You know, "Backwarder" was a trash episode, but at least when Ladybug was showing every step of her plan, she didn't tell us what it was.

Meanwhile, Rocketear and Chat Noir are still arguing--I started zoning out at hearing the same thing over and over again at this point, so I just presume they were fighting over who does stuff behind their love interest's backs better; I don't think they came to an agreement but they're both losers anyway.

Chat Noir says that he'll prove his innocence, tossing his baton aside to show him giving up, but Rocketear points out that it proves nothing and strikes Chat Noir with his tears.

Our endgame love interest, everyone. Straight As yet about as smart as a sack of bricks, and that at least won't flirt with anyone non-consensually.

Chat Noir makes a point that he doesn't want to hurt Rocketear, and Shadow Moth tells Rocketear to take his miraculous before finishing him. Chat Noir can only weakly tell him not to before Ladybug snags Rocketear's wrist and diverts the shot. Ladybug explains to Rocketear about the projector and how it'll let him hear the audio of the recording he took. She adds that she doesn't know what Chat said, but she trusts him.

Marinette, I'm sorry, I feel so bad for you.

Ladybug turns on the projector and Rocketear relaxes at actually hearing what was going on. Rena then de-transforms and hurries out to meet with Rocketear, hugging him as Rocketear apologizes for doubting her. Alya also kinda sorta apologizes in a way I don't understand and Rocketear then breaks his akumatization, very casually, all on his own.

Yeah, just--casually, in a matter of seconds in fact. You know, it's really sad when people resisting akumatizations are more tense and emotionally compelling than them breaking them. This is twice in one season now and has zero impact considering that Nino's reason for being akumatized was already taken care of so he had no reason to stay akumatized anyway. Him breaking his own object to release the akuma would've at least been different, but instead it's just a repeat of what Alya went through with even less tension considering that Alya's wasn't even that good in the first place, relying on her relationship to Ladybug rather than who she knew to be her best friend.

Moving on, Ladybug captures the akuma and uses Miraculous Ladybug to bring everything back to normal. Shadow Moth monologues about how love and secrets don't go well together and he's sure that she has a lot and I'll talk about this later.

Ladybug hands over the magical charm, which Nino takes but insists that he won't need it, as he'll never let Shadow Moth use his love to manipulate him again. Plenty of other things to get akumatized over, but they gave the supposedly ace character a robot to help him stick out and also gave the supposedly aro character a miraculous back in season one to give her more importance. If characters aren't in love then they need something to ceompensate for it.

Nino apologizes to Chat Noir for being wrong and Chat Noir assures him that everyone has doubts, even him. He gets sad and Ladybug asks him what's wrong, but he insists that he's fine - officially throwing away his right to be upset at her later as far as I'm concerned - and they do their usual fist buuuuu--

...Really?

Everyone then splits up and Chat Noir sulks by himself instead of--you know, talking to Ladybug, or asking her anything, or making any sort of excuse for her because that would mean he actually has faith in her and understands that their partnership is different from temporary heroes, even if the excuse was as basic as her wanting to protect him more than the others because he would be that egotistical if they didn't want to stretch out this unnecessary drama.

Later on, Adrien is staring at a picture on the Ladyblog that might be a metaphor for the show considering how "in the foreground" Chat Noir and Rena are.

Adrien vents about Ladybug giving miraculouses to Alya and Nino, but Plagg states that she's the guardian. Adrien clarifies that he's referring to Alya and Nino knowing each other's identities, but Plagg doesn't see the issue. Adrien gets huffy and asks why the rule exists for LadyNoir but not Ninya, but Plagg again points out that she's the guardian, so she makes the rules, though obviously he uses cheese metaphors to convey it.

Okay, Plagg is only, like--half-right because he doesn't have all the information. If you don't mind me rambling for a bit, I'm on the fence here because, on one hand--yes, I agree that Marinette should be allowed to make her own rules, and I often do that in my writing because I think she should be permitted leeway in order to let herself be happy, but on the other hand, it's not technically her rule, as she had to let Alya and Nino in on their identities back in the Season 2 finale, so Fu was still around for a season. She wasn't even guardian yet!

Now, presumably so the fandom could blame Marinette if anything happened, Marinette never discussed this with Fu on-screen, so I can't say whether or not Fu knew, but I feel like he must've since Marinette had to have told him the heroes' identities off-screen, given "Party Crasher," and thus I imagine that Marinette would tell Fu everything that happened, which is consistent with what she does on-screen even if she'd keep things from him for a little while.

"Furious Fu" had also established that not even Master Fu followed rules completely, meaning that Marinette is in this awkward spot of mostly following what Fu taught her, which aren't all guardian rules anyway, and having to break the rules on occasion for various purposes. I can't say what Fu approved of and what he didn't, because episodes spend so much time on the love square that they forget about Marinette as a person and how she interacts with everyone else. From an emotional standpoint, I can't blame Marinette for not revoking the miraculouses of people whose identities get discovered because of her, as I imagine she feels guilty and it probably doesn't seem fair to force them into another miraculous or have them be entirely without one because of a mistake that she made, meaning that someone needs to be throwing a lot of red flags for Marinette to be through with them.

Though obviously, from the show's standpoint, it's just an excuse to not make new models, but I complained about that enough in "Sentibubbler" and this episode even went out of its way to design a detective model for Nino while spraypainting Alya's bodysuit in the same breath, so this is the world we live in.

Anyway, Marinette is essentially in this position where she still has Fu's rules hovering over her, but she's also trying to step out on her own and make her own decisions to varying degrees of success or failure depending on your point of view. Tikki--wait, no, bad idea--Su-Han then, could easily give input on these things, perhaps with Marinette discussing a modern day set of rules for someone her age and going back and forth with Su-Han on what the right choices to make are, finding something that's comfortable but within a realm of predictable control. Su-Han was okay with some rules being broken after seeing how Ladybug handled them and they could've easily made this episode about that instead, but instead, we get rules being set and then being broken on a writer's whim.

Which now brings us to the end of the episode, where Marinette is on the phone with Alya and apologizes for causing trouble between her and Nino. Alya tells her not to worry and she'll fix things - you know, those things that, to Marinette's knowledge, have already been fixed - and asks if Marinette trusts her. Marinette does, and Alya hangs up in order to face Nino.

Yeah, that feeling of dread in your stomach? That means you know how predictable the writing is and what's about to happen, good for you.

Alya explains that she has to tell Nino something and he's worried, this time trying to sheepishly break the tension. She explains that she's still Rena Rouge, much to Nino's shock, and adds that she's in hiding, which is why Ladybug didn't want her to tell anyone. Nino asks why she's telling him if she's not supposed to tell anyone - proving my point from a while back that he wouldn't have been upset had she kept it a secret - then asks if Ladybug agreed with it.

I want to give him a pat on the back for considering Ladybug, but he didn't even tell her when he had the chance that Adrien knows his identity now, so I'm just beaten down at this point.

Instead of answering the question directly, Alya says that she can't hide her identity from him because she loves him and they don't have secrets.

You know, like Nino telling Adrien about Rena's identity, or Alya saying specifically that she's a permanent holder, which I'm sure both of them will confess to since they said that they don't have--aaaaand the episode ends on happy triumphant music, okay.

I mean, I guess Alya at least didn't tell him that Marinette was Ladybug, but that is such a low bar and not even remotely worthy of congratulations when Alya told Nino the specific thing that Marinette told Alya not to tell; the thing that they had agreed on.

Nino wasn't upset anymore. He won't be getting akumatized either. Alya endured the supposed hardship of being a permanent fox holder for four episodes before breaking down and telling her boyfriend. Even her excuse doesn't hold any water because, again, they're both still technically keeping a secret, particularly Alya who knows Marinette's identity as Ladybug. The episode also apparently forgets that Alya and Marinette's friendship must not be as strong by her logic of telling Nino specifically everything, as Alya kept Rena Rouge a secret from Marinette for all of Season 3, but tells Nino about continuing to be Rena Rouge in Season 4. Boyfriends before BFFs without explicitly saying it, or to be more specific, whatever screws Marinette over the most, because that's what this comes down to, made worse by "Optigami" where Marinette told Alya that she'd tell her everything and I guess that doesn't go both ways.

"Sentibubbler" had Alya stress that no one would ever know. She promised Marinette and told Marinette to trust her, and the episode spent its entire running time talking her up and assuring Marinette that she was the right choice, even considering Marinette ridiculous for worrying when Alya had done something without Marinette's permission the episode right before it. Then, three episodes after "Sentibubbler," when Marinette is finally comfortable and trusts Alya completely, Alya betrays that trust. Nino betrayed that trust, knowing he wasn't supposed to do so but telling Adrien his and Rena's identity anyway, because he was losing an argument and needed to PROVE something.

Marinette gives them an inch and they take a mile. Marinette bent the rules so that they could continue to have the miraculous they'd started with and they disrespected her because it was hard for like a day.

And if this bites them back, it won't reflect poorly on them, it'll reflect poorly on Marinette.

It's not like Alya just overrode Marinette. She didn't go, "Hey, I'm telling Nino, I'm sorry," or tried her hardest to go back and forth with Marinette until they both agreed. No, she did what she told Marinette she wouldn't do without saying a word to her, because LOVE and SEEEECRETS.

And this only applies to her, of course, because don't think I didn't notice the parallels between this episode and "Truth," because WOW.

Episode begins with Marinette hoping for something and it blows up in her face? A date at the cinema that ends on a sour note? Plot-centric couple trying to get Andre's ice cream and the female with a secret needing to leave in a hurry? Boyfriend character getting akumatized over their girlfriend's secret? Boyfriend assumes/suggests that the girlfriend's secret involves Aaaaaadrien - or his alter-ego in "Rocketear"'s case - and the episode hints as much to him even though he's completely wrong? Akuma's colors are blue and black? THE BRIDGE?

But, ahhh, little difference, here and there, y'know, like how Marinette was forced to break up with her boyfriend while Alya got to keep hers, and Nino got to have long talks with Alya while Luka got little to nothing with Marinette.

Because do note that Alya, while trying to convince Marinette and talk to Nino about not keeping secrets, at no point suggests that Marinette deserves to be happy and deserves to have a boyfriend and that Marinette should be allowed to tell Luka her secret so they can get back together, so you have Alya here selfishly prioritizing her relationship with Nino while making no comment about Marinette's relationship, essentially asking Marinette to allow her what Marinette herself didn't have the luxury of, and Alya knows this because Marinette told her. It is both incredibly insensitive of Alya and incredibly insulting of the show to make so many parallels between this episode and "Truth" just to have everything crash down for Marinette because she's Marinette while everything goes well for Alya and Nino because they're not Marinette.

We've talked before about the formulas that are literally baked into the show, and one of those is how Marinette makes a mistake in every episode and has to learn from it. What that mistake is in this episode, I don't know, but considering that she apologizes for Alya and Nino's problems, I guess the show blames her for what they themselves had taught her.

Point being, there's a clear karma system in place, but it only applies to Marinette, and forcing her to mess up in every episode means that she is literally not allowed to be with Luka because had she been able to clear things up between them, he would've eagerly accepted her and they could've been happy. It'd be too difficult for her to mess up when Luka doesn't put mountains of pressure and expectations on her like everyone else. Factor that in with how she can be herself around him and it leads to situation that are too difficult for her to screw up in because her mistakes - more often than not - center around Adrien or her role as guardian.

And because another rule in the show is to bring up Adrien so they don't "lose him for too long," she can't avoid bringing him up either. If he's not in the plot, he has to be mentioned, leaving Marinette in a lose-lose situation that she'll never be free from.

So, let me just get this straight then:

The guy who spied on his girlfriend instead of talking to her about his assumptions gets to keep his girlfriend, not because he realized it was wrong regardless of whether he was correct or not, but because the situation had been cleared up for him, yet the guy who actively resisted his akumatization, saddened by his girlfriend's secrets but wanting her to share them when she was ready, gets broken up with and tossed to the wayside because he's not a rich blond boy who got a miraculous because he happened to be within the twenty meters of space where Fu was searching for new holders?

Meanwhile, the girlfriend who has gone against the wishes and insistence of her best friend - guardian of the miraculouses, by the way, so she calls the shots, something that Alya herself said in "Optigami" BEFORE GOING ON TO DO HER OWN THING IN THE SAME EPISODE AND BEING REWARDED FOR IT - is allowed to go against the wishes and insistence of her best friend again for the sake of "all love, no secrets" with her boyfriend and so she can have the happy ending she wants, yet the girl who was chosen for a miraculous without her consent, forced to screw up and talk about a random boy who doesn't even go out of his way to spend time with her, treated like absolute trash by writers who find humor in her misery, and is the only one to receive overly harsh and long-lasting consequences for her actions while also covering up and forgiving the actions of others within the episode where they do it...

doesn't get her happy ending, and won't ever get her happy ending. That thing Shadow Moth said about love and secrets not going well together? Yeah, only goes as far as the writers want it to, because both Nino and Alya still have secrets, and some of the ones they did tell each other were forced by someone else and kept until that very moment. This idea that people in love have to tell each other everything and that it makes a relationship stronger makes me immensely uncomfortable, and that lesson is also in "Guiltrip."

People should be allowed their secrets, and obviously there are exceptions for things that are being hidden with malicious intent, but being essentially forced to share everything or risk not having a "full and complete" relationship is stifling and sounds like it'd only cause stress.

This episode sucks. It furthers and confirms everything I've already thought about the show, Nino's screentime continues to be dependent on Adrien, Alya, or both, there are pointless references that completely take me out of the experience, and the utter betrayal from Alya and supposed message of the episode just reminds me that Marinette is inevitably going to be stuck with a guy who didn't even DO anything in this episode and is going to let himself stew instead of asking for any sort of clarifications from someone he apparently trusts so much.

So the takeaway is that Marinette's life is awful, she'll be forced to apologize for rules that she didn't even come up with herself, her best friend will walk all over her for the sake of her relationship with a guy - not even for the sake, really, they were going to be fine, it was more for HER personal comfort if anything - and the guy who actually makes Marinette happy and could've known her identity instead BECAUSE HE AT LEAST DIDN'T HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF SPILLING HER SECRETS gets treated in the exact same way that she does; like nothing, just something to abuse unfairly.

What a waste of an episode.