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#[ TRUST THE INSTINCT: S2 ]

stargirl-and-potts · 7 months

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Ed was right, there were several storms coming — Ned Lowe, the British invasion, the end of the age of piracy — and Izzy dismissing him as “a mopey twat” means he never did learn 1) Ed’s gut feelings usually have a reason behind them, something he’s observed, even if he can’t articulate it 2) Ed’s moods have tangible reasons too and bullying him over them just makes him bury them 3) Ed doesn’t need a “hell no” guy. He needs a “yes and” guy who trusts Ed’s instincts and helps him talk his feelings out till he figures out what the problem is and a solid plan for tackling it.

#ofmd #ofmd s2 #ofmd s2 spoilers #that’s why he and Stede are perfect for each other #Izzy got that part right #I have adhd and yeah. this is exquisitely relatable #I’ve had good and bad mentors and that was the difference #did they trust my instincts #did they make space for me to work through my problems #or did they just try to push me to handle things their way

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alyona11 · 1 year

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Do you find it weird Leela for some reason doesn't trust Brax in the newer gallifreys even though she has no reason to distrust him 🤔

Tbh it's one of those small things that kinda ruin the consistency between s1-6 and further audios for me. Like the only weird thing Brax did is appearing from out of nowhere but he didn't do anything to ot3 to ruin their trust (until Soldier Obscura at least). Like Narvin not trusting Brax is valid, they are not besties. Romana and Leela, however, seemed to trust Brax more before. Mb it's just an Enemy Lines issue tho 🤔

#me being me #gallifrey audios #idk idk there are many small things in post-s6 that kinda scratches me the wrong way and Brax's case is one of those #we don't count war room i think war room is 1) less like a typical gallifrey series #2) has a dynamic that I would expect from the characters #mb I'm nitpicking tho #its just weird because Leela explicitly says she trusts Brax in s2 or s3 I think #and Brax is pretty much the only person who treats her equally from the start #(I mean even Romana calls her savage and kinda laughs off her instincts a bit and the change in that is a part of her character arc etc etc #but idk seems like Brax is the person Leela and Romana shouldn't have issues trusting #or...mb i should relisten to the series again

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afterhxurs · 1 year

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Robyn tends to overdo it when he's in a mood. All it takes is a response he doesn't appreciate for him to lash out. Scott McCall thought it was best to advise Robyn to watch himself around Allison. And that ended badly for him, black eye and a few broken bones later. ( If he used his claws, one of his pack mates would rat him out... ) "What do YOU want? An apology?" This blockhead of a Hale now has the huntress in his way, adjusting his duffle bag strap with a smug attitude. "Or, did you want to recreate history and make the same mistakes my brother and your aunt did?" He lowers himself to Allison's ear with a growl, "Because the answer's no." ( @subdividearcanebeacon ★ ALLISON ARGENT FT. R. HALE )

#subdividearcanebeacon #(@allison)#muse: ROBYN HALE #[ TRUST THE INSTINCT: S2 ]

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eyepatchcrow · 17 days

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ok can we talk about edwin and niko some more please bc i’ve been thinking about them non stop and the only word i can use to describe their dynamic is lovely

so there’s edwin, who’s acerbic and particular and brusque, who doesn’t tolerate new people and things, who has been carrying the trauma of his murder and torture in hell for decades

and then there’s niko, who is odd and fey and utterly uncomplicated in her goodness, despite her own grief and hurt. she has no ulterior motive, she’s sweet, genuine, and finds joy in the little things - manga and cartoons and love stories and sea glass on the beach

and they just bring out the best in each other! niko sees edwin and accepts him without hesitation or reservation or in any way asking him to change. she understands him, even the parts he himself doesn’t yet understand and edwin is so open and gentle with her in a way he isn’t with anyone else except charles because he trusts her. in some ways he can be more open with her than he can with charles, because there aren’t the complications of new feelings around a very old friendship

then in turn edwin recognises niko’s own unconventional brilliance. this girl who might be written off by others as ditsy and airheaded, he values her contributions, validates her concerns, and praises her investigative instincts. he listens to her

i’m just so soft for how niko makes edwin gentler, more open, more accepting of himself and others, while edwin helps niko to be brave and more confident in herself and what she has to offer the world, and i will die if we don’t get to see them together again in s2

#they are so so special to me #i get too many feelings if i think about them for too long #dead boy detectives #dead boy detectives spoilers #dbd #edwin paine #edwin payne #niko sasaki

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bildads-shoes · 4 months

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I feel like Crowley has often played the role of 'philosophy teacher' in his dynamic with Aziraphale, and I think this is probably what ultimately led to most of the backlash against Aziraphale immediately post-Season 2, especially from casual viewers.

The Resurrectionists episode is super obvious about it, big Philosophy 101 energy, but it's of course a big running theme in the show, often addressing the classic philosophical/theological question 'if God/Heaven are all-loving and all-powerful, why do they make us suffer?'

In these situations Aziraphale is often needing to learn to break free of his black and white thinking. Of course, we, the viewers, agree that morality is not black and white, so we start trusting Crowley's ability in the teacher role.

And it happens again in the Final Fifteen: we cringe at the stark oversimplification of 'you're the bad guys', we agree that Heaven and Hell are 'toxic' with their rigid rules and roles. Having seen so many examples of this dynamic at this point, this can instinctively feel like a continuation of Crowley's 'morality is not black and white' lessons. Therefore it makes sense to me that the instinct can be to agree that Crowley 'understand[s] a whole lot better' than Aziraphale.

I could go on for days about why I feel Aziraphale's character is so much more nuanced than that, but I want to focus on Crowley here. When you start trusting someone in that 'teacher' role, it's easy to assume they have it all figured out. That's why the whole 'Crowley is an unreliable narrator when it comes to his Fall' confirmation always had me so intrigued.

It seems (to me at least) that Crowley probably made some very complex, grey choices as an angel (choices that were not as bad as Heaven feels, but not as good as Crowley likes to think, to paraphrase NG) and he is yet to accept the reality of those actions. To me, it feels like he's coped with that cognitive dissonance by entirely detaching from that identity at times, almost as though those were the actions and experiences of another person (the angel you knew is not me) whilst returning to the first person in moments of vulnerability (I only ever asked questions). Judging by the hints at Angel!Crowley throughout S2, I think (hope) we'll learn more about the Fall in S3, and thus see him finally need to internally resolve this

I think it'll be very interesting to finally see that dynamic flip, to see Crowley in the role of the student, trying to solidify his moral code and sense of self as we have seen Aziraphale do throughout the show.

I suppose I hope that in potentially having Crowley's own struggles with morality becoming more explicit on screen in Season 3, the broad attitude towards Aziraphale and Crowley will become a bit more balanced again. I think it'll be lovely to see them grow in their understanding and acceptance of themselves and each other, and finally reach a place of joy and freedom as individuals and together. We'll always have our own personal character interpretations, and I think that's wonderful and fascinating to hear about, but at the end of the day we're all rooting for their happy ending, and I can't wait to see them finally get it.

#so i woke up at 4am and found two bullet points in my drafts and suddenly they became this #soz for the ramble have a good day lads x #good omens #good omens meta #crowley #aziraphale #good omens speculation

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still-a-morosexual-help · 1 year

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thoughts on mammon and levi as a duo

Absolutely fucking love them!!

I feel like they're the closest in age (other than the twins obviously) like if they were humans the age gap would be just one year.

Love that Levi's one of the brothers who truly sees Mammon and understands him even though they're always fighting - he's the one who says Mammon is a "jerk with a heart of gold", he's the one who agrees when MC says Mammon has always been kind, he's the one who says that Mammon is social/good with people/makes friends with people easily and cares about those people

Love that no matter how much in debt Mammon gets with Levi, Levi still gives him money

Love that Mammon goes and stays in line and gets things for Levi when Levi's too anxious to go

Love that Mammon actually has a vague idea about all the things Levi is interested in and knows what new things he's looking out for

Love that we've seen Levi go to Mammon multiple times when he needs reassurance

Love that Mammon's the one to remind Levi to buy two of an item so that he can open one box and keep the other closed

Love that Mammon wanted to buy a similar figurine for Levi because he thought Levi lost the raffle draw

Love that they have a similar stupid sense of humour and made a stupid comedy duo

Love how Mammon gathers everyone to set up a gaming night after he finds out that Levi was upset because he needed irl friends to play a new game

Love that in Nightbringer the thing that makes Mammon start trusting MC and bringing them into his schemes is that he saw them being nice to Levi

Love when they're fighting and Levi tries to straight up drown Mammon but later when MC tells him that they shouldn't fight he's like "?????we weren't fighting?????" that shit was the most sibling thing ever, I've had that exact same conversation with my mother after she had to stop my brother and I from killing each other

Love that in s2 and nightbringer out of everyone's relationships with MC, we see that Levi's most jealous of Mammon & MC's

Mammon cares about Levi so much, that's his little brother and he would do anything for him but each time he sees him he's also immediately overtaken by the Cain Instinct

Levi looks up to Mammon so much (though he'd rather die than admit it) and he trusts Mammon to support him with anything he needs but he also prays for Mammon's disappearance under mysterious circumstances everyday

I also have this headcanon that Lucifer met Levi through Mammon. That one day Mammon dragged home this painfully shy angel he found skipping practice/lessons while he was skipping practice/lessons. And at first the angel absolutely refused to even acknowledge Mammon, curling up into a tighter ball as if not seeing him would make Mammon disappear but then somehow Mammon managed to annoy him enough that he started snapping back and actually turns out he's hilarious and fiery and mean when he's not stuck in his own head. And Mammon is delighted. He's never had this much fun with anyone so close to his age before. And after finding out that unlike the other angels their age this one hasn't been issued a guardian/mentor yet he (literally) drags him back to Lucifer and is like "can we keep him!!?" And Levi is mortified because holy shit that's Lucifer, who never leaves the palace, who never hangs about with angels this far down the hierarchy, who might as well be the heir to the entire Celestial Realm. And Mammon's hopping up and down on his toes and is hanging on to Lucifer's sleeve and is like "please please please can we keep him". And Levi's shaking and on the verge of crying and this is terrifying and horrible and even worse than that time where he was the only angel in his batch that none of the other older angels picked to mentor and oh he's going to die on the spot. And Lucifer's mother bear instincts just immediately flare up because yes this is his child now

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threadsoflacee · 2 months

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GUYS!!!!!! Just realized something. Ok so. Earlier in this episode (s2 ep11) when Will tells Hannibal his heart didn’t speed up when killing 👩‍🦰 Hannibal tells him that’s a sign of his inner instincts developing and taking over his anatomical reflexes. Later in the episode they talk about Mischa and Abigail and how Abigail reminded H so much of Abigail and how he felt like a father to his sister. Then in THIS scene H tells him THIS. As Will is crying for Abigail to come back to him even in his prayers Hannibal tells him that (basically) if Will begins following his murderous instincts then he will find his child again !!!!!! "Should the universe contract and time reverse" (should you go back to your murderous instincts), "should teacups come together" (should you regain your power and confidence that I broke for you to rebuild again), "a place could be made for Abigail in your world" (I could give you Abigail back) !!!!!!!!!! And when Will asks what place could that be considering he is sure Abi is dead, Hannibal tells him that his new child could take her place !!!!! SO ABIGAIL COULD COME BACK IF HE JUST FOLLOWED HIS INSTINCTS !!!!! Which are killing like Hannibal does!!!! And H said he was likely to gain her back so he was ALREADY telling Will that he was on the right track to gaining Abi back. And H is SO ready to do that for him he’s basically giving it to him on a silver platter. Hannibal trusted Will so much in this moment and knew he only had to pull him in further so they could trust each other and be together!!! And Hannibal takes the position of God in this scene because Will says he prayed to see Abi again and Hannibal tells him that he saw part of her (her ear) and then tells him a place could be made for her. And earlier in this scene H says he doesn’t pray but he recognizes how his inventions pale to those of God. THIS IS SICK. I love this show so much.

#will graham #hannibal lecter #hannibal #hannibal nbc #hannigram #hannibal meta #abigail hobbs

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neurolady · 22 days

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I Forgive You!

I've seen a million and one different takes on Aziraphale's "I forgive you" in the Final 15. Most peoples initial knee jerk reactions of what the fuck does Crowley need forgiving for, to forgiving Crowley for an unconsented kiss, to (once folk have calmed down and started to see Aziraphale really has no choice but to go back to Heaven) forgiving Crowley for not trusting him. What I haven't seen is the suggestion that it actually has nothing to do with forgiveness at all!

When he says, "May God forgive you" or "May you be forgiven," it's always after Crowley does something Aziraphale believes is out of character or wrong. In Uz Crowley saying he wants to kill Job's children and at the bandstand after his ourburst at God (I'm missing one, I'm sure). I think in these instances he is genuinely saying I hope you're forgiven for what you just did.

On the two occasions, he uses, "I forgive you," Crowley is not acting out of character at all, and neither is he wrong. Aziraphale knows this! The two scenes are completely parallel in s1ep4 by the car when Crowley pulls over to apologise and, of course, in s2 the Final 15.

Crowley wants to talk about them and is ALL in for them to be together - literally, both scenes he basically begs Aziraphale to run off together.

Aziraphale can't get past his cognitive dissonance and insists Heaven is the answer. Obviously, everything is ramped up 1000 in the Final 15, but even in s1, you can see Aziraphale's turmoil at being asked to choose Crowley or Heaven.

This is where I think "I forgive you" has nothing to do with Aziraphale offering forgiveness to Crowley. In both scenes, Crowley pushes Aziraphale's attachment to Heaven even further. In s1, he keeps it about Aziraphale, "...how can someone so smart be so stupid!" In s2, no such restraint, so you know just "No Nightingale's" and THE Kiss!! The effect is the same, Aziraphale is shook (obviously just a teeny-weeny bit more in s2), he's retreating into himself, and his reflex is "I forgive you". He's a being of forgiveness it's an instinct. He also knows - again probably more out of instinct than any deliberate intention - that Crowley will immediately recoil from any attempts at forgiveness, which gives him space to process. So I think "I forgive you", is actually Aziraphale's shield that he throws up between himself and Crowley when his love for Heaven (or more for being an Angel) is in direct conflict with his love for Crowley. He is pushing Crowley away because in the moment, he can't cope with the choice he has to make, and it works both times, and he instantly regrets it both times!

On the plus side, if you condense all the shenanigans that happen after the "car argument" in s1. Crowley instantly forgives Aziraphale for pushing him away, as soon as Aziraphale has a plan he goes to Crowley, he chooses Crowley and Earth without hesitation when the shit is really about to hit the fan and they get their happily until Gabrielle shows up naked at the bookshop a few years later after!

#the blueprint for s3 is all there in the original book #it's not gonna be so easy for them this time #but we know it'll end in the South Downs #ineffable husbands #good omens #good omens theories #aziracrow

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ghostofskywalker · 1 year

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If Things Can Go Wrong, They Will

Tech/Reader

Words: 2,019

Summary: When Tech is injured in the escape attempt, you finally realize why you can't stand the idea of losing him, and it takes an unlikely source to realize that maybe he feels the same way about you.

Warnings: spoilers for the first and second episode of tbb s2!!

Clone Troopers Masterlist

“We are descending at a rate of speed that is most concerning!”

“Don’t worry! The re-entry thrusters should engage soon!”

“If they don’t, we’re all dead!”

Before you could add to the conversation, the four of you were slammed to the floor of the container, signaling that you were not, in fact, all dead and the re-entry thrusters had indeed engaged.

When you got up, you immediately looked over to Omega to make sure she was okay, and it seemed that Echo and Tech had the same idea. “Told ya,” were her next words, clearly a little annoyed that her brothers had doubted her.

“Other than not being able to steer, or control where we land, I would say this is going well!” Tech said, looking around.

But even with the thrusters, the jolt you felt when the container hit first ground was intense. You could see Omega go flying, but Echo grabbed hold of her as all of you went flying backward. Instinctively, you grabbed Tech’s gloved hand and moved closer to him, too worried about what may happen to you to care about what he might say.

When the cargo container finally stopped, you let out a sigh and immediately turned to check on Omega. Tech and Echo radioed in to Hunter, but it seemed that excitement was not over just yet, because as you all started to walk towards the exit, the container let out a groan and started to shift. “What’s happening?” Omega asked worriedly, right as the contents of the box started to slide across the floor.

“We haven’t fully landed yet!”

You managed to get out of the way as treasures and boxes came flying towards you, but Tech was not so lucky. By the time the cargo hold stopped moving for a second time and you managed to get out and up the cliff, he was growing weaker. Echo and Omega helped you pull him up to safety (because there was no way he would be able to climb by himself), and he simply collapsed onto the ground.

While Echo and Omega took a look around to see where you were, you knelt down next to Tech. “We’re going to have to get out of sight as soon as possible,” you said. “Can you move your leg or do you need our help?”

“I do not think I will be able to walk more than a few steps,” he responded, and you leaned over to help him sit up.

“We’ll need to get you medical care as soon as possible,” you said. “Hopefully Hunter and Wrecker will be here soon.”

Tech just nodded, and you could tell that he was growing tired from the pain. He was probably trying to hide how much it hurt, for both the sake of the mission and Omega, but you still knew.

When Echo and Omega returned with a plan, you helped Tech up and walked with him into the forested area. You received a communication from Hunter, and suddenly Omega glanced into the woods. “We’re being followed,” she whispered, before taking off running in that direction.

And she was right, but you probably would have done things a little differently. After Echo and Omega practically interrogated him, Romar led the four of you through the woods, and even though you were still a little wary of him, getting Tech somewhere safe was the top priority right now.

You couldn’t ignore the way your brain worked, and you knew that your worry wasn’t just coming from a place of friendship, but right now there was no indication that he felt the same way about you, so you had to keep your feelings to yourself. You considered Tech your closest friend on the Marauder and you trusted him with your life, so you also didn’t want to shake that relationship, even if it did mean that kissing him was something you only experienced in your dreams.

You helped support Tech while Echo and Omega explained your plight to Romar, and by the time you reached his dwelling he seemed to understand that you were not working for the Empire. You were still a little wary of him, but you hoped that was simply just paranoia and anxiety and that everything would work out just fine.

“So what you’re telling me is that you’re rogue clones running from the Empire’s clones, that used to be the Republic’s clones?”

Tech groaned as he sat down at the table. “Correct. You finally got it right.” You shot him a look at that, and his expression softened as he took off his helmet.

“We apologize for the intrusion,” you said to the man, hoping he didn’t kick you out because of Tech’s rudeness and the fact that Omega had been ready to shoot him with her energy bow. “It’s been a long day for all of us.”

***

You spent some time with Romar and Tech, and watched with intrigue as Tech started to repair the data core. The old man had since disappeared back to do some other things around his house (with Omega following him), and you just sat there at the table with Tech.

“Do you think Echo is right about all this?” he suddenly asked. “That we have an obligation to recover the chest and use its riches fight the Empire?”

You paused, thinking through his words before responding. “I think that there’s merit to both sides of the conversation,” you said. “To hide away in the shadows seems like a cowardly thing, but at the same time we must also take our own safety into account.”

Tech nodded. “And now Omega needs to be part of our consideration as well.”

“As much as I think Hunter wants us to settle somewhere without ever facing any kind of danger again, I don’t know if she would be happy like that,” you said pensively.

“She does appear to enjoy the fast-paced lifestyle we live.”

“Well, except when she has to study the make and features of every single imperial ship.”

A small smile crossed Tech’s face at your joke. “I think that what Cid told us before this mission may be right,” he said. “That the Empire will soon grow to the point where there is nowhere for us to hide.”

“I think the galaxy is still changing, and that we won’t ever know what to expect for a very long time.”

“I think I would like to settle down one day,” he said, looking in your direction.

“Maybe you should talk to Cid’s pirate friend,” you said jokingly. “She seemed interested in you.”

“What?”

The expression of absolute confusion on his face almost made you burst out laughing. “She thought you were cute,” you said. “Did you really not pick up on it?”

“I certainly did not. But I have no interest in a pirate’s lifestyle, so I don’t believe I would be suitable match for her.”

“Do you know what kind of life you’d like to live?”

It seemed that you had stumped the batch’s resident genius, because it took him a few moments to answer your question. “Maybe one of a mechanic?” he asked. “I would still like to work with my tools, but still have somewhere to come home every night.”

“The ship’s smell finally starting to get to you?” you asked, a smile on your face.

He nodded. “My brothers can be a bit overbearing.”

Before you could respond, Romar popped his head up and asked to speak to you, beckoning that you follow him down the hatch. “I’m sorry I don’t have anything that can help your boyfriend’s leg,” he said when you had climbed down to see what he wanted.

“He’s not, we’re-”you started to sputter out, having not expected this to be the topic of conversation.

“You’re really not together?” Thankfully after your shock at his question, the old man’s voice quieted (so you really hoped that Tech couldn’t hear you).

“No?”

“Well, does he know how you feel about him?” You went silent at that remark, not even knowing what to say. “I know it’s not my place to really say anything, but I think you’re both oblivious.”

“I don’t know,” you said. “I doubt he feels like that towards me.”

“Look, I may not know you all, but Ace up there certainly acts very differently with you than that other fellow.”

You took his words into consideration: Did Tech really act differently around you compared to the rest of the batch? Still not sure of yourself, you just nodded, and Tech called your name before you could respond.

You looked up toward the upper part of the house, and Romar just smiled. “Go see what he wants,” he said. “And just think about my advice, okay?”

***

By the time you finally got back onto the Marauder, you had almost forgotten about the old man’s words of advice. You helped Tech onto the ship and over to his bunk before heading to the cockpit to see if Hunter needed anything. “Tech needs more medical care than we can provide,” you said as you stepped inside, Hunter and Wrecker turning to look at you. “Do you know anywhere we can take him?”

“I’ve reached out to Rex already,” Hunter said. “He’s sending us the coordinates of a medical facility that apparently aides various rebellion movements. He’ll be safe there while they take care of him.” You nodded, and Hunter clearly noticed that your mind was elsewhere, so he gently told you to go back to your bunk and lay down for a little.

Right as you set foot into the barracks area of the ship, you heard Tech’s voice. “Thank you for all your help today,” he said.

You looked over to see him sitting up in his bunk, back against the wall as he tapped on his datapad. “You’re welcome,” you said quietly as you walked over and stood next to the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“The pain is still there, but I am holding on to the hope that we will be able to find a medical facility soon.”

“Hunter told me that Captain Rex sent the coordinates to one, we’re en route now.”

Tech nodded, a small smile appearing on his face. “That is good.”

The two of you looked at each other in silence for a few moments, and you eventually turned to face your bunk, but stopped when you heard Tech say your name. “Yes?”

“I figured out the answer to your earlier question,” he said. “About what type of life I’d like to live. What I said earlier is true, I think being a mechanic of some kind would be good, but I really don’t care as long as you’re there with me.”

You stopped in your tracks, not sure what to say or do. “Do you mean that?” you asked quietly, trying not to let yourself look too hopeful in case he wasn’t admitting what you thought he was.

“Of course, I wouldn’t have said so if I didn’t. And I may have also heard what Romar said to you before. And I do act differently around you, because I care about you differently than I do the rest of my brothers. And I’d like to be your boyfriend, if you’d let me.”

For Tech, that might as well have been him shouting how much he loved you from the rooftop of a Coruscant apartment building. “I would love that,” you said, reaching out to take his hand.

“Excellent. Though I would like to have our first date at some point when I do not have a broken femur.”

You laughed quietly, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. After you pulled away, Tech scooted over on the bed, making room for you to sit with him. “I think I can agree to those terms.”

You knew that it was highly unlikely that you’d ever see Romar again, but you sent him a silent thank you as you climbed into the bunk, allowing Tech to lay his head on your shoulder.

- the end -

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#tbb tech #tbb tech x reader #tbb tech x you #tech bad batch x reader #tech x reader #tech x you #the bad batch #the bad batch x reader #the bad batch fanfiction #tbb spoilers #bad batch season 2 #bad batch spoilers #star wars #star wars x reader #star wars fanfiction #tbb tech x gender neutral reader

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fireflysummers · 10 months

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Final Thoughts on GO S2

I'm probably gonna pull back on discussing S2, at least publicly, after this. I did actually like a lot of the season, but it's triggering some of my religious trauma and also the fandom is already stressing me out. So here, let's have some final thoughts.

First and foremost: I am not a Gaiman simp. I've read a decent amount of his work: comics, short stories, essays, and novels. Aside from Good Omens, I've liked Coraline and The Graveyard Book the best by far, whereas American Gods just. Did Not Connect with me, even though it's should have, given the stuff I tend to enjoy.

However. Regardless of whether I like a given work (or even like how he adapted it, a la parts of The Sandman TV series), he is a veteran writer who has proven that he does, actually, know how to write a story with consistent characters.

Beyond that, I do actually believe that he's trying to do right by Pratchett, and loves and respects the story and characters they created together. He's generally shown up as an ally to a variety of social causes, and directly and respectfully responds to fans on Tumblr. While no saint, I feel that there is cause to give the benefit of the doubt that things will resolve satisfyingly in S3, and that there is Intention about some of the things in S2.

This, of course, does not absolve it of being "bad," but even here I think we need to articulate better the different types of "bad" that people are reacting to. There seems to roughly be three camps here: 1) People who thought it was "bad" because of how it ended, with the breakup and a lot of unresolved plot threads; 2) People who thought it was "bad" because it struggled on a technical level with its set, lighting, directorial choices, editing, etc; 3) People who thought it was "bad" because they felt the characterization was significantly off and that the internal logic of the series had been violated.

With regards to Point One, the only solution is to Wait and See. Judgement should be reserved until the story is properly finished--easier said than done, especially considering the current media landscape, and the number of series or franchises that fail to live up to their promises.

Point Two isn't something I understand well enough to contribute meaningfully, except that I suspect the pandemic affected this aspect the most and am willing to give it a bit more mercy. That aside, I for the most part I don't find it bad so much as not as good as S1. Except for the parts with epilepsy warnings, surely there could've been a better way to do that.

Point Three... that's the stumbling block for me, and I find it interesting that most of the folks who struggle with this point in particular are long time fans of the book.

I trust that instinct.

There are two different directions to go from here. The first is the assumption that these problems are a result of ego, carelessness, or lack of skill from the showrunners/writers/director. It's cynical but not unjustified. The second is the belief that the breaks in lore or characterization were intentional, building towards a much grander conspiracy. Of course, even in this case I don't think it forgives the lack of signposting that would indicate that this is a choice rather than an accident. It just makes it feel clumsy and poorly constructed, a major risk on a show that hasn't had its third season confirmed.*

However, regardless, it still feels salvageable. I've enjoyed reading a lot of meta on all this, and I've pulled some things from others (particularly That Theory by @ariaste), but I don't really want to put forth a single, defined theory myself. Instead, here's some questions I've got, why those questions are important (to me, at least). Actual theorizing comes after, and anybody who snidely mentions Sherlock in the comments or tags is going to get auto-blocked. Like seriously, I'm aware that some stuff is a stretch, but it's fun??? To theorize????? And I'm here for me and my peace of mind rather than trying to argue a point.

*I have some suspicions here, particularly with Gaiman stating that the decision from Amazon would come much faster than The Sandman's second season (which was four months). I don't know enough though to say if that's actually significant.

Questions

Who the fuck is telling this story?

This is the most important piece, in my opinion. There's this assumption when reading books (or research papers, newspapers, etc...) that the narrator who is writing the words is a non-presence, Neutral and objective. That's not the case, and an important part of literature critique is figuring out who the narrator is, and what their goals are. Oftentimes, the narrator and the author are the same person, but with Pratchett's work, particularly on Good Omens and Discworld, the Narrator was its own unique character.

This is why people struggle adapting Discworld to live action--that medium requires a Reason for having a Narrator, and especially in the age of method acting that's often considered immersion-breaking. Good Omens worked so well because they not only kept the Narrator, but they made Her God.

This added some really interesting new dimensions, such as the scene where Crowley speaks to God about his fall and the destruction of humanity. He doesn't receive an answer, but we're watching from God's perspective, so we as the audience know that She's listening.

Another advantage of making God the Narrator is that it justifies all the goofy little asides we get into the lives of minor characters (i.e. Leslie the Mailman), without losing focus. It helps the world feel like it’s full of people, rather than characters and plot contrivances, and the theme that individual people and their choices are important. The Narrator is such a central character of Good Omens that without it, the story struggles to stay focused.

It also highlights a key difference in the writing styles of the two authors. Pratchett’s work tends to introduce four or five totally unique plot threads that feel completely disjointed until the last act (if not even later), when it turns into a Chekhov’s Firing Squad. Plot twists around secret identities and backstabbing and schemes are relatively rare, as the omniscient Narrator doesn’t lie about the intentions of people or their actions.

Gaiman’s writing is typically not like that, to my knowledge. He buries characters in misdirection and hints, and you never know the true identity or motives until all the chips are down. It’s a perfectly valid way to approach storytelling, but it makes it jarring to see it in S2. The lack of a Narrator is a huge reason why S2 doesn’t feel like Good Omens to some folks.

My gut feeling is that the decision to shift from the original Narrator was highly intentional. It helps to obscure the thoughts and intentions of people, and it also muddles the insights that we’re supposed to take away. (I would have loved hearing God monologue about what’s going on in Jim’s head. I think it’d do a lot to make him seem less.... obnoxiously stupid.)

More than that, it brings up a reasonable potential plot point of: Where did God go? Why isn’t She present in the story? Even in her early appearance in the Job flashback, she doesn’t sound like the narrator for last season. After the first part of her speech (which Gabriel later quotes), her tone turns casual and condescending, which might line up with her being a bit of an asshole, it doesn’t line up with the whole “dealer of a mysterious card game who is always smiling”).

Also, I don’t think it’s safe to assume that nobody is telling the story either. Just because they’re not making their presence known doesn’t mean they aren’t there, and in a story like Good Omens, that’s concerning.

Wait, where's Satan?

Another person I saw while scrolling the tags pointed out that Satan is nowhere to be seen this season. He's really only mentioned in reference to a bet God made in Job, but then Crowley is the one on the ground causing mischief. There's no Hail Satan among demons (like Hastur and Ligur did at the start of S1).

That's might be because the writers didn't want us to think it was important (a la Hastur), but that feels off. Given that Satan speaks directly through the radio to Crowley in S1, complimenting him on his work, it's safe to say that he was at least aware of and involved in the goings-on in Hell. The fact that he wasn't even an worry for Beelzebub in abandoning their post? Feels weird.

(Also if you know where that post is, I'll happy credit + link)

What is Maggie?

Look, I love cute lesbians in love as much as the next queer, but I don't like Maggie. I don’t think she’s a person. Contextually, she’s a plot device, but I agree with That Essay that she might be an actual Plot Device.

Her characterization is simple and relatively shallow—a bit of an airhead, ray of sunshine that’s supposed to remind you of Aziraphale. When she describes her past to Nina, it’s almost robotic (also, her story implies it was Mr. Fell who first rented to her ancestor, not Mr. Fell’s great-grandfather like Nina implied). Her emotions are over-dramatic and seem to be turned on and off at random (scenes with her crying to Aziraphale about her woes had my “manipulator” senses going off for some reason).

When asked about a song, she not only IDs the song, its singer, and its year, but how and on what it was distributed. (Honestly thought this would’ve been something interesting, because she’s been pretty ditzy so far, it’d be interesting if she had like... an insane memory for music history.) And then she’s the one that sets Aziraphale on his little investigation by giving him the transformed records, while also planting the seed about her love troubles with Nina. Later, her advice to Crowley is... not awful, but feels insincere and a bit too forward, given her own self-proclaimed lack of relationship experience.

I don’t know what she is (a demon, hastur with amnesia in disguise, a literal plot device inserted by the current storyteller, etc...), but there’s something not right with her.

(Also the joke of “who listens to records anymore, it’s so old fashioned” just doesn’t land, lots of people buy records, and I’m saying this as somebody who has worked at a record store before.)

What's going on with Aziraphale?

There’s something Off about Aziraphale, and it’s not his choices at the end of the season. That makes total sense if you read him as somebody with severe religious trauma getting dragged back into the abusive system because other people need him and he’s been promised the ability to change things.

But I do think something is happening to his memory. Nearly all the flashbacks are from Aziraphale’s point of view and retelling, which means that they’re less reliable than God’s version of events in the previous season. Many of them don’t make logistical sense (post-church scene in 1941), depict Crowley as meaner or more sinister than we know he is, or frame events... weirdly. The scene with him trying food for the first time feels Really Bad, especially when the series has previously established that he’s a) prim and proper and b) his interest in food is one of the beautiful things that connect him to humanity, not some kind of gluttonous sin. Also he turns down alcohol.

Their meet-cute at the start of the universe also doesn’t line up with their reactions to each other in Eden, or the fact that knowing each other Before has never come up or been hinted at anywhere ever. I don’t know what’s causing this to happen, only that Aziraphale repeatedly looks pensive when coming out of flashbacks, and Crowley is never there afterwards to corroborate said memories.

His actions also seem pretty inconsistent with what we know of him—i.e. I refuse to believe he would ever mistreat his books, even if they’re just old encyclopedias. Also, he feels a bit too...forceful in trying to get Nina and Maggie to fall in love? I mean, he didn’t exert that much direct influence on even Warlock, when he was actively hoping that the boy would turn out angelic rather than neutral.

I don’t think this removes his agency in that last decision, so much as explains how he was in such a vulnerable place at all. He still needs to apologize and fix things, because he messed up, and even if he hadn’t he still seriously hurt Crowley.

What's going on with Crowley?

There’s something Off about Crowley. The most obvious thing, of course, is his memories. At multiple points in the present day, characters state that they remember him or have met him before, only to be met with confusion. This is especially concerning given that he has a nigh photographic memory for faces (something mentioned in the book when he immediately IDs Mary Loquacious, 11 years after a 30 second conversation).

Overall, he seems to be better known by other supernatural entities this season, in ways that often tie him back to his angelic identity (i.e. saying they fought together in the war, Aziraphale stating he knew the angel he used to be, etc...). This doesn’t feel right, because S1 we see that Hell is largely apathetic towards his schemes, and definitely does not defer to him at any point in any capacity.

Then there’s the issue of his power level. It’s always been speculated that Crowley was a powerful angel prior to falling, when he mentions in S1 his involvement with star making, his seemingly unique ability to freeze time, and creating a pocket universe for Adam before the confrontation with Satan. He also has a tendency of breathing life into inanimate objects, like his plants or car. He also has the regular demonic skillset: miracles that can adjust physical appearance; the ability to change inanimate objects (like paintball guns into real guns); the ability to manifest clothing and similar items; and summon hellfire to his fingertips. This, plus the way he monologues to God with a degree of familiarity rather than reverence seems to indicate that he was Somebody Powerful and Important Before.

But in S2, his skills are significantly expanded upon. The miracle he and Aziraphale summon sets off alarms in heaven and hell, and it’s powerful enough to mask Gabriel from the Archangels. He summons a miniature sun to rain fire on Job, which is way bigger and flashier than anything we’ve seen him summon in S1. (If he needs fire, he alters the course of a dropping bomb, without creating one himself.)

Yet he’s able to cloak his presence so well he goes wholly unnoticed in heaven, or in front of heavenly agents on earth (i.e. the Job flashback). Muriel can’t clock him as a demon, or even as another supernatural being, despite their auras usually being pretty significant, such Aziraphale immediately sensing the archangels when they arrive. He’s able to interfere with files that Muriel claimed required clearance (although I feel like that might just be a snark about Obeying Without Thinking? I would really need a Narrator to know.)

I might be misremembering, but I don’t think we’ve seen angels or demons transmogrify living beings before either. In the book, Crowley brings Aziraphale’s dove back to life after the failed magic show, and occasionally sinks ducks, but he doesn’t alter them? Not even Adam demonstrates that skill in S1. But he has no trouble turning Job’s children into lizards, however temporarily. Boy that would’ve been convenient during the flood. Or when the guard stopped then from getting to the air strip.

I don’t have any real issues with his characterization in the present day parts of S2, but there’s something weird happening with Crowley.

Where's all the people?

I really like a lot of the new characters, but how were there only like, 2.5 new humans named in the present day? Flashbacks don’t count bc the humans are all dead and can’t affect the story.

As much as I like Nina, she and Maggie don’t drive the story beyond being an occasional and awkwardly inserted plot contrivance? Both are actively robbed of their agency at several points, forced into situations that they could not have avoided or escaped. I’m not really sure what growth they’re expected to experience other than deciding not to date each other after everything. I literally can’t tell you anything about Nina other than that she remembers her regular’s orders, runs a coffee shop, and has a textbook abusive partner we never see. The only meaningful interactions they have are between those two, or in conversation with Aziraphale and Crowley.

Compare that to S1, where Anathema gets hit by Aziraphale and Crowley, but her primary relationships are with Newt, Adam, and Agnes Nutter (I think that counts as a relationship). We know that she’s got a wealthy family back in Puerto Rico, and that she was literally raised to save the world, and that she isn’t happy under all that pressure. Newt on the other hand is connected to not just Anathema, but Shadwell and Madame Tracy. He never even directly interacts with Aziraphale and Crowley. We know about his hobbies, his struggle to hold down a job, and his almost supernatural ability to destroy any electronics he touches. I don’t necessarily like how their relationship came together, but they were both very, very well fleshed out characters with unique backstories and goals. They weren’t just... waiting around to give Aziraphale and Crowley a new questline.

And while there’s no requirement to include a large cast of human characters that are exerting influence over the story, the lack of it is another aspect that makes this season feel not like Good Omens.

Also, it's just. Really weird to me that the events of S1 aren't really referenced at all? Like, Adam isn't mentioned, nor is Warlock. I don't expect them to keep track of the humans they met on the airfield for 20 minutes, but none of it is ever specifically referenced as far as I can tell, beyond Crowley threatening Gabriel. Like, I get that it's been a few years, but the pair caused a big enough disturbance that you'd expect some kind of ripples in their supernatural communities.

Promised by the Narrative (Obvious Chekhov's guns that I will be legitimately upset over if they do not go off)

A sincere apology from Aziraphale to Crowley that doesn't come with the expectation that Crowley will come back to him, but because he deserves an apology, even if the choices Aziraphale made were done with good intentions. Aziraphale does not expect forgiveness, and is shocked when Crowley grants it without hesitation.

A clear declaration of love from Aziraphale, which can't be rationalized away by either of them.

An "I'm Sorry" dance between Aziraphale and Crowley, but with greater sincerity and gravity. The most important piece is that they end up dancing together, which signifies a mutual apology and dedication to come together.

Since kissing is on the table, I expect an actual joyful, mutual kiss between these two assholes.

A shared cottage in South Downs.

Predictions/Theories (just some fun thoughts I've had)

When Adam declared that Satan was not his father, he didn't make himself not the antichrist, but accidentally crowned his human dad the King of Hell. Nobody knows this, because Adam doesn't have a good measure for "normal" supernatural situations, and Mr. Young because he's so "normal" that he explains away all the magical bullshit that's started going down.

When Adam declared that Satan was not his father, he erased Satan altogether. However, this left a vacuum in both power and reality. The defection of both Gabriel and Beelzebub only widens that crack. In an attempt to Fix things, reality is warping the story. Crowley has become leagues more powerful between S1 and S2, as the narrative is trying to force him into the role of his previous boss. Aziraphale is unknowingly being pulled into a similar version on the Other Side, perhaps to replace Gabriel or perhaps to replace God herself, who has been fairly absent in all this. The alterations to their memories or past have come about to keep the narrative running smoothly.

When the Metatron asks Nina whether anybody has ever asked for death, he was actually referring to Death, the sole remaining rider of the apocalypse.

If Maggie is indeed a Plot Device, it would be a fascinating exploration of Free Will to see her become aware of this (cue existential crisis), and then fall in love with Nina on her own terms, rather than because she was written that way.

Hastur will be back. Somehow.

The reason why S2 focuses so much on the supernatural characters is because S3 will be about how the events in S1 have changed the political landscape of heaven and hell. Angels are questioning their roles, demons are yearning for something more. It's scaring upper administration, and then the two most reliable folks in employment run away to alpha centauri. Recruiting Aziraphale and getting him back in line prevents him from becoming a martyr, control the range of his influence. The series reasserts its theme of choice and agency by highlighting that Aziraphale and Crowley aren't that special, they've just had the chance to live and grow, and that the others have free will too, if they want it.

The reason why they wanted to separate Aziraphale and Crowley, is not to get Aziraphale on his own, but to get Crowley on his own. He literally stopped time and made a pocket universe in front of Satan last season. He's powerful and dangerous and somebody wants to see that reigned in.

Wishlist (stuff I desperately want to see)

Crowley getting an audience with God and an opportunity to ask his questions, only to refuse to do so because he's found his own Answers and he no longer needs hers

Aziraphale and Crowley growing more into their book incarnations. Aziraphale becomes confident in his sense of morality, which he developed the hard way through millennia on earth besides humanity. He slowly learns what it means to be loved, unconditionally, but also is better at asserting and maintaining his boundaries. Crowley, still anxious and unwinding, works through his fear of abandonment, providing him opportunities to be kind and gentle and nurturing--all traits that he's aggressively hid since being a demon.

Hand holding. I know that Gaiman was referring to Ineffable Bureaucracy, but I still feel like we'd benefit from meaningful hand holding, especially since that got cut from the adaptation of the book.

Shifted focus away from the supernatural shenanigans, and back onto the humans that actually drive the story.

Cameos from S1 characters (if not a more substantial appearance).

The Four Other Riders of the Apocalypse.

Cursed Thoughts (why I shouldn't be allowed a social platform)

Ineffable Bureaucracy turns up in season 3 because Beelzebub got Gabriel pregnant somehow.

#good omens #good omens spoilers #good omens season 2 #good omens s2 #good omens meta #good omens 2 spoilers #good omens 2 theory #good omens 2 analysis #long post #text

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lokiusly · 3 months

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When it comes to the Lokius track reveal, I remember a mix of excitement and just "....huh" .

On one hand, that particular scene frankly seems an odd one to put their ship name on, as Loki and Mobius' relationship really isn't in a very good place at that point.

On the other hand, it's concrete confirmation that Natalie Holt is a shipper like us, and put us in mind of where her focus was when she wrote the song: Mobius' jealousy, and the hurt he felt at Loki's percieved betrayal, after having put so much trust in him.

The fact that she features their relationship so prominently in the music shows how important she believes it is to the plot, and the way things went in S2 just confirms that her instincts were right all along!

Once again Natalie Holt proves she is one of the founding members of the Lokius ship, what an icon. 🥺 if she could throw eggs at Simon Cowell, the whole MCU executive board didn’t stand a chance 💅🏽💃🏽✨

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afterhxurs · 1 year

Text

SOMETHING IN THE WAY.

( @bxdassbanshee FT. R. HALE )

Robyn coughs roughly, cautiously stepping out of the shadows of the woods that separate the burned down Hale Estate from prying humans. He didn’t drink any of that punch Lydia offered around, but she managed to slow him down completely. A blown kiss of Wolfsbane to the face before she stepped out with her car keys--- and then the next second, his skin’s on fire and he could barely breathe. He could’ve shifted in front of their classmates if he didn’t dive into that pool before going on the hunt for the strawberry blonde, his allergies were always an afterthought because he was rarely around the poisonous plant when he was younger. She wasn’t the Kanima, but this girl was just as dangerous now. “...” He can still feel a tingling sensation in his mouth even after spitting out the bits. What does she know? How did she know about werewolves? Did he slip up somewhere? Robinson’s mind began to race to a possible conclusion as he locks eyes with Lydia’s on his old porch, fist clenching as his brows furrowed. Robyn was just starting to get attached to Lydia, he even bought a gift--- Jackson came empty handed. “Lydia,” The Beta forced out, “tell me why I shouldn’t kill you, right now.” He could push his feelings for her aside for answers. The flirting, the on-and-off again hooking up --- it was all smokes and mirrors. He won’t make the same mistakes as Derek did.

#bxdassbanshee #muse: ROBYN HALE #[ TRUST THE INSTINCT: S2 ]

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lunabug2004 · 3 months

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Mike Wheeler Is a Good Leader! That's a Fact! So Why Do the Characters Themselves Seem to Think Otherwise? :(

This is me genuinely asking. We know for a fact that Mike Wheeler is the leader of the party. It's literally been told to us by the Duffers. It's an indisputable fact; he makes the plans, is the first one to know where and when things need to happen, and makes sure the party stays on the right track. He's a great little leader! So why do the party themselves not seem to share this belief, or at least acknowledge Mike's intellect? Examples after the break.

In s1, Mike very clearly takes the leader role from the start, even being the one Hopper chooses to answer his questions. He's the one who starts the search for Will, makes most of the plans throughout the season, and blah blah blah (we've all seen s1 and I'll dive deeper into his leader qualities in my character analyses when I continue them). The Party doesn't seem to notice all of his plans and ideas being true though, and when he tells them they should leave the school in ep8, they don't listen and even argue with him. Next thing they know, the bad guys have found them. Big surprise, Mike was right!

In s2, they seem to acknowledge his role as leader more at the beginning, with the whole asking permission for Max to go trick-or-treating thing. But when he is suspicious about Dart, they don't seem to take his worries to heart. Or when he expresses his worry for Will multiple times and they just blow it off, but then... well, we all know what happens. Right again! And yes, again, the only way they successfully save Will and close the gate are because of (or because of the help of) Mike's plans.

In s3, I think we see more of them actually listening to him plan-wise, like with the sauna test, but then they completely disregard his leader-intellect/instinct about El overusing her powers. Big surprise, Mike's right for the millionth time!

Of course in s4 he's separated from the party so there's not much to go off of there, but I'm sure I could think of more examples of this from the previous seasons if it wasn't so late when I'm writing this.

The point I'm trying to make is that I find it really odd that the party doesn't have more trust in Mike as a leader after he's proven time and time again that it's his role and he plays it very well in the group. I know they always end up following his plans (and they work every time!), but it's not before they disregard everything he's saying at first despite him literally always being right. I seriously can't think of why this is the case, and maybe it's just because they're kids and are gonna question each other, but I thought it'd be interesting to point out since this pattern seems to happen over and over.

Please comment/reblog and tell me your thoughts!

#this came off a lot more petty than i meant it to #i promise I love everyone in the party with my whole heart #i just love mike the most #mike wheeler #mike wheeler appreciation #mike wheeler defender #mike wheeler defense squad #stranger things #byler #<— target audience #mike wheeler is the best leader #try to change my mind #(you can't)#Jay's saying stuff :)#Jay's talking ST <3

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