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#Season 4 Review
filmmarvel · 7 months
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Sex Education Season 4 Review
Unfortunately it wasn’t as good as the others. It’s less that it was bad or that I didn’t enjoy it, and more that it sort of failed in its duties as a finale. I really liked the finale, it wasn’t until I finished it that I was left like… that’s it?
Starting with the Pros: I’m glad they had the sense to end it here. This season has gotten hated on pretty hard so far, which makes sense, but isn’t quite deserved. Even though it wasn’t as good as it COULD’VE been, it was still good! In particular, Aimee, Eric, and Adam had wonderful and satisfying arcs which I found quite compelling and felt like a lovely send off to each of their characters. Maeve’s ending, despite being a point of controversy, was fitting. She had a difficult but moving season, and her destiny was always to be a writer. As disappointing as it is that she doesn’t end up with Otis, I thought the writers justified it quite well. It would’ve simply felt wrong for her to stay back in Moordale just for Otis. She was always going to get out.
This brings me to the Cons. I have to say, my biggest disappointment with this season has to be Otis himself. Being the lead character, I really wish they would’ve chosen a more personal storyline with more depth to it to send off his character. Instead, they had him acting like a child the whole season. He’s the primary character and yet he has the least interesting, least sympathetic, least moving storyline. It was all about his relationships with Maeve, Ruby, and Eric, and his competition with O. Nothing really about him. They didn’t give enough closure as to how his future looks- he’s no longer the school sex therapist, which is disappointing. He agreed to think about working with O, but that’s all, and that isn’t the most satisfying conclusion. They left him in a very nondescript place. Additionally, many former cast members weren’t in this season. As a result, I felt that there were a number of missed opportunities. My other big complaint is, predictably, the change in setting and new cast of characters. I really didn’t love the new school. I don’t think I need to elaborate on that too much, it was just kind of over the top in a way that felt misplaced and unrealistic. As for the new characters, most of them weren’t bad, they were just unnecessary. The one character I did have an issue with was O, who was a rather grating presence. Which I don’t think was something all that good for a finale. I didn’t find her character at all interesting or sympathetic. She was really annoying, and didn’t grow on me at all over the course of the season.
To sum things up, I wish the writers had just focused on the characters they had already. The new characters weren’t as interesting (naturally), and I thought the season could’ve benefitted from more of a personal journey for the characters we already know and love- such as Otis, Jackson, Ruby, or Viv. When a show ends, I always really like to have some closure on where each of the characters are headed in the future, such as new passions, future relationships, careers, etc. While again, they did a lovely job with this with a few characters, there were a lot of characters who just left me unsatisfied (namely the aforementioned 4). I enjoyed the ending, but it left me feeling like a lot of precious time was wasted with new characters and misplaced storylines. It didn’t feel as though the writers quite understood how important this season was, and failed to treat certain characters with the care they deserved.
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cocogum · 2 months
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Let’s TALK about episodes 9 and 10 people… (part 2)
PART 1 : HERE
(‼️SPOILERS FOR SEASON 4‼️)
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And of course, we got Qilby who’s finally got the eliatrope dofus back and left the chat. I liked how he was talking to Shinonome tho even if she was still in their shared dofus. This taught me that even if one sibling is alive, they can still communicate with their twin in their dofus.
And here we go again with Qilby wanting to make A NEW ELIACUBE. Only this time, he’ll name that one the “Eliasphere”.
Because of this, it was finally confirmed that Lokus was a mechasm. And it all makes perfect sense now.
When Qilby finally reached Lokus’ heart, we get flashes and quick imageries of those very same mechasms. When we pause on every single one of them, we get to see these:
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(I love how these mechasms kinda look like biblical angels tho lol)
Yeah, we’re screwed.
And then we’re back with Yugo and my god he keeps convulsing so much I’m so confused as to how he can keep talking so normally after all this.
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I didn’t even try to screenshot this at a good angle, this is exactly what happened when I just took it. It’s perfect.
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ALSO CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS SHOT?!? I know how some of us have seen this scene as a preview for the episode but I just LOVE how good this looks. The colors and the vibe are sending me!! I still also remember how people used to theorize on who this could have been lying down in front of Toross back when we didn’t know it was Yugo. I heard things like Amalia, Nora, Yugo obviously, and even Efrim. Those were some fun times…
Bro. I can’t stop staring.
I know he’s going through hell right now but like….damn he’s built. He’s such a slut.
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*clears throat*
😩❤️‍🔥💖🎶DADDY’S HOME🎶💖❤️‍🔥😩‼️‼️‼️
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I believe his growth and powers should get elevated to fight stronger opponents which is why I am happy that he grew 🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢 I only want the best for him after all 🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢
Yugo just accepted death when you think about it. When Oropo explained to him what the necromes would do and what would become of him, Yugo was lost yes but he accepted it. He welcomed it even. Right after that, we see him fighting with Bouillon and smiling. He’s smiling when he shouldn’t be. But because Oropo told him he’d make him stop thinking about the outside world, he’s smiling. The slow process of his death was currently happening and Yugo couldn’t do a thing.
That’s what frustrates me but makes me admire Yugo. It’s the fact that he always gets so close to death but when he learns that there’s finally nothing he can do about it, he just accepts it.
I think that’s pretty respectable but….
WHY DO U THINK LIKE THAT?!?!?
Honestly he can be even dumber than Dally sometimes.
He’s such a dummy THAT HE’S SMILING LIKE A DUMBASS CHILD WHILE FIGHTING BOUILLON
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I just-
I can’t handle his smugness stop.
STOP!!!
But in all seriousness tho I gotta address Nora.
Because omg Nora.
I genuinely feel so horrible for her.
She spent thousands of years searching for her mother with Efrim. She spent so many years of her life looking for her mother and never gave up. She almost lost the connection and then got it back and when she finally found her, she lost Efrim, then went with her mother and has done nothing else but listen to her mother, give out orders for her, and try to be the center of the family circle so she could keep its balance.
She has realized that she will no longer be able to be reborn like her other siblings and will eventually stay stuck in her dofus for all eternity. She is aware that when she dies, she won’t be remembered by her other siblings and her place in the council of six will fade away as if all those thousands of years spent with them happened for nothing. The only one who will remember her will be Qilby who will think of her as the long-lost sister none of the others remember and will ever get to meet her. She will disappear in the face of the krosmoz and will never come back.
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As if things couldn’t get any worse, she gets tricked by Efrim and gets statufied so that her powers can be used by Toross whenever he wants to. Her situation became ironic, even laughable too. Because now, instead of dying and not being able to go back to her dofus, she is physically incapable of moving and will forever be used by Toross. No matter the outcome, Nora can’t come back to her dofus. Compared to Yugo, Toross doesn’t let out a tear at his action inflicted on Nora and instead thanks her. Nora’s last memory of all of this is Toross telling her how the world will have nothing but hunger.
“You can't do this! Have mercy! Don’t make me responsible for the end of the world!”
In the end, her last word was her brother’s name.
Nora deserved more.
All she had done as of now was help others and try to fix what she could. She never stopped to think about what she could’ve done for herself.
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That Qilby vs Lokus fight is just *chef’s kiss*
“My brother, my king.”
Qilby is a real legend.
Now some people might wonder why his death was considered a sad one when he can just die, get reborn, and not lose any of his memories. While that is technically true, he’s not losing anything. And that’s exactly why it’s sad. Qilby can’t lose anything no matter what he does. Which is why he had no trouble dying. If dying meant helping Yugo find some way to obtain Lokus’ heart, then he’d do it. Unlike his siblings, he’s the only one able to confidently have that mindset and say it’s nothing to worry about. He did it for his king so that like he told Yugo:
“I hope that when we wake up, the planets will still be here.”
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And this is why Yugo cried for him.
Despite being rejected over and over again, despite being called a traitor, despite being called a monster and a killer, Qilby stayed true to himself even until the end. Qilby’s sense of wonder and curiosity, the very same things that had made him look like a freak to Yugo, is what saved his king.
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kafiguas · 2 years
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Istg this better not happen
Edit: GODDAMMIT
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I just finished my (???) rewatch of season 1 and I’m restarting season 4 and I genuinely think I have developed a narrative that explains the supernatural elements and it started because I WAS GOING THROUGH MY BOOKSHELF TODAY FOR INSPO TO WRITE THIS FUCKING FIC AND I OPENED A BOOK I HAVE NEVER READ— WHICH I BOUGHT IN A CREEPY SECOND HAND STORE YEARS AGO BTW— AND UPON SKIMMING I OPENED TO A PAGE WITH A HORNED GOD
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AND THEN I STARTED RESEARCHING AND I SWEAR TO GOD I HAVE A THEORY I SWEAR TO GOD IM ON SOME SHIT RIGHT NOW IM PROCESSING BY SPEWING NONSENSE AT MY FRIEND BUT I SWEAR ITS GONNA MAKE SENSE
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sarasade · 2 months
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Since I've been complaining about YouTube criticism a lot lately here is some positivity for a change: Here are some of my fave TDP YouTube videos. These creators would probably appreciate getting more eyeballs on their work. (listed from newest to oldest):
The Genius of the Dragon Prince
by wordswith dragons
A GREAT analysis of the the over all themes of TDP with an unique and well thought out perspective.
Viren’s Dream Analyzed: Claudia Witnessed Viren Seal Kapp’Ar - The Dragon Prince Theory
by Angeles Lunamoth
a really fun & cute theory channel. I'm not a lore person so I don't know if the theories are correct per se but speculation is fun anyway. (Also it's funny to me that this person didn't know what Twin Peaks is. Like yeah it's not the most relevant thing to reference.)
The Dragon Prince Is an Amazing Mess.
by XeroLmao
Don't let the title fool you it's mostly a very positive and humorous video. This is the most genuinely funny long-form TDP commentary video I've seen so far.
The Music of The Dragon Prince - Season 1 (themes & analysis) &
The Dragon Prince Music Analysis - S2 and S3
by Spelonberry
As someone who doesn't get music at all I didn't expect to like these videos this much! It's rare to see someone analyse a non-musical show's OST in such detail. it made me appreciate TDP's music even more. I can't believe I didn't notice that the Mirror theme/Aaravos' theme sounded so diffenrent because it's the only song in the OST that has piano in it.
The Dragon Prince: Why Fans Love Aaravos But Hate Viren
by Cartoon Junkies
the title made me giggle :)
How The Dragon Prince Captures the Spirit of ATLA
by Mother's Basement
A great video essay about the themes of grief and death in TDP. Once again a very unique perspective to analyse the show from. It's just so satisfying when someone puts together a really good argument, you know? I'm kind of tired of the ATLA comparisons after hearing them for over 5 years though. TDP itself really leans into them so what can you do.
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I love VogJam too but he's VERY critical so his channel might not be for everyone. I'll gladly listen to any negative crit as long as the person doing it is funny and he's pretty damn hilarious. I don't mind hearing harsh critique of TDP at all like people do make good points.
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asteriass · 10 days
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I will not deny, due to being busy and procrastinating, I’m a week late to starting the new Black Butler season, but now I have and I can confidently say I love the adaptation
The visuals are SO GORGEOUS overall I recently found out the storyboards & direction for the ending theme were done by artist okazakiokaa and as usual they delivered! A great fan of their work(≧∇≦)
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The opening theme and the foreshadowing and symbolism in it were also well done. The contemptuous look Ciel has right at very end… he looks so cool 🥹
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As I was watching, the scenes with the stained glass for the P4 kept catching my eyes. The details for each of them look emaculate!
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This entire sequence in Ep 2 was originally just official artworks for the manga, but I like how cloverworks utilized it for the recap scene. The paint-like style they went for it looks amazing too
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The character designs & general art direction are a mixture between Yana Toboso’s current art style & also Cloverworks adding their own flare and honestly I like how everyone looks!
[Perhaps in another world I would’ve been an Edgar simp…]
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[THE iconic scenes]
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[I can not deny, Maurice’s visuals are on point. Too bad this winsome face masks a wicked character]
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[As I was watching I suddenly remembered that as a kid I used to simp for Harcourt lmao 😭. I can’t say my preferences for designs have changed… I still lean towards this haircut and blonde characters 😓
Anyway… I feel so bad him, especially given the… tragedy he is subjected to later on 😭]
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[I look forward to Soma’s scenes ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶. Tho I predict a bittersweet feeling enveloping my heart in the coming episodes ❤️‍🩹]
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All in all, the Public School arc is one of my top faves and I very much enjoy the adaptation so far. Cloverworks did an amazing job and it’s clear a lot of hard work has been put in to adapt the source. I look forward to the rest!
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loneswaggingranger · 7 months
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So... my thoughts on the latest season of Sex Education is a little... jumbled, but overall I give it, like, a 7/10. Here's just some of the parts that I liked and disliked (rmb that this is just my interpretation of watching it and is no way conclusive against other interpretations)
Spoilers below!
Likes
I like that Cavendish is kind of a turn-tables situation where queer/left-wing-progressive ppl are at the top of the social food chain. It realistically shows how even in a space where discrimination of any kind is prohibited, there will still be complex issues that need to be discussed, e.g., toxic positivity, accessibity issues etc.
I also like Eric's whole storyline of finding himself with God. I'm not religious or anything, but I feel his storyline are going to empower a lot of religious queer people.
Adam is always a favourite. His actor just brings so much to the table and his performance is always outstanding. His closure scene with Eric was 💖💖
I love that the show confronts Otis' standing of privilige and how he's sidelined his friendship with Eric. I also like how the main relationship that got repaired was his and Eric's. It's nice to see platonic friendships take the center stage over romantic ones.
I love that Maeve and Otis show how an amicable breakup, still full of love, can be. It shows that if you love someone, you'll love them enough not to hold them back.
Maeve's funeral speech, and her scene conversing with Jean at the dining table made me weepppppp.
I also loved the different ways of grieving the show shows with Maeve and Sean. Sean was clearly in pain, and as the older one, he'd probably seen a bit more shit than Maeve. And he was valid for not wanting to do the funeral because of the pain his mother caused him. But also, Maeve's wish to honour her mother one last time was commendable as well. She remembers the good AND the bad of her mother, and that's just really big of her.
I loved the scene with her telling her professor that a teacher's word holds a lot of power.
I love Maeve's arc entirely basically.
Dislikes
O's entire character was... problematic. Like she did quite a number of problematic things that weren't addressed in the storyline at all. Like she presses her way into other's vulnerabilities without them giving her explicit consent. She looks at things that by all terms, should have been left strictly confidential (Jean's paper about Otis, for example) and then brings it up as if it were a completely okay thing to do. I really wanted to like her, like I see where she was coming from and she has really cool style and she's the only East Asian rep for the show. Just, as an East Asian person watching this (though I'm not from the UK), it just felt very othering that the ONLY East Asian rep in the show had to be played against the main character. I didn’t like her because she was the story's antagonist to the main character. If there were other East Asians in the series, I might have felt better about it but like, O being the only one, and also being a problematic character just leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
I really think Adam's storyline could have been integrated more into the Cavendish storyline. Coz right now his just feels like it's hanging on the side with no real connection to the main plot. I love his horses tho.
The show should really have stuck with its existing characters rather than broadening the scope to... Jo, for example. Anwar and Olivia could have been explored. Idk what went on behind the scenes but like, for a final season, shifting the main focus to the main cast and just a couple new ones should have been enough. I love that it's working to be diverse and inclusive, but jam-packing so many different experiences into one last season just felt... jarring for the season's ending.
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loveandthings11 · 1 year
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Arian said Stewy said to Kendall “do you remember what your dad did to you as a kid? I was there.” And it was cut.
I might never sleep again.
Arian Moayed for The Prestige TV Podcast
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Now now, Geoffrey, she's much nicer than anyone you live with...
Serenity's skills after Week One:
KNITTING 6 PAINTING 4 CHARIMSA 3 COOKING 2 GARDENING 2 ENTREPRENEUR 2
Also unlocked the INSPIRED EXPLORER trait, which will help her build up skills - and grab some more collectibles (her main means of making simoleons). The GEEK trait is actually so good for that, who knew? Not me. Just add that to FREEGAN my next Rag to Riches challenge and I'll be set in no time.
Cheats Used:
1. FreeRealEstate to buy an empty lot in Brindleton Bay. 2. Aspirational cheat because the last on the second stage ('Knit While Listening To Music') wasn't getting checked off, even though Serenity did it.
(Picture of the updated house + some ramblings below).
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Okay, I admit it. SEASONS, I've underestimated you for far too long.
Previously I've advised people that if they can only choose one expansion pack, get CATS & DOGS - because pets! Why not pets? Also new world! Buut adding seasons, holidays and the variety in harvestables makes the game feel so cyclic and really like the passage of time is a thing.
While I personally would still pick pets, I have to concede that SEASONS simply gives you more to do. If you're not all that into animals and won't pursue the vet career, I can see it being kind of niche, even though to me it's still an essential.
And while Brindleton Bay is gorgeous, the two base game worlds (I don't count Newcrest) still give you a lot of explorable areas and interesting NPCs - and other than being set in New England rather than the US South, it isn't vastly different in feel. The only NPCs from CATS & DOGS that really stand out are the Heckings (because d'aww) and Catarina Lynx - although not in a good way (such a lazy stereotype, EA). When you compare that to CITY LIVING and COTTAGE LIVING (the Crumplebottoms, everyone!), both those packs give you more colourful characters - and a world that feels more like a community, imo.
PARENTHOOD is essential for family gameplay. In terms of build it has surprisingly good items (including a kitchen set, and usually base game kitchens are the bane of my existence) and the CAS will actually make your teenagers look as such. Parenting is also a skill that allows your Sim to directly influence your spawn's behavior and while sometimes (as with the Sims game mechanics as a whole) the phases can be Extra, they are also hilarious. Plus children and teens have the opportunity to earn bonus traits when aged up (good manners, responsible etc) which otherwise can't be acquired.
NIFTY KNITTING in my opinion had the best gameplay mechanic out of all the stuff packs (although PARANORMAL with mediumship and the new investigator role is also solid). And it even gives you a whole new aspiration! There are so many items you can unlock only through knitting, Sims with a decent skill level can teach others how to knit and it also helps children build up their motor skill. It also unlocks Plopsy as a means to make money. Yeah, it is kind of frustrating that much in CAS particularly is locked initially, but to me that means increased playability.
So yeah, obviously personal taste and what you're interested in playing varies a lot from one Simmer to another. But if you are a new player (after trying the free BASE GAME beforehand), I'd pick SEASONS, PARENTHOOD and NIFTY KNITTING. Please please wait for a sale - or if you just can't, grab the three of them in a bundle from the online store.
Finally I realised that the poll results aren't yet viewable to me - this should be exciting :D
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vani-is-typing · 11 months
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Devi Vishwakumar's journey has been a wacky one with statistically there being more downs than ups for her, but I believe I don't regret being there for all of it.
Yes there were a shockingly stupid number of moments when I wanted to drown in a pail or choke myself or wished to be put into a medically-induced coma so I wouldn't have to deal with the sheer second-hand embarrassment that came from seeing her high school years play out before me; but these moments are also the ones that have kept me entertained and always anticipating for what will happen next season.
It's bittersweet to see the chaos of Devi's life, and that of her friends and family and foes, come to an end. It's also hopeful. I mean, if Devi can manage to figure her shit out, so can I.
Right?
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normalaboutitpod · 10 months
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our clown shoes are still squeaking for nandermo btw
from our review of s4, ep 3. listen to our season 4 wwdits reviews before the season 5 premiere next thursday! also available on youtube, apple, and wherever you get your podcasts!✨
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filmjunky-99 · 1 year
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s t a r t r e k d e e p s p a c e n i n e created by rick berman, michael piller [crossfire, 4ep12] 'Review of the Criminal Activity Report'
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cocogum · 2 months
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Let’s TALK about episodes 9 and 10 people… (part 1)
PART 2 : HERE
(‼️SPOILERS FOR SEASON 4‼️)
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If you thought episodes 7 and 8 had so much to talk about (cuz I sure did), then episodes 9 and 10 destroyed my mind.
….
I am so tired.
We begin with a small recap of what happened last episode and it’s honestly very nice and heartwarming of Ankama to remind us that Yugo will get his ass handed to him in a few minutes.
BRO LOOK AT HOW THEY’RE DRAGGING HIM ON THE DIRTY FLOOR LIKE THAT!!
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The level of disrespect these thirsty hoes have for him is immeasurable. Even if Yugo’s not a kid, the fact that the necromes didn’t hesitate to tie him up like that and sacrifice him like a lamb is jaw-dropping. It really makes you understand that they don’t give a shit if you’re an actual kid, they will hang you up like a roast beef for dinner.
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Bro’s asking as if he just got here.
Also, how do you think that fall must’ve felt like? Cuz when Toross yeets him, Yugo takes a massive fall only to get his body slammed into the pavement when he gets tied up.
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He gets to fall even faster because of the stasis ropes pulling him down too.
You can even hear the loud slam when he hits it. That must’ve hurt like a bitch.
Btw I love how even after all that, Adamaï and Amalia still don’t trust Qilby even when he saved them from the necrome world.
Adamaï thinks he was an idiot for not using the eliatrope Dofus and…he’s right? Cuz my guy…ur scared of ruining things if you use the dofus but what are you gonna ruin in a place WHERE THERE’S NO WAKFU????
Sometimes I can’t tell whether or not that guy’s okay in his head. Like is he blind or something? You can clearly tell that the necrome world is completely deserted and has no actual life, Amalia even CONFIRMS IT for you, Toross is literally using his dofus in his world of nothing, AND it’s also literally known as the gods’ garbage bin.
No wonder you get slapped around so much, you’re stupider than Yugo!!
I never in my life thought that I’d eventually get to see Qilby booping Amalia’s nose.
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And I don’t know if I should like it or if I should fear it.
Man literally booped her as if she was a kid. But then again, he IS a millennial years old so it would explain why he’d treat her like a fetus.
In a way, he really CAN see her as a kid who doesn’t know what the hell she’s talking about.
But like-
I never imagined this happening???? Not even in a trillion chances 😀😀
BUT WHAT CONFUSES ME EVEN MORE IS THIS :
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I get that Amalia annoyed him when she said he STILL couldn’t be trusted but what do you mean by “artificial”??? I’m still confused about that.
MY QUEEN NORA AND HER GAY ASS IS BACK WITH HER SHENANIGANS GURL WE SEE U !!
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You can’t tell me this scene ain’t gay 😭😭
The way she grabbed her was so sudden, it made my heart jump!! And Amalia just goes with it like a damsel in distress being protected by her knight 🥰🥰 My noramalia senses detected that shit from a mile away, you ain’t getting away!!!
That torture scene tho should’ve taken longer ngl. But Okoo being the kid that they are decided “hell nah”. It’s still a shame really but at least we got what we needed.
Also, lemme just say something about this torture scene real quick.
Not only does Yugo get sucked the living out of him, but he just got BODY SLAMMED FROM AT LEAST 290 FEET on LITERAL PAVEMENT so now his back is completely obliterated, he keeps CONVULSING, TWITCHING, and GETS HIS BONES BREAKING TO GROW LONGER ONES-
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He’s feeling all that WHILE getting sucked to death. My god. I wanted to see more of that.
The only reason why he didn’t turn out ballistic was cuz Oropo was keeping him busy in his head. He literally told him that he’ll make him fight just to not think about it.
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And even though Oropo does hate him (but calmed down a bit once he reunited with Yugo), he told him that even he doesn’t deserve all of this. Can you imagine the one who caused so many calamities and was ready to kill the gods because he hates you telling you that even you don’t deserve this?? It just shows how kinky this Toross guy is.
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hamliet · 11 months
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Never Have I Ever... Been So Grateful For a Show
Well, NHIE finished strong after the fourth season got off to a rocky start. The first three episodes were... messy, honestly, but then the story picked up steam. By the time we got to the final two episodes I was bawling pretty much the full way through.
NHIE also continued to flex its mature understanding of nuance, its appreciation for cultural differences, and its determination to keep its characters flawed and realistic. And including a game of Never Have I Ever in the finale? Fab.
All in all, it's a great ending to a great show. I loved it.
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Ben and Devi
I've seen people complaining that the end relationship was predictable, or that Devi should be single, and kindly: no. <3
It fit Devi's character to end up in romantic love with someone, because the entire show has been about love for her. Love for her family, love for those who have died, love for her friends, love for her mentors, and yes, romantic love in all the aspects that entails (physical, intellectual, emotional).
The other thing that I think is beautiful about their relationship is that they both push each other in all these ways--physical (obviously), emotionally (Ben's final realization in New York was chef's kiss), and intellectual. They both get to go to their dream schools in part because of each other. Not only have they been pushing each other to excel since before the show started, but Devi helps Ben finish his schoolwork, and Ben encourages Devi to write that final letter to get into Princeton.
Ben's early acceptance to Columbia, which seemed a given given, well, his father and nepotism (I appreciated the show behind upfront about this), ultimately still almost gets sabotaged by his own repressing of other aspects of his life (which parallels Paxton, Blair Quan, and more, and isn't exactly new--see Ben's physical issues last season). This contrasts him with Devi, whose self-sabotage is always doing too much too suddenly. She's been trying so hard all along, but sometimes you need a final cheer to push you over the finish line.
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Ben and Devi, Ethan and Margot
Ethan is dark!Ben. Margot is dark!Devi. On paper it's great.
Except... Margot was really, really annoying. I'm sorry, I found nothing remotely redeeming about her. Ethan at least served a purpose. The reason I think the first three episodes are so rough is that they focus on Margot but seem to not know what to do with her. But more about that later on.
Ben's speech about why he chooses to be with Margot in the first episode is well done and shows how much growth he still has to do. Because an essential part of love--of a mature kind of love and relationship--is that you are challenged to become a better version of yourself. Ben and Trent, in episode 2, shy away from this. Trent breaks up with Eleanor because he's afraid she'll break up with him, and he wants to do it first. Ben stays with Margot because she offers him superficial challenges, but nothing substantial in terms of his flaws.
That said, Devi making peace with Margot (numerous times) was narratively necessary because, of course, Margot's kind of a literary shadow (just not really well done). It also showed how much Devi's grown.
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Trent + Eleanor
Trent's character is also really well done. That's how you deepen a comedic character. (Ethan was also dark!Trent in some ways; hence, Eleanor's crush on him.) Yeah, Trent's a stoner and not so bright. But, he loves Eleanor. He adores her, and he wholeheartedly believes in her. It's heartwarming to see.
I wasn't surprised they broke up early on, but was relieved they got back together. I think it was a funny inversion of what you'd expect, because El moving on to bigger and better things seemed like a natural progression. Yet, as the scene with El's mom showed... that's not what bigger and better is for Eleanor.
Yes, Eleanor still wants to grow. Yes, she still wants to be an actress and a director, and she's good at it.
But she doesn't want to leave her family and loved ones behind.
Eleanor knows what it's like to be left behind. And obviously it's not the same to leave a teenage boyfriend as to leave your own child like her mom. But, Eleanor ending up back with Trent was, frankly, narratively perfect for both their characters. Because Trent was helping her in her growth, and always had been from Season 3.
I also think they handled Eleanor's dreams and her complicated mother relationship well. The dream itself, even if it is far-fetched, even if it is unlikely to happen, is not bad. Pursuing it also is, in fact, positive (they paralleled this with Devi's dreams of Princeton). But, one of the best parts of dreams? Is the people you meet along the way, the people who cheer you on. It's a metaphor for life.
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Paxton (and Lindsay)
Paxton's arc I think is one of the best in the series. I loved his journey from boy who was considered "hot guy" who sucked at school to the point where it was comic becoming a teacher. The episode where he helped Eric join the swim team was actually really powerful.
And, I didn't even roll my eyes when Devi told him he was an even better friend than boyfriend. On paper it's a cliche line, but it totally works within the characters' arcs (and of course the actors' portrayals!). Lindsay also seemed like much more than just a consolation prize to the guy who ends up outside the triangle--their relationship paralleled his with Devi, and quickly got me invested.
His final advice to Devi: "don't reinvent anything" also fits really well, because when Paxton at first refused to be Devi's boyfriend it was because Devi's image wasn't acceptable after the two-timing thing. Then, Devi's anxiety during their public relationship, the anxiety that actually ruined their romance, was because she didn't think she fit with Paxton or "made any sense" with him. But, she does fit with him. As a friend, and as herself.
Blair Quan + College
Blair Quan was also dark!Paxton--someone who lost themselves because they were always the Best in high school. The best student, the most popular. And then at college, everyone was the Best. And suddenly you're nothing.
The situation with Blair Quan was really realistic for how college can be for people, and in how the show (admittedly briefly) addressed the fundamental unfairness of college admissions. I work in higher ed, and... it's not fair. Nothing about it is fair. Professor Warner telling Devi outright that she "should have" gotten into all the Ivies actually meant a lot to me, because it's true.
For any readers of this who are applying to schools, there's a degree to which your merit matters, and there's a degree to which it's up to sheer luck. If they reject you, it's almost certainly not because you're not on par with other applicants. Hard work does not get you into prestigious schools. That's a lie. It gets you to a point, but it also gets a lot of other people to that same point, and then there is nothing at all you can do. It's up to luck.
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Fab (and Addison. Kind of).
Fab's arc was interesting, but I feel like it peaked in season 2. I did like her conflict this season though, particularly with messing up about lying to Devi. The scene where she and Devi reconcile was beautiful, and the show handled it really well--giving empathy for Fab as for why she kept it a secret, while also pointing out that the lying was the fact greater problem than the initial applying.
The negative is that... I like Addison, but I wanted more. It kind of sucks that the queer character is the one whose romance doesn't come with two complex characters getting development. And sure, Fab isn't as important as Devi, Ben, or Paxton, but the fact that they wrote a compelling romance between Trent and Eleanor and gave Trent some damn deep character development despite him being a comedic character shows they were more than capable of writing a complex character romance for Fab. Addison is really just... kinda there, and we get no development for them at all.  Which sucks because I would like to have learned more about them! They had potential, especially as a parallel to Trent!
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Nalini and Andres
Nalini and Andres were a little more out of left field... that said, Nalini clearly has a type! She likes guys whom she argues with first. I still preferred the hot doctor from Season 2, but that had less to do with Andres and more to do with the fact that I found Margot so irredeemably annoying. Still, I appreciated Andres' growth in realizing that he'd been spoiling Margot by catering to her every whim. This was itself a nice contrast to Nalini, who hurts Devi by being too hard on her.
That was especially a flaw in the early seasons, but Season 4 really showed how much Nalini has grown. She does mess up with her response to the college debacle, so her flaws are still there, but she's so much better than in Season 1. For example, Devi lashing out at her mom after she got deferred was irrational; Nalini really didn't deserve any of that, and yet Nalini still met Devi where she was at: with a chip salad, addressing her fears. It was heartwarming.
Even when Nalini then does mess up with the "stupid" comment, we know she didn't mean it in the same way Devi fears she did (that that's all she can be, rather than that yes, Devi did a dumb thing). When she comes to help Devi pack, it's genuinely heartwarming. I honestly think Nalini and Devi's relationship is one of the best in the show, if not the beating heart at the center of it.
Pati and Len
Now, Pati. Pati and Lens' relationship parallels Kamala's romantic drama--not just with Manish in Season 3, but also with Steve in Season 1. Pati is also very clearly where Devi gets her drama from, and I stan.
I also liked the parallels between Len and Pati and Ben and Devi. They are both Indian-Jewish couples, and Pati and Len's wedding of course marks a grand romance for them... and a grand romantic gesture for Ben, who arrives to tell Devi he loves her.
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Kamala (and Manish)
Kamala's arc this season was good as well; I just wish we had seen more Manish than just in the finale. Still, at least Manish did have an arc in the previous season. Though, it was a nice twist to have Kamala's arc be not about romance, but about her career.
Where Art Thou?
I also missed some other side characters, like Rebecca Hall-Yoshida and Jonah.
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Margot & Aneesa
The overall show was filled with callbacks to past seasons that were really well utilized, in that they showed the character's growth. Unfortunately, in one instance, this came back for the worse when they repeated one of their biggest writing mistakes from Season 2.
Devi is, simply put, absolutely not morally responsible for reporting Margot to have lied about her alibi for vandalism. Yeah, Margot ultimately didn't do it--but Devi didn't do anything wrong by reporting that. In fact, the principal should have actually done her job and checked the alibi with the teacher; it's like 101 common sense.
Clearly this is a callback to Aneesa (the episode even has Devi reclaiming the nickname "crazy Devi," which started there). However, the shame is that the writers didn't learn from how they bungled the Aneesa plotline, and they did. Here again they hold Devi responsible for something she frankly is not morally in the wrong for. The show also mentions the Aneesa incident and calls Devi "a liar and a bully" for it, but she objectively didn't lie? And frankly Aneesa bullied Devi more than Devi bullied her and was never called out for it.
While I think it's a flaw, it COULD theoretically work from a psychoanalytic theory in that really all that Devi can control is herself. She can't force others to do what she wants, even if it's unfair. And that's part of maturing is realizing that (and it's not the same thing as selfish focus). You can't control the world, even when it's unfair and even when other people are frankly wrong.
I did like more or less how Margot was resolved in the end; namely, that she was not there among Devi's friends at the end. I also liked that Aneesa did defend Devi in the final episode from someone mocking her about the Clean Sweep. It just would've matter more if Aneesa's actions had ever been addressed.
The Principal + Professor Warner
Also, while in general the show is great in its portrayal of teachers and satire of other teachers, the principal sucks and she's not actually funny. She acts like another teenager, but unlike some of the other teachers/adults who are framed well, she's framed as being more or less fine instead of with the critical lens of the others. And she isn't.
Professor Warner stands in stark contrast, because she is wise even though flawed. The principal is just... awful. I'd never liked her, but this season made me hate her.
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The Therapist + Grief
Now that I've gotten my salt out of the way, let's end with a positive and a theme.
The therapist's final session with Devi in the penultimate episode--I bawled.
“When I first met you, you were a closed-off, angry little thing... But look at you. Look how far you’ve come. You faced your trauma, and you came out on the other side.” 
They used this to emphasize the show's main theme: grief. Despite how this quote makes it sound, the show doesn't actually frame grief as something to move on from. Instead, it's something that accompanies you.
Grief is like chasing a dream. Grief is part of life. It is love itself, but a painful part of it, and grief never, ever stops. You never "get over" someone's loss. You never stop loving them.
But, you learn to see them around you, and in you. In the dreams you planted together, like Devi's dad telling her about Princeton. In the loved ones you shared, like how Devi yells at her imagination of her father that he's not here, but then Nalini arrives to help her pack.
Just because someone's gone doesn't mean they stop influencing you, or stop being a part of your life.
There will always be moments of pain, like Devi in the final episode with the imagination of her dad. But, there will also be moments of feeling them again.
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littlealeta · 2 years
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Rick hugging and rubbing Morty’s hair is an adorable callback to the scene in M. Night Shaym-Aliens. Even better that this isn’t a simulation, this is the real Morty that Rick is doing this to. I know some people were thinking that he was testing to see if Morty was a simulation but I theorized that the reason he was acting weird in the simulation episode was because he knows this Morty isn’t real so he’s able to let his guard down. Now he’s comfortable enough to show him the same sort of affection/playfulness without feeling guilty. The scene in the simulation was so heartwarming despite what was going on and I was really hoping to see Rick do this to the actual Morty someday. I also saw a scene in one of the comics where he also kinda did the same thing too? It was at the end of issue #14.
I have problems with some of the directions they’re taking Rick in these last two seasons. I do think they should tone down on his softness but it’s so nice to see him being domestic and showing affection and being playful and happy with his grandkids again. He just seemed perpetually pouty and petulant around them in seasons 3-4 with only like one scene of genuine bonding between them in each season in seasons 3-5.
Also it’s interesting how we’ve had two separate scenes in this season where one half of the duo is trying to hug while the other is stopping them.
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daydreamdoodles · 5 months
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So episode 14. First of all, 20 minute episode. A whole treat. Tbh I figured they'd split the season into an overarching narrative like what I think make s3 so good imo and also the self contained slice of life episodes like what a lot of people seemed to be missing. The story flow was pretty clunky but I did enjoy the time spent on each group and the attempt to transistion through storylines with other characters popping up in the next one.
I liked the stayication concept. I like that we were back with the og girlies and got to see pairings within the friend group that we don't usually see. That was really sweet. I think the concept will give fanfic writers a lot to work with. Both for the characters we saw and the ones we didn't.
Not really a highlight of the episode but I do love how much fuller the school feels. Seeing all the back ground characters that we all actually know.
I do like Amaya being a jack of all trades. it's fun. I wish they'd not push her being so good at everything bc that's not what a jack of all trades is. but it's a kid's show so. + I like them showing the girls have hobbies outside of their main niche. Poppy and Amaya was a super cute duo
Jade and Bella <3
I'm 98% sure that crystal egg is those god awful slime creations MGA is trying to drop again. That plot line was so unserious and that bear thing is ugly I'm sorry
Violet being without her phone had a lot of potential that I think we missed bc of the damn egg crystal. But glad they tried it
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