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#episode 7 is killer

bonnieisaway · 7 months

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Good morning ladies and gentlemen (it's 6:30 pm) guess who's here to overnalayze episode 1 of season 4 of scissor seven that's right ME

Okay okay I think this might actually be my new favorite episode in the series and I love it so much and I was thinking about it last night and talking about it to my friend this morning and I have THINGS!! TO SAY!!! about it

First off: this isn't as important but did anyone else realize that Blackbird was wrong about Seven's ambushes?

Like when Seven initially jumps for Blackbird he grabs Seven's sword and says this but

he's instantly taken off guard five fucking seconds later? And like yeah, this was something Seven could do cause of the Thousand Demon Daggers, but by all means the fact Seven kept DIRECT eye contact with him and took him off guard to make him drop Thirteen makes it seem Seven does think and act faster than Blackbird does. In fact Blackbird fights Seven the exact same way he did Thirteen, he drags both of them out of the clearing and into the forest - though he throttled Seven around A LOT harder - but Seven didn't lose track of Blackbird the way Thirteen did.

Side by side look at how much longer it took Thirteen to get out of his grip and recover - I know Blackbird is arguably more in his element when he's fighting Thirteen but just their reaction times alone, Seven's able to keep up with Blackbird running around him and Thirteen is struggling to keep sight of him. Their main difference is Seven's got much better reaction time and is able to keep up, but he's horrible at actually avoiding getting hit most times. He's so much more aggressive in this fight but also takes twice the beating, Thirteen spends the first half of this fight getting her sides clipped by Blackbird's whip and Seven literally almost gets his whole shoulder ripped out. Seven seems to know what to do a lot quicker and thinks fast compared to Thirteen. Especially since Seven had the opportunity to and realized he could use the light against Blackbird.

And as he does, I mean initially Blackbird can't even react quick enough, given the distance between them it's surprising Seven got this far,

And he changes direction faster than Blackbird can even react to his initial movement!

Blackbird genuinely loses sight of Seven here! And it's not like he couldn't seen Seven, he was perfectly visible and neither of them were facing the sunlight here, but Seven is just faster than Blackbird can react here

And Seven had time to wait here! Of course Blackbird doesn't realize what Seven is doing and turns around, but if Seven had been going to hit Blackbird from behind he would've! Seven spends a solid second or so longer here before Blackbird actually turns around, and Seven is able to move fast enough to blind Blackbird!

SECONDLY and I've actually seen nobody talk about this but Blackbird has his own art style. Not just like, for his flashbacks. Blackbird has his own fucking art style for when he's in control of the fight. And it makes me so mentally ill

I think I've mentioned before early on Scissor Seven is a little inconsistent art style wise, but definitely by the end of season 3 you can really tell they've gotten comfortable with and have settled on a style they like and work well with. And it's absolutely beautiful, which is why I was really confused when this scene was in the trailer:

because this is so clearly not their normal art style. To be specific- the line art is really intentionally sketchy and messy, you can evne tell they used a different brush than they normally do for coloring and line art, and the coloring and shading really has a 'colored sketch' look about it. And it's not bad, I love it! But it's so obviously different from the normal style and in the trailers I was wondering if the style was going to change again, but this is the only time it happens. And I realized why: this is an art style specifically for when Blackbird is in control. Let's go through this fight from this frame:

the moment Thirteen is dropped. So I'm going to go through this by the most important moves or actions they take:

So obviously Blackbird has a real solid grip on Seven here, but also noticeably I feel like Seven doesn't try to do anything with his sword as he's dragged,

But notice despite how far or close they are, every frame is noticeably clear and really just true to the art style this show takes:

but also this sketchy texture and style is a consistent motif in Blackbrid, even if the rest of the style is still how it normally looks,

Now look at the coloring on Blackbird-

and THEN we switch to this sketchy style, which is NOTICEABLY the same as Blackbird's flashbacks but just colored with clearer line art.

This background is still clear but notice even their smear frames are drawn like this, and if you've seen some of my other post this isn't how they normally draw smears, let alone switching brushes and adjusting the entire color palette for it, and this is where the worst part of the fight for Seven starts! This is where he gets hurt!

Which , these genuinely look like the deepest cuts Seven has gotten in a while- and now watch these frames:

NOTICEABLE. FUCKING. DIFFERENCE. The second, the second Seven realizes that he has an opprotunity here and that he can use the light against Blackbird, the art style turns back to normal!

I mean as this fight ends and Blackbird DIES we don't see this again outside of his flashback! The usual sketchy parts of his body change to another texture!

And I just, it makes me so happy that not only have they found an art style they like, and are comfortable with, but are so good with it to a point that they can play with the art style now for story telling elements! And I mean even as Blackbird screams and tries to kill Seven the art style stays, because even if Blackbird can't feel it and we don't know yet, he has definitively lost this battle and this will drain the rest of his energy and kill him before it will kill Seven!

This bird flying away- and Blackbird's last flashback- is the last we see of this art style.

and I just. RAAAAAAH I love this episode. I feel like I could go on more and I might later - I still really wanna know if there's a reason why they put so much emphasis into Seven switching hands when he's using the sword, given he's ambidextrous and it's never been focused on before, I think it might be because he's not using his scissors even though they're near but I'm not really sure. I can't tell if using his scissors over his sword would be more draining given his last attempt at them in season 3 knocked him out cold. GOD this show makes me so fuckin mentally ill

#scissor seven #killer seven #wu liuqi #seven #scissor 7 #RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH #IM SO MENTALLY ILL #RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH #I love them #I love this episode #this show is ruining my braincells /pos #RAAAAAAAAAA #My friend finished s3 todaya nd asked how I survived a year without s4 #The answer: I didnt /j #damn its storming hard rn #hope god isnt tryna strike my ass down

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littleforeignaffairs · 3 months

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Don't talk to me

#a shop for killers #episode 7

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jjongolese · 1 year

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(Spoiler for Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story — up until episode 7, also there’s a bit of a rant)

Disclaimer: Just to let you know that I’m not one of those fangirls that falls in love with serial killers, this is just me simply commenting on a part of the movie. This does not mean that I condone anything that he had done or even justifying what he did. I’m just a normal guy that is very honest about my opinions and just wanted to express that.

I do give my condolences to the families and friends of victims that are affected by Jeffrey Dahmer though.

Update: I just found out that the part that I spoke about with Tony and Jeffrey didn’t actually happen. He basically lured him into his house like literally every other victims. It’s quite sad that Netflix would make a movie out of something that real and is still affecting families and would get some details wrong. I could see why they changed it slightly for the dramatic effects, but this shouldn’t be taken lightly as it should.

Although I am upset that Netflix would do such a thing and not even at least fact check, I will keep my vent up since I did wanted to let it out. Also, I do wanted to make people not feel alone in this since I also really liked them together.

Please note that I didn’t make this post out of disrespect since this is me reacting to a movie adaptation that I watched. Any misinformation, I will address.

—

I can’t be the only one that shipped Jeffrey and Tony together. It had seemed as if he found someone that understands him and would do the same back.

I even loved how when they saw each other they would literally hugged and then their little moments on that date. They were smiling and giggling at each other. I really thought this was when we could finally see that he could find this “missing person” that makes him feel like someone after going through a lot of trauma growing up, especially with the fact that he has been an outcast from his high school class where people would bully him so much that they would literally scribble him out of the yearbook.

Even the part where he didn’t ended up drugging him, I thought that was when he finally realised that he did found this person he was looking for all these years and that he could finally change it up. Or even if he doesn’t change, he could still be partners in crime as they would lure more victims in for threesomes or orgies and then drug them before killing them or something. At this point, I didn’t care. As long as Tony would be alive and be Jeffrey’s boyfriend, that was all I ever wanted, and I’d be so glad to hear that.

Sadly, his anger and detachment issues got the best of him as he still couldn’t get the hint that people has lives and needed to work, so he just murdered him just like that.

The moment I found out that Tony died, my heart sank. This was his best match and all of his interactions with the man was nothing but positive and full of genuine chemistry. I even had to awe so loudly when he kissed him on the cheek or when he managed to get his signs right. I was literally rooting for him, like a cheerleader. I was so glad he was able to have those feelings for him and to even have him decide last minute not to poison his drink like he would always do to his victims. I was so happy for Jeffrey and the fact that he could had possibly found his first actual boyfriend.

I’m still sad as I lay in my room thinking about the events that could occur if he never killed him. You know, like more dates such as a walk in the park with Jeffrey holding a camera so they could take pictures since Tony wanted to be a model, or even a road trip or something. Or even them getting married after gay marriage has finally be legalised where they live. I wanted to see them grow old together and maybe even spend the rest of their lives until they died. Even if they do go behind bars due to murder or anything, I’d still be glad because they would always have each other regardless.

Man… if only he knew that people go to work, just like how he did. However, they would still love him just as much. This guy is so fucked up in the head that he was blinded by his own ignorance. Tony loves him, and he knows that. He just needed to go to work because he needs to get money for himself, just like the fact that he needed to get money just to find an apartment that he could afford. Why can’t he just understand such thing?

Tony really didn’t deserve that treatment from Jeffrey. He gave so much love to him that it even touched his heart and yet he still killed him. All just because he works and took that to heart. The man even had to reassure him that just because he’s not with him doesn’t mean he doesn’t love him. Bless his heart. He died trying to explain to his possibly love of his life that he still loves him even though he’s not with him.

I still cry every time I imagine that scene when he confessed. He’s really a sick man that killed someone as innocent as Tony. I know this is a show, but this is based in real life experiences. I’m still upset now, but I know he’s in a good place somewhere. Jeffrey deserves someone, but not Tony. In fact, it should be nobody at all that would give him that kind of love and then get death returned to them.

Rest in peace, Tony.

#cw spoilers #i was super emotional writing this #must be my hormones #it fucks up when i’m depressed #netflix #netflix show #episode 7 #netflix jeffrey dahmer #jeffreylioneldahmer #jeffrey dahmer #tony hughes #jeff dahmer #serial killer #killer #evil people #murderer #honest opinion #honest question

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invisible-pink-toast · 2 years

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So I could not stop thinking about @herinsectreflection’s idea of Willow and Faith getting together in s7. It’s not something I ever considered but it’s such a galaxy brained take and would work so well for both their character arcs (and make so much more sense then the love interests they both ended up with).

They wrote an analysis (which I would highly recommend), and there’s this one section:

Imagine a version of The Killer In Me where instead of Willow-as-Warren breaking down in front of Kennedy - who has neither any knowledge of the situation nor any connection to the themes of becoming a killer or facing inner darkness - she’s breaking down in front of Faith. Faith who we know has been haunted by the face of the man she killed. Faith who has intimate knowledge of what it’s like to become a killer. Faith who has literal experience of having an emotional breakdown while in the body of her thematic counterpart. Immediately, that scene becomes so much more potent and powerful.

And that made so much sense and I was so mad about what we actually got that I... rewrote the episode with Faith in Kennedy’s place.

Some background:

There’s an important conversation between Willow and Buffy in ‘Bring on the Night’ where Willow says:

Willow: ‘I’m really sorry for letting you down / So I can’t do everything- but I should at least be able to do something. / But you need help, Buffy. I know you, and I know you’ll never admit it, but you need help.’ Buffy: ‘I’ll be okay’

But of course we know that Buffy nearly gets beaten to death later that episode.

So in ‘Showtime’ after Buffy was almost killed by the uber-vamp, I can see Willow telling the team that she wants to go get Faith. Personally I find ‘Showtime’ super boring, so this added subplot could spice it up a little.

Willow wants to help Buffy and is afraid that she’s going to die. She figures if the all-powerful evil is going after slayers, two slayers are better than one. But the other’s aren’t sure - they don’t trust Faith. Spike is gone, Buffy is still recovering even with slayer-healing, and Willow is torn by her friend’s distrust of Faith. She didn’t trust Faith either, but after her own experiences with darkness, she understands Faith better. So she ignores the group and goes to LA herself.

Also they would’ve already given Faith a heads up about the approaching apocalypse and Bringer attacks (probably through Angel - obviously things are different in Angel season 4, they don’t need Faith to help capture Angelus. Not every season has to have some kind of world-ending disaster, so at Angel Investigations it’s business as usual.).

So Willow goes to the prison LA and pleads with Faith to come back to Sunnydale with her. Faith is hesitant, she doesn’t want to hurt people, but she doesn’t want to sit idly by and let people get hurt when she could help. But she’s afraid of what she might do or become back out in the world.

Willow understands this. She gives Faith some (unemotional) insight into what happened the year before, and where Willow’s head is at now. Willow wants to help, but is afraid of herself. Faith gets this, and an understanding passes between them. Willow tells Faith that they need her. She convinces Faith, and Faith breaks through the glass and busts out of prison.

But we need Buffy to face the uber-vamp alone that night so I figure Willow and Faith get side-tracked by Bringer’s attacking the newly escaped slayer. This could also be a cool crossover episode with ATS, which would bring that team in on the fight and set it up for them to show up at the end of the season (because if there’s a world ending fight - should every ally and advantage be there for the fight??)

Anyway - ‘Showtime’ can work pretty much the same, but Dawn takes over Willow’s role (I like the hc that Willow and Tara were teaching Dawn magic, she’s still in the early stages but manages to hold off the uber-vamp long enough for them to escape).

Then at the start of ‘Potential’ - Willow and Faith can show up. Things are awkward, just like in ‘Dirty Girls’ but Faith is determined to help. With the Summer’s home housing a ton of people - Faith takes a cot in Willow’s room.

As for ‘The Killer in Me’ - it’s such an interesting idea, but the whole execution really falls flat. I honestly don’t dislike Kennedy, but she and Willow have no chemistry and almost nothing in common. There’s a reason their conversation at the Bronze is entirely about being gay - it’s the only thing they have in common (and the dialogue is cringe-worthy. very “written by a straight guy”). It feels rushed, like Willow is moving on from Tara way too quickly, and the fact that in the end there’s no closure - Kennedy just kisses Willow again and everything’s “fixed” irks me so much.

So with that, I present the new and improved 7x13 episode ‘The Killer in Me’

(og was written by Drew Z. Greenberg and the transcript is from TV Show Transcripts)

Trailer

GILES (V.O.) Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer:

1 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Dawn's standing in front of the three girls Giles brought with him. The three girls are lined up against the wall, and Dawn's inspecting them, arms crossed in front of her. Willow, Anya, Xander, Buffy and Giles are also in the room, gathered for a pow-wow.

BUFFY The First. That's what it wants.

GILES To erase all the slayers in training and their watchers, along with their methods.

Cut to:

2 EXT. OUTSIDE AN APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT

Holding the young woman in an embrace, Spike rears back in vampire face and sinks his fangs into her neck. He drops the woman to the ground and turns his bloody, fanged face to the camera.

WILLOW (V. O.) Buffy, he's been feeding...

Cut to:

3 INT. BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Spike is sitting in a chair, wrapped in a blanket while the others talk in an adjacent room. Buffy, Xander, Anya, Willow and Dawn are all there. Spike's listening to them.

BUFFY He really didn't know what he'd done. It wasn't in his control.

Cut to:

4 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Xander's explaining his ideas to the gang.

XANDER It's a trigger. It's a brainwashing term. It's how the military makes sleeper agents.

Cut to:

5 EXT. FRONT DOOR AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

Willow answers the front door—it's Amy.

WILLOW Amy.

AMY Can I come in?

WILLOW If you really are my friend, you better stay away from me.

Cut to:

6 INT. THE INITIATIVE SUNNYDALE HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT

Dressed in military garb, Riley Finn talks with Professor Walsh, surrounded by other operatives.

PROFESSOR WALSH Agent Finn, my implant?

RILEY The implant works. Hostile 17 can't harm any living creature in any way without intense neurological pain.

Show clips of Spike being operated on by the Initiative, being kept prisoner there, and being unable to bite a girl due to screaming fits and a headache when he attempts it.

Cut to:

7 EXT. BUFFY'S BACKYARD - DAY

While in her backyard talking to Xander, Buffy's approached by an angry, gun-toting Warren.

WARREN You think you can just do that to me?

Warren shoots at Buffy. Meanwhile, while running away, Warren fires a random shot that goes through the upstairs window into Willow and Tara's bedroom.

Cut to:

8 INT. WILLOW AND TARA'S BEDROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE- DAY

Tara is shot and falls to the floor. Blood spatters Willow's shirt.

WILLOW Tara?

Willow is grief-stricken. She is holding Tara's dead body, and when she looks up to heaven, her eyes turn red and black with dark magic because of her anger.

Cut to:

9 EXT. WOODS SOMEWHERE IN SUNNYDALE - NIGHT

Warren is strung up between a pair of trees. He is tied at four points, splayed out like the famous DaVinci diagram. Warren calls for help.

WARREN Somebody! Help!

Willow, in full dark magic splendour (black hair, black eyes), motions her hand toward Warren, and with a twist of her wrist, removes his skin. Warren screams in agony.

Cut to:

10 INT. PRISON VISITOR ROOM IN LA - DAY

Willow sits across from Faith, glass in between them. They both pick up the phones.

FAITH (V.O.) Gotta say, you’re the last person I expected to see.

WILLOW (V.O.) Something’s coming. We can’t do this without you.

FAITH If there’s some great evil, it’s safer for everyone if I’m here. Out of the way.

WILLOW Look I get being afraid of yourself. Of what you might do, or become. But this is bigger than us. You were chosen for a reason, Faith. Buffy needs you. We need you.

Fade to black.

End Recap.

The Start Of Episode

PROLOGUE:

11 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

GILES I'm just a bit twitchy about leaving you alone again here while—while things are in such a state of flux.

BUFFY I know. But you should go. This trip is important for the girls to understand the source of their power, and to know how to use it right.

GILES Do you think they appreciate the gravity of what we're undertaking? It's frightening, and it's difficult. And then, apparently, someone told them that the vision quest consists of me driving them to the desert, doing the hokey pokey until a spooky Rasta-mama slayer arrives and speaks to them in riddles.

BUFFY (looks innocent) That's not exactly how I put it, I—

WILLOW comes down the stairs and BUFFY uses the distraction.

BUFFY (cont.) Hey, how's Faith?

WILLOW Still flu-ey. Bummed about missing the field trip. (to Giles) She says she wants you to meditate extra hard and try not to get into any big fights without her. Oh, and to bring her back some smores!

GILES Ah yes. Smores. I'm going to end up singing campfire songs aren't I?

BUFFY Oh yeah.

XANDER (comes in the front door, followed by DAWN) Giles, you might want to get out there.

GILES Oh, God, what?

DAWN Kennedy, Molly and Rona are fighting over who gets to drive the first leg.

BUFFY (to Giles) Bet you wish you renewed that California state driver's licence now, huh?

ANYA (comes in the front door) Kennedy won. You should probably let Molly out of the trunk. I never actually realised just how compact Molly really is.

A car horn blares outside.

GILES (sighs, to Buffy) Please be safe while I'm away.

BUFFY You too.

Cut to:

12 INT. BASEMENT AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - DAY

[Buffy and Spike scene]

Cut to:

Opening Credits.

ACT I:

INT. KITCHEN AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

A tea kettle whistles as Buffy walks into the kitchen from the basement. Willow’s at the stove.

WILLOW Hey. How is he?

BUFFY (sits) Oh, in the "goes" part of "comes and goes."

WILLOW Well there seems to be a definite lack of screaming. That has to be good.

BUFFY You'd think.

Willow reaches into the cupboard for a cup and sees a mug with a black cat on it. Her hand twitches and pain flashes across her face before she can mask it.

BUFFY (cont.) You okay?

WILLOW Hm? Oh, yeah.

Willow grabs a different cup and pours the hot water in.

BUFFY That for the other patient?

WILLOW Yeah. Thought I'd bring her some tea, help her feel better.

BUFFY Yeah, ‘cause the only thing more effective than magical slayer healing is tea.

WILLOW It’s more the thought.

BUFFY (pauses, curious) So… there’s thoughts?

WILLOW Huh? What? No! No thoughts, just, just- tea.

BUFFY Okay, alright. …Will? How much do you know about the chip?

WILLOW Spike's chip? Well, I remember trying to dig up stuff back then, but, you know, turns out, when a secret government agency studies vampires and puts chips in their brains that keep them from hurting people, they don't really build websites. Why?

BUFFY Even with the chip, Spike was able to hurt all those people when he was brainwashed.

WILLOW Yeah, but he was under the control of the First.

BUFFY Maybe something's wrong with it.

WILLOW The chip is misfiring all on its own, then. Well this'll be fun.

BUFFY Remember when things used to be nice and boring?

WILLOW (shrugs) No.

She walks out of the kitchen with the tea in hand.

BUFFY (teasingly, calls after her) Have fun...delivering tea...

WILLOW (stops, turns around) OK, not when you make it sound all flirty like that. (mumbles as she heads upstairs) It's just tea.

INT. WILLOW'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Willow walks into her room to find FAITH putting on her shoes.

WILLOW Hey, I figured the best thing for a cold is a nice hot cup of… boots?

FAITH I’m really more of a beer or tequila girl, but thanks.

WILLOW For someone who's sick, you look surprisingly robust and casual dressy.

FAITH Cheers, Red. Nothing gets past you.

Faith leans down in front of the mirror and applies a dark red lipstick.

WILLOW (shocked) You were never sick! Oh, you are so busted. Xander's gonna have to drive you to the desert and—

FAITH Yeah, no. I’ve spent enough time locked up - and being stuck in a van or a tent with a bunch of shrieking teenagers actually sounds worse than prison. If Giles wants to torture himself, he’s more than welcome.

WILLOW But this was about- learning and growing and other healing, connective type things. It was a chance for you to bond with the Potentials.

FAITH (pulls on a leather jacket) The best bonding experiences are either during or after a fight. I’m sure there’s plenty of opportunities coming. Besides, I have a thing.

WILLOW What?

FAITH Something's up. I have my own mission. (eyes Willow up and down) …Could use your help, actually.

Cut to:

15 INT. THE BRONZE NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT

A band's playing a song on stage.

BAND (singing) So I can be happy again...

Faith and Willow are having a drink (complete with orange wedge and paper umbrella garnishes), sitting at one of the tables, listening to the band.

WILLOW This is a mission?

FAITH Definitely.

WILLOW And the little pink umbrellas are a signal for what? …We're not on a mission, are we?

FAITH Got you out of the house, didn’t it?

Willow gets up to leave, Faith calls after her.

FAITH (cont.) Wait, come on. You’re already here, and I’m shouting.

Willow turns to face her, sighing.

WILLOW You stole that money from Xander’s wallet.

FAITH And it was for a good cause. C’mon, Willow. Saving the world’s important and all, but nothing’s even happening right now. We deserve a night off. You especially.

WILLOW (cautiously approaching) What’s that supposed to mean?

FAITH Right now that house is uptightness central. And you’ve been kinda… mopey.

Willow is unimpressed.

FAITH (cont.) I mean, I get why, but still. Figured a night out could do you some good. Also I was bored and didn’t want to go alone. …And you’re one of the few people here I can stand to be around who also doesn’t seem to hate me.

Willow sighs and returns to her seat.

WILLOW All right, I'll stay. For one drink. And I don’t know how un-mopey I’m gonna be.

FAITH Alright, I’ll take it.

WILLOW Also I don’t think anyone hates you.

FAITH I think Kid Sis is planning how to make my death look like an accident as we speak.

WILLOW Okay, yeah, Dawn has… some issues. She’s just very protective of Buffy. But everyone can see you’re here to help - they’ll come around.

FAITH Yeah, we’ll see.

They sit in silence - Willow glumly watching the band, Faith tapping her hands and glancing at Willow.

WILLOW What?

FAITH Nothing, just- I dunno what to do. Normally if I’m in a bar I’m either dancing, hooking up or slaying something. I mean, last time I was in a club I started a brawl.

WILLOW How’d that work out for you?

FAITH Broke a cop's jaw and then took out a hit on Angel.

WILLOW Oh.

Faith shifts uneasily.

WILLOW (cont.) …I tore apart a police station with magic. And then hijacked a semi-trailer.

FAITH (smirking) We make quite the pair, huh?

WILLOW I’ll drink to that.

They cheers and drink.

FAITH Place hasn’t changed much.

WILLOW There was a troll-related incident, but otherwise, yep, same old Bronze.

FAITH Actually, last time I was here was… with you. (at Willow’s confusion, she elaborates) I wasn’t exactly myself.

WILLOW (gets it) The body-swap. With Buffy. Yeah you were pretty wild.

FAITH And you were a lot gayer then I’d realised.

WILLOW How so?

FAITH You introduced me to your girl. Tara?

WILLOW …Yeah. She hadn’t met Buffy yet but she still realised her- or your energy was off. So we conjured the katra to switch you back.

FAITH That was you!?

Willow playfully raises her eyebrows and takes a drink.

FAITH (cont.) She sounds pretty impressive.

WILLOW She’s amazing. My relationship to magic was always… power-focused. I was using it to get something done. But Tara? She had this connection with magic - it was energy and life, completely natural. Like breathing. And she’s so kind and gentle, that always comes across in how she- (Willow pauses, smile fading) Came across. It… it used to.

FAITH She was your first girlfriend?

WILLOW Mmn. Only. Um, can we talk about something else?

Faith’s thrown off, not sure how to handle feelings, or how quickly Willow has gone blank.

FAITH Sure. Yeah, sure, there’s… (she flounders) Um… oh! Prison! I was in prison. I’ve got lots of stories about that. Uh- okay, so there’s this one woman. Old Joan. She’s been in there forever, and she’s got an eyepatch over her left eye. She doesn’t say much, but two years after we’ve met, she and I are alone outside having a smoke. Then she turns to me and lifts up her eyepatch - there’s an eye under there! Totally working eye. And she winks at me! Then puts the eyepatch down again, and never says another word about it.

Willow’s trying not to smile.

FAITH (cont.) This other time-

Cut to:

16 INT. BASEMENT AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

[Spike and Buffy scene]

Cut to:

17 INT. THE BRONZE NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT

Faith and Willow are having another drink.

WILLOW So when did you realise you liked girls?

FAITH Ages ago. Probably when I watched Xena. And that bus movie with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. They’re both hot.

WILLOW But you never said anything?

FAITH Did so! You just had hetero lenses on. I even flirted with you a couple of times.

WILLOW Really?

FAITH Not seriously, cause you had Wolf Boy and I thought you were straight, but still. Was always very bi. Although I was probably too focused on B to get those vibes out to anyone else.

WILLOW Oh? Oh.

FAITH But that’s not- I mean- that was a long time ago. Could you, uh, maybe not mention that, though? To her? I think she knows, but it was all pretty whacked out back then, and it’s not really a can of worms I wanna open.

WILLOW My lips are sealed.

FAITH Thanks. Uh, what about you? With girls?

WILLOW Was less “girls” and more “girl”. Tara and I were in the same wicca group. We were being chased by fairytale monsters that stole our voices and wanted to cut out our hearts-

FAITH (mutters) -Just your typical Sunnydale Tuesday-

WILLOW -and we were in trouble. Then she took my hand and it was like- this zing. We were able to do a spell together to protect us. Left me breathless. Then there was a lot of months of denial and confusion before it finally all fell into place. Also she was so pretty I could never take my eyes off of her.

FAITH Nah, that doesn’t sound gay to me at all. Real friendly behaviour there.

Willow laughs, but runs her hands up and down her arms.

FAITH (cont.) You cold?

WILLOW ‘M fine. Thought we were going on a mission so I didn’t grab another layer. I tend to get a lot sweatier fighting evil then sitting on a chair.

FAITH Funny, that. (Faith shrugs off her jacket and tosses it across the table) Here.

WILLOW Oh, I don’t-

FAITH It’s fine. I run hot.

Cut to:

18 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

[Buffy and Spike scene]

Cut to:

19 INT. THE BRONZE NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT

Faith and Willow have shifted from a table to a couch. Willow’s wearing Faith’s jacket.

WILLOW That’s nothing. We were once in a stolen, blacked out Winnebago, on the run from a hell god, in the desert, being chased by knights on horseback.

FAITH I honestly don’t know how to respond to that.

WILLOW You know, neither did I. Anya actually knocked out one of them with a frying pan!

They laugh, and a generically attractive guy approaches them, eyeing Faith.

PROBABLY BRAD Hey - you wanna dance?

Faith barely glances at him before shaking her head.

FAITH Nah, I’m good here.

Probably Brad frowns, but doesn’t push it and walks away.

FAITH (cont.) You were saying?

Willow’s looking at her like she’s grown another head.

FAITH (cont.) What?

WILLOW What was that? Don’t you live for that kind of stuff?

FAITH Interruptions?

WILLOW Attention? Guys being all into you - and the dancing-hooking-up-slaying combo?

FAITH Don’t think he was a vamp.

WILLOW That’s not what I meant and you know it. What is this? What are we doing? Why would you rather sit here and talk with me then- then-

FAITH (defensive) What? Dancing with some lame guy I don’t even know?

WILLOW Well, yeah! Or doing anything else then… hanging out… with me?

Faith doesn’t respond, sitting forwards and glaring into her glass.

WILLOW (cont.) We never… talked before. We didn’t really have anything to do with each other.

FAITH Yeah, well, a lot’s happened since then.

WILLOW I know.

FAITH And we’re both different. And even in the ways you’re not different it’s… I… I like talking with you.

WILLOW Yeah?

FAITH I think you- get it. In a way that I don’t have to explain or defend. Which is nice. And I like your stories. I still don’t really get magic yet, but I like how you talk about it. I know I can be a lot and I don’t really know what to say most of the time but… I’m not really close with anyone besides Angel… so I mean, maybe, if you wanted to…

WILLOW Faith? Are you asking me to be your friend?

FAITH (rolls eyes) Well, we’re not in grade school, so no!

WILLOW I like talking with you too.

Faith goes still.

WILLOW (cont.) So, even though you weren’t asking, yes. I would like to be your friend. Officially.

Faith doesn’t look at her, but nods. She clears her throat.

FAITH Right. Okay. So is there like a form we need to fill out? For official purposes.

WILLOW Maybe like a secret handshake. Or a blood oath under a full moon.

Faith grins and finally looks at her.

FAITH Whatever does it for you.

Cut to:

20 INT. WILLOW'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Faith walks into the room and collapses onto her cot-bed. Willow waits at the door, wringing her hands.

FAITH You right, Red?

WILLOW Yeah, I just… thanks. For tonight. You were right, a night out was good for me.

FAITH You’re welcome. Always love to hear “you were right”.

WILLOW And I’m glad we talked.

FAITH Yeah. Kinda cleared the air.

WILLOW (nods) Yeah, totally. Air cleared. Check.

FAITH So… you coming in?

WILLOW Um, I think, I should… probably… check on… Buffy! You know, with the whole Spike-chip-thing. So I’ll go. Do. That.

FAITH ‘Kay.

Willow turns to leave.

FAITH Hey, Will? Thanks for tonight too. Best one I’ve had in… a while. Long while.

Willow smiles at her, something softer than usual, and it lasts a beat longer than it probably should. Then she leaves. Faith leans back on the bed, musing. There’s a sound at the door again.

MAN Oh, I forgot, you probably want your jacket back.

Faith’s on her feet in a second, staring at WARREN.

WARREN What?

Fade to black.

ACT II:

21 INT. WILLOW'S ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Resume.

Willow's standing where Warren was a moment ago, holding out Faith’s jacket and talking amicably - while Faith is staring incredulously at her.

WILLOW Are you okay? I didn’t think- AH!

Faith grabs Willow by the collar and shoves her against the wall. The jacket flops onto the floor.

“WARREN” What are you doing!? It’s not like I stole it, you gave it to me!

FAITH I don’t- who the hell are you?

“WARREN” Is this some kind of prison joke thing? Or do you feel awkward because we were open about feelings and now you’re regretting it? I took a semester of psych, I think you have issues with emotional vulnerability. Although immediate regret seems kind of sudden, ‘cause you literally just said you had a good time.

Faith gapes at “him”, letting go of “his” collar and taking a step back.

FAITH …Willow?

WILLOW …Yes?

FAITH What the hell is happening?

“WARREN” You tell me!?

Willow starts to panic and goes to look in the mirror; she sees Warren's reflection instead of her own.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: Until resolution of this plot point, all characters see Willow in Warren's form. On screen, Willow is sometimes shown from her perspective, as herself. To keep track of which form Willow is shown on screen, an asterisk (*) will be used to indicate the form.

WILLOW/WARREN* = shown as Warren

WILLOW*/WARREN = shown as Willow

WILLOW/WARREN* Oh, God! Oh, God...

FAITH What... who is that?

WILLOW/WARREN* (feeling her face) It's the man that I killed.

22 INT. LIVING ROOM AT BUFFY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Warren comes down the stairs, followed by Faith. Xander, Anya and Dawn are in the living room.

FAITH OK, hold up a sec.

When Xander, Anya and Dawn see Warren, they gasp and stand, positioning themselves defensively.

WILLOW/WARREN* Guys—

XANDER Get Buffy. Get Buffy! Tell her the First is back.

WILLOW/WARREN* No, I'm not the First.

ANYA We're not interested in any of your evil lies. We've heard 'em all.

WILLOW*/WARREN No, guys it's me.

WILLOW/WARREN* I'm me. I'm Willow. Guys, come on. Ask Faith— (points to Faith) She was there.

FAITH (shakes her head) I don't know. I'm not sure. We were in Willow's room and we were—

Carrying a bowl of food, ANDREW walks into the living room. When he sees Warren, he freezes in place, dropping his bowl; it shatters to pieces on the ground.

ANDREW No... No. You're back.

WILLOW/WARREN* (emphatic) No, I'm not. It's not— I'm not it. Listen to me—

ANDREW No more listening. I know who you are now. I know what you made me do. Your promises of happy fields and dancing schnauzers and being demigods won't work on me anymore.

ANYA (yells) Buffy!

XANDER (whispers, to Anya and Dawn) The Bringers are coming too.

DAWN (holds up her fists) Let ‘em come.

WILLOW/WARREN* No, I'm not the First!

ANDREW You made me do things. Things I can never take back. Ever.

WILLOW/WARREN* I'm not the First!

Buffy walks into the room.

BUFFY What the hell is going on here?

She scowls when she sees Warren and punches Willow/Warren in the nose. She falls to the ground, writhing in pain on the floor.

BUFFY (cont.) Ow! You’re real?

WILLOW*/WARREN OW! YES! You both know you have slayer strength right? Regular person bones here!

Everyone stares at Warren. SPIKE walks into the room, holding his head and groaning. He sees "Warren" and sighs.

SPIKE (mutters) Great I'm losing my mind again.

ANYA Wait.

DAWN But if he's the First...

WILLOW/WARREN* I'm not the First!

XANDER You're not the First.

WILLOW/WARREN* (stands) I know.

ANDREW (smiles) Oh, my God! You're back.

He hugs Warren from behind, his hands touching Warren's chest, before Willow grabs at them.

WILLOW*/WARREN Hey! Bad touching!

Spike wanders around, holding his head, moaning in pain while everyone stares at Willow/Warren.

WILLOW/WARREN* Everyone please stop staring.

FAITH It's Willow.

WILLOW/WARREN* I'm Willow.

XANDER Are you sure?

WILLOW*/WARREN There are other stories from kindergarten. Non yellow crayon stories in which you don't come out in such a good light.

WILLOW/WARREN* An incident involving Aquaman underoos, for example. You want me to start talking?

XANDER (smiles, walks up to Willow/Warren) Hey, Willow!

ANYA What happened?

Everyone inches closer to Willow/Warren.

WILLOW/WARREN* I don't know. We were there, and then I looked like him.

ANYA Oh, like a glamour.

WILLOW*/WARREN Maybe, but I probably brought it on myself.

BUFFY What makes you think that?

WILLOW/WARREN* Well, it wouldn't be the first time. I have a history with my witchy subconscious making things go kerfloopey. Remember the wacky "I can't see you, you can't see me" spell?

While Willow/Warren's talking, Dawn touches her shoulder, Andrew touches her chest and face.

BUFFY (to Dawn and Andrew) Guys!

ANDREW (stops touching Willow/Warren) It's so real.

WILLOW*/WARREN I'm all too aware.

She brushes Dawn's hand away.

BUFFY OK, say you're right, and you did do this to yourself. Why would your subconscious turn you into Warren?

WILLOW/WARREN* Obviously because I feel bad— about killing him.

BUFFY We'll deal. We'll get help.

WILLOW/WARREN* No, I can handle this.

BUFFY On your own? Why?

WILLOW*/WARREN I did it. I'll fix it. I don't want you seeing me this way anyway.

She walks toward the door.

BUFFY It's kinda a little late for that.

Spike's moaning in the background and collapses on the floor.

WILLOW/WARREN* Seriously, I'm not posing any big threat to the world. Besides, it looks like you've got your hands full already.

Buffy looks around, sees Spike lying on the floor moaning and twitching.

WILLOW*/WARREN I'll go, I'll handle it, I'll fix it, I'll be back before you even know I'm gone.

Faith has hung back from the group, but she frowns at this.

WILLOW/WARREN* Promise.

Willow/Warren leaves through the front door. Buffy goes to Spike’s side, kneels down beside him and takes his hand.

SPIKE Buffy?

BUFFY I'm right here.

SPIKE The chip fired again.

Xander, Anya, Dawn and Andrew gather around to watch Buffy and Spike. Faith slips out the front door unnoticed.

BUFFY I kinda figured. Maybe they'll call back. Maybe they'll send help.

SPIKE Maybe we can't wait.

Cut to:

23 EXT. RANDOM STREET IN SUNNYDALE - NIGHT

Willow/Warren's walking purposefully down the street. Faith catches up, surprising her.

FAITH OK. Safe to say no one will ever accuse you of being too butch.

WILLOW/WARREN* Faith, go home.

She walks away, but Faith follows.

FAITH So are these kinda wacky magical shenanigans a regular for you?

Willow/Warren stops walking, turns and glares at her.

WILLOW*/WARREN I’ve turned into the guy I flayed alive. It's hard to see the wacky shenanigan side.

Willow/Warren stalks away. Faith’s eyes pop at the “flayed alive” part, but she continues unperturbed.

FAITH So you got a plan?

WILLOW*/WARREN Yeah, get some help reversing it.

FAITH Thought you were gonna try it yourself?

WILLOW*/WARREN (sighs) I did try. Something's blocking me.

FAITH All the more reason for me to tag along. Plus, I was sorta there when it happened. Maybe I can help.

WILLOW/WARREN* (stops walking) I really think I'm fine with the handling.

FAITH By yourself? Why?

WILLOW*/WARREN I'm the one that killed him. I— It's hard to understand.

FAITH Try me.

Willow/Warren stares at the ground between them.

FAITH (cont.) Okay, or don’t. But we’re… friends. Right? Friends help each other with stuff. Or I can at least keep you company on your reversal-quest. Fight off anything we run into that tries to kill us. This is Sunnydale.

Willow/Warren sighs.

WILLOW/WARREN* (walks) Fine. Come. Try not to get in the way.

FAITH I’ll do my best. Girl scouts honour.

WILLOW*/WARREN You were a girl scout?

FAITH For like a week before I got kicked out. Still good with the honour though. You know where we’re going?

WILLOW*/WARREN To see some old friends of mine. A wicca group, helped me with my magic addiction. It's been a while, but maybe they can do something.

Cut to:

[other scenes - Buffy and Spike, The Scoobies - but none of that “Giles is the First” crap]

Cut to:

28 INT. HALL - NIGHT

A group of a dozen witches are sitting in circle formation with candles lit in front of them and glowing crystals hung around their necks.

CIRCLE LEADER - FARAH (praying) Instill us, oh, great one, with peace, with strength, with compassion, with hope. The path we seek is yours. Keep us on that path.

WILLOW*/WARREN (walks to the open doorway) Oh boy.

FARAH Um, hi, we're—

WILLOW/WARREN* Oh, hey. I'm sorry— Willow. I’m Willow. Rosenberg? It’s… been a while. Also I’m not a guy. And this is Faith.

Faith sidles up beside Willow/Warren with a lit cigarette in her mouth and gives a two-fingered salute.

FAITH Hey.

FARAH You're Willow?

WILLOW/WARREN* Guilty.

The whole group is staring at Willow/Warren and she shrinks in on herself. Another person - CHARLIE - stands up.

CHARLIE Yeah I can sense it, your energy is all off. But what happened to you?

WILLOW/WARREN* Um, I think it’s a glamour-

CHARLIE No, I mean, if you’re Willow, where have you been?

FARAH You just disappeared.

CHARLIE No one’s seen or heard from you since… Tara…

Willow/Warren deflates.

WILLOW*/WARREN Oh. Right.

FARAH You weren’t even at her funeral.

WILLOW*/WARREN I… I wasn’t… good. I needed… time. I…

She runs her hands through her hair.

WILLOW/WARREN* This was a bad idea, I’m sorry, I’ll go-

WOMAN (O.S.) No, wait.

Willow/Warren looks to the back of the group. AMY stands up.

WILLOW*/WARREN OK. Whoa...

AMY Hi. Here's the thing. I'll just get this out of the way. I'm sorta screwed up, but I mean you already knew that 'cause you lived it. Gotcha.

FARAH But she's doing so much better now. Amy...

AMY It's OK, Farah, I wanna do this. It took me a long time to really see myself. But I did. Because you know that's the crazy thing about hitting rock bottom, you get to relive all the crappy things you did. And I wanted to come find you and tell you that I was here working on things with these guys. And that I'm sorry. But you're here, looking like— Wow. How did this happen?

FAITH That's what we're here to find out. I mean, if we're done with all the group hugging.

WILLOW/WARREN* I got hit with this, like, glamour thing, and I can't seem to shake it myself. I was hoping someone here might be able to help.

AMY Yeah, see the thing is we're more about healing spirits and nurturing our life force here.

WILLOW/WARREN* Oh...

AMY (looks at group, then back at Willow/Warren) But we'll try.

29 INT. HALL - NIGHT

Faith and Farah are sitting in chairs watching Amy and Willow/Warren do a spell at the front of the room.

AMY (chanting O.S.) Her spirits true, its shell a lie...

FAITH (whispers, to Farah) Do you think this’ll work?

AMY (chanting O.S.) We draw upon your very light.

FARAH (whispers, to Faith) Do you have a better idea?

AMY ...Give back the form the soul requires. See that the balance is put right.

Willow/Warren is holding a crystal as Amy performs the spell, holding her hands underneath Willow/Warren’s. As Amy completes the spell, the crystal glows and becomes hot. Willow/Warren screams, drops the glowing crystal, and stands.

AMY (stands) It didn't work?

WILLOW*/WARREN No it didn't, you dumb bitch!

She slaps Amy across the face. Everyone flinches.

FAITH Willow! The hell?

AMY You slapped me!

WILLOW/WARREN* No, no I didn't. I wouldn’t. It... wasn't me. (eyes growing wider) It was Warren.

Fade to black.

ACT III:

30 INT. HALL - NIGHT

Amy's holding her face where Willow/Warren slapped her. Willow/Warren runs out of the room.

FAITH (stands, goes after Willow/Warren) Willow!

Cut to:

31 EXT. RANDOM STREET OF SUNNYDALE - NIGHT

Willow/Warren runs out into the street, followed by Faith.

FAITH Will! Hold up, it’ll be okay-

WILLOW/WARREN* Okay? Okay! Are you just tuning in? Did you not see that?

WILLOW*/WARREN I'm turning into him. It's not a trick, it's not a glamour. I'm becoming him. A murderous, misogynist man!

WILLOW/WARREN* I mean, do you understand what he did? What I could do? I killed him for a reason!

FAITH Alright, it’s not okay, I get it, but freaking isn't gonna fix it. Just take a breath, and we can-

WILLOW*/WARREN (steps towards Faith, right in her personal bubble) You understand nothing about magic. Or me.

WILLOW/WARREN* So stop acting like it, and leave me alone.

Willow/Warren stalks off. Faith tries to follow, but is blocked by a magical barrier.

FAITH Willow! Come on.

Willow/Warren doesn’t stop.

Cut to:

[Other scenes - Buffy and Spike, Scoobies]

35 EXT. RANDOM ALLEY IN SUNNYDALE - NIGHT

Willow/Warren's walking down the alley. She stops behind the dumpster and rests her head against the wall. She sinks down to the ground, crying, hiding her head in her hands.

WILLOW*/WARREN Oh, God. What do I do?

Then, as Warren, she starts, looks up, and starts talking to herself.

WILLOW/WARREN* Look at me. Crying like a little girl.

Willow/Warren stands and walks purposefully down the street.

Cut to:

[other scenes]

37 INT. HALL - NIGHT

Amy's packing up supplies from the ritual when Faith walks back into the hall.

FAITH Where'd they go?

AMY They took off. It was a little too creepy, even for us. …You're really worried about her? Look, she’s gonna be fine. Willow's strong. Melodramatic, sure, but definitely powerful. And she’s dealt with a lot worse. Long before she ever went out and found herself a slayer bodyguard, OK? Just have a little faith in her. Hah. Get it?

FAITH I never said I was a slayer.

AMY (innocently) Oh, no, I think you did. When you first got here, you told us—

FAITH No, I didn't. (walks closer to Amy) How’d you know who I was?

AMY (smirks) Oops.

Cut to:

[other scene]

39 INT. PAWN SHOW - NIGHT

Willow/Warren’s looking into a glass display case, grinning.

SHOPKEEPER So, same model as last time? How'd that work out for you?

Pan down to show the case is displaying handguns.

WILLOW*/WARREN (stands, grinning maniacally) You'd be amazed.

Fade to black.

ACT IV

[other scenes]

42 EXT. RANDOM STREET IN SUNNYDALE - SUNRISE

Willow/Warren's walking down the street, gun in hand, with a determined look on her face.

Cut to:

[other scene]

44 INT. HALL - SUNRISE

Amy and Faith are still talking.

FAITH (angrily) You did this, didn’t you? You gonna tell me why? Or do I have to convince you?

Faith leans forward menacingly, but Amy waves her hands causing Faith to be magically thrust across the room where she lands among the chairs. Faith stands up, shaking it off.

FAITH Alright. Convincing it is.

She picks up a chair and hurls it at Amy, who knocks it away with magic. There’s another chair, and another and another. Amy knocks them all away, almost bored. She fakes a yawn, not realising Faith has slowly been getting closer to her. Faith socks her in the jaw mid-yawn.

Faith stands over her, another punch at the ready.

FAITH What did you do to her?

AMY (nursing the bruise) What, to Willow? Oh, just your standard penance malediction is all.

FAITH OK, and that's magic crazy talk for what?

AMY (smirking) I put a hex on her.

Faith grabs the front of Amy’s shirt and hurls her to her feet one handed, the other hand still in a fist.

FAITH I got that part. But why Warren? And why did it happen after we hung out?

AMY (chuckles) Oh, that's rich. (She runs a hand up Faith’s arm) That must’ve been some “bonding” activity.

FAITH Answer me. Or lose your teeth.

AMY The hex I cast lets the victim's subconscious pick the form of their punishment. It's always better than anything I can come up with. Elegant, you know?

FAITH (threateningly) Undo it. Let her out.

AMY OK. Oh, wait — no.

Faith goes to punch her, but a barrier spell pushes her back. Amy smirks at her.

FAITH Why would you do this to her? You really hate her that much?

AMY (sighs) This is not about hate. It's about power. Willow always had all the power, long before she even knew what to do with it. Just came so easy for her. The rest of us—we had to work twice as hard to be half as good. But no one cares about how hard you work. They just care about cute, sweet, poor Willow. They don't know how weak she is. She gave in to evil, unthinkable black magicks - stuff worse than I can even imagine. She almost destroyed the world! And yet everyone keeps on loving her? Forgiving her? (in Faith’s face) So what's wrong with having a little fun, huh? Taking her down a peg or two? She deserves it.

Faith looks like she’s about to commit another murder.

FAITH Fun? (Amy nods) She's disappearing. Fading away in that creep, and you think it's fun.

AMY It was just a game. It's not my fault if she's losing herself.

FAITH You have no idea. What it’s like- how hard she’s trying to-

AMY Oh, please. Spare me. (She tilts her head, watching Faith curiously) You do care for her quite a bit. I can feel the connection. That could be interesting.

FAITH I think we have different versions of interesting. Mine mainly involves you and internal bleeding.

AMY (smirks) Hey, I'm not the bad guy here. But I wonder where he'd be right now?

Faith launches herself forwards, but in one swift movement Amy tosses powder at her, snaps her fingers and Faith disappears.

Cut to:

45 EXT. BUFFY'S BACKYARD - DAY

Faith suddenly finds herself in the backyard of Buffy's house.

FAITH (to herself) Christ, what now?

Still carrying a handgun, Willow/Warren storms into the backyard through the gate exactly as Warren did the day he shot Buffy and killed Tara.

WILLOW*/WARREN Think you can just do that to me? That I'd let you get away with it?

FAITH Do? Get away with—

Warren/Willow points the gun at Faith; Faith freezes, before backing up slowly, calmly.

FAITH (cont.) Easy, let's not get excited.

WILLOW*/WARREN (walks closer to Faith) It's too late for that. This is what I am. I made it happen, and I'll make it stop. I gotta make it stop.

FAITH Willow, what did you make happen?

WILLOW*/WARREN You were there, bitch! You saw it!

WILLOW/WARREN* I killed her.

FAITH You mean him?

WILLOW/WARREN* Her, him— (points gun at Faith again) You know what I mean.

FAITH You said her.

WILLOW/WARREN* No, no. You’re confusing me. That was Warren.

FAITH No, it wasn't. You said I was there. Who did you kill, Willow?

WILLOW/WARREN* It was your fault, slut!

WILLOW*/WARREN You tricked me. Got me to forget.

FAITH Forget what?

Willow/Warren paces, muttering, swinging the gun around. Faith starts to move closer, slowly and carefully.

WILLOW/WARREN* It’s not my fault, it’s not my fault, I didn’t mean to, I’d never mean to, and I shouldn’t feel it, I should only feel that, but I- I didn’t-

WILLOW*/WARREN She’s gotta know, she has to know, I didn’t mean it, it wasn’t real, I would never do it, I could never forget her-

It clicks.

FAITH …Tara.

Willow/Warren freezes, before pointing the gun at Faith again - close range.

WILLOW/WARREN* Shut up!

WILLOW*/WARREN (crying) Shut up! You do not get to say her name. Everyone says her name but nobody means it. And you! Tricking me - making me laugh and- and feel like… like I could be… that I deserve more than… (looking lost) I didn't—I didn't mean... what am I saying, I—I can't make— (pleading) Faith, I can't hold on... he's winning.

Faith takes a step towards Willow/Warren. They’re only an arm length away.

FAITH No… you’re stronger than that.

WILLOW/WARREN* I’m not. I’m not. I’m nothing.

Her hand shakes holding the gun. Slowly, Faith reaches over and puts her hand over Willow’s.

FAITH Gimme the gun, Will. Please. You don’t wanna hurt anyone.

WILLOW*/WARREN I did.

FAITH Do you wanna hurt me?

Willow/Warren blinks at her, tears streaming down her face. In a sudden moment of horrifying clarity, Willow/Warren drops the gun and staggers back in shock.

WILLOW/WARREN* No! God! No, no.

WILLOW*/WARREN I'm being punished! I- I felt- I was happy. And I thought - just for a second, but it was enough. I let her go. I didn't mean to.

FAITH Red, that doesn’t mean th—

WILLOW*/WARREN No, she was never gone. She was with me. We should have been forever, and I- (cries) I let her be dead. She's really dead. (breaks down into tears) And I killed her.

Willow/Warren falls to the ground sobbing. Faith watches in panic, completely out of her depth.

WILLOW*/WARREN (looking up to the sky) Please, baby, I'm so sorry. Come back.

WILLOW/WARREN* (sobs) I'm sorry. I'm sorry! Come back...

Faith kneels down beside Willow/Warren

FAITH Willow, what happened to Tara was not your fault. You don’t have to punish yourself because you felt happy just for a moment. Do you hear me? You are a hell of a powerhouse, and you are doing this magic to yourself. With help from a psycho-bitch. But you are turning yourself into Warren in punishment. You don’t deserve that.

WILLOW/WARREN* Don’t I? I killed him! I killed him and I wanted to. And I- I feel guilt and regret and I hurt so many people.

WILLOW*/WARREN But I’m not sorry I killed him. I feel sick and ashamed and dirty but I’m not sorry. I’m a monster. God, I deserve this, I’m a monster-

Faith grabs Willow/Warren by the shoulders.

FAITH Hey, no. Willow, look at me, will you!? I know something about monsters. I’ve killed a lot of them, and I’ve looked in the mirror and seen one. This guy? Honestly it sounds like the world’s better off without him. And if I was in your position, I’d have done the same thing. I don’t think that makes you a monster. And it’s all complicated, but my prison counsellor said feeling these things is good. Better than not feeling at all. That’s how you know you’re still a person.

WILLOW/WARREN* But it’s all my fault. I forgot her- I left her- I felt-

FAITH You didn’t kill Tara, you didn’t forget her.

WILLOW*/WARREN How do you know?! You didn’t know her!

FAITH Yeah, but you did! Didn’t you say Tara was kind and gentle? Do you think she’d want this for you? All this anger and grief and agony? She wouldn’t want this for the love of her life, hell, I doubt she’d want this for anyone. You don’t have to feel like this forever.

WILLOW/WARREN* But if I don’t- if I don’t- then what’s left? It’s just- so much pain. And she’s gone. She’ll really be gone.

FAITH It’s gonna hurt. It’s always gonna hurt. But it’s not always gonna hurt this much. And that’s good. It doesn’t mean you’re forgetting her. It just means… you can think of her and smile. Think of, you know, her magic or her laugh or how good of a kisser she was. Sometimes it’ll still hurt like hell, but sometimes you’ll be able to think of her and be happy.

Willow/Warren hangs on her every word, still crying.

FAITH (cont.) And you know, maybe… you could think of other things and be happy too. Doesn’t have to be dates or girls or anything. Friends, books, spells. Whatever you like. But if you are ever ready for the other stuff, I don’t think your girl would want you to be all sad and alone and-

WILLOW*/WARREN Mopey?

FAITH Yeah, mopey. No one should be mopey forever. Being happy about things, experiencing life - it’s not a betrayal to her, or her memory. It doesn’t make you love her any less. You deserve to be happy. She’d want you to be happy, Willow.

Warren shifts, slowly fading back into Willow. And at the end of the speech, Willow falls into Faith, wrapping her arms around her as she sobs. Faith is a deer in the headlights, but she tentatively puts an arm around Willow and hugs her back.

FAITH (cont.) Easy, Red. Good to have you back.

WILLOW (still sobbing) I’m me?

FAITH Yep. Told you that you were a powerhouse.

Willow leans back from the hug, touching her face and wiping at her tears.

FAITH I meant it, you know. You deserve to be happy.

WILLOW I don’t know if I do. Deserve it. Or if I can be.

FAITH S’okay. Take it day at a time. Maybe some counselling. (Willow raises an eyebrow) Or meditation. Or gardening. Even punching bags. There’s books n’ stuff on all this. Helped me. Even if you don’t think you deserve to be happy, you deserve more than feeling like this. And definitely more than turning into that.

WILLOW …Thank you.

FAITH You’re welcome. Hey, I like… helped. Without punching things. Except for that bitch Amy. But I helped you - with feelings. Right?

WILLOW Yeah, you did. We should get you your own show, like Oprah.

FAITH Nah, if I’m going on TV it’s gotta be one of those dating shows where I get to hook up with a bunch of people.

Willow laughs tiredly.

FAITH (cont.) You okay?

WILLOW I have no idea. Are you?

FAITH Five-by-five.

They both stand.

WILLOW I’m so tired.

Faith supports Willow and walks her into the house.

FAITH Just a regular night in Sunnydale. I'll make you some tea.

Cut to:

Closing credits.

#low key also thinking of writing up some scenes from the non-existent Showtime episode #between faith and willow #maybe featuring the ats cast #we'll see #buffy the vampire slayer #btvs #my post #willow rosenberg #faith lehane #willow x faith #season 7 #7x13 #the killer in me #rewrite #my fics #my meta

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sunnnfish · 1 year

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PUNCHED IN THE FACE BY HEARING KELLEN GOFF VOICE OF SASAKI SHUUMEI (AND ALSO FREDDY FAZBEAR) AS A POMPOUS LITTLE TWINK IN ROMANTIC KILLER. CHRIST

#SORRY. HAD TO PUT THIS OUT THERE.#in other news. been watching Romantic Killer #on episode 7 #it’s sooooo funny #to the void #sunnfish.jrnl #punched in the face every time I recognize a voice actor tbh

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rastronomicals · 4 months

Photo

3:34 PM EST January 1, 2024:

Joel Robinson and Tom Servo and Crow - "The Killer Shrew Theme Song!" From MST3K Season 4 Episode 7 (originally aired July 25, 1992)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm

★★★

#Joel Robinson and Tom Servo and Crow #Season 4 Episode 7 #The Killer Shrew Theme Song!

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circeyoru · 2 months

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Masterlist

Hi, I'm Circe! Welcome to my list of random writings written from random bursts of thoughts and ideas!

Alastor, The Radio Demon — Hazbin Hotel

{The Spirit's Favourite Human}

[Human!Alastor x Spirit of the Forest!Reader] Part 1 — Part 2 — Random Moment — Meet the Demon (Ask)

Spin-off Series — You and Cursed Cat Alastor (ask)

{Angelic Doctor}

[Human!Alastor x Disguised Angel!Reader] Part 1 — Part 2 — Random Moment — Meet the Demon (Ask)

{Demonic Companion}

[Alastor x Human!Reader] Part 1 — Part 2 — Random Moment

Spin-off Series — Something's wrong with your lover + Angst moments over love = Requested — What if the lover is a killer? = Requested — Reader's demon design + What if LK arrives in Hell = Semi-Requested

{Contracted Love}

[Alastor x Crush of Contractor!Reader] Story — Random Moment

{Their Twist In Time}

[Time-travelled Human!Alastor x Time User!Reader] Part 1 — Part 2 — Random Moment

{Darkest Confession} = Requested

[Human!Alastor x Serial Killer Enthusiast!Reader] Ask — Part 1 — Part 2

Spin-off Series (waiting for asks & requests)

{Following The Script}

[Human & Demon!Alastor x Isekai!Reader] Somewhat ask (clarification) — Story

{Cuddles of Another Kind} = Requested (headcanons)

[Lucifer x Reader x Alastor] Ask — Story

{Chime of Madness} = Requested

[Human!Alastor x Mimzy's Performer!Reader] Ask — Story

{Gift} = Requested

[Alastor x Cupid!Reader] Ask — Story

{The Boy & The Witch} = Requested

[Human!Alastor x Witch!Reader] Ask — Part 1 — Part 2

{His Killer} = Requested

[Alastor x Male Hunter!Reader] No romance or platonic element Ask — Story

{The Raven's Deer}

[Alastor x Zestial’s Little Sibling!Reader] Part 1 — Part 2 = Requested — Bonus headcanon

{Sleeping Romance} = Requested

[Alastor x Tired Sleepy!Reader] Ask — Story

{The Black Leash} = Requested

[Alastor x High-ranked Hellborn Contractor!Reader] Ask — Story

{The Cat On His Shoulders} = Requested

[Alastor x Demonic Cat!Reader] Ask — Story

{Unwanted Soul} = Requested

[Yandere!Alastor x Owner of his Soul!Reader] All links have been moved to its new - {US} Masterlist -

{Gone Too Young} = Collab

[Yandere!Human & Demon!Alastor x Male BFF!Reader] - Platonic Part 1 — Part 2 — Part 3 — Part 4 — (more parts coming)

{Game of Guessing} = Requested

[Alastor x Great Grandchild!Reader] - Platonic Ask — Story

{Nightmare Catcher} = Requested (headcanons)

[Alastor | Vox | Lucifer x Nightmare!Reader] _ separated Ask — Story

{You Think It’s That Easy?} = Requested

[Yander Human!Alastor x Arranged Marriage!Reader] Ask (1) — Ask (2) — Story

{Collection of Overlords} = Requested

[Alastor x Soul Owner of All Overlords!Reader] Ask — Part 1 — Part 1.5 — Part 2 — Part 3 — Part 4 — Part 5 — Part 6 — Part 7 Reader's Design Trick's Design

Trivia Asks: — Your background + relationship with Lucifer — You know a lot more than you let on — Are you a seraphim? — Your dynamic with Lucifer and Lilith (not set) — Your reaction to Alastor using his mother's last name — The missing flame/skull Overlord — Who's Frederick? — New pet: Cursed Cat Alastor — [after part 4] Valentino's f**ked — Cages Lore + A bit of power/ability reveal — Other Overlords ask Alastor why he’s favoured — Are you an ace or some form of it? + Another related one — [after part 6] Does Alastor have stockholm syndrome? (think of this as part 6.5) — You and the 7 Sins — What if Charlie accidentally hurt you? — What happens if you meet Adam or anyone else in Heaven? Will you help the extermination battle?

— About the deal made in Episode 7

Lucifer Morningstar, The King of Hell — Hazbin Hotel

{Cuddles of Another Kind} = Requested (headcanons)

[Lucifer x Reader x Alastor] Ask — Story

{Nightmare Catcher} = Requested (headcanons)

[Alastor | Vox | Lucifer x Nightmare!Reader] _ separated Ask — Story

Vox, The TV Demon — Hazbin Hotel

{Nightmare Catcher} = Requested (headcanons)

[Alastor | Vox | Lucifer x Nightmare!Reader] _ separated Ask — Story

Hazbin Hotel

{Surprise, Surprise, I’m Here to Watch} = Requested

[Hazbin Hotel x 3 Powers Granted!Reader] Ask — Story

⬧ ⬥ ⬧ ⬥ ⬧ ⬥ ⬧ ⬥ ⬧ ⬥ ⬧ ⬥ ⬧ ⬥ ⬧ ⬥ ⬧ ⬥ ⬧ ⬥ ⬧ ⬥ ⬧ ⬥ ⬧

About Requests

Last warning for closing the anonymous ask/send

Characters I'll write for: Alastor (mainly); Lucifer, Vox (under consideration and depend on idea)

Reader Settings: I tend to set the reader as gender-neutral, otherwise, I am most comfortable with female-based reader inserts. Without any particular reason for the gender, it will be set as neutral

I do NOT write for SMUT and NSFW requests, like formerly stated. No ifs, or buts, or depending. If I see it in my inbox, I'll shut down the request function altogether.

You can check my works to see what kind of requests were sent and done to avoid repeated ideas or see the range of my genre.

For already sent requests that have yet to be written or replied to. BE PATIENT. Just because you sent a request does not mean I will 100% write it. Or that it just takes more time to write.

(I'm specifically talking about the one requested that is repeatedly sent to me about Yandere!Alastor x Deaf!Reader)

I have full right to decide NOT to write for that specific request at the end of the day. Like you are here to enjoy reading fanfics, I am here to enjoy writing them and receiving new ideas and comments on my work. Thank you.

#Circe's Nighty Writings #Circe's requested writings #alastor headcanons #alastor imagine #alastor x reader #alastor x y/n #alastor x you #hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel alastor #hazbin hotel fanfiction #request

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absolutebl · 3 months

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Best & Worst BLs of 2023

My Top 15 BLs of 2023 are (in order)

1 Our Dating Sim

Korea Viki

Nerds in love, deadlines, gaming, teasing, pining tiny idiots, casual affection, linguistic oops, ADORABLE. If you haven't watched this, it's a must. A perfect short form KBL, an office set reunion romance featuring geeks that really suits 8 eps with no fluff and no chaff. Just comforting and yummy.

I adored every aspect from the casting to the pristinely simple premise to the quietly smooth execution. Sure it’s low stakes, but that makes it high domesticity and extremely warm and gentle. This is a fuzzy blanket of a story - a cozy BL. It lives in my rewatch pile and you know what’s best about it? Every single episode is in that pile. There’s no skipping with this one, it might be good natured and calmly sweet but it’s tight and the pacing is excellent.

Also recieves my 2023 award for best giggle.

2 I Cannot Reach You

AKA I Can't Reach You AKA Kimi ni wa Todokanai

Japan Netflix

This classic friends-to-lovers BL is everything Japan does best. Angsty. Emo. Aching. Driven by real thirst. Yamato is deeply in love with his childhood bestie, Kakeru, and has been for ages, unable to hide his ungainly damaging high school need. He wants Kakeru in every way possible and it oozes off of the screen.

Kakeru is silly and a little simple, but not frenetic or overly camp about it. He is earnest, and genuinely wants to keep Yamato in his life which means giving a romance (and gayness) a fair chance. We watch him realize his affection and what form it can take in a truly authentic way.

This show was impossibly kind to both of its lead characters and I felt almost honored that I got to watch something so lovely and rare play out on my screen.

Also wins the best thirst award.

These were the 2 BLs that got 10/10 from me in 2023. The rest of these got 9/10 from me.

3 My School President

Thailand YouTube

GMMTV gave us a classic high school set Thai BL with tropes like messy boys singing their feelings that made this one Love Sick for the modern age with all the gentle sweetness and pining ache, but none of the dated damaging tropes or issues. Who let my BL be this wholesome and funny? My favourite GMMTV BL offering to date. And yes, I've watched them ALL.

Received the Namgoong award for best wingman 2023.

4 I Feel You Linger in the Air

Thailand grey

IFYLITA is an exquisite BL, from filming techniques to narrative framework. Steeped in history and family drama this is an elegant and classy BL. The main couple (both as a pair and individuals) were excellent, particularly Bright (Yai) whose eye-work acting style is a personal favorite of mine. It's a marker of how great it was that it's so high on my list despite the ending which was very much not what I wanted.

Additional accolade, sexiest moment of 2023 - (the oil scene).

You could try to fight me, but you'll have no grip.

5 Kiseki: Dear to Me

Taiwan Gaga & Viki

The plot is totally ridiculous and slightly unhinged. There’s a gum-ball machine of cameos, elder gay rep, great chemistry from all pairs (everyone is queer), and a KILLER side couple. It involves all the tropes under a very offhand framework of gay mafia gangs + food = love. As a result Kiseki is a poster child for Taiwanese BL, and I happen to love Taiwanese BL. Bonus? They also managed to END IT WELL, which we cannot expect from Taiwan.

Best side couple 2023!

(thank goodness Taiwan made this list!)

6 Jun and Jun

Korea Viki

A delightful office romance about an ex-idol who joins cubical life only to find his new boss is his first love. With a snappy (sometimes even raunchy) script, enjoyable sides, a pretty as peaches cast, and descent chemistry this show made up for in style what it lacked in substance. I like fluff. I loved this. I smiled every moment I was watching.

Best flirting 2023.

AKA "the tongue knows" award

7 The Eighth Sense

Korea Viki

This one is a bit chewy and sticky and less perfect than most KBLs. It’s got a bit of an age gap, country boy/city boy, stellar acting, complex characters, and leads with great chemistry and tension. This isn’t in the KBL bubble, there’s sharp edges and lots of triggers. For a BL the darkness of the content left me feeling unsettled (which is the only reason it didn't get a perfect score) but it has a glorious ending and that counts for a lot.

2023's most likely to appeal to non-BL watchers.

8 Unintentional Love Story

Korea iQIYI

The lead, Gongchan (maknae of B1A4) is a fucking GIFT, who carried this show. He was luminous with extraordinarily expressive eyes, which he used to carry a killer plot and challenging role. Forced into a totally understandable betrayal, falling in love despite himself, put into a corner he can't get out of, the AGONY, the eyes EMOTING at us in PAIN. Driven by external conflict, social tension and pressure this story seems simple but it's actually refined and quite complex. I loved this show.

Best story structure 2023.

9 My Personal Weatherman

AKA Taikan Yoho

Japan Gaga

This is classic yaoi of the kind that really only works from Japan. Basically: boys who fell in love in college end up living together but both are so repressed they actually don't realize they're in love. It's high heat is well done, but it leaned into the "why don't they just talk for fuck's sake?" which is exacerbated by the fact that they're already fucking. Sure is sexy tho.

Best use of props 2023 for the shower of sheets.

10 Our Dining Table

AKA Bokura no Shokutaku

Japan Gaga

Lonely salaryman and talented cook gets accidentally adopted by a college kid and his little brother. It’s a quiet & cozy little parable of found family alleviating loneliness. It's lovely & sweet with the romance beats used to build a family relationship, not just couple intimacy. Special.

First prize for domesticity.

11 Laws of Attraction

Thailand iQIYI

This is a great gay suspense thriller with several solid couples, fun plot, killer characters, queer rep, and a happy ending. It’s tons of fun and I had an absolute blast watching it.

Charn wins my favorite character of 2023.

12 La Pluie

Thailand Viki

This BL takes to task the fated mates trope and what it means to have love chained intimately to predestination. It’s about how faith in destiny before choice diminishes the authenticity of emotion, relationships, and connection. This is a high concept to examine through the lens of a BL. With good chemistry and decent acting all around, plus some excellent high heat and representation of consent and a few other rare tropes, this one has to (like it’s sibling show My Ride) earn high marks.

Most interesting concept 2023.

13 The New Employee

Korea Viki

So good, SO QUEER, so soft, a near pitch perfect office BL with conflict derived from that setting. Also found family and a lesbian bestie. This is what I wanted from this new crop of office set KBLs ALL ALONG. Rainbow rice cakes forever!

Best overall queer rep from Korea.

14 Step By Step

Thailand Gaga & YouTube & Viki

This was Thailand’s answer to The New Employee, and everything I loved about that show I loved about this one. This was an office romance between stern boss and sweet subordinate that felt more authentic to an office environment than previous Thai BLs of this ilk which added tension to the narrative and character development.

Chot wins best queer character 2023.

15 Love Tractor

Korea iQIYI

Most of this country-set BL had me feral for the beautiful broken city boy and his hot young farmer. Hyung romance, puppy/cat pairing, open frankness meets jaded reserve, language play, water hose frolicking, only one bed = all my favorite silly tropes.

Biggest "he so pretty" gasp of the year award.

10 Worst BLs of 2023 (that I watched)

My Blessing

My Universe: Casanova Begins

Boyband the series

Cafe In Love

Chains of Heart

Hit Bite Love

Only Friends

Senior Love Me

The Luminous Solution

The Promise

Yes, you read that right. I know I'm against the flow but I really did not like Only Friends. Everyone's taste is different.

However I DNFed faster and more BL's this year than ever before, so that means my 10 worst probably aren't quite reflective...

10 Probably Actually Worst BLs (I dropped 'em)

My Story

The Day I Loved You

Beyond the Star

Crazy Handsome Rich

Dinosaur Love

House of Stars

Mr Cinderella 2

Love Bill

Stormy Honeymoon

The Star Always Follow You

Codicils in General

I only carefully track/watch Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. Other countries are not fully represented.

My Numbers

So my spreadsheet chronicled 138 BLs that finish airing in 2023.

101 = watched & reviewed

2 = still in the docket (WDYEY2 & Love Syndrome III)

15 = CNF (could not find)

20 = DNF (which also accounts for how few very low scores I handed out in 2023 as opposed to previous years, I just stopped watching). Speaking of which...

Ratings spread

(# of stars. #of BLs given that rating)

0 (see the DNFs instead)

2 - IT'S DEPRESSING they killed the gay, save yourself

7 - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM WATCHING AND NEITHER DOES IT

7 - FATALLY FLAWED but still basically BL, however… do we want to support this kind of behavior?

9 - WATCH IF YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO but don’t expect much, it’s a total hot mess

17 - WORTH WATCHING BUT FLAWED probably around the ending or in narrative structure/cohesion or censorship

14 - RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS i.e. isn’t quite BL, convoluted, not strictly HEA, too short/long, or chemistry issues

30 - RECOMMENDED some concerns around tropes (like dub con) or story structure but still satisfies as BL

13 - ABSOLUTELY RECOMMENDED probably a few pacing issues or one flaw

2 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED faithful to tropes, happy ending, good chemistry, few flaws, high rewatch potential

(source)

#Best BLs of 2023 #Worst BLs of 2023 #Top 15 BLs #Our Dating Sim #Korean BL #I Cannot Reach You #Japanese BL #Kimi ni wa Todokanai #My School President #Thai BL #I Feel You Linger in the Air #Kiseki: Dear to Me #Taiwanese BL #Jun and Jun #The Eighth Sense #Unintentional Love Story #Our Dining Table #Bokura no Shokutaku

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lightbluetown · 5 months

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i saw some people say ed and zheng are master strategists while stede is just some guy with ridiculous luck, but i think that's unfair. sure stede's ideas are insane, but they fit the looney tunes ass universe of ofmd perfectly. they're mostly well-thought-out, well-executed and they showcase stede's strengths and growth! so allow me to talk about them:

1- ghost of the forest - 1x02

a fuckery™ before stede even knows what a fuckery™ is! this is amateurish and stupid in every way. he's not even threatening izzy with a real dagger-- that's a letter opener. does izzy actually believe that stede has a huge crew hiding behind the bushes? doubt it! but this weird little act is enough to establish stede as a (ridiculous) pirate figure to the legendary izzy hands and to accomplish his goal of taking a hostage back

2- lighthouse - 1x04

imagine coming up with the exact same idea at the exact same time as the most brilliant tactician of the seven seas! we don't know who came up with which parts of the plan (honestly it was probably mostly ed) but this is still bloody impressive

3- stark revelations - 1x05

stede's first big success! he uses his knowledge of the aristocratic world to get a shipful of rich assholes to destroy each other, but he's also showcasing what sets him apart from them: this plan only comes to fruition because stede talks to frenchie, olu and abshir as equals. as people he can learn from, as sources of inspiration

4- duel with izzy - 1x06

this one was absolutely unhinged, but its success was far from dumb luck. only stede could think of using a brazillian cherry wood mast and ed's weird stabbing lesson to win a duel, and that's what makes this plan so undeniably stede and brilliant

5- faking his death - 1x10

i love that he just had to "die" in the most dramatic way possible. a heroic fight (tiger), a realistic accident (carriage) and the most cartoony death in the book (piano)... not only is his triple-death able to convince everyone in barbados that he's dead for good, it also allows him to have closure with his family. it's filled with stede's ridiculous unique flair, but it's designed to be a fuckery™ through and through. ed would be SO proud

6- stealing jackie's indigo dye - 2x01

quick little stealth mission. did ricky manipulate stede into trying this out? sure. did ricky also ruin it? absolutely. but it was working until then! the swede isn't part of stede's crew at this point, but his respect for stede is what gets him to cooperate and risk his relationship with his beautiful wife. also, it's thanks to his love for fine things that stede immediately recognizes the value of "blue dirt"

7- prison break - 2x03

in my eyes no scene depicts stede's growth better than this one. knocking zheng's entire crew out with tea is the most stede thing out there, and this plan uses the cherry wood mast as well! this plan relies on stede's (unrealistic) tea knowledge, overly-fancy ship and ability to coordinate his crew. what makes it breathtaking is that he secretly sets this plan into motion while actively mourning the "death" of the love of his life. he's putting his life on the line to rescue ed's "killers" because he's emotionally mature enough to look at things from their perspective and forgive them

8- inciting a mutiny - 2x06

yet another brilliant plan that could only be executed by stede. this entire episode revolves around his idea of "turning poison into positivity" and here he, well, fights poison with positivity. stede captains his pirates with respect and care (best he can) which just so happens to be the opposite of ned. he exploits this and gently gets ned's crew to turn on him. he singlehandedly saves himself and his entire crew from a notorious pirate! oh he also literally invents walking the plank right after this

9- "it's only suicide if we die" - 2x08

okay, yes, this one didn't go that well (sorry iz). but it's not like ed, zheng or anyone else had any other ideas! stede's weird suicide mission, for the most part, worked. they needed to get through british soldiers to reach their ship and they did exactly that. if only they'd remembered to check if ricky had his gun... oh well, you live and you learn

sure, ed and zheng are legends and stede is a silly newbie with wild luck. but he's also quick-witted, creative, confident and brave! he's a damn good captain and he deserves to be recognized as a good strategist!

#ofmd #our flag means death #stede bonnet #ofmd meta #i love my boy so much i will not let anyone disrespect him thank u #🏴‍☠️

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