#my children..... i will not watch the ep at 3 am and i have to leave tomorrow...

[ayo-edebiri]

#she's always in charge, hope that helps

PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS (2023 -) I 1.03

#percy jackson and the olympians #percy jackson #byaurore #usersugar #userbbelcher #userzo #userisaiah #userelio #usereena #tuserpris #tuserhan #tusercora #pjoedit #percy jackson spoilers #walker scobell #useralison #jemmablossom #userbecca #alivedean #my children..... i will not watch the ep at 3 am and i have to leave tomorrow...

[chamerionwrites]

This may be mildly controversial and it's not meant as a commentary on the show itself, but the use of content warnings in the Kenobi TV series kind of exemplifies my deeply mixed feelings about content warnings in practice as opposed to content warnings in theory (and not only in Disney products, which lbr are unlikely to do that sort of thing thoughtfully).

Because I'm even willing to give the benefit of the doubt and assume that the intent behind some viewers may find certain scenes upsetting is well-meaning. But the actual implementation strikes me as thoughtless, arbitrary, and frankly more than a little bit meaningless. It's not specific enough to actually forewarn the people who might need it. And it's so laser-focused on episodes containing one particular type of upsetting content (namely violence against children) that it raises the question of why those episodes deserve a warning and the others (many of which contain content that is also very potentially upsetting!) do not.

At the end of the day it basically manages to imply that certain people's trauma is more worthy of sensitivity and compassion than others, without actually even providing those people with the tools they might need to protect themselves. Maybe without meaning to! Maybe with good intentions! But to me it reeks of preemptive ass-covering against accusations of being too "dark," as opposed to even a millisecond's worth of thought about what might actually be helpful to real live human beings teaching themselves how to live with trauma. Which - personally - seems worse to me than no content warnings at all.

#i hate the phrase virtue signaling but that's really what it feels like #'violence against children is BAD' wow glad you told us we might not have realized otherwise #like i am genuinely not opposed to the concept of warnings but ''tw: some bad/sad shit goes down'' is helpful to a v specific demographic #and that demographic is mostly 'people who don't want to watch/read anything above a pg rating' #not 'people attempting to avoid and/or prepare themselves for specific triggers that might poke their specific traumas' #it just feels lazy at best and cynical at worst #like you're seriously going to tell me that ep 1 (children in peril; no actual death or injury to said children pictured) #is more worthy of a warning than ep 3 (graphic and indiscriminate onscreen murder of civilians in wartime. also torture)? #come on man. i'm not saying the former isn't also disturbing but it's just highly telling about people's priorities #and perspectives #star wars #kenobi #my posts #on warnings

[marvel-starwarsfangirl]

Ep. 12 "Juggernaut" Review

This episode was certainly fast paced. I wished it was a teensy bit longer because I want more of my boys. That being said, the juggernaut sequences were absolutely fantastic. Everything from Hunter's crazy maneuvers to the TK troopers actually being competent were phenomenal. I loved seeing the crazy ride that our boys took as they raced against the Empire's forces and the lack of road. It reminded me of the tank chase in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Thankfully, both Indy and the Batch make it out (thank you Phee).

Also, shoutout to that one Steve Blum voice cameo for random imperial. He's awesome.

As usual, spoilers below

My discord friend and I both theorized that Rampart would return as a prisoner with information and boy, were we right. I'm just gonna say it, Rampart is hot with the scruffy look. Yes, I still hate his guts and he's still an ahole. But I have a thing for the scruffy look. This is because James Norrington was one of my crushes in Pirates of the Caribbean. I don't make the rules, ok?

Ngl, it was cool to see him return. Prison hasn't been kind to him, but it's clear he hasn't changed one bit. He might give up info out of spite, but his views on others he perceives as lesser haven't changed. I wasn't surprised when he had no clue what an Ugnaught was nor when he referred to Crosshair by his number. Unlike Kallus or Cross, who both learned from their mistakes (and obviously had honor), Rampart remains greedy. Although he offers information, he could sell the Batch out in exchange for freedom. We'll see how well that goes. Crosshair was right to be wary.

Side note: seeing Rampart being thrown around like luggage when he was stunned was hilarious. He deserved it though.

Speaking of Cross, his snark was golden. You tell them Cross. Snark aside, Crosshair is not ok. Even mentioning Tantiss is a trigger for him. He doesn't want to go back nor think about anything related to the place. But we all know he will because Omega needs him. She saved his life and he loves her dearly. But I'm glad Hunter and Wrecker didn't hold it against him. Although, I wished we got more dialogue on that whole situation. At least both of his brothers know that Cross didn't hand her over willingly or what not. And Cross trusts that Omega's choice wasn't without reason. Also, Cross' theme kicks in after his hand starts trembling and he needs a hug. He's been through so much.

The interaction with Phee was also really sweet. Crosshair finally got to hear the iconic "Brown Eyes." And the fact that Tech clearly talked about Crosshair in a positive light to Phee makes my heart melt. Tech doesn't know how much Crosshair has changed, but that love he had for him never went away. I am in tears. I also have no doubt that Tech would be impressed with Phee's stealthy drop off of the boys.

Something else I enjoyed was seeing the brothers work together like to good ol' days. It really reminded me of the earlier seasons and CW and just how much I missed it. Season 3 has been so heavy and dark that moments like these make me happy. Cross and Wrecker using battle plans while Hunter drives was so much fun to watch.

And then there's Hemlock. I can't wait for him to fall off Tantiss and die. He's so creepy and gross. I cringe whenever I see his stupid face. The way he showed Omega the children and was like "this is your new home" just made me want to hate him more.

And Emerie! She feels so trapped between her duties and affection for Omega. But she will choose a side in the end and I have a feeling it'll be Omega. My theory is that Omega will encourage her to help her and the children escape. Emerie will provide assistance and probably be killed by Hemlock.

someone please tell me how Echo is doing off screen. I love you sweet Echo; just stay off screen and you'll be safe. but also come back bc i miss your presence

Anyways, that's all for now. We're in the endgame now fellas. 3 more episodes. I will post some theories. Until next time, take care!

#star wars #the bad batch #tbb crosshair #tbb omega #tbb hunter #tbb tech #tbb wrecker #tbb echo #vice admiral rampart #royce hemlock #emerie karr #tbb spoilers #phee genoa

[melrosing]

sparknotes for ep 2 of my made up Robert's Rebellion adaptation because I don't trust HBO :) this part is more detailed because the introductions are over and I am having fun. once again, some changes: Rhaegar and Joncon canonically meet when squiring together, but I want to introduce him slightly earlier so now they'll first meet with Joncon as a page at the Red Keep (so he's maybe a little younger than Rhaegar). also, spot bonifer hasty - this is just before he finds jesus Prev Part - Episode 1

Next Part - Episode 3

Episode 2: The Boys Are Fightinggg

It’s been five/six years since ep 1. We open in the library of the Red Keep, where a fourteen year old Rhaegar Targaryen sits reading a heavy tome, brow pinched. After a moment, he shuts it carefully and rises to walk to a window overlooking the training grounds. A maester asks if he’s alright, and Rhaegar answers “it seems I must learn to fight” (cryptic lil fuck)

Opening credits roll. They’re the same as GOT except the music is caramelldansen

Joanna Lannister at Casterly Rock, sat in her solar with Genna; she’s visibly pregnant. A maid enters the solar looked panicked, and insists she speak to Joanna alone. Joanna allows this, and the maid confides something (guess what) concerning the twins. After ascertaining the maid won’t speak (and maybe issuing a tiny little threat), Joanna dismisses her with a bag of gold

Joanna confronts her children one at a time. Cersei is belligerent, insisting it was only a game. Jaime is distressed, unable to comprehend why what they were doing was wrong. Joanna states she will be placing their rooms apart, with a guard on Cersei’s etc - and don’t make her tell their dad. Both children look utterly horrified by that prospect, and Joanna seems uneasy threatening it

Aerys and Tywin at the King’s council. Lots of matters on the table etc. Some guy called Denys Darklyn is asking for a charter for Duskendale (it's clearly not the first time), which Tywin dismisses. Some Kingsguard has died, and they need a replacement. Tywin makes some suggestions of his own, and asks Aerys which he would prefer. Aerys is not really listening, only waving his hand over the flame of a candle. Tywin interrupts his musings, and Aerys burns himself in surprise. Asking the King his input on some matter, Aerys has little to offer. Tywin says something faintly facetious regarding the King’s attention span, and Aerys thinks he sees Pycelle smile

Rhaella, also pregnant, is in the gardens at the Red Keep, sat beneath a memorial statue of her parents. She grasps a bunch of flowers that she presumably means to lay at their feet, touches her bump and looks uneasy. Watching on is a castle guard who stands at the garden gate; Rhaella meets his eyes, pleading him closer, and they hold one another’s gaze for a long moment. Ultimately the guard breaks it, and looks down to his feet. Rhaella, looking away in despair, stiffly but violently shreds her flowers, and drops the remains beneath the statue before rising and leaving the garden

Anime boy Rhaegar learning to fight in the training yard. He seems a little surprised if reassured by his own skill, overpowering the master at arms at one point. Young page Jon Connington watches on, looking like he’s about to burst into applause. Aerys himself looks on from a high window, and looks Intensely Bothered

Aerys walking through the halls past a small crowd of men. He hears one say that Tywin truly rules the Seven Kingdoms, and turns abruptly to see the speaker - one Ilyn Payne, who looks shocked to see Aerys there. Aerys looks violent, like he might do something for a moment, but is ushered onwards by Barristan Selmy

Rhaella and Rhaegar at the dinner table in the royal… chambers??? whatever lol. Rhaella says she’s heard Rhaegar is fighting: that is good. Rhaegar is not super responsive to this praise. Rhaella then asks her son if she thinks the baby will be a boy or a girl. Rhaegar looks at her sadly

Aerys arrives belatedly to ruin dinner, decides he dislikes how quiet and miserable his family looks. Cracks a shit joke, doesn’t like the way his son looks at him, reads judgement in the kid’s eyes. Aerys is about to escalate in this sudden disagreement with his son, when Rhaella begins panicking - there’s blood pooling beneath the table. As Aerys realises what’s happening his anger abruptly turns to Rhaella, and he looks like he might strike her - then Rhaegar stands between them, and silently warns him off. Aerys is furious, but it works, and he storms out

Now Aerys is storming into the throne room, where Tywin sits his throne, listening to the grievances of some visiting lord. Aerys identifies Ilyn Payne at the sidelines, calls him over, and orders his tongue ripped out. This is appropriately grim :) Tywin looks on, displeased but unable to say anything. Aerys orders him off of his throne then takes it himself, and announces that as king he is ordering a tourney: the winner will join his Kingsguard

#asoiaf #cw miscarriage #sparknotes robert's rebellion

[multific]

Oath

Paz Vizsla x Reader

Season 3 Ep 1 spoilers

Summary: It was the day, the perfect day, when your son can finally become a real Mandalorian and he would receive his helmet.

You and your husband had been waiting for this moment since he was born.

And there he stood, your young boy, ready to make his pledge, but of course, everything went downhill. Because why wouldn't it?

Everything started off very well.

You stood beside your husband as the Armourer came out with a helmet in her hands. Forged for your son as you and Paz requested.

The ceremony started off okay. Other children before him had no interruptions.

Then the huge water creature crawled out and ruined it all. Chaos ensued.

"Go back! Take him with you." said Paz as he pushed you out of the way. You ran over to your son, in an attempt to help but he was adamant on helping the Armorer. 

In the end, Din Djarin appeared with his ship and killed the creature.

You turned to your son.

"Are you okay?" you asked him and he nodded.

"I am." you let out a sigh of relief. "Let's go inside." 

Once back in your rooms, you had a look at your son in his helmet.

"I'm really proud of you, you know? You look really good in your helmet." you said as he walked over to you and hugged you.

"Thank you, Mom."

"How dare he! He is not even a Mandalorian anymore! And yet he came in as if-"

"Paz." you stopped your rambling husband as soon as he entered the door. "I believe our son and his oath is more important than Djarin."

"Meshla... you are right. I'm sorry, My Son. I am very proud of you." you watched as Paz knelt down and your son ran into his arms. 

You were proud of your own little Mandalorian for sure, you were also a bit glad that Din arrived and killed that thing before it could hurt anyone else.

You watched as your husband and son put their helmets against one another.

It was possibly the cutest thing you have seen.

Taglist: @fleursirvart​ @greenarrowhead​ @thisismysecrethappyplace​ @sincerelyfan​ @theoneanna​ @aestheticsandmarvel​ @rororo06​ @castellandiangelo​ @destynelseclipsa​ @spilledinkindumpster​ @capsiclesdoll​ @puknow​ @alwayshave-faith​ @alex12948​ @lxdyred​  @imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl​ @anonymoussherlockandmarvelgeek​ @praline357​ @trshngyn​ @avengers-r-us​ @violet-19999​ @top1bbgloak​​  @manduse​​  @jacalineiscomingforyou​

~Masterlist~

ˇAO3ˇ

             DO NOT REPOST OR TRANSLATE ANY OF MY WORKS

#paz vizsla #paz vizsla x reader #paz vizsla x you #paz vizsla x fem reader #paz vizsla x wife reader #paz vizsla imagine #paz vizsla imagines #Mandalorian #the mandalorian #the mandalorian x reader #the mandalorian x you #the mandalorian x fem reader #mandalorian imagine #mandalorian imagines #the mandalorian imagine #the mandalorian imagines

[p-redux]

You know, I am stunned at the lack of logic and critical thinking in this fandom. It’s like those with extreme opinions have such strong confirmation bias that they can’t get out of their own way. When I read some of these posts on lots of different blogs, I am struck at the logical questions that are never truly answered- well except by ad hominem attacks and logical fallacies and extensive conspiracy theories.

1. Wouldn’t a TV show that’s not on a well-known and popular streaming service love the PR they’d get if their costars were actually in love and in a real life relationship? What value does the production company gain by keeping them hidden for almost 10 years? I can’t logically see that it would bring more profits. So we’re supposed to love a loyal, brave, committed, and family-oriented Jamie, but we need a single, sexy Sam to sell the show?? Cognitive dissonance anyone?

2. Now that it’s well established that Sam and Caitriona essentially ARE Outlander and are EPs, wouldn’t they have the power to say no more if this “ narrative” was true? If they quit, there’s no OL. Couldn’t they refuse to film anything else if they aren’t allowed to tell the truth (if it’s hidden)? It’s interesting that Ron and Terri are married, Maril and Matt have twins together, but S and C were forbidden to be together? I would think that could be a legitimate lawsuit. Didn’t they renegotiate new contracts since the first season?

3. Do people actually believe that Sam and Caitriona are good people, philanthropic people, hard working entrepreneurial people, wonderful human beings but at the same time think that either of them would actually lie about their own children? With Sam’s childhood, people honestly think he would deny his kids AND be away from them for months? That they both would lie and deceive us about her father’s funeral?

4. So it’s been 10 years and NOT ONE person associated with either of them has publicly and clearly stated, with no doubts or other possible connotations, that they are really together? No costars? No personal friends? No teacher of their kids? No hospital personnel where the kids were born? No extras on OL? No crew members- even those that have been gone long enough that any NDA they signed about the production would have expired? No hotel staff where they may have traveled with their kids? No former “fake gfs” who might be pissed? No friends of “ fake gfs” that want to defend their friend and set the record straight? Not one person who has been associated with OL who might just think this is harmful to children? No photos of them with kids in public- clear photos, not reflections or someone in the background that we cannot clearly identify? Not videos where we cannot tell who is actually there? Wouldn’t someone somewhere have gotten a photo of them together as a family? In ten years? Have you P, seen evidence that I haven’t? I have seen nothing but reflections, blurry images, unidentifiable people in the background. Am I missing something?

5. About their chemistry- they aren’t the only actors I have ever seen that have great chemistry but no real romantic relationship. There are lots of them. It’s like people don’t know what actors actually do. So much of chemistry in acting between actors is about trust and respect for the work. Even some of the best chemistry has been between actors who didn’t really like each other in real life, but were able to use their chemistry and their talent to create characters we believed loved each other.

6. Lastly, I can’t wrap my brain around liking and respecting these two actors for their work and for their real lives, while claiming every day they are lying to me.

People see what they want to see or what they need to see to support their position.

Occam’s Razor tells me that the simplest explanation is often the best one.

Hopefully when OL finally ends, these two will get some peace.

Now, watch the “but what about ______? “start.

Bless you Anon for summarizing everything I and countless other SANE fans have been saying in the Outlander fandom for the last 9 years. The thing is...some Extreme Shippers continue to ship for a few reasons. I put them in these categories:

1. OG shippers who have invested SO many YEARS in their SamCait fantasy ship. They want to "save face." It's embarrassing to acknowledge that you were fed and believed a LIE for so long. Their egos can't handle it, so they'd rather double down, and find a way to pretzel their brains around things that are obvious facts to the rest of us. They don't want to feel like they "lost." So, they just keep on denying the TRUTH and the mountains of evidence showing that Sam and Cait are not a couple in real life. The alternative is too painful to them. It's been too much time, too much energy, too much of themselves invested in the ship, and they are missing something in their real lives. The ship fills that void.

2. New fans to Outlander who have recently discovered it. They've gone down the rabbit hole of shipper Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter X accounts and they haven't climbed their way out yet to blogs like mine, and other Non-Shippers.

3. The Fake Shippers who pretend to be shippers to MAKE MONEY off those still clinging on to the life boats. There are still bloggers and shipper groups who know they have a captive audience in shippers holding out hope that some of what the original shipper leaders sold them might actually be true. These fake shippers manipulate gifs, pictures, videos, SHOW shippers what they WANT to see. They keep them hanging on with podcasts, magazine, subscriptions. They sell them trips to Scotland, conventions t-shirts, mugs, daily "proof" that Sam and Cait secretly live together with their 5 bairns. And because con artists are experts at conning people, they make everything believable...and some poor souls buy what they're selling. Literally BUY 💵 what they're selling. Sadly, this fandom is filled with a lot of retired women with disposable income, who are lonely or disillusioned with their own lives. And they are easy pickings for the money hungry fake shippers.

So, in summary, the reason there are still some SamCait Shippers is a combination of fake shippers SELLING them the fantasy AND women needing to STILL hold onto the fantasy. With a few actually mentally unwell women thrown in here and there, who have diagnosable mental health issues.

It's actually quite sad. If only they had gotten off the ship with the rest of us years ago, they could have been enjoying celebrating REAL love. Instead, they're on a constantly rocky ship that causes them disappointment more often than not. Here, on terra firma, no one needs Dramamine. It's lovely. Because it's REAL. 💞

#samheughan #caitrionabalfe #extremeshippers #outlander #fake shippers #extremeshipperlies #logic #3 types of shippers #fake ship #faux ship #real love #tait #reality #the truth #there is only one #non-shippers #shippers

[lilyginnyblackv2]

Social, Cultural, & Political Things to Help Understand Buddy Daddies - Part 2

Hey there, everyone! Since my first post covering topics like these went over so well, and since I found a few more things I can talk about in these first four episodes that involve a social, cultural, and/or political aspect of Japan, I decided to make a second post. 

I type these posts up on my desktop, since that is easier, but after posting, I will go back on mobile and edit in ALT text for the photos. This post is also likely to be very lengthy and image heavy, but I hope you all enjoy the information provided. Also, if anyone has any extra insights, please feel free to share that information. I love learning, and always am learning, so any corrections or further info is always appreciated.

We are going to be starting off with a few simple, quick, and “easy” topics, so to speak. Now, let’s get started!

1. Rock - Paper - Scissors

In Ep.3, we see Kazuki and Rei decide who will go and purchase the sweet potato for Miri. In order to decide this, they use Rock-Paper-Scissors. In Japan, the game is called janken and is used in classrooms to decde everything: which row or group in class will go first? Janken. There is a tie, who will win the game? Janken. A student or students are out of class today so there is some extra food left over, who will get it? Janken.

In many cases, this will be use to decide orders as well (like the winner goes first or last and then it goes in ascending or descending order from there). And it won’t just be between two people, they’ll do huge groups. When I worked as an ALT, I would often just trust my students or the JTE (Japanese Teacher of English) or Homeroom Teacher to figure out who won and lost, because I would always lose track... ^ ^;

Anyway, this way of deciding things is viewed as unbiased and a sort of “third-party” decision maker. A nice way to have a decision made without ruffling any feathers. And, we sometimes see using Rock-Paper-Scissors to decide things within the workplace and business world.

Some examples of this are provided on the website Japan Daily, which will be linked below. The website does lean a bit into Orentialism, imo, but it also has some good history and info on Rock-Paper-Scissors in Japan and these real life examples of it being used in a business/work environment are great:

2. Baked Sweet Potato - Street Food

Baked sweet potato is a very common street food in Japan in the fall and winter months. They are cheap, smell delicious, are delicious, and are a great way to warm up cold hands. Nowadays, many are sold out of small, white vans like the one shown in Buddy Daddies. 

(Image from Asahi Imports).

They are usually eaten plain and the inside tends to be a light, off-set white. Like ice cream trucks, the sweet potato vendors will usually set up shop around playgrounds, school areas, parks, etc. basically any place where a large crowd is likely, and they will usually shout out that they have sweet potatoes. In a similar way to the vendors walking around selling food, drinks, and peanuts at a baseball game or something.

You can read more about this winter time snack over at Asahi Imports, which will be linked below (they also make mention of daigaku imo, which is a dish you’ll see in Japanese school lunches in the fall and winter months, and which is very yummy!).

3. Obake - Ghosts 

I was watching a reaction video to episode 3 of Buddy Daddies, and the reactor was like, “Isn’t she afraid of ghosts?” And, well, that made me think of a very popular song and book in Japan called おばけなんてないさ (Obake Nante Nai sa). It is a very famous children’s song and (later) picture book in Japan. The song was first broadcast on an NHK program called “Minna no Uta” in 1966. This info is from the website Hello Project Lyrics Wiki, and will be linked in the comments below.

When I worked at a Japanese cram school back here in the States, we had a bunch of copies of the books, and all the teachers had the book and song memorized. All the parents were familiar with it too, and it was taught in the youngest class, since the book and song is for the 0 - 2 year old age range.

Here is a Youtube video with the book and the song being sung to it. Warning: This song WILL get stuck in your head. The beat is very simple and easy to remember, so you’ll definitely end up humming it, even if you don’t know the lyrics.

I’ll link to English lyrics that I found for this song in the comments. But the general gist is that there is no such things as ghosts, they aren’t real, but if they were, I (a child) would be afraid of them. So the song goes on to tell of how you can befriend a ghost instead, and not be afraid of them anymore. 

Miri is 4 years old, and can write her name, speak and understand well, and has good coordination skills. So there has been some level of education, so she has likely heard this song before. And therefore probably isn’t afraid of ghosts on a more conceptual level, though she still equates them with “bad guys,” lol. If she hasn’t learned it or heard it yet, she probably will now that she is in daycare.

There are four more issues/aspects that I plan on discussing, so I’ll put those under a Read More due to length and them being slightly less lighthearted.

4. Animal Rights

When I watched reaction videos to the first episode, many people were upset at the cat being returned to the box (and the cat even just being in a box to begin with). I was too, of course, but I also knew where this scene was coming from. For this section, I will be citing the article: Challenging, inadequate animal welfare in Japan, which I will link to below. Though, I also came across the article Why You Shouldn’t Buy a Pet in Japan, which I will also be linking below, since I think it is worth the read. 

Basically, Japan has laws in place, and they get revised every 5 or so years, however, they are very vague and the general public knowledge of animal rights is farther behind than in other industrialized nations. In the other article that I will be linking below, they mention that about 90% of pets in Japan are bought through pet stores, rather than through adoptions or rescues. So, as the other article states, abandonment of pets is rather high, especially because of how trend-based pet ownership is in Japan.

Things like pet cafes can really influence pet trends. I’ve been to two myself, an Owl Cafe in Osaka and a Hedgehog Cafe in Tokyo. 

That was a number of years ago now. And while those experiences were AMAZING! I do think about the ethics of it all and think, if I were to return to Japan some day for a visit, those kinds of cafes wouldn’t be on my To Do list.

However, there are groups and organizations to help fight for animal rights in Japan. Since this section of the post was inspired by the scene with the cat in the box, I’ll highlight the cat based one mentioned in the article:

So that’s good to hear!

5. Parenting Style

Another thing I noticed during reaction videos were the responses to scenes like the above, where Miri is kicking at the back of Rei’s car seat and whining, “I wanna go swing!” As well as to scenes like below, where Miri caused all of Kazuki’s food supplies and materials to spill all over the ground. 

All of them have made mentioned that moments like those require strict discipline. But, Japanese parenting style differs a bit when it comes to things like this. In an article entitled: Japanese Parenting Style - And Differences From the West, which will be linked to below, we get this bit on discipline:

Basically, it is saying that Japan isn’t really big on punishment because Japanese children learn to behave by learning the importance of cooperation and harmony through other social groups like school and sports. This is definitely true. What I’ve seen is that the expectation is that the children still don’t fully understand the ins-and-outs of society yet.

I worked at a Japanese daycare, so our job was to take a gentle parenting approach, to help explain to the child why what they did was hurtful or harmful or dangerous. And one of our goals was to help the children learn how to play amicably with each other. 

That’s not to say that I haven’t seen children be yelled at or anything like that. I have. But it is usually the teachers that take on that mantel, especially at the junior high school level. That’s when you get stuff like students have to practice bowing during an assembly over and over and over again until they get it just right, especially if that assembly is a rehearsal for an important event, like graduation ceremonies.

Bringing this back to Miri though. Now that she is in daycare, she will start to receive this gentle parenting approach to learning how to co-exist with others, which will eventually result in more positive behaviors (or, that is the ultimate goal, anyway). Miss Anna will likely provide a lot of that guidance as the head daycare teacher.

6. Snack Bars

Miri’s mother works at a Snack Bar and, over on the official website, it states that her job is as both the Mama and singer at the Snack Bar and that she is 34 years old. But what is a Snack Bar and what is a Mama?

Snack Bars were started in 1964 to work around government laws that prevented adult entertainment establishments from staying open after midnight, by offering light snacks, that changed the category that they fell under, thus they could stay open. The Mama of the Snack Bar is basically the one in charge of the Snack Bar.

They are similar in ways to Hostess Bars, but on the cheaper side. You can read about more of the details about how they run and what not at the website Metropolis Japan, which I will link to in the comments.

Another thing about Snack Bars is that, while they don’t sell sex, they sell the fantasy and illusion of sex:

They are also a outdated nowadays (with their peak being back in the 80s), so there is a general seedy vibe about them. It may seem like an okay place to take kids from the name alone, but they are very much so adult-only spaces. Also, as we saw with Miri’s mother, likely a place and setting where the exploitation of women happens.

7. Casinos and Gambling in Japan

We saw Kazuki do some gambling in Ep. 1. Something you may have noticed, however, was who lured him in:

And what the outside of the establishment looked like:

Two young and sexy women and a bright, sparkling pink building named “FAIRY LIPS.” You probably guessed that this isn’t a legal gambling establishment. Casinos and gambling are still largely illegal in Japan, with some exceptions like lottery. The ones that are illegal are likely being run by Yakuza. 

However, some changes have gone into affect in more recent years, especially as a way to attract tourists. 

Over on the Wikipedia page about Gambling in Japan (which will be linked below in the comments), it talks about how Japanese lawmakers approved a bill in July 2018 that officially allows casinos in the country. However, they come with a lot of restrictions, such as Japanese locals only being able to visit them three times per week or ten times a month, and Japanese visitors will be charged 6,000 yen entrance fees to discourage addiction. 

And...that’s it for this post! Thank you all for reading this far and for all the love and support you’ve all shown to my previous post (and other meta posts I’ve made). I really and truly appreciate it! I’ll be keeping an eye out for topics like these in future episodes. Though, those posts should be a lot shorter, since I’ll be going on an episode-by-episode basis, instead of in bulk like this.

Until next time! 

#Buddy Daddies #Kazuki Kurusu #Rei Suwa #Miri Unasaka #Misaki Unasaka #Japanese culture and society #Japanese politics #long post #meta post #image heavy post #Youtube

[atlafan]

Jordan, ik you probably don’t want to have a whole conversation about this but I recently watched Drew Gooden’s video on the live action atla series (it just affirmed that I definitely don’t want to watch it lol) but it did inspire me to do a rewatch of the original and ughhhhhh it’s so incredible😭😭 all the little characterization details are SO rewarding and so good. Zuko’s small acts of kindness, even early on in book 1, just show that he’s always been Ursa’s son and help set up his arc for the rest of the show. Going after the captured Iroh instead of tracking the Gaang in Winter Solstice. Saving his crew in The Storm. It just shows you that at his core he believes in doing the right thing, and that’s a huge part of why his overall arc pays off so well. It’s the same with all of them—seeing Sokka put on his war paint and his battle regalia (in ep 2 or 3 I think) to confront Zuko in the village…it shows you that he takes such pride in the responsibility of being a leader and a warrior, especially in his dad’s absence. Yet when he gets to Kyoshi, we see the humbled side of him, and that he’s devoted to learning and respectful of the masters in their craft (whether it’s the Kyoshi warriors or Piandao or even the mechanist) and wants to learn what they have to teach him. Even Jet, who is always a very complicated character for me, is so compelling and so real. He’s suffered horribly and unfortunately has let that radicalize him. Tbh it reminds me of when anti war groups in the 60s would bomb places and things like that…the mission is “peace” but you’ve let your mission turn you into a violent radical who doesn’t know the difference between right and wrong anymore. I KNOW I don’t have to tell you lol but all the little details of this show, from design to writing to performances, are just incredibleeee and I’m so happy it exists.

GISICKAKAAK what a fun message to wake up to!

Yes I am simply pretending the new series doesn’t exist because I know it’ll just piss me off if I watch it. And I know myself well enough to know I am just not mature enough to separate the original from the new, so yeah I won’t be watching and I doubt I ever will. The one thing I am mature about is that I don’t “hate watch” things anymore lmao

I think this is why zuko is like my favorite character. I feel like he was the first character I was ever like “no, that’s actually my son” when I got older. He is so fucking complicated and so not at all what you think he’s going to be. He’s not just the antagonist, he’s Aang’s foil. They parallel each other in so many different ways. There’s a scene in book 3 where Aang literally says, “I need my honor back”, and it cross fades from one side of his face to the other side of zuko’s!!

All of the characters have incredible arcs. They all learn something about themselves, and they actually use that to grow and get better. Remember, these are literally children who were thrusted into adulthood, forced to grow up way too early. Katara is a nagging mother, but she also remembers how to be a kid and have fun and laugh. Sokka is a sexier idiot, but what teenage boy isn’t? He unlearns so much behavior, and even though he still feels like he’s the leader of the group, and in so many ways he is, he learns that it’s okay to let someone else take the lead, that he doesn’t always have to be right or in charge. Toph learns that she’s loveable for who she is, blindness and shoeless and a badass.

Aang and Zuko obviously have the most difficult arcs. Aang has to come to terms with the fact that he ran away, and a mass genocide of his people ensued. But if he hadn’t left, he would have died along with the rest of them. Like it or not, it was fate that he froze himself. And most avatars get told who they are at 16 and are given all the time in the world to learn the other elements. Aang was 12…and then had to learn the other elements in less than a year. I would argue that he didn’t necessarily master all the elements in that year. I think he learned enough about each to get by, and I’d like to think he took some time afterwards to really master them. He still relied on his air bending a lot. Whereas if we look at Korra, she did a lot of fire bending even though water was her natural element.

And my baby zuko…I could go on for days about him. My tortured emo son. He overcame so much. He cried, he learned to laugh again, he learned how to be young again. He hated being in the slums of ba sing se, but he also went on dates and got closer with his uncle like he never had been. He was such a sweet little boy. The storm always makes me cry. Zuko alone always makes me cry.

I could go on! I always wanna talk about avatar so never be afraid to come to my inbox about it!

#atla #avatar #avatar the last airbender #zuko #katara #aang #sokka #toph #uncle iroh #the gaang #gaang #prince zuko #zutara

[wen-kexing-apologist]

If y'all don't stop tagging me in "list your favorite ________" challenges, I swear.....(kidding)

You know I'm indecisive and that the second I'm asked questions like this everything I have ever known or loved just falls right out of my head :'(

ANYWAY. I was tagged by @colourme-feral to name 9 favorite TV series. Nine? Not ten? Alright, whatever. Now presenting, in no particular order

wen-kexing-apologist's Top Nine Favorite TV Series

I think, much like last time where I listed my ten favorite characters AND THEN LEFT OUT PIKE MOTHERFUCKING DEXTER LIKE A GODDAMN NOOB I can't be certain I am forgetting one that I cherish greatly.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

I'm putting this first because A:TLA was a show I watched live in my youth and I remember running the hating Zuko to loving Zuko gauntlet in real time.

But seriously, you can't give me the single greatest redemption arc written in human history and not expect me to cradle this show close to my chest for the rest of my life.

There are so many shows we grow up with that we remember fondly and that in the grand scheme of things aren't that good, protected by young minds and nostalgia AND THIS ISN'T ONE OF THEM.

Seriously my poor mother has had to listen to hours worth of rambling about the incredibly strong adult themes, three dimensional characters, and conversations around war and the portrayal of no one society as inherently evil from both of her children.

This is my boy and I will love him until the end of time, I'm sorry that I hated you when we first met. In my defense the narrative compelled me to do so.

Sense8

Queer, sex positive, beautifully crafted, orgies as a symbol of human connection, the way the world is so small and that people from all over the world have skills that are valuable, that save lives, that are needed and necessary. Humanity and complexity given to people involved in the drug trade, humanity and complexity given to drug users, humanity and complexity given to gang members, humanity and complexity given to prisoners. Love, loss, tragedy, trauma, trans joy, throuple, couple and whatever the fuck Daniella is doing, one really good weed brownie curing transphobia.

The ending wasn't perfect but that isn't the Wachowski Sister's fault, it was Netflix's fault.

I Told Sunset About You/I Promised You The Moon

This show, especially I Told Sunset About You, may be the single most emotional a show has ever made me. I think I cried four times per episode for ITSAY, the only time I didn't cry four times was Episode 3, where foolishly I made it through 98% of the episode went "this edible ain't shit I don't know why everyone is so emo about Ep 3, it's been the most mild so far" AND THEN FUCKING BAM

Teh with the steel fucking chair!

When I tell you I spent hours, numb, staring up at the ceiling?? It's not an exaggeration.

When I tell you I thought about this scene for more than three and immediately burst into tears??? It's not an exaggeration.

This show altered my brain chemistry, this show altered my DNA, this show was so fucking good and ruined me so thoroughly that I wasn't even able to make my brain come up with things to analyze.

in this show, WHERE THERE IS SO MUCH THERE TO ANALYZE. I am making a friend watch it right now so I'm hoping I will have more to contemplate and talk about as I rewatch it now that the emotional impact has softened.

Moonlight Chicken

Look no further than my Gay Meta Masterpost pinned to my page to understand why I love this show so much. It is gorgeous, it handles the subject of disability well, it's the show that got me to start posting meta and as a result it is the show that got me all the friends I have on tumblr now.

This show is perfect, the acting is spectacular, the inherent queerness that runs through the narrative, THE LIGHTING. Aof knocked it out of the motherfucking park with this one.

The Eclipse

Folks let me tell you what happens when you go from Not Me to The Eclipse...

you fall desperately in love with First Kanaphan Puitrakul and his masterful acting ability. I love this show so much. P'Golf had things to say and she was not afraid to say it. The queer characters got to be complex and messy and wrong sometimes, none of the main characters were morally superior, they all contributed to maintaining the system, they all helped harm other queer people. This show was made with pocket change and a dream and it gave me two of my favorite kisses in BL, one of my favorite stories in BL, and my sweet summer child

my beloved Baby War Criminal who is my favorite character ever in BL. Look at him. He is under so much pressure. GOD I LOVE THIS SHOW. And I love Thua too.

Our Flag Means Death

Setting aside the problematic fans, I watched this show eleven times. It was one of the only shows I'd seen where every couple was queer, I love how gradually the writing team was able to move this show from comedy to something more serious, I love the way Stede returned home only to find that he had been forever changed, I love the way Blackbeard was on his way to grieving and healing with healthy coping mechanisms, and the commentary the show gave on how exposure to toxic masculinity and internalized/externalized homophobia (in the form of Izzy) can alter that course. I love that traditional roles and expectations are subverted in this show. That Pete and Lucius are in love, that Olu gets thrown around by Jim, that the show allows for an older queer person to both realize his sexuality and experience his first queer love.

And also

it introduced me to one of the first nonbinary characters I had seen on screen. Jim Jimenez you can murder me whenever you wish, it would be my absolute honor.

What We Do in The Shadows

For one, it's hilarious

For two, Jackie Daytona exists.

For three

It gave me Guillermo de la Cruz, the sexiest motherfucker alive.

The Owl House

Queer, neurodivergent representation????? In my TV show??????? A main plot point being around the all consuming nature of white supremacy and religious zeal. Hunter? Dear sweet, awkward, traumatized Hunter? RAINE MOTHERFUCKING WHISPERS?!

Listen, I'm a simple bitch, okay? You put an enby in my television and I will be forced to stan.

I mean look at them!

Word of Honor

*points to username*

If I didn't put WoH on here I would have to give up rights to my username.

This is the show that started me on the BL spiral and having read the novel, I have to say that I have never seen a show change a character and expand upon a story as well as Word of Honor has.

The sex appeal, the swagger, and the lowkey unsettling obsession The Scorpion King has in the TV show compared to the book?

Expert execution of fundamentally and fully changing source text. The costumes are gorgeous and the way I was driven to the brink of insanity by how gay this show was despite censorship is truly unmatched. I know censorship can dampen a queer story experience, but damned if i didn't go feral and say "I can't believe they got away with that" at every given opportunity.

And

It gave me my beloved Adult War Criminal, Wen Kexing, who as we all know, has never done anything wrong in his life, ever.

___

Bonus Round:

aka shows that I haven't or that haven't finished yet so I am contractually obligated not to put them on a list.

180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us

I have two episodes left, it is absolutely killer, and if it continues to be as strong as it is this will be a 10/10 show for me and join the ranks of my favorites. This show is driving me mad with both hands and barriers and I need everyone to know that.

La Pluie

There are three episodes left for this to go wrong which is the only reason why I haven't put it on the list. But similarly to 180 Degrees, if it continues the way it is going now this will be a 10/10 show for me and join the ranks of my favorites. I LOVE what they are doing to subvert the soulmate trope. It is a masterpiece so far and I need more people to be watching this.

Tagging:

@solitaryandwandering, @ranchthoughts, @wanderlust-in-my-soul, @so-much-yet-to-learn, and @neuroticbookworm

Your choice whether to participate or not and apologies if you have already been tagged.

#atla #sense8 #itsay #ipytm #moonlight chicken #the eclipse #our flag means death #the owl house #what we do in the shadows #word of honor #avatar the last airbender #mlc #toh #woh #ofmd #wwdits #la pluie #180 degree longitude passes through us #tag game

[ladyinred2248]

The Offering, Finan x Luna, Part 9

Warnings: Mature. Minors DNI.

Summary: The crew return to Coccham. Luna keeps a secret from Finan. Setting is Season 3, Ep 8.

With Sihtric’s help, the crew had recovered Skade. Sihtric’s stomach turned as he watched Uhtred and Skade kiss when he reunited them at the tree.

Gods help him, she is bewitching, pure evil. Sihtric thought.

The crew had escaped just in time, stealing one of the Dane’s boats, Haestan glaring in anger as Uhtred held up his sword at him with pride as they rowed away stealthily. The crew took the ship down river to journey to Coccham.

The next morning, Finan and Luna sat in each other’s embrace wrapped in Finan’s cloak at the end of the boat as Sihtric walked to them with a smile on his face, taking a seat next to them.

“You are to be a wife to the Irishman, sister?” He asked as his eyes caught Finan’s, giving him a smirk.

Luna nodded with a smile. “Yes.  And I am most thrilled to meet your wife, and see your estate. I feel like I have a family for the first time in my life...” 

Sihtric and Finan held eye contact as Sihtric hesitated to reply.

“We have not been to Coccham for some time. And now that Uhtred is an outlaw… I fear it is our estate no longer.” 

“His children are there, no?” Luna asked. “And his wife?”

Sihtric paused as his eyes fell.

“The Lady Gisela… died in childbirth, love. A while back.” Finan muttered in her ear as she laid against him.

Luna’s heart broke for Uhtred as she had not known of Gisela’s fate until now. Sihtric looked at her and grabbed her hand. “Our destiny is in the hands of the Gods. We will be a family. You have my word.” Sihtric said as he stood up to leave them, rejoining the other men.

Finan and Luna were silent in their embrace for a few moments, Finan running his hand through her hair.

Finan looked up to see Uhtred and Skade embraced in a kiss in the distance.

“Christ…” he muttered under his breath as Luna looked up to see what had caught his eye.

“Is his intention to kill her or to bed her?” Luna asked with disdain, cursing in old Norse.

Finan shook his head and sighed. 

As the crew arrived at Coccham and docked the boat, Finan caught up to Uhtred as they approached the gates.

“Is the idea we simply walk into Coccham like we’ve never been away? Directly to the hall?” Finan asked him.

“Yes,” Uhtred answered both questions.

“And if another Lord resides there?” Finan continued.

“We ask him to leave, my friend.” Uhtred replied.

“I can do that…” Finan said, and then looked back at Skade following them a few paces behind.

“Are we to expect a wedding, Lord?” Finan asked and then leaned in closer. “We did not risk our lives for you to hump the bitch. Or do you plan to kill her with your cock?” Finan said in a low tone with his deep accent as Luna eavesdropped the conversation from behind Finan, smirking at his remarks.

“My plan is to see my children,” Uhtred replied.

As they entered Coccham, a man approached Uhtred, relaying to him that Alfred’s men were taking food and grain to feed the army, most of the village’s winter stores. As the crew approached the hall, Priests sat and feasted in the hall that was once Uhtred and Gisela’s. Uhtred became angered not only at these people stealing from the people of his village, but at the sight of a cross hanging in the hall. Uhtred ordered the priests and Alfred’s men to return half of what they had gathered from the village after a stern altercation. Uhtred was reunited with Abbess Hild, who told him that his children had been taken to Winchester under the care of the Crown, which infuriated Uhtred. Hild agreed to help Uhtred in his quest to see his children at Winchester, but warned him that he would need to travel carefully as they would be watching for him.

“Finan,” Uhtred gestured him over. 

“Lord?” Finan responded.

“Have the priests unload half of what they have taken. They must go back to Alfred and you will be riding with them.”

“All the way to Winchester…?” Finan asked.

“I will follow and find you.” Uhtred insisted.

“And what of Skade?”

“She stays with me,” Uhtred replied, the men holding hesitant eye contact for a moment,

“I will find you in Winchester. That is where I must be. Unseen.”

“And if Alfred decides to take us hostage?” Finan asked.

“He will have you watched, nothing more. All you need to do is drink ale and spend time with your woman.” Uhtred smirked.

“I can do that. We all need a good woman!” Finan said sternly as Uhtred walked away.

Finan, Luna, and Sihtric prepared to journey with the priests to Winchester, the priests showing kindness to Finan, but giving Sihtric and Luna troubled looks.

Osferth came to Finan as he was readying to leave.

“What is happening? Why is she not dead?” Osferth asked.

“She has beauty and power, Osferth,” Finan replied, “Over men who believe in their own reputation.”

“She is evil, he has promised her death,” Osferth continued.

“Pray for him. He’ll need it.” Finan replied as he walked away, shaking his head.

The journey to Winchester was long. One of the biggest reprieves for Luna was having Sihtric back. It eased her mind and brought her comfort to know that he had not betrayed them; his loyal attitude and continuously joyful presence was welcomed.

Even with the return of Sihtric, Finan was quiet during the journey to Winchester, his mind wandering into dark places. He worried for Uhtred being more entranced by Skade by the day, and nightmares plagued him as his impending marriage to Luna grew closer. He was sure he wanted to marry her, but it triggered the deeply held trauma he had from his past life. Luna worried for him and wondered if he had changed his mind about her, watching him closely for signs. She knew it was a foolish thought each time she looked at him and he gave her a smirk and a wink, or when he grabbed her at the waist to give her a deep kiss during their travels.

The crew stopped along the way and made camp as dusk settled on the horizon that day.

“You have been avoiding me.” Luna said quietly as she stood in their tent, creating a small altar and drawing her dagger to cut into her palm, blood spilling into a chalice. Finan had grown accustomed to her pagan offerings, but the sight of it was still fascinating to him.

He watched her fill the chalice and turned to sit down on their bed of furs.

“I have,” he agreed. “I am not myself.”

He watched as she took cloth and wrapped it around the cut on her palm, securing it tightly.

“It’s a full moon tonight,” She said lightly. “If you have any intentions…tonight would be the night to bring them to light. Do you wish to confide in me, Lord? Or will you suffer in silence?” Luna asked.

“Lady, this is not something you can help me with. What Haestan did to us…  It opened my eyes to the dangers ahead. The witch is taking hold of Uhtred, with nothin’ I can do about it... I do not care so much what happens to me… but I care what happens to you.” He replied in his Irish brogue.

Luna kneeled beneath him as he sat. “Finan, we are warriors. As you told my brother, death is a hazard. You should take Haestan’s head. And eventually…you should take back your kingdom and we should kill anyone who stands in our way. You must remember who you are. Your God is with you.” She replied sternly, giving him a small nudge to the shoulder, standing to attend to her altar once again.

Finan stood to join her, looking at the altar, observing her practice. He then suddenly took her dagger, cutting a slit into his palm, joining the blood with hers in the chalice as Luna looked at him in shock.

“Finan! What are you doing?” She asked with a raised tone.

Finan chuckled and then met her gaze. “An offering to your Gods, perhaps. And to you, my lady. Your words hold deep truth… We are warriors. And we will rise.”

They shared an intense gaze at each other for several moments, and Luna smiled. She grabbed his palm to observe the cut, licking his blood from her thumb as she set it down, then gestured to grab a cloth. “I will gladly die trying, my Lord…with honor.” She replied softly as she wrapped his palm in cloth. Finan paused for a minute to quietly observe her again.

“Luna, you have been keeping somethin’ from me. And like ya said…now is a good time to bring it to light.” He said firmly as he looked at her.

She met his gaze and gave him a puzzled look.

“I’m not sure I know your meaning, Lord.” She answered softly.

"Milseán… you have not seen your month’s blood in some time.” 

Luna’s heart began to race at his inquiry. 

“Lord, I... it doesn’t mean that…”

“That ya are with child?” Finan asked as he embraced her, looking into her eyes with a soft gaze.

Luna hesitated and bit her lip.

Luna nodded at him. “I...” She whispered back hesitantly, “Yes.”

“…Oh my God!” Finan rang out in his Irish brogue as he gasped, gripping Luna in a tight hug and bringing her lips to his in a smoldering kiss.

Luna’s nerves settled and she giggled at his excitement as he picked her up and swung her around.

Finan picked her up in his arms and brought her over to the furs, Luna chuckling as his beard tickled her neck.

“Mo bhean chéile,” Finan whispered as he trailed kisses down her neck to her chest.

Luna gestured to take off Finan’s tunic, breaking from their kiss for only a moment as it came off. 

Luna placed her hands on Finan’s back, and he immediately hissed through his teeth. “God, ya are so cold, woman! Your hands are like ice!” He said as he shuddered and chuckled.

“Yes I’m freezing, warm me up!” She joked with him, putting her cold hands on his stomach to torture him.

Finan groaned and laughed as he pinned her down. He paused after their laughter and looked into her eyes.

“Ya make me so happy… I… I have no words. I get to be…” Finan trailed off.

“A father, Lord!” Luna rang out as she cupped his cheeks in her hands as he looked at her.

Finan laid atop of her giving her a slight chuckle, laying his head on her chest, letting a few tears slip off his cheeks to fall onto her chest as he rested there for several moments.

“…Tomorrow we shall be in Winchester, and Beocca can bind us in union,” Finan muttered as his head lay upon her chest, “do ya… mind if it’s in a church?” 

“No, love… I do not mind. I respect your faith as you have respected mine. I would love to honor that.” Luna responded.

“Perhaps it can be, outside the chapel, in nature? To honor your faith as well?” Finan inquired.

“Lord, that would be wonderful.” She smiled and held her arms around him.

“I have to tell Sihtric!!!” Finan said excitedly as he jumped up from the furs.

“No, love, it is too soon for that!” Luna said as she laughed, watching Finan bounce around with high energy and joy.

“Uhtred then!” He replied.

“Lord, no, Uhtred isn’t even here! It is too soon!” She laughed.

“Baby monk?” He asked as Luna shook her head with a smile.

“Agh,” Finan groaned and then sat back down, smiling. “Fine. Our lil’ secret.”

Taglist: @persephones-journey @gemini-mama @bhxrdy @king-alfred @alexagirlie

#finan the agile #finan tlk fanfic #tlk fanfic #tlk fandom #the last kingdom #finan tlk

[hesthermay]

this post will have spoilers for the bad batch season 3, and also contain some vulnerability from me (shocker!)

the very essence of paternity and maternity have made me more emotional in my old age (i know i’m not old, but older than i’ve ever been before) and what it really means to be a parent has developed the ability to reduce me to tears.

i believe this is because of everything i have been through with my own parents, and everything i will continue to go through with them. i have watched my mother fight battle after battle, survive for her children because that is what mothers do. because of this, the scene where ahsoka’s mother roars in the face of a predator, in the face of danger, for her own brings tears to my eyes (tales of the jedi, ep 1). i have watched my father throw everything that should have mattered away over and over, because that is what him as a father does. because of this, the progression of hunter and omega brings tears to my eyes (the bad batch series).

i just recently saw a post (this one to be exact) with the caption “is there anything so undoing as a daughter?” meaning, having a daughter is what makes a man change is ways; having a daughter undoes every way of thinking a man has developed because he has no choice but to change. whether that is for the better or worse is up for debate. in my own case, it was unfortunately for the worse.

but in omegas case, it was only for the better. i am so touched, so weepingly emotional, knowing that she spent her life knowing she was loved. hunter, and the rest of them for that matter, had not known just what they would be for omega and still they walked into it blindly. is there anything so undoing as a daughter? hunter had not known what they would go through with omega, what they would go through for omega and still he went back for her. is there anything so undoing as a daughter? hunter had not known just how big their fight would get and still he never turned back. is there anything so undoing as a daughter?

up until the very end, everything was for her. everything was for to be happy, safe, to live the life of a child because that is what she deserved; and that is what he would fight every day to give her. sitting on those rocks, in that cave on pabu, with his achy bones and greying hair and her red bandana and boundless courage, he confessed to not only her but to the maker that she was their kid.

you’re our kid, omega.

i was someone’s kid, someone’s daughter, and they could not bring themself to confess. they could not bring themself to change. they could not bring themself to fight for me, for their family. is there anything so undoing as a daughter?

perhaps not for me and my father, but for omega and hunter, yes.

#read this if u want #don’t read it if u do not #it is not quite important but rather something i needed to say #just some thoughts on the series ending and what it’s meant to me! #the witch: speaks #the bad batch series #tbb series #tbb omega #tbb hunter #the batch batch spoilers #tbb spoilers #spoilets tbb

[thegeminisage]

oh boy IT'S tng update time. last night* we watched "imaginary friend" and "i, borg."

*tonight. it's 1am. whatever. it's posting tomorrow when i'll be awake but busy. anyway im gonna have to start splitting these up so tumblr will stop FUCKING me re my character count

imaginary friend:

what i like about this episode and indeed tng as a whole is that the little girl was fucking adorable. tng fans, your show has at least one point of validity. whenever there was a child on tos i wanted to throw them out of the airlock because they acted possessed. all the children on tng inspire within me motherly concern.

HOWEVER. THERE SHOULD NOT BE. CHILDREN ON A STARSHIP.

we've gone over this at length. we don't need to do it again. i am sick to death of hearing myself talk about it. i want to stop. and yet. every. and i mean EVERY. SINGLE. PROBLEM. in this episode. happened because there were children on a starship.

problem #1: child is making up a fake imaginary friend instead of making real ones = it's because her dad hops from starship to starship

problem #2 her imaginary friend is real now and wants to drown her in the pool like in that one episode of s*pernatural = this is because an alien, from space, read her mind, which it could not have done if she wasn't in space on a starship

problem #3: the alien HATES the grownups and thinks they should die = because she is seeing the ship from a child's pov, because there are children on this starship

and on and on and on.

aside from this huge and ongoing point of contention it was solidly watchable. i liked the little girl. i like guinan. i like worf being a big old softie when he found them out of bounds. i like people not undermining deanna's counseling work. i liked the horrifically unsettling imaginary friend with laser eyes who definitely absolutely inspired 2.11 playthings.

can anyone tell me if the other star trek shows just let them have kids on the ships? ds9 i get because that's a space station but are there kids on the ship in enterprise? voyager? discovery? genuinely please write in i can't take living like this

i, borg:

ooooooh. ooh i am twirling my hair and kicking my feet and giggling about it. OHHH finally we get a good tng episode. and not just a good episode a GREAT episode. the liz community has forgiven tng. oh baby where do i even begin

okay, firstly, beverly. she so instantly sees someone injured and HAS to help, i mean HAS to, it's so good. it's very bonescore in a way that doesn't feel like they're trying to make her a cheap bones knockoff but rather a spiritual successor. he would have also helped his enemy rather than watching him die. hell, he DID do that and got quite literally mind-raped for his trouble, and he'd probably do it again. i was really really lukewarm on poor bev at first but she's come into her own so well and i'm proud of her

the borg himself - third of five, aw, just like seven of nine - but no, hugh - the name is dumb but whatever i'm glad he has one - was well-cast. it would have been easy to make him uncanny and an unpleasant presence onscreen (this was my biggest issue with data's daughter even though the ep DID make me cry, deeply sorry to data whomst i love the most). his "you will be assimilated resistance is futile" song and dance was actually really funny when played off of geordi's wry indifference. "ok, but before we get assimilated, can we please finish x test?" so true king

geordi's a natural choice to pair with this guy because when he's not being the creepiest person on earth to holodeck girls he's sociable, outgoing, and patient. PLUS he has experience befriending machines because of data. hugh actually reminded me of data in some ways because of his general lack of understanding re: humanity but - and this is critical to me - HE IS HUMAN

like, i feel like the episode didn't quite nail the point home hard enough possibly because they were afraid of the implications but the cold hard truth of the matter is that each and every person on the borg cube IS A PERSON. they have been assimilated, but we've twice now seen that it's possible to unassimilate them with only a few days of effort. picard (and guinan!) consider the entire collective their enemy but the collective is comprised of brainwashed prisoners. those fucked up little borg babies they found in the cube were assimilated as INFANTS - i assume they weren't born on the cube bc if the borg could reproduce on its own it wouldn't need to assimilate - but even if they were born on the cube, they had no choice but to be this. you know.

which is whyyyy it's so fucked picard was like yeah give hugh some digital poison let him carry it back to his cube and we'll kill them like ants <3 like, oh my god his lingering borg trauma or whatever. MWAH. when he told deanna he didn't wanna talk. when he and guinan had to trauma-bond while fencing. when he told geordi that he needed to unattach himself because it was nothing more than animal experimentation. STONE FUCKING COLD BY THE WAY. he is fighting in the war on animal experimentation on the side of animal experimentation. he was going to let his cre heal and feed that kid and then send him back laced with poison. diabolical <3

and, of course, when he didn't want to speak or associate that borg kid at all because that's who he used to be AND WHO HE STILL IS in some corner of his brain (!!!)

LIKE. WHEN HE WAS FINALLY CONVINCED TO INTERROGATE THIS KID. and IMMEDIATELY broke out the locutus voice. he still remembered all the protocol! the way of speaking! everything! i was so shocked and thrilled.

i love also how everyone who spoke to hugh came away extremely unsettled but also totally convinced of his humanity. even guinan, which was so fun, because she was even more anti-borg than picard at first and they were bonding over trauma and fantasy racism. that bit where hugh, who had only known about the concept of loneliness for like an hour, immediately pegged her as lonely after like three lines of dialogue. oh my GOD???

i was decently satisfied with the ending - obviously they couldn't send him back with poison nor could they protect him from the borg, but i wish they had informed him of the inevitable memory wipe before he made his choice. (a selfless choice! he loves geordi!!) still i think he mostly walked into it with eyes open. very sad but very proud of him.

my one tiny nitpick with this episode is that for all beverly's genuine and justified concern about hugh, i don't think theyre ever gonna address the fact that she shot and possibly killed some of the borg in the episode where picard got assimilated. i feel like after realizing they are all people, like hugh, she should also realize she's broken the hippocratic oath, and have a little crisis about it. i have no idea why we had the DOCTOR shooting and killing anybody but let alone if we aren't gonna get into that. i don't think anyone cares/cared except me though.

but tbh, for me this is one of the main draws of the borg. they're ALL brainwashed cyber-assassins and they're ALL prisoners and in theory ALL of them could be saved if only they would stop attacking first. sure, yeah, in fights you gotta do what you gotta do because your own life has gotta come first, but the unique scifi horror aspect of all of those guys being perfectly innocent people fucks and they should utilize it a little more!!!

NEXT TIME: "the next phase" and "the inner light."

#personal #star trek blogging #tng lb

[goldiipond]

Do you recommend watching The Promised Neverland if I am a big fantasy enjoyer? Like what is it about

OOOH YEAS ABSOLUTELY!!! tpn is probably best described as more of a psychological horror, especially the anime in particular, with some fantasy elements. it takes place in a sort of alternate part of the world ruled by funky masked creatures (the main children call them demons but they're also called a few other things and don't actually. have an official name. for the majority of characters theyre demons) think like the owl house where there's an alternate demon world except the guys in this world. eat people. the story centers this group of kids fighting to save as many other kids as they can and find a place where they can live without fear. also has very blatantly anticapitalist themes throughout, a very strong emphasis on chosen family, and portrayal of marginalized groups that, while definitely rough in some areas is. very refreshing for a shonen

the only guideline for enjoying tpn anime is do not fuckng watch the second season dont do it it is not worth it. the first season is incredible and honestly stands on its own pretty nicely if you dont feel like reading 100+ chapters of the manga but i highly highly recommend that you do read the manga after the first arc because it is really really good <3 aside from general setting details this is a story that is fun to go into as blind as possible, but some i'll give some content warnings for season 1:

-child death, both mentions and depictions. the depictions are very sparse in the first arc and never like horrifically violent or anything, but you will see dead kids)

-emotional abuse/manipulation (and 2 instances of physical abuse in ep. 8) and suicide

-a black character who is drawn with. very racist exaggerated expressions, specifically in eps 3, 4, 6, and 7

so if you're looking for less.. dark fantasy then this might not be for you. but this series rewired my brain and i've been autistic about it for about 2 n a half years and i highly recommend it <3

alsoi love ray and don more tgan anything in the world and i wuold kill anything for them. thank yoi

#skye's ramblings #HIIIII ANON IAM WAVING AT YOU WITH MY HAND VERY BIG. WATCH PROMISED NEVERLAND #also my owlhouse mention makes me think abt how dana had originally wanted it to be a more mature psychological horror type show #n how she likes a lot of horror manga so i wouldnt be surprised if theres some t/pn influence in t/oh. i fucking love connecting my shows #anonnn

[tableintheteacherslounge]

Abbott Elementary S03E07 thoughts

Melissa having a spare room baring in mind we’ve seen her house feels fake sorry - How will she have a room mate but noone look at her pictures and keep control of her kitchen. I get its gonna be for plot but i don’t buy it

I’m w ava that’s a woman who just found out she’s not pregnant - that’s a woman who’s been successfully slutting it up (how’s she gonna slut it up with a roommate)

Omg protective barb 🥺 (ALSO BARBS RIGHT BC MEL WOULDNT GIVE OUT HER ADDRESS WILLINGLY)

AS SOON AS SHE SAID NERD I THOUGHT JACOB

“I know its gods will but hes gotten awfully creative” 😭😭😭😭😭

I love it when Mr johnson lore gets unlocked

Manny and the beard whew 😮‍💨 I was literally wondering where he was so I’m glad they’re using him again

Janine ur SO SMART this is such a good idea and not like a janine unnecessarily fixing a problem like an actual good idea- good job babygirl

Not ava spilling the tea to the whole room

Ponytail melissa at home is so personal to me, I love that this continues from s2, this is just who she is, she throws her hair up when she’s at home. I like that she’s wearing the eagles hoodie we’ve seen before too. Love the hair, makeup & costume details on this show

“I only know how to cook for 12” 😭

Finally mel talking about her breakup! Damn maybe it really was “im not bringing this to school” this whole time

Also Gary being a dead ringer for her dad?? I’m not saying my headcanons are more correct than the show but I disagree with this statement. Gary is not schemmenti coded.

Omg the jacob melissa work momming work sonning ive been dreaming of

“And dont forget theres a 3 booked limit 😒” barb is PISSED and i LOVE IT

“Oh i know what a google doctor is 😤”

Barb really is the best character on tv im sorry noone can do it like sheryl lee ralph like they just cant Shes everything

Janine forgetting the key term (pottery wheel) in her analogy she is so me

“Jacob if u dont like my ziti just say so and i will heave myself out that window” 😭😭

“I went to find mr johnson but he was still crying” NO 😭💔 hes just a sensitive guy 😔

“Mrs howard i blew down the house” 🥺🤏🏻 I love the kids being so central in this ep, I’ve missed that recently, and the kindergarteners are soooo cute

“🐷 I am a pig 🐺 i am a wolf 😄 and im a librarian who thinks she can just change everything around here 👋” IJBOL no please give sheryl another emmy I beg

“This programme is more of a distraction than an improvement” that’s teaaa actually. Thats so often what councils etc do, distract with new flashy things rather than fix the real problems. Even though in this case it’s well meaning it does make u think how big a priority should the library actually be? But actually children reading is super important and what did they say last season? The librarian was an alexa in glasses? 🤣

“You okay? You look like raven having a vision” 😭 you don’t understand how often i say this

I have thoughts on Barbara’s intentions and my instinct is gregory needs to keep her name out his mouth. I do think it’s really important that Janine stood up to Barbara, just maybe gregory made barbara seem worse than she was

“It’s been a rough week I could use the pick me up” i just love mr johnson

My immediate reaction was this one of my favourite episodes of the season - lots of excellent Barb moments, the kids, more mr johnson, story arcs I enjoyed and felt completed.

Janine standing up to Barbara was a really big deal for her considering her hatred of conflict and worship of barbara as a mother figure. It made me really proud to see how far janine has come.

But the longer since watching the less I like it. And it’s two main things:

- the jacob melissa room mate situation feels like jumping the shark for plots sake and not something realistic for those characters. So as much as I enjoy them and their dynamic and their growth it just feels fake.

- I dont care about the librarian. The set up feels like she could stick around and I just don’t care for new characters, I like my main people. (But then the same apprehension was had w the district people and they’ve not seemed to be around much).

I do still really like this ep and it definitely ranks highly in the season, just idk, some eps I enjoy more over time but this has made me feel more confused as to what will happen next I guess.

#abbott elementary #abbott elementary season 3 #abbott elementary s3

[bengiyo]

Our Skyy 2 x Vice Versa Ep 2 Stray Thoughts

Yesterday, we returned to the world of Vice Versa to sell chips. Talay and Puen have been together for five years and now live together in an open concept house. This house clearly sucks, because Talay is doing graphic design work on an expensive computer in a tent in the yard. Puen is worried that he and Talay are getting too distant, so they go on a one-month mission to do romantic and cutesy stuff together. On the last day (Surprise Day), a Thai child named Jigsaw shows up and keeps calling them Papa, implying that Tess could have fathered a child in Talay’s body. For now, they’ve decided to care for this child, since apparently no one knows whose child this is and protective services doesn’t exist.

I had to watch this before Our Dining Table, because unfortunately that show has my entire heart.

Not that I’m not happy to see Neo and Aun, but Puen just called them Talay’s best friends. Talay had friends before Tess ruined everything! Where are they???

We interrupt this criticism to use Nivea products.

Jigsaw is clearly old enough for solid foods. Why are they making bottles of milk?

Oh, good. The child is drinking out of carton.

This boy also seems old enough to use the bathroom on his own??

So they take this boy to the zoo even though both of them are on call. Now they’ve lost someone’s child.

Oh, HELL NO!!! What the absolute fuck! They are using Tup’s nephew as a fake secret baby just so Puen can spend time playing dad with Talay? Who the fuck allowed this?? Why does Puen always have to fucking lie to Talay when he’s worried about them growing distant? I HATE THIS.

Okay, this is absolutely NOT okay. Why the fuck are they agreeing to Two’s suggestion to play house with Tup’s nephew?? The child is clearly expressing a desire to go home, and they’re just bribing him with toys? WHY???

FFS I have two more parts to watch.

Oh look, now we have to face the ethical dilemma of the appropriate amount of discipline to apply to a child that isn’t yours.

I am emotionally checking out. This kind of emotional manipulation just doesn’t sit right with me.

I like that Neo walks differently as Tup. That man be acting.

I hope Talay figured out what’s going on and didn’t actually take Jigsaw to a children’s home.

Oh good, we can wrap this nonsense up now.

I am relieved that Jigsaw at least got to feel like he was playing a game.

I just don’t like the use of a child to try and fix someone else’s relationship problems at all.

And now we’re singing.

I’m so glad this is over. This was painful.

Thankfully we get My School President AU next week.

Final Verdict: 3, Not Recommended. Using children this way is one of my lines. I did not find this cute at all. You cannot just secretly foist a child upon someone, especially given the amount of damage Tess did to Talay’s life, just because you’re upset that your boyfriend has to work a lot. It also seems like Jigsaw’s parents didn’t agree to this or know about it? I’m just so over Puen’s incessant need to emotionally manipulate Talay. It’s especially annoying because Talay gave them a month of cute stuff to do after Puen’s birthday when Puen expressed concern that they were growing apart and not really seeing each other anymore. None of this was necessary, and I’m completely over it. Jimmy and Sea are not the moment, and my worries for Last Twilight have deepened. This show offends me because it tries to make this all seem romantic, silly, and quirky. It is not. I am disgusted, and I am not engaging with Puen ever again.

#our skyy 2 #vice versa #thai bl #bl series #Ben watches

[haydenthewitch]

i've got shit to say ( positive) about the new percy jackson series, but i haven't watched Ep 3 yet, so keep that in mind

i read the books back in third grade and boy fucking howdy did i resonate. i'm not dislexic, but i am nurodivergerent (got that adhd in me babbyy) and i wasn't yet dignosed, but i'd only ever heard bad things about the "creative but can not sit still" kids. i was also, severly bullied, becuse i was the "overweight kids" (i'm not fat, and i never was, but when you tell a bunch of 2nd to 5th graders that your diabetic, some assumptions get made.) so seeing other bullied, nurodivergent children get reveried as heros did a lot of good in my kid brain.

seeing the new series has reignited one of my earlyest hyperfixations. percy jackson was my first intrest in actualy reading, and it got me into a lot of diffrent books. i now can resonate with it even deeper, being well and truly queer. (i love good old rick and his allyship of trans and queer pepole.) and i LOVE seeing other pepole getting into the fandom who wern't originaly in the book fandom *weither reading the books now, or just watching a good adaptation of the books in tv form.*

as much as i love the movies (eyeroll) i LOVE THE CASTING OF THE SHOW and how young they all look. like, it SHOWS that percy/annabeth/grover is 12. percy is just a sassy 12 year old and i love him. annabeth does act a little muture, but it's grounded with a 12 year old likeness and that push into the water is so 12 year old sister energy. she's my baby sister i love her so much. anyways yeah, it just hits you in the face of like, these are children about to rebel against the gods, fight monsters, and deal with luke who is truly, truly, a young highschooler who's a little shit but still so charming to percy.

yeah they have all these powers, yeah they are fighting battles, but percy burns his jelly beans to talk to his mom in the middle of a forest like he doesn't want to be caught. that is such peak young child energy who doesn't know what to do. (cute, and so sad it makes me want to cry.) he is my son and i will protect him at all fucking costs.

also can i just say, the kid actors are doing such a good job. like i keep going back to annabeth's little push and percy going "hey what was that for??". it's peak book energy, and it feels like such a realistic thing for two little 12 year olds to do. they are so good.

i truly can not wait for the interaction where little percy sasses off the greek god of war. like in the book he's just like "fuck you" (paraphrased) and i can not wait for percys actor to bring that energy in interacting with gods.

anyway, the tv show is good. it's good.

#percy jackson #percy jackon and the olympians #percy and annabeth #percy series