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22drunkb · 5 years

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Some thoughts about Bran Stark

Okay, so--not to butt in and trample around, as someone who never read the books and stopped watching the show sometime around season 3--but the thing is, I feel like the ending has finally allowed me to understand exactly what it was that turned me off Game of Thrones, which I never quite did put my finger on till now, and I want to at least write it out once. (Ironically, this has made me like the story better, though not its execution.) To attempt a spoiler-free summary: I’m going to be thinking about the thematic structure of the story and why that should make certain things make sense, and how they came to not make sense anyway.

The thing is, thematically and structurally, Bran ending up king makes absolute and perfect sense. It’s just that they didn’t write the story in line with the structure they were given. The problem with the show is--and always has been--that the writers don’t actually understand what “subverting fantasy tropes” means or could look like, and they don’t care about it in any meaningful way. What they care about is doing big, bloodthirsty, quasi-historical fiction with a lot of nudity. (See: the Civil War show they wanted to do.) And Bran’s whole situation only makes sense (or would have made sense, if executed properly) in the context of high fantasy.

Keeping in mind that complicating high fantasy tropes was an important part of what Martin reportedly set out to do, each of the Stark kids (the story’s backbone) had a clear thematic purpose. Each of them a) was a take on a trope, b) had a clear character trajectory that would allow that take on the trope to be developed while functioning as a working character arc, and c) through that trope-inflected arc, could allow the audience a window into specific part of the society (i.e., they supported the worldbuilding), which in turn allowed the further development of these takes on the tropes by giving them specific, appropriate settings and side characters to bounce off of. This is to say that GRRM did a good job setting himself up to do “trope subversion” in a way that would comment on the things he wanted to comment on, function as part of a larger world and story, and help support a plot that would be in harmony with all of the above. This is one very solid approach to character design. To be clear, despite this paragraph being about characters, I’m talking about themes--it has nothing to do with their personalities or whatever. This is about what ideas come together in the concept of each character and therefore how each character’s story develops the ideas.

A good reason to approach character design in this way is if you have set out to subvert, complicate, comment on, or otherwise mess with genre tropes. To do so, the characters have to themselves be tropes, or at least be designed in close relation to tropes, in order to derange them. So like, just to take the simplest two examples:

Robb: The Prince. Firstborn, shining favorite, destined to inherit. Set up (normally) to avenge his father, restore order to his kingdom, and go home. Bungles it entirely by seeking true love; meanwhile, in the course of his story we learn about the regional politics of the North, the politics of alliances by marriage and kinship, etc. Narratively, his failure allows the entire political and military situation to get infinitely more clusterfucked. All of those pieces fit together well thematically.

What is being subverted here is the prince’s marital destiny. We have loads of fairy and fantasy stories about prince and prince-types for whom pursuing true love just happens to be convenient (they can marry whoever they want), or whose pursuits of love are rescued by fate (his true love turns out to be his promised princess all along! She’s secretly a magical being of some sort, and that trumps betrothal agreements! The one he was originally supposed to marry died or decided to marry someone else! etc). This is totally kosher in traditional high fantasy (or in the folklore that the genre draws on) because it’s an expression of the harmony of the story-world; the characters go through their trials and adventures and end with a resolution in the form of marriage that announces that all is as it should be. What it looks like GRRM set out to do is ask what happens when people still follow those rules and the rules aren’t in harmony with the world they live in.

In particular, the entire thing points square at the fact that princes are political animals. It seems to me that Robb’s story was meant to say, well, actually, sometimes people with power just have to marry people they don’t love as a condition of being powerful (which comes up constantly throughout the whole show). After Ned and Catlyn, basically every “true love” couple is dysfunctional, incestuous (Cersei and Jaime, Daenerys and John), and/or gets narratively stomped on, as far as I’m aware. (Did Sam and Gilly make it? If so, I think that’s allowed because they’re commoners.) Ironically, Ned and Catlyn set Robb up to fuck up by modeling one of these convenient political-and-true-love marriages. He thought he was supposed to be allowed to have it all. He was wrong. The end. Next. But the show seemed to expect me to feel that the outcome was unjust and tragique for Their Love, when all that was unjust and tragique about it was that Robb was idiot enough to bring the consequences of his actions on his entire group of followers. That is the point. That his status has to constrain his behavior, and when it doesn’t it has consequences for others. The status itself is what’s being problematized.

Jon: The Secret Heir. Second-oldest, bastard-born, treated with contempt. In relation to the family, literally a supplementary person. Set up (normally) to be rediscovered as the true heir to the throne and end up as king (moving from the margins to the center; getting the acceptance he couldn’t have as a bastard). The twist is the “true” dynasty he represents is composed of inbred lunatics, and his potential access to the throne goes not only via that bloodline but via repeating their tradition of incest. Dovetailing nicely with that, he was set up from the start as less wanting access to the kinship system than wanting to be free of it, so instead of becoming king by virtue of being a Targaryen, he stops the reinstatement of the Targaryen line altogether. Meanwhile, for most of his story, as a “supplementary person” he gives the audience a view into a lot of corners of Westeros that are concerned with what is excluded from Westeros: the Night’s Watch, the Wildlings, and indeed the White Walkers.

Again, all of that lines up together well. It’s part of the larger derailment of the blood-as-destiny notion of a “true” king, heir, ruling dynasty, etc. (I think the main reason GRRM goes so hard on the incest, not to mention having not one but THREE bastard characters, is in service of this; it also means Jon’s character arc of wanting out of the bloodline system fits into the thematic structure. See? Everything ties together neatly.) But I mean. We all know the character was not executed well.

And so on. I could do the same for Sansa and all the rest of them. (Sansa and Arya are probably the two most successful executions of what their character designs set them up to do; it’s not a coincidence those are the characters whose stories people seem to be happiest with.) But the thing is, a lot of these tropes, while certainly common in high fantasy, are also found in lots of other genres. Chosen Ones and Unexpectedly Eligible Chosen Ones and Princesses and Warrior Maidens (whether in literal forms or not) show up all over the place. The fact that these aren’t strictly fantasy archetypes perhaps means they were less prone to being mishandled. Bran, though. Bran belongs firmly and only in high fantasy. He is, literally, supposed to be a magic priest-king. A take on the Fisher King, even (I’ll explain about that later). And his story was weighted toward the end because of what it seems like Martin was trying to do more broadly, meaning it was much more on the showrunners to do it right.

High fantasy is always trying in some way to engage with ~the numinous~, which is to say the sort of never-explainable mystery and magic of the world. Magic in high fantasy is usually closely tied to deep time, the land, nature, or the metaphysical. Ancient beings, lost secrets, nature spirits, hidden realms, that sort of thing. It’s part of the genre’s inheritance from the mythology and folklore it’s all based on, which had a much more enchanted, vitalist view of the world than we generally do now. (In a way, that’s the purpose for high fantasy’s existence as a modern genre--keeping some access to that.) What Martin set the whole story up to do was question the tropes that often go along with the genre by making the setting one in which almost everybody has forgotten about all the magic and mystical knowledge that is in their history. Westeros is an extreme, historicized take on the Shire, basically. (”English pastoralism you say? I’ll see you and raise you the English Civil War” -- George R.R. Martin, presumably.) They have no notion of what’s really out there and what’s really possible in the world, and have quite comfortably isolated themselves in a situation where they need not remember. As a result, the social institutions that were developed long ago in relation to the ancient magics and knowledges become, instead, just social norms that can be manipulated, distorted, and played out in a much more historical-fiction kind of fashion, which gives Martin lots of room to point out that, say, ironclad patriarchal bloodlines cause problems. (That is, if you take away any magical justification, by virtue of connection to the land or the spirit realm or what have you, for the right to rule, then you stop having to have your One True Kings also be good people. It allows him to pull apart the different pieces of that trope and suggest that their being connected in the first place is questionable. Which it is! He’s right and he should say it!)

But the magic has to come back at some point, or else it’s really not high fantasy. And it seems like what he wanted to do was have all these elements from outside Westeros--the White Walkers, that god whose name I’ve forgotten, and Daenerys with her dragons--converge on it such that the characters would have to go back to their deep history and call those things back up in order to deal with the real world they live in (instead of the wealthy political bubble of all the scheming) and thus get to a point where they could actually change their system for the better. You can think of it as a very elaborate deus ex machina in a way, except the deus ex machina isn’t Daenerys showing up with dragons to fight the White Walkers or Arya having trained (again, outside Westeros, for the record) just the right way for killing the Night King. It’s all of these external forces forcing the characters in Westeros to get their fucking shit together. Otherwise there’s really no resolution to the war, in a high fantasy version of the story. It’s just historical fiction with some weird bells and whistles. Without a need to go back and figure out whatever the First Men were up to, there’s no incentive to go back to the numinous. That he intended for sure that some version of a return of the numinous end up being a big part of the climax is reinforced for me by the fact that the Starks--again, the backbone of the whole story--are set up as being unusually in touch with this mystic/magical heritage (the old gods, the crypt, the godswood) and unusually faithful to the traditional ways. They were introduced that way for a reason.

So where does Bran come in. The thing is that Bran is literally named after the mythic founding king of Westeros, Bran the Builder. The other thing is that both of those Brans are clearly named after Bran the Blessed, a literal mythic god-king from Welsh mythology whose name means crow (but who for various reasons also often gets associated with ravens, which in turn are commonly associated with transcendent knowledge, magic, etc; it’s a long story). So you have a younger member of the story’s key Stark family, already closer to the sources of magic and mystery than most. You name him after the founder of Westeros who lived in a time of magic, traffic with other beings, and great building works and other inherited accomplishments for which the associated knowledge has since been lost, etc. You have him gain mystical abilities to transfer his consciousness to other bodies, or through time (absolutely typical Mystic Powers). You have him even take on a special priestly status passed down from the era of magic by leaving Westeros to hang out with other kinds of magical beings, which means he is now explicitly named both Bran and Raven.

OBVIOUSLY this kid is supposed to be king. He’s going to restore the realm to a situation in which the ruler, the realm, its various life forces and nature spirits, and the metaphysical are all connected to one another and, in a sense, present in the same body (which is the kind of genuine mythological shit high fantasy is always drawing on). But the writers then just sat around and did nothing with him for years on end until whoops hey he’s king now. Of course no one thinks it makes any sense!! It’s fucking malpractice!!!!

If you go to the GOT Wiki and just read Bran’s page, everything makes sense and lines up well in terms of a list of events. (Although it’s really notable how short the entry from s8 is, and how everything it lists is things that happen to Bran, pretty much.) There is a progression that makes sense. But from what I understand--this was certainly the situation when I stopped watching--nothing was ever done to suggest that any of this mattered. The Three-Eyed Raven, the forest spirits, the magics and so on--it was treated at most as a backstory machine. It had no connection to or effect on the rest of the story, so far as I can tell. The fact that none of this played into the battle with the White Walkers at all is flatly insane. The thing I most remember people saying about Bran after that episode wasn’t even “Why didn’t he use X or Y that he learned in the forest?” but “Why was he there?” which just goes to show how completely and utterly bungled this entire piece of the narrative was. Like, if your high fantasy story is making its audience ask “Why would the story put the one character with the greatest knowledge of ancient magics and powers at the scene of a battle against an all-but-forgotten ancient threat,” then I’m sorry, it has gone fully off the rails, and not just in its most recent season. That’s not subversion, it’s just fully dropping the ball.

You know what would make sense as a lead-in to Bran becoming king? Oh, his performing some spectacular feat of insight, magic, strategy, or all three at the battle that no one else could have pulled off because no one else had his background or powers. Even after years of screwing this part of the story over, that could at least have bothered to make a case for why any of it mattered to the rest of the story. It would not have been very subversive, but when you’ve fucked up this royally you don’t get to be precious about your radikal innovative approach, Davids. I can’t believe Peter Dinklage had to sit there and make a bullshit speech about storytelling, when a decently-handled story would have made it seem natural and self-evident by then (you can still have surprises along the way!) that Bran should be king.

Anyway, in closing: part of the reason I checked out when I did was that I felt like they weren’t doing the things I thought they should do as the story developed. Genuinely, one key part of that was that they seemed to be doing absolutely nothing with Bran, which was baffling to me because it seemed obvious to me he was set up to be an incredibly important character. At the time, I thought they were going somewhere close to this with Bran but just taking way too long at it for some reason. What’s now clear is that the showrunners didn’t understand what they should have been doing with him. (Everybody who was taken aback by this outcome is not a fool for not seeing this. They were, quite reasonably, following the narrative cues they were given along the way, all of which said “Bran doesn’t matter.” It’s maybe clearer to me because I stopped watching.) And what that now makes clear, in my opinion, is that they never really understood what Martin was trying to do by “subverting fantasy tropes”; that in fact they didn’t really understand the genre, let alone what subverting it entailed. Which is exactly what bothered me about it even years after I stopped watching, but couldn’t put my finger on--until, ironically, they proved me right about Bran.

#game of thrones #bran stark #bran the builder #bran the blessed #i really tried no to write this bc who wants to get into got discourse right now but i couldn't get it off my mind #so here #i had a whole thing about disability and the fisher king but honestly it wasn't necessary #let's just say i think what martin (presumably) had in mind for ''bran the broken'' was something more complex #probably still fucked up! but differently

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addictedforbooksquad · 5 years

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P I C K (S) O F T H E M O N T H: M A Y

The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

Passion on Park Avenue by Lauren Layne

Mistborn: The Alloy Era Series by Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn: Secret History by Brandon Sanderson

Marriage for One by Ella Maise

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

Genres: Historical Romance, LGBT, F/F romance

Synopsis:

As Lucy Muchelney watches her ex-lover’s sham of a wedding, she wishes herself anywhere else. It isn’t until she finds a letter from the Countess of Moth, looking for someone to translate a groundbreaking French astronomy text, that she knows where to go. Showing up at the Countess’ London home, she hoped to find a challenge, not a woman who takes her breath away. Catherine St Day looks forward to a quiet widowhood once her late husband’s scientific legacy is fulfilled. She expected to hand off the translation and wash her hands of the project—instead, she is intrigued by the young woman who turns up at her door, begging to be allowed to do the work, and she agrees to let Lucy stay. But as Catherine finds herself longing for Lucy, everything she believes about herself and her life is tested. While Lucy spends her days interpreting the complicated French text, she spends her nights falling in love with the alluring Catherine. But sabotage and old wounds threaten to sever the threads that bind them. Can Lucy and Catherine find the strength to stay together or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?

Why we love it:

a beautiful love story between two women

female friendships and women supporting women

characters who find out about Lucy and Catherine are not homophobic but rather supportive

focus on both romance AND personal journeys of the characters

sexism and misogyny are challenged, by both female and male characters (some of them at least)

beautiful, poetic passages

Trigger warnings: mentions of emotional abuse, sexism, misogyny

≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡ ≡≡≡≡≡

Passion on Park Avenue by Lauren Layne

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:

For as long as she can remember, Bronx-born Naomi Powell has had one goal: to prove her worth among the Upper East Side elite—the same people for which her mom worked as a housekeeper. Now, as the strongminded, sassy CEO of one of the biggest jewelry empires in the country, Naomi finally has exactly what she wants—but it’s going to take more than just the right address to make Manhattan’s upper class stop treating her like an outsider. The worst offender is her new neighbor, Oliver Cunningham—the grown son of the very family Naomi’s mother used to work for. Oliver used to torment Naomi when they were children, and as a ridiculously attractive adult, he’s tormenting her in entirely different ways. Now they find themselves engaged in a battle-of-wills that will either consume or destroy them… Filled with charm and heart and plenty of sex and snark, this entertaining series will hook you from the very first page.

Why we love it:

ambitious millionaire female character whose story is basically about rags to riches

soft male character

female friendships and dynamics are amazing

cute love story

Lauren Layne’s style has improved so much and it’s time to start reading her books

Trigger warnings: n/a

Mistborn: The Alloy Era series by Brandon Sanderson

Genres: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Adult

Synopsis:

Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds. Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice. One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.

Why we love it:

amazing writing

plots and twists all around

we see familiar faces from the first trilogy *wink wink*

SO. MUCH. FUN.

western-sherlock-fantasy

most adorable character ever, that's on the spectrum

Trigger warnings: violence

Mistborn: Secret History by Brandon Sanderson

Genres: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Adult

Synopsis:

Mistborn: Secret History is a companion story to the original Mistborn trilogy. As such, it contains HUGE SPOILERS for the books Mistborn (The Final Empire), The Well of Ascension, and The Hero of Ages. It also contains very minor spoilers for the book The Bands of Mourning. Mistborn: Secret History builds upon the characterization, events, and worldbuilding of the original trilogy. Reading it without that background will be a confusing process at best. In short, this isn’t the place to start your journey into Mistborn. (Though if you have read the trilogy—but it has been a while—you should be just fine, so long as you remember the characters and the general plot of the books.) Saying anything more here risks revealing too much. Even knowledge of this story’s existence is, in a way, a spoiler. There’s always another secret.

Why we love it:

view on Mistborn Era 1 events from different perspective

reunions that will make you cry

we get SOME answers as well from Mistborn Era 1 and 2

Trigger warnings: violence

Marriage for One by Ella Maise

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:

Jack and I, we did everything backward. The day he lured me into his office-which was also the first day we met-he proposed. You'd think a guy who looked like him-a bit cold maybe, but still striking and very unattainable-would only ask the love of his life to marry him, right? You'd think he must be madly in love. Nope. It was me he asked. A complete stranger who had never even heard of him. A stranger who had been dumped by her fiancé only weeks before. You'd think I'd laugh in his face, call him insane-and a few other names-then walk away as quickly as possible. Well…I did all those things except the walking away part. It took him only minutes to talk me into a business deal…erm, I mean marriage, and only days for us to officially tie the knot. Happiest day of my life. Magical. Pop the champagne… Not. It was the worst day. Jack Hawthorne was nothing like what I'd imagined for myself. I blamed him for my lapse in judgment. I blamed his eyes, the ocean blue eyes that looked straight into mine unapologetically, and that frown on his face I had no idea I would become so fascinated with in time. It wasn't long after he said I was the biggest mistake of his life that things started to change. No, he still didn't talk much, but anyone can string a few words together. His actions spoke the loudest to me. And day after day my heart started to get a mind of its own. One second he was no one. The next he became everything. One second he was unattainable. The next he seemed to be completely mine. One second I thought we were in love. The next it was still nothing but a lie. After all, I was Rose and he was Jack. We were doomed from the very beginning with those names. Did you expect anything else?

Why we love it:

soft and bubbly female character

broody male character

fake marriage trope

slowburn + cutest romance with a lil’ bit of angst

development is A+++

Trigger warnings: n/a

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Genres: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Adult

Synopsis:

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

Why we love it:

high fantasy political drama

well-written dialogue

if you’re already a fan of the TV show, the book gives you an even more detailed account of events with characters POVs while these key moments play out

amazing world building and backstory with so much thought and detail

GRRM has successfully achieved a whole new universe

full of backstabbing, bloody battles and political intrigue

multiple POVs

Trigger warnings: rape, sexual abuse of a minor, graphic violence, sexual violence, incest, misogyny

#book recs #dailylit #nadaily #bookworm #bibliophile #lgbtqa literature #books #the lady's guide to celestial mechanics #central park pact series #asoiaf #mistborn #marriage for one #pick of the month

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recentanimenews · 6 years

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10 Western Media That Would Make Great Anime

When we anime fans tire of lamenting for the adaptation of manga after manga, or light novel after light novel, we tend to turn our imaginations away from Japan. After all, anime is no stranger to adapting western media. Many books, shows and movies have been adapted from western media into anime form, including Deltora Quest, Spider Riders, Witchblade, Howl’s Moving Castle, Highlander, and Supernatural just to name a few.

This got me thinking of my own wishlist of western media that would make great anime. Here are 10 shows, books, and movies that would make awesome anime adaptations.

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve Book Series - Dream Studio: Production I.G. - Dream Format: TV Anime

If you’ve never heard of Mortal Engines, no sweat. It’ll be your new favorite thing in no time. This YA quartet from British author Philip Reeve follows Tom, an apprentice historian atop the city of London. When he’s thrown out of the city, he sides with Hester Shaw, an assassin with the resistance after the life of his master, Thaddeus Valentine, who she blames for the death of her mother.

Sounds pretty run of the mill YA right? My bad. I forgot to mention all of the cities run on tractor wheels. Oh, and the cities eat other cities for resources. Oh, and there’s this huge conspiracy surrounding the city-eating cities, and this huge plot to destroy them. It’s cool that Peter Jackson’s directing a film adaptation of the series, which is due out this December, but just imagine this as an anime...

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling Book Series - Dream Studio: A-1 Pictures - Dream Format: TV Anime

Does Harry Potter really need an introduction? I feel like we all know about the boy who lived and his battle with he-who-shall-not-be-named. The cliffnotes version of Harry Potter is that an abused orphan turns out to have an incredible magical gift required to stop some of the wizarding world’s most malevolent forces. In addition to his studies, he must juggle fighting the dark forces, and maintaining the friendships he makes at Hogwarts.

Harry Potter is essentially fantasy shonen in book format. It has the magical boarding school. It has the perfect shonen protagonist and sidekicks. The duels would be incredible to see animated. Hagrid would be moe AF. The mythical creatures would be a sight for sore eyes. But most importantly? QUIDDITCH EPISODES!

Railsea by China Miéville Novel - Dream Studio: Madhouse - Dream Format: Movie

China Mieville’s Railsea is an interesting reimagining of Moby Dick. Except instead of a sea, it’s a giant desert covered in endless, winding train tracks – the titular railsea. And there’s no whales. Only giant moles. The story follows Sham Yes ap Soorap, a young assistant doctor on a train that hunts giant moles for meat (think whaling but with moles). Her journey among the pirates, monsters, and salvagers alike kicks off when she comes across a series of photographs aboard a trainwreck that hint at the impossible existing.

The history behind the now-derelict world of Railsea, coupled with the mixture of gripping drama and havoc reminiscent of kaiju films, would make for a solid animated feature, the visuals of which I’d only trust to Madhouse.

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin Book Series - Dream Studio: MAPPA - Dream Format: Movies

Okay, so it’s Game of Thrones, but all the characters are moe idols. That’s it. That’s the show.

More seriously though, A Song of Ice and Fire would make a downright wicked fantasy anime. This large-scale fantasy epic has such an incredible assortment of characters, rich history, and gratuitous violence that would be a treat to see in anime form. It’s tough to really pinpoint the plot, since so much is going on, but A Song of Ice and Fire centers on a number of noble families – such as the Starks or Lannisters – vying to claim the throne of Westeros.

If there’s one studio out there that could handle A Song of Ice and Fire, it would be MAPPA. MAPPA’s history with dark fantasy anime series such as Rage of Bahamut or Garo only strengthens my confidence in their ability to breathe some animated life into the franchise.

A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick Novel - Dream Studio: SHAFT - Dream Format: TV Anime

You may know A Scanner Darkly from that weird rotoscoped movie where Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., and Woody Harrelson play a rag-tag group of friendly drug addicts. The movie itself was based on the Philip K. Dick book of the same name. It follows Bob Arctor, who lives parallel lives as both a drug addict and undercover police agent. Undercover agents report to their superiors in scramble suits, which scramble their identities. The kicker here is that Bob Arctor’s undercover gig? Spy on Bob Arctor.

The drug-addled, paranoia-fueled philosophy behind the day-to-day of drug addicts living in a world where the war on drugs was lost makes for an interesting dynamic, especially with the sci-fi enhanced police work behind it. The only studio I’d trust visually with this would be Shaft, if only to see drug-addict head tilts.

Peep Show British Comedy Series - Dream Studio: Kyoto Animation - Dream Format: TV Anime

I know this sounds like a weird one, but stick with me. Peep Show is a British sitcom that follows mismatched flatmates Mark and Jeremy – Mark being the uptight 9-5er and Jeremy being the easy-going partier. They don’t always see eye to eye, but sometimes friendships need that. Sometimes Mark needs to loosen up a little. Sometimes Jeremy needs to grow up a bit. As long as they have each other, nothing bad can really go wrong, right? Well, as human nature would have it, things tend to go wrong – quite often, rather quickly.

KyoAni’s bread and butter tends to be slow-paced slice-of-life shows, so if any anime studio would revel in adapting a sitcom, it’d be them. The gimmick of Peep Show is that the camera angles don’t tend to be traditional, and often are shot from the direct view of Mark or Jeremy. It would be interesting to see how that worked in anime form.

Kitchen Nightmares Reality TV Series - Dream Studio: David Production - Dream Format: TV Anime

If Kitchen Nightmares were adapted into an anime, I think it’d probably be a lot like Food Wars!, but Gordon Ramsay yells at Soma every 5 minutes. More realistically, it would follow a rather manly Gordon Ramsay on his trek across Japan in search of crestfallen restaurants in desperate need of an upgrade. Now throw in some Jojo-styled manliness – the likes of which only David Production could replicate – and we have ourselves a recipe for the perfect anime.

The translation of Ramsay’s infamous potty mouth would be a peculiar one, but seeing a muscle-clad Gordon Ramsay faffing about a kitchen screaming oi, teme at the sous chefs would be a treat we could all sink our teeth into.

The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham Novel - Dream Studio: Wit Studio - Dream Format: Movie

There’s always room for more horror and suspense anime, ones about sentient walking plants doubly so. The book follows Bill Masen, a scientist who specializes in the care, study, and cultivation of triffids – towering venomous carnivores cultivated for their oils. After waking up from temporary blindness following a triffid strike, he finds everyone is now blind from green flashes brought on by comets the night prior. Now Bill must make his way through the streets of London in search of safety.

While horticulture itself usually isn’t scary, there’s something eerily unsettling about the fact that poisonous man-eating plants walk the streets. Wit Studio would probably be the only studio which could replicate that suspense and terror, having done it perfectly in Attack on Titan and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress.

Star Wars Sci-Fi Media Franchise - Dream Studio: Ufotable - Dream Format: TV Anime

With Ufotable’s success at adapting large scale media franchises such as Fate, this sci-fi space opera could be in no better hands. Anime is no stranger to the world’s 2nd largest media franchise either. There are loads of references to the movies in various anime and manga, including Daicon IV, Berserk, Gintama, Doraemon, and Princess Jellyfish, just to name a few. Some fans have gone as far as to draw parallels between the Jedi of Star Wars and Newtypes of Gundam (whether that’s intentional or a coincidence being how close the two were to releasing).

The coming-of-age rebellion story, coupled with the gratuitous tie-fighter dogfights and lightsaber battles, would make for one show you’d be on the edge of your seat for week after week. I think each trilogy could probably be adapted in one cour, but at this point, I’d even take seeing Clone Wars reanimated in its entirety as long as Ufotable got their hands on it.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Book Series - Dream Studio: Bones - Dream Format: Movies

From spaceship-stealing presidents to poetry-loving aliens, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy has a special charm that boys, girls, and little green people across the universe can love. It follows the incredibly British Arthur Dent, who in attempting to stop the demolition of his house, learns from his best friend Ford Prefect that the Earth is about to be demolished. After a few pints at the pub, the two hitch a ride on a ship and proceed on a journey through the stars in search of answers to life, the universe, and everything.

Anime has the unique marketability to sell just about anything. Look at Dr. Pepper sales after the first series of Steins;Gate aired back in 2011 after all. If the Japanese towel industry ever finds itself in a slump, anime studios know just what British science fiction series to adapt.

BONUS: King of the Hill Animated TV Series - Dream Studio: P.A. Works - Dream Format: TV Anime

You got that right: we’re doing a meme entry! King of the Hill has already claimed some notoriety in anime fandom as being one of the greatest anime of all time (if only second to Cory in the House).

King of the Hill follows the Hank Hill, his family, and their dysfunctional band of friends and neighbors as they navigate the challenges of daily life, propane, diminished glutes, lawnmowers, and more. Sometimes Hank’s modest sensibilities are challenged, but as a man of his word and a man of character, he never stands down.

While the closest we’ll probably ever get to a King of the Hill anime was the 1-hour episode where they went to Japan, we can only hope that one day, you’ll get a Crunchyroll notification that says “Release: King of the Hill - Episode 1”.

What about you folks? Got a favorite book, comic, TV series, or movie you want to see in anime form? Sound off in the comments below!

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Zach Godin writes about the manga he reads and collects over at his website, Rusted Culture. Feel free to say hi on Twitter: @zachjgodin

By: [email protected]

#Anime #News #Latest in Anime News by Crunchyroll!

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megsironthrone · 6 years

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Seer

Based on this request: May I make a request for a fic (one shot it multi chapter; whatever you like best.) where the reader is from the real world and has read all the books and gets put into the GOT world, and uses her knowledge to gain power by claiming to be a seer. But is careful never to reveal or change too much? Maybe she shows up in Winterfell just before the king arrives (like season one?) I’m not really sure who the pairing should be? Maybe keep it open? Or if you have a favorite it could be them! from @iheartthelochnessmonster

Here you are, lovely!! I do not own ANY Game of Thrones characters. They belong to George R.R.Martin.

Warnings: A little angst…a teeny tiny bit of fluff if you squint. It’s pretty long

Pairings/Characters: modern!fem reader, surprise pairing toward the end!

“How did you know?” Lady Catelyn asked you as you sat with her by Bran’s bedside. You felt your tongue sticking to the roof of your mouth. You didn’t know how to answer that question. “How did you know my son would fall from that tower?” You glanced back at Bran with a sad smile. “I…can’t say.” Catelyn grabbed your shoulder and gently forced you to face her.

"Are you some kind of witch? A seer? How could you have known?“ You wanted to breathe a sigh of relief. Without realizing it, Catelyn had given you an out. "Y-Yes. That’s right. I’m a seer. I know what has happened and what will happen.” Her gaze hardened. “Then why did you not tell me? Why didn’t you try to stop it?” You frowned. What a mess you’d gotten yourself into.

You never expected to end up in Westeros in the first place. After all, it was a place of fiction! But here you were. You had been taking a walk, book in hand, when you ended up in the Godswood in Winterfell where Ned Stark was sitting and sharpening his sword. You almost cried when you saw him, knowing what his fate was. The problem was that you knew what was going to happen to just about everyone and it was hard to keep it a secret. You knew you had to though or you could have changed the entire history of Westeros.

"I can’t go around changing things, Lady Stark. If I change one thing, it could affect the entire course of the world. Bran’s fall happened for a reason, one that I can’t divulge.“ With that, you got up to leave. You stopped short when you saw Cersei Lannister in the doorway. You curtsied a little and greeted her. Thank goodness for the fact that you had read the entire A Song of Ice and Fire series or you would have been beheaded long before now.

"Did I hear you right just now? Are you a seer?” Cersei asked and a flash of fear went through you. If she thought you knew how Bran fell from the tower, she would have you executed on the spot. Then again, there may have been a way for you to use it to your advantage. “Yes, Your Grace. I don’t see everything, but I see enough.”

Cersei smiled that sickly sweet smile that sent shivers through you. “Perhaps you would do me the honor of walking with me? I could use conversation with someone like you.” Knowing you had no choice, you nodded.

From that one conversation with Cersei, you had impressed her enough for her to insist that you travel to King’s Landing with them. You didn’t want to, but it was the only way to keep yourself alive. If you refused, there were several ways you could end up dead and you were determined not to let that happen. So, you agreed not knowing that by going, you would alter history anyway.

*time skip*

King’s Landing had been rough on you. It nearly killed you to let Ned Stark be executed and Sansa be married off to Tyrion, although the youngest Lannister was probably the best match for her in all of King’s Landing.

Then of course, there was the fact that you were working for Cersei and you dared not lie to her. You were careful not to reveal too much as you didn’t want her trying to change the inevitable, but you still told the truth when she asked. It kept you alive and well. It also gave you power you never expected. People looked to you for advice. They respected you and some even feared you. You were on the Small Council when Joffrey became king at Cersei’s urging. What you never thought would happen was that someone unexpected would become infatuated with you.

You wandered into your chambers rubbing your tired eyes. It had been a long day and you were ready for bed. You opened your eyes and blinked, jumping when you saw someone sitting in light of the setting sun coming from your window. “Such interesting information,” the stranger said in voice that made your blood run cold.

"Lord Baelish,“ you began after calming your pounding heart, "What are you doing in here?” Petyr stood and walked over to you. “I merely came to check on your welfare, Lady Y/N. You seem so tired. Clearly, you weren’t here, but I found something much more interesting.” It was then that you saw the book in Petyr’s hand. The one you had been reading when you wound up in Westeros.

"Seems you aren’t what you claim to be.“ You crossed your arms over your chest. "Neither are you. I can play this game too, Lord Baelish.” Petyr laughed lightly. “I know. I must admit when I first found this ‘source’ of your power, I was tempted to run straight to Cersei. Then I realized, you are just like the rest of us. Lying to keep yourself alive. And you are one of the best. You have everyone believing your story.”

You didn’t reply. You wanted to keep him talking and maybe he would tell you what he planned to do now. If he told Cersei, you surely would die. “Don’t look so frightened. I won’t reveal what I’ve learned. I find it intriguing how a stranger to our land knows how to play the game better than most.” He took a step closer until he was right in front of you, his face hovering mere inches from yours. “I find you intriguing. You know everything that’s going to happen because of these books and yet, you do nothing to stop them. You keep yourself safe that way. It is…enchanting.”

Your blood was racing. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Petyr had loved Catelyn and then he was supposed to move on to Sansa. Not you! If you didn’t fix this, an essential plot would change forever! “Lord Baelish, I am flattered, but I think you should leave. You are to marry Lady Arryn.”

"I am not. I have already spoken to the king. He has agreed to release me from my promise to Lady Arryn so that I may be free to marry another. One who has done what I thought no one would.“ You couldn’t breathe. This was bad. Very, very bad. Petyr couldn’t marry you. You were barely listening as he continued, "You have freed me from the hold Catelyn Stark had over me. My mind is clear as day. I need you by my side, Y/N. I need you when I finally take the Iron Throne.”

"I can’t and I won’t. It would change too much. You are supposed to marry Lysa Arryn.“ Petyr smirked that devious smirk of his. The one he wore when he knew he was winning. You tried to reason with him. "It’s already written, Lord Baelish. It’s what’s supposed to happen.” Petyr reached up and cupped your jaw. “We write our own fate, Y/N. We can change it at will as the world around us changes.”

He continued on talking about it and all the while, your thoughts were becoming more and more clouded. His pretty words and reassurances buzzed around your skull like bees. It was becoming too much for you. “NO!” you cried, pushing yourself away from him. Petyr stared at you for a moment. He was watching your defenses breaking down. “Y/N, don’t fight it. Together, you and I could become the most powerful people in the world. Choose your own fate, Y/N. Protect yourself and don’t concern yourself with the rest of the world until it is you and I in that throne room.”

You closed your eyes and tried to calm yourself. There was a part of you that knew he was right. But you also didn’t want to change too much. If Joffrey had already betrothed you to Petyr, then it was too late unless you ran away. However if you ran, you knew Petyr would tell Cersei your secret and Cersei would hunt you down and have you executed.

You opened your eyes and found his green-grey ones still regarding you with a curious expression. His hand was on your jaw again and his face was even closer than before. “It is a pretty picture,” you admitted softly and Petyr smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Will you agree then?” Your tongue darted out to lick your lips as you contemplated what to do. His eyes bore into your soul while he waited for your answer. What were you going to do?

"Give me time to consider,“ you whispered. Petyr backed away and nodded. "Of course. I will need your answer by tomorrow. I sail from King’s Landing tomorrow night.” You let him know that you understood and he left. As you readied for bed, your mind wandered all over the place. You tried to figure out what you would do and it kept you awake all night.

Petyr waited for you all night and most of the day the next day. There was no word from you and, by the time the sun was setting, Petyr was certain you’d decided to stay in King’s Landing. He was angry and, if he were being honest, slightly hurt by your rejection. Why did this happen to him?

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Petyr ambled onto his ship. “Never mind her,” he thought to himself. He made his way to his cabin with his head held high. He wasn’t going to let another woman beat him down the way Catelyn had. He opened the door and stopped short. In the seat, with legs propped up on the desk, was you.

You smirked at his reaction and said, “Took you long enough.” You stood up and walked over to him. You pulled him slightly into the room, enough to close the door behind him. Petyr stared at you in disbelief. He hadn’t actually expected you to join him. You brought him out of his staring by placing a hand on his cheek. When he still didn’t say anything, you rolled your eyes and pressed your lips to his. You only pulled away after he kissed back. With a sparkle of mischief in your eyes, you asked, “So, where to now?”

(a/n: I changed it just a smidge, but I hope you like it!)

@brewsthespirit-blog @gameofwinters @etherealpotter @line-viper @littlemisscaptainfandom @frozenhuntress67 @obsessedwithgot @sol-martell

#george r.r. martin #game of thrones #got #surprise pairing #petyr baelish #catelyn stark #cersei lannister

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sinceileftyoublog · 4 years

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Pygmalion Festival Preview: 9/24-9/26

BY JORDAN MAINZER

When it became clear in May that the beloved Champaign-Urbana festival Pygmalion wasn’t going to happen regularly, founder Seth Fein refused to simply do nothing. He also refused to settle for the same nostalgic, corporate-sponsored bullshit that other festivals have decided to do, usually a combination of “archival” material discoverable through a YouTube search and low-quality acoustic performances from basements. Instead, Fein took what he could from the more unusual aspects of the planned Pygmalion lineup and did what would have been unthinkable a year ago: curate a virtual festival with no live music. A mixture of timely roundtable discussions, podcasts, table readings, a hackathon, a virtual escape room, and a Zoom version of the festival’s Human Library (“checking out” a person to tell you a story), the pay-what-you-want festival will be unlike any other not only in Pygmalion’s history but in the history of streamed entertainment so far. The action kicks off today at 4 PM CST and runs through Saturday at midnight.

I spoke with Fein over the phone earlier this month to talk about this year’s festival: how it came to be, curating a socially conscious, diverse lineup, what he’s looking forward to, and the sustainability of the virtual festival model. Highlights for the weekend NOT mentioned in our conversation below include Dan Savage discussing the documentary film Jimmy in Saigon, Headlines We Would Have Written featuring writers from the newly-formed sports blog Defector, and as-yet-announced material with the likes of Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner and Algiers’ Franklin James Fisher. Read on, catch the fest, and if you can, donate to the fest, with proceeds going to charities like UNCF and NIVA.

Since I Left You: At what point did you decide to go the route you did with Pygmalion?

Seth Fein: I’d say the middle of May is when my partner Patrick [Singer] and I had enough discussions with sponsors and enough discussions with people in our creative space where we were like, “You know what? I think we should do something.” I’m just not good at doing nothing. I don’t do well with idle time at all. Because it became apparent that our sponsors--not all, but most--were willing to continue to support what we do, we were like, “Let’s do it! Let’s use this as a laboratory to experiment to see what we can create inside of this fucked up moment.” It was pretty inspiring. It’s ironic for me personally because we’ve always resisted doing an online streaming component of Pygmalion. I’m kind of a purist, partially because of my age, partially because of my historical pedigree as a performer in a band. I never wanted to do streaming anything. Every year, we’d just reject companies that would come to us offering to set up cameras and sell tickets all over the world. They’d be like, “It’s no cost to you, you’re just gonna make money!” I’d be like, “Nah. I don’t wanna do that.” I kind of want to preserve the idea of the moment. When you’re there for a show, you want to be able to think back and say, “I was at that show! I was with people and had a human moment.”

The pandemic has forced me out of that space, and I’m glad. I think that as we get older, we become stuck in particular identities, and nobody is immune to that. Now, I have friends in L.A. and in Tokyo who are like, “I can’t wait!” They get to be a part of it. My best friend from 1st grade is super excited about the programming, and he lives in Tokyo. He’d never in a million years be able to come to Pygmalion. This year he gets to be a part of it, so that’s pretty exciting.

SILY: You’re also finding a way to stand out among the livestreams. There are zero traditional livestreamed performances in this fest. How did you come up with the components of the fest this year?

SF: A combination of recognizing that I already had stream fatigue and Zoom fatigue, even in the middle of May. In order for this to be a compelling program, we were gonna have to create new content you wouldn’t be able to Google search, where you can be like, “Okay, I wanna see this band perform these songs,” which generally you can do, by and large. Almost every band with any amount of popularity has something you can watch, whether that’s free or you can purchase it. It’s available to you. We didn’t want to replicate anything that was available.

The other thing that was different from getting baked, staying up late, wondering about my life, envisioning a new future, I really just felt like as a promoter, I’m always very conscientious about what my role is in an artist’s professional engagement. How and why am I earning my percentage of the money? In a traditional sense, there are a lot of reasons: setting up personnel to create the show, hiring the correct sound engineer to be able to run a professional show. There is value in a promoter. But in this particular moment, I’m not so sure I’m needed for a band who is struggling to do a streaming set. They can do that themselves and retain 100% of those profits, and I want them to. If we’re gonna come to artists, authors, or speakers, we’re going to want to present something curated that’s unique and interesting and an opportunity for them to do something they haven’t otherwise thought of. That’s where the programming is coming from: What can we do as promoters to create space for new and unique content that fans and the audience will be interested in?

SILY: What percentage of people taking part in this were on the original planned lineup for this year?

SF: Not a ton. When COVID struck, we weren’t that deep, although what we had was awesome. [laughs] We were in such a good position. We’ve been doing this for quite a long time--it’s one of the oldest events in the country of this kind. Since 2005. Some years are better than others. Some years you just get lucky. It’s never been bad, but some years don’t hit. This year was gonna be fucking great. The artists we had confirmed for live music, we tried to incorporate them in some sort of meaningful way. The one we retained and were able to pivot on was working with the cast of Napoleon Dynamite [for a table reading], which we thought was a fun event we could incorporate in the livestream. We love the movie, we think it’s a wonderful anti-hero tale that speaks to a lot of Middle America. We were able to pivot with them pretty quickly and get them to agree to do a virtual thing. Outside of that, we had to reconstruct the entire thing: the programming, the identity. It actually surprisingly took a lot more work than we thought it was going to. But again: idle time, no good.

SILY: You decided the direction to take in May. Later that month, there were protests surrounding the murder of George Floyd and an awakening among people who weren’t really paying attention before to structural racism. A lot of that conscientiousness seems to be reflected in the programming. To what extent were you reactive to the moment in planning the fest?

SF: We’ve been pretty thoughtful about how we’re programming for a number of years now. If you go back and look at the scope of the programming over the course of 15 years, you’ll see it start to shift around 2015, 2016 in particular, and then a better and more diverse direction in 2017. Part of the problem I personally had as the founder and programmer of Pygmalion early on is I’ve always been a really big believer in presenting what you know and love so that you’re not caught trying to be a poser. I don’t know that I’m always the best person to present hip hop, jazz, or country music. I do like that music, but I was always a British rock and indie rock kid. My favorite bands are XTC and Tears For Fears, Pink Floyd, INXS...Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins. That’s what I was into. The music my bands played reflected those, and when I became a promoter, I was interested in promoting that type of music. I was passionate about it, and I wanted to share that with people.

At some point, you have to stop thinking of yourself and start thinking about your audience. That’s a growing problem, and it’s painful to recognize you haven’t done right by what you should have been doing. You take it, and instead of pouting about it, you change your program. We’ve been doing that pretty significantly over the past 3-4 years. [Independent of] the re-inspired Black Lives Matters movement, as sad as the circumstances surrounding it are, we were always going to be booking a diverse lineup. But it’s a stark reminder. You hate for these things to be on display because somebody’s life was lost and communities were broken. It feels helpless. How is this still fucking happening? What is stopping people from affecting change? There are answers to that, individually, personally inside of our company.

Now, we feel pretty enlightened that our festival has promoters inside of a community like Champaign-Urbana, or anywhere, to create a diverse and broad array of art. That’s my and Patrick’s personal take. You become a better listener when you start pushing what people want to see instead of what you’re passionate about promoting. That’s part of the growing process, and I’m grateful for anybody who’s ever challenged me in the past to be like, “Yo. These bands are cool, but it’s too fucking white!” You listen, and you either pay attention and respond or are stuck in a cyclical act of denial, and I didn’t want to be in that place.

SILY: What’s cool about the program is that there are things that have existed in the livestream format before that people are familiar with--roundtable discussions, talks, readings--but there are a few things that jump out as unique, like the virtual escape room with Sudan Archives.

SF: It’s still being built. One of the things we wanted to do was create new content and be playful with our programming. How can we be presenters and offer our audience an opportunity to engage and interact in a way they wouldn’t normally do? We have a lot of talented people in Champaign-Urbana, despite being a small city, due to the University of Illinois being here. Two people [we know] who were videographers and also had jobs at the University of Illinois, creative people, said, “Fuck it,” quit their jobs, and became escape room designers. Their escape rooms are just phenomenal. They’re mind-bending. I suck at this stuff. Every time I go, I go with people far smarter than me because I’d lose every time. But I’m always amazed by all these intricate ways they’ve been able to build in these puzzle pieces. It’s crazy!

We approached [the escape room designers]. We receive a grant from a public arts program for the festival, and traditionally, you have to spend that money on artists and production inside downtown Urbana in order to stimulate the economy. This year with the pandemic, we’re not doing anything live because we fundamentally don’t believe we’re in the position to be doing that. In discussion with the commission, we asked, “How can we spend money on a virtual event but still honor the spirit of the agreement?” We proposed the idea that we would hire a local downtown Urbana business to work with us, and [the commission] thought it was a great idea. [The escape room designers] are able to do some live escape rooms, but it’s truncated, so they accepted our proposal.

Our idea was then: How do we incorporate a music element or an author or someone with a significant pedigree to be part of the game? I had been speaking with my friend Ali Hedrick, who is an amazing agent who has been doing it for 25 years, and she proposed Sudan Archives, who I was familiar with and really liked. The game designers incorporated her music and her instrument, the violin, into the game. While I can’t speak to the specifics yet, because I haven’t played the game, I have a lot of faith in the two of them as creators, and I expect it to be really unique and engaging. It’ll be a situation where 6 people play on Zoom on teams that are randomly put together, so you’re not friends with everyone. You kind of have to have a new experience and work together with people you may not know. There will be a human avatar that will do the escape room for you in these different locations. You’ll be instructing them what to do.

One of the things I’ve been having to come to terms with is that people who are behaving properly, which is to say that you’re not spreading the virus, you’re doing a lot of staying at home and engaging with people through your computers and your phones. The way we’re entertained is different right now, and it will forever be different. This just accelerates where we were going. Now, we have to find a new space for artistic output to enjoy our lives. This is something that people already into this type of stuff will enjoy. The fact that it’s free will make it more enjoyable. The fact that we have sponsorship to pay for the production of this game to be able to offer to it for people for no cost is very exciting, and you hope that people who are of enough means see that it’s a free thing and donate to the charities we’re hoping to raise money for.

SILY: As much as something like a virtual festival is the logical accelerated next step, it’s not a replacement or designed to replace the live festival experience. That said, The Human Library intrigued me. After a Guided By Voices livestream earlier this year, my girlfriend and I were calling out into the Zoom void to see if anybody random wanted to hang out virtually. The Human Library seems to be a nice replacement for what we were looking for, which is randomly bumping into someone you don’t know at a show or festival and hitting it off with them.

SF: The Human Library is such a unique project. We’ve done it for 5-6 years now and have of course done it live in the past. We work with the University of Illinois University Library, who is the local partner. If you’ve ever done it, you’re essentially checking out a book, but the book is a human being. The human being sits down with another human being, and they tell you a story. You can ask questions. Some are choose your own adventure, some are a little more direct, but you walk away with a story. It’s remarkably engaging. There are things that don’t lend themselves well to the virtual space at all, and there are things that do. I think that this is one of the things that does. If I was to tell you a story, we could jump on Zoom together, and provided you weren’t clicking around the internet while I’m talking, we could focus on our Zoom conversation. It’s gonna be a pretty intimate discussion. It’s just me and you with headphones on, looking at each other, through the screen. It provides a lot of opportunities for intimacy and human connection. When we first started analyzing, “What can we take from what we’ve done in the past and try to create a new space for it in the virtual realm?” that was a no-brainer. In the end, people have been telling each other a lot of stories over Zoom in the pandemic era. This is just an extension of that.

SILY: Is there something in the program you’re most excited for?

SF: Quite a bit. I’m a huge fan of Ilana Glazer. I think Broad City is the best sitcom of the last decade. I think what she’s doing with civic engagement right now is important. We were really grateful for the opportunity to book and confirm here and have her do a Generator, where she speaks with people inside of politics to inspire people to not sit this one out. This is a pretty important election. I’m pretty excited to have her present inside the work we’re doing. I’m also excited with what we’re doing with Worst Show Ever, which is gonna be two episodes, 7 guests, and a moderator, my new friend Nabil Ayers, who is a journalist and U.S. label manager at 4AD. He really liked the idea, and the two of us have been working on this for a couple months now and finally have our 7-person collection of artists, authors, and musicians to tell each other about the worst show [they’ve ever played]. We just got done this week doing a pre-filming interview with each of them, and there are some great stories. It’ll be fun to watch them interact and engage. I’m excited to see how that works out. I’m also very excited about the Minecraft Open Pit thing. I don’t play it, but my nephews do, and I know enough that it reminds me of video games from my childhood. They’re going to build an upside-down version of our arena in Champaign-Urbana, Assembly Hall, which is a remarkable piece of architecture that was designed by Max Abramovitz, who is a University of Illinois graduate but one of the more well-known architects of the 20th century. That will be fun to see the virtual space come together.

SILY: To what extent do you see this virtual festival as a sustainable model going forward, whether instead of or in conjunction with in-person festivals?

SF: I don’t totally know. I think eventually, the digital realm will supplant the live experience. I don’t know that I’m going to live to see it totally, but I definitely think there’s going to be a hybridization, and I definitely think there will be room for both. The idea that you live in a different part of a country or different part of the world and there’s something you want to see but can’t afford to get there to see it, I think that has quite a bit of potential. But I don’t see them as the same thing. I think it’s like how you eat food. You can eat this or that, it’s the same item, but it’s done in a different way and served in a different space. I think there will be room for both.

For us, personally, I’m going to always default to doing live events because I believe in the power of being together and having shared experiences. I think it’s the only way we find commonalities. Humans are social creatures. Even the most introverted person in the world generally needs people--just not a lot. I think there will always be innovation that provides opportunity for artists and presenters to try to create something out of nothing. The augmented and virtual reality will continue to develop and become more commonplace and be a piece of the market that’s not so foreign to most people. I think that will be accelerated even further. The idea of an iPod used to be so crazy. Within a few years, everybody had music on their phones. That’ll happen too with virtual reality as technology becomes more affordable and ubiquitous. I think there will be a lot of movement once that becomes more common, whereas right now, looking into a two-dimensional stream and watching a concert is one thing. Putting on virtual or augmented reality equipment and stepping inside a virtual space is probably a much more compelling and sensational opportunity for a person. My experiences with virtual reality have been mesmerizing, and we’re certainly fairly new as to where that goes. It could go in a lot of different directions. There will be room for people to capitalize in it.

I’m always hungry to get back into live rock and hip hop on stage and letting people dance, hopefully finding themselves in trouble, but not too much trouble, if you know what I mean.

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admittedlynotspartacus · 7 years

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“Game of Thrones” Season VI: Episode 3 - Slay Queen

WARNING: SPOILERS for the latest episode below, so if you haven’t seen it and don’t know yet who dies, who fucks who, and how many costume changes Varys has, turn back now.

We begin July with a stop at my corner fire hydrant...

DRAGONSTONE

Remember back in Season 2 when everyone was like, “Wait a minute, how did Littlefinger get from King’s Landing to Renly’s camp to Highgarden in like an episode?” Well, everybody seems to have taken a hit of Littlefinger’s magic fairy dust because now they’re all fucking warping all over the goddamn place. Starting with J-Snow, who’s like -

and washes up on the shores of Dragonstone right from the get-go. And P-Dinky’s there like -

And J-Snow’s all -

While Michelle is just like -

Anyway, she makes the Dothraki strip-search J-Snow and co. and then she’s like -

But she keeps getting interrupted by Davos, who’s like, “Where ya from, girl? I couldn’t place your ACCENT.” Even though literally everyone on this show is like -

P-Dinky and J-Snow are catching up, giving recaps of their seasons since the show overtook the books and P-Dinky is like, “To be honest, I was drunk for most of it.” And D&D are like -

CUE THE DRAGONS, because remember? She has dragons. And they’re all like ROAAAAAR FLYING OVER HEAD and J-Snow is all, “NAZGUUUUUUULLL!!” But Michelle and P-Dinky are just like -

Cut to Melisandre creeping from above. Ya know, as she does. When she’s joined by Varys who’s using his newly-found confidence from his off-season Jenny Craig diet to rock this tight-fitting number that’s equal parts SS officer and... you guessed it...

They’re basically like, “You’re up to shit,” “No, YOU’RE up to shit” when Melisandre is like, “I think I’m gonna peace. See the world and all that. Oh and by the way, you’re totally gonna die.”

So we come to the moment we’ve all been waiting all our lives for - when D-Baby meets J-Snow. And it’s, like, fine. Michelle is like, “Paramount Pictures presents: Studio Canal’s presentation of a Fox Searchlight production, a film by Martin Scorsese, James Cameron’s Daenerys Targaryen.” And Jon is like -

Basically D-Baby’s like -

But he’s like -

It doesn’t go well. But at some point, Varys does run in like -

Later on, J-Snow is staring off a cliff like a Britney Spears music video when P-Dinky saunters over and is like, “I came here to brood. But I don’t brood as well as you.”

Basically, he wants to help. But J-Snow is being all -

And D-Baby literally can’t remember any of her lines except for -

so P-Dinky has to totally Dick Cheney the both of them into playing nice. After which D-Baby even seems like she’s kinda -

Again, she’s his aunt. Never forget.

KING’S LANDING

Uncle Freddie Mercury is PARADING through the streets like -

and everyone is so totally stoked to see him like, “Hosanna, heysanna, sanna sanna ho sanna hey sanna ho and -”

Because the surviving Sand Snakes are being dragged around and the crowd is basically the Internet. Like, at some point there’s literally a man yelling “YOU’RE THE WORST! THE WORST!”

Anyway, he plops them down to Cersei, who’s instantly like -

Like, so much so that Uncle Freddie is already asking sex tips from Jaime (I believe he mentions butt play). Jaime, of course, is all -

Cut to Cersei wearing the loudest lipstick you’ve ever seen.

She’s rehearsing her Emmy submission monologue for Mama and The One Who Showed Her Boobs. And we’re all like, “Aight Cersei, enough talk, we all know you’re just gonna have Frankenmountain smash their heads in and rape them, right?”

But then Cersei’s just like so fucking turned on that she goes to The One Who Showed Her Boobs and is like -

And we’re all like -

But then we get it, ‘cause it’s poison. Except guess what? D&D don’t let us see The One Who Showed Her Boobs or Mama die.

Oh, no. They’re going to keep Mama alive. So that at any moment... if we give them too much shit... they can bring... her... BACK.

At this point Cersei is wetter than a whore sweatin’ in church, so she goes to Jaime and she’s like -

And let’s just say it might look like Jaime’s the one who likes the finger up the bum, knowhamsayin?

Anyway, they wake up the next morning (or something, time doesn’t matter anymore on this show), and Jaime’s like, “No one can see us.” But Cersei’s just like -

WINTERFELL

Meanwhile, Sansa is running around like -

and Littlefinger’s wandering around like the kid who can’t find a table to sit at in the cafeteria, being like -

And then he starts giving her like the most anti-Buddhist message of all time, like “Be stressed always.” At one point he literally says, “Everything that happens will be something you’ve seen before.” And I’m like...

But there’s no time for nostalgia, because somebody is at the gate! And we’re all like - OHMIGOD IT’S DEF ARYA, HERE WE GO! ...

It’s Bran.

Still, Sansa is like -

But Bran is just like -

Like seriously, Sansa is just trying to be all, “Sooo... how are thiiiings?” And Bran’s just like, “You had a really nice dress on the night you were raped.”

So of course, she’s like -

And he’s like, “K. I’m gonna stay by this tree, I guess.”

OLDTOWN

National Treasure Jim Motherfucking Broadbent is inspecting Daddy Mormont, who’s just like -

NTJMFB lets Daddy go, and Daddy EVEN GETS A NEW SHIRT. Seriously, he’s been wearing that yellow one since Season 1. But Sam is NOT out of the clear, because NTJMFB pulls him aside like -

And even though we’re still kinda like, “Wait. All Sam did was read the instructions and follow them and in all the history of Westeros no one at this super smart maester academy has EVER thought to do that?!?” Even though we’re still kinda like that, we really think NTJMFB is gonna expel Sam. When suddenly he’s like -

So then we think he’s gonna turn around and suddenly be like -

But instead he’s just like, “I need a shit-ton of copies.”

CASTERLY ROCK

P-Dinky’s monologue-ing as the Unsullied march on the Rock and he keeps talking about how it’s “impregnable,” but that somebody once told him when something’s “impregnable,” “impregnate the bitch.” And I’m like, “Whoever told you that (probably D&D) needs to wash their mouth out NOW, OKAY?!?”

Anyway, Barack’s there like -

And I’m like, “This is the end, my only friend - the end.” But lo, Barack sneaks in through P-Dinky’s whore tunnels and surprises everyone. And P-Dinky’s making us think they’re outnumbered, but Grey Worm is just like -

and lemme tell ya, he’s making. It. Work. He’s just like BAM KILLING BAM BAM but then he’s like, “Wait we killed everyone.”

HIGHGARDEN

All it takes is for me to see Jaime and the massive Lannister army marching while D-Rigg watches from her tower to be like -

Jaime takes the castle. Like really easily. Like too easily.

But whatever. Because all that matters now is D-Rigg. And lemme tell ya, she’s not leaving without one last bid for that Emmy.

First she’s ripping on him, him saying there’s always lessons in failures, and her being like, “Then you must be very wise.”

And then she’s like, “Hmm that’s a nice fucking sword you got there. Whose was that, your CUNT SON?!?”

And then she gets fucking real. She’s like, “Y’know Cersei?”

“And not only that... but she’ll be the end of you...”

So then, Jaime’s had enough, he’s like, “Drink your poison and be done.” And D-Rigg being D-Rigg, she doesn’t miss a beat, she’s just like -

And then. With one foot out of this life and one in the next, she’s like, “Oh yeah... I almost forgot to mention...

I killed your son.”

“And I want Cersei to know.”

BODY COUNT: 2, plus loads of Lannisters, Unsullied, and Highgarden troops (RIP The One Who Showed Her Boobs and... of course... D-Rigg) BOOB COUNT: 1 pair EPISODE GRADE: B+

SER POUNCE’S STRAY THOUGHTS

Friendly reminder there are only TEN episodes left of Game of Thrones.

Melisandre says, “I’ve done what I set out to do. I’ve brought ice and fire together.” But she’s never really spoken of the war in the North in those terms before, has she?

Do we think she’ll be back this season? I would say she’s gonna need some time to go to Volantis and back, but she can probably get there in 5 minutes with these new warp capabilities.

And while we’re on the subject, the show’s depiction of time has ventured beyond forgivable into problematic. At a certain point around Season 5 it became clear that each story thread was operating under its own time rules; we’d jump forward to not see Jon travel from Hardhome and back, but the other storylines weren’t necessarily running exactly concurrent to his. However, now this is becoming a problem because everything is converging again. So if Jon can make it to Dragonstone in an episode, and if Jaime and Cersei hear the news of the Freys’ death in Episode 1 mere minutes after we’ve seen Arya kill them all, then it doesn’t really make sense that it would take Arya 4 episodes to find out that the Starks have Winterfell again. It’s refreshing to see the show moving quicker, but it also means that D&D can bend time to suit the needs of their plot, which is frustrating given the realism George brought to this world. On rewatch, this is going to be a very top-heavy series. The War of the Five Kings lasted three seasons, but Daenerys has gained and lost a whole host of allies in 3 episodes.

I don’t know why I actually expected Daenerys meeting Jon Snow to be this electric moment when Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington have been the least-nuanced performers of the cast for a long time (I think you could make the case they’re two of the least-nuanced leading actors on a highly-regarded prestige drama in history). Still, it was nice to see director Mark Mylod delay having the both of them in the same shot until the end of her speechifying.

Re: “I am the last Targaren, Jon Snow,” so those who have read the books know that there is this other Aegon Targaryen character who’s either legit or a fraud. Is J-Snow the real Aegon? I guess this matters more in the book, he would delegitimize the fake one, but he must have a Targaryen name right? He’s surely not Jon Targaryen.

D&D love their torture scenes, but the one with Cersei and Ellaria was interesting simply because the victims were just as ruthless as the torturer. I even found a small amount of empathy for Ellaria and Whatever Sand Snake That Is. And kudos to Ramin for that chilling reprise of Cersei’s end of Season 6 theme.

Did we catch Jaime saying, “No,” as Cersei went in for him before their sex scene? Very frisky, D&D.

This was a much-needed solid Tyrion episode, although all of his plans from the last episode epic-failed. I look forward to the fallout. I’m ready for him to split with Daenerys already.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Sansa will be the queen at the end of all this.

Bran can see everything... except how to explain what being the Three-Eyed Raven means.

Although to be fair, I guess his speed-sync from last season before Max von Sydow died has left him with a fragmented manifestation of his capabilities.

Daenerys’ possessiveness of her dragons is being played up more than usual this season. Expect casualties.

If the Lannister feint seems familiar, that’s because it’s the same tactic Robb used in Season 1, leaving fewer troops to die against Tywin Lannister while leading the bulk of his men to kidnap Jaime. At first, I thought this was lazy writing. But it’s actually a really cool “Jaime learned his lesson” callback.

Oh, wait, there’s literally a line about this. My bad, I forgot D&D don’t trust us to figure things out for ourselves.

The Highgarden attack? Was it un-manned? Or was this just a case of they didn’t have the money to show a full-on battle here?

A note on Diana Rigg - truly one of the greatest assets of this show, and what an exit. Both D&D and her were so locked into that character - everything she said felt right and true. She will be missed. And hopefully Emmy awarded.

NEXT WEEK: D-Baby is done with clever plans, Theon with a boat, and dragons?!? I forgot she had those!!!

#got #gameofthrones #season7 #episode3 #queensjustice #George R R Martin #tyrion #daenerys #jonsnow #bran #sansa #dianarigg #queenofthorns #olenna #sandsnakes #songoficeandfire #hbo

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erinpagewrites · 7 years

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5 Shows to Watch Now That REIGN Is Over

After four seasons and 78 episodes (!), our favorite, semi-historical, semi-fantasy teen drama has come to an end. The last Urban Outfitters dress has twirled out of the ballroom; the last Lumineers song has played us off; and the last prophecy of Nostradamus has come to fruition. Did those things have anything to do with the real life of real person Mary, Queen of Scots and Notable Badass? Oh hell no, but that didn’t stop me from loving this show.

For me, it was love at first sight with some of the bananas storylines and details:

Why doesn’t anyone in France find Queen Catherine as hilarious as we do?

How many games of Hide & Seek can these grown-ass adults play per season?

Is the ghost that lives in the palace walls there to help Mary or hurt Mary, and hey it’s not a ghost it’s been a lovechild this whole time?

But my love for this show grew along with the tangle of plotlines, and over the last few years I developed a genuine affection for Reign. I’ve spent a good number of Friday nights watching and livetweeting and yelling at the screen when yet another episode has gone by without Mary getting a happy storyline, or without enough Catherine one-liners, or when they’ve killed off characters I’ve come to care for.

So where do we go from here? Where can we get that rare mix of adventure, romance, pseudo-history, and most importantly high-stakes costume drama? I’ve assembled a list of shows to help fill the void, where to watch them, and a semi-biased guide to appeal-level of each one.

(I tried to find as many pictures for these shows of the cast in the same dark, broody pose. This is the kind of detail I muster just for you guys.)

1. VERSAILLES

What It Is: A series following Louis XIV, and how one prince turned an obscure hunting lodge into the premier palace of Europe. As you can imagine, this show is less about the price of timber and gilded mirrors and more about the courtly intrigue of early Rococo France.

Where To Watch: Versailles premiered on Ovation tv, but has since been available for streaming on Amazon Prime and Netflix. Seasons One and Two have aired, with a third season in production.

Will I Like It? If you loved the courtly intrigue best in Reign, then this is the show for you. It’s basically the late sequel to Reign, in terms of time period. A lot of the cast is also fairly young and pretty, and the set design, costumes, and sweeping scenery gives you a lot to feast your eyes. It is definitely, ahem, a show for grownups in terms of graphic content, but probably nothing you haven’t seen before on a BBC show.

2. MEDICI: MASTERS OF FLORENCE

What It Is: A series following Cosimo de Medici, running his family bank and investigating the murder of his father at the height of Medici family power. Heavy on the murder investigation, family drama, and political upheaval, and light on the banking systems of Renaissance Italy.

Where To Watch: Netflix. Season One was uploaded in late 2016, and a Season Two has been discussed.

Will I Like It? This is the series for you if you wished we could have seen more of what Queen Catherine’s relatives and enemies were up to over in Italy. Also for the Rob Stark fans. Again, this show is heavier in graphic content than Reign.

3. THE WHITE QUEEN / WHITE PRINCESS

What It Is: Two seasons covering two stories in Philippa Gregory’s The Cousins War book series. Season One is the story of Elizabeth Woodville, York Queen and mother of the infamous “Princes in the Tower” allegedly murdered by Richard III. Gregory’s books and the tv show focus through the female perspective on the Wars of the Roses in fifteenth century England.

Where To Watch: Originally on Starz, The White Princess just recently broadcast its final episode. The White Queen is available to stream on Amazon Prime, and I imagine that The White Princess will not be far behind. I was unable to find information on a third season, but as Gregory has several books that continue the warring family saga, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was renewed.

Will I Like It? To be completely honest, this is my favorite of the shows I’ve included in this list. I’ve been a Philippa Gregory fan ever since I was in high school and first fell in love with The Other Boleyn Girl. Her stories bring a lot of family lineage, political minutiae, and land-grabbing to life. The White Queen and The White Princess have been critically acclaimed as a “feminist response” to Game of Thrones, which… while they certainly offer a nuanced perspective and, in Season Two, a noted female gaze, they’re not a “response” if the books were written before Game of Thrones ever aired. Just nitpicking on the critics not checking publication dates! Because it’s a terrific show, and if you love the strong female characters of Reign, then you’ll love these real women of English history. This brings me, of course, to the show I almost need not list based on the fact that you’ve definitely heard of—and probably seen it-- already…

4. GAME OF THRONES

What It Is: Warring families compete for The Iron Throne in the fantasy world of Westoros, while dark supernatural forces loom on the horizon to threaten life as they know it. Inspired by the A Song of Ice and Fire book series, author George R. R. Martin has stated in numerous interviews the significant influence of the Wars of the Roses, the work of J. R. R. Tolkien, and other classic “sword and sorcery” novels on his high fantasy books.

Where To Watch: Originally on HBO, but literally anywhere, as it’s the most pirated show in tv history. Available to stream in its entirety on HBOGo. Gearing up to debut its seventh (and penultimate) season next month.

Will I Like It? If you were into some of the magical and supernatural storylines from Reign, and can stomach some pretty intense violence, graphic adult scenes, people being mean to each other, and unending side characters and plots, then you’ll love it. I’ve loved this show, too. I don’t love it all of the time, but it’s hard to beat the dream casting, shocking moments, and truly gorgeous production quality.

5. POLDARK

What It Is: A young lord returns from fighting the rebels in America to his failing estate in Cornwall. Ross Poldark must save his mine, his tenants, and struggle to win love in eighteenth century Britain.

Where To Watch: Originally aired (in the US) on PBS, now available for streaming on Amazon Prime. Currently airing its third season.

Will I Like It? If you like the family drama and romance parts of Reign, then you’ll like Poldark. Also, if you’ve been a fan of The Forsyte Saga or Downton Abbey, then this is really the best show in this list for you… The balance of heartwarming and backstabbing moments between characters is exquisite, and the period details and beautiful seaside Cornwall are massively appealing. Also Aidan Turner has been mentioned as a potential future James Bond, so... do with that what you will.

BONUS! ROAR

What It Is: A series following a young Celtic warrior prince who is determined to protect his land from the invading Romans. To do that, he must gain the trust and respect of the Celtic tribes and find a way to overcome his adversary’s mysterious power in early Middle Ages-Britain.

Where To Watch: Apparently it originally aired on Fox, but I remember it from childhood in syndication on the SciFi (now SyFy, and no, I’m not afraid to date myself) Channel. It doesn’t look like it’s currently available to stream anywhere, but you can get the complete single season of 13 eps on DVD for a (shockingly high) $25 USD on Amazon.

Will I Like It? Roar is the *tamest* of all of the shows in this list in terms of graphic content since it originally aired on Broadcast television many years ago, so if you need a break from GoT you can check out Roar. But I made this one a Bonus! entry on the list because it’s difficult to find and (again, just being *honest*) of spotty quality. They were banking on the then-recent success of the Hercules and Xena shows, but I think that the seriousness of the Roar storylines and the confusing timeline of the show were its ultimate downfall. Nevertheless, I couldn’t *not* include it because I have truly enjoyed several watch-throughs of Roar myself. Hey, I’m an anglo (er, celto)-phile myself, I was bound to find something in it to love. Do you want to see bb Heath Ledger and bb Vera Farmiga? Of course you do! The charismatic actors are the best part of this series… and hey, if the dubious historicism, fantastical magic, and occasional camp appeal to you from Reign, then you’ll find a worthy stand-in in Roar.

#reign #what to watch next #versailles #the white queen #the white princess #medici: masters of florence #game of thrones #poldark #roar #goodbye beloved show

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pxterparkour · 7 years

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a brief history of you (closed): for @spidcrgwens

( tw: death / implied violence ) ( i mean it's gwen stacy what do you expect )

Dear Gwen,

I’m not sure you even asked, but I feel like you deserve to know about her. The other Gwen. My Gwen. So, here it is, the whole thing, start to finish. Just a heads up, it might get a bit long, or a bit soppy, and you are under no obligation to read it all or put up with me. I just thought you should have the truth, the whole truth. (And nothing but the truth.) All jokes aside, she’s a bit of a touchy subject, so here’s hoping I can get this all down.

We met in high school. I was a nerd. Like, really a nerd. Tripping over my own feet, unable to string together coherent sentences, you know the drill. I’m assuming you had your own Peter, and he probably wasn’t a football star or anything (I mean if he was, good for him, I’m impressed!), so you probably have a good idea of what I’m talking about. We had chemistry together--the class, not the other kind. That came later. I was too shy to talk to her, so I’d just kind of stare, and laugh a bit too loudly, and try to be helpful during labs.

I might have taken some pictures of her, from a distance, before I really knew her. In retrospect, it was probably a little creepy. God, she was cute. She always wore these little headbands and sweaters, sort of looked like every teenage boy’s librarian fantasy. (That’s a thing, right? Is that weird? That’s definitely not just me.) She had a habit of biting her nails when she thought--only her thumbs. You’d look over at her during class, during a particularly boring lecture, and there she’d be, taking notes with one hand, absentmindedly toying with her left thumbnail. That’s how you knew she was working on something genius.

MJ was her friend first. Everyone was friends with MJ, but I doubt I need to tell you that. She’s the best. Anyway, we were running in the same circles, sitting at the same lunch tables, asking each other for notes on the homework, that kind of thing. We started talking, eventually, really talking, arguing about books and movies and Schrodinger’s cat and renewable energy cars. I think MJ regretted picking scientists as her best friends. I still blushed every time Gwen talked, but it was less, a little. Maybe. I hope.

And then I got bit. It was a class trip to Oscorp, I got lost (I’m an idiot), ended up with a hitchhiking arachnid, who was probably just as unhappy to be there as I was to find him. So then I stopped needing my glasses, and learned to stand up a little bit straighter. That’s when I started doing the whole Spider-Man thing. Petty stuff, really. I was full of shit and trying to make a quick buck to buy a car. I wanted to impress her. I was still an idiot. An idiot with superpowers, but still an idiot.

I asked her out. We got coffee. She wore a blue dress and I paid for her latte, and we walked through Central Park and made jokes about being Typical Angsty Teenagers, quoting the Catcher in the Rye at each other and thinking we were the coolest people in the world. We never did decide where the ducks go.

We had fun. We saw movies, went to bad restaurants, played video games in my basement (for the record, she sucked at Assassin’s Creed, but was surprisingly good at Tomb Raider). We talked about traveling after high school: England, Spain, Belize, Thailand. Anywhere and everywhere. It took embarrassingly long for us to become Official, but, by the summer after junior year, Gwen Stacy was officially my girlfriend.

Then, that August, my uncle Ben died. I don’t really want to get into the details right now, but it was rough. There was a break-in, I could have stopped it, and I didn’t, and it was my fault. I’d been some variant of Spider-Man since that May, so you could say I was still getting my sea legs, but I should have known better. I was a mess, Gwen and MJ were there for me. I don’t know that I would have gotten through it all without them. It was a bad time, and something I’d rather not relive right now, if that’s okay. This letter is hard enough to write as it is.

I could tell you about the time we went to Coney Island in the dead of winter, and she kicked off her boots and pulled me into the water. We were both sick for weeks. I could tell you about the way her face crinkled up when she laughed, or how she’d tuck her hair behind her ears when she was mad with you. I could tell you about how she hated root beer and always ordered pistachio ice cream. Little things, Gwen things. I don’t know how many of these things you two have in common, at the end of the day. Her dad was a police chief, and she had kickass taste in music. She was not a drummer.

She was brilliant, though, and figured me out pretty much immediately. Like, late September of senior year, after I’d finally gotten out of bed and back into school and started really trying the whole hero thing. She noticed I was always a bit bruised, would show up to dates late or too fast or from entirely the wrong direction. There was no hiding from her. I think we were getting pizza when she told me she knew. I tried to deflect, but she was adamant, and she was right. So we finished our slices, and I showed her the suit, the web shooters, the whole shebang. Mind you, this was pre-Stark Tech, so it really wasn’t that much to see. I don’t think she was as impressed as I’d expected--something along the lines of, yeah, I already knew, dumbass.

On the flip side, it meant I had a hell of a good time promposing that spring. We’re talking PROM? written in webs, me swinging onto her fire escape to kiss her. It was flashy as all get out, but she said yes, so. I did something right.

She was our valedictorian. Headed to Oxford, of all places, brilliant as she was. She gave the speech at our graduation, and I hate that I don’t remember what she said. I was too distracted by her in that stupid blue cap and gown, thinking that somehow I had conned this incredible person into maybe liking me. Were we soulmates or madly in love? I don’t know. I thought so at the time, but I was seventeen, and, honestly, what do seventeen year olds know? (Nothing. They know nothing.)

It all went to shit a few weeks after graduation. You know, that hazy time between college and high school, when you feel so old and indestructible and so small and broken all at once. Everything and nothing. In-between time. Gwen and I spent a lot of time together; MJ’s mom was sick, she’d had to go back to Pittsburgh, but I’ll let her fill you in on all that. And then there was this guy, he called himself the Green Goblin, it was a whole big complicated to-do honestly not worth telling. He was bad, it was a mess.

But he took Gwen. He was showing off, probably. Wanted to lure me out to a big macho standoff. I still don’t know how he got her, and I don’t want to know. I don’t want to picture her screaming, ripped from her bed in the middle of the night by a really unfortunate looking green man. I don’t know if she cried.

It was an off day for me to start, which isn’t an excuse, just a fact. I’d been up all night watching Game of Thrones and freaking out about housing assignments for next year--I was due to start Columbia, and really didn’t know how to hide a superhero alter ego from a roommate. So I didn’t bring my A Game to the George Washington Bridge, and I paid for it.

He threw her. Right off the bridge, down, down, down into the Hudson. There’s a good chance we were on the Jersey side, too, to add insult to injury. I panicked, I threw a web out to catch her just before she hit the river. I thought I was so clever, I was making jokes about it as I pulled her up. Not only am I the most dashing hero on two legs....

At first, I thought it was the impact, but, looking back, it was whiplash. She would have died either way, but it was my rope that caught her. I snapped her neck. And it’s my fault. The monster got away, too. I lost her, and I lost him. Talk about a shitty day.

So, this is getting stupidly long, and my hand is cramping up, so I’m going to stop here. I guess, if you have any questions or anything, I’m here to talk? To summarize, I dated Gwen Stacy. I think I loved Gwen Stacy. I killed Gwen Stacy. It sucked.

Just, thought you should know. If I start staring at you weird, that’s why.

Best, Peter.

#( para )#( p. self )#( p.3 )#rebuildtask3 #spidcrgwens #( i am a masochist and i still hate all of you )

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hyperbolicpurple · 7 years

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Smut Swap letter

ASOIAF - Asha/Jon, Edric Dayne/Arya, Mya/Sansa Game of Thrones - Jon/Sansa/Daenerys, Jon/Sansa Original Work - Goddess/Male Worshipper

A Song of Ice and Fire - George R. R. Martin

Asha Greyjoy/Jon Snow

Asha seems like Jon’s type, and would have fun with him. We know from her rape roleplay kink chapter she’s pretty in tune with her desires, while Jon is pretty inhibited--that might be a nice dynamic to play with. Definitely has a femdom vibe for me, or switching/fighting for dominance would be fine, or Asha topping really hard from the bottom, but it’s hard for me to see something like Jon enjoying Qarl’s part in the rape/forced submission roleplay.

Would be v. happy with canon compliant, canon AU, or other AU (including modern AU).

Since I’m requesting the book canon here, please stick with book physical descriptions. (i.e., Jon doesn’t have curly black hair)

Feel free to combine prompts if you’re so inspired!

Antagonism Leads to Sex - you know she’d mock him mercilessly while he glowered and finally snapped

Blow Jobs - he loves it, but is totally incapable of admitting it/asking for it; she’s a tease and likes to drive him nuts

Bondage - they take turns tying each other up with increasing creativity

Casual Sex - no feelings, no strings, just a really good time

Cunnilingus - Jon Snow knows one thing

Dirty Talk - Asha, of course, and at the most inconvenient times (like whispering in his ear when they’re in public)

Face Slapping - especially if Jon is embarrassed by how much he loves it and how totally hard he gets

Face-Sitting - I love it, especially when the guy is super enthusiastic and probably is gonna get a crick in his neck and the woman teases him by pulling away but he really wants it

Femdom - interested in bondage and D/s but not painplay (see other prompts), except for hair-pulling, which is A-OK

Fuckbuddies to Lovers - I love a good case of accidentally growing feelings (Jon at least has a history of this)

Having to Stay Quiet/Quiet Sex - especially if it’s public or semi-public (not enough room to request Library Sex, but that would be good here); or other people being around but not present, like, idk, camping or something

Kneeling - Jon; I love the anticipation the waiting; naked kneeling with boners yay

Oral Sex - I just love it in general; see: Cunnilingus and Blow Jobs; also 69s are great

Outdoor Sex - you know Asha has much more adventurous ideas about where it’s appropriate to have sex

Public Blow Jobs - under the table at dinner, let’s say, or something similar

Sexting - Jon gets all these amazingly hot texts at really inconvenient times and places, but you know he is the most awkward sexter

Shower Sex - :)

Undercover as a Couple - I love this as a situation that leads to smut, especially all the little touches that are supposed to be an act but really fire them up

Vaginal Fisting - Jon is wary/worried but Asha is enthusiastic

Woman on Top - Asha prefers to set the pace; maybe her holding him down

Edric Dayne/Arya Stark

Obviously I have a thing for all kinds of outdoor sex here--Arya’s just such an outdoorsy kind of person and Ned’s spent plenty of time outdoors too, being a traveling squire, so I think it would just come naturally to them.

Would be v. happy with canon compliant, canon AU, or other AU (including modern AU).

Feel free to combine prompts if that inspires you!

Cunnilingus - love, esp. face-sitting or first times (either way)

Experienced/Inexperienced - Arya being the more experienced, Ned the less

Fake/Pretend Relationship - Arya needing to bring someone home for the holidays, maybe; I love the “fake” affection becoming real

Forest Sex - what’s sexier than dried leaves up your ass? jk, but I would love a little dirt/grime in this, or sex up against a tree

In Water - Dornish water gardens, maybe? or just pool/jacuzzi/bath/etc sex

Loss of Virginity - can be both of them together, or just Ned, but would prefer not just Arya

Oral Sex - I love all kinds; 69s welcome

Outdoor Sex - see above, and other prompts

Playful Sex - I love laughter during sex

Rain Sex - sexy desperate rain-soaked kisses, dragging off wet clothes, etc

Reunion Sex - after not seeing each other for years (the war? winter?)

Thank God We’re Alive Sex - the rush of adrenaline and relief just takes over

Woman on Top - self-evident, lol

Sansa Stark/Mya Stone

Aphrodisiacs - I love repressed feelings/desires coming to the forefront; being overwhelmed by desire, shedding inhibitions, all that good jazz

Blindfolds - I like the anticipation aspect of not being able to see and instead having to listen and feel, not being sure of what exactly is going to happen

Comfort Sex - some emotional h/c please?

Cunnilingus - adore it; first times would be great for this ship

Dry Humping - I love it, like, you know it could be better and you want more, but you just can’t stop to undress, maybe the roughness of clothes, grinding against thighs, unf

Experienced/Inexperienced

Fantasizing - with a healthy side of pining

Face-Sitting - plz (I can see Sansa being really unsure/tentative here, that would appeal a lot)

First Time with a Woman - either or both

Frottage - I love it, like, you know it could be better and you want more, but you just can’t stop to undress, maybe the roughness of clothes, grinding against thighs, unf

Hedonism - Sansa just wants to feel good all the time

Mutual Masturbation - first times would be great, or some kind of regular setup/arrangement that they totally don’t talk about

Oral Sex - love, in general; 69s welcome

Overstimulation - pushed past pleasure into something that’s just intense or even painful; crying welcome

Playful Sex - I love laughter during sex

Praise Kink - either way would be great!

Rain Sex - sexy desperate rain-soaked kisses, dragging off wet clothes, etc

Reunion Sex - after not seeing each other for years (the war? winter?)

Tribadism -

Vaginal Fisting - I’m so into it and I need more of it in my life; the overwhelmingness of it (giving or receiving) is appealing to me

Game of Thrones (TV)

Jon Snow/Sansa Stark/Daenerys Targaryen

Blindfolds - I love a character having ot rely on their other senses, not knowing exactly what’s coming and getting wet/hard from anticipation

Blow Jobs - he loves it, but is totally incapable of admitting it/asking for it

Cunnilingus - I think we all know what Jon Snow knows, but also a compare/contrast with everyone’s different oral ~styles would be good?

Face-Sitting - I love it, especially when the giver is super enthusiastic and probably is gonna get a crick in their neck and the receiver teases them by pulling away but the giver really wants it

Femdom - Dany as the dom (Dany could also dom Sansa into domming Jon, or the other way around - domception!); I bet Dany would appreciate control and I’d love to see what that means to her

Femsub - Sansa as the sub (someone who wants to be taken care of and wants to have the decisions taken out of her hands for a little while)

First Time Topping - Dany (see above); I love inexperienced tops and how they navigate that

Historical Roleplay - I am really taken with the idea of a modern (or more modern) Dany/Jon/Sansa doing some weird roleplay of their GOT canon selves

Impregnation - Jon + two wives situation? getting an heir? definitely headcanon that Jon gets off on the idea

Incest Kink - incest for everyone! let’s just totally blur the lines between family and lovers like good Targs

Kneeling - Jon or Sansa or both

Lazy/Gentle Sex - fluff please

Library Sex - I love when they have to stay quiet and/or almost get caught

Marriage of Convenience - Jon + two wives, duty turns to something more

Oral Sex - oral for everyone! 69s, oral train (trying to concentrate on giving head while getting, one of my faves)

Overstimulation - two characters gang up on the third

Praise Kink - bet Sansa likes to hear she’s doing a good job, or Jon, or Dany, hell, they can just have a praise circle if you want

Sex Pollen - “whoops I just found myself in bed having wild sex with these two beautiful people, let’s all give into our strongly repressed feelings!”

Sleepy Sex/Morning Sex - would love for this to be really indulgent or sweet; sleeping in?

Vaginal Fisting - desperately want, either Sansa or Dany receiving is fine, the overwhelmingness of it (giving or receiving) is appealing to me

Jon Snow/Sansa Stark

Season six is everything to me! I love their individual and mutual issues, like trust issues, combined with a healthy dose of “we’re the only ones left” and “we only have each other to depend on.” A little emotional codependency would not go awry. They probably also spent a lot of time on the road together traveling across the North; capitalizing on that would be great. Would also be happy to see other Northern locations like beyond the Wall, Skagos, or Bear Island.

Antagonism Leads to Sex - I LOVE the tent argument scene, something following that or following something like that would be excellent

Aphrodisiacs - they would never act on their feelings/desires ... unless prompted like this, and they just give in and go whole hog

Arranged Marriage - I love the “salty teens” phenom, something along those lines would be A+

Awkward Sex - awkward sex is my jam! laughter is great, prefer an upbeat tone to tons of angst or disappointment (though some is fine)

Bathing/Washing - an h/c element would be welcome, or something post-Battle of the Bastards, blood and sweat and grime & you can never be clean but they try anyway. it’s pretty hard to have sex in medieval-sized baths, so the godswood maybe?

Coercion by Identity Deception - Alayne Stone? (mix the books in here if you like); I like manipulative Sansa, but I also like Jon seeing through it and going along, so feel free to be as dubious as you like

Comfort Sex - grieving together, reassurance of each other’s presence

Cunnilingus - Jon Snow knows one thing

Dry Humping - I love it, like, you know it could be better and you want more, but you just can’t stop to undress, maybe the roughness of clothes, grinding against thighs, unf

Face-Sitting - plz (I can see Sansa being really unsure/tentative here, that would appeal a lot)

Fantasizing - they would never act on such base desires, but they do think about it

High Heels - Sansa ... and now she’s got several inches on Jon, yes!

Incest Kink - go full Targ with Jon or both of them; angst away or they can be totally carefree about it

Marriage of Convenience - always love! duty sex, duty sex becoming more than duty, etc

Scars - Jon’s especially, or both of theirs; INTIMACY ISSUES!!!

Sex After Fighting/Battle - Battle of the Bastards or War for the Dawn (camp tent sex?); can be rough

Sex in a Car - limited space and movement, the classic losing-your-virginity-in-the-backseat trope

Sex Pollen - same feel as Aphrodisiacs above

Sharing a Bed - always love this, forced proximity = sex, yeah!; maybe they have a hard time sleeping alone or have to share while they’re traveling together (safer to travel as husband & wife?)

Sharing Body Heat - same as bed-sharing, give me the tropiest iteration and I will be happy; would love h/c; the North is very cold!

Original Work

Goddess/Male Worshipper

In general, just looking for a really super devoted guy. How much worldbuilding you want to do (goddess of what? what’s the nature of worship? religious orders? etc) is COMPLETELY up to you, I’d be good with something really involved and elaborate or just a thin veneer of worldbuilding for porn purposes, lol. I think it would be pretty easy to combine some of these prompts if you feel so inclined!

Begging - him Body Worship - hopefully obvious, lol Chastity Device/Cock Cages - maybe some kind of celibate order thing? or a personal act of devotion? I like the pleasure/pain aspect of being turned on while the cage stays locked, but if she wants to take it off that’s good too Cunnilingus - yep Enthusiastic Consent - guy is just super eager to please Experienced/Inexperienced - either way is fine Face Slapping - along with Whipping, I’d be interested in a scenario where the goddess derives power from the willing infliction of pain/debasement Face-Sitting - I love it, especially when the guy is super enthusiastic and probably is gonna get a crick in his neck and the woman teases him by pulling away but he really wants it Kneeling - I love the anticipation the waiting; naked kneeling with boners yay Neediness to Please - him Outdoor Sex - not much to say, just love the exposure and openness without the public “people are watching” aspect Pussy Worship - obvious Ritual Sex - he’s some kind of offering tied up for her? her actually showing up is maybe a surprise? or some other kind of ritual? public/people are watching? Talked to Orgasm - goddess voice! Verbal Humiliation - not as interested in dick size humiliation, but p much anything else goes (“humans are dirty little ants” and/or “How could you possibly pleasure me” vibe would work) Whipping - see Face Slapping, looking for the same deal Worship - hopefully obvious, lol

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scienceblogtumbler · 4 years

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Race and mass criminalization in the U.S.

For Matthew Clair, the protests following the death of George Floyd are a stark reminder of the U.S.’s turbulent racial history. “In 2012 when I was in graduate school, I attended several protests in Boston following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who killed Trayvon Martin, a Black teenager,” said Clair, who is an assistant professor of sociology in the School of Humanities and Sciences. “Trayvon’s death and the emergence of the Movement for Black Lives in 2014 in the wake of Ferguson profoundly affected me.”

Clair became interested in criminal justice issues after seeing how the legal system plays a central role in the lives of Black people in the United States. “As I conducted interviews and ethnographic observations among police, prosecutors, public defenders, judges and defendants in courthouses in the Northeast, I began to understand just how massive the legal system’s imprint is in U.S. society, and how it intersects with racial and economic injustice.”

As a professor, he has continued to add to the body of work around race and injustice in the U.S. His book Privilege and Punishment: How Race and Class Matter in Criminal Court, which will be released in November, shows how race and class inequalities are embedded in the criminal legal system.

How does your work pertain to this moment in the United States?

Today, the protests we see erupting in city streets across the country in response to the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade and many others are symptoms of mass criminalization – of the state’s heavy-handed, race- and class-targeted violence against its civilians.

For me, mass criminalization – unlike terms like mass incarceration – better articulates the vast scope of the problem. Mass criminalization speaks to state punishment beyond the prison, including policing and court processing. We often think of policing and court processing as less severe forms of system contact, but policing can be just as costly as incarceration; a police officer can take your life with little or no accountability. These punitive tools have grown so massive over the last 40 years that even “non-targets,” such as white people and middle-class people, are more likely to have negative encounters with police, courts, jails and prisons than in previous decades.

These issues are not new, especially not in poor Black communities. But the upswell of multiracial and cross-class collective outrage is something new, I think. And it is something that has been, no doubt, inflamed by the pandemic, economic inequality and high levels of unemployment.

What are some of the daily life interactions between communities of color and police that have ramifications in the court system?

Communities of color – especially poor Black, Latino and Native American communities – are routinely surveilled by police. Numerous studies in sociology and criminology have documented police surveillance, the way it manufactures crime rates, and the way it fosters cynicism among people of color. It has become the norm in many Black communities to be stopped, questioned, abused and arrested by police. White people living in privileged communities likely could not imagine such routine, negative interactions with police occurring in their own lives.

In my work, I draw a link between the injustices of policing and the injustices of court processing. For working-class and poor people of color, negative encounters with police produce feelings of cynicism and distrust that bleed into their mistrust of court officials, prosecutors and even their own defense attorneys. One common frustration among the disadvantaged criminal defendants I interviewed and observed in Boston was that their defense attorneys rarely attempted to use procedural tools – such as motions to dismiss charges or suppress evidence – to hold police accountable for unjust practices. In effect, court officials, on the whole, legitimate racist and class-biased policing. Thus, we have a situation where the “crime” or alleged violence of defendants is ripe for punishment but the violence perpetrated by the police is routinely ignored and even validated.

What do you think protesters will face in terms of court experiences?

This is a really urgent question. Much of the conversation has been around the police violence protesters are rallying against, and are themselves facing, in the streets. But protesters may also wind up in court and face charges, which could have all sorts of collateral consequences in their lives and communities. In Washington D.C., for instance, protesters have been charged with felony rioting, which can be punishable by fines or months in jail. Protesters’ experiences will certainly vary from state to state. In some jurisdictions, with so-called progressive prosecutors, protesters may never face any formal charges. Police may simply let people out of jail without filing reports, or prosecutors may dismiss charges. In other, more punitive jurisdictions, we could see charges pursued against people whom law enforcement has been targeting for various reasons for years. The different ways protesters will be treated speaks, again, to the inequality of our legal system and the astonishing power we give to police, prosecutors and other legal officials to make discretionary decisions about people’s lives and liberty.

In what ways do experiences of the court system and of punishment differ based on race and economic standing?

There are profound racial and class disparities along the criminal legal process – from arrest, charging, and bail decisions to conviction and sentencing. Evidence varies across jurisdictions, but the most conservative estimates suggest that a meaningful proportion of these disparities can be traced to direct discrimination, unexplained by legal factors such as the nature of the offense or criminal record. Implicit bias and explicit racism among judges and prosecutors likely play a role.

In my book, I argue that institutional discrimination is also to blame. Court officials, enacting unwritten institutional norms and rules, discriminate against defendants on the basis of whether they are behaving “appropriately” as compliant, remorseful criminal defendants. Such performances are easier for privileged people to engage in than they are for disadvantaged people, who have been wronged by unfair police practices, ignored and coerced by their overworked defense attorney and shamed by judges. Moreover, I show how court officials often silence poor people of color who strive to learn their legal rights and prove their innocence.

What reforms are needed to correct the current disparities in the court system?

So many reforms are needed: police accountability, judicial intervention, reducing prosecutorial power and increasing resources for public defenders are places we can start. But beyond piecemeal reforms, we need to continue having critical conversations about transformation and the role of the courts in bringing about the abolition of police and prisons. When I speak of abolition, I’m referring to the ideas and work of numerous activists and scholars including Angela Y. Davis, Ruth Wilson Gilmore and Dorothy Roberts. They have been advocating for moving toward a world where police and prisons are no longer part of the way we deal with social problems and social harms. Instead, we should be investing in health care, housing, education and food security.

Some organizations, such as the Center for Court Innovation in New York, are experimenting with peacemaking programs as an alternative to traditional criminal courts. Such programs rely on restorative justice principles to reach an agreement between a harmed party and the person who harmed them. We also could use the courts as a mechanism toward prison and police abolition. One way to do this would be for activists and elected officials to pressure the courts to change their institutional norms – to lead the way in refusing to sentence people to prison and in contesting, rather than legitimating, unjust police practices.

Media Contacts

Sandra Feder, Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences: (650) 497-4832; [email protected]

source https://scienceblog.com/516813/race-and-mass-criminalization-in-the-u-s/

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jeffreyclinard · 6 years

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How to Spend a Week in London

Published: 07/26/18 | July 26th, 2018

London. The Big Smoke. It’s a sprawling city, covering 607 square miles and home to over eight million people.

In fact, London is really a collection of cities. The City of London (aka “The City”) is just 1.1 square miles (and the site of old Roman Londinium). Everything we think of as London today is actually other cities (Westminster, Camden, etc.) that “The City” gobbled up over the years. (Fun fact: The West and East Ends of London are so named because they were outside the ancient wall that enclosed London.)

My like for London turned into love on my most recent visit last month. Maybe it was the beautiful weather that stood in stark contrast to my other visits, maybe it was the people who I suddenly felt bonded with, maybe it was all the good restaurants and bars I found. Maybe it just took a decade of visits for the city to just “click” with me. Maybe it was all of it. I don’t know.

But now I’m head over heels for the city!

With so much to see and do, London can seem like an overwhelming place, so in today’s post I want to share my suggested one-week itinerary for a visit to London that takes you along — and off — the beaten tourist path:

What to See and Do in London: Day 1

Take a free walking tour – Start your first day off with a free walking tour to orient yourself and learn about the history of London. London is pretty damn big and hard to see much of in just a few hours, so most walking tours simply focus on a small area of the city. Here are my favorite free walking tour companies:

Free Tours by Foot – I’ve taken this company’s NYC tours, so when I found out they had a London version, I was thrilled. Some of the best are the Westminster, Harry Potter, Soho, ghost, and street art tours. Most walks last two to two and a half hours.

Free London Walking Tours – This tiny company offers free walks from a few older British chaps that have an air of a university professor. They tell silly jokes but are super knowledgeable about the most arcane facts of London history. Be sure to check out their “Fire, Pestilence, and Plague” and “Debauched London” tours. Each lasts two hours.

New Europe Walking Tours – This company has free walking tours all over Europe. They are sort of the “backpacker tours,” as most hostels in town heavily promote them, so you see mostly young travelers on their walks. They are good for a broad historic overview of the city. Tours last about three hours.

Pick a neighborhood and wander – London is a great city to just walk around in. You can follow the ancient Roman wall (part of the wall still exists and so does an old Roman amphitheater, which was rediscovered in the 1980s) from the Tower of London through the center of the city. The city maintains a series of panels about the wall and the history of the city along the way.

There are a couple of app-based options too. Visit London has a free app that lets you create personalized maps and itineraries that you can use offline. Detour and StrollOn are two other cool companies that provide virtual walking tours.

Relax in a park – After all that walking on the first day (trust me, it’s worth it), chill out in any one of the city’s many parks:

St. James’ Park (Westminster)

Green Park (Westminster/Central London)

Regent’s Park (Camden Town)

Kensington Gardens (Kensington)

Hyde Park (Central London)

Holland Park (Holland Park)

Battersea Park (Battersea)

Hang in Soho – I love Soho. It has cute little parks, world-class restaurants, lots of popular bars, funky bookstores, beautiful buildings, and everything in between. I recommend you spend your evening (or many evenings) here eating and drinking and hanging out with the locals. Some recommended places:

Ceviche Soho – Great Peruvian food. 17 Frith Street

Flat Iron – Simple menu featuring steak and salad and a daily special. That’s it! At £10, it’s a steal. 9 Denmark Street and 17 Beak Street

La Bodega Negra – Amazing Mexican food. 16 Moor Street

Eat Tokyo – Delicious ramen. 16 Old Compton Street

The London Gin Club – The best gin London can offer! 22 Great Chapel Street

Three Greyhounds – A fun traditional pub. Fun story: I ended up drinking with Rami Malek from Mr. Robot! He was nice. 25 Greek Street

What to See and Do in London: Day 2

Soak in art and culture at a museum – Take advantage of London’s hundreds of museums and overload on history, art, weird oddities, and everything in between. Some of them are so big you can barely see them in a week, let alone a day! Here are some of the bigger ones to start with:

British Museum –

By far one of the best in all of Europe, this giant museum houses one of the most comprehensive art, cultural, and historical collections in the world. Be sure to budget at least three hours to get a good sense of the museum, though you could easily spend a whole day there. Great Russell St. +44 20 7323 8299. britishmuseum.org. Open daily 10am-5:30pm.

National Gallery – This art museum was founded in 1824 and houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to around 1900. There are works by Johannes Vermeer, Sandro Botticelli, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo, among many more! It’s a really extensive and wonderful art museum. Trafalgar Square. +44 20 7747 2885. nationalgallery.org.uk. Open daily 10am-6pm.

City of London Museum – I love this museum. It gives you a detailed overview of London’s history and has an excellent exhibit on the Great Fire of 1666. 150 London Wall. +44 20 7001 9844. museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london. Open daily 10am-6pm.

National Portrait Gallery – Here you’ll find portraits of centuries of famous Brits, from kings and queens to celebrities and artists. St. Martin’s Place. npg.org.uk. +44 20 7306 0055. Open daily 10am-6pm (until 9pm on Fridays).

Note: All these museums are free!

What to See and Do in London: Day 3

Wander around Westminster – Start off with a stroll through Hyde Park’s lush and expansive grounds, with its picturesque walkways, ponds, and ducks, before heading to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard at 10:45am. It lasts for about 45 minutes (arrive early to get the best view).

If you’re visiting during the summer, Buckingham Palace is open to the public (in 2018, the dates are July 21 to September 30.). Booking in advance online is recommended. Tickets are £24.

Next, meander over to the Churchill War Rooms. Located beneath the Treasury Building in the Whitehall area of Westminster, this includes the government’s command center during WWII and a museum about the life of Winston Churchill. The centerpiece of the whole place is an interactive table that enables visitors to access digitized material from the Churchill archives. It is one of the best museums in London. Book online in advance to avoid the multi-hour wait! Open 9:30am-7pm in July and August; 9:30am-6pm from September to June. Admission is £18.90 per person.

Afterward, marvel at Westminster Abbey and Parliament. You can see the tombs of 17 monarchs dating back to Henry III (who died in 1272) in the Abbey. Other famous people buried here include Charles Darwin, Sir Issac Newton, Aphra Behn, and Charles Dickens. Westminster Abbey costs £20 but you can visit for free if you go during a service. Just be quiet. On Saturdays, you can tour Parliament. Tickets booked in advance are £25.50; same-day tickets cost £28. Tours start at 9am, with the last tour of the day being at 4:30pm.

Eat in Borough Market – After that, hop on the tube from Westminster to London Bridge (or walk along the South Bank) and head to the famous Borough Market to grab a meal from one of the many vendors. It’s hugely popular with locals, especially around lunchtime.

Wander South London – After you’ve satiated your hunger, wander around South London. See the site of the original Globe Theater, visit the eerie Crossbones Cemetery that honors the working girls and lost souls of London, walk along the riverfront, marvel at Millennium Bridge, and pop into the Tate Modern for a few hours to take in some of the best modern art London has to offer (it’s free). Then head back toward Borough Market for a drink at the George Inn, one of London’s oldest pubs and where Charles Dickens used to drink (it’s also likely that William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe also drank here). The new Globe Theater is also here if you want to take in a Shakespearean play!

What to See and Do in London: Day 4

Hit up some more museums – London is museum city. It has some of the best in the world, so I suggest you visit a few more before you go:

Natural History Museum – There are over 80 million items in this comprehensive museum, including specimens collected by Charles Darwin. It also has a great collection of fossils, making it a fun and educational stop if you’re traveling with kids. Cromwell Road, +44 20 7942 5000, nhm.ac.uk. Open daily from 10am to 5:30pm.

Science Museum – Founded in 1857, this is actually one of the most popular museums in London, attracting over three million visitors each year. There are some really neat interactive galleries on flight and space, and the temporary exhibitions are usually pretty amazing (though those often cost extra). Exhibition Road, South Kensington, +44 20 7942 4000, sciencemuseum.org.uk. Open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Victoria and Albert Museum – Named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, this museum is home to over 2,000 works of art covering over 3,000 years of human history. Cromwell Road, +44 20 7942 2000, vam.ac.uk. Open daily from 10am to 5:45pm (10pm on Fridays).

Eat on Brick Lane – Head east to the famous Brick Lane and eat your heart out — it has some amazing Jewish delis (Beigel Bake is the most famous — and delicious) and Indian cuisine. On the weekends, this street becomes a bustling flea market and a hub of activity when it fills with antique and flea market sellers, food vendors, and people eating and drinking their way down the street.

Take a Jack the Ripper tour – Every night, you’ll find tons of people in the East End learning about Jack the Ripper on a ridiculous number of similar tours. My favorite is the original Jack the Ripper Tour. Get Mick as your guide; he’s obsessed with Jack the Ripper (he even wrote a pretty decent book on the subject) and will fill you with arcane knowledge. Very animated too!

What to See and Do in London: Day 5

Visit these art galleries – Into art? Great! London is the perfect place to window-shop! Here are some galleries worth checking out:

Maureen Paley – 21 Herald Street, +44 20 7729 4112, maureenpaley.com

Jealous – Shoreditch and Crouch End, jealousgallery.com

Unit – 3 Hanover Square, +44 20 7494 2035, theunitldn.com

Marian Goodman Gallery – 5-8 Lower John Street, +44 20 7099 0088, mariangoodman.com

Explore the Tower of London and its crown jewels – Built in 1070 by William the Conqueror to defend his royal power, the tower was expanded many times over the years. Until the 1800s, weapons and armor were made here and all coins were made here until 1810. Now, it houses the famous crown jewels. The Tower of London’s changing of the guard (the Ceremony of the Keys) and takes place daily at 9:30pm. Tickets are free but book in advance because it fills up quickly. Tickets to the Tower are £22.70 for adults and £10.75 for children. Open Tues-Sat (9am-5:30pm), and Sun-Mon (10am-5:30pm).

Be sure to also head to nearby Tower Bridge, which opened in 1894 (and lot of people confuse with London Bridge). You can access the bridge deck to take in the view or check out the Tower Bridge Exhibition, where you can see the old Victorian engine rooms and get a sense of just how epic an engineering feat the bridge’s construction actually was. Open daily 10am-5:30pm and costs £8.70 for adults.

Take in a show – London is my second favorite theater spot after New York City. You can’t leave without seeing a show. Check out TKTS for discounted tickets for shows in the West End.

What to See and Do in London: Days 6 or 7

Take a day trip to Stonehenge – Stonehenge, located in Salisbury, is one of the oldest man-made structures in the world (it dates back to 2500 BCE). You can’t approach the stones anymore as they are now cordoned off, but it’s still quite a fascinating site to explore. The audio tour is a must so you can get some historical context.

Take a day trip to Bath – Bath is named after its famous mineral baths. It is home to an ancient Roman bath that is marvelously well preserved (the audio guide by Bill Bryson is a must). It’s pretty much the main attraction in town, though the church and river are also nice.

Take a day trip to Oxford – Oxford is one of the oldest universities in the world and exploring all the beautiful colleges here makes for a fun day trip. Most cost a few pounds sterling for a tour. You can even see the one where they filmed Harry Potter. In addition, you can visit the famous Bodleian Library, wander the town’s historic center, and enjoy some good food.

Visit the Dennis Severs House – Located in the East End in Shoreditch, this house is an immersive art experience (“still life drama”) set up to represent how a family of silk weavers would have lived from 1724 to the early 20th century. Honestly, I didn’t really get it: I mean, it was funky and arty, and there’s whispering going on from speakers in the walls, but I didn’t get why everyone loves it. Regardless, it’s one of the more unique things to do. If you are into immersive, participatory art, you’ll like this. 18 Folgate Street, +44 20 7247 4013, dennissevershouse.co.uk. Advance booking required. Prices start at £10 per person.

Take a paid walking tour – During my last visit to London I tried out over 25 different walking tours. There are amazing companies that have created some insightful, entertaining, and delicious walks for every type of interest. From Harry Potter walks to historic pub crawls, there will definitely be something for everyone. For some inspiration, here are some of my favorites!

***

London is one of the biggest cities in the world, with a ton of things to see and do (I didn’t even get to mentioning Camden, Notting Holl, and all the other neighborhoods!). It’s easy to get lost in every neighborhood. A week in London barely scratches the surface, but it is enough to get a good overview, dive into its smaller neighborhoods, and get a taste of local history and culture. Use this London itinerary as a guide for your next trip and get a feel for why I love this city so much now!

Book Your Trip to London: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight to London by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation My favorite hostels in London are St. Christopher’s Inn, Clink78, and Astor Hyde Park Hostel. If you’re looking for a hostel in London, use Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.

Need Some Gear? Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on London? Be sure to visit our robust London destination guide on London for even more planning tips!

The post How to Spend a Week in London appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Traveling News https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/london-itinerary/

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joshuamshea84 · 6 years

Text

How to Spend a Week in London

Published: 07/26/18 | July 26th, 2018

London. The Big Smoke. It’s a sprawling city, covering 607 square miles and home to over eight million people.

But now I’m head over heels for the city!

What to See and Do in London: Day 1

Relax in a park – After all that walking on the first day (trust me, it’s worth it), chill out in any one of the city’s many parks:

St. James’ Park (Westminster)

Green Park (Westminster/Central London)

Regent’s Park (Camden Town)

Kensington Gardens (Kensington)

Hyde Park (Central London)

Holland Park (Holland Park)

Battersea Park (Battersea)

Ceviche Soho – Great Peruvian food. 17 Frith Street

Flat Iron – Simple menu featuring steak and salad and a daily special. That’s it! At £10, it’s a steal. 9 Denmark Street and 17 Beak Street

La Bodega Negra – Amazing Mexican food. 16 Moor Street

Eat Tokyo – Delicious ramen. 16 Old Compton Street

The London Gin Club – The best gin London can offer! 22 Great Chapel Street

Three Greyhounds – A fun traditional pub. Fun story: I ended up drinking with Rami Malek from Mr. Robot! He was nice. 25 Greek Street

What to See and Do in London: Day 2

British Museum –

Note: All these museums are free!

What to See and Do in London: Day 3

If you’re visiting during the summer, Buckingham Palace is open to the public (in 2018, the dates are July 21 to September 30.). Booking in advance online is recommended. Tickets are £24.

What to See and Do in London: Day 4

Hit up some more museums – London is museum city. It has some of the best in the world, so I suggest you visit a few more before you go:

What to See and Do in London: Day 5

Visit these art galleries – Into art? Great! London is the perfect place to window-shop! Here are some galleries worth checking out:

Maureen Paley – 21 Herald Street, +44 20 7729 4112, maureenpaley.com

Jealous – Shoreditch and Crouch End, jealousgallery.com

Unit – 3 Hanover Square, +44 20 7494 2035, theunitldn.com

Marian Goodman Gallery – 5-8 Lower John Street, +44 20 7099 0088, mariangoodman.com

Take in a show – London is my second favorite theater spot after New York City. You can’t leave without seeing a show. Check out TKTS for discounted tickets for shows in the West End.

What to See and Do in London: Days 6 or 7

***

Book Your Trip to London: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight to London by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Need Some Gear? Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on London? Be sure to visit our robust London destination guide on London for even more planning tips!

The post How to Spend a Week in London appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Traveling News https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/london-itinerary/

0 notes

melissagarcia8 · 6 years

Text

How to Spend a Week in London

Published: 07/26/18 | July 26th, 2018

London. The Big Smoke. It’s a sprawling city, covering 607 square miles and home to over eight million people.

But now I’m head over heels for the city!

What to See and Do in London: Day 1

Relax in a park – After all that walking on the first day (trust me, it’s worth it), chill out in any one of the city’s many parks:

St. James’ Park (Westminster)

Green Park (Westminster/Central London)

Regent’s Park (Camden Town)

Kensington Gardens (Kensington)

Hyde Park (Central London)

Holland Park (Holland Park)

Battersea Park (Battersea)

Ceviche Soho – Great Peruvian food. 17 Frith Street

Flat Iron – Simple menu featuring steak and salad and a daily special. That’s it! At £10, it’s a steal. 9 Denmark Street and 17 Beak Street

La Bodega Negra – Amazing Mexican food. 16 Moor Street

Eat Tokyo – Delicious ramen. 16 Old Compton Street

The London Gin Club – The best gin London can offer! 22 Great Chapel Street

Three Greyhounds – A fun traditional pub. Fun story: I ended up drinking with Rami Malek from Mr. Robot! He was nice. 25 Greek Street

What to See and Do in London: Day 2

British Museum –

Note: All these museums are free!

What to See and Do in London: Day 3

If you’re visiting during the summer, Buckingham Palace is open to the public (in 2018, the dates are July 21 to September 30.). Booking in advance online is recommended. Tickets are £24.

What to See and Do in London: Day 4

Hit up some more museums – London is museum city. It has some of the best in the world, so I suggest you visit a few more before you go:

What to See and Do in London: Day 5

Visit these art galleries – Into art? Great! London is the perfect place to window-shop! Here are some galleries worth checking out:

Maureen Paley – 21 Herald Street, +44 20 7729 4112, maureenpaley.com

Jealous – Shoreditch and Crouch End, jealousgallery.com

Unit – 3 Hanover Square, +44 20 7494 2035, theunitldn.com

Marian Goodman Gallery – 5-8 Lower John Street, +44 20 7099 0088, mariangoodman.com

Take in a show – London is my second favorite theater spot after New York City. You can’t leave without seeing a show. Check out TKTS for discounted tickets for shows in the West End.

What to See and Do in London: Days 6 or 7

***

Book Your Trip to London: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight to London by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Need Some Gear? Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on London? Be sure to visit our robust London destination guide on London for even more planning tips!

The post How to Spend a Week in London appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Traveling News https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/london-itinerary/

0 notes

trendingnewsb · 6 years

Text

5 Stupid Things We Need To Stop Clicking On

We are living through the final gasps of the Information Age. Experts estimate that 62 percent of all information we now receive is deliberately false, and that includes the percentage and experts I made up at the start of this sentence. The sad truth is, most of you will never have the critical thinking or research skills to know what’s real, and that will only make you more sure about the wrong things your stupid ass believes. The good news is that this article isn’t about that shit. The fake news fight is over, and stupid won. No, this article is about the dumb things we all keep falling for — even you, the genius who chose the right political side and religion.

Pointlessly Insane Products Are Not That At All

Last year, Tiffany & Co. started selling the Sterling Silver Tin Can, an empty can that costs $1,000. You’ll notice that this is far more than you’d normally pay for soupless garbage. To be clear, this wasn’t some tin can that once held Prince’s final green beans. It’s only a can. As an artistic statement, it was 50 years stale, and as a money-making scheme, it was somewhere between a portable diarrhea box and that same product without a lid. It’s the kind of idea that would make the other Saved By The Bell writers say, “Look, if you’re not ready to come back to work, take more time off to deal with the death of your son.” The point I’m making is that it’s hard not to comment on Tiffany’s silly can, and that’s more appealing to Tiffany & Co. than when we comment on how the people who mined their products all died of slavery.

“Darling, I was part of many souls transcending penetration to transform a utilitarian men’s room into an installment of signature Tiffany oeuvre.” — this Tiffany copywriter explaining to his wife why there are seven colors of pubic hair in his underpants