Random thoughts about the media I consume

(he/him/they/them)

[dreanner95]

Do I understand it correctly that Age of Umbra will replace Campaign 4? Maybe this is a similar thing World Beyond Numbers does so that they can shoot around Aabria's maternity leave.

[dreanner95]

I can't believe I have to say this but the CR cast are not kink shaming. They are making fun of a speficic sliver of that community. There are literally sites out there collecting pictures of feet from celebrities. Those are the people they call freaks. And no, you signing up for Beacon with the code "feet" doesn't make the cast actually think you are freaks. They are joking around.

[crimsonxe]

Spoilers for LiS: Reunion (from the reveal stream:

She's back and looks so good

THIS is more my style of Max, like still a bit cashmere; but with at least some punk edges.

I'd say elements of this are exactly the kind of stuff I would've wanted in DE, like the Chloe seeing memories of Bae & Bay along with other paths rewound by Max; but I said the same thing with the reveal of DE. It failed to do those things, so while I'm excited I'm also cautious. Also really curious to see Safi's role given how things ended with her in DE. This is feeling more towards the comics for now, which is a good thing. Funnily that puts Safi in Tristian's position, which I'm just saying he got himself a bf...so maybe Safi can get herself a gf.

Also LOVE that they mention getting to PLAY as sometimes Max and sometimes Chloe. I know some will say its rehashing old stuff, but I don't care after DE drove the series into the ground. Not to mention bringing back old abilities for each can serve as a tether back to their respective games. Since they state direct names like "Rewind" for Max (LiS) and "Backtalk" for Chloe (Before the Storm). Still makes me wish they'd gone with a brand new character that could shift dimensions w/ Max as a support character; rather than having to sacrifice dimension shifting to bring back Rewind. Also glad that they're saying Chloe does NOT have powers, cause Backtalk is more an ability.

The writer for Chloe for Before the Storm is going to be doing it again for Reunion, plz give him the chance to retcon/fix the assassination done to her in DE.

Also ofc Rhianna is the one that'll be VA-ing for Chloe; cause of the "rumored" SE drama towards Ashly. Which I don't hate, cause like in DE it further allows for a distancing of this entire branch of things to be a side-branch not the core canon of the multiverse. The way hearing Hannah call Chloe "Max's soulmate" sends me.

I also want to touch on the whole "Max got her own game, Chloe got hers" angle that I've now heard from multiple places involved with DE/Reunion; that could've been great. IF there wasn't a character assassinating, player-choice stealing, offscreen breaking up of the two. Chloe would NEVER leave Max, but Max within reasonability (and ignoring the words of Michel from DN) could've taken some space and/or separated from Chloe leading into DE. Then there could've been that arc and finally got to Reunion, where THAT would've been easier to stomach.

Also D9 if the big thing is Chloe vs. Caledon, then a second location is getting nuked; cause I won't give up Chloe. And it better be a CHOICE if its a thing at all, no more forced things on players like the Pricefield breakup.

I hate to say but for now (cause any reveal down the line could change it) I'm legit lowkey-excited for Reunion. Especially with its potential to fix so much of DE (like its also weighed down by the issues with DE).

Edit: And I just saw the Steam listing, its only $40 for base game. Which brings it irrc to True Colors price, rather than going for maximum they think they can pull from hands.

[dreanner95]

I think this is me having slightly different interpretations for Max, Chloe and their relationship and me loving second chance romances but I still kind of like the idea of them having broken up and coming together again. Mostly because in my interpretation Max being the one stuck on the past so much that she pushes Chloe away actually makes sense. I still think DE didn't do itself any favors by excluding Chloe so much. I wanted all the text messages and a big talk at the end. But as I already mentioned, I am a fan of Second Chance romances and I kind of like that my Max in DE kissed Amanda. Max having to talk to Amanda due to her feelings for Chloe and Amanda (hopefully) being disappointed but understanding just adds to the Second Chance nature of this romance. DE was fine imo. I liked most of the new characters, the setting was great and the story was weird but somehow came together enough to be intriguing. And my biggest fear that Life is Strange would suddenly become X-Men seems averted with the plot of preventing the fire. And preventing the fire is very simple, so I hope it won't get too conveluted again.

But they need to nail Chloe and Max's relationship. I get that for you Reunion is already at a disatvantage due to the break up. But I also am not that far behind. I may accept the break up but they barely did anything with it in DE beside mentioning it and showing a little bit how it ended.

[dreanner95]

As someone who liked Double Exposure (I still liked most other LiS games way more but also have no hate for it) and had Max kiss Amanda, I am really excited to see this develop in Reunion. Even though DE didn't do it perfectly, I like the plot point of Chloe and Max breaking up and coming back together. Having Max have a serious talk with Amanda about her still having feelings for Chloe makes me really excited. Also having Chloe return as a consequence of the ending of DE makes sense. I was worried Reunion would be a Retcon of DE. And while I get not many liked that game and I personally am not really fond of anything other than characters and setting of that game, I like it when creators stick to their guns instead of throwing everything out.

[dreanner95]

Critical Role Campaign 2 Spoilers ahead. Beware, only show watchers.

I don't get why so many people on social media and even in articles written about The Mighty Nein act like Yasha's friendship with Molly and her flirtation with Beau was cut. It wasn't cut. Molly is literally still alive. Of course they are going to repurpose campaign moments to build their close friendship. And the iconic Beauyasha moments from the beginning of C2 can be repurposed just as easily. I get not liking Yasha being sidelined for Season 1 but I have the feeling some people completly ignore what the show wants to do with her moments until she knees in front of the rest of M9. The show is a completly new canon so always comparing Yasha's arc to her moments at the beginning of C2 is not fair because there is nothing to compare it to. Season 1 basically was Yasha's session 0. Now we don't need some long monolouge for Yasha to describe how it felt to be under Obann's control. We have lived it.

Again, I get not liking how Yasha was potrayed in Season 1 but please don't act like we won't get any of her important moments and relationships in Season 2 onward. And now Yasha won't leave any other week!

[dreanner95]

I know a lot of people are annoyed by the lack of Yasha this season but making her part of the main plot of season 2 is actually brilliant. Her past, her struggles with control against Obann and her burgoning relationship with the group (especially with Molly) will be front and center in Season 2.

[dreanner95]

I think I know why there isn't a Cooldown for this episode. They basically cut a whole session in half.

[dreanner95]

Beware for show only watchers, Campaign 2 spoilers ahead.

I really hope the cliffhanger is not Yasha showing up. But I am confident due to the epsiode being called "The Zadash Job" that all of the episode will be focused on getting the Beacon. The main struggle will be between the Nein and Essek's team trying to get the Beacon. I think the Kryn will manage to get the Beacon, only to be stopped by Yasha. And I do think there will be a big Yasha vs M9 fight. I don't know if Yasha will kill Molly. If Molly dies, it will be due to Yasha. But I don't see a better cliffhanger than Molly dying. I am gland that we can watch the final two days earlier.

[dreanner95]

Yes, The new Mighty Nein Episode was great and I am excited for the new Campaign 4 episode later this week but I just need to share my love for the first (surprise!) episode of The Long Rest. A story of Oldgar as a Santa-like figure and Himmelsschloss read by Caleb? I love it. Stuff like this is why I am happy so be a Beacon subscriber.

[dreanner95]

BEWARE Massive Campaign 2 SPOILERS ahead. If you only watch The Mighty Nein and do NOT know the main campaign, stop reading!

I can't say I came up with the following theory on my own. I have seen parts of this floating around. And I also don't know how likely it is. But I really do think that the animated show is setting up to end with Yasha killing Molly at the end of season 1. There are a few reasons why it could happen:

It seems like the show is not diving into the slavery angle of Campaign 2. The Gentleman is only called a smuggler. I find it smart because with how much is already going on, I doubt intodrucing slavery will have the nuance it demands. It also means that the Iron Shepards and Lorenzo won't be there.

Molly's death is already being foreshadowed heavely. He is also shown as the glue that holds this group together. If his death was not iminent, I doubt he would get so much focus.

Without Lorenzo and his presence, Molly's death needs to still hit. Trent could work but I doubt there will be a direct confrontation between him and the M9 this early. I think it is very likely we will get flashbacks to a time where Molly and Yasha spend time together. Her being a mindcontrolled old friend of his would likely mean they accept her travelling with them.

I still think we will get stuff like "King's Cage". I just think parts of that arc, mostly the distrust towards Yasha will happe in season 2. Obann finding Yasha again will lead to M9 fighting to free Yasha,

As I already said. This will probably not happen. But it might. And I personally would love it (if the execuation is not bad of course)

[dreanner95]

I have seem multiple people lament that Essek is dumb now and Campaign Essek was this evil manipulator until M9 showed up. But that is a lot of headcanon. It makes sense that Essek started with a noble goal. And of course he gets scared when he is first directly confronted with the consequences of his choices. But has nobody wondered why Trent let him go? He wants Essek to come back. Trent knows Essek is desperate and wants to help his mother. And it is very likely that Essek will return to continue the experiments. If he was completly done, he wouldn't let his friend go to war when he has knowledge that could end it.

I think the reason we are seeing Essek is season 1 is because we are watching his decent. He will let the war happen, he will continue to work with Trent and he probably also will betray Verrat to protect his mother. And once their experiments bear fruit? Essek will need help to turn his back on this allure of knowledge.

[teslafactory]

i've noticed that people in the CR fandom seem to get much more upset about things being 'planned' than other actual play fandoms, which is strange because critical role has always been the one which i associate least with improvisation

[dreanner95]

That is so strange. Critical Role is rarely preplanned. Matt is known for letting his plans go because his players or the dice did something different. The best known moments from past campaigns are improvised.

[danko420]

quick question is crit role always so crushingly depressing or does it get easier to watch? we started the newest campaign and couldn't even get an hour in... like had to bow out around the time Liam was talking about him and his brother playing out back as 10 year olds...

Just wondering if it gets lighter if we tough it out or if the tone is about the same throughout? Definitely not a criticism just wondering because idk if it's for us if it stays this heavy (and granted theres only like 3 eps so far so may be too early to tell)

[dreanner95]

Campaign 4 is a special case. There are more heartwrentching moments in all Critical Role campaigns but the first three are more lighthearted overall.

[danko420]

quick question is crit role always so crushingly depressing or does it get easier to watch? we started the newest campaign and couldn't even get an hour in... like had to bow out around the time Liam was talking about him and his brother playing out back as 10 year olds...

Just wondering if it gets lighter if we tough it out or if the tone is about the same throughout? Definitely not a criticism just wondering because idk if it's for us if it stays this heavy (and granted theres only like 3 eps so far so may be too early to tell)

[dreanner95]

I love Wayne Brady from his role in HIMYM so finding out that he will play Taryon weirdly is my NYCC highlight. I also loved how the cast teased revealing the Whispered One VA before bringing Wayne Brady on stage.

[wedobonesmotherf-cker]

i have an honest question for the CR fandom.

it is about the War in Palestine and the cast stance on it. I've been apart since 2023 and I'm super curious about season 4, but to even consider watching it I need to know what is the ground I'm gonna be standing on.

Please send help. I'm not judging YOUR choices, I just really need to know for myself.

[dreanner95]

Maybe other cast members have mentioned something but I know that Dani Carr, Lore Keeper of Critical Role and consistent presence on the channel, is very vocal about her support for Palestine on BlueSky. And unlike other companies, CR doesn't seem to want her to stop that.

[dreanner95]

For everyone who watched both the Oaths & Ash One Shot and the corresponding Cooldown: https://www.feardaddy.com/