barbara

butch lesbian with a femme attitude

[howlidae]

come on you miner for truth and delusion, and shine

[shittybrograndpas]

Shitty Brograndpa #9: This is kinda old and wonky looking but tiktok seemed to like it

[optichocolate]

“Touch comes before sight, before speech. It’s the first language, and the last, and always tells the truth” -Margaret Atwood

[kyleraiyner]

those unfamiliar with judd winicks game might not believe the panels directly preceding these,

r these:

and then those first two panels are followed by these:

which leads us to these:

but it is the case. crazy world we live in

[residentwordsofaffirmationdealer]

dick & slade - "you and me, kid"

"if you kill me, you'll let everyone go?" "you were always the trophy, grayson. why would i waste my time with anyone else?" dark crisis (2022) #2

"this isn't about your friends, robin. it's about you. it's always been about you." teen titans (2003) s1 e11

"it was always going to come down to you and me, kid" dark crisis (2022) #7

"no. there's no one i'm willing to put in front of him. this is my responsibility." nightwing (1996) #80

[worgjen]

the movie I want (inspired by deadpool and wolverine)

[starwarsotsource]

Chewbacca + hugs

[icarusallusion]

- Imperial Handbook

Darth Sidious under a Padawan Anakin's anecdote on a Jedi handbook

[sithextant]

Everything about Maul makes a lot more sense when you realize that despite being an extraordinarily powerful and deeply talented force user, he is still extremely insecure + fear motivated.

Not only is he from a culture that inherently devalues him, but he grew up being told he was good for very little. Maul, at his core, is unchanged from the little boy who was given away by his mother. How would that not inform a core aspect of your thought process? That you are worth less than ehat you were traded for even by your own mother? He spends a great deal of the series still trying to prove himself, to Sidious, to Talzin, even to Obi-Wan, that he is worth something (not that he believes that himself).

He expresses the fawn trauma response when Sidious comes to collect, saying that he did this for him, he built this empire for Sidious, and when that doesn't work, he finally gives in and defends himself. Crucially, this is not true. He built that empire to defend himself because Sidious frightens him so much. He uses the defensive Soresu. I know people say that his fight against Sidious is one of thr biggest beatdowns in the show and he spends the runtime getting mollywopped, but I disagree. He puts up (in my opinion) a damn good fight against Sidious. I don't think he loses because Sidious is necessarily the better duellist, I think he loses because ensured that Maul specifically would never be able to surpass him. Maul couldn't have won that fight, because he was terrified.

When he's captured by Ahsoka, him begging to die is one of his most enlightening scenes. Death is preferable to being handed over to his master - maybe because he knows nobody will be coming for him this time.

He is desperate for People, but the only metric by which he knows to have a relationship is through that of master and apprentice. Everything else is out of the question because he was repeatedly punished for having friendships. He doesn't know how to be anything else. Not a brother, not a son. Maybe an ally.

I don't actually think power is his biggest motivator. He already is powerful. From the moment he's introduced in TCW, he displays a masterful grasp of the Force. His manipulation and control of physic matter is probably among the most impressive out of all the characters. He builds his body and uses the Force to ambulate, he throws starships around without breaking a sweat, all that preeminent duelling talent comes out in full force even without a lightsaber, and he holds the record for the strongest Force push in the show. He's one of his generations premier duelists (even if his arrogance costs him). And what does he do with all that skill? Fucks off to work from the shadows. Lets Dryden Vos take most of the credit.

He's already learned what being too open about power will cost him, and he already knows that nothing he can throw at Sidious will stop him, but amassing power is literally all he knows. It's what he's been taught since he was a child, despite the fact that that philosophy is actually damaging to his needs and desires. He's just using power as security. He has bodies to throw at his problems. If he needs to make a quick getaway, he can send some goons out to take care of it and leave, biding his time until he gets lucky enough to die.

At his heart, Maul is still the scared boy being handed over to Sidious.

[pazukaz]

censor the EVA with the EVA 🍜

[icarusallusion]

thinking about how solid snake almost perfected the boss' will and how his conversation with big boss in mg2ss probably made bibo so much more upset with his insecurities. a younger you being so much better than you in a moral and critical way and perfectly representing what your mentor wanted you to become but instead all you do is groom children and perpetuate further war and violence.

big boss projects his own insecurities and failings onto solid snake because this is his twisted mirror, who even though big boss is 50 years his senior is still suffering from his younger life's decisions. big boss is trapped, he's sick of life and projecting that onto the man he assumes is just like him. especially notable, when he literally comments on how all children of war end as soldiers who die on the field, he indirectly connects the children he grooms to solid snake. when snavid is so adamantly not that, his quote towards gray fox of promising not to be like him is so simple but so good of explaining all of big boss' influence.

the twins & solidus being living weapons of war yet still ending up with their own morals and ideals for peace in some way or another is genuinley my favorite thing about mgs. especially david who in mg1 mg2ss and mgs1 is made so clear he has no purpose to fight, that hes loyal to war and how it changes, but then he sees the hurt it causes and he lives and fights agaisnt it. big boss surrended to that born a weapon ideology forever and its so nasty to me how people use the boss' death as an excuse for big boss' destruction of the world as if all the kids big boss has made into soldiers and war orphans haven't sought out peace, gray fox loved peace but he loved destroying himself for war because he was made to believe thats all he could do by big boss. big boss perpetuated war and global destruction in a way greif could never excuse while solid snake was forced to clean up his and the patriot's mess until he died at their doing, his only birthright being death at war, at disease, or suicide; suffering being the only thing the patriots, big boss, and most of the world viewed the boss' will as good for. solid snake was so determined for world peace as he grew, practically the exact opposite of big boss.

It's even more beautiful to me how sunny was the one to fully break through that, responsible for breaking the patriot's and letting billions of people free from the cycle of war and the "hereditary" cycle from big boss. snavid able to project love into sunny's life, separating her from fighting, and staying in the fight just so she as a child would not have to have to suffer is so emotional to me. solid snake broke the cycle and that's just one of the things that keeps me so in love with snavid's story

[icarusallusion]

happy valentine's day to gray fox & solid snake and only them

[icarusallusion]

we miss you queen, where did you go :(

I'm still very much here! I had a phase where I fell a little bit out of love with metal gear, but I've been seeing more analysis videos on the games and it's been getting me into the mood to post more. I'm also getting very into overwatch... but I don't know how many ppl will want to see that lol. Overall, I've just been very unmotivated with social media though, forgive me (⁠゜⁠o⁠゜⁠;

[otaconsleftlens]

Naked Snake didn't lie to Ocelot. Jack is a nickname for John. His name is John.

I would totally be on board with this if names weren't incredibly important in MGS. I think there's a reason why The Boss is the only person who addresses Naked Snake as Jack. Everything in MGS is very intentional, and while Naked Snake didn't necessarily 'lie,' he wasn't being entirely truthful either. If I give you a nickname instead of my real name, it's still deceitful.

I believe Ocelot felt special when Naked Snake shared his 'real' name with him, which is why he addresses Naked Snake as 'John' when they're alone. This, to me, further solidifies that Ocelot believes Jack's real name is John, and nothing more.

In MGS, sharing names is a sign of vulnerability and trust. Even though the ending isn't canonical, Solid Snake and Otacon exchanging names on the jetski is significant. There's also Kaz calling Big Boss 'Snake' instead of 'Big Boss,' and people referring to Naked Snake/Jack by anything other than his real name. These instances show the level of trust they have with each other. I also think it could be a reflection of their true selves. Does Big Boss ever truly return to his true self? I believe this also applies to Raiden—he was a child soldier raised to kill, and his real name is Jack. When people call him that, he gets upset. Jack (Raiden) admits in game that he likes killing, he is Jack the Ripper, but in the end, he prefers being called 'Raiden', someone who doesn't kill for the thrill of it. Kaz calling Big Boss 'Snake' is interesting to me as well because I feel like Big Boss respects Kaz more than Ocelot, yet not enough to be completely vulnerable with him. (This is more subjective.)

Anyway, nickname or not, there's a reason why Naked Snake did lie to Ocelot. It was a lie. Ocelot using Naked Snake's nickname/fake name makes me believe he genuinely thought Naked Snake was being honest. I think Naked Snake wanted to have fun and trick the trickster.

[icarusallusion]

This is not at all how I think their relationship is presented.

John is Big Boss' name, he uses it with multiple people and only uses Jack as a name for those he is extremely close with, like with Zero and The Boss, even Zero's usage feels tensioned and we know he viewed his relationship with Big Boss as far too invasive. The usage of his nickname is exclusive, Off limits to his lovers or close friends. People do not introduce their "family" only nickname to a stranger they have met. I took your post as John is something he gave to Ocelot for distance but John is the only name he knows

I do agree with the trickster tricking comment you made though and I find it very interesting as I put thought deeper into John's name. Because he does not have a name and is only known as John Doe, he is untraceable, Ocelot cannot find him if he tried. It's probably why he gives a smile when Ocelot asks and he answers. Big Boss does view John as his real name however, its the only name he CAN give, its not a lie or a fake name. Not supplying a nickname is normal, you typically introduce your name and then maybe the nickname but John and Ocelot are not friends at this point in time, barley even friendly, they are soldiers on opposite sides and give full formal first names.

Later, Ocelot uses the name John, not Jack, because he respects Big Boss, they still don't truly have a best friend thing going on, they never really do. Their relationship is built on a trauma bond, a murder of the woman they both viewed as mother, but they don't view each other as anything beyond heavily respected inappropriate coworkers and mild friends. EVA says Ocelot viewed Big Boss as an Idol, same as Zero. Ocelot respects John and refuses to believe they have a friendship, it's a reason why he does not use John's nickname and uses only formal language when speaking to him in all translations. (I think it also stems from Zero's clinginess too, but this is just a more theory territory, where Ocelot thinks "I should not be friend with my idol because Zero was and he was crazy".)

But then we turn to Big Boss who does use nicknames, so it is obviously not a "no nicknames" mutual basis. He calls Ocelot a friendly nickname and the tape where they exchange names plays as a form of separation not a form of endearment. The change of formal name of John to nickname within Adamska to Adam pretty much showed it. Especially with their manners of speaking, Ocelot again uses multiple forms of formal address while John always talks to him quite playfully and friendly. At least that's how I saw it. I don't think their whole relationship is built in one single interpretation, they're a very deep kind of relationship.

With Kazuhira, I think their relationship as lovers is what dictates their relationship and name usage. Snake as a name is seen as playful, youthful while also being respectful and separating other soldiers from Kazuhira within relationships to the Boss and provides a deep connection to them. I think the importance with the snake is shown in MGSV a bit. Kazuhira is in many desperate situations with who he thinks is Big Boss in MGSV, never once does he shout out John, never once does he shout out Jack, he doesn't even say "Boss" most of the time when in these kind of situations. He calls out Snake. The same name he used years(?) ago when they first met. I think it really shows what kind of relationship they have though. Their relationship doesn't command respect because it's shown.

This contrasts with Ocelot, where Ocelot thinks he must show his respect and gratitude to Big Boss all the time, even if Big Boss continues viewing them as friends. Ocelot knows almost everything about Big Boss, their years apart is spent with Ocelot studying him in his absence. Ocelot knows Big Boss' names, his goals, but he still uses John. Big Boss' lovers, EVA and Kazuhira, don't use John. Ocelot avoids playfulness in his speech when it comes to Big Boss when usually he is playful outside of that.

The contrast between how Big Boss utilizes his names has always been very interesting to me and I'm glad you brought it up! Even if what I said wasn't what you originally had in mind it spurred me on to talk again about Metal Gear. Even though my post is very long please just take it as salt of grain rambles! I am not word of god haha : )

[therealpancak]

While the absence of real names in the Metal Gear Solid series makes sense and reinforces its themes about war and conflict, I also think focusing on their real names, lives and who they were as people is also equally important, as a sort of antithesis to the dehumanization of war. On the battlefield names mean nothing, but at the same time they mean everything. Everyone you kill was a somebody. They were someone with a real name, given to them by their parents or by someone else. They are tools of the times yes, but without acknowledging the humanity of the individual that point becomes meaningless.

The legendary soldier Big Boss was once a baby given the name Jack/John. He was once a 14-15 year old child soldier surviving the harsh, freezing nights in Korea while boys in America slept in their warm beds with their loved ones right down the hall.

Acknowledging, recognizing things like this. Acknowledging the names, lives, mothers and fathers, of anyone and everyone you see in any of these games, that's what's truly anti-war.

[pawscreatures]

screenshots part 3

I wanted this to be its own post so I can breakdown how the scene goes since you can’t play the cutscenes as a video unless the cameras at the in game angles, so these can only be taken frame by frame.

as emma’s dying, snake looks away towards the ceiling before turning back to them. when she takes her finale breathes and otacon goes “emma!? emma!?” snake then turns completely away with his back to them, with a shot of his profile. 

what isn’t shown in game is snake’s expression after a fade to black (well, two fade to blacks in quick succession) while his back is still to them 

after this is another fade to black to the shot of big shell as otacon’s talking about his childhood, and when the scene goes back to them snake is then turning around to face otacon and emma. his face is back to a more “maybe upset, but keeping it in” expression. seeing the comparison between the fade to blacks is night and day… and notable he only looks visibly upset while no one can see him

if I was just a bit more crazy and determined it’s technically possible to take a of capture every frame and then put them together to make a video… but that person isn’t me. but it Would be interesting to see his expression changes in real time because it is animated, and towards the end while he’s still anguished looking it seems like he’s shaking his head slightly

(also, my guess is that they had a vague idea of where they might want the camera be so they animated snake’s face in case they wanted to include a shot when it came time to “filming” the cinematic. why they ended up choosing not to I have no clue. I think there would have been huge added emotion to the scene since I don’t think we often, if ever, see snake that upset)

edit: I’ve gone through almost all cutscenes with snake in them and looking at his face when the camera wouldn’t be on it in game, and he’s never animated if off screen unless getting from point A to B for the next shot. or any other characters either (hense the screenshots of raiden during the hug where he just stands there). 

this combined with someone’s tags I saw here makes me think maybe it could be purposeful it’s off screen. maybe snakes not only hiding his pain from raiden and otacon (coming from maybe sympathy and care for him and not wanting to burden him more, maybe even from guilt) but from the player as well. you don’t get to play as snake because you’ll never be snake [like raiden] and you don’t get to see him emotionally vulnerable because he wasn’t made to let it show, both literally in universe and in meta. snake has a persona he plays that’s the image of what he was intended to be, but he isn’t that person. he isn’t an invulnerable solider who can never faulter like zero intended, like everyone sees him as, that the player sees him as. or that could be entirely unintended that it works well in that way. 

not to write a entire novel here, [too late? (;ŏ﹏ŏ)] but also: I think the reason snake is so distraught isn’t because of emma dying per say, because he has no emotional attachment to her, to him her death is like any other innocent life lost on the battlefield… except it’s not, because he knows how much otacon’s hurting. this isn’t the first time he sees him cry… but he knows him now. he cares about him. he probably knew how important seeing emma again was to otacon and could have been been a second chance to ‘fix’ his family. and I think That’s whats hurting him so much.

[icarusallusion]

Text taken from the mgs3 novel, translated into English.

This entire exchange between The Boss and Zero has not left my mind and I need more people to see it.